*B(l)eauty = blue + beauty* Keywords: blueberries, bilberries, antioxidants, anthocyanins, harvesting, culture, gathering, commercial , livelihood Medicine under our Feet Series: Part 3/4] This is the third part of a four part series, looking at different plants of importance in the Hutsul region. These photos were taken on some of the hikes/walks with folks noting some of the medicine under our feet. The bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillis, may be one of the most charismatic berries in the world! Your smile shows evidence – blue and purple contentment. You might be thinking, bilberry sounds pretty close to blueberry and you are right! They are genetic cousins. True blueberries are native to the U.S. while bilberries are native to Northern Europe, Asia and certain regions of North America. Cultivated blueberries when you smash them, don’t stain, instead their berry insides are white or even clear-like. (Although wild blueberries will stain!) The only thing blue about a cultivated blueberry is their skin. However, bilberries are a delightful blue and purple mess when smashed! They are blue through and through. This is because bilberries have a much higher content of anthocyanins (antioxidants) than blueberries. In the word, anthocyanin, you can see the word cyan, which is another name for blue (Foster et al. 2006). Bilberry: A Remedy for Vision Issues? Short Answer: There is no definitive evidence. Long Answer: There’s a story, and one that I heard as well in the Carpathian Mountains, that bilberries are good for eyesight. The story goes that sometime during World War II, British pilots ate bilberries to improve their vision during night raids. There’s no documented evidence of this anecdote. Bilberries, as we noted above, are rich with anthocyanins which means they do have antioxidant properties. In order to test this story, two research institutions ran a study together (Tel Aviv University and the Naval Aerospace Research Laboratory). Men were given either a placebo or 40 milligrams of anthocyanins (similar to a berry diet). Tests were given to measure night visual acuity. There was no night vision improvement seen. Blueberry and bilberry extracts are also promoted as dietary supplements to prevent macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is when the tissue (called the retina) at the back of the eye that detects light, starts to deteriorate. This ultimately impacts vision. Laboratory experiments have shown that antioxidants provide protection. When retinal cells are bathed in anthocyanin extract and then exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidant, they are more protected. However, right now, there are no clinical trials that have tested the direct effects of anthocyanin on macular degeneration (Schwarcz 2019). One thing we can say for sure, eating berries is a good and delicious idea! Ethnobotany of the Bilberry According to the Medicinal Plants of the Carpathian Mountains (Komendar 1971), the bilberry is a small perennial branched shrub with pointed branches. It typically blooms from May to June. Berries emerge from July to August, which is when they are harvested. Leaves are collected during flowering from May to June. They are widespread in forests, in damp areas found among moss and the raw material reserves are very large. It is widely used in folk and scientific medicine. Dried berries are used to treat diarrhea, gastric diseases, especially in children. To treat diabetes, it is suggested to drink bilberry tea (60 grams per 1 liter of boiling water). The use of fresh berries is very effective in addressing diarrhea, gout, and rheumatism. In the Field In my time in the Carpathians for the last two years, traveling in Hutsulshchyna, I can say that the bilberry is a staple in Hutsul homes, and in the local markets. It is of high economic value since people can sell it at the local markets and make reasonably good money. It creates a bit of a safety net in uncertain times, which are constantly acknowledged in subsistence societies. In general, wild plants and mushrooms are an externality that people lean on in these forested areas. I remember going out with Ivan, a dear person I hold close to my heart (That's his photo right here. That was after a day of gathering bilberries). We spent an entire day hiking to a high mountain ridge with our large buckets and gathered bilberries for about eight hours. I was able to gather, as he joked, quite a bit. I made about 1000 hryvnia which equates to about $20 dollars. It was a trek of an experience. Leaning over with a comb to gather, to find spots that had a lot of bilberries in order to efficiently gather, was tough. It’s easy to become fatigued in the blazing sunlight, searching areas to maximize gathering efficiency. Evidence of a day well spent was seen my blue hands and mouth. The European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is delicious, versatile – used in teas, jams and eaten raw. Many people stated that dried bilberry can ease an upset stomach or by ingesting a bilberry-based alcoholic tincture (a tablespoon). Another participant stated that it also helps with regulating diabetes – lowering blood glucose levels (eat 50-100 grams a day). One participant stated that the bilberry “... is a food but it also heals.” If bilberries are gathered when the leaves have already scattered, “they are like honey”. Tea made from the bilberry is also noted to be delicious. Not only that, bilberries are put into delicious steam dumplings, fruit drinks or simply doused in sugar. Gathering Methods Bilberries are collected in the high mountains although nearby forests around homes have bilberries for local consumption. For commercial needs, people go to higher elevations, in the mountain valleys to gather in large quantities. Harvests are variable from year to year. In terms of gathering tools, there are large wooden and metal combs that expedite the gathering process. One participant stated that wooden combs are better than metal combs because they don’t damage the berries as much. In addition, combs don’t necessarily discriminate from gathering both ripe and green berries, which as one participant noted is wasteful. Most participants that gather for personal use, use their hands. Environmental Impacts Gathering bilberries is a big business in this region. In these pocketed town in the mountains, there are a couple of people who claim areas to gather and sell these berries, with competition arising. This often times illegal commercial business is essentially harming the natural bilberry populations. There is a great difference in approach and understanding when gathering for personal use versus commercial use. As a prominent Hutsul elder noted, “it depends on the consciousness of the people. It is an evolutionary way of thinking. If a person knows that they are going to prepare [] this year and the next year, and understands the rules, he's going to make sure that some it is left behind.” Governance and accessibility to needed resources play a critical role in this region. The Hutsulshchyna National Nature Park has sought to solve this issue by looking at the bilberry cousin – the blueberry, native to the U.S.A., as a way to preserve bilberry populations. Head scientist, Lyubomyr Derzhipilsky, an esteemed plant scientist and lover of plants, has at least 8 species of blueberry growing in his own garden. I had the opportunity to sample the blueberries from his garden and they brought me back to the U.S. Bilberries do taste a lot different than blueberries, still sweet but more tangy. Derzhipilsky is actively working with locals, encouraging them to grow blueberries in their own gardens, as a way to offset the natural population loss of the native bilberry. A few questions arise at the nexus of culture and ecology. The bilberry is a culturally significant plant for Hutsuls, rooted in their mountains as well as their homes. A part of this question is economic – why is the demand for bilberries so great? Is it the taste or availability? Would simply switching out the species impact the demand? Would restructuring the berry market to sell blueberries, allow greater access to Hutsul locals who deem bilberries an integral part of their lives? Either way, the answer underlines that notion that how we regard our relationship with land, determines the directionality of our survival. Literature Cited Komendar, B. 1971. Medicinal Plants of the Carpathians. Karpaty: Uzhorod. Foster, S., & Johnson, R. L. 2008. National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine. National Geographic Books. Schwarcz, J. 2019. Is it true that bilberries are good for the eyes? McGill University: Office for Science and Society. Photos: https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/чорниця https://unsplash.com/photos/KJCyvlA_aAQ https://www.facebook.com/npp.guzulschyna/
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Key words: St. John's wort, beast, flower, wool, dye, perennial, 99 diseases, photosensitivity, potency [Medicine under our Feet Series: Part 2/4] This is the second part of a four part series, looking at different plants of importance in the Hutsul region. These photos were taken on some of the hikes/walks with folks noting some of the medicine under our feet. Walking with Lyuba to milk the cow, I am impressed by her ability to layer two milking pails, a bucket of cow feed, a walking stick (called an oak) and her positive, effervescent energy into the creative bundle called a soul. She’s a teacher, a grandmother, a talented photographer, a healer and a lover of her mountains. As we walk, I ask her about the plants she gathers. She shares freely what she knows. These walks to the pastures twice a day are a gift to me. I figure I can help carry the milk pails back. As she milks the cows, I wander in the fields and these are some of the favorite moments in my field work – deep observation that enters a meditative state. The sky bows its cloak of darkness in a slow dance of orange, red and yellow, as the flowers catch the wind. It is in these moments of stillness, that my mind eases into the present. I can hear one the cows holler and I know it’s almost time to head back to meet back with Lyuba. As I approach her, I see her holding tall yellow-petaled flowers, with dark green, upright stems. I call to her, asking, “What plant are you holding?” Lyuba replies, “Звіробій”…also known as St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort is a perennial herb (30-60 cm) with a straight stalk, and regular flowers. They grow in mixed forests, meadows, fallow fields, meadows, among shrubs, forested areas and near roads. They bloom from June to August and they are pretty well distributed throughout Ukraine. What does the ethnobotanical plant medicine literature say? Among some of the most important historical plant medicine literature printed in Ukraine (Elin et al. 1983; Komendar, 1971; ) notes that St. John's wort is a very popular therapeutic agent, used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. It is used to treat conditions like diarrhea, liver disease, kidney issues and gastrointestinal diseases. It can also be used to treat skin issues like rashes. It is noted that mammals that are fair-haired, as a rule, have higher rates of poisoning, dermatitis, and paralysis to name a few symptoms (Elin et al. 1983). Some other uses of St. John's wort include its use in: essential oils, tanning skins, food industry and dye. St. John's wort contains essential oils including cineole (think Eucalyptus) and myrcene (think Cannabis, Hops, Lemongrass). It is used in perfumes and all parts of the plants have tannins (up to 7.5%), so it is used for tanning skins, giving elasticity and color (Karhut 1992). In the food industry, it is used in the preparation of bitter vodka and infusions. The flowers contain hypericin dye with different colors like yellow, green, red and pink dyes which are suitable for dying wool. Wool is an important source of warmth in this mountainous region. We can see how this plant provides more than just a source of medicine and food but adds vibrancy to the lifeways of Hutsul forest-dependent communities. Side tangent about badass wool blankets: In this region, Hutsuls are traditional pastoral highlanders, and known to keep sheep. From the wool of these sheep and dyes from many plants including St. John's wort, Hutsul folks make beautifully thick, warm, wool blankets called lizhnyky/ліжники. (If you want to learn more about this traditional lifeway, here's a beautiful film about lizhynyky/ліжники). What have I noticed in my research? I noticed in Carpathian meadows which are frequented by grazers, St. John's wort is left alone for the most part which probably has something to do with poisoning and photosensitivity. There are about four Hypericum species in these mountains, even a local, endemic species called Hypericum carpaticum. Out of the 40 Hutsul elders, botanists, stewards, farmers, scientists I interviewed, it was one of the three highly referenced plants of cultural importance. The title of this post "St. John's Wort: The Beast Killer" is derived from the Ukrainian translation of “Звіробій”/zvirobiy into English. It could reference to how it can poison large mammals, such as sheep, cows, goats, bison, if eaten at high quantities, hence killing the beast! Perhaps it references to how it is meant to be taken, which is sparingly due to its potency. It kills the beast, the beast being the ailment. It was commonly noted that St. John's wort cures up to 99 diseases (I still haven't gotten a list of all those 99 diseases). It is commonly used as a tea to treat stomach issues (like diarrhea) and as an antibacterial agent. Hutsuls note that this plant is very aromatic, sweet, and tasty. In terms of gathering, it is easy to snap the stem of St. John's wort and people have noted that St. John's wort spreads easily in meadows and pastures. It is harvested during the bloom and it is dried immediately to avoid degradation of active components, especially hyperforins. What does current pharmacological research say about this beast killer plant? St. John's wort derived products has increased quite a bit and is one of the most used medicinal plants in the world (Ekor 2014). It is best known today for its use in the treatment of depression but it has been used for at least 2,000 years for conditions like stomach ulcers, menstrual disorders, nerve pain and topically for wound and burn healing. A number of Hypericum species are used by American Indians (Cherokee, Iroquois and Montagnais) (National Geographic 2018). The flowering herb of St. John's wort is used in well-established medicinal products for mild to moderate treatments of depression (Galeotti, 2017). In 2009, 29 clinical trials conducted on St. John's wort for mild to moderate depression, concluded it is more effective than its placebo. Additionally, it is as effective as standard prescription antidepressants, with fewer adverse side effects. It is also effective against herpes simplex1 - a virus known to cause fever blisters and cold sores (National Geographic 2018). As Lyuba holds up this plant and explains to me how it grows, where it grows, I quickly understand that her relationship to these plants and her mountains, goes beyond listing characteristics. I go about grabbing the milk pails to help Lyuba. I try to make sure the milk doesn't leap out of the pails...It becomes pretty apparent that Lyuba’s strength (in all areas) surpasses my own. I learned this pretty quickly as she giggles loudly and with a grin. Some recipes from the book, "The Living Pharmacy": - They recommend 1 tablespoon of crushed St. John's wort to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes. It is advised to drink sips of 4.5 glasses one to two times a day for gastritis or to increase the flow of bile or diuresis. - Externally apply (especially the flowers) to lotions for wounds. However, it is important to note to avoid sunlight since it can cause skin burns and photosensitivity. References
Ekor M. 2014. The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4:177. Elin Y.Y, M.Y. Zerova, V.I. Lyshpa and C.I. Shabarova. 1983. The Gifts of the Forest. Kyiv: Urozhai. Galeotti, N. 2017. Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) beyond depression: A therapeutic perspective for pain conditions. "Healing Remedies." National Geographic. 21 Decembers 2018: 12. Print. Karhut, V.V. 1992. The Living Pharmacy. Kyiv: Zdorovya. Komendar, B. 1971. Medicinal Plants of the Carpathians. Karpaty: Uzhorod. Photo sources: https://ukrainer.net/carpathian-lizhnyk/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/228346643586610914/?lp=true Key words: yarrow, traditional ecological knowledge [TEK], Hutsuls, tannins, anti-inflammatory, gathering [Medicine under our Feet Series: Part 1/4] This is the beginning of a 4 part series, looking at different plants of importance in the Hutsul region. These photos were taken on some of the hikes/walks with folks noting some of the medicine under our feet. My field site, in Hutsulshchyna, is in one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. (This is probably a sentiment that many field ecologists have stated and will continue to state until forever. And it is probably true.) I’ve been fortunate. I’ve been able to travel, live in different places for extended periods of time. I have fallen in love with different ways of seeing, spices that confuse and delight me in the morsels of food I taste, and natural surroundings that invoke a deep sense of awe and delight…but this place is alive in a different way. It is special. There is deep connection and continuous dialogue between land and people. If I could characterize Ukraine, I would say it is a nation of green thumbs. When I tried to describe this English idiom to some Ukrainians and Hutsuls this past summer, perplexed and amused faces greeted me back with phrases like, “Why wouldn’t you try to grow your own food?” This nation falls along the latitude close to Nova Scotia, experienced numerous and continual invasions including a current one (Russia invading Crimea and eastern Ukraine) a nuclear explosion (Chernobyl - 1986), a Soviet government-induced famine called the Holodomor (1932-1933). Being able to “grow food”, and having access to land, provides a safety net during uncertain times. In my previous blog post, I played around with characteristics of resilience as seen in psychology and ecology. I am convinced Ukraine is a resilient nation, like many nations around the world that have experienced extreme stressors (China, India, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Sudan, Japan, and many others that I know I am forgetting). Knowledge and respect for the plant world is evident in big cities and rural areas that I have visited extensively in Western Ukraine. Books about medicinal plants, and gardening are present at local book sales and bookstores. However, some of the most telling knowledge lies in the people, many who maintain or have a plot of land in the countryside. There is an understanding that land is wealth. It is a source of identity and sustenance. This is Lyuba with her granddaughter, Sofika. This scene landed in my lap. I was playing with a dog and I turned around to see this beautiful capture of education. Education happens through experience, through the five senses. Here Sofika and Lyuba are processing basil, a rather new, cultivated plant used in cooking for this region. ©NMFontana My field site is nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, home of the Hutsuls, the home of old cultures, of peoples that have traveled, fled, settled and nestled in these spring-fed forested mountains. Beginning over 2,000 years ago, many ethnographic groups/tribes including Romans, Avars, Goths, Slavs, Magyars and today’s ethnic Hutsuls established cultural roots in this region (Kibych 2010). Since the Middle Ages, Hutsuls, traditional pastoral highlanders of the Ukrainian Carpathians, have maintained alpine grasslands, called polonynas, through mountain shepherding. Over the centuries, Hutsul shepherds and cultivators have adapted their ecological practices to the demands of the mountains, while simultaneously changing local flora and fauna, nutrient cycling and succession sequences to meet their needs (Geyer et al. 2010). This dynamic, intergenerational knowledge base of careful observation and innovative response to an ever-changing environment is defined as traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). One of my research questions is: How are forest-dependent people, like Hutsuls, managing and using wild plants? Cars, bicycles and motorbikes dance along mountain roads, riddled with potholes………….Much of my fieldwork consists of getting to know people, getting to know the land, forests, rivers and ecology. Throughout my interviews with elders, national park scientists, children, herbalists, foresters, farmers, pastoralists, I was exposed to many downright beautiful and amazing plants. This is the beginning of a 4 part series, looking at different plants of importance in the Hutsul region. These photos were taken on some of the hikes/walks with folks noting some of the medicine under our feet. Achillea millefolium L. is primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere in the temperate and boreal zones. You may be pretty familiar with it depending on where you live. It is a perennial herb and is pretty aromatic and is generally white. In this species, in particular, a deeper color forms (pink and even red) are found in older settlements where clones survived from the time they were commonly used medicinally (Chandler et al. 1982). I saw many pink yarrow plants in my walks with elders who still use the plant medicinally. It’s name, Achillea, comes from the time of the Trojan War (1200 BCA) where the Greek hero, Achilles, used the plant leaves to stop the blood flow of his wounded soldiers. Millefolium refers to the featherlike quality of the leaves, so fine that it looks like they have a thousand leaves. Also used by North American Natives for healing wounds and treatment of the common cold. In Ukrainian, it is called Dereviy tysyacholystiy/ Деревій тисячолистий. The Ukrainian name acknowledges the tannins present in the plant. Tannins are compounds that occur naturally and they bind to other compounds (like alkaloids, amino acids and proteins). Lots of plants make tannins – including most berries, like blueberries and cranberries, nuts, chocolate and legumes (peanuts and beans). In plants, tannins protect the plant from getting eaten and help regulate growth. Sometimes, when you bite into something that has tannins, it creates a strange, dry, puckery feeling in your mouth. Imagine being a rabbit and wanting to eat a plant that produces a lot of tannins – you might take one bite and decide to try another plant! This is one of my favorite photos since it shows its intertwining nature with humans, and other animals. Cattle nibble on it and it helps with digestion. I saw yarrow along grazed land, alpine pastures, roadsides, and in areas where humans and nature mix, in ecological terms, in areas of disturbance. There are quite a few species of yarrow in the Carpathians. According to a well-recognized book among plant experts in Ukraine called “Medicinal Plants of the Carpathians”/Likarski Roslyn Karpat/Лікарскі Рослин Карпат, three chronicles cite that the grandson of Dmitri Donskyi, who suffered a nosebleed, treated himself using yarrow juice. Leaves and flowers are used to treat digestive issues, bleeding, hemorrhoids and menstrual abnormalities (Komendar 1971). Another book called “The Gifts of the Forest”/Dary Lisiv/ Дари Лісів notes some other uses. Infuse yarrow (0.8 grams per 200 grams of water) on a tablespoon 2-3 times a day is consumed to improve appetite and digestion. Yarrow juice paired with dried yarrow flowers in a sack (1/3 of the weight) with chamomile flowers can be used to wash the face. In order to calm stomach pains, drink yarrow tea with chamomile flowers. At the same time, place heat on the stomach. Tea from yarrow flowers (3 cups a day) can be used to treat menstrual bleeding and hemoptysis. In veterinary medicine, a decoction of yarrow can treat gastrointestinal issues in young calves. Yarrow secretes quite a bit of nectar, and is well-visited by bees. Decoctions can repel harmful insects like aphids, thrips and spider mites (Elin et al. 1983). In my current research, I’ve found that yarrow is used as tea and it is typically mixed in with зелений чай/zeleniy chai, which translates to green tea (which isn’t like Chinese green tea)…but green tea, in reference to, anything green that is gathered from the Carpathian mountainside. It is gathered between June and the first frost. Collection occurs during flowering. Yarrow contains vitamin K, essential oils, trace amounts of alkaloids, tannins (as mentioned above), resins, inulin, carotene, vitamin C and volatiles. In folk medicine used for centuries, it is considered a hemostatic and diaphoretic agent used for treatment of both internal and external bleeding. Fresh, young leaves are rubbed and can be used as a hemostatic agent for external wounds and nasal bleeding. In my interviews, folks mentioned that it is used today in this region as a styptic and as an internal anti-inflammatory. It can be made into a tea and used as an anti-inflammatory. However, due to its high tannin content, it can overstress the gastric mucosa and therefore one must be mindful when drinking it. So the next time you see this plant, take in its aroma, beauty and medicinal potential with reverence and awe! Next time, I’ll be talking about St. John’s wort! P.S. I stole the title of this blog from a Ukrainian book by George Lypa/Юрій Липа [Yuriy Lypa] His last name Lypa translates to “linden” in Ukrainian! His book is called “Medicine under our Feet/ “Ліки під Ногами” [Liky pid Nohamy]. It was published in 1991. I think the title is just too neat not to spread! Citations: Elin Y.Y, M.Y. Zerova, V.I. Lyshpa and C.I. Shabarova. 1983. The Gifts of the Forest. Kiev: Urozhai. Chandler, R. F., S. N. Hooper, and M. J. Harvey. 1982. Ethnobotany and Phytochemistry of Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, Compositae I. ECONOMIC BOTANY36:21. Geyer J., L. Schmidt, I. Kruglov, V. Gubko, P. Sandei and P.L. Ibisch. 2010. Development, biodiversity conservation and global change in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Pages 84-97 in P.L. Ibisch, P.L., A.E. Vega and T.M. Herrmann, editors. Interdependence of biodiversity and development under global change. Technical Series No. 54. Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity, Montreal (second corrected edition). Kibych, A. 2010. Hutzulshchyna and public progress. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic series14(14): 37-50. Komendar, B. 1971. Medicinal Plants of the Carpathians. Karpaty: Uzhorod. Lypa, Y. 1991. Medicine Under Our Feet. Ternopil. Key words: Jim Thorpe, adversity, Olympics, can, resilience, capacity, psychology, ecology, socio-ecological systems, adaptation, sustainability Imagine the biggest event of your life. Now - imagine something going awry. A job interview - you mess up on the date of the interview. A flight to go see a sick relative - you forget your ID. An Olympic track race - your running shoes disappear. What would you do? For me, my first instinct is feeling a tightening in my chest...just thinking about it....! I want to share a story of an incredible person, who faced with not just one critical moment, but many critical moments. A person who transformed and thrived in pivotal moments of stress. Someone who was resilient..and continually displayed resilience. Jim Thorpe was the first Native American to win a U.S. Olympic gold medal in the 1912 Summer Olympics (specifically the pentathlon and decathlon). Co-founder of the International Society of Olympic Historians, Bill Mallon, states that Thorpe's displays of athleticism show him to be, "the greatest athlete of all time. Still. To me, it's not even a question" (Jenkins 2012). Let's go back to this photo. Let's take a look at his feet. On the second day of a three-day decathlon, Thorpe's shoes were missing/stolen. Thorpe and his track coach found a pair from different sneakers and different sizes. One shoe fit well while the other was too big. Thorpe put on two pairs of socks to create a snug fit for the shoe that was too big (Mikhail 2017). Thorpe won the high jump and 110-meter hurdles in those shoes. In the final day of the decathlon, in the last event, 1,500 meter run, Thorpe dusted his competitors...in those same mismatched shoes. His time was 4 minutes 40.1 seconds. It was only in 1972, that finally, an Olympic decathlete, Bryan Clay, beat him, only by a second (Jenkins 2012). Jim Thorpe's overall winning total was 8,412.95 points out of 10,000 points. It would take another four Olympics before someone else would beat his score! This isn't the first time Jim Thorpe faced adversity, displaying resilience in the face of unexpected events. He lived during a period of genocide against Native Americans. His twin brother died when he was 9. His mother died when he was 14. His father died when he was 16. He spent time at schools that participated in the forced cultural assimilation of American Indian children (Tucker 2012) . In spite of all these incredible circumstances, Thorpe thrived as a naturally-gifted, humble and disciplined athlete. Pick a sport - football, baseball, lacrosse, track, tennis, boxing, hockey. He broke records left and right. He is considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports. Why is his name, story and recognition lost in obscurity? The IOC (International Olympic Committee), after learning that he played minor-league baseball in 1909 and 1910, revoked his medals, titles and marks from official record. Playing minor-league baseball violates the rules of amateurism that were in place during that time (Jenkins 2012). Jim Thorpe's photo is posted above my desk, as a reminder of focus, creativity, opportunity and tenacity. He's a resilience hero. What is resilience? In my academic and life journey, I have continually revisited the meaning of resilience. Words like, "tough", "unfettered", "brave", "toughing it out", "seeing the silver lining", "bouncing back", and "phoenix" come to mind. It seems life-giving and life-reinforcing. But also - really difficult. How do we do it? How does the environment do it? As a student, I've read about resilience in ecological systems and I can't help but also try to understand how it applies to our own human conditions. What does psychology say? What does ecology say? What propels us forward? Are there any ideas or lessons that crossover? Psychology. Human resilience goes something like this - a person grows up in an adverse circumstance (big events like loss and/or trauma). Through these circumstances, a person develops skills to function and thrive as an adult (Bonanno 2004). There are protective factors and processes that can impact a person's life trajectory. These factors and processes can transform risk to adaptation (Matin et al. 2015). Early studies pointed to healthy self-esteem, self-efficacy and the opening of opportunities as protective mechanisms that equip people against the psychological risks linked with adversity (Werner 2000). More recent studies emphasize the ultimate complexity of nailing down a definition or the many attributes and processes involved. Turns out, there are a lot of different pathways to promoting resilience and there are no magic 'one-size-fits-all approach' for producing resilience (Ellis et al. 2017, Masten and Obradović 2006, Rutter 2012, ). Ecology. Resilience is the overall capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbance and reorganize itself afterwards. So while a system (think environment) is undergoing a change caused by a factor, it essentially retains its function, structure, feedbacks and therefore, its identity. (Holling 1973, Matin et al. 2015) Pretty amazing. Human behavior + Ecology. This idea of social-ecological resilience emerged, recognizing the interplay between ecosystems and the behaviors of human societies – a link in the very nature of our environment and existence. This idea propels the capacity for renewal, reorganization and development in the field of sustainable resource management and sustainability. Two concepts come to mind in the inclusive socio-ecological framework – adaptation and adaptive capacity. Generally speaking, its the ability for processes of behavior and patterns to change in order for a system to maintain itself within the parameters of certain thresholds (Folke 2006, Walker et al 2004). Ways to build adaptive capacity to maintain resilience include: 1) maintaining a well of resources, 2) managing connectivity, 3) responding efficiently to disturbances, and 4) self-organization (Walker and Salt 2012). What's an example of a socio-ecological resilience approach? Let's think about fishing and living in a manner that promotes socio-ecological resilience. A resilient sustainable fishing management approach would include reducing fishing pressures when fish stocks are low and allowing harvests to increase when fish stocks are plentiful. This type of approach can help stabilize fish populations. A less effective approach would be to have strict adherence to harvest quotas in a dynamic environment. This could lead to fishery collapse (Roughgarden and Smith 1996). Context and recognizing change is key in promoting resilience. Sometimes, disturbances (like diseases, draughts, pollution, land-use conversion) can really mess things up. In the case above, let's say a disturbance causes a fishery to collapse, then fisher people face the impact of diversifying their way of living. Transformations occur for multiple reasons and can be traumatic. Planning ahead can reduce the burden during these times of adaptation, transition and innovation. What do psychology and ecology tell us about resilience? Here are my 2 cents about factors that promote resilience from these two fields and how we can think about them in our own lives. 1) Resources are important. What different types of resources do you already have and/or need? Lean into your strengths. Also, recognize that resource distribution isn't equal along systems or among people. Ecology - Biodiversity can provide redundancy, buffering ecosystems from functional losses (Biggs et a.l 2012, Levin 1999, Walker and Salt 2006, ). Psychology - Friends, family, involvement in community, cultural, school, charitable or faith-based groups can be great resources and open up opportunities (Werner 2000). 2) Keep connections strong - communicate! Understand your context in the world. Reach for help when you need it and offer help to others when you can. These interactions can lead to creative solutions. Ecology - Understanding interconnectivity in ecosystems is an objective of an ecosystems services approach. However, managing connectivity can be challenging and limited in practical situations (Larondelle and Haase 2012, May et al. 2008). In addition, recovery from shocks, like a hurricane or flood, can be greatly improved where there is high social cohesion in a community (Picou and Martin 2006). Psychology - Maintaining connections and close ties to community and/or family can nurture a solid sense of security (Ginsberg 2014). In both fields, there are many other factors that promote resilience but aren't convergent. They are more nuanced and context-specific. There's a lot of literature that looks at that (Board and National Research Council 2013, Stokols et al. 2013, Werner 2000). In the case with resilient folks in our lives or the ones we read about, there are certain skills that are practiced consistently. They: 1) practice self-efficacy, 2) reframe situations as possible opportunities of learning, 3) reorganize when necessary, and 4) exercise focus, control and deep intent on a goal. A lesson from Jim Thorpe. In October 1982, the International Olympic Committee provided two replica medals to his family, announcing, "The name of James Thorpe will be added to the list of athletes who were crowned Olympic champions at the 1912 Games." The IOC also added, "However, the official report for these Games will not be modified" (Jenkins 2012). Sounds like a blatant example of a symbolic gesture with no real, institutional meaning. Jim Thorpe passed away in 1953, and in his years, didn't campaign for his reputation or recognition of his Olympic medals. He told his daughter, Grace Thorpe, "I won'em, and I know I won'em." He also stated at another time, "I played with the heart of an amateur-for the pure hell of it." May we all do things from the consciousness of a resilient heart. May we keep going when the going gets tough. As Jim Thorpe put it, "For the pure hell of it." Citations Biggs, Reinette, et al. "Toward principles for enhancing the resilience of ecosystem services." Annual review of environment and resources 37 (2012): 421-448. Board, Ocean Studies, and National Research Council. An ecosystem services approach to assessing the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. National Academies Press, 2013. Bonanno, George A. "Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events?." American psychologist 59.1 (2004): 20. Ellis, Bruce J., et al. "Beyond risk and protective factors: An adaptation-based approach to resilience." Perspectives on Psychological Science 12.4 (2017): 561-587. Folke, Carl. "Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses." Global environmental change 16.3 (2006): 253-267. Ginsburg, Kenneth. "Building Resilience in Children." Healthy Children Magazine (2007). Holling, Crawford S. "Resilience and stability of ecological systems." Annual review of ecology and systematics 4.1 (1973): 1-23. Jenkins, Sally. "Why Are Jim Thorpe’s Olympic Records Still Not Recognized?." Smithsonian Magazine (2012). Larondelle, Neele, and Dagmar Haase. "Valuing post-mining landscapes using an ecosystem services approach—An example from Germany." Ecological Indicators 18 (2012): 567-574. Levin, Simon A. "Towards a science of ecological management." Conservation Ecology 3.2 (1999): 6. Masten, Ann S., and Jelena Obradović. "Competence and resilience in development." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1094.1 (2006): 13-27. Matin, Nilufar, and Richard Taylor. "Emergence of human resilience in coastal ecosystems under environmental change." Ecology and Society 20.2 (2015). May, Robert M., Simon A. Levin, and George Sugihara. "Complex systems: Ecology for bankers." Nature 451.7181 (2008): 893. Mikhail, Roman. “Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Gold Wearing Track Shoes Found in Garbage Bin.” Medium, Historical Snapshots, 9 Dec. 2017, https://medium.com/a-moment-in-history/jim-thorpe-wins-olympic-gold-medal-wearing-track-spikes-found-in-garbage-bin-aae08796f91b. Picou, J. Steven, and Cecelia G. Martin. "Community impacts of Hurricane Ivan: a case study of Orange Beach, Alabama." (2006). Roughgarden, Jonathan, and Fraser Smith. "Why fisheries collapse and what to do about it." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 93.10 (1996): 5078-5083. Rutter, Michael. "Resilience as a dynamic concept." Development and psychopathology 24.2 (2012): 335-344. Stokols, Daniel, Raul Perez Lejano, and John Hipp. "Enhancing the resilience of human–environment systems: A social ecological perspective." Ecology and Society 18.1 (2013). Tucker, Neely. "Battle over athlete Jim Thorpe's burial site continues" Washington Post Magazine (2012). Walker, Brian, et al. "Resilience, adaptability and transformability in social–ecological systems." Ecology and society 9.2 (2004). Walker, Brian, and David Salt. "Resilience thinking: how can landscapes and communities absorb disturbance and maintain function." (2006). Walker, Brian, and David Salt. Resilience thinking: sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Island press, (2012). Werner, Emmy E. "Protective factors and individual resilience." Handbook of early childhood intervention 2 (2000): 115-132. |
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