Great conversation! Thank you to both of you. A big thing is education, can we get it so this is all school curriculum so the next generation look at what we've done and don't make the mistakes we have
Since soil is a living organism, containing the vast majority of life forms on this planet, I'm not overly enamored with the "soil sponge" metaphor. Though then again, I'm really into soil microbiology and microbial ecology.
Regardless, I live only a few miles from the Pacific Palisades fire, so I know that area very well especially since I hike and forage in the parks in this area quite frequently.
One thing is that the areas in the valleys that have sunk (land subsidence) are areas where they've drained underground reservoirs including much deeper ancient fossil water reservoirs for irrigation. Though the San Joachim Valley hasn't been a lake for a very very long time. Though it was a very large grasslands areas with a lot marsh areas that would seasonally flood and become wetlands.
Another thing is that , approx 150 years ago, these S. Cal coastal areas were more coastal Douglas fir forested areas rather than redwood forests. Douglas firs have deep root systems. Redwoods surprisingly don't. Redwood root systems are more like spread footings that are wide and shallow. Coastal redwoods were further up the coast. They were all cleared in the mid to late 1800's and early 1900's for homes, trolley cars, and trolley tracks.
Ironically, due to all the sediment build up with dams, they're a large source of biogenic methane. Though so are beaver ponds. So what's really ironic with all the "zero carbon," "post carbon" and "net zero" rhetoric plus carbon tunnel vision is that there was a lot more biogenic methane emissions in these cool hydrated Californian landscapes 400 years ago than now.
Why?
California has drained 95% of its wetlands. Aquatic ecosystems emitted anywhere from 40 to 52% of all methane emissions (biogenic and thermogenic) according to one recent study: Rosentreter, J.A. et al 2021. Half of global methane emissions come from highly variable aquatic ecosystem sources.
Regardless, a really good book on the history of landscapes in California is called "A State of Change: Forgotten Landscapes of California."
Another good book that details the history of the water resource engineering in California is called The Destruction of California by Raymond F. Dasmann. This book is no longer in press but you can find used copies.
While I was falling asleep and thinking of the end of your talk with the multitude of great action steps and the layers, it reminded me of the excellent and seminal book on building design - A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (and 10 other co-authors -exceptional research and footnotes). The format of that book does EXACTLY what you were talking about. It starts out with minute details to consider and then goes all the way up to city planning scale. I can totally see a book just like it for Global carbon and water cycle repair. How exciting!
With respect to fighting climate change-I feel like urban-cities aren’t getting the attention they so desperately need. Flooding is a big problem and will only get worst unless communities start taking local action, like transforming these empty lots.
I’m trying my best to address some of the vacant, overgrown lots in our community that are accumulating garbage and are at risk of becoming a fire hazard. Some of these eyesores are too close to daycares, after schools programs, local businesses and other important structures.
Wow... is that needed. Just like "cells" of a "microbiome" that is part of the 'macrobiome' (watershed and regions) that connect to the other nodes where they all connect as a functioning system.
Great conversation! Thank you to both of you. A big thing is education, can we get it so this is all school curriculum so the next generation look at what we've done and don't make the mistakes we have
Wonderful exchange. I learned so much and will share this conversation with others. Keeping the current flowing!
Since soil is a living organism, containing the vast majority of life forms on this planet, I'm not overly enamored with the "soil sponge" metaphor. Though then again, I'm really into soil microbiology and microbial ecology.
Regardless, I live only a few miles from the Pacific Palisades fire, so I know that area very well especially since I hike and forage in the parks in this area quite frequently.
One thing is that the areas in the valleys that have sunk (land subsidence) are areas where they've drained underground reservoirs including much deeper ancient fossil water reservoirs for irrigation. Though the San Joachim Valley hasn't been a lake for a very very long time. Though it was a very large grasslands areas with a lot marsh areas that would seasonally flood and become wetlands.
Another thing is that , approx 150 years ago, these S. Cal coastal areas were more coastal Douglas fir forested areas rather than redwood forests. Douglas firs have deep root systems. Redwoods surprisingly don't. Redwood root systems are more like spread footings that are wide and shallow. Coastal redwoods were further up the coast. They were all cleared in the mid to late 1800's and early 1900's for homes, trolley cars, and trolley tracks.
Ironically, due to all the sediment build up with dams, they're a large source of biogenic methane. Though so are beaver ponds. So what's really ironic with all the "zero carbon," "post carbon" and "net zero" rhetoric plus carbon tunnel vision is that there was a lot more biogenic methane emissions in these cool hydrated Californian landscapes 400 years ago than now.
Why?
California has drained 95% of its wetlands. Aquatic ecosystems emitted anywhere from 40 to 52% of all methane emissions (biogenic and thermogenic) according to one recent study: Rosentreter, J.A. et al 2021. Half of global methane emissions come from highly variable aquatic ecosystem sources.
Regardless, a really good book on the history of landscapes in California is called "A State of Change: Forgotten Landscapes of California."
Another good book that details the history of the water resource engineering in California is called The Destruction of California by Raymond F. Dasmann. This book is no longer in press but you can find used copies.
While I was falling asleep and thinking of the end of your talk with the multitude of great action steps and the layers, it reminded me of the excellent and seminal book on building design - A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (and 10 other co-authors -exceptional research and footnotes). The format of that book does EXACTLY what you were talking about. It starts out with minute details to consider and then goes all the way up to city planning scale. I can totally see a book just like it for Global carbon and water cycle repair. How exciting!
Here is the start of a pattern language for water and eco restoration https://climatewaterproject.substack.com/p/a-pattern-language-for-eco-and-water/comments
I’m so loving these conversations, Didi! Keep em coming, please ❤️
Thanks, Charles! Would love to hear more about your current life/projects, and how this influences or intersects....
With respect to fighting climate change-I feel like urban-cities aren’t getting the attention they so desperately need. Flooding is a big problem and will only get worst unless communities start taking local action, like transforming these empty lots.
I’m trying my best to address some of the vacant, overgrown lots in our community that are accumulating garbage and are at risk of becoming a fire hazard. Some of these eyesores are too close to daycares, after schools programs, local businesses and other important structures.
Really enjoyed our conversation Didi! ………Here’s something I wrote three years ago about hydrating California to prevent wildfires https://climatewaterproject.substack.com/p/rehydrating-california-to-prevent
fyi https://open.substack.com/pub/didipershouse/p/rehydrating-los-angeles-alpha-lo?r=bvp0g&utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=87170519
YES! BioRegional Earth Repair plans.
Wow... is that needed. Just like "cells" of a "microbiome" that is part of the 'macrobiome' (watershed and regions) that connect to the other nodes where they all connect as a functioning system.
Yes! Water in Plain Site by Judith Schwartz started me on soil sponge/cover crop/carbon. :)))
Fun talk you two !