Agroforestry
In a forest, there are multiple levels of plants that, in a way, help each other grow. The first level of a , a ture forst is underground, called a mycelium. This layer is underneath the ground level, where it connects all the plants and grass in a forest. It also houses seeds that can be used and pushed out when the forest land is barren. These are called pioneering plant species and they are he first to help the forest recover. The second forest level is called the herbaceous level. These plants are easily broken and are usually edible (usually. Please don't go around eating unknown plants). Above them is shrubbery. These plants are slightly taller than the herbaceous plants. Above them is the understory, which is right under the canopy of the forest. Since the canopy level is the highest level, it takes up all the available sunlight and leaves the plants under it with minimal light source. This of course, makes them much smaller than the highest level of the forest. Howver, if the canopy level were to be taken away, the smaller plants would start growing quickly. Plants are very adaptive go their environment.
Watershed
There are 6 watersheds on Oahu with various others within each. These different watersheds represents the flow of water from the mountain to the sea. This system of water flow was what ancient Hawaiians created ahupua a's. Within these systems because of the different environments, different crops would be grown that fit into these environments. For example Kalo was grown on the windward side of the island.
Conservation
Through the elaboration of Matt, we learned about the importance of conservation. Agriculture connects to conservation because of our limit to foods imported to Hawaii. Conservation is very much needed so we can keep our own natural resources up to par just in case our food supply runs out and to conserve we have to make sure the plants are getting their nutrients. In the pictures above, two pairs of volunteers took a core sample of soil-- one in the upper cacao field under koa trees and the other of 4 to 5 feet arching cacao, with a closer range to its canopy. Without the proper conservation of our resources, our food system won't be as healthy or will develop inability to produce.
Cacao
Cacao hates the wind so farmers have to use a cylinder of plastic to protect it from strong winds. The cacao seeds look like footballs. When you scratch it and it's green, then it is not ripe yet. When you scratch it and it's orange, then it's ready to harvest. The picture above is how a dried cacao seed looks like. It tasted like the real chocolate bars that you buy from the store. It does not taste exactly like it but it is very close to it.
Jobs
In a forest, there are multiple levels of plants that, in a way, help each other grow. The first level of a , a ture forst is underground, called a mycelium. This layer is underneath the ground level, where it connects all the plants and grass in a forest. It also houses seeds that can be used and pushed out when the forest land is barren. These are called pioneering plant species and they are he first to help the forest recover. The second forest level is called the herbaceous level. These plants are easily broken and are usually edible (usually. Please don't go around eating unknown plants). Above them is shrubbery. These plants are slightly taller than the herbaceous plants. Above them is the understory, which is right under the canopy of the forest. Since the canopy level is the highest level, it takes up all the available sunlight and leaves the plants under it with minimal light source. This of course, makes them much smaller than the highest level of the forest. Howver, if the canopy level were to be taken away, the smaller plants would start growing quickly. Plants are very adaptive go their environment.
Watershed
There are 6 watersheds on Oahu with various others within each. These different watersheds represents the flow of water from the mountain to the sea. This system of water flow was what ancient Hawaiians created ahupua a's. Within these systems because of the different environments, different crops would be grown that fit into these environments. For example Kalo was grown on the windward side of the island.
Conservation
Through the elaboration of Matt, we learned about the importance of conservation. Agriculture connects to conservation because of our limit to foods imported to Hawaii. Conservation is very much needed so we can keep our own natural resources up to par just in case our food supply runs out and to conserve we have to make sure the plants are getting their nutrients. In the pictures above, two pairs of volunteers took a core sample of soil-- one in the upper cacao field under koa trees and the other of 4 to 5 feet arching cacao, with a closer range to its canopy. Without the proper conservation of our resources, our food system won't be as healthy or will develop inability to produce.
Cacao
Cacao hates the wind so farmers have to use a cylinder of plastic to protect it from strong winds. The cacao seeds look like footballs. When you scratch it and it's green, then it is not ripe yet. When you scratch it and it's orange, then it's ready to harvest. The picture above is how a dried cacao seed looks like. It tasted like the real chocolate bars that you buy from the store. It does not taste exactly like it but it is very close to it.
Jobs