The World Without Us

The World Without Us discusses how nature would respond if all Homo sapiens disappeared abruptly from the earth. Alan Weisman illustrates what would happen to the structures that humans produce such as buildings and roads, as well as the fate of the ecosystems we alter. The first part of the book focuses on a place that seems to be completely devoid of natural processes, New York City. Weisman interviews hydraulics specialists that work in the sewer systems under the city. This interview details the painstaking efforts that these men endure in order to prevent the city from flooding. The city desperately relies on pumping systems to cast out enormous amounts of excess water. According to these men, if power were to be shut off from the pump systems, the water level would cause subways to be impassable in only a half hour. 

It is difficult to imagine what would remain after years without humans and what would vanish. I think of this process in terms of succession, a natural process that happens in ecosystems. For instance, after a fire, which species populate the area first? Which are more efficient? Weisman suggests that the city would become over run with tree of heaven, a rampant invasive tree, and other invasive species. Weisman also interviews a bridge specialist. Apparently bridges would remain intact from two to three centuries without us because they were built so excessively. I guess decay and succession also depend on the climate and habitat in which we live. I presume that deserts would continue on being deserts, but many cities would become the forests and rivers that they once were.

Sidenote: I mentioned in an earlier post the idea that maybe it is in human nature to devour to the point of depletion. I compared us to squirrels and wondered if this was also the nature of other animals. Interestingly, Weisman answers my question. He talks about squirrels hindering tree populations in the pristine areas of the New York Botanical Garden. He says that without natural predators, these squirrels gorge themselves on every single acorn and hickory nut, before they can germinate. I wonder if any animal species is smart enough to stop and save some for later?

I love looking at pictures of abandoned places that display the power of nature.

Small cogs and wheels

The first two parts of a Sand County Almanac displayed the beauty and glory wild country. Aldo nostalgically describes his past nature adventures when the country wasn’t abused or used purely for economic gain. Part III discusses what we have done wrong to nature and unfortunately are still doing wrong to this day. Aldo eludes to that fact that we have done irreversible damage. He talks about “clean” farming, altering river systems, extinction of species, and many other practices that humans part take in that are selfish. We save only the “pretty” species and don’t consider whole ecosystems. There are no real social repercussions for our actions because we all inevitably part take in the destruction of land. I don’t know if as a species we will ever get the point. Is it the nature of humans to take from the land to the point of depletion? What if a squirrel was a human? Do squirrels hide and consume every nut they come across or do they allow some nuts to grow into trees?

The Sandhill Crane migrated to Alaska the same time I did!

Aldo presents the underlying theme that education system is flawed and that curricula do not result in students that are conscientious of their earth. It seems that Aldo thinks it is more important for nature to be the open forum for students rather than universities and schools. He talks about how we learn to dissect dead animals but learn nothing about what is living and breathing outside of the lab window. He compares professors to musicians and that they learn only one instrument. This is true that scientists can be extremely specialized and I think that it is essential for more collaboration across disciplines. How can we study the distribution of tree species without taking into consideration the microorganisms in the soil or the bird that disperses its seeds? As Aldo states, we need all the “small cogs and wheels” to see whole pictures.

Part IV attempts to mold the mind of readers and discusses new ways of thinking that will conserve the land. We must first learn mechanics of the land, and then we might appreciate and conserve it. I think it would be helpful if education started at a young age with learning everything outside that is around us. I am hopeful that the ethics of humans will slowly change. Unfortunately I think this might only happen as we see more and more habitat destructions and extinctions. Will we ever learn that our current way of living needs an immediate drastic change? Or will we just “have a good cry” and repeat our performance?

More Sand County

Aldo dedicates the end of part I in A Sand County Almanac to discussions of hunting and cultivating trees. I find it interesting that Aldo is an avid bird hunter, being that he seems to favor bird species over other animals. I find myself wondering if he ever felt a tinge of pain or remorse for the birds that he kills. I guess that he does not because Aldo seems to be the good kind of hunter, one who cherishes and appreciates the goods that nature provides him. He would never overharvest any species, and gives back to the land, in some way replacing what he takes away.

Ocal and I next to a tree that has succumbed to some sort of disease.

Aldo credits his success as a hunter to his loyal and patient dog who he refers to as his “hunting 101” professor. As he describes their hunting adventures, I am reminded of my own families’ dog, a Brittany Spaniel named Ocal (after my grandfathers great aunt). Ocal was bred and trained to be a loyal hunting dog to my grandfather, but turned out to be too gentle-natured for hunting. She is terrified of guns shots (basically anything that goes BOOM...she is NOT a patriotic fan of the 4^th of July). The only hunting skill she has retained is the ability to point. I often find her perfectly still in our backyard, pointing at squirrels with her legs quivering with excitement.  Aldo’s admiration of his hunting dog reminds me that dogs know so much more about the workings of nature than humans ever will.

Aldo is torn while deciding whether to chop down a pine or a birch tree. This scene reminds me of our class discussions about the issues we face when determining which species to save over others. Aldo goes through a series of inquires while trying to determine why he will spare pine and chop down the birch:

1)   Which tree is rare and which is common? He states that the pine is more rare in his county whereas the birch is abundant.

2)   Which tree is more aesthetically pleasing? The pine stays green throughout the year whereas the birch is dull during winter.

3)   Which tree has more economic value? The pine will bring him ten dollars a thousand and the birch two dollars.

4)   Which tree plays a more important role in the ecosystem? The pine houses the beautiful and large pileated woodpecker and the birch only the hairy woodpecker.

5)   Which tree has a direct connection to him? He planted the pine with his own hands and the birch planted itself.

It is interesting that Aldo’s reasoning mirrors the thoughts of conservationists today.

I am happy to announce that I got my reference to fungi. Aldo talks about a fungal disease that targets maple trees. I am guessing he was describing Verticillium Wilt? In some way he is admiring the fungus for infecting the tree roots, which in turn provided shelter for raccoons. He acknowledges the fact that disease is a natural and essential part of an ecosystem.