Bluesky International Limited’s Post

Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining the health and ecological services of our ecosystems. 🌺🌻🍃 As ecologists and designers, our goal is to restore and enhance habitats and green spaces so ecological characteristics like biodiversity and resiliency are maximized. This takes many forms throughout our projects, from smaller efforts like native pollinator plant palettes to large-scale restoration plans covering hundreds of acres and multiple habitat types. Great Ecology’s ongoing Hell’s Kitchen Geothermal project involves the planning and design for a habitat mitigation project that will help to improve the biodiversity of habitat along the shores of the Salton Sea and nearby managed marshes. Our landscape architects and designers have envisioned an innovative mitigation project that features multiple habitat types critical to local plant and animal species, including those listed as threatened and endangered. Learn more about this project here: https://lnkd.in/gqwvM5bd #WLAM2024 #ASLA #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture #Biodiversity #HabitatRestoration #HabitatMitigation #EndangeredSpecies #NativePlants

The results of a recent scientific study on destroying Australia's old native forest habitats are alarming. It's time for Australia to take action and follow in the footsteps of Scandinavian and EU countries. These countries have been growing vast tracts of renewable plantation forest trees for centuries, creating new GDP growth industries and changing the face of construction worldwide with Engineered wood into Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). In contrast, up to 30% of Australia's renewable plantation forests are either burnt or left to rot on the ground, while Scandinavian Countries have created whole new GDP growth industries around this valuable resource. It's time for Australia to embrace the innovation and vision of renewable plantation forest trees and CLT. Exciting developments are underway, with new cities being developed with CLT in Scandinavian countries. Australia's first Sports Stadium Cross Laminated Timber Hotel, the Adelaide Oval Hotel, being built in less than 12 months. For the last two years, the Adelaide Oval Conference Centre has hosted over 1,000 leading International Hoteliers for the third year next week, and the Adelaide Oval CLT Hotel was a topic of interest in speed to market. It's time for Australia to showcase the speed and efficiency of advanced modular construction platforms built from Renewable plantation forest trees into CLT stored carbon. Let's work together to create a sustainable future for our planet. #sustainability #CLT #advancedmodular #Australia #speedtomarket #nativeforest

A hopefull tale from one of the most 'gostoso' (enticing) cities in the world. Amidst the grim numbers on global deforestation and the postponed application of the EU Deforestation Regulation. The beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro has since 1986 been working on 'Refloresta Rio' (Reforest Rio). Since then almost 4000 hectares of land has been reforested. 🍂 helping to combat land erosion (and landslides with heavy rains) 💧 retaining more water ⛱ reducing city temperatures and preventing a 'heat island' 🦋 bringing back biodiversity 🌿 restoring part of the 'mata atlantica' (Atlantic rainforest once covered most of Brazil's coastline and is now reduced to a fraction of its original size) 🌬 capture CO2 ✌ bringing people together in community driven reforestation With growing knowledge about regenerating land and biodiversity lands are managed even better over the years. Replanting with indiginous species and fading out (invasive) exotic species. But all this started with courageous civil servants that initiated an ambitious plan. The problem of the people working on the project being underpaid is a sad note that should be solved as soon as possible. 💶 Do you have examples of initiatives that manage to tackle the social/economic aspects better? 🍀 Any other (city) reforestation projects you want to share? #Powerofnature #Greeningtheearth #Treesforpresident #Hetkanwel https://lnkd.in/e6zum7MC

🦉🐝🌳 As of April 2024, smaller developments must meet the new government target of a 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG). But what does this actually mean and what are the best ways to achieve it? As a firm, we have always focused on how we can introduce more greenery to our developments and create spaces that encourage greater biodiversity. We should all be working hard to improve habitats for wildlife and collaborate to protect and nurture biodiversity and our native ecosystems. And when done well, it will benefit not only natural habitats, but businesses and people alike. A major part of our expertise is the designing and building of car parks, so greenery may not be what would immediately spring to mind, but the benefits to the build itself have always been clear to us, no matter the nature of the project. To read our white paper on BNG, follow the link below: https://lnkd.in/ePG6NYry As always, we appreciate your comments 😊 #architects #architectsuk #architectslife #biodiversity #biodiversitynetgain #wildlife #ecosystem

🌍 The #oaktree is a keystone species, supporting different #ecosystems. Its acorns feed wildlife, its branches host insects and birds, and its decaying matter nourishes soil. 🌳 Origin and habitat: Oaks belong to the genus Quercus and are native to the Northern Hemisphere, including regions in North America, Europe, and Asia. Even though they do well in variety of environments, they are often found in temperate and subtropical climates, preferring well-drained soils. 🌳 Appearance: Oak trees have sturdy trunks, which can become deeply furrowed and rugged with age. Their canopies are broad and spreading, providing ample shade. The leaves of oak trees vary in shape and size, often lobed or serrated, and can be quite large depending on the species. 🌳 Size: Oaks vary greatly in size, with some species growing as tall as 70-100 feet. The girth of mature oak trees can reach up to 13 feet in diameter. 🌳 Colour: Oak leaves can range in colour from dark green in the spring and summer to shades of red, yellow, or brown in the fall. The bark is typically a greyish colour, becoming darker and more rugged with age. 🌳 Cultural significance: In Celtic mythology, the oak is considered a sacred tree, often associated with gods and revered as a symbol of wisdom and strength. Oaks are also prominent in American history, symbolising liberty and resilience. 🌳 Uses: Beyond its ecological role, oak offers practical benefits. Its timber, prized for durability, is used in construction, furniture, and shipbuilding. Many oak species are under threat due to habitat loss and diseases like oak wilt. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting natural habitats and promoting sustainable forestry practices. In Germany, the Luckaitz Valley forest adaptation project, in partnership with Earthly, is converting more than 600 hectares of pine forest into a biodiverse, near-natural, and climate-resilient forest with different trees, including oak trees. This initiative aims to prepare the forest for future climatic conditions and ensure the resilience of its ecosystem. Learn more about Earthly and this project here: https://lnkd.in/di6sPkjP #naturebasedsolutions #conservation #climateaction #climatechange #biodiversity #investinnature #sustainablebusiness #sustainabilitystrategy #ESG #Earthly #projectEarthly

Zürich #airport 2 - this one features #green #tramways . They can be found all over the city. Whilst these are dry #meadow in character and full of #herbs and #wildflowers, in parts of the city especially around #oelikon there are #openmosaic ones. These replicate the ecology of #brownfield sites but also that off #alluvial #gravel habitat found in rivers in cities and beyond in #switzerland. The #greentramlines do look good but they are also about helioing the city to adapt to #climatechange - helping to cool the city, store #rainwater and delivering biodiversity. = #greencities #naturebasedsolutions #climatechangeadaptation Chris Bridgman Christine Thuring Erich Steiner MSc Nathalie Baumann

"We find that natural forest regeneration can be effective in landscapes with > 40% forest cover and < 133 meters between forest fragments. In these areas, diverse bird communities can generate seed rain that facilitates the recovery of late succession forests with maximum carbon sequestration potential. The free movement of seed-dispersing birds through landscapes can increase the carbon storage of regenerating tropical forests by up to 38%. In contrast, the movement of larger frugivores tends to be disproportionately limited in more fragmented landscapes, leading to a reduced dispersal of larger seeds." Bird power!!! https://lnkd.in/d9zpUBPn

🌿 climbing vines may enhance aesthetic appeal, but often they also pose an invasive threat to both natural and built environments. These invasive climbers, some of which are listed in the Wildlife & Countryside Act and some which are Species of Special Concern, challenge the UK's biodiversity and risk the surface integrity of built structures. Our latest blog explores the identification and management of these pervasive climbers, offering insights into their complex nature and the potential risks they pose. From the expansive Virginia Creeper to the beautiful but dense Japanese Honeysuckle - capable of suffocating and toppling trees. Distinguish between decorative and destructive vines and find out the best practices for controlling their growth to protect your surroundings. #InvasiveSpecies #ClimbingVines #Horticulture #EnvironmentalConservation #PropertyProtection

Research reveals area size of France is under threat by restoration projects taking place in unsuitable landscapes

Sometimes, you are fortunate enough to witness urban nature at its finest. This Small-leaved Fig tree is on a private (!!!) garden between two residential buildings in northern Tel-Aviv. It's height is 20 meters, it's canopy cover is spanning to around 250 square mteres, it's tree trunk is over 300cm in circumference and it's rootspan can easily be estimated to reach over 20 meters. Just try and think about the urban biodiversity this single tree is supporting 🤯 It is one of the most impressive trees I've seen in the city, and it's completely hidden from the public. Although it's age is close to 100 years, it is not the main reason for it's size. It is rooted on top of low-depth ground water in the old north area of Tel-Aviv city. That allows it to grow with no water shortage throughout the whole year, which is uncommon in Israel, allowing it to reach to its genetic potential size-wise it would have reached in it's species endemic tropical origin. Not all positive though. In order to conserve the major trees in that plot while still allowing an urban renewal project for the residents, we had to approve the cut down of 4 less valued, younger trees. This is a day to day struggle to save the most significant trees in the city. Trees in the whole area are absolutely benefitting from the surplus of ground water available to them and it is vivid throughout the neighborhood's shaded and cool microclimate. I hope to save some more unique specimens, like that one 🌳 #urbanforest #figtree