Sorry, the webpage address for the International Analog Forestry Network had a typo. It should be
http://www.analogforestrynetwork.org

Thanks!

Dear George,
First, thank you for your pertinent questions it helps to clarify the argument. Now let me try to respond to your questions.

1. On the issue of “exotics” vs. “indigenous”; what I mean is that exotic species are now a part of our anthropogenic landscape. Be it Potatoes, Chilies, Rambutans or Durians these exotics are part of the village and important to our existence. Actually the greatest loss of biodiversity has been through the clearing for plantations and the spraying of toxins on the environment. My research demonstrates that the Sri Lankan homegarden is composed of over 70% exotic species.

Plants like Lantana are early seral species that colonize degraded and damaged lands. They are nature’s way of attempting to heal degraded land. If there is no effective response from native species (usually because we have cleared them out) exotics will move in. There are aggressive problem exotics to be sure, like Alstonia macrophylla moving into the rainforests, but not all exotics are inimical to native biodiversity. For instance, on the Horton plains the exotic Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is primary shelter for the endemic lizards Ceratophora stodartii, Cophotis zeylanics and Calotes nigrilabis. It also acts as a shelter for the endemic frogs Polypedates eques and Philatus microtympannum. The movements of low country predators like the Coucal (Centropus sinensis) and White Breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) into this zone has meant that this type of shelter is critical for these species.

The fact is that GMO’s have largely demonstrated their propensity to ‘leak. The companies who make the GMO’s are now suing farmers whose fields are accidentally contaminated by these genes (see: http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/arable/arable-news/german-court-upholds-gm-ban/35916.article )

2. Exotic ecosystems are all ecosystems ranging from our village homegardens to the tea monocultures. An oil palm plantation or a Chillie plantation or a Potato plantation as a monoculture is not much different in the way they affect native biodiversity. That is an ecosystem inimical to our biodiversity. A homegarden with some oil palm, Chilies or Potatoes, mixed with different crops on the other hand, is an ecosystem much more benign to native biodiversity. Thus it is not the species that does the damage in this case but the way that species is used.

3. Information on Analog Forestry can be accessed from (www.ianalogforestrynetwork.org ) Understanding and building a living soil is critical in Analog Forestry (and all other good farming systems). As I leave for upper Amazonia tomorrow I will be out of easy communication for two weeks, thus I will not be able to respond to the soil question here. I will do so on my return.

Regards

The gift of gene pool by nature to mankind(Sri Lanka included) is immense and various natural science and social science departments of all universities in the whole of the island will do well to form a common”front” to protect it for our future generation. This may be the way our ethnic conflict can be resolved – environmentalists have been saying that ”environment” may be the route that can resolve intractable conflicts. There is no place for the ”other” in the ”environment”: the very intricate balance in complex ecosystems cannot tolerate only one thing: ”otherness”.

Thank you for the response to my question on the issue of future food security needs. Thank you also for a very enlightening 2nd part to the interview.

There are a few questions that come up that I am hoping you will help clarify.

On the issue of “exotics” vs “indigenous”: while I see your point that the terminology of the CBD seems inconsistent, correct me if I’m wrong, but Article 8(h) is responding to the finding that over 50% loss of species diversity was caused by the introduction of “exotic species” (lantana being one of the culprits in Sri Lanka). While the jury is still out on whether genes from GMOs can cross-over to other plants, GMOs have not posed a threat to biodiversity loss as I am aware as yet – I do look forward to evidence to the contrary.

You go on to say that anthropogenic biodiversity has been and always will be with us however you argue that 8(h) should have included “ecosystems” as well. You make a reference to oil palm plantations as being ecosystems. Based on your own argument why wouldn’t oil palm be the same as chilies, potato etc? How do you reconcile this?

I find your “analog forestry” concept fascinating and would very much appreciate if you could direct me to manuals on how to do it. With relation to your response to my earlier query on whether organic agri can meet the challenge of future food supply you indicated that most soils have been depleted and a mix of conventional agri will have to be included. I was wondering whether there is an equivalent of analog forestry for soil restoration?

Best regards and keep up the brilliant work. It is much appreciated!

GTBP

… and present it to the readers.

Thanks.

2. I hope Ranil and Nalaka will pay attention to the concerns Chandra Jayartane has raised in ”Amber Light Signals Requiring Pro-active Action by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission”, 6 October 2010, http://groundviews.org/2010/10/06/amber-light-signals-requiring-pro-active-action-by-the-lessons-learnt-and-reconciliation-commission/
I woild like to see Ranil and Nalaka complement Chandra’s article by adding their knowledge of systems ecology.