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REDD and Smits Model Reforestation

Thu, 2012-10-25 09:59 — Maeryn Obley

In 2002, Willie Smits began restoring this tropical rainforest, degraded by timber piracy and agricultural burning, to its natural state. Six years later, the European Space Agency documented increased cloud cover, increased rainfall, and moderated temperatures over this restored ecosystem. In 2010, insects and birds not seen in 20 years began returning to this forest.Image: In 2002, Willie Smits began restoring this tropical rainforest, degraded by timber piracy and agricultural burning, to its natural state. Six years later, the European Space Agency documented increased cloud cover, increased rainfall, and moderated temperatures over this restored ecosystem. In 2010, insects and birds not seen in 20 years began returning to this forest.

submitted by Jean Woolridge

thesolutionsjournal.com - January, 2011 - Eric Rasmussen

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25 Primate Species in Africa, Asia Reported on Brink of Extinction from Deforestation, Hunting

Thu, 2012-10-18 18:06 — Kathy Gilbeaux

       

LuAnne Cadd/AP - A baby Grauer's gorilla that had been poached from Kahuzi-Biega National Park is seen at the Senkwekwe Orphan Gorilla Center at Virunga National Park in eastern Congo. Twenty-five species of monkeys, langurs, lemurs and gorillas are on the brink of extinction and need global action to protect them from increasing deforestation and illegal trafficking, researchers said Oct. 15, 2012.

The Washington Post - Associated Press - October 15, 2012

NEW DELHI — Twenty-five species of monkeys, langurs, lemurs and gorillas are on the brink of extinction and need global action to protect them from increasing deforestation and illegal trafficking, researchers said Monday.

The report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature was released at the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity being held in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.

Conservation efforts have helped several species of primates that are no longer listed as endangered, said the report, prepared every two years by some of the world’s leading primate experts.

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ISO Focus+ - From Fish to Forests - May 2010

Tue, 2012-10-09 18:22 — Kathy Gilbeaux

submitted by Albert Gomez

iso.org - May 2010

The use of fish and wood products continues to grow and are fast becoming the world's most traded commodities in their respective fields. At the same time, both sectors, crucial to biodiversity, are facing the pressing threat of climate change.

ISO's standards are powerful tools for taking action and the May issue showcases stories from companies benefiting from ISO standards, such as a Namibian fish processor or a large Brazilian company in the paperboard market, implementing management systems standards for quality and environmental or food safety as well as occupational health and safety.

http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/iso-magazines/isofocusplus_index/isofocusplus_2010/isofocusplus_2010-05.htm

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The Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Half of its Coral in the Last 27 Years

Thu, 2012-10-04 17:12 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Barnards after cyclone Larry. Image: AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team.

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
October 2, 2012

Can we save the Reef by controlling crown of thorns starfish?

(ABSTRACT AND LINK TO STUDY - BELOW)

The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its coral cover in the last 27 years. The loss was due to storm damage (48%), crown of thorns starfish (42%), and bleaching (10%) according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences today by researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville and the University of Wollongong.

"We can't stop the storms but, perhaps we can stop the starfish. If we can, then the Reef will have more opportunity to adapt to the challenges of rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification", says John Gunn, CEO of AIMS.

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Ecocities Emerging

Fri, 2012-08-03 23:27 — Kathy Gilbeaux

 

submitted by Jerry Erbach

Ecocity Builders

Mission and Vision

Ecocity Builders reshapes cities for the long-term health of human and natural systems.

We develop and implement policy, design and educational tools and strategies to build thriving urban centers based on “access by proximity” and to reverse patterns of sprawl and excessive consumption.

Ecocity Builders and associates’ definition of “ecocity” is conditional upon a healthy relationship of the city’s parts and functions, similar to the relationship of organs in living complex organism. We are concerned with city design, planning, building, and operations in an integral way and in relation to the surrounding environment and natural resources of the region, utilizing organic, ecological and whole-systems lessons to actually reverse the negative impacts of climate change, species extinction and the destruction of the biosphere.

We believe the form of the city matters, that it is within our ability, and indeed crucial, to reshape and restructure cities to address global environmental challenges.

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The Ecology of Disease

Tue, 2012-07-31 17:15 — Maeryn Obley

The Ecology of Disease cover, by Olaf HajekImage: The Ecology of Disease cover, by Olaf Hajek

Jim Robbins - July 14th, 2012 - nytimes.com

There's a term biologists and economists use these days — ecosystem services — which refers to the many ways nature supports the human endeavor. Forests filter the water we drink, for example, and birds and bees pollinate crops, both of which have substantial economic as well as biological value.

If we fail to understand and take care of the natural world, it can cause a breakdown of these systems and come back to haunt us in ways we know little about.

(VIEW COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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How Climate Change is Increasing Cholera Outbreaks in Northern Europe

Tue, 2012-07-24 22:52 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Rising temperatures: The Baltic Sea represents the 'fastest warming marine eco-system examined so far anywhere on earth'

(SEE LINK TO STUDY BELOW)

 

  • Vibrio bacteria, which is normally found growing in warm and tropical waters, now thrives in the Baltic Sea

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  • Bacteria strains will multiply as seas warm, predict researchers
  • The bacteria causes illnesses from cholera to gastroenteritis

    dailymail.co.uk - by Claire Bates - July 23, 2012

    Climate change could be driving an increase in illnesses such as cholera and gastroenteritis in northern Europe, scientists have warned.

    •  

    A rise in temperatures in the Baltic Sea has triggered the growth of the water-borne bacteria Vibrio.

    An international team examined sea surface temperature records and satellite data in the Baltic, as well as statistics on Vibrio cases in the region.

    (READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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    What is a Food Forest?

    Mon, 2012-04-30 23:08 — Kathy Gilbeaux

    submitted by Albert Gomez

          

    A Food Forest is a gardening technique or land management system that mimics a woodland ecosystem but substitutes in edible trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.  Fruit and nut trees are the upper level, while below are berry shrubs, edible perennials and annuals.  Companions or beneficial plants are included to attract insects for natural pest management while some plants are soil amenders providing nitrogen and mulch.  Together they create relationships to form a forest garden ecosystem able to produce high yields of food with less maintenance.

    Beacon Food Forest - http://beaconfoodforest.weebly.com/

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    Gulf's Dolphins Pay Heavy Price for Deepwater Oil Spill

    Sat, 2012-03-31 23:55 — Kathy Gilbeaux

    A study of bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, showed that many of the marine mammals were suffering from lung and liver disease. Photograph: Alamy

    by Peter Beaumont - guardian.co.uk - March 31, 2012

    New studies show impact of BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster on dolphins and other marine wildlife may be far worse than feared.

    A new study of dolphins living close to the site of North America's worst ever oil spill – the BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe two years ago – has established serious health problems afflicting the marine mammals.

    The report, commissioned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], found that many of the 32 dolphins studied were underweight, anaemic and suffering from lung and liver disease, while nearly half had low levels of a hormone that helps the mammals deal with stress as well as regulating their metabolism and immune systems.

    (READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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    Dwindling Resources Trigger Global Land Rush

    Thu, 2012-03-15 22:57 — Kathy Gilbeaux

           

    Caudalosa workers clean up mining tailings in Peru's Opamayo River. - Credit:Milagros Salazar/IPS

    by Stephen Leahy - ipsnews.net

    UXBRIDGE, Canada, Mar 1, 2012 (IPS) - A global scramble for land and mineral resources fuelled by billions of investment dollars is threatening the last remaining wilderness and critical ecosystems, destroying communities and contaminating huge volumes of fresh water, warned environmental groups in London Wednesday.

    No national park, delicate ecosystem or community is off limits in the voracious hunt for valuable metals, minerals and fossil fuels, said the Gaia Foundation’s report, "Opening Pandora's Box". The intensity of the hunt and exploitation is building to a fever pitch despite the fact the Earth is already overheated and humanity is using more than can be sustained, the 56-page report warns.

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