Sempervirens Fund’s Post

US ROAD (TREE) TRIP HIGHLIGHTS - Part 1B - coast redwoods Consider the natural forest ecosystem these trees live in - one they have created and dominated for eons. The natural relationships and species symbiosis is a wonder to behold - and, when we realise these trees save themselves from fire plus isolate their living structure from damage and decay - you just have to stand back and marvel. Scale is hard to appreciate - but note most trees seen here are 1.5-2.0m diameter, with this specimen being 5.0-6.0m at dbh. We are the smaller beings here.

Your bioregion is a vital organ in Gaia's body. Attune deeply to your local landscape's unique ecology and spirit. Strengthen connections between bioregions. Activate your area in the planetary body. Ready to remember we're not just on Earth, but of it? DM me Manifesto

The deepest and largest natural well on the planet is called Xiaozhai Tiankeng. It is located in Fengjie, Chonqinun Municipality, in the heart of China. This amazing well is completely natural and reaches a depth of 662 meters, with a length of 626 meters and a width of 537 meters. But what’s most striking isn’t just its dimensions or its almost-vertical walls, but the explosion of life it houses. Xiaozhai Tiankeng is what geologists call a sinkhole or ditch, a depression of the land generated, among other factors, by the effect of water. In this case, it was formed on top of a cave and houses an underground river measuring a total of 8.5 kilometers and flows into a spectacular waterfall. Its enormous size makes it the sinkhole of its kind, known as tiankeng, the largest and deepest in the world. Besides its size, Xiaozhai Tiankeng impresses by the biodiversity it houses inside. Its base is so large that it houses nearly 1,300 plant species, like ginkgo, and wild animals. Among the most fascinating "tenants" who stroll through their underground forest, stands out the nebula panther (Neofelis nebulosa), an unmistakable fur cat that reaches 1.1 meters and usually rests in trees. This tiankeng lies in a vast karstic area of 280 km2 formed by limestone. Experts believe the sinkhole, which is between 511 and 662 meters deep, has taken shape over the last 128,000 years. For much of its history, until the roof of the cave collapsed, it was a massive underground cave. There are also other remarkably sized tiankengs, such as Dashiwei, located across China. Curiously, despite its size, Xiaozhai Tiankeng began studying relatively recently, although the local people have known him since ancient times.QUORA.

"The big coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are magnificent, like news from another world. A few individuals grow to just shy of 400 feet, making them the tallest carbon-bearing organisms on Earth. We still don’t know why they get so high, nor why they’re not even taller. But their sheer bigness — their height, their circumference, their massive bulk, their huge payloads of tissue and carbon and ancient wood — relocates us. If we pay attention, they can lead us to our better selves. They can confront us with our frailties, our smallness and our puny life spans, while reassuring us that life can go on, and that if we are part of the living world, we too can go on. I find it reassuring that an entity this extraordinary can live while we live in a sliver of shared time. "There’s something congregational about the redwoods in their groves: a group of worshippers, petitioners standing solemnly, upright before an even higher power than themselves; the calculus of wind, rain, sun, oxygen, carbon dioxide and time. Standing among the coast redwoods creates a sense of wonderment, delight and, ultimately, the knowledge of the tree’s right to exist, to not have to serve as a means to human ends. Awe isn’t the exclusive property of tourists, monks and rubberneckers. Scientists are driven not only by intellectual pursuits but also by astonishment — and by its cousin, desire. To claim that science is impartial and bloodless is incorrect. "There are only three redwood species in the world, despite a fossil record littered with others from the dim past. "The coast redwood lives almost exclusively along the upper California coast in a maritime climate, though a few, wantonly ignoring state lines, have pushed up into Oregon and down to Southern California." #redwood

Nature is a master of efficiency and beauty, weaving intricate systems where every element has a role to play. One of its fascinating wonders is the phenomenon of “crown shyness.” Certain tree species grow their canopies in such a way that their leaves and branches don’t touch those of neighboring trees. This creates a mesmerizing pattern of gaps, like rivers of light in the sky. Scientists believe crown shyness might help trees optimize light absorption, reduce the spread of harmful insects, or prevent damage from colliding branches during strong winds. It’s a silent reminder of how interconnected, yet respectful, natural systems can be.

The largest and deepest natural well on the planet is called Xiaozhai Tiankeng. It is located in Fengjie, Chonqinun Municipality, in the heart of China. This incredible well is completely natural and reaches a depth of 662 meters, is 626 meters long and 537 meters wide. But what’s most striking isn’t just its dimensions or its almost-vertical walls, but the explosion of life it houses. Xiaozhai Tiankeng is what geologists call a sinkhole or sinkhole, a land depression generated, among other factors, by the effect of water. In this case it was formed on top of a cave and houses an underground river measuring 8.5 kilometers and flows into a spectacular waterfall. Its enormous size makes it the largest and deepest sinkhole of its kind, known as Tiankeng, in the world. Besides its size, Xiaozhai Tiankeng impresses by the biodiversity it houses inside. Its base is so large that it houses around 1,300 plant species, such as ginkgo, and wild animals. Among the most fascinating "tenants" that wander through their underground forest stands out the nebula panther (Neofelis Nebulosa), a cat of unmistakable fur that measures up to 1.1 meters and normally rests in trees. This Tiankeng is situated in a vast 280 km2 karstic area formed by limestone. Experts believe the sinkhole, between 511 and 662 meters deep, formed over the last 128,000 years. For much of its history, until the roof of the cave collapsed, it was a huge underground cave. Other notable sized Tiankeng are also found throughout China, such as Dashiwei. Curiously, despite its size, Xiaozhai Tiankeng began to be studied recently, although the local people have known him since ancient times.

🌿 #EcologicalBelongingFriday 🌿 Dive into your heart's sanctuary and unearth the sacred grounds that speak to your soul. Share with us the natural space that holds deep significance for you and the reasons it resonates so profoundly. 💚 #EcologicalBelonging #FridayEBTip Want more reflections like this? Subscribe to the Ecological Belonging newsletter and explore ecological-belonging.org

Book title: Sanctuary of Earth Description: "Sanctuary of Earth" is not just a book; it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that these ecosystems are not just stories on a page but living, breathing entities that need our protection now more than ever. As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself immersed in the symphony of the seas, the final stand of ancient forests, and the battle for the last gardens of Eden. This book is a reflection on the beauty that remains and a plea for humanity to recognize its role in preserving the last sanctuaries of our Earth before they are lost to us forever. #earth #life #ecosystem https://lnkd.in/dp86WVEf  

As glaciers retreat, how quickly does life move in? 🐜 🌱 🌻 New Nature Portfolio research has tracked how new, diverse, and complex ecosystems emerge in the barren landscapes left behind as glaciers retreat. SAEF researcher Dr Levan Tielidze, who co-authored the study, explains: https://lnkd.in/gPzSpuMM

Are you interested in how new ecosystems develop after glacier retreat? 🐛 🌿 🏔 Then read our newly published global study in Nature Magazine https://lnkd.in/gnt2A48v