In the book, “In Search of The Canary Tree, the author, Lauren E. Oakes, writes about her experiences of an in-depth research study in Alaska of Callitropsis nootkatensis, Yellow-cypress or Nootka cypress. She was studying the yellow-cypress and how it is an indicator species of climate change. Nationalgeographic.com defines an indicator species as, “…an organism—bacteria, plant, or animal—that reflects the condition of the environment around it. They’re often the first in their ecosystem to be affected by a particular environmental change, such as a warming climate, pollution, human development, and other environmental degradation.

The significance of the ‘Canary’ Tree is based on “…the use of canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide and other toxic gases before they hurt humans,” from 1911 to 1986 (smithsonian.com). By monitoring changes in the behavior, physiology, or number of an indicator species, scientists can monitor the health of its whole environment.” In the book, the Yellow-cypress is the indicator species that is being studied. The writer mentions not only her own findings, also those of other scientists, Native Americans that have lived in the area for generations, loggers and more people connected to this species of tree. The decline affects each group of people differently and adaptations in their lifestyles (whether they can adapt easily or not) affects the future of each group.

K-A-B

In “In Search of The Canary Tree,” the author goes on to talk about the relationship that humans have with the trees and the environment and how likely we (humans) are to do something about the changes within it. “…knowledge (K) could lead to certain attitudes (A) about environmental issues that would then spark a change in behavior (B)…K-A-B…the simple knowledge-attitudes-behavior model failed. Raising awareness didn’t do the trick. So then researchers uncovered many other contributing factors to behavioral change – such as whether people learned about an environmental impact indirectly or by experiencing it directly; whether they felt concern; whether the issue was one they felt they could address; and whether they’d developed some level of attachment to the place impacted. After all, we protect what we love,” (page 109).

Not only knowing about issues and environmental problems will cause humans to do something about the condition of world around them, as in the K-A-B model. A relationship, or connection, is also necessary for people to actually act on the issue. “Replacing ‘resource’ with ‘relationship’ would make nature and humanity a part of one another again. A relationship is so much more than a service provided or a resource to use. It is a mutual commitment to care,” (p. 156).

Final thoughts on “In Search of The Canary Tree”

The author makes a lot of great points throughout the book. She backs up her findings with the science. She writes about interviews with people that have a relationship with the trees and the natural world around them. I enjoyed reading about her experiences in the Alaskan forests and her interactions along the way throughout the duration of the book.