Readings: Hidden Life of Trees & Oyster Gastronomic History

When starting the reading of the hidden life of trees it immediately becomes clear the bio complexity of this organic life. When it is easy to just think that they’re boring pieces of wood sitting there accomplishing nothing, it quickly becomes apparent the complexity of how these trees interact with one another. As somebody that loves to take care of bonsai I’m very aware of how alive these trees really are, they shape and react to their environment and I find that extremely interesting. It’s almost like they’re communicating to us. For example one of the trees on taking care of right now in my nursery is a Hawaiian umbrella tree. These trees 10 to grow by rivers and streams. They jot down roots in order to reach the water below. After doing research on the plant I was able to wire the stems of the tree so that they were downward facing. I then put an artificial stream by the tree and I found that route began to slowly grow down to reach the water. This was incredibly similar to the reading where it talks about adaptability and the complexity that goes into how nature interact with one another.

In the reading early on something I learned that I found incredibly interesting that I wasn’t aware of for was the fact that insects that’s stand to damage the trees integrity has always been a threat. So as biology is continued the tree has found ways to release pheromones that I attract the natural predator of the insect in order to defend themselves. I found this incredibly interesting and I wasn’t aware of this in the past.

Another interesting topic I was relevant was the fact that in Africa there’re specific trees I do not like large herbivores eating from it so over decades the tree developed to pump toxins into the leaves to make it inhospitable to eat. I think this is incredible because that shows the trees ability to ward off a very prominent threat and it almost makes them anthropomorphic if you really think about it.

Another thing that I found quite interesting was understanding the growth cycle of the trees. Almost like animals they go into. Periods of dormancy like  hibernation, and also to not compete with each other they grow in very specific ways not to deprive other planets of sunshine and also cannot stripped the soil up too much nutrients I think this is incredibly complex and really speaks to how sophisticated these lifeforms are.

The last thing I learned is more defensive measures of the trees take place that I was never previously aware of. Some trees planned not to bloom every season that way herbivores cannot rely on them as much this is extremely interesting any real hints at how smart these trees really are. While I was reading this I really didn’t feel like I was reading about plants I felt like I was reading more about living life forms there’re almost the same tier as people or other animals. I had always known that trees are complex and interesting but I had ever known the extent of how far that really goes.

If I had one question it would be an odd one but it just came to the humanity of it, after reading the book I am  almost certainly convinced that history is no different than any local dog or cat. They both have a way of defense. They both are capable of communicating with each other. And they both have a complex way of survival. So for me what is the difference between animals and plants, I find it extremely interesting that down whole forests without any remorse. But if an animal gets killed everyone rides on the street. I know the plans are deemed as the most humain way to take life but for me it just comes the question he idea of ethics and morality, we live in an ecosystem where we need to kill to survive. But as we progress one more as people what constitute a fair taking of life.

When looking at the second reading about oysters,  the motive becomes apparent. It’s baffled me how such simple looking creatures can be so complex. This one talks about oysters and how they differ from other living creatures that they’re completely alive and yet barely even look like they’re from this planet.

One thing that I particularly learned form this Reading was similar to the tree reading as both forms of life had a very interesting ways to defend themselves. Because oysters and not primarily mobile same as trees they have different tactics to get around and different ways of defense I found it amazing that oysters are able to close their shell when they feel threatened and this is something I wasn’t previously aware of.

Another crazy thing I learned was the fact that oysters are practically hermaphrodites and they can switch from one biological sex to the other, I think this is completely fascinating and something that land mammals what sit and ponder for hours the ability to do that. I think this is incredible and it  talks how genetically superior oysters are compared humans. For it to have the ability to do that really does show how evolved they are.

The last thing I found interesting about the reading was the oysters role in history. In the reading it dates back to 400 BC where even the Romans can be seen any oysters. Oysters and a lot of the world can be viewed as a delicacy. They are usually eating fresh and they’re not cooked. And I find it so fascinating about how long people have been cultivating eating these creatures. Just like the trees these little guys have been around here for a long time compared to human.

My next question is another philosophical question, but it is about superiority humans always think that we’re the best because of all the abilities we have, but we haven’t been around for that long oysters and other organic material like trees have been around for millions of years. So the question is who really is genetically more superior I’ll be really able to say that we’re the best considering how long we’ve been around for.  Reading these two things really opened my eyes how many skilled people are compared to the larger ecosystem.

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