The Quaking AspenThe Quaking Aspen

A Model for Collaboration?A Model for Collaboration?

By - Colin HillBy - Colin Hill

What is CollaborationWhat is Collaboration

““The pooling of resources by The pooling of resources by two or more stakeholders two or more stakeholders to solve a set of problems to solve a set of problems which neither can solve which neither can solve unilaterally.” (Gray 1985)unilaterally.” (Gray 1985)– Must recognize a problemMust recognize a problem– Must recognize the need to Must recognize the need to

solve it togethersolve it together

Collaboration in the BibleCollaboration in the Bible

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness waswas upon the upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Gen 1:2,3waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Gen 1:2,3

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him. Genesis 2:18 will make a help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language, and this they begin to do, and now nothing will be restrained language, and this they begin to do, and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Genesis 11:4from them, which they have imagined to do. Genesis 11:4

Then all the children of Israel took up arms, and the people came Then all the children of Israel took up arms, and the people came together like one man, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and the land of Gilead, together like one man, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and the land of Gilead, before the Lord at Mizpah. Judges 20:1 before the Lord at Mizpah. Judges 20:1

Building of the temple. Building of the temple.

Collaboration in the BibleCollaboration in the Bible

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if one fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10labor. For if one fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken itit up, up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:4 they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:4

Now after these things, the Lord made selection of seventy others and Now after these things, the Lord made selection of seventy others and sent them before him, two together, into every town and place where sent them before him, two together, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. Luke 10:1 he himself was about to come. Luke 10:1

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many."into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many."1Corinthians 12:12-141Corinthians 12:12-14

What is the single largest What is the single largest organism by mass?organism by mass?

Great Blue Whale?Great Blue Whale?– Over 100 ft. longOver 100 ft. long– 825,000 pounds825,000 pounds

A Giant Sequoia?A Giant Sequoia?– Over 300 ft. longOver 300 ft. long– 4.5 Million Pounds4.5 Million Pounds

Fungus?Fungus?– 15,000 Acres15,000 Acres– Under 825,000 PoundsUnder 825,000 Pounds

The Winner?The Winner?

The Quaking AspenThe Quaking Aspen– Pando (Latin for “I Pando (Latin for “I

spread”) in south-spread”) in south-central Utah central Utah

– 106 Acres106 Acres– Over 47,000 tree trunksOver 47,000 tree trunks– 13 Million Pounds13 Million Pounds– One Genetic CodeOne Genetic Code

What makes the Aspen a What makes the Aspen a contender?contender?

Vegetative ReproductionVegetative Reproduction– A shared root systemA shared root system

Can travel over 100 feet under ground Can travel over 100 feet under ground before emerging as a new tree trunkbefore emerging as a new tree trunk

CloneClone– A group of tree trunks (stems) sharing A group of tree trunks (stems) sharing

a single root system.a single root system.

StandStand– A mosaic of clonesA mosaic of clones

Bio-collaborationBio-collaboration

Wide area of access to resourcesWide area of access to resources– WaterWater– NutrientsNutrients– LightLight

Protection from fireProtection from fire– Stand aloneStand alone

Little protectionLittle protection

– TogetherTogether After a fire, hormones are secreted to stimulate more After a fire, hormones are secreted to stimulate more

vegetative reproductionvegetative reproduction In adversity they flourish togetherIn adversity they flourish together

Survive and ThriveSurvive and Thrive

The Quaking Aspen may be the oldest living organismThe Quaking Aspen may be the oldest living organism– Single tree trunks live for up to 120 yearsSingle tree trunks live for up to 120 years– Some Clones are estimated to be thousands of years old Some Clones are estimated to be thousands of years old

Fossil records date individual clones to pre-floodFossil records date individual clones to pre-flood Fossilized leaves are identical to modern, only few generations of Fossilized leaves are identical to modern, only few generations of

variation.variation.

Most widespread tree in North AmericaMost widespread tree in North America– Second most widespread in the worldSecond most widespread in the world

In Eastern N. A. where there is more favorable conditions, In Eastern N. A. where there is more favorable conditions, sexual reproduction is more common. But in the west, in sexual reproduction is more common. But in the west, in less favorable conditions, the clone is more common.less favorable conditions, the clone is more common.

Higher Diversity?Higher Diversity?

A study of random amplified polymorphic DNA A study of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) from specimens from several populations (RAPD) from specimens from several populations found high genetic diversity between the clones found high genetic diversity between the clones within a single population, and low diversity within a single population, and low diversity between different populations (Yeh between different populations (Yeh et al.et al.1995).  1995). 

A study of aspen heterozygosity found that aspen A study of aspen heterozygosity found that aspen have two to six times the genetic diversity of have two to six times the genetic diversity of commonly reported sexually reproducing species commonly reported sexually reproducing species of plants and animals (Cheliak and Dancik 1982). of plants and animals (Cheliak and Dancik 1982).

What can we learn from the What can we learn from the Quaking AspenQuaking Aspen

Results of collaboration:Results of collaboration: More efficient use of resources.More efficient use of resources. Resulting organism is more resilient Resulting organism is more resilient

than the individuals, longer lived.than the individuals, longer lived. Can survive challenging situations Can survive challenging situations

that individuals could not.that individuals could not. Collaboration can lead to greater Collaboration can lead to greater

diversity within the whole.diversity within the whole.

The key Elements of the The key Elements of the Collaborative Environment?Collaborative Environment?

Vision and CommitmentVision and Commitment– Be willing to rely on a big picture concept and have the commitment Be willing to rely on a big picture concept and have the commitment

to proceedto proceed Communication and ConnectionCommunication and Connection

– Be willing to share and design an environment for collaboration Be willing to share and design an environment for collaboration which acts as the root system for empowerment.which acts as the root system for empowerment.

Trust and RespectTrust and Respect– Be willing to drop long standing barriers that have made it difficult Be willing to drop long standing barriers that have made it difficult

to establish a truly collaborative environment based on trust and to establish a truly collaborative environment based on trust and respectrespect

FaithFaith– Be willing to walk across the bridge of faith hand in hand, Be willing to walk across the bridge of faith hand in hand,

maximizing our potential as a Christ-like Learning Environment.maximizing our potential as a Christ-like Learning Environment.

Why do Quaking Aspens Why do Quaking Aspens QuakeQuake

The slightest wind causes the leaves to vibrate or quake.The slightest wind causes the leaves to vibrate or quake. French Canadian Woodsmen believed the Aspen Quaked French Canadian Woodsmen believed the Aspen Quaked

in fear. Why?in fear. Why?– Legend has it that the cross of Christ was made from an AspenLegend has it that the cross of Christ was made from an Aspen

Once again, we can learn from the cross!Once again, we can learn from the cross!

CreditsCredits

Colin Hill is the Director of Computer Services at Colin Hill is the Director of Computer Services at Canadian University College in Lacombe, Canadian University College in Lacombe, Alberta, CanadaAlberta, Canada

This worship has been adapted from a talk by This worship has been adapted from a talk by Bob Paulson, Assistant Professor of Exercise Bob Paulson, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Health, and Nutrition at Pacific Union Science, Health, and Nutrition at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, USACollege in Angwin, CA, USA