Recap:
Last week we did an introduction to the Biosphere, to issues related to biodiversity, and you learned some lovely info about different amazing and resilient species. Over the weekend, you looked at Endangered Species and some of the risks facing them including poaching and the wildlife trade. This week, our focus will continue to be on nature, but we are going to take a look specifically at the importance and nature of (pun intended!) plants and forests.
Biomes - Forests & Vegetation
Didn't play minecraft as a kid? Biomes are communities of plants and animals that have common characteristics that are distributed around the world. A tropical rainforest in South America will have many similar characteristics to a tropical rainforest in South East-Asia. If you want to see some images of Biomes, you can watch this video. Or click on it because the comment section is hilarious - its filled with students complaining about being forced to watch it for online school!)
Vegetation in specific biomes is determined by the nature of climate (is it super hot & wet and tropical?), and both animals and plant species possess specific adaptations that help them thrive in their location.
We live in Vancouver, in a temperate rainforest. It might not feel like you live in a rainforest if you live around Metrotown, or close to downtown Vancouver, like me, but that is the history of this space. The forests have been chopped down, transforming our landscape, but also disconnecting us from the natural identity of this space. Here are some old photos of Vancouver forests.
And these forests were cared for by the Coast Salish peoples for time immemorial before that. But today, your daily life as a Moscrop student is probably quite disconnected from the natural forests here - especially during a pandemic under quarantine.
Why Should We Care About Trees and Forests?
1. Trees are busy and do a lot of stuff.
"Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. Ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of a tree! Here are the six pillars that explain why trees are so vital..."
TASK: Read the following article "The Importance of Forests" and choose 1-2 specific reasons that grab your attention. If you'd prefer to read it online, here is the same web-based article.
2. Trees species are super special and unique
Did you know that trees communicate with each other? In real life, not just in Lord of the Rings. This is a summary of amazing research being done by Suzanne Simard in the Faculty of Forestry and UBC, It's world renowned, and based on our own local forests.
HOMEWORK TASK: Watch the following video "How Trees Communicate with Each Other" and pay attention to some of the ways in which trees "talk".
Still not amazed by the abilities of nature?
TASK: Watch this video that dissects the way that plants protect themselves - The Amazing Ways that Plants Defend themselves.
3. Plants provide us with medicine
Review the following infographics - notice the different ways in which plants, fungi and vegetation provides us with many items that we use to stay healthy today.
4. Simply Being in a Forest is the Medicine
Forests provide us with health. Not just from a scientific standpoint, but also from a psychological health standpoint. There are specific qualities about forests and trees themselves that are actually healing.
The country of Japan, with some of the most significant mental health & stress-related issues amongst their citizens, has realized this point. Since 1982, they have been researching and investing in the impacts of "Forest Bathing" or "Shirin-yoku". It is now promoted around Japan as a way of helping their citizens stay active and healthy.
Note that Forest Bathing focuses on utilizing your senses in order to engage in relaxation and stress release.
TASK: Watch the following two videos on Forest Bathing - we will discuss these next day in class.
Video 1 - Shinrin-yoku - What is Forest Bathing?
Now Decide - What Do You Think?
After a little introduction - what's your opinion on Forest Bathing, and other nature-connected health remedies?
Do you already drink medicinal and herbal teas (like peppermint)? Do you use balms and salves when your muscles or sore or to heal a cut? Do you use essential oils? Does your grandma feed you certain foods to boost your health? =)
This is just an invitation to see what's happening in places outside North America, and to explore other perspectives regarding nature and health that falls outside of the conventional Western perspective.
HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME? TRY VIRTUAL FOREST-BATHING -
Biomes - Forests & Vegetation
Didn't play minecraft as a kid? Biomes are communities of plants and animals that have common characteristics that are distributed around the world. A tropical rainforest in South America will have many similar characteristics to a tropical rainforest in South East-Asia. If you want to see some images of Biomes, you can watch this video. Or click on it because the comment section is hilarious - its filled with students complaining about being forced to watch it for online school!)
Key Biomes of the World
Why are certain biomes located where they are? Is it random? No - by examining the map below, you will notice that there are three main climate zones - Polar, Temperate and Tropical. These climate zones help to dictate biome distribution.
Vegetation in specific biomes is determined by the nature of climate (is it super hot & wet and tropical?), and both animals and plant species possess specific adaptations that help them thrive in their location.
And these forests were cared for by the Coast Salish peoples for time immemorial before that. But today, your daily life as a Moscrop student is probably quite disconnected from the natural forests here - especially during a pandemic under quarantine.
Why Should We Care About Trees and Forests?
1. Trees are busy and do a lot of stuff.
"Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. Ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of a tree! Here are the six pillars that explain why trees are so vital..."
TASK: Read the following article "The Importance of Forests" and choose 1-2 specific reasons that grab your attention. If you'd prefer to read it online, here is the same web-based article.
2. Trees species are super special and unique
Did you know that trees communicate with each other? In real life, not just in Lord of the Rings. This is a summary of amazing research being done by Suzanne Simard in the Faculty of Forestry and UBC, It's world renowned, and based on our own local forests.
HOMEWORK TASK: Watch the following video "How Trees Communicate with Each Other" and pay attention to some of the ways in which trees "talk".
Still not amazed by the abilities of nature?
TASK: Watch this video that dissects the way that plants protect themselves - The Amazing Ways that Plants Defend themselves.
3. Plants provide us with medicine
Review the following infographics - notice the different ways in which plants, fungi and vegetation provides us with many items that we use to stay healthy today.
What about Fungi? Where Do Essential Oils Come From?
Forests provide us with health. Not just from a scientific standpoint, but also from a psychological health standpoint. There are specific qualities about forests and trees themselves that are actually healing.
The country of Japan, with some of the most significant mental health & stress-related issues amongst their citizens, has realized this point. Since 1982, they have been researching and investing in the impacts of "Forest Bathing" or "Shirin-yoku". It is now promoted around Japan as a way of helping their citizens stay active and healthy.
Note that Forest Bathing focuses on utilizing your senses in order to engage in relaxation and stress release.
TASK: Watch the following two videos on Forest Bathing - we will discuss these next day in class.
Video 1 - Shinrin-yoku - What is Forest Bathing?
Video 2 - How Does Forest Bathing Work & Why is it Effective?
*Note - spending time in nature of one of many effective ways to improve mental health, including seeking the help of mental health professionals and effective pharmaceutical treatment.
Now Decide - What Do You Think?
After a little introduction - what's your opinion on Forest Bathing, and other nature-connected health remedies?
Do you already drink medicinal and herbal teas (like peppermint)? Do you use balms and salves when your muscles or sore or to heal a cut? Do you use essential oils? Does your grandma feed you certain foods to boost your health? =)
This is just an invitation to see what's happening in places outside North America, and to explore other perspectives regarding nature and health that falls outside of the conventional Western perspective.
OPTIONAL
- Keeping in mind the article instructions about the 5 senses, explore some of the videos below. Try and spend at least 15-30 minutes in a row where you can be uninterrupted. If possible, cue the videos ahead of time to avoid ads on Youtube.
- Close your eyes, think, relax, and push out the anxious thoughts that will flood your mind at first. Don't judge any thoughts that comes into your mind. Just let yourself be open to the experience.
- Choose one or a couple of these sound videos. Like it? You can also watch some of the other videos. The music is a bit distracting - try listening to nature sounds while looking at the images. Don't judge yourself if you fall asleep! =)
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