The message
Conservation requires an understanding of changes over time in ecosystems and habitat loss. Museum collections provide this data.
The experience
Visitors approach an aerial map of Chicagoland. A series of small doors creates a grid over this cityscape. When each door is opened, a specimen collected in that area of Chicago is revealed. The original curatorial label is included—in some cases, these will date back to the late 1800’s. A contemporary photo of the coordinates where the specimen was collected might also be included.
Nearby a long, narrow row of specimen jars is accompanied by a timeline. The series of specimens was collected at Wolf Lake from 1898 to the present. They demonstrate the shift from sensitive native species, such as black chin shiners, to generalist species, such as largemouth bass and blue gills, to a lake dominated by invasive species, such as the round gobis first spotted in 1993.
The story
The Museum’s collections are an important record of lost biodiversity in the Chicago area, as well as an inspiration for restoration work like that done at Wolf Lake. While many marshes are now concrete lots, there are sections of Chicago’s natural landscape that is making a comeback. The Clean Water Act in particular has shown positive results, and native species thought to be extinct are being spotted again in regional lakes. Wolf Lake was also one of the Calumet BioBlitz sites, a citizen science version of rapid inventories.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Module 9: Human stewardship & biodiversity
The message
Human stewardship has shaped biodiversity for millennia and continues to do so.
The experience
A backlit case contains a geometric mosaic of colors and textures. On closer examination, the mosaic is composed of seeds from Chicago area prairies. Handheld magnifying glasses let visitors explore the wide range of forms, including dense spikes, delicate fluff, slender gold grains, and blood-red pearls.
Opposite this display is an unlikely set of conservation tools: A drip-can, lighter, flame-retardant jumpsuit, face shield, and heavy, insulated gloves. The installation might permit visitors to try on a piece of burn gear. Dramatic footage of a prairie burn accompanies these objects.
The display illustrates the aspects of prairie plants that make them so well-suited to fire—unlike their invasive neighbors. This includes a low growth point, deep root systems, dry leaves that act as accelerant, and seedpods that respond to fire.
The story
The native people of what is today Chicago originally burned prairies to create more robust ecosystems. There is a complex relationship between the shaping of this landscape by both lightening and man-made fires, and the evolution of prairie plants. Their contemporary structure is suited to and in some cases dependent on fire. Ongoing human stewardship helps these species maintain their habitat against encroaching invasive plants and fragmentation.
Few Chicagoans realize their region includes rare ecosystems. Seed processing efforts include a strong citizen science component, providing an opportunity for local visitors to move from awareness to action.
Human stewardship has shaped biodiversity for millennia and continues to do so.
The experience
A backlit case contains a geometric mosaic of colors and textures. On closer examination, the mosaic is composed of seeds from Chicago area prairies. Handheld magnifying glasses let visitors explore the wide range of forms, including dense spikes, delicate fluff, slender gold grains, and blood-red pearls.
Opposite this display is an unlikely set of conservation tools: A drip-can, lighter, flame-retardant jumpsuit, face shield, and heavy, insulated gloves. The installation might permit visitors to try on a piece of burn gear. Dramatic footage of a prairie burn accompanies these objects.
The display illustrates the aspects of prairie plants that make them so well-suited to fire—unlike their invasive neighbors. This includes a low growth point, deep root systems, dry leaves that act as accelerant, and seedpods that respond to fire.
The story
The native people of what is today Chicago originally burned prairies to create more robust ecosystems. There is a complex relationship between the shaping of this landscape by both lightening and man-made fires, and the evolution of prairie plants. Their contemporary structure is suited to and in some cases dependent on fire. Ongoing human stewardship helps these species maintain their habitat against encroaching invasive plants and fragmentation.
Few Chicagoans realize their region includes rare ecosystems. Seed processing efforts include a strong citizen science component, providing an opportunity for local visitors to move from awareness to action.
Module 8: Knowledge of our environment
The message
Conservation begins with knowledge of our environment and its resources.
The experience
Visitors encounter an array of maps: the hand-drawn territory map created by the Maijuna, “memory maps” created with other indigenous groups, social asset maps from the Chicagoland area, and perhaps swell maps from the South Pacific and early surveyor maps of Chicago. At individual touch screen kiosks or a multi-user touchtable, visitors can explore Google Earth to find out where Field Museum scientists are involved in conservation efforts around the world. They can also view rapid color guides, identification keys, and other field materials created for a specific region. Visitors might also have the opportunity to contribute to this or other maps.
The story
This section would help convey very basic concepts that underscore the work of our scientists:
From the perspective of the anthropology staff, something all human communities share is knowledge of their environment and its natural resources for survival. As John Terrell points out, when urbanites shop at Trader Joe’s they’re really foraging for food in a location they know to be successful for finding sustenance. It’s just a matter of how we make choices with this knowledge—that’s conservation.
For biological scientists, it’s important to convey that we can’t protect something if we don’t know what’s there. The Museum has a long-standing relationship with regions around the world to help answer this question. Museum scientists work with local officials and train the next generation of scientists in these countries to share knowledge of the environment and the foundations for conservation. This can be demonstrated in part through the guides we produce, making knowledge of place more accessible.
Conservation begins with knowledge of our environment and its resources.
The experience
Visitors encounter an array of maps: the hand-drawn territory map created by the Maijuna, “memory maps” created with other indigenous groups, social asset maps from the Chicagoland area, and perhaps swell maps from the South Pacific and early surveyor maps of Chicago. At individual touch screen kiosks or a multi-user touchtable, visitors can explore Google Earth to find out where Field Museum scientists are involved in conservation efforts around the world. They can also view rapid color guides, identification keys, and other field materials created for a specific region. Visitors might also have the opportunity to contribute to this or other maps.
The story
This section would help convey very basic concepts that underscore the work of our scientists:
From the perspective of the anthropology staff, something all human communities share is knowledge of their environment and its natural resources for survival. As John Terrell points out, when urbanites shop at Trader Joe’s they’re really foraging for food in a location they know to be successful for finding sustenance. It’s just a matter of how we make choices with this knowledge—that’s conservation.
For biological scientists, it’s important to convey that we can’t protect something if we don’t know what’s there. The Museum has a long-standing relationship with regions around the world to help answer this question. Museum scientists work with local officials and train the next generation of scientists in these countries to share knowledge of the environment and the foundations for conservation. This can be demonstrated in part through the guides we produce, making knowledge of place more accessible.
Module 7: Culture shapes nature/Nature shapes culture
The message
Cultures have shaped nature—and nature has shaped cultures—for millennia.
The experience
Pottery in rich earth tones is clustered in two groups. Stylized nuts, sprouting beans, and schools of anchovies circle pots in the first group. In the second group, a fierce figure—likely a war deity—dominates the pots. Dramatic lighting heightens the contrasting styles.
The story
The Nazca of Peru produced all of the pottery, reflecting a major shift in the culture’s relationship with nature. The first group of earlier pottery reflects a time of plenty, when the Nazca managed abundant natural resources. The second set shows the aftermath of drought, El Niño effects, and increasing conflict with the Wari—successful invaders, in large part due to their highly efficient use of water.
These objects are linked to Ryan Williams’ research on ancient irrigation systems. His findings inform efforts by Peruvian agriculture officials to reconstruct the highly efficient Wari terrace canal systems.
Cultures have shaped nature—and nature has shaped cultures—for millennia.
The experience
Pottery in rich earth tones is clustered in two groups. Stylized nuts, sprouting beans, and schools of anchovies circle pots in the first group. In the second group, a fierce figure—likely a war deity—dominates the pots. Dramatic lighting heightens the contrasting styles.
The story
The Nazca of Peru produced all of the pottery, reflecting a major shift in the culture’s relationship with nature. The first group of earlier pottery reflects a time of plenty, when the Nazca managed abundant natural resources. The second set shows the aftermath of drought, El Niño effects, and increasing conflict with the Wari—successful invaders, in large part due to their highly efficient use of water.
These objects are linked to Ryan Williams’ research on ancient irrigation systems. His findings inform efforts by Peruvian agriculture officials to reconstruct the highly efficient Wari terrace canal systems.
Module 6: Cultural identity & local landscapes
The message
Cultural identity is often rooted in the local landscape. A community’s ability to continue making choices about that landscape is essential to preserving quality of life.
The experience
Visitors enter an intimate, enclosed space. At first, the space is filled with the bright, geometric patterns of Shipibo embroidery. The lights dim and a projected image wraps around the interior, creating the illusion of standing inside a forest clearing in the Shipibo territory in Cordillera Azul National Park. Within the 360° scene, a group of Shipibo teens pose on one wall while water laps at a canoe at the edge of a river on the opposite wall. A Shipbo narrator begins to describe the decision to form Cordillera Azul and the community’s hopes for the land.
As this vignette fades, close-up images of flowers from gardens in Pullman and Calumet region prairies fill the space. A new scene wraps around the interior, this time showing Hazel and Cheryl Johnson in a green lot in Pullman. Narration from the mother and daughter describes their efforts to mobilize the community and reclaim the health of their neighborhood after the collapse of heavy industry.
The story
Alaka Wali and her team identify the intertwined nature of place, culture, and identity as a major asset towards conservation. ECCo examines the choices communities make as they balance concerns about meeting basic needs and desires to have more with the value they place on maintaining the natural landscape. For the Shipibo, this may mean balancing the desire to make money from cattle ranching against the fear of losing local forests. In the Calumet region, this might be rejecting a new factory that could mean jobs in favor of more sustainable development to ensure clean air and clean water. By alternating between stories from Cordillera Azul and Calumet, the common concerns of communities can be highlighted.
To further illustrate this theme, a display could features objects from these communities (and perhaps others) that demonstrate material links to the land: Shipibo embroidery, Cofan headdresses made from feathers, or sculptures made from industrial scrap metal from the Calumet region.
Cultural identity is often rooted in the local landscape. A community’s ability to continue making choices about that landscape is essential to preserving quality of life.
The experience
Visitors enter an intimate, enclosed space. At first, the space is filled with the bright, geometric patterns of Shipibo embroidery. The lights dim and a projected image wraps around the interior, creating the illusion of standing inside a forest clearing in the Shipibo territory in Cordillera Azul National Park. Within the 360° scene, a group of Shipibo teens pose on one wall while water laps at a canoe at the edge of a river on the opposite wall. A Shipbo narrator begins to describe the decision to form Cordillera Azul and the community’s hopes for the land.
As this vignette fades, close-up images of flowers from gardens in Pullman and Calumet region prairies fill the space. A new scene wraps around the interior, this time showing Hazel and Cheryl Johnson in a green lot in Pullman. Narration from the mother and daughter describes their efforts to mobilize the community and reclaim the health of their neighborhood after the collapse of heavy industry.
The story
Alaka Wali and her team identify the intertwined nature of place, culture, and identity as a major asset towards conservation. ECCo examines the choices communities make as they balance concerns about meeting basic needs and desires to have more with the value they place on maintaining the natural landscape. For the Shipibo, this may mean balancing the desire to make money from cattle ranching against the fear of losing local forests. In the Calumet region, this might be rejecting a new factory that could mean jobs in favor of more sustainable development to ensure clean air and clean water. By alternating between stories from Cordillera Azul and Calumet, the common concerns of communities can be highlighted.
To further illustrate this theme, a display could features objects from these communities (and perhaps others) that demonstrate material links to the land: Shipibo embroidery, Cofan headdresses made from feathers, or sculptures made from industrial scrap metal from the Calumet region.
Module 5: Ecosystems balance Earth systems
The message
We need diverse ecosystems to balance major Earth systems and keep the planet healthy.
The experience
Signs announce the amazing feats of ecosystems: “See the Rainforest, the Lovely Lungs of the Planet!” “Mind-Boggling Bog—The Super Sponge!” “The World-famous Wetland Disappearing Act!” Curtains cloak a ring of small kiosks. Visitors provide the power to open the curtains and activate a small mechanical theater or arcade-style game that demonstrates the essential function of each featured ecosystem.
Nearby text and image panels highlight case studies of these ecosystems in action in specific locations around the world and the serious problems created by their loss.
The story
When most people picture biodiversity, they think of the many forms of animal or plant life. In fact, biodiversity is important at the ecosystem level as well. Destroying ecosystems doesn’t just leave species without a habitat, it radically upsets natural buffers that sustain human life. For example, forests play an essential role in the exchange of greenhouse gasses and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Swamps, bogs, and other ecosystems with dense bryophyte growth hold enormous amounts of water, preventing flooding in regions with heavy rainfall. Similarly, highland forests in the Philippines protect watersheds and prevent flash floods. Wetlands act as natural purification systems, removing toxins from freshwater sources.
Several regional and international projects, including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and ecological economics pioneer Robert Costanza, have quantified the benefits intact ecosystems deliver to humans. They compare these invisible services to the cost it takes man-made facilities to produce the same work (such as water purification) and the staggering cost of restoring these natural communities once they are lost.
We need diverse ecosystems to balance major Earth systems and keep the planet healthy.
The experience
Signs announce the amazing feats of ecosystems: “See the Rainforest, the Lovely Lungs of the Planet!” “Mind-Boggling Bog—The Super Sponge!” “The World-famous Wetland Disappearing Act!” Curtains cloak a ring of small kiosks. Visitors provide the power to open the curtains and activate a small mechanical theater or arcade-style game that demonstrates the essential function of each featured ecosystem.
Nearby text and image panels highlight case studies of these ecosystems in action in specific locations around the world and the serious problems created by their loss.
The story
When most people picture biodiversity, they think of the many forms of animal or plant life. In fact, biodiversity is important at the ecosystem level as well. Destroying ecosystems doesn’t just leave species without a habitat, it radically upsets natural buffers that sustain human life. For example, forests play an essential role in the exchange of greenhouse gasses and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Swamps, bogs, and other ecosystems with dense bryophyte growth hold enormous amounts of water, preventing flooding in regions with heavy rainfall. Similarly, highland forests in the Philippines protect watersheds and prevent flash floods. Wetlands act as natural purification systems, removing toxins from freshwater sources.
Several regional and international projects, including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and ecological economics pioneer Robert Costanza, have quantified the benefits intact ecosystems deliver to humans. They compare these invisible services to the cost it takes man-made facilities to produce the same work (such as water purification) and the staggering cost of restoring these natural communities once they are lost.
Module 4: Interconnectedness of living things
The message
Communities of living things are interconnected and interdependent—including humans.
The experience
A sculptural representation of an aguajé palm, perhaps made from recycled materials, extends the full height of the gallery. It is both a symbolic and literal “Tree of Life.” Suspended among its branches and nestled among its roots are taxidermy mounts or video monitors showing the diverse creatures whose lives revolve around the aguajé—from large mammals like tapirs and peccaries and brilliant scarlet macaws, to tiny insect pollinators and bats. Clues of human presence are also included—such as a foot band for climbing, packaging for the many products made from aguajé fruit, or video monitors of people climbing and cutting aguajés. Graphics reveal the aguaje fruits’ scaly texture and nearly iridescent sheen.
The story
The aguajé (Mauritia flexuosa) beautifully demonstrates the interconnectedness of species in a community—including humans. The “Tree of Life,” as the first European visitors dubbed it, is an essential food source for large mammals, primates, fish, rodents, and birds. It is a primary nesting site for macaws and provides a home for countless other species, including its tiny insects pollinators. Aguajé is also an important resource for humans. Many rural communities depend on urban sales of products made from the fruit.
Bil Alverson and Robin Foster follow the increasing demand for aguajé in Peru with concern. Its 100-foot height and slippery trunk make cutting down trees the easiest method for harvesting fruit. The Maijuna’s decision to harvest by climbing, instead of cutting trees, points to the importance of local stewardship.
Communities of living things are interconnected and interdependent—including humans.
The experience
A sculptural representation of an aguajé palm, perhaps made from recycled materials, extends the full height of the gallery. It is both a symbolic and literal “Tree of Life.” Suspended among its branches and nestled among its roots are taxidermy mounts or video monitors showing the diverse creatures whose lives revolve around the aguajé—from large mammals like tapirs and peccaries and brilliant scarlet macaws, to tiny insect pollinators and bats. Clues of human presence are also included—such as a foot band for climbing, packaging for the many products made from aguajé fruit, or video monitors of people climbing and cutting aguajés. Graphics reveal the aguaje fruits’ scaly texture and nearly iridescent sheen.
The story
The aguajé (Mauritia flexuosa) beautifully demonstrates the interconnectedness of species in a community—including humans. The “Tree of Life,” as the first European visitors dubbed it, is an essential food source for large mammals, primates, fish, rodents, and birds. It is a primary nesting site for macaws and provides a home for countless other species, including its tiny insects pollinators. Aguajé is also an important resource for humans. Many rural communities depend on urban sales of products made from the fruit.
Bil Alverson and Robin Foster follow the increasing demand for aguajé in Peru with concern. Its 100-foot height and slippery trunk make cutting down trees the easiest method for harvesting fruit. The Maijuna’s decision to harvest by climbing, instead of cutting trees, points to the importance of local stewardship.
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