Today’s Australian (pg 6) states that 75 per cent of red gums along the Murray River are either dead, dying or stressed.
Imagine if a journalist ran the story: 75 per cent of Melbournians are either dead, dying or stressed.
The obvious question might be: So what percentage of Melbournians are dying? We know they are all stressed!
A problem for journalist Asa Waahlquist is that not even the scientists at the Murray Darling Basin Commission are making the distinction between stressed and dead. The official surveys that I am familiar with, that have been undertaken since March 2003, have not distinguished between stressed and dead trees.
Incredible, but true.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Mark Twain visits MDB.
Mark Twain’s immortal quip on the exaggerated reports of his death applies equally to reports of dying forests on the Murray. For trees and humans begin the serious business of dying well before middle age but none of us have any intention of departing soon.
The term “old growth forest” refers to a forest where the predominant stems forming the canopy show signs of senescence, i.e., at least 50% show signs that they are dying. And they will continue to exhibit these attributes for another century or two.
And like humans, trees can actually benefit from stress. Drought stress, in particular, prompts trees to shed leaves from lower limbs to concentrate resources in the upper canopy and thereby produce a tall clean trunk.
And while the green movement may not be comfortable with the concept for obvious anthropomorphic parallels, drought stress enables the strong and straight trees to choke off and kill the bent and twisted ones that cannot justify their presence on their own merits. The stress and mortality that is suffered by the weaker stems is primarily produced by their stronger competitors.
The first reaction of a forest in dry weather is for all stems to shed leaves to reduce transpiration. This thinning of the canopy continues until the more vulnerable stems go below their minimum maintenance point and they die. This death will then free up that residual moisture reserve for use by the survivors.
Trees may die but the forest survives, as they have done for millenia, with a thinner and more open canopy until the next flood produces a baby boom of seedlings who must endure crowded classrooms and a high drop-out rate.
And lets not forget that most of the mortality is inflicted on the younger siblings and yes, the children, of the dominant stems by those very same dominant stems. It is what nature does, get used to it.
But, of course, this will never be cool for treeless urban punters. Keep an eye out for the first arts thesis on “vegofascism in rural Australia”. Aah haa, I knew there was something suss here. Its “River Red Necks”, by gum.
Yours senescently
Ian Mott
Promoting Products to Preserve our Creeks and Rivers – Free Water!
Water Harvesting Rain Catching
A new innovative product.
“Rain Catchers Water Harvester” can be placed in any open area to catch and contain rainwater.
Sounds easy? It is made from existing proven Australia products, its light weight, portable and able to contain large amounts of rainwater, and can easily moved or stored.
Australia is in crisis, our soil is damaged, and our dams are dry. A lot of water is wasted, and rain isn’t falling in the most desperately needed areas. Following weather patterns rainfall can be tracked, we believe this capacity can help people on the land.
Only 3% of the worlds rain fall is caught and contained, with our products we can increase that percentage significantly. Capturing drinkable fresh water, before becoming storm water is a great idea.
Due to the limited supply of water, people and plants have a significant demand for an increasingly scarce resource. The products I am promoting are called Rain Catchers. These products come in various sizes and have various applications.
Australia is the driest continent on the planet, it is critical for our survival that efficient and effective water strategies are put in place. These strategies must be able to store water efficiently and promote effective use of this water. However over most of the country rainfall is not only low, but highly erratic.
Australia is also currently in a very serious drought – the worst on record, following a run of very dry seasons. As a result many farming families are under significant financial and emotional pressure. This situation has implications for not only the families involved but for there regional communities and, given the economic contribution agriculture make to the nation economy, the nation as a whole.
Rain Catchers are aimed particularly at those areas that are unable to store or retain large quantities of water. People are now more aware of the need for water and the effect it has on the economy and household incomes. 2005-06 farm income was $26 billion and is projected to fall for this next year.
Following recent rains, the farming sector is feeling more confident anticipating further rainfall. Our designs aim to “drought proof” properties as both town and on farm water sources become more expensive. These products will have applications in all areas and be a cost effective and versatile alternative to rainwater tanks.
We have had a lot of interest from both Australia and countries overseas. We wish to gain support for this initiative, if you are interested or would like more information, please visit our website.
http://www.waterharvestingraincatching.bigpondhosting.com
Please e-mail any comments to: blundell2006@bigpond.com
0433704661
With thanks
Michael Blundell