In this chapter of Healing Grounds by Liz Carlisle, we delve deeper into the idea of hidden hotspots of biodiversity. What are these "hidden hotspots" you may ask? To that, the answer is simple; Hotspots are considered to be ecosystems around the world that fit a certain criteria, such as biodiverse plants and vegetation that are found scarcely found outside of these areas, as well as animals and wildlife that are limited to these hotspot ecosystems. These hotspots are rich in many aspects, but mainly because they are not your typical run of the mill biomes.
Carlisle talks about Guzman and here research throughout this study she conducted. It is first here that I learn about squash bees, which I have never heard of. It is interesting to see just how much research Guzman did when trying to find these ecological hotspots in farming culture, even down to testing the DNA of the soil she collected to determine how much AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) was detected in the samples. Through doing so, she was able to determine that the soil underneath these lands were extremely rich, almost two times richer than the average farm soil.
It was nice to hear that she went around and talked to the individual farmers as well, as she was eager to hear their secret to such rich soil, come to find out that most of the farmers were women, usually following the milpa technique of bringing seeds from their homeland that you don't usually find in the average grocery store.
Overall, it is unfortunate to read that these farmers have been blatantly ignored and these crucial farming techniques have been discarded by mainstream society, but this book is bringing the positive light to these farmers and techniques that they deserve, which will hopefully make all the difference.
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