The planet we knew is changing rapidly. The climate crisis has ceased to be a distant allegory, and has become everyday and affects our security.
Marek Styczyński, an experienced forester specialising in mountain ecology, convinces, however, that we inactive have time to turn “hope for change” into a real “creation of change” (from Mat. Publisher).
LECHNICA BIOTOPU PublishingThank you for sharing a part for publication. We encourage you to read the full book.
From “three C” Schaubergers to ecofluency Saskii von Diest
Bill Mollison in his basic guide on permaculture [1] devoted 35 pages to the analysis of Nature's patterns, but fundamentally the full plan of permaculture is based on their reflection and understanding.
The survey of nature is the basis of all human inventions, and where human invention leaves the area of Nature's patterns, complications and problems begin.
That is why it is crucial to learn to observe natural or somewhat altered areas. erstwhile we encounter a stream or wetland during a walk, we can effort to realize why the water gathers in this peculiar place, where it flows, and where it interferes, which causes it to spill widely and why it disappears underground or not. If we look closely at vegetation, as well as the preservation of water against artificial partitions and limitations which man has introduced, we will realize in time the basic pattern of Nature, which is the behaviour of water, the fundamental component of nature. Saskia von Diest, the author of the concept of ecofluence, teaching communication with Nature, says: "The focus on improving our reflection of Nature usually deepens our knowing of how the ecosystem works" [2].
If we carefully observe nature, appropriate plan of our own environment – land plots, gardens or larger surfaces – becomes much easier. From the first 24 hours spent on our land and from planting the first plant, we will realize the veracity of the Chinese saying that “water is precious, dirt is sacred and dung creates resources.” If we realize them well [3], the ideas for concreteing and strict covering with tiles around the home will seem bizarre to us.
The birds belong around us. The destiny of the fairies in the city Natalia Dutka, Tomasz Janiszewski
Why can it be hard for many to accept these simple truths, and each walk in a suburban settlement or village brings observations of the opposite? Concrete, tiles and black foil tightly cover the surfaces around the houses, and for this use, method solutions are utilized that accelerate the rainwater flow outside the yard and the plot. This is most likely the consequence of habits, created fashions, false needs that origin the process of intellectual and physical abandonment of nature. In this way, we start to function comfortably and with minimal effort in a planet that does not have much to do with reality. Until we find painfully that to live, we must breathe clean air, drink healthy water, and eat upbuilding, not poisonous, food.
What was Viktor Schauberger reasoning about?
Very interesting and helpful to realize what Nature's patterns are, is to trace the life story, achievements and reasoning of the Austrian forester and investigator Viktor Schauberger [4] (1885–1958) and his boy Walter, and the associated celebrated Pythagoras Kepler School (PKS), renamed Pythagoras Kepler strategy Society for Promotion of Natural Technology, located in Bad Ischl. You can start this intriguing journey with the investigation of your grandson, Jörg Schauberger, shown in the movie Viktor Schauberger. Comprehend and Copy Nature.
This will be a fascinating experience (in the past of sensational themes) that will reassure us that it is time to return to method solutions dictated by Nature itself and halt techniques maintained for profit by few, and disastrous for all.
Marek Józefiak: Poland Republic of the Forest, or how State Forests became a state in the country
Viktor Schauberger proposed the slogan "two times c": copy and cooperative (to imitate nature and cooperate with it), and his boy and grandson added another "c": comprehend, copy and cooperation (understanding, imitation, cooperation). I am convinced that it is crucial in the process cited by the Schaubergers to realize the relation and contexts that accompany the patterns of Nature.
The Schaubergers have worked on the thought of widely available free energy sources available to Nature, and in their investigations have developed many method solutions of advanced efficiency and applicable importance, specified as a strategy of peculiar canals for logging harvested in the mountains, river protection systems against erosion, ways and devices for oxygenating water (which are besides crucial in water purification, which is usually an highly energy-intensive process), a device that accelerates water movement, called the Schauberger pipe, copper gardening tools, as well as a plough for construction that prevents harm to dirt microorganisms. Many of Schauberger's ideas have obtained patent certificates.
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If we skip the sensational themes of experience with a repulsive engine and devices resembling flying saucers, from which possibly a popular image of unidentified flying objects (UFO) has taken place – the past of Viktor Schauberger's investigation shows that observing, knowing and imitating Nature's patterns, based on common sense and searching for effective solutions that save energy and human work, brings tangible benefits without annihilating nature.
There are patterns of Nature of extraordinary complexity that we can observe and imitate, but we cannot full understand. specified patterns include the first forest, unchanged (i.e. unpolluted/destructible) by man.
I am a forester, and already in my studies I discovered that all the forestry departments I learned come from observing the primary forests, but after the first chapter of common relations and contexts accompanying the patterns of Nature.
The Schaubergers have worked on the thought of widely available free energy sources available to Nature, and in their investigations have developed many method solutions of advanced efficiency and applicable importance, specified as a strategy of peculiar canals for logging harvested in the mountains, river protection systems against erosion, ways and devices for oxygenating water (which are besides crucial in water purification, which is usually an highly energy-intensive process), a device that accelerates water movement, called the Schauberger pipe, copper gardening tools, as well as a plough for construction that prevents harm to dirt microorganisms. Many of Schauberger's ideas have obtained patent certificates. If we skip the sensational themes of experience with a repulsive engine and devices resembling flying saucers, from which possibly a popular image of unidentified flying objects (UFO) has taken place – the past of Viktor Schauberger's investigation shows that observing, knowing and imitating Nature's patterns, based on common sense and searching for effective solutions that save energy and human work, brings tangible benefits without annihilating nature. There are patterns of Nature of extraordinary complexity that we can observe and imitate, but we cannot full understand. specified patterns include the first forest, unchanged (i.e. unpolluted/destructible) by man. I am a forester, and already in my studies I discovered that all the forestry departments I have learned are coming out of the origin gradually bringing students into various ways of permanent demolition of these natural structures to yet present a image of more or little artificial plantations, full dependent on the cognition of foresters, the power of politicians and associated technologies. I do not consider efficient saws, forest harvesters or modern sawmills to be deadly technologies, but digital ways to measurement the only parameters that substance in this reality – the mass of wood and the rate of its growth. This builds the conviction of the “true” value of forests, and politicians gain systems that are easy to manipulate and completely resistant to criticism.
We gotta defend the preserved natural forests with all our strength, due to the fact that in the close word they can vanish completely, and then we will lose the crucial patterns to survive. possibly the only natural forest-like areas in the area will be our treed gardens.
New settlers – thanks to their diverse activity, mobility and critical view of culture – make an environment capable of implementing a "plantable model of development". Stefano Mancuso sees a chance to last the human species: “In management models consisting in dispersal of functions, without a command centre, as in plant organisms, decision-making centres arise and make spontaneously alternatively on the periphery, or places where they are truly needed to effectively solve problems: places where information is straight accessible and where real needs can be looked at” [5]. It can only be added that this strategy is described [6] in the theoretical basis and implemented in practice of the planet movement of permaculture for nearly half a century.
An insightful reflection of Nature's patterns will not let us to be neutral. We will realize that there is no time for comfortable not engaging and avoiding discussion.
On the contrary, observing Nature will convince us that the time has come for assertiveness and the defence of actual sources of life. It will aid us separate real needs from those artificially created – no substance where we are.
Characteristic features of natural communities, where we will find many species of tiny trees, large and smaller shrubs and various permanent plants, are density, variety and compact character. I call density both the number of plants per surface unit and the business by them of all layers, from earth itself to the crowns of the tallest trees. A dense, compact and multilayered cut makes formations of this kind make hard to cross areas in which branches, branches and trunks, mutually supportive, form a kind of shaft. It can be said that this represents the exact inverse of monocultural plantations and industrial orchards.
The complexity of specified ecosystems requires us to be very attentive in observing and drawing conclusions, due to the fact that natural mechanisms are hidden and much little apparent than what we see at first glance. The discovery of Viktor Schauberger, made during investigation on water physics, is not only liable for maintaining the low temperature of streams and rivers, but besides for the natural construction of the bottom, which causes water turbulence, which results, among another things, in lowering its temperature.
Useful patterns can besides be found in devastated areas – places mastered by plant visitors, who find convenient conditions for settlement and improvement there. Looking at fresh plant species in a given area, it is worth looking for answers to the question of erstwhile and why they appeared, what they truly change and what this situation leads to [7].
The world-famous botanist and expert in plant neurobiology, prof. Stefano Mancuso, has already cited the problem of fresh native plants: “Those who are worried about wonderful plants specified as wood, making, spreading, etc., due to their ability to crowd out native species in their areas of occurrence, should be aware that, compared to the invasiveness of Homo sapiens, the threat of any another species, whether animal or plant, sounds like a joke” [8]. If we want to find ourselves in a fresh environmental situation and in the face of a climate disaster (and more environmentally friendly) it is worth following Viktor Schauberger's hint, which already in the last century suggested that in order to learn something actual about the environment, we should reverse our reasoning by 180 degrees and completely revise the educated ideas about the world.
Flow, not stagnation
Saskia von Diest is simply a investigator working on the border between ecology and psychiatry, and at the same time a applicable and teacher of our own method of healing our bonds between the planet of nature, culture and society. Born in 1986 in South Africa, she defended her doctoral thesis in phytopathology in 2013 and studied our broken contacts with a surviving environment. After any time, her observations and experiences have evolved into an ecofluency term, which means the ability to focus attention on reflection of Nature in order to gain a deeper knowing of the functioning of ecological systems. Ecofluency is simply a dynamic method of bidirectional conversation with the outside planet to stimulate the evolutionary change of our consciousness.
Saskia von Diest believes that communicating with Nature brings to practicing permaculture the key to unlocking the force needed to reconstruct and regenerate the land, to themselves and to building hope for the future.
The method of learning the usage of ecofluency is implemented during events, sessions, consultations and workshops which the author of this word systematically conducts [9].
Saskia von Diest encourages to enter the ecofluency way which, in its knowing and practice, means ‘a dialog between people and the non-human planet for a common evolutionary benefit’ [10]. In another words, changing the perception of the world, caused by careful reflection of the environment, real needs and what we can do for the sustainability of Nature, should be accompanied by improving our cooperation with the outside world. In order for specified improvement to proceed, effort is needed – it is especially helpful to observe our head carefully – but besides to do a real job: to organize smaller and larger islands of biodiversity, gene banks and stands where there is besides a place to grow food.
Permaculture in its base version – ethical and Community-level indications – receives support from people dealing with its social and intellectual aspects, but besides with art, communication with Nature, ethics and environmental law, and even with digital management and culture.
Welcome to internships, internships and volunteering!
Join us!Apart from the researchers called here – Looby Macnamara and Saska von Diest – it is worth reading any of the postulates of the planet of art. Laura Drouet and Olivier Lacrouts proposed The Manifesto of Phyto-centered plan [11], which will aid to establish our way to change. Manifesto indicates that plants are not things, little means more and encourages the boycott of monoculture, the renewal of old (traditional) alliances, the plan together with plants, the ending of war with alleged invasive plants and the not leaving behind (significant) carbon footprint, demolition and waste.
Two patterns underlying this book
The inhabitants of the vast temperate region of Eurasia, whose area corresponds about to what was erstwhile referred to as front Asia, lived in circumstantial forest formations, which were called fruit forests. Since easy recognized chaotic apple trees dominated their perception, they were called natural apple forests. In fact, these forests are much more diverse species, and depending on local climatic conditions, they besides cover grenades, quinces, mulberry, pistachios, pears, plums, figs, gingles, yarzębins, cherries, almonds, locusts, olives, chestnuts and nuts, as well as many smaller fruit shrubs and medicinal herb plants, as well as many valuable mushrooms.
Due to the loose nature and large quantities of fruit (in years of peculiar yield it was impossible to collect them all) specified forests were included in shepherding practices and semi-natural livestock farming. An interesting and forgotten component of the usage of fruit forests was the grafting of tastier specimens on naturally grown chaotic apple trees. Thus, without peculiar planting of trees around the houses, the wooded gardens designed by Nature were created. The agroforestry techniques presently utilized are a simplification of what has been done in the fruit forest area since time immemorial.
Carpathian Bow. 4 months in the mountains Dominik Ksiaski, Rafał Górski
In Central Europe, rather a number of loose forests and bushes with a large share of fruit trees and shrubs are inactive increasing in the temperate and neighbouring transition zones to subtropical or continental climate, as well as in mountain climate areas. Today, they are only seen as a consequence of forest succession or marginalisation, treating them as simple country belts by roads and fields. Sometimes their residues are tolerated as a buffer region of forests converted into monocultures. Only in comparatively unchangeable protected natural areas are sometimes seen as independent plant environments, involving fruit trees and shrubs. This shows how we have limited, depleted and marginalized the old fruit forests. However, they are reborn stubbornly wherever possible. They have only disappeared from the industrial position of agriculture and forestry and their technological backgrounds.
Two and a half 1000 years ago in Athens Greece, as a consequence of the full logging of local forests into the wood needed to build a war fleet, the shaded slopes storing water and excellent soils were replaced with the skeletal, rocky areas we know and see as a kind of scenery standard.
Only in the powerful mountains of Macedonia and in the fewer Greek islands can you inactive see old forest formations – they are always full of old and recently arrived local fruit trees and shrubs.
The barren and rocky soils began to fill in Greece with species that could last under fresh unfavourable conditions – olives, quinces, grenades, locusts, vines and dozens of citrus species and varieties, and with them came hurmas, almonds, pistachios, pistachios, punctuation, jucquets, unsubstantiates and many another valuable plants of very different origins.
Deep-water resources, advanced beekeeping culture and conventional gardening methods, including reproduction of selected for genetic copying of trees by planting trunks and thick branches straight into the soil, allowed to cover woodless surfaces durable and resistant to advanced temperature and drought with olive groves and treed gardens.
Past extended fruit forests will not return, but we can inspire them to build a more sustainable environment with the aid of dynamically changing local vegetation, supported by tiny trees.
My book is based on 2 inspiring patterns: species-rich Eurasian fruit forests and comparatively fresh Greek trees feeding and treed gardens, which treat the devastated scenery – even though the current drought maps of April 2026 show that Poland is affected by more drought than Greece. I hope that it will prove to be a applicable and useful guide on how to respond to environmental change and build comparatively sustainable ecosystems under conditions changed by environmental disaster. They will bring fresh patterns of biodiversity, with them a chance to survive.
Footnotes:
[1] Bill Mollison, Permaculture. A Designers’ Manual, Tagari Publications [1988] 2022; Chapter: Pattern Understanding, pp. 70–105.
[2] Saskia von Diest, Ecofluency. The Effects of Co-Creating with Nature, ‘Permaculation Magazine’, 2022, no 114, pp. 36–39.
[3] I deliberately utilized the word “understand” which differs from “understand”. To realize it in this case and to feel it. By knowing you gain knowledge, and by knowing – wisdom.
[4] Viktor Schauberger, Nature as Teacher. fresh Principles in the Working of Nature, Volume 2 of Eco-Technology, Dublin 1952.
[5] Stefano Mancuso, Plant Nation, trans. Joanna Ganobis, Libra, Rzeszów 2023, p. 76.
[6] Bill Mollison, Permaculture, op. cit., pp. 59, 505–558.
[7] More about native and invasive plants I compose in my book Gardening for hard times. Exercises au Permaculture in Central Europe.
[8] Stefano Mancuso, Plant Nation, op. cit.
[9] Information about ecofluency and Saskii von Diest can be expanded utilizing http://ecofluency.org.
[10] Saskia von Diest, Ecofluency, op. cit., p. 38.
[11] Laura Drouet, Oliver Lacrouts, Plant Fever. Towards a Phyto-centered Design, exhibition catalogue, Oostkamp: Lanoo Publishers / Hornu: CID, Centre d’Innovation et de plan Grand-Hornu, Belgium 2020.
