Sunday, 14 August 2011
Biomimicry
There were a small part that were talking about plants. I find it rather interesting that from the perspective of biomimicry thinking, the natural system could be a way to learn. Is it possible what iGEM created, the stimulated/fasten root growth provides some informations of the environment to us too? Could it become a method/tool/probe for finding solutions of desertification or perhaps, agriculture?
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
DESERTIFICATION CONTACTS:
DMC EXPERT:
Prof. Laban A. Ogallo
Drought Monitoring Centre Nairobi
P.O.Box 10304, 00100-Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 20) 578340
Fax: (254 20) 578343
E-mail: laban.ogallo@meteo.go.ke,
dmcnrb@africaonline.co.ke
EUROPEEAN COMMISSION:
Mr. Stefan Niemeyer
Floods and other Weather Driven Natural
Hazards Land Management Unit
Institute for Environment and Sustainability
European Commission, DG Joint Research
Centre
T.P. 261
I-21020 Ispra (VA) Italy
Tel: (39-0332) 78 58 20
Fax: (39-0332)78 66 53
E-mail: stefan.niemeyer@jrc.it
ICID/EWTDRO
Prof. Dr. Laszlo Vermes, DSc
Chairman of ICID EWTDRO
European Regional Work Team on Drought
Member of the UNCCD Group of Experts
Budapest Corvinus University
Faculty of Horticultural Sciences
Dept. of Soil Science and Water
Management
Villanyi ut 29-43
1118 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (39-1) 372 6272
Fax: (39-1) 372 6336
E-mail: laszlo.vermes@uni-corvinus.hu
TERRA Mileniul III
Ms Claudia Jianu, M. Sc.
Programme Coordinator
1-3 Walter Maracineanu Sq
entr. 2, fl.2, room 171
010155 Bucharest sector 1, Romania
Tel/fax: (40-21) 312 6870
E-mail: claudia.terra@newsys.ro
OTHER EUROPEAN EXPERTS:
Prof. Skender Belalla
Agronomist/Researcher
Institute of Soils Studies
Rruga e durresit, Laprake
“Mihai Duri” 149
Tirana, Albania
Tel/fax : (355-4) 228 367
E-mail : ist@albmail.com
Mr. Enes Alagic
National Expert, Head of Water
Management and Development Sector in
Public Enterprise
Water Management Company
Federal Ministries for Agriculture Water
Management and Forestry's
-Public Enterprise “Sava River catchment
area" Sarajevo,
St. Grbavicka 4
7100 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: (387-33) 209 831
Fax: (387-33) 209 831
E-mail: alagic@voda.ba
Mrs. Maria Sokolovska
Forest Research Institue, BAS
132, Bulv. Kliment Ohridski
1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel (359-2) 962 04 42
Fax: (359-2) 962 04 47
E-mail:mariagrozeva@hotmail.com
Dr. Zeljko Vidacek
Professor
Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science
Department
Svtosimunska 25
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel: (385-1) 2393 960
Fax: (385-1) 2393 963
E-mail:zvidacek@agr.hr
Mr. Vladimir Stavrik
Project Manager
National Capacity Self Assessment for
Global Environmental Management (NCSA)
Project
III Makedonska Brigada 10a
10000 Skopje
Republic of Macedonia
Tel: (389-0) 2 3289-282/3296-116
Fax: (389-0) 2 3289-269
E-mail: vladimir.stavric@vstavric@mt.net.mk
Dr. Panagyotis Giannoulopoulos
Agric. Univ. of Athens - GRCCD
Agricultural Univ. of Athens
Laboratory of Agric. Hydraulics
75 Iera Odos str,
Athens, 11855 Greece
Tel: (30- 210) 5294084
Fax: (30-210) 5294081
E-mail: panosg@aua.gr
Prof. Laszlo Vermes
Budapest Corvinus University
Faculty of Horticultural Sciences
Dept. Of Soil Sciences and Water
Management
Villányi út 35-43
1118 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (36-1) 372 6272
Fax: (36-1) 372 6336
E-mail: laszlo.vermes@uni-corvinus.hu
Mrs. Angela Lozan
Environmental Expert
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
Cosmonautilor Str.9
2005 Chisinau
Republic of Moldova
Tel./Fax: (373 22) 22 68 74
E-mail:angela.lozan@biosafety.md
Dr. Mihail Dumitru
Director
Research Institute for Soil Science and
Agrochemistry
Tel: (40-1) 222 94 42
Fax: (40-1) 222 59 79
E-mail: mdumitru@icpa.ro
Mr. Dumitru Dragoi
National Fortests Aministration – Romsilva
Blvd. Magheru 31
70 164 Bucharest 1
Tel: (40-21) 212 97 69
Fax: (40-21) 222 84 28
e-mail: rnp@rosilva.ro
DMC EXPERT:
Prof. Laban A. Ogallo
Drought Monitoring Centre Nairobi
P.O.Box 10304, 00100-Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 20) 578340
Fax: (254 20) 578343
E-mail: laban.ogallo@meteo.go.ke,
dmcnrb@africaonline.co.ke
EUROPEEAN COMMISSION:
Mr. Stefan Niemeyer
Floods and other Weather Driven Natural
Hazards Land Management Unit
Institute for Environment and Sustainability
European Commission, DG Joint Research
Centre
T.P. 261
I-21020 Ispra (VA) Italy
Tel: (39-0332) 78 58 20
Fax: (39-0332)78 66 53
E-mail: stefan.niemeyer@jrc.it
ICID/EWTDRO
Prof. Dr. Laszlo Vermes, DSc
Chairman of ICID EWTDRO
European Regional Work Team on Drought
Member of the UNCCD Group of Experts
Budapest Corvinus University
Faculty of Horticultural Sciences
Dept. of Soil Science and Water
Management
Villanyi ut 29-43
1118 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (39-1) 372 6272
Fax: (39-1) 372 6336
E-mail: laszlo.vermes@uni-corvinus.hu
TERRA Mileniul III
Ms Claudia Jianu, M. Sc.
Programme Coordinator
1-3 Walter Maracineanu Sq
entr. 2, fl.2, room 171
010155 Bucharest sector 1, Romania
Tel/fax: (40-21) 312 6870
E-mail: claudia.terra@newsys.ro
OTHER EUROPEAN EXPERTS:
Prof. Skender Belalla
Agronomist/Researcher
Institute of Soils Studies
Rruga e durresit, Laprake
“Mihai Duri” 149
Tirana, Albania
Tel/fax : (355-4) 228 367
E-mail : ist@albmail.com
Mr. Enes Alagic
National Expert, Head of Water
Management and Development Sector in
Public Enterprise
Water Management Company
Federal Ministries for Agriculture Water
Management and Forestry's
-Public Enterprise “Sava River catchment
area" Sarajevo,
St. Grbavicka 4
7100 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: (387-33) 209 831
Fax: (387-33) 209 831
E-mail: alagic@voda.ba
Mrs. Maria Sokolovska
Forest Research Institue, BAS
132, Bulv. Kliment Ohridski
1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel (359-2) 962 04 42
Fax: (359-2) 962 04 47
E-mail:mariagrozeva@hotmail.com
Dr. Zeljko Vidacek
Professor
Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science
Department
Svtosimunska 25
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel: (385-1) 2393 960
Fax: (385-1) 2393 963
E-mail:zvidacek@agr.hr
Mr. Vladimir Stavrik
Project Manager
National Capacity Self Assessment for
Global Environmental Management (NCSA)
Project
III Makedonska Brigada 10a
10000 Skopje
Republic of Macedonia
Tel: (389-0) 2 3289-282/3296-116
Fax: (389-0) 2 3289-269
E-mail: vladimir.stavric@vstavric@mt.net.mk
Dr. Panagyotis Giannoulopoulos
Agric. Univ. of Athens - GRCCD
Agricultural Univ. of Athens
Laboratory of Agric. Hydraulics
75 Iera Odos str,
Athens, 11855 Greece
Tel: (30- 210) 5294084
Fax: (30-210) 5294081
E-mail: panosg@aua.gr
Prof. Laszlo Vermes
Budapest Corvinus University
Faculty of Horticultural Sciences
Dept. Of Soil Sciences and Water
Management
Villányi út 35-43
1118 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (36-1) 372 6272
Fax: (36-1) 372 6336
E-mail: laszlo.vermes@uni-corvinus.hu
Mrs. Angela Lozan
Environmental Expert
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
Cosmonautilor Str.9
2005 Chisinau
Republic of Moldova
Tel./Fax: (373 22) 22 68 74
E-mail:angela.lozan@biosafety.md
Dr. Mihail Dumitru
Director
Research Institute for Soil Science and
Agrochemistry
Tel: (40-1) 222 94 42
Fax: (40-1) 222 59 79
E-mail: mdumitru@icpa.ro
Mr. Dumitru Dragoi
National Fortests Aministration – Romsilva
Blvd. Magheru 31
70 164 Bucharest 1
Tel: (40-21) 212 97 69
Fax: (40-21) 222 84 28
e-mail: rnp@rosilva.ro
Hyphae Lamps
Lamps designed using 3D printing using Auxin Flux Canyalization theory to model vein formation in plant leaves
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Human-Shaped roots
Original report from Here, and there are other similar news at Here
This plant is called "Chinese Knotweed" (Fallopia multiflora, syn Polygonum multiflorum Thunb). The one shown on the picture above claimed to be a wild one, with its root shaped like a human being, which is rare. The human-shape can actually achieved by letting the roots grow in a mold with the desired shape.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Greening the Desert
Geoff Lawton documentary on how the desert can be re-vegetated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzTHjlueqFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzTHjlueqFI
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Root Barrier
Wikipedia
Geosynthesis
Geosynthesis
Development of root barriers, their construction and applications has progressed since 1992 when technology progressed from a concrete barrier which cracked and failed, to specific plastics with the capacity to handle major stresses and loads created by matric suction, soil and moisture movement.
Initial development of this product was based on stopping trees from affecting buildings, but as the research evolved it was discovered that what was actually being done was stabilizing moisture in reactive clay. A flexible waterproof cut off wall placed around a building will allow the building foundations to float on a block of stable clay and moisture, reducing the need for piers and other structure and proving to be very economical.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Some more info about the GM movers and shakers...
Prof Keith Campbell, a biologist at Nottingham University and a member of the team that cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996, said GM animals were not a threat to health unless scientists deliberately gave them a gene that made their milk toxic. 'Genetically modified food, if done correctly, can provide huge benefit for consumers in terms of producing better products,' he said.
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, said a ruling in Brussels meant that shipments of GM produce that had not been safety tested in Europe could be allowed into the EU. "This is a slippery slope, allowing crops that have not been given safety approvals to enter our food chain," she said. There are 150,000 tons of GM soy oil sold in Britain every year, mostly used in fast food restaurants. Caterers are supposed to tell customers if soy is used but over the past five years Trading Standards has found hundreds of hotels and pubs breaking the law.
Kirtana Chandrasekaran, of Friends of the Earth, said: "There's a chain of destruction linking soy fields flooded with pesticides to the UK's factory farms which are polluting our countryside and giving us unhealthy food. The only winners are companies that produce pesticides and sell us dodgy meat."
Professor Sir John Beddington, the Government's chief scientific adviser, warned that feeding the world would demand a range of solutions - from making traditional farming more efficient to introducing genetically modified (GM) crops. If GM crops can solve problems that are otherwise intractable, then, as Sir John said, "we should use them".
WE need to rethink our attitude to GM crops, former Science Minister Lord Sainsbury said yesterday.He warned that without so-called "Frankenstein Foods'' the world faced increased hunger and rising food prices. Britain needed to join a global industry which could end up feeding the world. He said: "I think the time has come to have again the debate about GM."
Caroline Spelman, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, has a history of supporting genetically modified crops through her links to the farming industry.
GM Freeze, a coalition of community groups and green campaigners, said: 'The proposals have been produced to try to overcome member state opposition to the commercial cultivation approval of GM crops. 'Many member states are not happy with the safety assessments of GM crops for cultivation on health and environmental grounds and have demanded a tougher approach.'
The Prince of Wales... is an implacable opponent of the technology. Only yesterday, presenting prizes at the BBC Radio 4 food and farming awards, the Prince gave warning that people were creating problems by "treating food as an easy commodity rather than a precious gift from nature''.
The Prince's supporters last night described the research as the first salvo in a taxpayer-funded public relations offensive to try to soften up opinion in favour of allowing more GM produce into the food chain.
Lord Melchett, a director of the Soil Association, said: "The report is propaganda and a scandalous waste of public money.
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, said a ruling in Brussels meant that shipments of GM produce that had not been safety tested in Europe could be allowed into the EU. "This is a slippery slope, allowing crops that have not been given safety approvals to enter our food chain," she said. There are 150,000 tons of GM soy oil sold in Britain every year, mostly used in fast food restaurants. Caterers are supposed to tell customers if soy is used but over the past five years Trading Standards has found hundreds of hotels and pubs breaking the law.
Kirtana Chandrasekaran, of Friends of the Earth, said: "There's a chain of destruction linking soy fields flooded with pesticides to the UK's factory farms which are polluting our countryside and giving us unhealthy food. The only winners are companies that produce pesticides and sell us dodgy meat."
Professor Sir John Beddington, the Government's chief scientific adviser, warned that feeding the world would demand a range of solutions - from making traditional farming more efficient to introducing genetically modified (GM) crops. If GM crops can solve problems that are otherwise intractable, then, as Sir John said, "we should use them".
WE need to rethink our attitude to GM crops, former Science Minister Lord Sainsbury said yesterday.He warned that without so-called "Frankenstein Foods'' the world faced increased hunger and rising food prices. Britain needed to join a global industry which could end up feeding the world. He said: "I think the time has come to have again the debate about GM."
Caroline Spelman, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, has a history of supporting genetically modified crops through her links to the farming industry.
GM Freeze, a coalition of community groups and green campaigners, said: 'The proposals have been produced to try to overcome member state opposition to the commercial cultivation approval of GM crops. 'Many member states are not happy with the safety assessments of GM crops for cultivation on health and environmental grounds and have demanded a tougher approach.'
The Prince of Wales... is an implacable opponent of the technology. Only yesterday, presenting prizes at the BBC Radio 4 food and farming awards, the Prince gave warning that people were creating problems by "treating food as an easy commodity rather than a precious gift from nature''.
The Prince's supporters last night described the research as the first salvo in a taxpayer-funded public relations offensive to try to soften up opinion in favour of allowing more GM produce into the food chain.
Lord Melchett, a director of the Soil Association, said: "The report is propaganda and a scandalous waste of public money.
Political Research on All Party Parlimentary Groups we might like to contact re. GM crops debate
APPG for Biodiversity:
Contact: Mr Barry Gardiner MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 4046
Primary members:
Barry Gardiner - Lab*
Tom Blenkinsop - Lab
Katy Clark - Lab
George Eustice - Con
Nic Dakin - Lab
Tessa Munt - LD
Caroline Lucas - Green
Mary Glindon - Lab
APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development
Contact: Ms Heidi Alexander MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7099
Primary members:
Lord Cameron of Dillington* - CB
Tony Baldry* - Con
Roger Williams - LD
Countess of Mar - CB
Heidi Alexander - Lab
Other relevant info: Funding recieved: £3000 from International Agri-Technology Centre, £3000 from John Innes Centre, £3000 from Christian Aid, £5000 from Oxfam, £2000 from City and Guild Centre for Skills, £2500 from Concern Worldwide (registered July 2010). £11,000 from The Small Foundation (registered September 2010).
APPG on Agro-Ecology
Contact: Mr Robert Flello MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6744
Primary Members:
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer * - LD
Robert Flello - Lab
APPG on Earth and Environmental Sciences
Contact: Mr Martin Caton MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 5111 / All-Party Parlimentary group for Earth Sciences, c/o Cally Oldershaw (Administrative Secretary), Room 3/2 Speaker's House, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, email: earthsciencesgroup@btopenworld.com, tel: 020 7219 6306
Primary Members:
Martin Caton * - Lab
Roger Williams - LD
Duke of Montrose - Con
Lord Oxburgh - CB
Kevin Barron - Lab
Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Group
Contact: Mr Roger Williams MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 8145
Primary Members:
Lord Rea - Lab
Roger Williams - LD
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer - LD
Countess of Mar - CB
Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen - Lab
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley - CB
APPG for International Development and the Environment
Contact: Mr Martin Horwood MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 4784
Primary Members:
Martin Horwood - LD*
Caroline Lucas - Green*
Michael Meacher - Lab*
Lord Teverson - LD*
Lord Chidgey - LD*
Sir Peter Bottomley - Con
Mark Durkan - SDLP
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - Lab
Lord Hannay of Chiswick - CB
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead - Lab
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer - LD
APPG on Life Sciences
Contact: Ms Penny Mordaunt MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7129
Primary Members:
Penny Mordaunt* - Con
Dr Julian Huppert - LD
Anne Marie Morris - Con
APPG for Science and Technology in Agriculture
Contact: Mr George Freeman MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 1940
Primary Members:
George Freeman* - Con
Earl of Selbourne - Con
Lord Haskins - CB
Other relevant info:
"The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science & Technology in Agriculture aims to promote debate among UK politicians and other stakeholders, not only to understand the role of science and technology in 21st century agriculture, but also to identify any policy, knowledge-based or regulatory barriers to its adoption.
Is agricultural science valued in the UK? Is our science policy and R&D framework fit for purpose? Is the transmission from laboratory to field working effectively, and focused on the right priorities? Does our regulatory framework foster or stifle innovation - is the balance right between productivity and environmental protection? What role do the media and NGOs play in influencing public attitudes towards new technology?"
The Group’s activities are supported by a range food, farming and research organisations including: Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), agricultural biotechnology council (abc), Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), Crop Protection Association (CPA), Maltsters Association of Great Britain (MAGB), National Association of British & Irish Millers (nabim) National Farmers Union (NFU) and National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB).
Contact: Mr Barry Gardiner MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 4046
Primary members:
Barry Gardiner - Lab*
Tom Blenkinsop - Lab
Katy Clark - Lab
George Eustice - Con
Nic Dakin - Lab
Tessa Munt - LD
Caroline Lucas - Green
Mary Glindon - Lab
APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development
Contact: Ms Heidi Alexander MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7099
Primary members:
Lord Cameron of Dillington* - CB
Tony Baldry* - Con
Roger Williams - LD
Countess of Mar - CB
Heidi Alexander - Lab
Other relevant info: Funding recieved: £3000 from International Agri-Technology Centre, £3000 from John Innes Centre, £3000 from Christian Aid, £5000 from Oxfam, £2000 from City and Guild Centre for Skills, £2500 from Concern Worldwide (registered July 2010). £11,000 from The Small Foundation (registered September 2010).
APPG on Agro-Ecology
Contact: Mr Robert Flello MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6744
Primary Members:
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer * - LD
Robert Flello - Lab
APPG on Earth and Environmental Sciences
Contact: Mr Martin Caton MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 5111 / All-Party Parlimentary group for Earth Sciences, c/o Cally Oldershaw (Administrative Secretary), Room 3/2 Speaker's House, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, email: earthsciencesgroup@btopenworld.com, tel: 020 7219 6306
Primary Members:
Martin Caton * - Lab
Roger Williams - LD
Duke of Montrose - Con
Lord Oxburgh - CB
Kevin Barron - Lab
Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Group
Contact: Mr Roger Williams MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 8145
Primary Members:
Lord Rea - Lab
Roger Williams - LD
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer - LD
Countess of Mar - CB
Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen - Lab
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley - CB
APPG for International Development and the Environment
Contact: Mr Martin Horwood MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 4784
Primary Members:
Martin Horwood - LD*
Caroline Lucas - Green*
Michael Meacher - Lab*
Lord Teverson - LD*
Lord Chidgey - LD*
Sir Peter Bottomley - Con
Mark Durkan - SDLP
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - Lab
Lord Hannay of Chiswick - CB
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead - Lab
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer - LD
APPG on Life Sciences
Contact: Ms Penny Mordaunt MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7129
Primary Members:
Penny Mordaunt* - Con
Dr Julian Huppert - LD
Anne Marie Morris - Con
APPG for Science and Technology in Agriculture
Contact: Mr George Freeman MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 1940
Primary Members:
George Freeman* - Con
Earl of Selbourne - Con
Lord Haskins - CB
Other relevant info:
"The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science & Technology in Agriculture aims to promote debate among UK politicians and other stakeholders, not only to understand the role of science and technology in 21st century agriculture, but also to identify any policy, knowledge-based or regulatory barriers to its adoption.
Is agricultural science valued in the UK? Is our science policy and R&D framework fit for purpose? Is the transmission from laboratory to field working effectively, and focused on the right priorities? Does our regulatory framework foster or stifle innovation - is the balance right between productivity and environmental protection? What role do the media and NGOs play in influencing public attitudes towards new technology?"
The Group’s activities are supported by a range food, farming and research organisations including: Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), agricultural biotechnology council (abc), Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), Crop Protection Association (CPA), Maltsters Association of Great Britain (MAGB), National Association of British & Irish Millers (nabim) National Farmers Union (NFU) and National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB).
The Root Bridges of Cherrapunji
LIVING ROOT BRIDGES
The Root Bridges of Cherrapunji
Amazing naturally grown bridge made by tree roots in India.
Banyan tree in Penghu
Where you see the "trunks" in the picture are actually the aerial roots of ONE banyan tree. People use the tree as the shield from sun / airy roof, and the aerial roots as natural pillars.
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