Dr John Janovec, a research botanist from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) and Sharon Bladholm, a Chicago artist, are on their way to Peru as part of the Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program. They are travelling with a group of international scientists and researchers who are dedicated to studying organisms and their interactions with the environment. Dr Janovec is writing a book The Botany of a Lowland Rain Forest and Sharon will begin work on illustrations for the book. She is taking with her a plentiful supply of her favorite MacroBars, Granola Coconut and Tahini Date as well as bars for other members of the group.
They hope to bring more attention to the importance of understanding the flora of the world. Dr Janovec has collected over 2,500 species of plants at the biological station in Quincemil and his book Guide to the seeds of the Amazon is currently being published by Princeton University Press. As well as publishing the results of his studies of plant diversity and ecology, he hopes to develop volunteer work-study programs as well as finding ways to bring income to the area. He says " One of our goals is to build a local and regional market of organic fruits and vegetables to cut off the long-distribution market that originates from the coast of Lima. Tomatoes for instance are being grown in Arequipa and then they are transported all the way over the Andes and down into the Amazon. The carbon footprint and contamination is not necessary. We are trying to cut it off with local food production."
Bringing income to the region and protecting the tropical rain forest is of vital importance. Every year we lose a tropical forest the size of New York State. Can you imagine how many trees, plants, animal, birds and insects are lost! Many plants from the Amazon region are being used in the development of new medications and drugs. In fact 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from the tropical rain forest. So far, only 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists. Of the 3000 fruits growing in the rain forests only 200 are in use, so far, in the western world.
These expeditions into the Amazon bring back information and samples that can be used to develop products that can provide an income to the local people. A value over and above what they receive from farming and logging both of which are rapidly destroying the forests.
Sharon's illustrations and artwork will showcase the biodiversity and beauty of the region. In her art she explores the conservation of endangered plant and animal species and the way that primitive people interface with the natural world. Her work has been shown in many exhibitions inclluding the Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Botanical Garden and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bordeaux, France.
You can learn more about her work by visiting her website.
Please check back for tales from the front lines of biological research interfacing with art, sustained by the healthful energy of Macrobars!
