SCOTT A. MORI AND CAROL GRACIE
RAIN FOREST LECTURES
My wife, Carol Gracie, and I give lectures based on our studies and travels in the American tropics. These lectures can be tailored for school groups, university classes, garden clubs, and conservation organizations. One of our lectures is a joint presentation in which we present our individual views of the rain forest as follows.
Two Views of the Rain Forest
We present our views of the rain forest from different vantage points -- Carol in the understory and Scott in the canopy. We discuss our research projects and how we live and work in the rain forest.
LECTURES BY SCOTT MORI
Explorers of the Amazon
I discuss the major events in the exploration of the Amazon, including the discovery of the river, the first trip down its length by Orellana, and the exploits of naturalists, especially botanists..
Bats, Bees, and Brazil Nut Trees
The classification and ecology of the Brazil nut plant family has been the subject of my career-long research. This plant family reaches its greatest diversity in the Amazon, and it is here that one can observe many of the pollination and dispersal strategies that the Brazil nut and its relatives have evolved. For more information, see an example of a presentation available at www.botanypages.org - Bats, Bees, and Brazil Nut Trees.
Life Along the Amazon
Along the Amazon many Indian customs are maintained by the local people (caboclos). I describe how the food and animals they eat are harvested and hunted in the traditional ways of the Indians that preceded them.
Bat/Plant Interactions in the Amazon
Maligned by many, bats are by far more beneficial than they are harmful. I describe the integral role that bats play in maintaining the diversity and structure of rain forests. For more information, see the Bat/Plant Interactions Pages at www.botanypages.org.
The Rain Forests of Latin America: Is There IS There Hope for the Future?
The conservation of rain forest plants and animals depends upon an understanding of the way they interact. Based on nearly thirty years of botanical exploration in Central and South America, I explain an apparent paradox, the simultaneous fragility and robustness of Neotropical rain forests. For more information, see the essay written on this topic.
LECTURES BY CAROL GRACIE
Useful Plants from the Tropics
I show slides of and discuss many of the tropical plants that are useful to people, both on a local scale or internationally. Included will be bananas, pineapples, passionflowers, and annatto.
Rain Forest Relationships
In this talk, I focus mainly on the small creatures (e.g. insects) of the rain forest, their strategies for survival, and their relationships to each other and to their environment.
Manioc (Cassava) and Guarana, Two Amazonian Staples
I discuss the cultivation, harvesting, preparation, and consumption of manioc, a popular, but poisonous, Amazonian staple, and guaraná, a natural stimulant.
Tropical Flowers and Their Relatives in the Northeastern U.S.
I show slides of many beautiful tropical flowers and some members of their plant families found in the northeastern United States. I will discuss similarities, differences, and interesting life histories of the tropical and temperate species in each family.
Arrangements for lectures can be made by contacting either Scott . Our lectures are PowerPoint presentations, and we provide our own computer, projector, and screen if needed.
