From Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is hosting the “Life in One Cubic Foot” exhibit, Jan. 27- April 17. The exhibit follows the research of Smithsonian scientists and photographer David Liittschwager as they discover what a cubic foot of land or water—a biocube—reveals about the diversity of life on the planet. The exhibit is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
Tickets are on sale now and include the Orchids Forever flower show opening Jan. 27 through March 17. Purchase tickets in advance at holdenfg.org.
From Ohio woodlands to South African shrubland to a coral reef in the South Pacific, “Life in One Cubic Foot” reveals the incredible diversity of nature and inspires visitors to participate in science. A biocube—the tool at the heart of the exhibition—is a one-by-1-by-one-foot framed cube that organisms from the surrounding environment can enter and pass through. Biocubes featured in the exhibition were placed at the Holden Arboretum and in environments across the globe to learn what forms of life, both known and unknown, could be found in the cube during a 24-hour period. In addition to exploring life through the exhibition, visitors are also invited to participate in citizen science and uncover the biodiversity in their backyard by creating and monitoring their biocube.
The Arboretum’s biocubes identified spring ephemeral wildflowers, like trillium and wild leek, as well as mycorrhizal fungi that grow on and benefit the soil.
“Soil contains a universe of intricate life forms that benefit our plants and trees and forms the very foundation for life on our planet,” says David Burke, PhD, vice president of science and conservation at Holden Forests & Gardens. “Understanding the vital importance of these microorganisms is necessary for the conservation of natural systems of life on Earth.”
Arboretum scientists at the Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science have been studying the soil for almost two decades. To understand an ecosystem, sometimes you must dig deep. From bugs to bacteria, from algae to fungi, the soil is teeming with organisms. In fact, just one teaspoon of natural soil could contain billions of species, making soil one of the most diverse habitats on Earth.
This important research has revealed how fungi respond to changes in soil moisture and chemistry, demonstrating the impact of human activities on the structure of key fungal communities.
Gallery Talks with Holden Scientists at the Botanical Garden select Fridays from 10-10:30 a.m.
“Life in One Cubic Foot” exhibit on select Fridays in February and March offers an opportunity to talk with scientists about their work with spring wildflowers and mycorrhizal fungi and how it serves the Northeast Ohio community—no need to RSVP. Check holdenfg.org for dates and more information.
Photo courtesy Holden Forests & Gardens
