Notes from the field
Wilson da Silva was stumped at first about how to tell the story of the importance of the billions of bacteria
living inside us (page 64). So he spent hours in conversation with researchers studying the microbiome – the galaxy of microbes in our bodies – and visiting their labs and field sites, to gain an appreciation for the tiny critters.
“But it wasn’t until, after a pleasant pub lunch in the town of Crafers, and a walk through Mount Lofty’s nature trails, that I realised this story was ultimately about soil and how much of our poor health in cities stems from our lack of connection with wilderness,” Wilson says. “I was invigorated after our walk, and that was exactly the point. Spending time with nature energises you.”
Wilson is heartened scientists are working to understand the rich microbiome that makes wilderness soils healthier and that they plan to bring those benefits to the cities.
In the meantime, he’s planning on doing a lot more hiking in the
Aussie bush!
Spending time in natural environments is often a visceral experience for AG’s science and environment editor, Karen McGhee. “I’m often moved to tears by both the tragedy and beauty I get to witness in the wild when on assignment for AG,” she admits. “But having a rare chance to get up close and personal with Australian sea lions at their Kangaroo Island colony (page 38), was one of the most emotional wildlife experiences I’ve had.
“I try to avoid attributing anthropomorphic features to wild animals, but getting the opportunity to look into the eyes of sea lion pup, it was impossible not to feel a connection as a fellow mammal.” It also made the realisation that so many of the pups she saw would die from an insidious parasitic infection truly heartbreaking.
“But I was uplifted to see the extraordinary work of the Sydney Uni research team I accompanied into the colony and the staff at the Seal Bay Conservation Park. It gave me much hope for this endangered species.”