FABRICATION OF A FIBEROPTIC SUPRASTAGE LIGHT SOURCE FOR THE BH2/BHS MICROSCOPE
Direct lighting for microscopic observation is important for subjects which do not transilluminate substage light. This DIY fiberoptic, suprastage, direct illuminator is designed to be low cost, easy to fabricate, install and maintain. The custom fabrication permits use of any of the visible spectrum of LED light sources including white light . This becomes especially useful when the required light source must be of a specific wavelength. In this instance the subject of interest has the property of biofluoresence. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluoresces with the application of royal blue light ~460nm. The light source shown here is one designed for provoking dinoflagellates to exhibit bioluminesence. The substage and direct light are matched in wavelength.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The microscopic observation of living coral for multiple days requires specific environmental controls that include temperature, light, nutrients, pH control, nitrate and phosphate regulation, and steady salt water flow rate. Additionally videography and stop motion time laps photography require complete lack of vibration and stable ambient temperature. This direct illumination is highly controlled. All heat sources are substantially distant from the microscope and there is no vibration. The direct light source is not attached to the microscope and any movement of the light or the stage does not affect one another.
This illuminator was developed in tandem with a LED for substage illumination. The Knapp BH2/BHS illuminator is described in a previous web posting . The paired illuminators are used for in-vivo bioluminescent studies. A future postings will describe the blocking filtration modification of the microscope.
List of materials;
Fiberoptic cable
Goose neck support
Barbed end plastic tubing connectors
Zip ties
Heat sink
Royal blue (~460nm) LED bulb
Inline resistor
Rosin core solder
Weighted end support
Power supply
Tools:
Soldering iron
Drill bit
Electric drill motor
POWER SOURCE:
Variable Power supply is available for purchase from the Empire of Dirt Workshop (empireofdirtworkshop.com) or contact Carl (carlh6902@gmail.com)
Disclaimer: I did not collaborate with Carl regarding the use of his power source. He makes his own design exclusively for Olympus BH2 microscopes. This illuminator is my design for BH2/BHS Olympus microscopes. I did fabricate a dual outlet extension cord which can be plugged into the LED outlet on the power supply. This allows for simultaneous dual illumination from one power source. The duplex container was fabricated from available PVD parts.
Power supply with Knapp duplex
Fiberoptic cable, end glow, 5mm diameter, 1M length
LED bulbs royal blue ~460nm.
One of two options for resistor choices needed to protect the LED.
Solder the resistor to the positive end of the LED and to the (+) side of the power supply.
Stiff goose neck support modified by zip ties holding a series of plastic hose couplings. The cable was passed through the couplings
The LED is in direct contact with the fiberoptic cable
Heat sink with central hole enlarged by drilling to fit the cables.
Fiberoptic cable press fit end to end with the LED power cable held together by the heat sink.
Completed optical and electronic transmission cable assembly.
The tubing allows the cable end to be advanced or retracted from the specimen.
Completed assembly of the Knapp fiberoptic illuminator. The weight stand is not specific but must be suitable to provide stability.
Custom, closed cell, micro aquarium illuminated by the ~460nm light directed on the surface by the glow end of the fiberoptic cable.
Discussion:
The bulb/resistor assembly could have been compartmentalized to allow quick interchanging with alternative resources however at this time this combined unit is sufficient for the requirements of this project. Resistor may be exchanged to provide different brightness. The LED may be exchanged for different wavelength. I have not tried alternative wavelengths. Ultraviolet wavelengths might be interesting. The one meter length of fiberoptic cable probably could be shortened by 1/2 to reduce light transmission loss. I expect that this device would provide excellent direct illumination for nearly any standard microscope.
Resistor and Power Calculations:
A 5mm oval 460nm (blue) Cree C566E LED typically operates at a forward voltage (V_{f}\) of approximately 3.2V. To run it safely at a standard target current of 20mA (0.02A) from the 6V supply, use the following specifications:
Calculated resistance: (140 Ohm) Uses a standard 150 Ohm resistor.
Resistor Power Dissipation: The resistor will drop 2.8V at 0.02A, dissipating 0.056W. A standard 0.25W (1/4 watt) resistor is sufficient. (Note: While the power supply can deliver up to 2A, the resistor ensures the LED only draws the 20mA it requires). If the 20mA is not bright enough for fast shutter speed photography through the SPLAN 40 (which has a narrower aperture and requires more light), the Cree C566E lamp can tolerate power up to 30mA. To attain the 30mA Formula: Swap the resistor for a (100 Ohm) component. This increases brightness by 50% but will make the LED run slightly warmer. The included LED enclosure design is a small aluminum heatsink.
Careful observation and accurate reporting are essential for managing land and wildlife and for supporting effective conservation. This presentation proposes a practical tracking approach that could first be tested here in Florida. In much of the African wild, animal locations are currently identified using spotters, trail cameras, drones with cameras, and GPS collars. While these methods are valuable, they are also limited—they are expensive, labor‑intensive, and often incomplete. Data can be distorted by under‑ or over‑counting, double counting, darkness, vegetation cover, distance, or deliberate evasion by animals. Current methods also tend to record animals in isolation, without showing how specific individuals interact with one another or with nearby environmental conditions. This presentation outlines an alternative, complementary approach.
This is part 6/6 in a series of presentations drawing together a thoughtful conclusion from a recent safari to Africa that included parts of Kenya and Tanzania. References and links to the previous posts in this series are listed below.
Across Africa’s protected preserves, safari vehicles crisscross the landscape every day. Each vehicle carries tourists and typically two staff members: a driver and a guide. These professionals are highly trained and experienced spotters, able to identify a wide variety of species at a distance and in challenging conditions. They know their local areas intimately and, after years in the field, are often deeply familiar with the habits, territories, and seasonal movements of the animals they see.
Nearly 80 cars lined up to see a pride of 10 lions. This sort of behavior results in hours of traffic jams and interference with wildlife.
Typical safari car with driver/guide and 6 to 8 guests observing sleeping lions
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
There are insufficient field data on African cheetah.1 At the same time, tourism activities create a powerful, largely untapped opportunity. Could the guide/driver teams already in the field provide real‑time information that can be collected and used to estimate species population counts, locations, and times of observation? This presentation offers a proposal for further investigation using scientific method and tools provided by current technology and AI.
The core responsibility of the driver/guide team is to bring tourists to places where wildlife is most likely to be seen. They drive specific routes at predictable times, often starting before sunrise and ending at or after sunset, covering large areas and multiple habitats over the course of a day.
The drivers and guides routinely communicate with one another to share the location, species, and approximate numbers of animals they are observing. They may also describe size or age class and mention nearby species in the same area. These conversations occur over two‑way radios using public broadcast wavelengths within a defined range. Drivers and guides may speak in a number of local languages, but often include English. The result is a continuous, real‑time stream of observations across a network of safari vehicles operating in the same region. Since these communications occur on citizen band radio, they can be received by anyone tuned to the same frequencies. This shared audio stream could be collected and selectively recorded whenever key observational phrases are used. Those key phrases could then be translated into a common base language and digitized. With each broadcast time‑stamped, the extracted data could be linked to other information such as location, weather, hydrology, vegetation cover, aridification, human population density, land use, disease, migration patterns, and availability of forage. The resulting dataset could then be examined statistically to describe the real‑time status of observed animals and plants across the full area of radio reception. Accuracy and usefulness of this method could be evaluated by comparison with existing monitoring approaches.
Null hypothesis:
The collection and analysis of information from the existing telecommunication network is less accurate and less detailed than the sum of existing wildlife monitoring methods.
Method:
Securing the cooperation of drivers and guides in the field is essential to this project. It is in their long‑term interest to support a comprehensive system that helps sustain the wildlife on which their livelihoods depend. In addition to direct observations, there are multiple data sources that must be correlated and cross‑referenced. As critical observers, each participating driver/guide would be identified by call sign, GPS location, and radio frequency. Training for observers should be simple and standardized. It could be delivered via a short YouTube video and an accompanying qualifying test. This process would also help the LLM (Large Language Model) become familiar with the voices and phrasing of participating speakers. All participants should be uniquely identified to support later quality‑assurance and compliance checks.
The resources that could be converted into usable numeric data include:
Digitally record radio communications on specified CB radio frequencies used by the drivers and guides.
Select key phrases used by the drivers and guides as they communicate across reserve areas. These key phrases may occur in many local languages, so the audio recordings must be translated into a common language, probably English. Anticipate a possible spectrum of up to 30 languages. Each language will need a numeric representation, either directly or through an equivalent English interpretation.
From the recordings, extract and assemble the selected key phrases that describe or identify animals and plants, including variations in identification, counts, and notable behaviors.
Automatically attach to each observation the radio signal time stamp, GPS location, observer identity, meteorological data, and basic descriptors of terrain and vegetation cover.
The method should be tested progressively. Begin with a small pilot group of about 10 participating observers. If early findings are promising, refine the protocol to improve data quality and repeat. Once the method performs reliably according to the revision plan, expand the observer population. Start with English for language interpretation, then add additional languages in order of their frequency of use. Coordinate expansion of observer participation with development of the LLM. Throughout, compare information collected from these broadcasts with results from existing monitoring methods.
Here is a sample outline of the information to be collected and integrated.
Obsrv#
Guide
GPS
Time
Teroir
Cover
Geography
Meterology
Life form
Common name
Count
Behavior
Maturation
Unik Mark
Typical data entry design. Each cell would generate a drop down specific list. Cells can be added or expanded.
Satellite telemetry location data would be matched to each broadcast GPS coordinate. Multiple environmental factors that influence animal behavior could then be associated with each observation. These include time of day, current weather, geography, vegetation cover, relative hydration/relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind conditions, short‑term weather forecasts, moon phase, fires, and human activities such as migration, construction, or land conversion.
LLM training: AI partner in data conversion
Use an Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Model (AI)(LLM) to review the recorded conversations, identify key observational phrases, and perform language conversion into the chosen common base language.
Not all drivers and guides may wish to participate, for reasons that could include:
Information may be pirated and used for illegal poaching. This may already be occurring.
Information could concentrate too many trackers in one location, potentially disrupting normal animal behavior. This effect is already seen in some popular viewing areas.
Important information may be omitted, reducing the validity and completeness of observations.
Drivers/guides may decline to track animals due to dangerous human behavior, poor road conditions, business season, or adverse weather.
Seasonal patterns in tourism may reduce the amount of tracking information available because there are fewer observers in the field.
Guides and drivers may not be consistently employed from year to year, affecting continuity of observations.
Materials and Data Storage:
Contract with a reliable data‑storage service provider. Storage is required both for the audio recordings and for the structured information in the database.
Radio communication over large areas may require long‑distance signal transmission or repeater stations to relay calls to a central recording site. To manage error, there must be a probabilistic approach to ruling out duplicate identification of the same animal. Over‑ or under‑counting can occur when multiple observers report similar animals in the same group. This possibility must be actively addressed. Two main options exist to reduce the chance of counting the same individual twice.
There are several opportunities to reduce overcounting. Skilled observers can describe distinctive markings, injuries, or behaviors that distinguish individuals, even within the same species. Statistically, it is highly improbable for two truly identical animals to occupy exactly the same territory at the same time, so spatial and temporal information can help separate records. Movement patterns for groups of the same species migrating across a defined territory during a marked period can also be modeled. Finally, this method should be embedded within a broader multi‑observer framework that may include aerial surveys or sample‑based density estimates (count per unit area).
Statistics:
A trained biostatistician will be a critical member of the team, responsible for designing the database, overseeing data collection, facilitating analysis, comparing results between and among datasets, and managing corrections for technical errors. This role also includes correlating field observations with satellite information on ground cover and with weather data for aridity, temperature, cloud cover, atmospheric pressure, fronts, and fire events.
The observation period should extend for at least three consecutive years, long enough to encompass maturation of at least one generation of cheetahs. Real‑time data assessment over this period may reveal progressive changes in the populations of cheetahs and of correlated species. Potential keystone species may emerge from these patterns and could then be investigated in greater depth.
Compare data from this method with other monitoring approaches and with historical records. Paired comparison with current data will allow formal testing of the null hypothesis.
Results:
Direct benefit: As with all field methods, this approach has limitations. Darkness, severe weather, and natural disasters affect these observations just as they do existing techniques. Seasons with reduced tourism will naturally yield fewer observations and may skew results. However, when used alongside traditional methods, this approach could substantially augment current data. Scarce resources for difficult fieldwork could then be targeted more efficiently, guided by patterns revealed through this integrated system.
Added benefits: Instead of tracking only cheetah populations, this system would capture data on all species observed by participating drivers and guides. That greatly expands the value of the project by documenting the density, location, and interactions of many species across the landscape. Over time, the data could reveal competition, mutualism, parasitic relationships, and saprophytic behaviors among species.
NEXT STEP:
Here in SW Florida, a trial program could be launched using a readily visible species such as the Osprey. The same basic steps could be followed with a small team of volunteer observers on organized spotting outings. Several locations could be included, with cell phones used to record and store observations. This is an opportunity for you to become citizen scientists and directly support ongoing research. By testing and refining the method in this pilot study, we could then submit a proven approach to existing research programs in Africa.
While well‑visited protected national parks and managed fenced reserves have highly detailed data, roughly 77% of Africa’s estimated 7,100 wild cheetahs live outside protected areas on private, commercial, or communal lands. Because cheetahs are naturally elusive, range over massive territories (up to 1,500 km²), and exist at very low densities, gathering empirical field data on these “free‑roaming” populations is incredibly difficult and has historically relied heavily on informed guesswork.
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The purpose of this presentation is to show that there could be other forces driving evolution. I have chosen SE Africa because of its important place in the origin of many species including hominoids. This is an alternative view of vertebrate adaptability in SE Africa during the last 20,000 yrs. It considers relative humidity, animal adaptability and migration. This is a six-part analysis of conditions, supported by data, examples and projections of further changes in populations in SE Africa. This should demonstrate that an outside force is driving animal behavior which results in physical and behavioral adaptation and the origin of new species.
Origin of the Species should be revised. This approach was politically and socially motivated. It does not consider alternative views. It postulates that animals and plants genetically adapt to attain an optimum of performance. It implies that there is a narrowing of focus through differentiation that is progressively better. It presumes the philosophical question of a decision tree with an apex. I believe that this view presents a bias of thinking pervasive in the Victorian era.
Although it is implied, there is no proof of progressive improvement in the Darwinian model. Further as we degrade the environment the apex creatures may in fact be the first to go extinct. Depending on your point of view, does increased specialization imply improvement or loss of adaptive capacity? In fact does life and specialization run contrary to the laws of thermodynamics? The second law of thermodynamics predicts that disorganization will prevail. Highly organized life forms will fail but adaptable, simpler life will prevail. The apex creature may be the worst.
In this photo the elephant and the safari vehicle are conflicted over passage on a corridor bridge spanning a stream in Tanzania. This is analogous to the resource conflict between humans and the wilderness of the planet.
See the previous posts on these links that led to this site: 1234
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The Theory of Evolution, proposed by Darwin and Russel, is not sufficiently comprehensive to describe the evolving species of mammals in SE Africa during the period of time starting 20,000 years ago until today.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study is to find a challenger to the Darwinian theory. I propose the “Theory of Specialization Extinction”. Understanding this concept should guide plans for research and remedy if that is desirable.
HYPOTHESIS:
There is a relationship of four factors that seem to be the driving forces of evolution which differs from the variables proposed by Darwin: time, animal adaptability, humidity and migration. This is the foundation to the Theory of Specialization Extinction
METHOD:
Assemble a database, query it, and interpret the outcomes. The relationships were plotted in a series of graphs where X axis is time, y axis is animal adaptability, z axis is relative humidity graph. The time line is the past 20,000 years. The location is in SE Africa. Use existing data gleaned from multiple Google searches and derive PYTHON software to plot the relationships.
The following graphics are the results of a 3D plot of the variables in a X,Y,Z cartesian coordinate graph. Accompanying this are 2D images for simplified viewing. On the page left side is the graphic. On the page right side is a summary interpretation of the plots on the graph. Where adaptability is the biological versatility and survival threshold of the regional fauna.
Humidity and animal ADAPTABILITY
From Knapp
Graph Variables & Dimensions
X-Axis (Time): Spans from \(20,000\) years ago (Last Glacial Maximum) to the present day.
Y-Axis (Animal Adaptability): Represents the biological versatility and survival threshold of the regional fauna.
Z-Axis (Relative Humidity / Moisture): Represents the effective regional moisture, tracking the African Humid Period (approx. \(15,000\) to \(5,000\) years ago) and the subsequent Holocene aridification. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Fig. 1 A 3D graph plotting time (X), animal adaptability (Y), and relative humidity (Z) for SE Africa shows an inverse correlation.
Deep Purple & Blue (The Past / 20k YBP): These colors represent the earliest part of the timeline, capturing the cold, dry conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) [1]. Vertebrate adaptability scores start here. Vibrant Magenta & Pink (The Climate Pivot / 15k to 5k YBP): This transition color highlights the shift into the African Humid Period [1]. It shows where relative humidity spiked dramatically, expanding habitats and ecosystems [1]. Bright Yellow & Gold (The Modern Era / Present Day): This final color marks the end of the timeline (the present day) [1]. It visualizes the end result of centuries of aridification, where vertebrate adaptability reaches its modern peak due to evolutionary pressures [1].
Key trends shown in the plot include
The Humidity Spike (Z-Axis): You will see a clear, high-amplitude “hump” between 15k and 5k YBP. This represents the African Humid Period when mega-lakes expanded across Southern and Eastern Africa.
The Adaptability March (Y-Axis): The trend line creeps steadily upward as time advances. Environmental volatility forces a transition away from specialized, delicate ecological niches. This shifts the ecosystem composition toward hyper-adaptable, generalist vertebrate species (e.g., highly mobile bovids, resilient apex predators).
The 20,000-Year Timeline
20,000 to 15,000 Years Ago (Last Glacial Maximum):
Z (Humidity): Low. The climate was cool and highly arid caused by glaciation
Y (Adaptability): Low to Moderate. Only highly resilient generalist species (versatile feeders and water-independent grazers) persisted in the harsh, patchy grassland habitats. [1, 2, 3]
15,000 to 5,000 Years Ago (African Humid Period):
Z (Humidity): High. Monsoon rains expanded into the southern tropics, creating vast, resource-rich savannas and lakes (such as those in the Lake Malawi basin).
Y (Adaptability): High. The lush, stable environment allowed for an expansion of both generalist and highly specialized animal species. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
5,000 Years Ago to Present Day (Progressive Acidification): Caused by increased heat. Not by glaciation.
Z (Humidity): Decreasing. Regional humidity dropped significantly, causing a return to arid or semi-arid conditions.
Y (Adaptability): Bifurcating. Highly specialized taxa (niche foragers) faced extinction, while the surviving fauna demonstrated exceptional, evolutionarily “winnowed” adaptability. [1, 2]. Cats loose. Hyena win.
Fig 2. is a view of the 3D graph showing only the X,Y plane.
Fig. 2 This is a flatten view of the 3D plot to completely ignore the Z-axis (Relative Humidity). This top-down orthographic perspective maps Timeline (X) directly against Vertebrate Adaptability (Y).
Biological Insights from the XY Projection
The LGM Bottleneck (20k to 15k YBP): Adaptability scores start low and flat. The harsh, stable aridity of the Last Glacial Maximum kept ecosystems restricted, maintaining low baseline versatility among surviving specialists.
The Climate Oscillation (15k to 5k YBP): The curve experiences a downward dip and volatility during the African Humid Period. The sudden abundance of water and lush vegetation temporarily reduced the evolutionary pressure to remain hyper-adaptable, allowing niche, specialized species to briefly flourish.
The Modern Filter (5k YBP to Present): As the region dried rapidly, specialized niches vanished. The dramatic upward spike in the index toward the Present shows the evolutionary winnowing effect, where only highly resilient, generalist lineages successfully advanced to the modern era.
Figures 3 and 4 provide similar views of the same information Fig. 3 removes the time variable.
Fig. 3 Viewing the YZ plane removes the time variable (X-axis) from the visual layout, plotting Vertebrate Adaptability (Y) directly against Relative Humidity (Z). Because time is hidden, the chronological flow loops backward and forward across the canvas. The data points remain colored from purple (past) to yellow (present) to help you trace the historical direction.
Biological Insights from the YZ Projection
The Bottom-Left Start (Deep Purple): Represents the cool, dry Last Glacial Maximum (low humidity, low-to-moderate adaptability baseline).
The Upward Loop (Pink/Magenta): Tracks the onset of the African Humid Period. Humidity shoots up toward \(80\%\), creating highly stable, lush conditions. Notice how the line hooks slightly downward or stays stable in adaptability here—this shows environmental abundance temporarily lifting the pressure to remain universally adaptable, giving specialized vertebrates room to diversify.
The Modern Filter (Yellow/Gold): Tracks the crash in relative humidity back toward \(40\%\). As moisture vanishes, the trajectory lunges violently to the right, concentrating heavily at the highest adaptability index values. This isolates the modern faunal profile: a community dominated by highly versatile generalists surviving in an arid landscape.
Visual and Environmental Mechanics
The X-Axis Compression: Notice how the bounding box collapses into a 2D wall. The timeline depth is now indicated purely by the shift from dark purple dots to yellow dots.
The Loop Shape: This visualization isolates the environmental cycle. The curve shows that while humidity fluctuated drastically over thousands of years (moving up and down the vertical scale), vertebrate adaptability was forced into a massive net migration rightward across the horizontal axis due to long-term aridification.
Fig. 4 is an orthographic view showing compression of the data .
Humidity and migration
Here is evidence of relative humidity directly influencing mass migration intensity
Fig . 5 The primary drivers of vertebrate mass migrations are climate transitions. By plotting Relative Humidity and Mass Migration Intensity on a shared time axis, we can clearly observe how severe climate changes trigger ecological shifts.
Eco-Historical Analysis
The Green Corridor Expansion (~14,000 YBP): As the African Humid Period began, a minor migration spike occurred. Large herbivores and their predators migrated northward and inward, tracking the rapid expansion of savannas and wetlands.
The Humid Equilibrium (~13,000 to 6,000 YBP): During this period, migration rates remained low. Highly reliable water sources in Southeast African river basins (like the Zambezi and Limpopo systems) allowed animal populations to establish stable, local ranges.
The Great Aridification Push (~5,000 YBP): This period shows a sharp spike in mass migration. As water holes dried up, massive herds of large mammals were forced to migrate long distances to find permanent water sources. This intense environmental pressure acted as an evolutionary filter, favoring highly adaptable generalist species.
Fig. 6 To visualize four dimensions simultaneously—Timeline (X), Vertebrate Adaptability (Y), Relative Humidity (Z), and Mass Migration Intensity—we can plot a 3D trajectory path where the thickness of the line dynamically changes to represent migration surges.
Interpreting the 4D Synergies
The Humid Period Buffer (15k to 5k YBP): As the trajectory climbs along the vertical Z-axis (Humidity), the line stays thin and adaptability dips. High moisture reduced the pressure to adapt, allowing specialists to settle locally without needing to migrate.
The Late-Holocene Collapse (~5k YBP): As humidity collapses down the vertical axis, the line thickens significantly. This thick segment represents massive migration pulses driven by resource scarcity.
The Evolutionary End State (Present Day): The path ends at the far right of the chart (highest adaptability index) in bright yellow. This illustrates how climate-driven migrations permanently altered the ecosystem, leaving behind a resilient, highly adaptable faunal population.
Figure 7 may be easier to comprehend.
Fig. 7 This is a 2D multi-panel dashboard plot designed to view all four environmental and biological variables side-by-side. Below the plot, you will find the specific fossil records and archaeological evidence from SE Africa that validate the modeled migration spikes.
Archaeological and Fossil Evidence in Southeast Africa
The migration spikes and adaptability transitions modeled in the dashboard mirror real-world paleontology and archaeology findings across Southeast Africa (encompassing Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and eastern South Africa).
Archaeological and Fossil Evidence of animal activity reflecting adaptability in SE Africa
The term pulse implies large movement of the animals along low barrier corridors in response to climate shift. The animals follow the water.
1. Pulse 1 Evidence (~14,000 YBP – The Open Savannah Expansion)
Fossil Records (Bovid Turnover): Fossil assemblages from sites like Wonderwerk Cave and Shongweni show a dramatic turnover in mammalian fauna at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). As the climate shifted toward the African Humid Period, dry-grassland specialists (like the extinct giant equine Equus capensis) vanished or migrated out, replaced rapidly by water-dependent, browsing, and mixed-feeding bovids.
Archaeological Evidence (Tool-kit Transitions): Human populations tracked these shifting game migrations. Archaeological layers from the transition to the Robberg and Oakhurst technocomplexes reveal a sudden change in hunting equipment. Large stone segments used for hunting open-plains migratory herds gave way to smaller, diverse tools optimized for trapping and hunting non-migratory bush-dwelling animals as woodlands expanded.
2. The Humid Period Stabilization (~15,000 to 5,000 YBP)
Lake Malawi Sediment Cores: Core samples from Lake Malawi show high lake levels and dense surrounding forest cover during this window. Fossil pollen and micro-faunal remains confirm stable, localized populations. Animals did not need to undergo high-intensity, desperate mass migrations because resource baselines were rich and stationary.
3. Pulse 2 Evidence (~5,000 YBP – The Great Aridification Filter)
The Refugia Bottleneck: As SE Africa rapidly dried out around 5,000 years ago, animals migrated en masse toward permanent water networks—specifically the Limpopo and Zambezi River basins. Fossil bone beds in these valley zones show dense, hyper-concentrated mixtures of diverse animal remains from this era, confirming they served as environmental “refugia” where species huddled to survive.
Extinction and the Generalist Winnowing: Niche-dependent, specialized megafauna suffered severe localized extinctions. The fossil layers moving into the Late Holocene show a stark homogenization: specialized grazing species are missing, leaving behind the exact highly adaptable, generalist survivors we see today (e.g., impalas, kudus, spotted hyenas).
Human Forager Disruption: Archaeological sites across Zimbabwe and Mozambique document a matching disruption in human behavior. The Wilton culture hunter-gatherers abandoned many open inland sites completely around 5,000–4,000 YBP, tracking the migrating game lines to settle permanently along coastal zones or river valleys where permanent water persisted.
In the coming decades, animal migrations in East Africa will move along a specific north-south coastal ribbonof land. This corridor is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and the “Great Mountain Wall” to the west—a rugged barrier formed by the eastern branch of the East African Rift, including the Southern Highlands, the Eastern Arc Mountains, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
As climate shifts alter regional moisture, wildlife will rely on this coastal strip for survival. They will follow this route:
[ NORTHERN TERMINUS: Horn of Africa / Somalia ]
▲ │
│ │
THE GREAT │ ▼
MOUNTAIN WALL [ EQUATORIAL ECOTONE: Tana & Galana Basins ]
(Rift Escarpments, ▲ │
Eastern Arc Mts, │ ▼
Kilimanjaro, Kenya [ INTERMEDIATE SAVANNA: Tsavo-Mkomazi Corridor ]
Dome Uplands) ▲ │
│ ▼
[ MARITIME REFUGE: Rufiji & Ruvuma River Systems ]
▲ │
│ ▼
[ SOUTHERN TERMINUS: Greater Limpopo / Gorongosa ]
This graphic shows the three corridors. The Ruvuma is not physically interconnected to the others. The animals circle about but there is no place for escape.
These three routs will provide key bidirectional corridors which will be followed as the climate shifts. These will allow limited local migration. There is no longer an escape from SE Africa as aridification intensifies and desertification becomes irreversible.
1. The Ruvuma-Rufiji Maritime Fluvial Conduit
Geography: Connects northern Mozambique (Gorongosa and Niassa) across the Ruvuma River into southern Tanzania (Selous/Nyerere Ecosystem).
Northward Pulse (Wet-Season Dispersal): Driven by expanding summer monsoons, water-dependent megafauna (elephants, buffaloes) will push north along the coastal plains.
Southward Pulse (Dry-Season Retreat): As interior grasslands dry up, wildlife will move south, tracking reliable water in the permanent Ruvuma and Rufiji river networks.
2. The Mkomazi-Tsavo Arid-Savanna Link
Geography: Straddles the Tanzania-Kenya border, running squeezed between the Usambara Mountains and the ocean.
Northward Pulse (Xeric Colonization): Highly adaptable, drought-tolerant species (oryx, gerenuk, lesser kudu) will push north into Tsavo as it becomes more arid.
Southward Pulse (Rift-Fringe Buffer): Zebra and wildebeest populations will move south toward the wetter mountain foothills when coastal plains dry out.
3. The Tana-Galana Equatorial Ecotone
Geography: Runs through eastern Kenya up to the Somali border, acting as a critical buffer zone just east of the Kenyan Highlands.
Northward Pulse (Opportunistic Browsing): Giraffes and resilient browsers will move north during brief, intense rainfall spikes.
Southward Pulse (Hyper-Arid Push): Extreme droughts in the Horn of Africa will force northern species to migrate south toward the permanent Tana River basin for survival.
This is a Species-Specific Survival Outlook indicating COMPARATIVE survival (2026–2100)
Based on the presentation of this and the last four postings this is my projection for the next 75 years. Table 1 is the migration behavior timeline correlated to climate benchmarks
Micro drivers of adaptability
Climate Era
Projected Timeframe
Principal Climate Driver
Expected Migration Dynamics
Short-Term Baseline
2026 – 2040
Increased frequency of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) anomalies.
Highly erratic, localized pulses. Erratic weather triggers unseasonal migrations between protected parks. Wildlife increasingly relies on community-managed conservancies outside park boundaries.
Mid-Century Shift
2041 – 2070
Aridification of the interior; expansion of coastal savannas.
Consolidated north-south corridors. Large-scale migrations lock into a north-south pattern along the coast. Favorable eco-zones contract, squeezing animals between human infrastructure and the mountains.
Long-Term Equilibrium
2071 – 2100+
Permanent hyper-aridity in the Horn; the coastal savanna shifts inland.
Systemic bidirectional loops. Long-distance migrations become highly synchronized. Resilient, generalist species dominate these routes, while specialized species are limited to small mountain refuges.
To assess how these vital coastal corridors will function through the end of the century, we must look at how future infrastructure blockades collide with the survival traits of specific indicator large mammals. Squeezed between the Indian Ocean and the Great Mountain Wall, wildlife will face unprecedented structural bottlenecks.
Some animals will be restricted because of these three major east-west transport corridors which run completely perpendicular to the north-south migration routes. They will act as physical barriers to those species which cannot physically overcome the obstacles of topography, traffic, fences and human presence. They are listed here [1, 2]:
[ NORTHERN TERMINUS: Horn of Africa / Somalia ]
│
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[====== LAPSSET Corridor (Lamu-Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Highway/Rail) ======]
│
▼
[====== Northern Corridor (Mombasa-Nairobi SGR Railway / A109 Highway) ======]
│
▼
[====== Central Corridor (Dar es Salaam-Morogoro-Dodoma Standard Gauge Rail) =]
│
▼
[ SOUTHERN TERMINUS: Greater Limpopo / Gorongosa Ecosystem ]
These are some of the problematic causal locations and issues:
The Central Corridor (Tanzania): The newly operational Dar es Salaam–Morogoro–Dodoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) [3] cuts directly across the northern exit of the Selous/Nyerere ecosystem. Its fencing and elevated tracks force elephants and buffaloes into narrow, artificial underpasses.
The Northern Corridor (Kenya): The Mombasa–Nairobi SGR [4] and parallel A109 highway sever the Tsavo East and Tsavo West ecosystems. While some elevated viaducts exist, increased traffic makes crossing dangerous for large herds.
The LAPSSET Corridor (Northern Kenya): This mega-project cuts straight across the Tana River basin up to Lamu [5]. It creates a final, major barrier for animals attempting to migrate between Kenya and Somalia.
Depending on their skill set, groups of different species will handle these infrastructure barriers and climate shifts in very different ways. Here are groups 1. Generalists and 2 Specialists.
Flow diagram. Group 1: The diverse, adaptable skill set group. Group 2. The generalists (High Survival Probability)
Group 1:
African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana):
Traits: High cognitive mapping, long-distance memory, and sheer physical power.
Outlook: Elephants are highly adaptable. They learn to actively navigate infrastructure by locating underpasses or breaking through weak fencing when necessary. They will easily use the Ruvuma-Rufiji conduit to track water resources.
Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta):
Traits: Extremely diverse diet, nocturnal flexibility, and comfortable around human landscapes.
Outlook: Hyenas can move easily through fragmented zones. They will use drainage culverts and road shoulders to cross highways, thriving along the corridors by scavenging on roadkill and livestock.
Group 2: The Stranded Specialists (High Extinction Risk)
Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus):
Traits: Rely on open, unfenced pathways to track seasonal rains.
Outlook: Wildebeest are highly vulnerable to fencing. Unlike elephants, they will not challenge a fence line and lack the agility to leap over barriers. The Tsavo-Mkomazi link will likely see localized wildebeest collapses as linear infrastructure seals off their routes.
Traits: Limited agility; anatomically incapable of using standard railway underpasses or low viaducts.
Outlook: Giraffes are easily trapped by fences and overpasses. The LAPSSET and Northern corridors risk completely splitting northern giraffe populations from southern ones, leading to isolated, vulnerable genetic pockets.
The Four Macro-Drivers of Adaptabilitythat parallel humidity for causality
While relative humidity directly dictates water availability and respiratory comfort, it operates alongside three other major catalysts for adaptation. I believe that there are several macro-environmental drivers that influence animal adaptability similarly to or even greater than relative humidity. In the table below you see how four core forces compare. Relative humidity is at the bottom. These factors drive evolutionary changes and animal movements east of the great mountain wall. This study shows that at least one outside force could also be driving evolution. There may be other forces but as a working hypothesis these four deserve further research. I picked relative humidity for this discussion because it was the most evident while we were traveling.
Evolutionary Driver
Influence Level
Primary Biological Mechanism
Real-World Impact in East/Southeast Africa
1. Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
Greater
Food web energy, caloric baseline, and vegetation structure.
Dictates the exact carrying capacity of savannahs. When NPP drops, large grazers face immediate starvation.
2. Ambient Temperature Dynamics
Equal
Metabolic rates, thermal stress boundaries, and water-loss velocity.
Forces species into higher altitudes or dense shade to prevent dangerous overheating.
3. Landscape Roughness / Topography
Equal
Physical barriers, escape terrain, and microclimate patches.
The Great Mountain Wall protects localized species by trapping moisture, even during regional droughts.
4. Relative Humidity (Baseline)
Reference
Hydration balance, disease transmission, and evaporation rates.
Sets the broad boundaries for wet-forest vs. hyper-arid ecosystems.
Table 2.
The following are details of the evolutionary drivers listed in Table 2
1. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) — This shows why food is more influential than simple moisture
While humidity creates the climate background, Net Primary Productivity (the total amount of edible plant biomass generated by an ecosystem) is the ultimate filter for survival.
The Energy Filter: An animal can survive low humidity, if it has access to moisture-rich roots, succulent leaves, or prey. NPP represents the actual fuel available to the food web.
Adaptability Impact: When NPP drops, it triggers aggressive evolutionary pressure. This pressure favors hyper-adaptable mixed-feeders (like elephants and impalas) that can instantly switch from eating grass to chewing bark and twigs, thus outperforming picky, specialized leaf-eaters.
2. Ambient Temperature Dynamics & Thermal Scaling
Temperature variations often overpower humidity by pushing animals past their absolute physical limits.
Metabolic and Water Costs: As temperatures rise, the amount of water an animal loses through panting or sweating increases exponentially.
Adaptability Impact: High temperatures favor animals with clever cooling traits. This includes physical adaptations like the massive, heat-shedding ears of the elephant, behavioral shifts like becoming completely nocturnal, or physiological tricks like the gemsbok’s ability to let its core body temperature safely spike during the day to save water.
Recall from our first episode of this saga. The physical shape of the land—specifically the Great Mountain Wall—exerts a massive, nearly permanent influence on animal adaptability by creating reliable environmental safety nets.
Microclimate Buffers: Flat plains offer no escape during a drought. In contrast, rugged mountain terrains create a patchwork of different microclimates, offering cooler temperatures and trapped moisture just a short climb away.
Adaptability Impact: Complex landscapes allow less-adaptable, specialized species to survive in isolated mountain pockets (refugia) for thousands of years, completely shielded from the harsh changes happening on the open plains below.
CONCLUSION:
Combining the micro drivers, macro drivers and the transecting human infrastructures, animals will not escape. They will die from lack of water, starvation and over heating. Exquisitely wondrous, specialized species will vanish with no successor species to follow. Should we continue as we have or rewild to a state of 200 years ago or work for a better future?
We have completed the cat comparisons and with this effort shown that the theory of evolution should be subject to review and perhaps modification. The Theory of Specialization Extinction is incomplete without evidence and proof of concept. In order to provide evidence of this concept four things are needed. A well formulated scientific study. A rigorous review of the literature. A more comprehensive data base that includes not only the endangered species but also the support environment in which they live and the resources upon which they depend. A comprehensive plan for future management.
In a future post we will discuss what may be done to track cheetah, lions and all of the other animal species simultaneously. This would tell us where in lie the problems that may be remedied.
I hope that you enjoyed the pictures along the way. Here are pictures if the animals most likely to survive:
This presentation is the third in a series of blogs that uses the example of Cheetahs and Lions to show the survivability effects of evolving specialization. The first in the series lays the foundation of geography, climate and time. The second compared two African cats; Lions and Cheetahs. This presentation introduces the concept of traps. The “traps” are made of time, location, resources and specializations. They put these cats at risk for survival. Survival of the species depends on behavioral modification, physiologic adaptation and selection by desirable mating. We may have exposed ourselves to the same traps. This is not about mechanical traps. These are more insidious.
In The opening video clip – The “traps in this presentation are UNINTENTIONALLY generated by the animal’s remarkable behavior and adaptations. They are more SIGNIFICANT than physical traps
Traps are the delimiters that block biologic adaptation to a changing environment. Inability to overcome traps leads to extinction. It is not about survival of the fittest. It is about survival of the most adaptable. This is the reason to study the survival of these two cats. Understanding the pitfalls will reflect on the survival of everything, specifically us.
In order to discuss unintentional consequences of behavior leading to traps, I suggest that we review of the work of the naturalists of the 18th century. Several theories had been proposed. The most notable is the Theory of Evolution. Darwin and Wallace proposed the foundational ideas. Survival of the fittest forces the origin of species. Additionally, isolation promotes differentiation. In the view of these observers of nature, there is a progressive change in the survival of the majority. I propose an alternative view of the Darwinian theory. Let’s call this the Theory of Specialized Extinction.
THEORY OF EVOLUTION
I respect the pioneering publication of the books of Charles Darwin. These include The Beagle diary (1839), Origin of the Species (1859) and The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871). I first read these 66 years ago when I was in high school. Here are the tenants of his theory. My comments are in italics.
Overproduction: Organisms produce more offspring than their local environment can support, which leads to competition for limited resources. Alternatively, it may lead to cooperation, revolution or migration. Variation: Individuals within a single species naturally display a wide range of variation in their physical traits, behaviors, and genetic makeup. This suggests that there are mutations in the population. Inheritance: Many of these unique variations are heritable—meaning they can be passed down from parents to their offspring. This does not take into consideration dominant and recessive genes. Differential Survival & Reproduction: Individuals possessing traits best adapted to their specific environment (“survival of the fittest”) are more likely to survive threats and successfully reproduce. If individuals are highly specialized they may not be able to adapt to the changing environment. Descent with Modification: Over vast expanses of time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population. Gradually, this accumulation of changes can lead to the emergence of entirely new species. The rate of accumulation of traits depends on the complexity of the organism. The accumulation of traits does not necessarily lead to new species but may lead to species vulnerabilities.
Most of Darwin’s work suggests a time line with a steady progression of change, most of which was deemed to be an improvement. In prospect most of his writing appears to be intrinsically biased. Yes, there is change, however, it is coincidental with “implicit bias”. It does not confirm causality. Additionally, an apex implies that there is a narrowing of differentiation that is progressively better. It presumes the philosophical question of a decision tree which has an apex. It does not imply value to alternative views.
Although it is implied, there is no proof of progressive improvement in the Darwinian model. In fact, as we rapidly degrade the environment the apex creatures may be the first to go extinct. Depending on your point of view, does increased specialization imply improvement or loss of adaptive capacity? In fact does life and specialization run contrary to the laws of thermodynamics. The second law predicts disorganization.
A horizontal continuum for example could be applied to the time line of species differentiation. Here is a visual representation of a relationship between and among animal adaptability and humidity during the recent 20,000-year history of the area. I picked humidity because, as you could see in our previous presentations, desertification was the most prominent aspect of the environments we explored.
X-Axis (Time): Spans from \(20,000\) years ago (Last Glacial Maximum) to the present day. Y-Axis (Animal Adaptability): Represents the biological versatility and survival threshold of the regional fauna. Z-Axis (Relative Humidity / Moisture): Represents the effective regional moisture, tracking the African Humid Period (approx. \(15,000\) to \(5,000\) years ago) and the subsequent Holocene aridification
Please see the extensive discussion of this in the following posting titled Exploring Animal Adaptability in Southeast Africa.
The 20,000-Year Timeline
20,000 to 15,000 Years Ago (Last Glacial Maximum):
Z (Humidity): Low. The climate was cool and highly arid.
Y (Adaptability): Low to Moderate. Only highly resilient generalist species (versatile feeders and water-independent grazers) persisted in the harsh, patchy grassland habitats. [1, 2, 3]
15,000 to 5,000 Years Ago (African Humid Period):
Z (Humidity): High. Monsoon rains expanded into the southern tropics, creating vast, resource-rich savannas and lakes (such as those in the Lake Malawi basin).
Y (Adaptability): High. The lush, stable environment allowed for an expansion of both generalist and highly specialized animal species. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
5,000 Years Ago to Present Day (Progressive Aridification):
Z (Humidity): Decreasing. Regional humidity dropped significantly, causing a return to arid or semi-arid conditions.
Y (Adaptability): Bifurcating. Highly specialized taxa (niche foragers) faced extinction, while the surviving fauna demonstrated exceptional, evolutionarily “winnowed” adaptability. [1, 2]
Theory of SPECIALIZED extinction
Specialized Extinction is progressive reduction of life forms. It is the unspecified opposite of Darwin’s theory. Please recall that Darwin’s work of the mid 1800s predated the current concepts of ecology, genetics, statistics, modern scientific method, advances in understanding of natural history, microbiology, plate tectonics, climate change, extraterrestrial incidents, human behavior, etc.
We are experiencing the reverse of the origin of the species. This is the loss of the species variations. Species vary in response to environmental pressure. Without necessity there is no invention. With environmental change only the adaptable will survive.
MASS EXTINCTIONS
During the ice age animals located in water compromised areas or in cold climates faced environmental pressure. Many were not capable of adapting with sufficient rapidity to the changes. The advancing cold wall of ice combined with the massive dust storms which ripped across the deserts of the planes starved, froze or buried millions as they struggled to compete for diminishing food and water. These climatic events resulted in loss of thousands of species, of fauna and flora of the northern continental masses.
This process of extermination was exaggerated by bottleneck effect and genetic drift.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 1 and Fig 2 are two variations on population behavior that limit the genetic pool of diversified genomes.
In Fig. 1 This can happen when the genetic pool is insufficient to maintain variance. The largest constituent group are light and dark green. If the orange portion dies and the purple portion does not invade, then the survivors can only reproduce mixed green progeny.
In Fig. 2 In the biologic bottleneck only a few members of the population escape. In this case the green did not pass the bottleneck. Those that did act are founders of a new community with a more exclusive population. Since only one yellow member passed the bottleneck it represents an extinction effect unless it can hybridize with the blue members. If not it will die thus ending that part of the population. Hybridization may result in a recovery of the population that will not be exclusively blue. Alternatively, with recessive traits the population will recover with a Mendelian result.
The well known traps are outlined below. I suggest that the study of these traps may challenge the initial concepts theorized by Darwin.
TRAPS DEFINED
By specialization animal abilities to avoid these traps are disadvantaged.
Specialization Trap is where the animals of a species undergoes physical evolution to match their environment. This results in highly efficient but physically fragile animals who cannot cope with the changes in their environment that occur faster than they can adapt. This includes many species and may be a natural process. Loss of one non-adapting species makes room for another. This is consistent with Darwinian “Natural Selection”.
Genetic BottleneckTrap results in reduced adaptability. When the population reaches a point of limited genetic variation there is insufficient capacity to adapt to environmental changes, such as climate change or new diseases.
Genetic Drift Trap results in lack of genetic diversity.
Declining Prey BaseTrap is a broad based result of all the regional population of mutually entangled species with an extremely low general DNA variance.
Habitat FragmentationTrap prevents the massive, free-roaming across territories. Without corridors, species cannot migrate to compatible environments. Conversely, species variants can immigrate into territories thereby promoting hybridization.
Daylight Hunting Trap Prevents animals from night hunting while hot, dry daytime conditions become intolerable
Human-Wildlife Conflict. Genocidal hunting, trapping and habitat destruction by farming and mining at industrial scale combine to make the ultimate trap.
CHEETAH
Cheetah are likely a distinct, naturally evolved species (Acinonyx jubatus) belonging to the small-cat lineage (Felinae). Their closest living relatives are the puma (mountain lion) and the jaguarundi. They cannot be naturally hybridized with other members of the Felinea because they are just too different. They split from the rest of the cat family tree millions of years ago and are the sole members of their own unique genus, Acinonyx.
They are not related to the Pantherinae (Lions, which started in Africa)
Cheetah existed secondary to late Pleistocene bottleneck extinctions 100K to 12K years ago.
Cheetahs are believed to have survived the two ice age catastrophic population bottlenecks that nearly drove the species to extinction. [1, 2] The root causes of cheetah’s problems were the two historic climatic bottlenecks plus their great speed. They were able to quickly run ahead of their competitors and ranged widely looking for prey. They out ran their competitors and extended beyond their base population. As small groups continuously separated from their peers they formed new island clusters. These founder effect groups were cut off from hybridization and experienced genetic drift. In summary:
They are not related to the Pantherinae (Lions, which started in Africa)
Cheetah existed secondary to late Pleistocene bottleneck extinctions 100K to 12K years ago.
Cheetah developed in the Asia/Americas and are related to domestic cats.
Extremely inbred with depressed dominant traits.
They are all near identical clones: Completely depleted of variation in their genomes
They are experiencing founder effect. Africa is their CULMINATING POINT
LION
As a member of the big cat family these animals were born and bred in Africa. Modern lions diverged and began to leave its earliest fossilized footprints in East Africa around 2 to 3 million years ago. Through a combination of geographic refugia, extreme dietary flexibility, and evolutionary teamwork the lions thrived in the dry, ice free planes of Africa.
Cheetah and Lion – SUBJECTED TO time, relative humidity and LEVEL of adaptability
Over the last 20,000 years in Southeast Africa, climate shifts drastically altered humidity and ecosystems. The region swung between severe arid phases (like the Last Glacial Maximum) and the highly humid African Humid Period. In that period animal adaptability peaked. Generalist species thrived by adjusting to habitats, while specialists faced selective extinction. [1, 2, 3, 4] Some mammalian species failed to track their preferred climates over the last several thousand years. The failure to either migrate or adapt quickly may be their obstacle to survive. There is a significant time lag between climate change and species’ responses. These two cats were able to survive. The African Saber-toothed Cats, Scimitar Cats, Eastern Koppard and the Giant Cheetahs did not make it through the last 50,000 to 10,000 years.
Below is a four-column table of paleoclimatic and evolutionary timeline outlining the historical shifts:[1, 2]
African Humid Period. Savannas expanded, and water-reliant generalist species thrived and spread.
5,000 – 2,000
Decreasing(Drying Trend)
High (Behavioral Adaptability)
Monsoons weakened, leading to progressive desertification and forcing animals/humans into complex, mixed-habitat strategies.
2,000 – Present
Moderate / Variable
High
Modern climate regimes. Continuous micro-adaptations are documented, though global warming increasingly tests limits.
Table 2. Variables and Environmental Context
This is the scenario of failure to survive, the theory should be called “THE THEORY of SPECIALIZED EXTINCTION” The tenants of this are
Reproduction with wide ranging genetic adaptability
Environmental change
Differential reproduction based on past environments
Extinction by environmental change
THE EFFECTS OF THIS ON PEOPLE TODAY
A very small hominoid population (likely Homo heidelbergensis or Homo erectus) expanded before 900,000-800,000 years ago. It underwent a massive glacial bottleneck which lasted for 100,000 years. The population was reduced to ~1200 individuals. This lengthy event killed off so much of the population that it irreversibly reduced the genetic diversity of the species. The effects of that have persisted until today. Even though chimpanzees and gorillas might look similar to us, they have many more times the genetic diversity within their species than humans.
CONCLUSION:
We can conclude that developing survival strength through unique specialization may be a death trap. To do this we followed cheetahs and lions as they adapt and survived through the last 20,000 years. There was an entire eco system which followed the same path. We should pay more attention to the generalists. Survival by adaptation to environmental change is more advantageous than specialization. Ability to change our environment may be our only survival option.
In our next posting (Exploring Animal Adaptability in Southeast Africa) we will try to project the future of the fauna for the next 50 years. See you there !
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Let’s get serious about the Florida environment. This first posting outlines the three major issues regarding the future of Florida, especially Southwest FL.
The title image is a view of Estero Park Preserve. I added the sign graphic.
Scenarios for the future
Risk/benefits of rewilding
Consequences of species intra- and interdependence
For centuries Florida has been famed for its vibrant and diverse wilderness. It is a living repository of species drawn from the Caribbean, the Gulf, and subtropical America. Yet the past two hundred years have seen this unique ecosystem ravaged. People introduced non-native species, relentlessly homesteaded, and transformed the landscape for agricultural and urban development. The result is a wilderness in crisis. It is fragmented, altered, and teeming with exotic species that out compete or hybridize with the native flora and fauna. This document series outlines a strategic plan for the future of Florida’s wilderness. It is an examination of possible scenarios. It presents the risk/benefit calculus of rewilding. It supports species interdependence. It has a step-by-step outline for ecosystem restoration.
Definition: Rewilding is comprehensive, often large-scale, conservation effort focused on restoring sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem health. (institute of Rewilding)
This is one example of tens of thousands of citrus groves abandoned and overrun by invasive species.
Babcock ranch preserve undeveloped wet prairie
Babcock ranch preserve undeveloped upland wood
Major Scenarios for the Future of Florida’s Wilderness
Florida stands at a crossroad, with three major possible scenarios for the trajectory of its wilderness:
1. Continuance as a Species Repository: For millennia, Florida has served primarily as a bank of species. Rather than an origin point for evolutionary novelties it has been a major exporter of species elsewhere. Rewilding under this scenario would focus on maintaining and nurturing native species. It preserves the region’s role as a living archive of biodiversity.
2. Generator of New Species: The widespread introduction of similar but non-native species—both intentionally has created a dynamic environment. Hybridization and adaptation of ornamental and agricultural plantings will unintentionally transform Florida into a generator of new species. Unpredictable and unintentional ecological outcomes will result.
3. Degraded Ecosystem: If rewilding efforts fail or are mismanaged, Florida will become an ecological cautionary tale. With native species in decline invasive species will become rampant. Ecosystem services like water purification, habitat provision, and storm protection will severely decline.
Risk / Benefit Considerations in Rewilding
The imperative to restore Florida’s wilderness must be balanced by a careful analysis of risks and benefits. Rewilding, while promising, is not without peril.
Genetic Integrity: Simply replacing lost native species with physically similar, but non-identical genotypes can backfire. A non-native genotype may outcompete local species or fail to provide for dependent mutualists, causing cascading ecological harms. Cloning or propagating exact native genotypes minimizes this risk while preserving ecological relationships honed over millennia.
Ecological Compatibility: The introduction of new or “replacement” species may disrupt established mutualisms. They may also create new competitive dynamics while further destabilizing the ecosystem.
Proof of Concept: Any rewilding project must proceed through careful. It demands experimentation, trial phases, and rigorous review of existing literature. These will all be needed to maximize chances of success and minimize unintended consequences.
Intra- and Inter-Dependence of Species
Ecosystems are intricate webs with species depending on one another for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal, and countless other functions.
Physical and Genetic Identification: Restoration begins with precise identification of native species, both morphologically and genetically. This enables accurate matching of replacement stock and helps avoid mismatches that could undermine restoration.
Codependent Species: Many native species are mutually dependent. For example the relationship between native bees.; wildflowers or wading birds and wetlands. Successful rewilding requires restoration of these relationships, not just individual species.
Environmental Conditions: Beyond the species themselves, restoration must account for the specific environmental factors. Soil chemistry, water availability, fire regimes, and more allow these relationships to thrive.
These are the topics of the postings to follow
Review of State Key Initiatives
Structured outline for rewilding
Maximizing existing objectives
Marketing the concept for large scale rewilding of Florida
Call to action
SUMMARY
This is not just about legacy. This is your own quality of life; your own property value; your own cost of living. What are you thinking about when you don’t support initiatives, don’t press your representatives and spread invasive species? There are only three choices. 1. Fix it; 2. live with it as is; 3. abandon it and live with the consequences.
Let’s know your thoughts. Leave a reply jn the comment box below or start a thread in our discussion board.
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The purpose of the classical Japanese garden is to provide a place for meditation and veneration. A Shinto shrine is the historically oldest and perhaps archetypical garden. Its form may date back to 500 BCE. It is noted for its rusticity and blending into the local surroundings. It is a place for contemplation and veneration of the native elements and important concepts and significant ancestral figures. These spiritual elements called “Kami” were recognized as important and worthy of respect or veneration. These were not deities for worship but instead were intellectual constructs supporting the Japanese “rules of civility”
This is part 4/5 in a series of postings on my experiences and observations of gardens of Japan. For a complete understanding please visit the other postings. (1)(2) (3)
There are typically 6 elements in the classical Japanese garden. These include a Torii Gate, a bridge, one or more lanterns, rocks, a pond, and trees.
Myojin Torii gate with upward curve
The Torii is a gateway which is placed at the entrance of the shrine. It signifies the transition between the ordinary and the spiritual worlds. Often it is painted carmine red and made of wood. I frequently saw two shapes. Myojin torii are curved upwards at their ends and have a crossbeam that extends past the posts. Shinmei torii have a straight top and a crossbeam that ends at each post. There may be associated symbolic decorative rope or string accents called Shimenawa which along with trees further signify the boundaries of the shrine space.
If you come to a choice, make it.
The bridge symbolizes transition from one state of existence or world to another; from mundane to spiritual, from our sensual mortal reality to perfect immortal paradise. They maybe made of stone or wood and maybe either elaborate constructions or simply a single flat stone. Stepping on a bridge gives us a choice – either we cross it and take time on the bridge, or we turn back. In some gardens, bridges led to a central island called nakajima, which symbolized the Pure Land of Amida Buddha.
Stone lantern with place for a candle.
Stone lanterns originate in Buddhist traditions where the light suggests the enlightenment of Buddha’s teachings through the darkness of ignorance. From a Shinto perspective stone lanterns or yorishiro are made to attract, guide and house kami in the created sacred space. Each item in the construct has special significance. They are regarded as peaceful and tranquil.
Garden rocks selected and arranged for contemplation while sitting.
Rocks are ever so carefully selected, placed and arranged into the shinto garden. They are the residences of the kami. They symbolize the mountains or islands or even powerful figures in the Japanese pantheon. They are especially important in the Zen Buddhist garden. In the Zen garden, rocks stand for Mt Horai, the “Blessed Isles of the Immortals”.
Expansive water feature with bridge in background
Sand representing water in Zen garden
Water in the shinto garden represents purity or purification. Without water in the garden the significance of bridges, rocks and islands would be lost. Ponds and especially flowing water are a key element to all but the Zen gardens. Instead of water in the Zen garden, gravel and stones are carefully placed and raked into patterns resembling rippling water.
Large ancient trees in palace garden
Group of carefully trimmed trees in private garden. Note the variations in color and texture.
Trees are included within and around the periphery of the garden. They are called shinboku, and may be draped with shimenawa rope. The shinto shrine trees are specifically designated as sacred because of their age, size, or connection to a particular kami. Large, old, single or groups of trees are attributed with concepts like immortality or endurance, beauty or mythology. They are the connection between the natural world and the divine.
Perhaps the ideal of the shinto garden, this place is in the wilderness at the base of Mt. Fujii. The Torii arches over the simple stone path. The bridge provides a decisional option to access another route. The native trees surround not only this pleasant lowland but also the entire Mt. Fuji national park. The stones are truely mountainous.
SUMMARY:
The five classical garden types include shinto shrines, buddhist gardens, zen-buddhist gardens, imperial palace grounds, and castle grounds. Images of these can be seen on our previous blog.
Shinto shrines are intended for veneration of kami.
Buddhist monastery: I think of these enclaves as gardens for the mind. They are surrounded garden areas that are mostly devoid of effigies or suggestions of kami. They are intended to provide tranquil respite for peace and tranquility. Buddhism derives from India and became very powerful in Japan. During the Shogunate civil wars the Buddhists fought for independence from the warring parties. During the Edo period Buddhism was considered a threat to the Empire. Its foreign origin and power conflicted with the concept of three principals of Japan; duty to the Emperor, to the Nation of Japan and to the Japanese ancestors. The State no longer supported the monasteries. Attendance dwindled and contributions were insufficient to maintain these mammoth wooden buildings.
Zen/Buddhist gardens: Zen Buddhism arose during the civil wars. The Shoguns combined various portions of the Shinto faith and positions of Buddhism to facilitate their own code of ethics. The esthetic simplicity of the Buddha combined with a strict discipline of the Samurai. This is referred to as the “Shogun way”. Samurai and Daimu modeled their private retreats in the form of shinto shrines.
Imperial palace grounds. The centers of government changed during the more than one thousand years of imperial rule. Several cities were host to the Emperor and these cities hold the remains of the various palaces.
Castle grounds: The castle itself is a military fortification. It was not a residence, instead it was a place for defense. It would be packed with munitions and armaments. These materials were used for offense or as a depot for invasion forces. Surrounding the castle the army would be encamped and the outer rings were the support and suppliers for the troops. The grounds may have extended many square kilometers around the castle. The gardens encircling the castle were for walking, meeting and socializing.
CONCLUSION:
It appears to me that both shinto and buddhism seek enlightenment. They have opposite approaches to achieve this goal. Buddhism puts faith in self inspection, shinto puts faith in kami. Both approaches have value.
REFERENCES:
Japanese Gardens Revealed and Explained, Chard R., Zenibo Marketing, 2013
Japanese Stone Gardens, Mansfield S., Tuttle Publishing, 2009
You are invited to attend a series of three presentations this Spring, 2025. It is available only to residents of the Bonita Bay Community Association and their guests.The purpose of these presentations is to give information and encourage you to go.
This is a chance to explore the unique diversity of the SW Florida environment. Topics include our distinct surroundings, plants of special beauty, and our environment compared with other similar but globally distant areas. This presentation is also an opportunity to discuss these varied topics with John Knapp, author of Everglades Ark.
Topics and dates
Location
Community Activities Center: 3451 Bonita Bay Blvd., Suite #100.. Water and coffee included in attendance. No registration needed. Also see the schedule in the Bonita Bay publication Around the Bay
At the door there will be a $5.00 BBCA registration fee and, to help fund the Everglades Ark education effort, a $10.00 donation.
Questions ? Please call the Bonita Bay Community Association, Community activities, 239-390-5550.
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The native woodlands are foundational for all other Japanese gardens. They have been revered for thousands of years as part of Shinto. They are geologically, ecologically, historically, culturally and economically important. The previous posts in this series have reviewed the cultural insights and history of the Japanese gardens. This is part three of a six part series on Japanese gardens. The purpose of this presentation is to focus on the value and management of the forests. Can these be applied to care of woodlands in Florida and the East Coast of the USA?
There are three garden types in Japan that include woodlands, food production gardens, and the classic traditional gardens. Here is a brief overview of the forests in the wilderness of Japan.
The feature image is typical of the countryside viewed from the cable car on the way to Mt. Fuji. It is mountainous and covered with a forest of predominantly gymnosperm trees.
The history of Japan has significantly altered the natural woodlands of Honshu. The wilderness is not as natural as expected. 75% of Japan is densely forested. Forty percent’ was planted by people. There is a deep and protracted use of the woodlands for lumbering. The giant shrines with statues of the Buddha are made of cedar and cypress harvested from the wilderness. Historically all of the major buildings and residences were built from local wood. Until the twentieth century no other materials were used.
No understory at altitude at 1/2 (4500 ft) of Mt FujiShinto shrine in base of Mt Fuji park
Cyprus and Cedar tree forest
Deforestation Events
The forests were depleted of wood from three major events. There were two major event periods of construction which consumed whole mountains of wood. The first was during the castle shogun period the 1700’s. These included many square miles of defensive castles and associated residences for soldiers, civilians and commerce. Simultaneously, the residences and temples of the Buddhists were constructed. The second period was during the Edo and the Mejie eras. Edo construction focused on the new capital now called Tokyo. The third and period was the combination of the 1850’s through 1950. The forests were severely depleted as never before. This third period included deforestation for construction and devastation as a result of war.
Deforestation has an impact on the geology and ecology. Without the tree roots to hold the soil, earthquakes, floods, land slides with mud and rocks ensued. To restrain the soil trees were aggressively replanted with cedar and cypress with very little diversity. In 1954 The public was incentivized to plant even more. That incentive indirectly increased further deforestation of diverse native tree angiosperm hardwood species like the maple.
This had a further modern impact of construction lumber. Its value depends on good management of the trees. To grow straight, tall and knot free, the limbs need to be trimmed. To allow sufficient light and access to the trees the forest needs thinning. To be accessible to harvest, the slopes of the hills must be within the capacity of the power equipment. This is demanding work requiring a skilled and able labor force. The population of Japan is aging. The wage rate compared to other countries is relatively high There are insufficient foresters to develop an industrial timber crop. As a result of this, the trees are of questionable value. The monocultural nature of the crop also makes the forest susceptible to pests and diseases. The understory is sparse and not diverse. The wildlife is severely limited. To compete with imported lumber the method of management needs to be rethought.
1945. Tokyo reduced to ash
2024. Tokyo completely rebuilt in concrete
Spiritual Value of Old Treesas Seen in Art
Shinto regard of trees and forests is foundational. Recall that there has been a long veneration of trees which we described in the last posting. This value dates back thousands of years. They are assigned individual and group value as Kami spirits.
In Japan, old trees are venerated for their resilience, strength and power. Allegorically, they offer a bridge to the past. Both of these concepts are essential to the concept of Shinto. Blossoming trees are also highly regarded. Most notably are the spring blooms of the weeping cherry and plum trees. Autumnal trees with seasonal chromatic change in the leaves offer even more inspiration for artists.
Kano Masanobu, ~1550, This exquisite screen, ink on foiled paper is in the Tokyo National MuseumSuzuki Shōnen 1849-1918
Buildings for the Community Revering Forested Trees
The size of the remaining wooden buildings speak volumes about the mass of lumber needed for the temples, castles and residences of ancient Japan. The Great Buddha Hall of Tōdai-ji in Nara Japan is the world’s largest wooden building. It houses the largest cast bronze seated Buddha statue. It is only one of the few remaining giant Buddha halls. These images of notable wood structures do not truly capture their great size. Maintenance of these halls, palaces and castles is constant, expensive, and requires expert craftsmen and are paid for by donations. The remaining buildings are a small fraction of all of the original buildings that once existed.
Great Buddha Hall of Tōdai-ji in Nara. This reconstruction is only two thirds of the original building.
Senso-JI temple, Tokyo
Jansen-Ji temple, Kyoto, Japan
Senso-JI temple Pagoda, Tokyo
Matsumoto castle, Japan
Todai-ji Namdaimon, Nara, Japan
Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan
Private Wooden Buildings
The Gion district in Kyoto and the Yasaka-no To Pagoda has a high concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. This area was established 1300 years ago. Many of these wooden buildings date back to the Meiji period more than 150 years ago. Most of the original buildings were destroyed in the fire of 1865. In Kyoto those which were rebuilt were not destroyed in WW II. There were wooden structures like these in Tokyo. They were the norm and as you would expect, during WW II most of them burned. Only a few pockets of these remain. They were replaced with modern buildings made of steel reinforced concrete and glass.
Tokyo. Wood is protected from deterioration caused by dog urination. The curved barriers can be seen on the face of the structure
Kyoto. No barriers results in discoloration and acidic damage to the structure.
WW II post war reconstruction periodand current state of woodlands
Trees by the numbers
Look at this hillside. At the lower level, below the green line, you can see the density of the tree trunks. There is no place for understory growth. This suggests over planting without selective tree pruning or thinning as is necessary for a healthy tree growth pattern.
The foliage distribution strongly overlaps the mountainous areas which we described in the first of this series on Japan. To better appreciate the distribution of trees in Japan, the following illustrations will show the varieties and locations in the island group. This underscores the limited accessibility to manage the growth or to commercially harvest the wood.
The distribution of trees is approximately 40% deciduous and 60% coniferous and evergreen.This graphic is from “Forest and Forestry of Japan Textbook to Learn about Forests” . The Japan Forestry Association, “Forest zone of Japan”. Note our visited area is characterized as warmer temperature vegetation.
For more information on plants seen on this trip, please visit the Everglades Ark Epicollect database. to see more native trees and plants in seen on this visit. See observations numbers 422 to 434.
Reforestation:
There is a strong response to the tree management in today’s Japan. The forests of Japan rank third in the world for percentage of forest covered land. Modern management techniques including diversification of species are being applied and the use of local lumber is increasing.
Japan is now making a concerted effort to reforest and rewild their woodlands. Although this is a public works project and is government sponsored/funded it depends on community part time and volunteer workforce. It includes incremental reforestation using a variant of the Montreal process. This successful process has been widely applied in many locations around the world. The dedication and discipline of the people of Japan have made this do-it-yourself (DIY) project an example that could be followed here in Florida.
CONCLUSION
Forests continue to play an important part in Japan both spiritually and economically. Hopefully we can learn that over deforestation and questionable management can result in unintended consequences. The reversal of the untoward results can be costly, labor intensive and time consuming.
Next
In our next posting we will explore the productive gardens as farms in Japan. Later we will see the classic formal gardens
HERE ARESUGGESTED TOPICS FOR the discussion board
Where does the art of bonsai fit into Japanese culture?
How would you manage the woodlands of Japan?
What can we learn from the Japanese woodland management experiences?
How can we use the Florida Master Naturalist program to encourage woodlands management in our own neighborhoods?
If you have visited or live in Japan please add to this description.
Is Japan competitive with the world in lumber production?
The cultural changes of Japan are fascinating and profound. Journey with me and see how they have significantly influenced gardening on Honshu and all art in Japan. This posting is a generalized recapitulation of the history. It will help you follow the cultural forces as they change through time. Powerful characters in that history built these gardens and structures. We will look for the demonstration of these influences by interpreting the evolving style and content of their gardens.
We will look at three types of gardens which were made and modified over the last thousand years. I have selected Japanese history to follow the gardens. All of the gardens were made with special intention. In Japan there are three identifiable types of gardens; wilderness, production and formal (classical). These will be individually discussed in the posts to follow.
Early Development:
Fig 1. Early development. Expansion of native culture.
Shinto:
Shinto shrine with Tori gate, walking path, natural surrounding, and effigies representing important elements
Shinto is an ancient veneration based faith. It is native to Japan. It may have originated ~300 BCE. It is not a true religion. It attributes veneration to spiritual Kami; avatars of people, objects and forces in natural settings. The Shinto shrine is simple and rustic. It has specific elements and design style emphasizing nature. This is the earliest referenced form of Japanese gardens. The natural elements and symbolic representations in design are in nearly all subsequent classical Japanese gardens.
Buddhism:
Buddhism is a philosophic, faith based life style. It originated in India and came to Japan ~400 AD. It emphasizes simplicity, restrained behavior, self awakening, and reincarnation using meditation. There are many forms of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is a Samurai adaptation of one of the extant Buddhist sects. It is more severe in imaging and its gardens are characterized by the use of stones, gravel and sand. The arrangement is designed for stationary meditation not for walking. This form of faith acknowledges the concept of limitations. The gardens encourage transcendence of the limitations of the objects.
Entrance gate to Buddhist monastery / garden
IMPERIALISM:
Walking path in a large and complex Kyoto Imperial garden. It includes Shinto elements of water, bridge, trees and shrubs, lanterns and other Kami references.
The emperors of Japan have a long and troubled history. They date back to 1000 BC well before written history. Imperial power has risen and fallen at lease three times in recorded history. In the last period, Imperial power did not return until after the second visit of Commodore Matthew Perry. He was sent by the US president to force the trade. Japanese nationalists precipitated the overthrow of the Shogun and reestablish the power position of the Emperor.
Samurai: CODE
Samurai warriors had a moral code of ethics and behavior. Their training started in childhood. It focused not only in strength but also intelligence. When they were not fighting or training their combat skills they practiced self reflection, studied philosophy, literature, and the arts. They showed discipline, frugality, kindness, honesty, personal duty & honor, athletics, military skills, military strategies and political savvy. Ultimately they were trained to be fearless in battle. They were rewarded with currency, land and promotion.
The samurai developed a complex hierarchal order. The shogun was the highest rank of military commander. The feudal land lords were called daimyo. The shogun and his samurai provided military protection to the emperor and the daimyo. Through aggressive civil warfare attrition, one Shogun eventually dominated. This resulted in the end of civil strife, a unified Japan and peace which lasted for 200 years. In total, samurai directed an inalienable influence for 600 years.
The White Castle built buy the samurai Shogun
Politics and civil war:
Two Samurai armies fighting for opposing Shogun who seek domination of territory and power. (Source Anonymous)
The four current and historic Japanese capital cities are on Honshu. Each has a palace with gardens built for an emperor. These palatial gardens were made for the royal entourage for pleasurable encounters. They were used for meetings, entertainment, and celebrations for those with imperial access. In private, the emperor entertained his friends and families, concubines and eunuchs and his other supporters. They were used for and socialization, fun, intrigues, scheming, and planning. They had outer buildings and walkways. There were surrounding walls and moats with defensive designs. A class of defensive warriors was encouraged to defend the high culture class. These men called samurai were dedicated and highly trained. They were better than the ancient Greek Spartans .
Mid development:
Fig. 2. Mid development. Philosophic and power structure development.
The Shoguns were highly successful leaders of the Samurai warrior class. Regional Shoguns built castles with associated buildings as well as gardens. These were strategically placed for conflict management and defense. Daimyo and Samurai also built traditional gardens because they had land and power to pay and support them. These private gardens were used as retreats for meditation and rest.
Late Development:
Fig 3. Late development. Japan followed a path from feudalism to world conflict and destruction.
During this period political pressure reduced support for some and increased support for other gardens. During the 1600-1850 (Eco) period Buddhism was controlled by the shogun. During the 1886 -1912 (Meiji) period the government forced a separation of Shinto from Buddhism. Buddhism was persecuted because it was considered a foreign influence. State money was no longer directed to the massive and expansive Buddhist monasteries and gardens. They deteriorated in structure and appearance. Shinto increased in importance and along with Confucian thoughts were strongly supported by the State. This accomplished four valued behaviors. It reduced the power of a passive Buddhist ideology. It reinforced commitment to Japanese nationalism. It forced discipline, militarism and ethnic superiority. This also supported naturalistic idealism and devotion to the Emperor, the State and ancestral heritage. The samurai were outlawed. The military continued the defensive and offensive duties and many of the ethics of the samurai. The leadership pursued fanatic militarism and ultra-nationalism. To capitalize on the gains of WW I and to compete with the western powers, in 1931 all resources of Japan were committed to expansion through “total war”.
Continuing Development:
Fig 3. Continuing development. Global interaction and Interdependence
The sequela of the bombing of Japan during World War II, particularly in cities like Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki was devastation. The death toll was enormous. Among cultural artifacts, traditional Japanese gardens were too, heavily damaged or completely destroyed as a result of the conflict. There is insufficient data for a true count. Hundreds or perhaps thousands of national treasured gardens were lost.
Through military force, the USA substantially altered the Japanese culture early by gunboat and later by atomic bomb diplomacy. The first time was opened the borders to international trade and introduction of advanced technology. The second opportunity opened Japan to multilateral, international, equilateral negotiation and trade without warfare.
This leveling of the field has allowed the Japanese people to cooperate with other nations and peoples. They assimilated and develop new ideas without loosing their identity. They now share their culture with others. TheNamba Park is an excellent example of post-modern architecture and garden blended into the urban center of Osaka.
Conclusion
Many factors influenced the Japanese gardens: The Shinto veneration set the basics of the Japanese garden. Once established, the Samurai character and Shinto/Buddhist beliefs pervaded through the culture. My interpretation of the gardens emotes a display of discipline, unwavering moral values, intelligence, honor, and duty. The people of Japan have demonstrated continued adaptablity. The gardens of tomorrow will reflect the constants and the changes.
Period, era and influence and characteristics summarizing the progress of Japanese gardens
Topics for your discussion on the discussion board
Have we answered the question posed in the previous posting? “Can some value in Japanese ethnographic field work be extracted from study of the iconography of Japanese gardens ?” How do you see the evolving relationship of Shinto, Buddhist and Samurai behavior? Please show and interpret examples of your local gardens that reflect the thinking, philosophies or values of your community.
If you have expert knowledge in Japanese gardens please share your thoughts or images in the discussion board. This will help us all learn more.
If you want to enter into a dialogue please use the discussion board and engage in group participation.
NEXT
In our next posting we will explore the three forms of gardens in Japan.
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Recommendations for film lovers:
Yojimbo by the award winning director Akira Kurosawa
Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, A period docudrama currently on Netflix directed by Stephen Scott,
Last Samurai Standing a docudrama currently on Netflix staring Tom Cruise, directed by Michihito Fujii
The Last Samurai, A period docudrama on Netflix directed by Edward Zwick,
This is the first of a series of postings on gardens in Japan. It is the result of a three-week, September visit in the central area of the island of Honshu, Japan. It focused in the area between Kyoto and Tokyo (Fig 1). This is called the Golden Route. These are my interpretations of observations of this on-site visit supplemented by a review of some of the relevant literature. The gardens are a small sample of complex art forms generated by the Japanese over the past 1000 years. It involves a combination of art, history, philosophy, politics, wealth, power struggles, and a dynamically adaptive way of life. Approximately 15 sites were visited in and around the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Nara and Tokyo. From my American and European experiences I found their visual impact emotively stunning. Much of the area seen reminded me of my home in Florida. It was so familiar but so foreign. This led me to ponder the contrasts and parallels of these eastern and western cultures. I was full of questions. I wanted to know what do the Japanese want us to think when we see their gardens ? What do the gardens tell us? What can we learn from the gardens?
There are many important factors that influence the gardens that include geology, geography, ecology, philosophy, and history. Surprisingly, there are similarities and parallels between Japan and America. Follow along with the Everglades Ark for a fascinating exploration.
Geology:
Japan is series of islands that act as a geologic barrier to the pressures of the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the “ring of fire” generated by four massive tectonic plates. Seventy five percent of the islands are mountainous that include volcanoes. It is subjected to the severest forces of nature including, earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, tropical storms, and lava eruptions. See Fig 1.
Fig 1. Honshu, Japan, geology and the area of travel
Fig 2. Japanese islands overlying US eastern seaboard
Geography:
The three larger islands of Japan lie, latitudinally, in a position similar to the eastern seaboard of the United States. If overlaped on the USA, they could cover an area extending from Main to Florida and from the Appalachian mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The Pacific typhoons are like the Atlantic hurricanes on the coast of North America. They are generated by the warm air and water energy in the western Pacific Ocean. They follow the Kuroshio current that runs northerly along Japan’s eastern coast. This is equivalent to the African Easterly Jet and the Gulf Streams. The water and air streams move northerly along both east coasts east coast.
The weathering of the mountains of both areas have similar erosive effects. Tropical storms slam into the mountains causing erosion of the weathered rocks which is washed downward to the sea. Gravel, sand, and mud flow down their eastern slopes to cover the bedrock topography of the east coasts. This action creates broad deep coastal planes of fertile sedimentary soils ideal for plant growth to flourish. In Japan there is an additional source of nutrients to enrich soil. These are the volcanic effluents which additionally characterize the mineralogy of the land. See Fig 2.
Fig 3. Earth’s most densely populated city seen from the Tokyo tower looks the same in all directions.
Population:
The population of 122 million in Japan is nearly equal to the east coast of the US. The most populous portion of these islands lies in an area similar to the US Carolinas . The Tokyo central part of the city (Fig 3) has 15 million where the population density is 6,363/km2 (16,480/sq mi). The metropolitan area has 41 million where the density is 3,000/km2 (7,900/sq mi). The buildings are generally less than 60 years old because of the effects of American bombing in WW II. The construction materials are mostly steel reinforced concrete and glass; not wood. This image begs the question; Where are the gardens? This series of postings shows how I tried to attain understanding.
WHAT IS NEXT:
In postings still to follow, we will discuss interactions of all these factors and the probable anthropologic significance of Japanese gardens. Additionally, we will confront a question. Can some part of Japanese ethnographic field work be extracted from study of the iconography of Japanese gardens ?
SUMMARY:
The soil, water and weather are fundamental to the materials and design of Japanese gardens. The area visited was subtropical. During the three weeks of the trip, the midday temperature averaged 950 F and the humidity was nearly 90%. The daytime sky was mostly cloudless. In the month of travel, the island experienced two typhoons. It was just like home in Florida! But it wasn’t.
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This is a follow-up publication on Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. It describes the findings in the coral reefs in the Cayman Islands during a week in mid April, 2024. The travel to the island was reasonably easy and the accommodations onboard the live-aboard cruise were good. The conditions of the reef life and tropical fish however was disheartening. We have a big problem.
The featured image was made from a view of the sunset from the port on Grand Cayman island. The sunset may be symbolic of the future diving in the Caribbean. I hope that there is a recovery in the future.
As reported in four previous posts (Death in Paradise), there is a continuance of even greater proportions seen during this trip. I reported on the findings on the reefs around Roatan Island off the coast of Honduras two years ago. The condition of the reefs showed considerable loss of the polyp life because of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). It was quite extensive and showed nearly 70% loss of life. At night the coral showed a significant loss of fluorescence because of the large dead areas of coral polyps. During the day one could see the areas of exposed stony skeleton of the reef.
The reef at multiple sites of the Cayman Islands including Grand, Little and Brack, has been devastated by the disease. The population of the reef fish is also significantly diminished. I did not make a count of the fish or of the areas of dead coral. Because of the extent of the dead coral there was no reasonable way for me to make an accurate comparison. It was very distressing. With the option to make 20 dives I made only 12. There was nothing worthwhile to see. I would estimate more than 80% to 90% loss of polyp life.
In conversation with other experienced divers on board the ship they said that they saw similar conditions across many of the Caribbean islands from Bonaire to the Mayan coast. Generally, they were unaware of the cause of the polyp depletion but said that it looked the same as in the Caymans. The less experienced divers were unaware of the problem and were happy to be in the warm water (85.5 degrees F). There was still some interesting wildlife but is was very reduced when compared to the concentration I had seen as little as 5 years ago.
50% of central coral head is dead. All of the surrounding coral is dead.
Coral completely over run by SCTLD.
70% of brain coral is dead. Surrounding coral is lifeless.
nderwaterOther areas typical of the reefs showing the discruction of the polyps.
Lion fish (Invasive)
Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) It was good to see a lobster but formerly there were dozens.
Rough file clam (Ctenoides scaber). Similar to the disco-clam seen in the Palau reefs.
There was still life in the Caribbean but it may be below the 100-foot depth accessible for divers and also for much of the live that requires light. The life forms that were readily apparent were mostly bottom feeding animals. Sponges and soft fans were still alive and did not seem to be affected by the SCTLD.
The effects upon the economy that are a result of reef polyp loss are not readily available, however, many of the recreational hospitality workers are questioning their future employment opportunities. I suspect that there may be some resistance in these businesses to make these issues more public.
There has been some publication of the research into the cause of the disease and it seems that researchers have identified an infection. “Results suggest that the bacterial community may be involved in SCTLD, but other members of the holobiont (i.e., viruses and Symbiodiniaceae) may contribute to lesion progression”.1,2
Vectors and process of viral action is not yet publicized 3. One should not expect a recommended solution for a cure until much further research will be done. I anticipate that it may take decades and that the reef corals will not survive at the current rate of disease progress. This has a direct impact on the southwest coast of Florida.
If you have observed the effects of SCTLD in other areas of the Caribbean or other places in the world please engage in the SCTLD dialogue in the discussion board.
References: Where 2. and 3. are specifically related to work done in Florida reefs.
The plants of pond #47 are slowly recovering after hurricane Ian. This is part two of a three part series describing the slow recovery of the artificial pond that was created as part of a community wide system. Be sure to read part one of this series. The ten foot high storm surge from hurricane Ian brought seawater with its salt content and fish and other marine life. Because salt water is heavier than fresh water it sank to the bottom of the pond displacing a substantial portion of the fresh water. The ocean water is toxic to the fresh water species because it dehydrates the cells of salt intolerant plants and animals. This has been recovered by the inflow of fresh ground water and water filtered by community supplier. Now the water has a very low percentage of salt. My refractometric test for salinity tested on 5/1/2024 shows a near normal specific density of 1.002. We will discuss this in the next posting describing pond geochemistry.
The pond is surrounded by grassy lawns which are tended by the gardeners and home owners. At the water’s edge soil retaining mesh and plants have been added to prevent erosion. Most of these plants were thought to have been lost from toxic levels of salt. In the intervening two years they have begun to make a strong come back. They hold the soil, provide shelter for the marine animals and a feeding ground for the wading birds. Look at the previous post to see the birds feeding in grass and reed areas of the pond.
Pond plants
Net casting in pond to capture fish sample. This photo also shows round bright areas where Tilapia fish made nests
Soil retaining mesh submerged can be seen here. This was placed before the storm as part of the pond remediation.
Aquatic plant species used to reduce soil erosion.
Long view of pond looking from southeast to northwest.
Lawn, grass, Live Oak trees with marsh rushes and tubers surround the pond. They stabilize the soil and provide shelter and food as the basis of the ecosystem pyramid. It is only recently that the survivability of this plants was confirmed. Presence of these plants supports the concept of corner stone species. Without these plants the insects would not lay eggs. The fish would not feed on the insect larvae. The birds would not feed on the fish. This is further reflection of the eutrophic quality of the pond system.
Perhaps you have seen similar recoveries. Recall the experiences of the recovery of the Fulda river in Germany. Let’s hear about your experience! If you wish to contribute to the discussion please use the comment box.
The third of the three related postings on this pond will appear soon. It will describe the hydrochemistry and the micro aquatic inhabitants. Be sure to subscribe to follow along.
Also, feel free to use the discussion board to participate in one of the ongoing discussions or to introduce a new topic.
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#Pond recovery #ocean water #Lance leaf Arrowhead #Needle rush #Horsetail spike rush #cornerstone species #
This is a story of cooperation among people and wildlife in the Bonita Bay community. This description is divided into three postings including the macro biology, micro biology and geochemistry. Pond #47 is in my backyard. The freshwater pond was inundated by sea water to a depth of 10.3 feet above MSL. The flood was a climatic challenge to the entire four square mile community property including all 64 retention ponds. The good news is that recovery is well on the way to near normal conditions.
This first of three postings shows the macro biologic content of the pond. This small body of water is in the Bonita Bay residential community in the city of Bonita Springs, Florida. It was artificially constructed nearly 40 years ago as part of a larger hydraulic system intended to manage the surface water of the community property. The property is bounded by Spring Creek to the north, Imperial River to the south, Bonita Bay to the west and highway 41 to the east. There are five animal phyla represented here and they are all thriving. There are also four plant phyla.
The featured picture is one of hundreds of halloween pennant dragonflies that were so full of beautiful color. I had to share it with all of you.
Fish:
Net casting was done to collect fish samples and to check the varieties. It shows the net hitting the water, the clarity and depth, and the light-colored ring patterns in the water are spawning nests created by resident tilapia in the sandy bottom. Other techniques included fly casting and spin casting with artificial bait. Six fish species were caught from the Anchorage Pond #47. They included Mayan Cichlid, Blue Gill, Tilapia, Largemouth Bass, and Snook. Numerous minnows were seen but not caught. Neighbors who regularly fish the pond suggest that there are more Tilapia and fewer Snook since the Ian hurricane.
Blue gill on top, Tilapia (?) on bottom
Tilapia or Gulf Killfish (Non-Native)
Mayan Cichlid (Mayaheros urophthalmus) (invasive)
Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) (Non-native)
Reptiles:
Alligators and turtles live easily in the pond. The alligator population is variable and although it usually has one. During mating season there were at least two. The turtle population is greater than the alligators and from observation there are always at least four swimming near the surface. During the day these reptiles and crawl out of the ponds to lie on the banks.
Soft shell turtle (Apalone ferox)
Mating alligators
We’re done.
Marine Crustaceans:
One marine crustacean type was found. Three Blue crabs were found in the water along the shore. These were probably brought in by the hurricane.
Blue crab (female), (Callinectes sapidus)
Birds:
The number and species of wading birds is highly dependent upon season and weather. The birds may select those areas of the shoreline which are favorable to their food and which may be protected from predators by alligators. Here are some of the birds in the shore line vegetation hunting and eating with the alligator in their midst. The osprey was standing quietly watching from the close by tree. These birds were seen in March/April. The birds included Great Blue Herron, white and tricolored Herron, Ibis, ducks, Wood Stories, Anhinga, and Osprey.
Blue Herron
Anhinga caught a Mayan Cyclid
Great White Herron caught a minnow
Stork and Herron ignoring one another
Tricolor Herron searching for fish
Ibis in group of about twenty
American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) waiting in tree
Insects:
The most obvious insect which could be attributed to the pond were standing or feeding on the pound shore line. The dragonflies observed were exclusively the Halloween Pennants and were in the hundreds. The White Peacock butterflies were flying about in small groups or pairs just on shore near the grass.
Halloween Pennant Dragonfly, (Celithemis eponina)
White Peacock butterfly (Anartia jatrophae)
The diversity of the wild life supports the eutrophic designation of the pond. Further examples of this follow in the next two presentations. They include the plants and the microflora with geochemistry. Be sure to see them too!
This story is similar to the previous posting on a river restoration project found in Fulda, Germany.
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Here are images of flowers made from observations during the last three months. This is one of a series on native wildflowers of SWFL. These images represent some of the flowers which were seen in three distinct environments: uplands, pine and saw palmetto flats and costal flats. There is some crossover of plants which may be seen in multiple environments. For organizational simplicity the images have been separated into two groups: those that grow better in moist soil areas are in the mesic group. Those that grow better in dryer soils are listed in the xeric group.
The featured image is a Dixi Iris and a visiting Monarch butterfly
The images which are used here for illustration show the beauty and diversity of the native plants. As a supplement to these images is a spread sheet in the Pages post on this site titled findings/Wildflowers in SWFL. which lists the plant growing requirements. If you wish, this information may be used to assist in selection of plants which you could use in your own SWFL community or home garden. The images are associated with a Fig #. That number is the data key number listed in the first (left) column of the spread sheet. Use that number to correlate the image to the data.
There are definitely more flowering plants in the music group than the xeric. These flowers are flamboyant in color, shape and size. The dominant chromas are in the ends of the visible light spectrum, the hues are in the more saturated range, the values are in all zones and they may be multi-chromatic. Their growth as single plants tend to one bloom. As groups of plants they tend to be distributed in patches of the landscape. This may be related to their propagation frequently by rhizomes.
For the gardeners be sure to check out the excellent PAGES Excel spread sheet for the Wildflowers of SWFL data on these beautiful images.
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Wilderness health determines human health. Public wilderness health programs are needed to reduce pressure on the remaining wildlife and all other resources. We need to continue to develop new technologies that assist in adaptation to environmental changes without over demanding the resources. This is an essay combining physics and biology.
The featured image is the sun in hand near sunset. Please also see the previous post on Sand, wind, Water and Fire.
Energy and the second law of thermodynamics:
You can’t beat physics. Probably the most delimiting aspect of physics is thermodynamics. Life anywhere needs energy to live and reproduce. Ultimately the sun is the source of all power on earth. Cells, especially in plants, import the free energy from the sun and use nutrients and a complex chain of chemical reactions and specialized compartments to sustain life. This metabolic reaction, organized by DNA, supports internal organization, self maintenance and reproduction. This is net organization. It is an alternative to an increasingly chaotic environment. The unusable waste and heat is the entropic result of metabolism. The growth and storage of resources in organic molecules of plants plus reproduction are the valuable byproducts of life. Animals use a similar but more consumptive process in exchange for mobility and associated behaviors.
This schematic shows cell biology and the level of organization as the process of life proceeds. The ending relative degree of order falls below the start point because the cell uses energy and nutrients to create order in the cell. The resulting byproducts of metabolism are less ordered than the cell and less than the start point.
As long as the sun shines, and plants and animals consume less energy than the storage rate, the system is static or even increases order by creating a surplus of stored energy. Contrarily, if consumption is greater than the storage rate, energy is depleted and entropy increases. Currently humans are over consumptive. We are depleting the reserve energy resources with the untoward results of increased chaos. To cope with this we have some biologic tools that might help us. They are Darwinian in concept. These include four characteristics; genetic variance, species differentiation by inheritance, selection by survival of the fittest, and time. These tools can be used to adapt to the changing future. They are simple but require overwhelming cooperation.
Here is what we could do to change biology:
Preserve the genetic diversity of life. It will save time when we need life forms with special properties. Use or develop plants and animals which are survivalists for specific purposes. It is easier to maintain tough species forms rather than vulnerable species. Live in communities which are located in geologically and climatically stable environments. These areas demand less energy for maintenance.
To counteract the probable climate change and chronic over-demand, we could re-engineer plants and animals. If the rate of genetic mutation of selected genomes is increased and we environmentally promote inheritance by natural selection we could reset the consumptive rate then we could stop increasing chaos and rebalance the physics. Enhance species could replace those which cannot adapt to change. Effectively we could counteract our hyper-consumptive behavior and re-terraform Earth to promote survival of the wilderness. This would select for our survival and aim for survival of all. There are other helpful green power resources that are currently employed but they require substantial energy to build and deploy.
This is all a fantasy and another reality will probably develop. The power of the sun and the adaptive capacity of DNA are the two things that will not change. Change will happen. it is difficult to predict and it is impossible to prevent. One must plan for survival and learn to go with the changes.
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