Three different and amazing ecosystems
Our trek from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon brought us through three
different and amazing ecosystems, each unique in and of itself; and all of this,
within an hour.
The first that we passed through was the Coastal Rainforest, typified by its
huge, lush trees and wet but mild climate. (Of course you can interpret "mild"
anyway you wish!)
We encountered the second climate when we entered the White Pass, made famous
for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush. This is known as the Alpine Tundra and
is renowned for its stunted conifers and distorted shrubs. At an elevation of
1082 meters (3550 feet), the White Pass experiences 8 months of winter with
temperatures reaching -67 degrees Celsius (-90 degrees Fahrenheit). A great
place to live, don't you think? The alpine firs are twisted because every winter
the dense lower branches are buried under thick snow (721 cms (24 feet) of snow
falls yearly), while the sparse upper branches are exposed to ice-cold winds.
These distorted firs have a very pleasant smell and are known as "mopheads"
(maybe they use these heads as mops or the name derived from the "moppets"? Or
is it the "muppets"?). In all, the landscape is delightful to admire!
The third biome is the Boreal Forest (Tundra), characterized by numerous
wetlands and multitudes of spruce and fir forests. This area, too, has severe
winters, but the snow protects the tender vegetation and animals.
It is interesting to note that none of the vegetation from any one ecosystem
would be able to survive in any of the other systems. Each plant, tree and moss
has its own purpose in the biome it lives in. May we learn an important lesson
from these plants. We need to all be happy wherever our Heavenly Father has
placed us. Our real purpose is not where the grass may look greener (and believe
me, any grass looks greener compared to one's own yard!), but where God has
placed us.
"Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the
capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's
God's gift!" (Eccl 5:19 The Message)
"For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible,
rank after rank after rank of angels - everything got started in him and finds
its purpose in him." (Col 1:16 The Message)
Enjoy what God has given you. In Him you will find your real purpose.
Rob Chaffart
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