Does using spring water help plants and animals grow stronger? This is what Earthscape, a landscape design studio founded by Eiki Danzuka, hopes to uncover with its On-iku experiment.
Dedicated to studying the relationship between people and the environment, Earthscape has opened a lab in an old wooden apartment located in Beppu, Japan. Here, the design group conducts research and experiments on "the environmental compatibility of plants and animals." One of these experiments, the On-iku experiment, sets to test whether the local hot springs water makes a difference in plant growth.
The On-iku experiment involves growing native Beppu plants using water from local hot springs only. According to Earthscape's founder Danzuka, the plants in Beppu had always seemed oddly strong. She also states, "I believe that carrying on our research in a small room in the Kiyoshima Apartments will lead us to answers about Beppu, Oita, and the world. This is why I believe in our continued research."
Spring Water-Grown Plants
Earthscape Hopes to Better Understand Nature With On-iku Experiment
Trend Themes
1. Spring Water-grown Plants - Using spring water to enhance plant growth is an emerging trend in the field of landscape design.
2. Environmental Compatibility Research - Studying the relationship between people, plants, and animals in the environment is a growing trend in the scientific community.
3. Local Resources in Agriculture - Exploring the use of local resources, such as hot springs water, in agriculture is an innovative trend with potential benefits for plant growth.
Industry Implications
1. Landscape Design - The landscape design industry can leverage the trend of using spring water to enhance plant growth in order to create more sustainable and resilient environments.
2. Scientific Research - The scientific research industry can capitalize on the trend of studying the environmental compatibility of plants and animals to gain insights into nature and develop innovative solutions.
3. Agriculture - The agriculture industry can explore the potential of using local resources, such as hot springs water, to improve crop productivity and resilience to environmental challenges.