BOT 107 Exam #1
When we hear the word canoe, we often think of small 2-4 person crafts, but the Polynesian canoes were actually;
- Double-hulled canoes (Wa'a kaulua) - Up to 50-60ft long - Carrying up to two dozen people, with food and supplies: animals (livestock), crop plants, utility plants
Taro is said to be the most important food crop. How was this emphasized in Hawaiian folklore, in the story of the brothers Haloanaka and Haloa?
- Haloanaka was the firstborn, stillborn, child. He was buried and from that place grew the first taro (halo) plant. - Haloa was second born, mortal child, who took care of Haloanaka, the kale plant. - Haloanaka became the Hawaiian people's sustinence, (food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment)
What are the most important domesticated animals?
- Herd/draft animals (cattle, sheep, camel, horse, goat, donkey, reindeer, pig, elephant, water buffalo, llama) - Large birds (pigeon, geese, quail, chicken, duck, peacock, guinea, fowl, turkey - Others (dog, cat, rabbit, silkworm, guinea pig)
What disadvantage was there in long longitudes in the Americas and Africa?
- In the longitudes there is a range of habitats/climates which is difficult for an animal to travel through - The Americas and Africa have longer north-south alignment, leading to greater difference in climatic zones
What are the most important domesticated plants?
- Large seeded grasses - Large seeded legumes - Starchy root plants
What advantages did a long east-west latitude offer to Eurasia?
- Similarity in climate, e.g. day length and seasonal variation - Crops and animals, as well as trade and travel, spread more easily across continent - Enhanced technological advances Extra: - Most uniform climatic conditions - Allows for adaptations of crops and animals to different parts of Eurasia - Europe was main beneficiary of east-west orientation
According to Jared Diamond, what is the reason for inequities between societies?
- The differences lie in the geographical regions in which different societies occur - Geographical differences gave some societies greater resources, i.e. plants, animals, etc., than others, leasing to a disparity in how different societies advanced - Those with greater resources advanced more rapidly technologically and invaded, colonized, etc. societies that were resource poor
What are some desirable traits of grain crops?
- Uniform maturity of grain - High yield - Loss of dispersal of grain - Loss of dormancy - Change in size and shape of grain
Why do modern hunter-gatherer societies not want to become agricultural societies?
- Weeds will grow with your crop and compete for nutrients and water needed by your crops - Growing dense fields of desireable crops will invite pests, i.e. insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and wild animals - Monoculture: growing only one crop. This depletes certain nutrients and if disease occurs, will kill off all plants of your crop - And, it's a lot of work!
Approximately when was Hawai'i settled by the Polynesians?
1000 AD
Every six weeks, about 100 people volunteer for clean up of Gracillaria salicornia at the natatorium area in Waikiki and would collect how much of this alga?
6-8 tons (wet)
How did agriculture lead to many of our common human diseases?
A lot of our diseases originated from domesticated animals, i.e. measles, mumps, smallpox, chickenpox, flu, etc. Initially a lot of people died from these diseases. Overtime people in farming societies eventually developed resistance to most of these diseases. Some farming societies more resistant than others.
Agriculture developed in different parts of the world, what variations in agriculture did different societies have in different parts of the world?
Agroforestry: (ex: Ecuador) Agriculture incorporating the cultivation and conservation of trees Mountain agriculture: (ex: Nepal) Different climates ranging from tropical to temperate and alpine as you go from low to high elevations. Allows for greater diversity in grown crops.
What were some spices that were utilized by Native Americans and became adopted by cultures throughout the world?
Allspice, chilli peppers, vanilla
Why do cultures in different parts of the world have different staple crops?
An agricultural society depends on its resources to determine its success. Resources includes access to high carbohydrate vegetation that can be stored. Climate has to be dry enough to store food. Also, staple crops can be those native to a region.
What did the Hokule'a voyaging canoe demonstrate about how Polynesians first came to Hawai'i?
Ancient navigation skills could have been utilized for long ocean voyages
Humans were not the first to develop agriculture. What are examples of other organisms that developed agriculture long before humans?
Attini Ants (leaf cutter ants) and Mount Building Termites
What is the language group that ties all of these people together?
Austronesian languages
What evidence did we go over as to the time when Polynesians first settled Hawai'i?
Based on core samples that contain flora and fauna. Deeper down there are older charcoal lawyers as a result from burning plants/cooking/etc. The peak of plant/animal material is when the Polynesians arrived. Radio carbon dating is another technique for determining the age of core samples and other organic material. The first pollen from canoe plants was found around 1000 AD in the core samplings.
In biology we use a binomial, i.e. scientific name for organism. Why don't we use common names?
Because often the same common name is used for multiple different plants. Scientific names (binomial), are only used for one plant, making them more specific.
What area of ethnobotany is Richard Schultes best known for?
Best known for his publications on ethnogenic and hallucinogenic plants.
What is a binomial in biology?
Binomial (aka scientific name) = the Genus + Specific epithet
Breadfruit and banana do not produce seeds. How are they propagated?
Breadfruit: Root cuttings or air layering Banana: Sword sucker cut out and planted
How is dispersal of seeds accomplished in coconuts?
By drifting/floating across the ocean by currents. Also by people who migrate.
Gracilaria salicornia is an environmentally harmful alien species of algae that was introduced from:
California
Why was the landscape of Hawai'i transformed by the Polynesians?
Canoe plants were introduced so weren't as many native plants. Polynesians transformed the land very quickly. They cleared all the lowland palm forests and many of the native plants for farming. They introduced about 30 useful plants to Hawai'i for food, medicine, and materials. They also introduced the pig, dog, chicken, and rat. Rats and Fukui nuts were first introduced and this causes large flightless-birds, Moa, to go extinct almost immediately. Rats helped to clear lowlands.
Where did the first humans, i.e. Homo Sapiens come from?
Central Africa (150,000-100,000 years ago)
What changes occurred with the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agriculture?
Changed the face of the land. The land wasn't initially usually suited for the crops. Forests had to be cut down and cleared or burned.
Other than food, what are some other uses for canoe plants?
Chewing gum, catching birds, glue, house roof, umbrella, sandals, mulch, fillings for cavities, tattoos, dyes, medicine/cures, varnish, oil for lamps, canoe building, fans, drums, cloth
Although canoe plants were often designated as food crops, what are some other uses that some have?
Cordage, medicine, fabric, containers
What were some benefits of becoming an agricultural society?
Division of labor - Advancement in science and technology - Enabled building of roads, homes, clothing, etc. - Formation of militias (protect your land from neighbors/go to war with neighbors) - Sedimentary lifestyle, accumulate goods
What civilization is generally though to have first used aromatic plants?
Egyptians
What is August Engelhard known for?
Establishing a coconut cult (1902) (in Papau New Gennea area)
What are some important usages of various parts of the coconut palm?
Fiber of leaflets: -brooms -food containers -packages -rope Entire leaflet: -thatch roof -hats -baskets Stem: -building supports -instruments
What is the Polynesian story on the origin of the coconut?
Goddess hina - In an arranges marriage with god of eels (Tuna) and she wanted to return to the land - Hina met maui, a demigod - Maui battled Tuna and chopped off his head - Buried Tuna's head and from his head grew the coconut tree
What was the significance of Mau Pialug in the first Hokule'a voyage?
He was a Micronesian navigator. The first voyage went from Hawai'i to Tahiti and it was significant because Mau doesn't use instruments for way finding in open-ocean voyaging. When he did this on the Hokule'a, it proved the efficacy of is navigational system to the world.
What does the term "authority" refer to in this lecture?
In this lecture the people of authority advocate/ed for causes that counters scientific evidence.
Why is it (the coconut) an important plant in the tropics?
It grows in the tropics because it is the right environment. Polynesian cultures use the leaf, leaflets, and just about every other part of the coconut tree to make things.
Why do we use the scientific method to answer questions in science?
It is a method of discovery and understanding science through a problem solving process. It is a method for rationally and logically answering questions about the world around us.
What is a control in the scientific method and why is it important?
It may vary depending on the experiment but it is the group that receives no treatment. - Standard treatment: treatment whose effect is already known - Fake treatment: Placebo, a treatment we know that will not have an effect Important because it's used as a benchmark for which scientists can compare the results/data of the treatment group.
Who coined the term ethnobotany?
John Harshberger
How is ethnobotany defined?
John Harshberger's definition: "The study of the relationship between human beings and vegetation in their environment, including medical uses" Balick and Cox's definition: "The study of the interactions of plants and people, including the influence of plants on human culture"
How did agriculture impact transformation of the land?
Land transformed from, example : forest and swamps to grassland. Causes a loss of ecosystems.
How do we define agriculture?
Latin: agricultura (ager "field, and cultura "cultivation") Definition: The cultivation of the ground, including harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of livestock. Includes domestication of both plants and animals.
What was the main use of aromatic plants by Hawaiians?
Lei
How is your final grade determined in this class?
Letter grades will be based on straight percentage of total points. 4 written assignments and 3 exams.
One of the most desireable limo for eating in Hawai'i, but is not easily gotten, is Dictyopteris and the Hawaiian name for this species is:
Limu lipoa
What was another means of transporting goods, other than by the Silk Road?
Maritime route was an alternative route to the Silk route and became a trade center.
What does the name Hokule'a refer to?
Modern double-hulled canoe - Intended to demonstrate how Hawaiians got to Hawai'i
How did agriculture change the Earth's surface?
Mostly land transformed from forests and swamps to grassland. - Leads to desertification - Erosion occurs when too many slash and burn fields next to each other, nutrients in soil lost when water runs over soil - Loss of biodiversity - Animal agriculture leading cause of deforestation in Amazon
Dr. Abbott learned the Hawaiian common names of limo and became interested in limo from her:
Mother
What is thought to be the means by which humans first obtained food?
Nomadic, hunter-gatherer societies - Women forged for food (plants) - Men hunted (animals)
Gracilaria parvisipora, the species of algae that is commonly eaten in Hawai'i has the following Japanese common name:
Ogo
Dr. Isabella Abbott is the first person of Hawaiian descent who has earned a:
PhD
What are canoe plants?
Plants that Polynesians, that settled Hawai'i, brought with them in their canoes. Included roots, cuttings (aerial part of stem that could be rooted), and seeds of various plants for: food, cordage, medicine, fabric, and containers.
Who is considered to be the father of ethnobotany?
Richard Schultes
What is the definition of science given in lecture (there are actually many ways in which science can be defined)?
Science is a body of knowledge about the natural world where "evidence takes priority over authority"
Limu is the Hawaiian name given to organisms that in English we call:
Seaweed
What is the Silk Road? Other than serving as a path by which goods could be traded, what other significant benefits did the Silk Road have?
Silk Road was a trading route that began around 100 BC and ended in the 15th century. Other significant benefits of the Silk Road were language, cultural, and technological exchange.
Sargassum echinocarpum (limo kala) is well known among Hawaiians because a piece of this limb is given to each family member when:
Someone in the family has done something that has made people angry or is bad, something that brings down the family name.
Dr. Abbott said that there are six endemic species of Sargassum in the Hawaiian islands. What does the term endemic mean?
Something that is not found elsewhere
Where did the Hawaiians get sweet potato and gourd plants?
South America (Polynesians voyaged)
What part of a plant does essential oils usually come from?
Specialized glands in plants called Trichomes. Trichomes grow out of various parts of the plant.
What are spices and herbs and what are they used for?
Spices: seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or other plant parts primarily used for flavoring, coloring food, in medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics, or perfume production Herbs: leaves, flowers, seeds, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish
What is the Greek myth that explains the occurrence of seasonal changes?
Story of Persephone and Demeter
What advantages does agriculture offer over hunter-gathering societies?
Surplus: grow more food than you can eat which allows for storage of food for when food is less available. (i.e. for winter months, crop failures) Consistency/predictability: know when you will have food Control of what you eat
What are examples of negative events that have occurred due to lack of critical thinking and fact checking?
The anti-MMR movement that Andrew Wakefield and Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy started. Japan even discontinued MMR vaccine for 7 years to do research and during that time autism rates rose.
What is pathological science?
The belief in a concept that has continually been disproved by science, yet people continue to believe in it as an example of pathological science. "False science that won't go away" -Irving Langmuir (1953)
Where are coconut palms found?
The coconut is found between the latitudes the Tropic of Capricorn and the tropic of cancer.
What is a hypothesis?
The hypothesis tries to explain or answer a questions about your observation. - It must be testable - It is usually stated as a comparison between a treatment group and a control group
What happened when farming cultures encountered non-farming cultures?
The non-farming cultures (societies) are infected with these diseases. Often decimated or entirely wiped out local populations with contact.
What is Swidden agriculture?
The process of clearing a plot of land by: - Cutting down vegetation in a plot of land - Setting fire to remaining foliage (cleared area is known as swidden) - Ashes from burn provide nutrients to the soil for food crop Swidden agriculture was only used for a short period of time. It is sustainable for small populations. used by indigenous people without harming the environment as much.
How do we define theory in science and how does this differ from its everyday usage?
Theory: An explanation for some natural phenomena based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning - a hypothesis becomes a theory when repeated experimentation continues to demonstrate that it is correct In everyday usage a theory is used interchangeably with a hypothesis An idea such as an observation or question is often addressed as a theory.
Although Europeans greatly benefited from the spice trade, cultures from which the spice originated were not as fortunate. What happened to them?
These cultures were exploited and diminished by the Europeans who would come and colonize them.
How were hunter gatherer societies able to distinguish between edible and poisonous plants?
Trial and error!
What is one use that this civilization (Egyptian) has for aromatic plants that was unique and not used by other civilizations?
Used myrrh, anise, cumin, and cinnamon for embalming (preserving the dead)
What is the one flavoring agent that is derived from an orchid?
Vanilla
What is the furthest western and eastern location that the Austronesian people migrated?
Western: Madagascar Eastern: Easter Island
What three grasses are responsible for feeding 70% of the world's population?
Wheat, corn, rice