Biology and Art - June 2023

This month's contribution comes from a 2nd year Laotian master's student Bounsanong (Nong) Chouangthavy interested in watching insects and exploring nature.

[29 June UNESCO – International Day of Tropics]

Tropical forests are home to thousands of species and rich biodiversity. It is important to remember that many species in tropical forests, particularly those of fungi, insects, or plants, are yet to be identified. These forests are also essential habitats and food supply for humans and animals. Tropics contribute significantly to the global water cycle, mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and support local economies. Furthermore, tropical forests are home to spectacular waterfalls that make these places beautiful and allow humans to escape the hot weather.
熱帯林は何千もの種が暮らす生息地であり、豊かな生物多様性があります。特に菌類、昆虫、植物など、熱帯林に生息する多くの種がまだ確認・同定されていないことを忘れてはなりません。これらの森林は人間や動物にとって不可欠な生息地であり、食料供給地でもあります。熱帯林は地球の水循環に大きく貢献し、二酸化炭素を吸収することで気候変動を緩和しているだけでなく、地域経済を支えています。さらに、熱帯林には壮大な滝があり、美しくし、人間が暑い気候から逃れることを可能にしています。

[HAIKU]
The rules are simple: 5-7-5 syllables, there is no seasonal reference word (a kigo), but your poem must relate to either biology or the topic of the month, and you are writing in English.
ルールは簡単。五・七・五、季語はなくてもよいけれど、生物学かその月の話題に関連した句であること、そして英語で詠むことです。
Therefore, Nong’s haiku for this month is:

Tropical forests,
friendly environment grants
better life for all.
熱帯林
衆生に豊穣
約束す

[IKEBANA]

WORDS to learn this month are: biodiversity - 生物多様性, particular - 特定, essential - 必須, habitat - 生息地, supply (不可算名詞) - を供給する, significant - 重要な, to contribute - に貢献する, to mitigate - 軽減させる, furthermore - さらに, spectacular - 華々しい