BETWEEN THE TREES

A LASTING DESTRUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRACY PHILIPS

Within the forgotten forests of the oil sands toxic tailing water secretes and oozes through the dying branches. This toxic water is remnants from hundreds of years ago when miles of land was destroyed in order to attain oil. Tailing ponds are the residual materials remaining after extracting the valuable components of the oil. Left to grow out of control, these toxic remnants took over the parts of the boreal forest. However, through decades of abandonment these oils have secreted entirely across all of the Boreal forest infecting the soils, trees, plants, and waterways, which evidently affected the native animals to these areas.

What is presently left of the Boreal forest are barren landscapes and deforested sites of deconstruction. Sediment erodes away leaving muddy marsh like ecosystems to overtake the landscape. Within these striking ecosystems, cave-like structures emerge keeping certain creatures warm during the frigid winter storms. Oily mounds of tar and bitumen are left within the marshy habitat. Constant exposure to these compounds causes evolutionary neurological disorders in some of the species. Waste byproduct of oil sands extraction reduces oxygen intake which has allowed the animals to adapt their breathing patterns. Toxic chemicals leach into water systems altering the way trees and plants grow.

Getting a closer look at the specific toxins causing creature mutations it becomes evident that the inhalation of Methylmercury found in the byproducts of oil secretion upsets animals nervous systems and impairs the digestive system. This also made it harder for trees to capture carbon so they no longer produce leaves. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found latched onto the ground creating an orange furry byproduct that sprawled the entirety of the landscape.

Due to the contrasting extreme climate conditions, organisms in this area have adapted to all climates. The western caribou for example retains frozen pieces of ice on its beak and uses it to its advantage for hunting in the cold winters. It makes it easier to move branches around and find its prey. The western caribou resembles the historic caribou with its long horns. Still today, these creatures are being hunted for their horns in order to examine and research the way they survive and adapt to freezing temperatures. Research has shown that we can learn from the adaptation techniques of animals to implement and improve the lives of human beings.

The bison seem to have adapted very well to the freezing winters. Their fur makes them almost impossible to distinguish from the brown forest environments. Mounds of dirt enclose their habitats to protect them from other animals in the area and extreme weather. Evidence shows the aggressiveness of these creatures. They eat almost all species in this area and so they are considered the ones who reign the land. They roam around freely with no fear. They are quick and agile when hunting for their prey. In terms of breeding, these creatures mate only once in their lifetime, but they reproduce in high numbers when they do, able to generate up to 15 offspring.

Within the branches of trees and bushes are the mighty warblers. They are attractive and small, but these birds seem to know their ways around the land. Their small bodies allow them to hide in crevices to avoid predators. Their colors adapt to the colors in their surroundings allowing them to camouflage. The younger warblers have even been seen to grow two beaks, a special mutation when two types of warblers mate with each other. These creatures feed on worms and other insects that they find in the tree bark. They reproduce from a very young age and continue to do so for almost their entire lifespan. Their behaviors are a bit odd compared to other bird species in the region. They screech very loudly for their size and call attention to other animals in the area. They tend to stay near the ground of branch surfaces rather than moving in flocks in the air.

Within the marshy landscape beavers thrive by building dams out of fallen branches. Beavers are quite common in this ecosystem since they thrive off of rotting trees and shallow waterways. Oil is permanently encased within their hairs and their tails widened in order to swim in the thick oily substance. Their dams hinder the oily marshes from spreading further and provide them protection from caribou and coyotes. Their habitats are accessible under the water and through the marshes to allow for easy hiding spots from other ground species. Primarily eating the roots and fungus of other toxic plants these beavers don’t have to look far for nutrients. While researching there it became apparent they evolved to be able to stay underwater for longer periods of time due to the abundance of CO2 in the air which limits oxygen intake. They live within colonies of four to five with their newborn babies staying with them until they are strong enough to build their own dams.

One horned sheep spend their time between the tar and the drier lands. They are constantly dripping tar from their bodies. Their skin is rough and looks like a fossil from the years they have been in this area. They are the pioneers of the toxic landscape. They adapted quickly to the degrading conditions and have since stayed in these areas. With only one horn, the sheep have been able to survive and keep their legacy. Scientists have found that the sheep host organisms like barnacles that are constantly chewing on the exterior shell of their skin creating this rough patchy surface. The sheep are mild and do not engage in fights with other animals. They roam at slow speeds and are mostly herbivores, eating away at mushrooms and other living plants in the area.

Blue Jays fly between dead trees and nest in the crevices and holes of the stumps. Their beaks fill the desolate forest as they chirp to one another. These blue jays are fierce and prey on other birds around them. They will do anything it takes to protect their nests. Their nests are created with found materials and polycarbonates that create furry and gooey homes for safety. They use acidic ant by-products to keep parasites and other toxic bacteria away.

The degraded landscapes have had a major effect on these creatures. In terms of living conditions, science proves that the creatures are thriving in unprecedented ways. They have been able to use their behavioral skills to transform and mutate within themselves and alter their living conditions to survive. Scientists are still trying to explain this phenomenon and replicate their behaviors in human life. The creatures found in this area are winning the race of transformational adaptation against humans. Currently, they have much more probability of survival within toxic environments than humans do.

WHY IS THE ROCK BLUE?

BY EDWARD HANDELER

The blue rock stands out among all the living organisms that surround it. It gets its name from the mesmerizing blue moss that grows on its exterior surface. The intricate relationship of the soft and thin layer of moss and the rock is quite fascinating. The rock provides a stable foundation for the moss to grow over it. Furthermore, the combination of humidity and warm temperatures creates an ideal environment for the blue moss to grow.

Spread across the terrain, the blue rock becomes a habitat for many living organisms. The organic nature of the rock provides niches that become thriving habitats for a diverse range of organisms. Nestled in between rocks, smaller organisms such as frogs and lizards are able to call this place home as well as a place of protection from other predators. There are even some organisms that rely on the moss as a food source, allowing them to receive needed nutrients for proper health.

The blue color of the moss is interesting in that it has transformed gradually from the green color of many years past. That turquoise hue comes from minerals and traces of chemical elements that are present in the soil. Rhizoids of the moss form complex networks of interconnected hairlike structures that anchor strongly to the rock’s surface. In some instances, the blue moss has broken down the rocks allowing the release of nutrients that support other living organisms in the ecosystem. The blue rock is a clear representation of nature’s remarkable ability to adapt and thrive under all living conditions.