Oral Presentation Society for Freshwater Science 2025 Annual Meeting

Interweaving Culture and Ecology: Chinese Shanshui (Mountain-Water) Traditions in Liberal Arts Education (117486)

Jinhui Wu 1
  1. Rollins College, Winter Park, FLORIDA, United States

Traditional Chinese mountain-water (shanshui 山水) culture embodies a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of natural and human systems, expressed through poetry, painting, calligraphy, Tai Chi, and meditation. These practices celebrate the aesthetic beauty of mountains and waters while conveying ecological and philosophical values such as harmony, resilience, and adaptability. This presentation explores how shanshui principles align with freshwater science—emphasizing water’s ecological roles in sustaining biodiversity, shaping landscapes, and regulating natural systems—and how these insights can inform liberal arts education. Drawing on my teaching at Rollins College, I will demonstrate how activities like Tai Chi by the lakeside, scenic boat tours, and calligraphy projects integrate artistic expression and cultural traditions to foster ecological awareness. These interdisciplinary approaches reveal water's cultural and ecological significance, encouraging students to think critically and holistically about their relationship with nature.