Physical Geog: A trip to Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam

Taking a trip to Amsterdam with friends who were visiting found me at the Hortus Botanicus botanical gardens this past weekend. This somewhat vintage feeling herbarium is home to thousands of plants, divided into exhibits focused on species from different biomes all over the world. I found the gardens fascinating, particularly since I just completed an ecohydrology module a couple of weeks ago.

Out of the three climate greenhouses, the desert zone was especially interesting for me having just covered this climate region in class, learning was framed in such a way that the photosynthetic pathways and water uptake methods were particularly emphasized. The desert zone housed a myriad of cacti and succulents, but this post will hone in one in particular, Cereus hildmannianus. The common name for this species of cactus is ‘Queen of the night’ and is usually found growing in South America – particularly in Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay (Braun et al., 2013).

As with other plants similar to Cereus hildmannianus, in order to survive in the harsh environment of the desert, it has adapted ways that aid with photosynthesis and water preservation. Cereus hildmannianus is a fleshy species with think cuticles to reduce water loss. This species has adapted a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway for photosynthesis, which allows for the conversion of light to energy whilst conserving water. Through the deployment of this CAM pathway, the stomata of Cereus hildmannianus open when the external temperature is low and moisture levels are high – reducing evapotranspiration. Carbon dioxide exchange takes place at night with this species when there is no incoming solar radiation and water levels in the atmosphere are high – the carbon dioxide enters the leaf cells where it is then incorporated in an organic acid. During the day, when external temperatures are high, the stomata remain closed, preserving moisture. The carbon stored from the night is then used for photosynthesis and conversion into vital sugars for survival (Oxfordreference.com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk, 2017).

This method of photosynthesis is extremely water efficient, which is why plants like Cereus hildmannianus are most often found in the driest and hottest areas of the world. However, due to the fact that the carbon storage and photosynthesis processes are separated by time and take place either in the day or at night, this species and others alike experience very slow growth. It almost appears to be the case that the species is forfeiting speedy growth in lieu of survival in such a harsh environment.

References:

Braun, P., Larocca, J., Machado, M. & Taylor, N.P. 2013. Cereus hildmannianus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T152594A655087. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152594A655087.en. Downloaded on 07 February 2017.

Oxfordreference.com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk. (2017). crassulacean acid metabolism. [online] Available at: http://www.oxfordreference.com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/view/10.1093/acref/9780199641666.001.0001/acref-9780199641666-e-9303 [Accessed 7 Feb. 2017]

Physical Geog: Dams, Dikes and Dunes

Dams, dikes and dunes – only three of the main flood defences that the Netherlands has to employ in order to prevent seawater submersion due to its low-lying nature. The Netherlands has been at risk of flooding for thousands of years, today, almost two thirds of the country is liable to severe flooding due to its densely populated nature and over half of the country lying below sea level (McVeigh, 2014; Ruimte voor de Rivier, 2016). Although many parts of the Netherlands are considered ‘at risk’ – the worry is nothing compared to what it would be if, for example, the UK were to be expecting a mass rain event. The reason for the relatively low-level of concern is that the high-flood risks and large quantities of water have been a part of Dutch life for so long that residents have learned to live with the water.

Dams and dikes in particular have been used in the Netherlands for centuries in order to prevent the inundation of seawater into the country. Dikes, long-wall like levees have been built all over the Netherlands, especially in coastal regions, and today almost form a natural part of Dutch landscape. In older times, the famous Dutch windmills were in full-time use, pumping water away from valuable lowland areas back into surrounding river networks (Dutchdikes.net, 2016).

Today, as well as implementing and maintaining the up-keep of well established water management mechanisms Dutch policy makers have been working to embed living with, rather than against the rivers and water. In 2006, the ‘Room for the River’ campaign and policy plan was launched, the idea behind the scheme essentially revolving around the naturalisation of some rivers and converting key areas of land back to flood plains (Ruimte voor de Rivier, 2016). Where necessary, several different river management techniques have been put into place, among other methods these include dike relocation to increase the width of floodplains, lowering floodplains in order to increase room for river water during high water levels and removing obstacles to increase flow rate of the river water.

The fact that the Dutch population have little to worry about when it comes to water and flooding is a credit to the flood management systems that have been put in place over many years. Although it is arguable that flooding does not pose such an imminent threat to countries like the UK, as influences of climate change become much more apparent – perhaps it would be wise to consider replicating some of the Dutch methods before disaster strikes and it becomes too late.

References:

Dutchdikes.net. (2016). Typology | Dutch Dikes. [online] Available at: http://dutchdikes.net/typology/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

McVeigh, T. (2014). The Dutch solution to floods: live with water, don't fight it. The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/16/flooding-netherlands [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

Ruimte voor de Rivier. (2016). Room for the River. [online] Available at: https://www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl/english/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

Physical Geog: Radiator on, windows opens

That warm snug feeling you get when you’re tucked up in bed next to the radiator, all cosy, but windows open too, getting that cool breeze on your face – stopping it getting too stuffy. That’s what my housemate… Sonya, I’ll call her Sonya to protect her identity from any eco warriors out there, likes to do. I walked into Sonya’s room the other day, and that was exactly the scene I saw, she was snuggling up in bed with the radiator on full blast and windows fully open, I was horrified.

I can’t claim to be the most green earth-loving girl out there, but having said that – I’m conservative with my energy use, I take care – I turn lights off, I put an extra jumper on if it’s chilly, I often take the bus or cycle and I actively recycle. I was shocked that as a 21^st century student, who understands all about climate change, that she would have such a laissez-faire, it’s not my fault attitude. When I asked her about it, she told me she often leaves lights on, didn’t really care about how much energy she was using and wasn’t too bothered ‘because the ice-caps are going to melt anyway’. Maybe it’s just coming from a geography department where most of my course mates care about these kinds of things, but it was surprising.

In contrast to Sonya’s attitude, is that of my exchange university; not only am I living in the third most bike-friendly city in the world (Cathcart-Keays, 2016), needless to say that breeds a culture adverse to cars and pro bikes – but furthermore the University of Utrecht itself is committing to astonishing sustainability and pro-environment endeavours. With commitments to fair-trade, sourcing food from local producers, recycling bike parts and cutting down on all of the universities waste paper – eco-friendly is the word on the street. Everywhere I am on campus I can see small efforts being made to make being environment-conscious a social norm amongst students (Utrecht University, 2016).

I suppose this is more of an observational post, although I am aware the that many universities prioritise sustainability in this day and age, Utrecht seems to be able to disseminate the message especially well. Maybe it is the fact that bikes are rushing around you constantly and it is more convenient, cheaper and quicker to cycle into town than to take the bus or a car. When I think of my old second year house, living in central London where EU pollution limits were breached in just one week in 2016, the contrast to my current situation is incredible – almost hard to believe (Vaughan, 2016). Having said that, it’s clearly not all as green as it seems, especially not when there are people whom still harbour an attitude like Sonya’s – but it’s okay, I’m working on her.

References:

Cathcart-Keays, A. (2016). Where is the most cycle-friendly city in the world?. The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jan/05/where-world-most-cycle-friendly-city-amsterdam-copenhagen [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

Utrecht University. (2016). Campaigns. [online] Available at: http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/green-office-utrecht/campaigns [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

Vaughan, A. (2016). London takes just one week to breach annual air pollution limits. The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/08/london-takes-just-one-week-to-breach-annual-air-pollution-limits [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016].

Module Review: Organisation Theories

Organisation theories – a course that is completely different to anything I have ever studied before. Following this module was eye-opening, I wasn’t aware that so much literature and research was available concerning the field of organisations and the managing of people within them. The course took us through the (whom I now know to be famous and classic) academics in organisation literature. Lectures started with Weber’s principles of bureaucracy (Weber, 1946), followed by a quick overview of Smith and the Invisible Hand for those who shockingly didn’t already know (me!) (Smith, 1776), moving on to the main human resource theorists  (Ott et al., 2011a) and finishing off with the theories of organisations and environments (Ott et al., 2011b).

On reflection of the mass of theories we were presented with, I’m not convinced that any one field of theory has it exactly right; I remain a sceptic. However, if I were to choose a method of organisation that, in my opinion, has the most potential for success, I would look to Mary Parker Follett and her advice to managers giving orders to employees (Follett, 1926). For a fairly old theory now, considering how far this field has developed, I find Mary Parker Follett to be one of the most forward thinking of the theorists we studied. Her argument that orders should not be motivated by hierarchical situations but led by the situation in which a superior and subordinate find themselves makes sense to me. I feel that if I were in an office environment, working with my manager to overcome problems would encourage a more open and team-working atmosphere, conducive to creativity and commitment to a shared goal.

Although I’m not entirely convinced that this area of expertise is for me, I do feel satisfied that at the very least, this year I’ve learnt something in a completely different field to the physical geography I focus on back at UCL.

References:

Follett, Mary Parker (1926), “The Giving of Orders”, in OTT, J. Steven, SHAFRITZ, Jay M., and JANG, Yong Suk (2011), Classic Readings in Organization Theory (7th Edition). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, pp. 156-161.

Ott, J. Steven, Shafritz, Jay M., and Jang, Yong Suk (2011a), “Chapter 3: Human Resource Theory, or the Organizational Behaviour”, in OTT, J. Steven, SHAFRITZ, Jay M., and JANG, Yong Suk (2011), Classic Readings in Organization Theory (7th Edition). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, pp. 149-155.

Ott, J. Steven, Shafritz, Jay M., and Jang, Yong Suk (2011b), “Chapter 9: Theories of Organizations and Environments”, in OTT, J. Steven, SHAFRITZ, Jay M., and JANG, Yong Suk (2011), Classic Readings in Organization Theory (7th Edition). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, pp. 472-477.

Smith, Adam (1776), “Of the Division of Labour”, in OTT, J. Steven, SHAFRITZ, Jay M., and JANG, Yong Suk (2011), Classic Readings in Organization Theory (7th Edition). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, pp. 41-45.

Weber, Max (1946), “Bureaucracy”, in OTT, J. Steven, SHAFRITZ, Jay M., and JANG, Yong Suk (2011), Classic Readings in Organization Theory (7th Edition). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, pp. 77-82.