It is mostly agreed on by ecologists that the earth can be divided in to twelve recognizable 'biomes.' A biome is the area in the biosphere that is populated with characteristic plant life. Some of these, for example, are tundra, grasslands, deserts, and forests.
We are constantly assaulted with news of the destruction and deforestation of one type of forest; the rainforest. Facts such as, “Every 4 seconds an area the size of a football field disappears.” How company backed logging and supported slash-and-burn farming are the only ways the peoples there can work. How we must send money to help secure that land and a future for the non-White children starving and festering on it.
No thank you.
Although the destruction of any habitat on this earth is a shame, it is still a blatant fact that attention is only focused on a single part of the problem. The fact is, half of the tropical forests still remain, but there are only scattered sparse remnants of the temperate forests left. Temperate forest is the forest type that originally covered central and western Europe. A squirrel, if it was careful, could have crossed Europe in these forests without ever once touching the ground. These are the forests that were populated with squirrels, rabbits, birds, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, timber wolves, foxes, and black bears. Such lands of tranquility and beauty were or are being farmed and felled to oblivion and noone is ever made aware that OUR homelands are being raped as well.
One of the problems, if not the biggest problem, of the temperate forests is the deforestation of it for agriculture, which has been going on in parts of Europe for thousands of years. Because of all of this continuous development, huge heaths barren of trees have developed. Certain areas of Europe have been under continuous cultivation since the Neolithic! Millions of trees in the temperate forest were cleared and logged, and that is not stopping. The untouched parts of these beautiful forests have resulted only from them being too difficult to log and/or farm. The temperate deciduous forest is the most altered of any habitat on Earth.
On the border of Poland and Belarus, in Eastern Europe- there is a beautiful fragment of this ancestral forest left. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, called the Bialowieza National Forest.
Situated on the hydrological divide between the Baltic and Black Seas, Bialowieza Park lies in the drainage basin of the River Narewka, a tributary of the Narew. Most of the water is drained by the River Orlowka, and the remainder by the Rivers Narewka and Hwozna. The area is covered by the central Poland glacial formation with deposits composed of deep sands, sands overlying clays (40%), and clays and loams overlying the Cretaceous bedrock (35%). Other major deposits are organogenic formations of peat and marshy peat which occur in river valleys and local depressions which often contain raised mire systems (Okolow, 1994).
There are 54 species of mammal including the reintroduced, rare European bison Bison bonasus (EN) (of which in Bialowieza there are approximately 300), grey wolf Canis lupus, lynx Felis lynx, otter Lutra lutra, beaver Castor fiber (LR) (re-introduced in 1955), northern birch mouse Sicista betulina (LR) and masked shrew Sorex caecutiens (the only known population in Poland), as well as elk Alces alces (uncommon).
Common mammals are red deer Cervus elaphus, roe deer Capreolus capreolus and wild boar Sus scrofa. The park is the site of a successful re-establishment of European bison Bison bonasus (exterminated in Bialowieza Forest in 1919). Reintroduction was initiated in 1929 in a fenced reserve which forms part of the park. In 1952 this effort was extended by reintroducing bison into forest areas outside the fenced reserve. At present 300 bison range freely on the Polish side, and 240 on the Belarus side. Beaver Castor fiber has also been reintroduced successfully. There are some 232 species of birds recorded in the Bialowieza region, 120 of which breed in the park and include capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, black stork Ciconia nigra, crane Grus grus, most European owls including pygmy Glaucidium passerinum and eagle owl Bubo bubo, a large number of raptors such as spotted eagle Aquila clanga (VU) and booted eagle Hieraeetus pennatus, three-toed woodpecker Picoides tridactylus, white-backed woodpecker Dendrocopus leucotos, redwing Turdus iliacus, nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes and red-breasted flycatcher Muscicapa parva. Approximately 8,500 species of insects have been recorded (Okolow, 1994; Reklamowo and Grzegorczyk, 1997) including the beetles: Carabus menetriesi, Orthothomicus longicollis, Pytho kolwensis, Boros schneideri. Twelve species of amphibian and seven reptile species have also been recorded.
Within the strict preservation area there are 632 species of vascular plant, constituting about 29% of the flora of Poland.
A total of 184 burial sites from the 11th and 12th centuries have also been found throughout the park. There are also numerous primitive bee-keeping sites as well. (C. Okolow)
Destruction of the primeval forest of Bialowieza
By: BSc. T. Koster, BSc. W. Langedijk, B. van der Linden and BSc. H. Smeenge
The Bialowieza forest
On the border of Poland and Byelorussia the 8000-year-old forest of Bialowieza is located. The forest can be seen as an endless mosaic consisting of swamps, peat bog, and numerous brooks and rivers run through the forest with river dunes and -valleys accompanying them. This is the habitat of Wolf, Lynx, Moose en European Bison to name a few rare species on top of the food chain. This is the last European jungle, this is the primeval forest of Bialowieza.
Polish kings and Russian tsars
Once Bialowieza was in the heart of an enormous forest. Protected for centuries by Polish kings and Russian Tsars to serve as private hunting grounds. Because of the strict rules concerning exploitation and colonisation by civilians, nature could maintain itself and species such as European bison could still be found here. When Poland's new frontiers were drawn after the Second World War, the forest was divided into two parts measuring 150.000 hectares in total. 62.500 hectares of which are located on the Polish side and 87.500 hectares on the Byelorussion side. In 1921 Bialowieza National Park was founded by whom 5.000 hectares of forest were declared Strict Nature Reserve. In here, hunting, motorised traffic and logging were completely prohibited. In these regions of the forest are still the most valuable, old and undisturbed stands located. In 1996 the Strict Nature Reserve was enlarged with another 5.000 hectares, now measuring 10.000 hectares (16% of the entire forest on Polish ground). The remaining 52.500 hectares (84% of the entire forest on Polish ground) is, besides some small reserves (3% of the entire forest on Polish ground), used for commercial exploitation. Up to last year this mend that, under strict conditions, the forest could be exploited for local use. Trees over 100 years old were excluded from commercial use and gaps (logging areas) were not allowed to be larger then 0.5 hectares. This extensive way of managing the forest only had a negligible effect on its further undisturbed condition. Preserving the forest structure by cutting down individual trees only, everything occurred in complete harmony with the natural dynamics of a forest. This causes a preservation of
rare flora and fauna and primeval relicts.
From protection toward destruction.
The Polish government had developed a policy in case of forest management in 1999 under the name "The Contract for Bialowieza Forest". This plan was based on the possibilities for forest protection on one hand and on the other hand enhance of social-economical position of the local inhabitants. The essential of the plan is a differentiation in zones where strict protection of the highest nature values are present as well sustainable timber for local needs is possible. The plan also involved stimulation of social- economical circumstances by the development of eco-tourism. Implementation of the plan would lead to the extension of the National Park for the total forest. At the same time a Danish organisation DANCEE (Danish Cooperation for the Environment in Eastern Europe) developed an alternative plan for the future of the Bialowieza forest.
This plan opts for
sustainable forestry. This way of forestry is almost completely implemented in Western Europe to convert past homogeneous production forest into now a day multiple use forests. Nature qualities are a result of human actions in their opinion and are subordinate to economical interests. DANCEE sidelined the Polish government by support of the Polish forestry sector and the local authorities. The
well accepted policy of the government was at once undermined and rejected. The current implementation of management forms from production-oriented forests is a threat to the unique nature qualities that are present in this forest area. The future of the Bialowieza forest is very uncertain at the moment.
Primaeval Forest or No Primaeval Forest?
Frank Verhart
The Bialowieza Forest is the last "primaeval forest" within the European lowland – it is a scarce and precious type of forest;
· On the change of the 20th into the 21st century decisions have been made that will at least influence the natural future of the forest during the coming hundreds of years – and possibly determine her future;
· It is a virgin forest, but it is not unassailable. We are able to preserve it – but as easily we are able to hurt its deepest souls and impose her onto a number of coming human generations in an unnatural state of desintegration.
As noted before, the Bialowieza Forest has preserved in Poland (and in Belarus). By this I mean that the soil of the forest is original and pure and that the types of forests actually present are still partially (nearly) undisturbed. Also it means that all biodiversity is directly connected to conditions like our climate, water economy and the everlasting competition of species. The great variation in species is apparent simply when we take into account the naturally occuring species of mammals that are ever present in the forest.
The European Bison (Bison bonasus), the largest mammal on the continent of Europe, is living in the woods of Bialowieza in a number of 550 specimens. It is the biggest population of wild living European bisons and one of thee populations on world scale that meets requirements for a lasting and stable local existence of the species.
Arguments for a strict reduction of harvesting wood in
Bialowieza-
1. Forest developed naturally during 4.000 years. Bialowieza Forest developed itself since her coming in existence, ca. 4000 years ago, when the changing climate allowed the spontaneous growth of forests again. It developed itself into the natural forest which is (still) partially existing today. Without any appreciable human influence a stable system developed with a wide range of variation of well mixed types of woods. It is inconceivable to think that man is able to increase the ecological value of the remaining natural stands by means of multi-purpose forestry management principles.
2. The most natural lowland forest of Europe. The Bialowieza forest is being characterised by specialists as the "most natural forest ecosystem within the temperate climate zone of the European lowland". On other localities, especially on this scale, comparable conditions have been lost already a number of centuries ago.
The Past 10 years in Bialowieza
1994. Expansion of the Bialowieza National Park – now covering about 10.000 hectares or about 1/6th of the Polish part of the Bialowieza forest.
January 1, 1998. The Polish government introduces a strict ban on cutting and logging trees aged more than one hundred years. The new regulation offers a more or less efficient protection to the remaining stand of the original primeval forest. However, an exception on the new rule is made for those Spruces that are being "attacked" by Bark beetles. The result of this exception is that this tree species – which is one of the most economically valuable in the forest – is being cut, even within existing reserves, the Im. Szafera landscape reserve and the part of the Bialowieza National Park that has been added in 1996 to the existing National Park.
January 1, 2001. After more than a decade of preparations, research and proposed alternative ways of income for locals, the projected expansion of the Bialowieza National Park to cover the whole territory of the forest is being rejected by the Polish government.
July 1st, 2003. The ban on cutting trees aged over one hundred years is lifted by the newly elected government of Poland. As a consequence the level of harvesting wood in Bialowieza increases dramatically at once. The new management plan for Bialowieza allows an increase in the cutting activities from the 120.000 m3 to over 150.000 m3 starting in 2003! (according to Polish NGO’s citing the Polish State Forestry Administration statistics!). The abolishment of the prohibition again allows foresters to cut century-old Oaks and Lindens, which so far does not at all or seldomly happen since it is "common sense" amongst foresters and citizens of Bialowieza to respect these majestive trees. However, the law allows cutting of these trees since July 2003 and therefore strong supervision is a must to prevent that wood-cutting activities are being shifted to these old trees – that date back into the truly undisturbed primeval times of Bialowieza forest!
Vegetarian Diet And Pregnancy
Many vegetarians, myself included, are used to face concerns and prejudices about their diet, anything from humorous comments to long lectures. Those of us who are more familiar with vegetarianism know the change this diet can do both to our personal health and environment, not to mention to the welfare of animals. (See for example 101 Reasons Why I’m a Vegetarian by Pamela Rice at http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/.) For a pregnant woman, however, vegetarianism can arouse many concerns; does a meat-free diet give me all the necessary nutrients I need to have a healthy baby?
Firstly, the idea that one needs meat to get all the necessary prenatal nutrients is a cultural assumption, not a scientific fact. There is no indication in the medical literature that the addition of meat to a pregnant woman's diet improves the outcome of her pregnancy or somehow results in a healthier baby. There's plenty of evidence that vegetarian and vegan women have healthy pregnancies and good-sized, healthy babies.
Many pregnant vegetarian women worry that they're not getting enough protein, and that’s why they often start eating fish just to fill the protein need. Actually, most women, including vegetarians, eat enough protein to meet the needs of a pregnant woman. A woman's body needs about 300 extra calories per day to grow a healthy baby, and the need for protein increases only by 20 percent. Extra calories in the diet are simply stored in the body as fat. Sources of protein are for example whole grains, soy foods, nuts (also as butter), seeds, fruits and vegetables. The last mentioned are also full of antioxidants. A rule of thumb is to vary the colors of the fruit and vegetables you eat.
Fish is also eaten because of omega-3 fatty acids that are important for the development of the brain and maintenance of the central nervous system. However fish oil isn’t the only source of omega-3 fatty acids, they are also available for example from walnuts (also oil), soy products and soybean oil.
Your developing baby also needs calcium to grow strong bones and teeth, a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles, and to develop normal heart rhythm and blood clotting abilities. If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, your baby will leach it from your bones, which may impair your own health later on.
Milk is not the only source of calcium, and billions of women worldwide consume no milk and produce perfectly healthy and strong children. Good sources are for example: broccoli, seeds, sea vegetables, fortified orange juice, calcium-processed tofu, fortified soy and rice milk. A woman's body actually absorbs and retains calcium more efficiently during pregnancy.
Just as important is Vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium and for the formation of your baby's bones in utero. Your body makes Vitamin D of sun exposure, but since your needs during pregnancy double, it's safer to make sure you have a dietary source of this nutrient. Vegetarian sources include egg yolks, fortified dairy products, and many soy and rice milks.
B-12 is also an important vitamin that can be found in fortified juices, cereals and meat substitutes; plants have very little of it. Sea vegetables, tempeh, and other foods, however, are said to be less reliable sources of vitamin B-12. Failure to obtain enough B12 could cause your baby to be born with very low stores, which can lead to B12 deficiency (weakness, loss of
reflexes, failure to thrive, delayed development, muscle wasting, and irreversible brain damage.)
When the baby’s blood is formed, the mother’s blood volume rises to guarantee enough oxygen to her child. Therefore the need for iron increases during pregnancy, and many woman, vegetarians or not, experience anemia. Even if you're a healthy eater, diet alone may not give you enough iron and therefore your doctor may recommend you to take a daily iron supplement in the second and third trimesters.
Iron-rich foods are for example green leafy vegetables, beans, dried fruits (for example raisins), sea vegetables, nuts and seeds. Notice that vitamin C (for example in orange juice) helps your body absorb iron. Avoid excess consumption of tea, coffee and milk products or drink them between meals as they decrease iron absorption.
All this information and recommendations probably make you feel even more confused and you wonder if you will ever remember it all. Don’t worry. It is recommended to eat according to your appetite, just limit junk food – fat, sugar and refined foods – as they displace more nutrient-dense foods. As long as you gain weight at an appropriate rate, the rest will fall in place. So relax and enjoy your pregnancy, and if you feel doubtful about anything, you can always discuss it with your doctor.
Compiled by WAU Finland.
Sources:Lorente, Carol Wiley (1997). Worry-free pregnancy: vegetarian moms-to-be can relax. A meatless diet is healthful for both mother and child. Vegetarian Times 1997.
Wilson. Melanie (2003). A Successful Veg Pregnancy. Vegetarian Baby & Child Online Magazine. http://vegetarianbaby.com/articles/successpreg.shtml
"Some women may not like to hear this, but the female body was designed for reproduction.Therefore, it is amazingly efficient. The female body is a miracle, and it's designed to survive under adverse conditions."- John McDougall, M.D.
Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
Sweet Red Pepper Strips with Artichoke and Caper Filling
(thanks Julie!)
6 servings
1 can (13 ¾ -ounce) water-packed artichoke bottoms
1/3 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons capers, drained, minced if large
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
Several grinds black pepper
2 medium red bell peppers
Drain the artichoke bottoms and mince them finely. Toss with onion, capers, and parsley. Stir together the mustard, olive oil, vinegar, basil, paprika, and black pepper. Toss with artichoke mixture until well combined. Set aside. Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise. Discard the stems, seeds, and white membranes and cut each half pepper into 3 lengthwise strips, taking care to create strips with a cupped shape that can hold the filling. Spoon the artichoke mixture along the length of each bell pepper strip. Serve at room temperature.
Vegan Pancakes!
4 oz. (100g) plain white flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsps baking powder
Pinch salt
7½ fl. oz. (200ml) soya milk
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix thoroughly. Mix in soya milk and oil and whisk until smooth. Heat some oil in a frying pan. It is hot enough if a drop of batter on the pan sizzles. Quickly pour some of the batter around the pan to form a thin circle. Shake the pan to stop the pancake sticking and cook both sides for a few minutes. Serve with lemon juice and sugar or any topping you like.
WAU Elements #3 due out September 2004!
