permaculture

[YankeePerm@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/21/97 12:34:22 PM, askpv@ozemail.com.au wrote:

>lets not forget fungi as indicators too,
>
>in the first 2 years we had only white fungi on the trees
>
>now there is RED!!! which, according to at least two references I can dig up
>
>for the sceptical in my
>
>chaotic office here,
>
>Red fungi indicates cleaner air than white fungi, no fungi in a high
>
>rainfall area is a concern for worry
>
>about high pollution levels.
>
>It seems that our plantings along the road are screening pollution better
>
>than anticipated.
>
>April

Generally in acid (and otherwise polluted) rain and dust areas, loss of
mycorhizzal fungi indicates the exhaustion of the soil buffering capacity.
 Then aluminum can be, and is, mobilized.  It is utterly toxic to fungi.  So
if your forest still has its fungi, you may be able to save the trees, though
it is a real long shot if you live in anywhere in the North Temperate Zone.

For Mother Earth, Dan Hemenway, Yankee Permaculture Publications (since
1982), Elfin Permaculture workshops, lectures, Permaculture Design Courses,
consulting and permaculture designs (since 1981), and now correspondence
courses via email.  One is now underway.  Next Live program:  Paraguay, 9/98.
Internships available. Copyright, 1997, Dan & Cynthia Hemenway, P.O. Box 52,
Sparr FL 32192 USA  YankeePerm@aol.com  

We don't have time to rush.