The Forest

See previous entry for one inspiration. A second source of inspiration is THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE by EO Wilson, which describes the effects of a storm on a rain-forest. In general terms, the forest is stable, with the presence of some species (like trees whose canopy intercepts most of the light) preventing the intrusion of other species (like low growing vegetation dependent on abundent light). Occasionally a tree will be knocked over by weather or die of old age, or a river bank might be undermined and collapse, opening up short-lived opportunities for opportunistic species to exploit. Within the limits of the regular disruptions in whose context the forest has evolved, the various component species are able to contend with the challenges they meet and so the forest survives.

Where this all falls apart, of course, is when something new shows up, an ape that has mastered fire or a sudden change in rainfall or temperature. North America is dotted with relics of the ice age, marooned trees that can survive in small refugia despite the new climate, although they can no longer spread.

( Read more... )

<lj-cut?

The Forest

See previous entry for one inspiration. A second source of inspiration is THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE by EO Wilson, which describes the effects of a storm on a rain-forest. In general terms, the forest is stable, with the presence of some species (like trees whose canopy intercepts most of the light) preventing the intrusion of other species (like low growing vegetation dependent on abundent light). Occasionally a tree will be knocked over by weather or die of old age, or a river bank might be undermined and collapse, opening up short-lived opportunities for opportunistic species to exploit. Within the limits of the regular disruptions in whose context the forest has evolved, the various component species are able to contend with the challenges they meet and so the forest survives.

Where this all falls apart, of course, is when something new shows up, an ape that has mastered fire or a sudden change in rainfall or temperature. North America is dotted with relics of the ice age, marooned trees that can survive in small refugia despite the new climate, although they can no longer spread.

( Read more... )

<lj-cut?

The Forest

See previous entry for one inspiration. A second source of inspiration is THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE by EO Wilson, which describes the effects of a storm on a rain-forest. In general terms, the forest is stable, with the presence of some species (like trees whose canopy intercepts most of the light) preventing the intrusion of other species (like low growing vegetation dependent on abundent light). Occasionally a tree will be knocked over by weather or die of old age, or a river bank might be undermined and collapse, opening up short-lived opportunities for opportunistic species to exploit. Within the limits of the regular disruptions in whose context the forest has evolved, the various component species are able to contend with the challenges they meet and so the forest survives.

Where this all falls apart, of course, is when something new shows up, an ape that has mastered fire or a sudden change in rainfall or temperature. North America is dotted with relics of the ice age, marooned trees that can survive in small refugia despite the new climate, although they can no longer spread.

( Read more... )

<lj-cut?

Paul McAuley

has a website. If you're a fan of well-written SF, SF that ranges from far futures to nearly contemporary thrillers, you should be reading his books.

The reason I did not notice his page earlier is because for some reason it did not occur to me to go to google and type in his name. Stupid me.

Paul McAuley

has a website. If you're a fan of well-written SF, SF that ranges from far futures to nearly contemporary thrillers, you should be reading his books.

The reason I did not notice his page earlier is because for some reason it did not occur to me to go to google and type in his name. Stupid me.

Paul McAuley

has a website. If you're a fan of well-written SF, SF that ranges from far futures to nearly contemporary thrillers, you should be reading his books.

The reason I did not notice his page earlier is because for some reason it did not occur to me to go to google and type in his name. Stupid me.