[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Scope or focus of newsgroup




I've been reading posts to rec.gardens.ecosystems and can not determine
what it is about.  Is there a FAQ or has there been a discussion of
what this newsgroup covers?

When I see the words ecosystems and garden together I think of the
following characteristics:

 1. Diversity of plants, animals, and other living organisms.
 2. Synergistic relationships between all the components of the
    garden.
 3. Limited human adjustment in the natural cycles once they
    are established.
 4. High interest in native/local ecosystems and integration with
    the local ecology.
 5. Acceptance of change and chaos.

Someone transforming an urban lot from asphalt to a garden would
probably view ecosystems differently than someone working with a small
forest.  So, I guess the definition can be quite varied.  In the case
of lawns, the ecosystem is usually marginal, unstable and involves
lots of intervention.  My first reaction is to say lawns would not fit
on this newsgroup.  But, in todays world most of us (around 80
percent) live in urban areas and have a very limited view of ecology.
Possibly this requires that the discussion change to fit what everyone
is familiar with?

My personal interests are diverse gardens nudged towards food
production and habitat.  This includes an emphasis on perennials
(trees, bushes, vines), plants that reseed themselves (grains,
clovers, tubers) and small animals (geese, ducks, birds, sheep,
people).

Things like mono-cropping, hybrids, soil amendments, and all external
inputs of energy or material are signs of a strongly manipulated
ecology which is not of much interest.  These things seem to lead to
dominance of nature and not to the more humble attitude of being a
part of the ecology.

Does this viewpoint fit here?

 ----------
Jeff Owens (kowens@teleport.com)  Zone 6-7  Permaculture
 Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
-- 
kowens@teleport.COM  Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-14400, N81)



Follow-Ups: