3 minute read
Wildwood Ramble
A Forests Life Cycle: Zero Waste
BY KALI BRAUCKMANN, NATURALIST ECOFORESTRY INSTITUTE SOCIETY,
In the intricate dance of nature, a forest performs flawlessly. From the seamless cycling of nutrients and carbon to capturing and filtering water and processing energy, forests embody perfection.
Zero Emissions Day, September 21st, has come and gone but it serves as a global nudge, prompting us to introspect and evaluate our habits. Instead of offering a list of what we can do to attain net zero, this article celebrates how the environment achieves this balance with natural elegance.
Imagine the forest as a sentient entity, one that thrives with innate self-su fficiency, relying solely on one external ally: the sun. Within this green expanse, plants harness the sun’s raw energy, transforming it into vital carbohydrates. These nutrients, in turn, sustain the myriad herbivores and omnivores that call the forest home. Such profound yet intricate interactions form the basis of the food chain, igniting a burst of life throughout the woodland.
As these plants mature, they become living vaults of carbon, storing it within their fibers. Some of this carbon is reintroduced to the environment, be it through seasonal leaf falls or forest fi res. Yet even in decay, this organic matter is reclaimed, nourishing eager plants and microorganisms.
Recently, a scene unfolded in Wildwood that encapsulated the forest’s circle of life: a doe and her yearling, dashing through the trees, pursued by a cougar. Moments later, only the mother emerged, retracing her steps. This poignant interplay reflects the forest’s intricate web of life.
The energy the yearling derived from the forest’s flora now sustains the cougar. And in time, as fallen leaves envelope the young deer’s remains, they will decompose, giving back to the plants it once consumed.
Rain following this event may have swept over the remains, becoming contaminated. Yet, the forest’s innate purification systems — mosses, plant roots and layered soils — would cleanse this water. Today’s water systems confront a myriad of contaminants, but an unblemished forest can purify water more adeptly than our best machines — and at no cost.
Beyond this, forests offer a plethora of joys: bird-watching, foraging, wildlife photography and countless tranquil pursuits that foster a deeper connection with nature. Next time you’re in nature think of all these wondrous connections taking place and let it dazzle you.
