Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

 

 

A botanical garden is an area in which plants are grown primarily for scientific study or for viewing by the public. A garden solely for tress,  shrubs, and vines is more exactly termed an arboretum. Some gardens are chiefly for scientific study; others emphasize ornamental displays and public education, and some are solely recreational areas. Many gardens maintain large herbaria, collections of dried plant specimens used as references for classifying unknown plants.

History. Some of the first botanical gardens were formal parks built as early as 2000 BC by the Assyrians. Most of the earliest gardens, however, were ancient Chinese and Egyptian temple gardens for raising fruit, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. The first record of such facilities is a description of the temple garden at Karnak, built in 1500 BC. Better documented is Aristotle's herbal garden, built about 350 BC and directed by the noted botanist Theophrastus. 

Stimulated by the reliance on herbal medicine in the 16th and 17th centuries, European medical schools founded botanical gardens devoted mainly to medicinal species. The garden were used for training medical students. The first such gardens were in Italy - in Pisa around 1543 and Padua in 1545 -  and similar gardens were later founded in other major cities. The garden in Leiden, Holland (1587), is credited with starting the Dutch bulb industry.

Later development. As the science of botany grew during the 18th and 19th centuries, the traditional herbal gardens gave way to gardens for the scientific study, commercial development, and display of wider varieties of plants. Botanical gardens as those in Kew (near London. 1759; Uppsala (1787), Madrid (1788), Rio de Janeiro (1808), Leningrad (1843), Washington D.C. (1850), St. Louis (1859), the Arnold Arboretum in Cambridge, Mass (1872) and New York City (1895). The Royal Botanic Garden at Kew sent expeditions all over the world to find commercial species, and reputedly those efforts spread the cultivation of such plants as rubber, banana, tea, pineapple, coffee, cacao, and the quinine-yielding cinchona.

The United states today has over 300 botanical gardens, the most important are the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Arboretum, The Longwood Gardens (near Kenneth Square, Pa), the United State National Arboretum (Washington D.C.) , the Arnold Arboretum, the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis), The New York Botanical Garden (New York City), The University California Botanical Garden (Berkeley), The Holden Arboretum (Mentor, Ohio), and The Fairchild Tropical Garden (Miami). The Longwood Gardens, in cooperation with the U.S National Gardens, in recent years has sent out botanical expeditions worldwide.

The foremost Canadian gardens include the Montreal Botanical Garden, with its collection, and The Dominion Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Ottawa (1889), Canada's oldest botanical garden. Australia's well-designed Royal Botanical Garden and National Herbarium emphasize plant species native to Australis.

Bibliography : Hyams, E.S., and McQuitty, W., Great Botanical Garden of the World (1969) ; Prest, John, The Garden of Eden; The Botanical Garden and The Re-Creation of Paradise (1982); Wright, Tom, Large Garden and Parks; Maintenance, Management and Design (1982); Wyman, Donald, The Arboretum and Botanical Garden of North America (1969).

Comics and Animations into Graphic Art

Within the last three months, paintings styled on comics and animations, designs similar to street art and media in graphic art format, have suddenly been all the rage. Several key venues in Indonesia's art world, at least in Jakarta, such as those in Jl. Kemang Raya. Art Space in Jl. Hang Tuah, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (GNI) and some new places like Jakarta Art District (JAD) in Grand Indonesia Plaza are full of the works of young artists.

Through group exhibitions and with some going solo, it is as if they have an agreement to explore comic forms, street art or animamix art. There is a unique style presented in their works. Looking at their format, with most of the paintings or graphic works being on canvas, is of course a different matter. But it seems certain marketing strategies that absorb his style trend are more dominant. And don't forget, they create monoprint works individually. This will make collectors feel secure, there is no original master for printed works. So then, as we have so much choice in terms of art shows, it is only right that we choose the sytle that reminds us of conventional graphic art works which also shows the transformation into the contemporary theme and spirit evoked by the imaginations of young artists.

The medium of expression is monoprint and the promotor is Andi's Gallery. Most of participating artists have received awards for their graphic art works although they are mostly graduates from the fine art departments in their respective arts academies. On a daily basis, they work as print makers, graphic designers, sometimes creating comic books, or contributing to murals or graffiti, working in the cyber-animation world and participating in Graphic Triennale.

They exude the spirit of contemporary print makers, familiar with the digital and cyber media world while continuing to work on manual printing. This is why curators have to work hard to catagorize their works. Will they be labeled old/conventional or contemporary graphic art works?

Most of them, because they want to be labelled "conventional graphic arts", at least for the exhibition in Andi's Gallery, used hardboard cuts to print on canvas. The wood fibres are still expressive - not in the style of more refined and very detailed modern engravings - and they have reatined the hand colouring/painting. Some used the silk screen medium which reminds us of the pop art style of the seventies.

Animation-comic or illustrative style are found in the works of A.C Andre Tanama, Agus Yulianto, Ariswan Adhitama, Daniel Timbul Cahya Khrisna, Fransisco Panca Nugraha, Irwantho Lentho, Sigit Purnomo, and Teguh Hariyantha. Some of these artists use their canvases to depict scenes of conversing figures. The canvas becomes something like a single comic box whereas animation shapes appear in robot forms that bring to mind the anime-gamers digital world.

We can also find artists who are exploring monoprint graphic art in abstract forms. The canvas becomes a spread of colours and composition fields consisting of geometric of biomorphic shapes, like the works of A.T. Sitompul or Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi.

The only senior painter, Tisna Sanjaya makes an appearance with his woks using charcoal. Where does the term monoprint fit into Tisna's oeuvre? For the artist working on his arts doctorate in Yogyakarta Arts Institute (ISI), he uses his own body as printer by putting paint all over it and transfering the paint onto the canvas.

Although it is under the banner or monoprint, and is referred to as a graphic arts exhibition, the term animation-comic style is more appropriate for this show because these styles are indeed dominant. Will this distinctive feature via the medium of graphic art, with Indonesia comic-illustration-animation styles, really become a trend ?

Losari Coffee Plantation

Everything changes when you step across the threshold of clubhouse at Losari Spa Retreat and Coffee Plantation. The bright, white mountain light gives way to cool grey and brown shadows. The buzz of jungle crickets and the electric hum of the hillsides are ostracized by building's stolid, colonial walls. Even the humidity seems to hover at the clubhouse's doorway, as if scared to enter a coolness that has taken nearly 200 years to manifest itself fully and now stands sentinel against even the hottest, muggiest February day. The clubhouse, one of just two remaining buildings that once formed part of this original Dutch colonial estate, is not just adept at keeping the Javanese elements at bay. Standing inside its four walls, one gets the overwhelming feeling that the passing of time has also been refused entry at the doorway. Time doesn't have ticket. Time doesn't meet the requisite dress code. Time is not welcome here.The resort's reception area, housed in a salvaged and rebuilt historic wooden train station that once sheltered passengers in nearby Jepara, promises of Losari's advertisements might just live up to their word. Losari Coffee Plantation gives the impression of being surrounded on all sides by mountains. That's because its surrounded on all sides by mountains. At the resort's elevation, the mountain air is cool, though hardly crisp, and the sun seemed more willing to poke its face through the clouds to bask upon the mountains that it had back at sea level in Yogyakarta. Java Red, the resort's impeccable premier restaurant overlooking yet more mountains (four are visible from the deck, including an eversmoking Merapi) and listening to the drip of the dew in the trees and the calls of the wildlife all around. The impressive breakfast list tempted with a variety of treats : truffle and mushroom omelet, freshly baked French pastries, and even traditional New York bagel and lox (that's smoked salmon for non-residents of the Big Apple). And of course there was the freshly roasted coffee deep, robust and meaningful. After soaking up the sun for a couple of hours in the resort's wonderful infinity pool, which seemed to be intent on pouring itself right into the jungle. the tour of Losari Coffee Plantation Area.Losari Coffee Plantation, by its management's unabashed admission, a resort that also grows coffee as opposed to a coffee plantation that also houses guests. But there's nothing amateurish about the way the plantation's staff treats the 22 acres of Robusta, Arabica, and local coffee bushels or the way they dry, roast and brew their coffee.The smells, the sights and sounds of the beautiful little plantation was very delighted, and we can tried grinding some coffee beans with the help of tour guide.

The Exotic Ceto Temple On The Side Of Mount Lawu

At 1,400 meter's above sea level, on the western slopes of Mount Lawu, Surakarta, Central Jawa, there stands a temple. These are the archeological remains of the Kingdom of Majapahit from the mid 14th century and the temple is believed to have supranatural powers within its exotic shape.

Candi Ceto, candi means temple looks like the building of Pura Besakih, one of the biggest Hindu temples in Bali. Its grandiose main entrance, layered on all levels, indeed gives an impression of the concept of Hindu worship. And, in accordance with the king who commisioned its building, that is King Brawijaya V of the Kingdom of Majapahit in East Jawa, this temple does have a history rooted in Hindu teaching, the religion that the king embraced.

Although it has a Hindu background, Candi Ceto's form is different from other Hindu temples built in 7th and 8th centuries in Centra Java such as Prambanan Temple. It is fair to say that this temple is a building with special and unique form of architecture, a work of contemporary art in its time. To reach this temple from Solo in a car, you'll need about an hour. Around 10 kilometres from the Ceto's temple, the roads starts to twist and climb.
The higher you get, the more it twists and the steeper it gets. Another note for drivers do not be tempted to look right and left to enjoy the gorgeous views of the fertile slopes, if you want to savour the equatorial beauty of this absolute gem of a location, you'd better stop your vehicle and enjoy the views across the lovely expanse of tea plantations.The air of Ceto Temple region is cool up here at 1,400 metres and there is a spectacular panorama. It is even more beautiful in the evening when Karanganyar and Surakarta are bathed in colourful lights. From the courtyard, we can already feel the vibe of the temple's Ceto grandeur and sacredness.
The towering gate with Mount Lawu in the background feels as though it is taking visitors into another dimension. Walking onto the first terrace, we encounter two statues in respectful poses as if they are welcoming us to go up to the next level. Archeologists say when the temple was found by one of their Dutch predecessors in 1842, there were about 14 levels (courtyard).
But in the 1970s the Ceto temple was restored by people entrusted with the task by President Suharto and their work was based on mystical concepts and so now there are only 9 terraces. Experts think that the renovation not following archeological references was a mistake.
This explains the announcement posted on the Candi Sukuh information board that the restoration was carried out by a new order businessman and is in conflict with archeological principles. However, despite the for and against arguments, the artefact from the end of the kingdom of Majapahit is both unique and artistic.
It is terraced and each terrace is marked with a gate. Perhaps one of the most defining things in Ceto temple is the statue on the seventh terrace. A phallus with a ball pierced on its top beside a mortar (for pounding rice) which probably symbolizes female genitals.
The two genitals symbols with exotic shape are believed to have several meanings, one of which is fertility. Then there are a big turtle and various creepy crawlies artistically arranged.
On this terrace the followers of Kejawen (Javanese traditional beliefs) perform their rituals and meditations.These symbols of phallus and vagina are actually a different form of the statues of Lingga and Yoni found in many earlier Hindu temples, with a different design which makes them look like a UFO landing site if seen from above.
On subsequent terraces there are many statues and reliefs of Sudhamala, and also of Sabdo Palon and Noyoginggong believed to be King Brawijaya V's beloved servants. On the 8th terraces, on the left side, there is a quite big phallus complete with an incense bowl in front of it. On the last terrace there is a cut pyramid on top of which sits a cubical altar which always has a red and white cloth wrapped around it.
That's the exotic Candi Ceto on the slopes of Mount Lawu, which right up till the present day is used for worship by the followers of Kejawen and Hindus from Java and Bali.

Bicycle Moment

A bicycle is two-wheeled vehicle propelled by its rider. The most energy-efficient means of transportation, the bicycle is used through out the world. Particularly in developing countries-most notably in China, where some 154 million bicycles are on the road. The vehicle has been a common form of local transportation for many years.

The first step toward the development of the bicycle was the invention of the celerifere or wooden horse, probably in France in the 1790s. Because its front wheel was fixed, this vehicle could not be steered, and the rider propelled it by pushing his or her feet along the ground. An important advance was made by the German baron Karl von Drais in 1817, when he introduced a steerable front wheel, creating the draisienne, or dandy horse. In 1838, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, made the first machine with pedals, which were attached to and drove the rear wheel by means of cranks. On the velocipede, a French invention of 1852, the front wheel was pedal driven and revolved once with each revolution of the pedals. The speed of the machine was dependent on the size of the front wheel. The larger the wheel, the faster the bicycle. The front wheel of the high-wheel, or pennyfarthing-used from 1870s-reached diameters of 1.5 m and more, while the back wheel might be only one-quarter that size. With its seat mounted over the huge front wheel, the high-wheel was dangerously unstable, and its use on poor roads led to many bicycling accidents.

An English "safety bicycle", with a chain and sprocket driving the rear wheel, was introduced by H.J Lawson in 1887. In 1885 a safety designed by J.K. Starley, which had wheels of equal size, became the basic model for the modern bicycle.

 

Photos by : Goenadi Haryanto

Space Medicine

 

Space medicine is the brand of medicine involved in protecting human beings from the environment of space, at the same time, studying their reactions to that environment. The foundations of space medicine can be traced back to aviation medicine, and the term aerospace medicine has evolved to encompass activity in both areas. Aerospace medicine has been a certified sub specialty of the American Board of Preventive Medicine since 1953. In addition to physicians, however, engineers, veterinarians, dentists, nurses, physiologists, psychologists, bacteriologists, toxicologists, pharmacologists, and biochemists, also work in the field of space medicine. Specialist in space medicine are involved in all aspects of space flight, from spacecraft design and crew selection to flight operations and post flight review.

The early history of spaceflight was characterized by deep concern on the part of many scientists that human would not be able to withstand the rigors of spaceflight especially during lunch and reentry, and might not be able to function usefully in space. As a result of this concern, the United States flew a number of monkeys aboard captured German V-2 rockets between 1948 and 1952. These early flights provided some launch and reentry data on comparable life forms and demonstrated the need for effective and reliable life-support system. Between 1949 and 1956 the Soviet Union flew 15 similar flights using dogs, some flights reaching an altitude of 213 km (132 mi). A dog named Laika was then launched aboard sputnik 2 on Nov. 3, 1957, and orbited the Earth for seven days until she was finally euthanatized. Between 1958 and 1961 the United States flew monkeys in several suborbital and orbital missions. These flights showed that pulse and respiration rates, blood pressure, and performance of specific tasks for which the monkeys had been trained were basically unaffected by spaceflight.
On Apr.  12, 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin demonstrated for the first time that human beings could safely orbit the earth. His flight confirmed a U.S. decision to use human rather than animals on succeeding spaceflights. The U.S. program proceeded cautiously, however, by gradually increasing the exposure time of humans in space and by carefully observing and reviewing the effects of each flight. The six U.S. astronauts who flew on project Mercury between May 1961 and May 1963 returned in good health, and as result, many of earlier medical concern about spaceflight were dispelled. 

The physiological functions of human crews in space have been measured by a variety of means over the years, ranging from simple sensors place on the body to monitor heart rate and respiration, to the use of techniques such as echocardiography and electroencephalography. The many thousands of hours of information thus gained on human activity in a weightless environment have proved that people can perform assigned tasks well and need suffer no permanent postflight physiological changes, even after missions lasting several months. To maintain an acceptable state of health, however, space crew do require an appropriate atmosphere, adequate food and rest periods, and sufficient time to acclimatize to space and also to the return to earth. The atmosphere, pressure, and temperature of spacecraft interiors are always strictly controlled in order to avoid serious or even fatal health hazards such as explosive decompression of the craft, the onset of decompression sickness, carbon dioxide narcosis, hypoxia, and other such problems. All material used in or brought aboard spacecraft are tasted beforehand for the potential release of toxic substances when in the spacecraft environment. As the late 1980s, seven human fatalities could be attributed to errors or malfunctions in life-support systems. 
An important concern is the radiation encountered in space since excessive exposure to such radiation can result in greater likelihood of developing certain kinds of cancer. A crew's exposure to radiation on many factors : 
- The type and length of the mission.
- The amount of shielding on the spacecraft.
- The relative altitude of the craft's orbit.
- The activity on the sun during the period of flight.
The average skin radiation close received on the Apollo missions ranged from 0.16 to 1.14 rads. which is less than the dose received with some diagnostic X-ray procedures. Another environmental concern is that of the natural circadian (24 hour) cycle of human body rhythms. These rhythms are maintained in the U.S.  program by keeping their crew on Houston time, and in the Soviet program by keeping their crew on Moscow time. The Soviet Union has attempted to alter the circadian rhythms of their cosmonauts by having them awaken 20 minutes earlier on each day during a long-term flight, but such efforts have not proved successful and are no longer tried.

Green School | Jatiluwih

Green School

When heads of state and business people are too foolish to agree on anti-global warming protocols, environmental activities shift their campaign target towards children. Through environmentally conscious educational institutions, students now learn about the importance of saving energy. So that these potential future leaders may be wiser in managing the earth.

One educational institutions in Bali carrying out this mission is the Green School (www.greenschool.org), founded by John and Cynhtia Hardy in 2008, this institutions combines a general interntional curriculum with green studies and creative arts for its Pre-K to Grade 10 students. The aim is to give students appropriate, relevant and inspirational knowledge so that in the future, they will develop into individuals who are both critical and creative in their constributions to Mother Earth.

Teaching and learning activities in the school are implemented through a "Learning by doing" approach. Studies include research on insects and river animals, rice planting projects, paper recycling, batik painting, and ethnic musical instrument lessons.

The Green School also burnishes its environmental credentials through its eco-friendly architecture. The classroom in the 10.3 hectare school are all built using natural materials, such as bamboo, palm fibres, and grass. Moreover, during every full moon, the school also organises an art show in its mudpond. The Green School offers regular tours for curious member of the general public on Mondays, and Wednesdays at 3pm. After the tour, visitors, are encouraged to make a voluntary donations towards scholarships for disadvantaged local children. World famous figures who have visited the school include David Copperfield, Thomas L.Friedman and Sir RIchard Branson.

How To Get There

Green School is located in Jalan Raya Sibangkaja (Abiansemal Badung). Drive along Jalan Raya A.Yani in North Denpasar, and after passing the Sibang Gede Bridge, head straight up Jalan Raya Sibangkaja. Turn left into the small road decorated with tall, colourful banners and a sign for Green School, and then head down the gravel road, which will take you to the school gate.

Jatiluwih

Bali is justly for its beautiful terraced paddy fields, which are similar to the UNESCO Heritage Site Fields found in Ifugao in Philipines. Indeed, someof Bali's paddies have also been earmarked for inclusion on this prestigious list. The paddy fields in question are located in the village of Jatiluwih, in the district of Tabanan. They lie 700 metres above sea level and Mount Batukaru the second highest mountain on the island of the Gods, provides a stunning backdrop.
The beauty of nature, combined with human creativity and local wisdom, which manifest themselves through a system of traditional irrigation known as subak, make for an amazing combination and Jatiluwih is surely worthy of World Heritage Site Status. A Sacred atmosphere is fostered by the farmers here, who habitually offer prayers at the pura (temple) before going to work. The locals here practise Hindu teachings, which instruct devotees to maintain good relationships with God, other people and nature.
Cultivation patterns here are organised  according to tradition and the cycle of the seasons. In cultivating their paddy field, the farmers use organic fertiliser made of cow and water buffalo dung. This system brings in relatively higher yields in comparison with chemically fertilised fields.
And Jatiluwih is not only suitable for visitors who love nature tourism, because the village also regulary present cultural performances known as Upacara Petoyan at Pura Petali. These performances can be experienced every Kliwon Ugu Wednesday, and this ceremony affirms people's devotion to God for all the blessing He bestows.
Historically, Jatiluwih has been a tourist destination since the Dutch colonial era. Access at the time was still limited, but at the beginning at the 1970's, the government began to develop infrastructure in the region. Nowadays, the access road has been given an asphalt surface and there are also public facilities such as rest houses, toilets, and parking area here.

How to get there

From Denpasar, the recommended route is to head towards Kediri and Tabanan, and then to proceed north to the sub-district of Penebel. Then head towards Gunung Batukaru, and head down the twisting road that leads to the village of Jatiluwih.

Geographical Distribution and Plant Communities

Few places on the Earth can be found where at least some of the 400,000 species of plants are not adapted to live. Only the polar zones, the highest mountains, the deepest oceans, and the driest deserts are devoid of plants (other than bacteria). A given plant species has a limited distribution, however, depending on its own particular requirements. Some species are broadly distributed, being tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Narrowly restricted species have limited tolerance to a specific factor, such as soil type.

Climate is the major factor affecting the distribution of plants and determining their structural adaptions. The greatest number of species are found near the equatorial regions in the tropical climates, where moisture and temperature are seldom limiting. The number of species per area decreases toward the poles.

Plants assume various adaptations as they occupy drier or colder areas away from the tropics. In drier climates plants develop features, known as xeromorphic ("dry form") characteristics, such as smaller, thicker leaves, spines, dense hairiness, and water-storage organs. In colder zones plants become lower in stature, with the growing points protected at or just beneath the ground. Because of similar adaptations, plants of a given climatic zone form a characteristic vegetation type. A large area occupying a given climatic zone and with a characteristic vegetation and associated groups of animal species is called BIOME. The major biomes include the tropical rain forest, desert, and tundra.

Current Plant Research

Much of the emphasis in research is on the development and use of new techniques and equipment. In the field of classification especially, the use of new chemical methods and computers has become important in elucidating relationships and in handling data. The electron microscope, and in recent years the scanning electron microscope (SEM), are important tools of the plant at the subcellular level. The SEM is used in particular in studying the detail of leaf surfaces and pollen grains.

Studies of the structure and function of membranes, where much of the plant's activities take place, are widely pursued. Recent research in molecular botany has been in the synthesis of chlorophyll and the interrelationships of nucleic acids and hormonal functions. The role of hormones and their interactions with phytochromes in affecting flowering continues to be an intensively studied area in plant physiology. Nearly all photosynthetic plants utilize the carbon from carbon dioxide to manufacture sugar molecules by employing one specific set of chemical reactions to fix, or transfer, the carbon atoms. The series of chemical reactions is called the 

C₃ (or Calvin-Benson) cycle because the three-carbon compound, phosphoglyceric acid, is formed during its operation. An area of recent interest has been the discovery of an alternative carbon-fixing pathway in a number of other plants.

This is called the C₄  (or Hatch-Slack) cycle because four-carbon compounds are produced during this process.

In agriculture, the main emphasis is still on increased food production, with breeding programs to develop high-yield strains, especially those yielding more protein. Computers are also used to simulate the growth of several food crops and study the factors involved.

Communities

Organisms live together in assemblages called communities. Some communities are very small, such as those composed of invertebrates and decomposers living within a rotting log. Others may be as large as an entire forest. The most extensive communities, called Biomes, occupy wide geographic areas.

The major biomes are arctic tundras, northern coniferous forests, deciduous forests, grasslands, deserts, tropical jungles and rain forests.

Chapparals (shubby forests) and coniferous rain forests are sometimes also considered biomes. The distinctive appearance of each biomes is generally determined by the predominance of characteristic plant species, but the animals that are characteristically associated with it also contribute to its distinctiveness.

Communities are composed of both plants and animals. Each species is distributed according to its own biological requirements, which may be affected by other species. For example, sugar maple seedlings required shade and may therefore mature easily in dense forests, whereas seedlings of eastern white pine require full sunlight for vigorous growth. Therefore, some species are sometimes associated with each other, but the exact degree of dependence is difficult to determine and has led to differences of opinion concerning th extent to which communities are discrete entities. By tabulating all plants found along a line passing through adjacent communities on mountainsides, it has been shown that the distribution pattern of each species is independent of most others, suggesting a continuum rather than a few discrete communities.

Communities also exhibit vertical stratification or layering in tropical rain forests, for example the tallest trees, called emergents, grow above the canopy trees; below the canopy trees are shorter trees; below the shorter trees are shrubs; and covering the forests floor is a layer of herbaceous (nonwoody) plants growing in soil inhabited by fungi and bacteria. Some charcteristic animals are also found in each of the strata, such as toucans in the canopy, but most animlas range trhough several strata.

Another aspect of communities is temporal (time) structure.

Some species of animals, are diurnal (active in daytime), some are nocturnal (active at night), and still others are crepuscular (acitve at twilight hours). This structure allows more organisms to occupy the same area without interfering with each other. In addition to these daily activity patterns, there may also be seasonal ones. In temperate areas, for example, frogs of different species use ponds to reproduce at various times throughout the spring. This prevents excessive competition between species for space and food at any one time.

The number of species within a community is called species diversity, Species diversity has two components, richness and evenness. If there are many species in a community, it is said to have a rich diversity. All species, however, are not always equally represented. If, as commonly happens, only a few species are abundant, the diversity is said to be uneven. If a community is made up of many species and each is relatively stable, because the reduction or removal of any one species would be far less important than the loss of an abundant species in a community where only a few are numerous.

If a community that has been disturbed by a disaster such as fire, flood, windstorm, volcanic eruption, plow, or bulldozer, is left undisturbed for a long time, it will eventually restore itself; this process is called succession. A forest completely destroyed by fire may take hundreds or thousands of years to become completely renewed, depending on the climate, the nature of the soil, and other environmental factors. A forest destroyed by fire in Minnesota might be restored in a few hundred years, whereas one in Mexico destroyed by a lava flow might not be restored for thousands of years. Succession also occurs very slowly in the desert and in the tundra because of climatic and soil condition.

The first species to invade a destroyed area are called pioneers. These opportunistic species usually have good means of dispersal and high reproductive capacities. Lichens, grasses, and other herbaceous species are the most common pioneers, but trees such as cottonwood, elm, aspen, and silver maple, which produce abundant windblown seeds, are sometimes found as well. Availability of sources of spores of seeds at the periphery of the disturbed area, as well the suitability of the disturbed site for each species, determines the species composition of the first community formed. THe invading species begin to change the environment by increasing the organic content of the soil with their dead parts and excreted wastes, creating shade, and changing moisture conditions. Some species harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria that release nitrogenous compounds into the soil and thereby fertilize it.

In the course of succession, conditions are generally made more suitable for new types of organisms that use less energy for reproduction and more energy to maintain themselves. 
These species gradually win out in competition with the pioneers. Collectively, they produce a new community. The process of replacement of species may continue for a long time, the changes occur gradually. Eventually a point is reached at which the environmental and species changes are minimal and species diversity is high. This relatively stable community is called a climax community.

Canoeing (Part 2)

How to paddle canoe


In a canoe, there are two places to paddle, ie on the bow (front) and stern (rear). Control the direction of the canoe paddle back, determine the speed and provide instructions on the front rowers. Kano experienced riders who generally occupy the rear, while beginners sat in the front. If you paddle on the right side, to keep the oar slack in the Palm of the left hand and keep the trunk right hand. Enter the eyes in the water before you depart with his right hand, raise your paddle leaves water, go ahead and repeat the movement. Then change the position of hands, if you want to paddle on the left.

Canoes capsized, although the water-filled, is a good and a raft of buoy not drown. Canoe may quant despite being in the bottom surface of the water.


Bow paddle is a simple motion of oars to enter the eye orientation and pull it straight back without touching the canoes. The body is kept always upright


Aft paddle is very useful for adjusting the direction when the front rower's powerful beyond the power of the back rower.

Paddle front steering  is simple movements to bend the bow to the left or right.




The swing of a quarter of canoe with sharp bend and fixed quickly. The paddle left and right is driven with a bow that widens and not too deep in the water.


Paddle steering at the back really pull off the movement. At the end of the regular release, hold paddles in a diagonal position.












Read more .....

Canoeing

Family Challenges Outside The Home


Canoeing is an activity in the middle of nature. Invite someone who travels in a canoe for the first time, through the holding of the palette, and spontaneously he rowing, rowing which begins to enter the water. At the beginning, the movement will be a bit awkward, he got his rowing, rowing and too prone to lean in one direction. But after an hour had passed, he will be familiar with the movement of oars, paddles, and after one day, almost every person whether man, woman, children will be able to row well. After several canoes, he will be quite adept.
I believe that this is one reason why the form of canoes actually remained unchanged since the canoes of Indians was discovered by French explorers who went to North America in the 17th century. Both then and now, is a perfect canoe for transport in rivers and lakes. Assembly materials have changed but the same design and there is no reason to change it.
Canoe is the most popular in Europe made of plastic reinforced with glass fibers. You can still buy a canvas covered wood canoe. For the purposes of rowing race in the river and sightseeing in general, plastic reinforced with glass fiber and aluminum canoe the most potent. Canoe is a lighter, without the need to maintain and cheap.
If it gets cut by coral, canoeing of any kind will be easily repaired. If you have plans to canoe on the great lakes, it is the best type of upholstered wood canvas canoe, known as the Canadian canoe. A deeper level, the higher edge of the lip, the arc height and width to deal with large waves, and the cork buoys along the fence to adjust the balance.

The Boat

Before starting the canoe, recognize the boat that will drive for several hours. After wearing a life jacket, practice of exchanging seats with friends in places shallow and calm water. Standing in unison, advanced to the stern with the bow, keeping the balance of weight and motion to each other. Mastery of the reversed situation in shallow water exercises is the first thing to do for beginners, you will know how difficult it is to reverse the boat that seems out of balance. To reverse the canoe, the boat tilted to one side as far as possible until rolled back. Airspace under the bow deck and Stern will still float canoe which full of water, and will maintain your weight Furthermore, in order to restore the original canoe, one canoe paddler is still holding strong and the others draw water out of the boat with a scoop, a small tin, but, or hands. After a few outside the water, push the boat to the shore.


Read more.......

Bali Botanical Garden

The Kebun Raya "Eka Raya", better known as Bali Botanical Garden (www.kebunrayabali.com), is one of four in network of Indonesian Botanical Gardens. The other three are located in Bogor, Cibodas and Purwodadi. Bali Botanical Garden was officially opened in 1959, but stagnated during the politically unstable mid-60s, and was only restored to its former glory in 1975  

Bali Botanical Garden contains over 2,000 plant species from eight families, namely orchid, begonias, ferns, cacti, roses, medicinal plants, aquatic plants, and ceremonial plants. The begonias are the highlight here, as the garden hosts about 25% of the world's begonia species.

In the Cyathea Garden, visitors can walk around on footpaths carpeted  with small stones, while observing fascinating collection of ferns. There is also a Usada Garden, which covers an area of 1,600 squares metres and which houses more than 300 plants commonly used in traditional Balinese healing. Meanwhile, the Cacti collection Green House is filled with various cacti, including desert cacti.

Apart from being a terrific recreational site for plant lovers, Bali Botanical Garden also functions as a research and conservation facility and runs various environmental educational programmes for students, from elemtary to high school, as well as offering gardening courses to the general public

Bali Botanical Garden is open every day (except during the Hindu Holiday of Nyepi) from 8am until 6pm. Facilities available here include the library, a garden shop, the Nyaka Loka Convention Hall which has a capacity of 250 people, and a guesthouse for visitors or researchers who wish to stay overnight.  

How To Get There

The Garden is located about 60 kilometres from Denpasar and direction to Singaraja. Drive along Jalan Pancasari-Baturiti up to the intersection to the west of the Danau Beratan Lake, then turn left and head north. 

Munduk Region | Turtle Conservation and Education Centre

Munduk Region

This region, located deep in Bali's interior, is rapidly becoming as popular as the island's beaches. After the much visited inland destination of Ubud and mount Batur, Munduk is now starting to attract some serious attention as a great trekking destination, as well as for its agritourism.

Trekking tracks at Munduk vary from soft beginner's trek lasting approximately two hours, to a stenuous trek lasting up to seven hours. The choice of route will determine what views you will see along the way. If you choose the soft trekking option, you can take in the beauty of the local villages and check out the number of clove, coffee, avocado, cacao and orchid plantations, before heading off to the Tanah Barak Waterfall. Two other waterfalls that are also popular are Air Terjun Melanting and Laangan, both of which are surrounded by coffee and clove forests.

Munduk's cultural aspects become more visible if you opt for some more moderate trekking. 

Trekkers are introduced to the Bali Aga tribe who live in the village of Pedawa. In addition to enjoying the unique local bamboo houses and traditions, you can also watch palm sugar processing. For those who love a bit of olde-worlde adventure, a historical trek will take you to the Tamblingan Temple. For around four hours, this endlessly fascinating trek, follow artefacts and building left by the ancient Majapahit Kingdom.

Although Munduk is relatively unknown, this charming village has historically played a central role in the history of Balinese trade. During their occupation of Bali in 1908, the Dutch build a guesthouse in Munduk as a holiday house for their staff. The Colonial Government then started exporting coffee, cloves and vanilla from the area via businesses which were later inherited by the local community.    

Turtle Conservation and Education Centre

The island's of the Gods Beaches are a paradise not only for sunset and muscle-relaxing massage lovers, but also for wild turtles. Often called "Turtle Island", Serangan Island to the south of Bali is blessed with one of the largest turtle population in Indonesia. In its turtle poaching heyday, up untill around a decade ago, thirty thousand of these lovely creatures were caught annually on average. This tragedy, coupled with a reclamation project carried out in 1994, contributed greatly to the declined of the turtle population here.

In order to stop the illegal trade in turtles and maintain their population, the local government, in cooparation with the USAID Bali recovery program and the WWF, founded the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) in Serangan on 20 January 2006.

At the TCEC, visitor can learn all about the life of turtles, and visit the hatching centre, the baby and adult turtle pond. Visitors can also check out the audio visual centre, in which marine-themed documentary films are screened. When visited the place, the TCEC staff explained that there were six kinds of turtle living in Indonesia. Three of these come to Bali to lay their eggs, namely the green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, and there also found out 500 eggs that hatch, ten of the junior turtles will survive and flourish if they are taken care of in the centres whereas, on average, only one will if they are released into the sea. Apart from turtles hunters threats come from the turtle's natural predators. 

Admission to the TCEC is free, however visitors are encouraged to make voluntary donations to support the centre's efforts to maintain the turtles population. Tip for visitors : don't take flash photograps of the turtles, especially close up, and do not make to much noise, because it can have an impact on the animals psychological wellbeing which, in turn, may prevent eggs from hatching. A more important tip for visitors : don't buy turtle meat......

Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants are various types of flowering plants and fungi that capture and digest prey animals. Photosynthetic carnivorous plants live in habitats poor in minerals, and they benefit primarily from the mineral nutrients gained from the prey. Since the animals they capture are primarily arthropods and chiefly insects, canivorous plants are sometimes called insectivorous plants, or even vertebrates such as small frogs and birds. Carnivorousness has arisen independently  in several unrelated groups, and families once thought not to have carnivorous members have later been found to do so. More are likely to be found. Carnivorous plants may be grouped according to their trapping mechanisms (see table, which lists examples of eacht trap type), as well as according to the biological classification system.

TYPES OF TRAPS IN CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

Method of Capture
Trap types observed in carnivorous plants include pitfalls and "lobster traps", adhesive traps, and various kinds of mechanical traps.
Pitfalls exist in a number of unrelated groups of flowering plants. These traps consist of tubular leaves, or arrays of leaves, that are filled with water. Insects are captured when they fall into the fluid, which often contains wetting agents and digestive enzymes. So-called lobster pots also consist of tubular leaves. In this type of trap, however, the tube is often horizontal and is lined with hairs that guide the prey along a path leading to the digestive part of the trap. Bromeliads, of the pineapple family Bromeliaceae, may also be mentioned, because some have leaf bases that form definite cups in which water accumulates. Such plants do not trap insects, however, so much as simply make use of nutrients provided by dead vegetation and animal remains that fall into the cups.
Adhesive traps involve sticky surfaces. Sticky-haired adhesive traps exist in several plant families. Typically, flying insects are captured when they adhere to slime secreted by hairs covering the leaf. In some genera, such as Drosera, the leaf actively moves the prey to the center and wraps around it. Sticky-needed adhesive traps have only recently been observed but may be widespread. The seed of the shepherd's purse, capsera, a common lawn weed, attracts, captures, and utilizes nutrients from prey; soil bacteria do the digesting.
Mechanical traps of various types occur. So-called snap traps, including the Venus's-flytrap, are found in only one family, the sundew family. Droseraceae, and in only two genera, Dionaea and Aldrovanda, each with a single species. In these plants the prey is trapped by rapid closure of a set of lobes around the animal when it touches sensory hairs that trigger the closure. The action results from acid growth in the lobes within less than a second. Suction traps, found in the aquatic Bladderwort Ultricularia, are similar to the style of mouse trap in which a door allows the mouse to enter but not to exit. The prey trips a lever on the plant "door", which allows water and the prey to be sucked into the trap when the plant's concave side puffs outward. Snare traps are found in carnivorous fungi. One type, in the genus Arthobotrys, has a trap that looks like a small lasso with three segments around the loop. When triggered by a nematode, the segments bulge out to capture the worm. The fungus then grows into the prey and digests it.


Ecology
Flowering carnivorous plants occur in freshwater, in Sphagnum (peat moss) bogs and other swampy areas, on trees and old logs, and on hardened soils that are seasonally very wet. Plants in seasonally wet areas have dormancy mechanisms that they use druing the dry periods. (An exception, Drosophyllum, which grows in dry areas in Portugal, is reported to have to have a deep taproot.) The features common to nearly all habitats of carnivorous plants include low levels of mineral nutrients, at least a periodic abudance of water, and bright sunlight. Trapping mechanism often involve loss of water from the leaf and are likely to decrease photosynthetic efficiency. In a mineral-poor environment, these tradeoffs are apparently worth the supplementary mineral nutrients gained.


Growing Conditions
Carnivorous plants grown indoors should be provided with bright light, a lot of water, and a medium (such as peat moss) that is low in minerals. Maintaining high humidity and watering with rainwater or distilled water is desirable. The plants should not be overfed or given meat, because meat contains too much salt. The plants can catch their own insects or be fed a few small ones each week.