Ecological Health Network’s Post

Tree-planting could do more harm than good, when not based on sound science. Recent research (Catherine Parr @Mariska te Beest, Nicola Stevens) shows that more than half of the tree-planting projects in Africa may threaten savannahs. Aiming to create forests in ecosystems that were not forests in the first place, such as savannahs, is not restoration. On the contrary, this could damage healthy ecosystems. Planting non-native species is not restoration either. Invasive species often lead to disruption of ecosystems. In-depth prior assessment of the ecosystems targeted by tree-planting, or more generally by restoration or rewilding projects, could help prevent damage to sound ecosystems and reach restoration goals. #restoration #rewilding #treeplanting #savannahs

Proving the obvious once again. Introducing predators isn’t a quick fix … but will eventually restore healthier ecosystems. I’ve covered this in blogs like this one https://lnkd.in/gDRDhiNb but it’ll take researchers decades to prove, by which time it will be too late. You can’t understand ecosystems by observing them rebuilding in the short term. Ironically, the authors say this as well, so why is no one prepared to simply cut to the chase and say … we can’t have healthy ecosystems without predators? It’s simple without the confusing scientific rhetoric shoved into the middle.

Today is European Natura 2000 Day. It is the largest network of protected areas in the world and was created 32 years ago, when the European Union (EU) adopted the Habitats Directive and the LIFE program. It currently covers more than 27 thousand protected zones, totaling an area that corresponds to 18% of the EU's land surface and almost 10% of its marine territory. These figures, from the European Environment Agency, also indicate that half of the areas protected by the Natura Network correspond to forest ecosystems: 37.5 million hectares of forest (23% of European forests) are integrated into this network. In the forestry heritage managed by The Navigator Company in mainland Portugal, the Areas of Special Conservation Interest – managed solely to preserve biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems – correspond to 12.19% of the total. Within these areas, the Company protects, through its responsible forest management, more than 50 habitats included in the Natura 2000 Network, spread over 4,420 hectares. It thus promotes the maintenance of existing natural values and contributes, whenever possible, to improve their conservation state through ecological restoration actions. In 2023 alone, around 191 hectares of forest were subject to these actions. (In the photo, a Navigator property in S. Teotónio.) https://lnkd.in/dDgmVWB #TheNavigatorCompany #Natura2000Day #biodiversity #forest

Another research paper showing how complex our ecosystems are, and how long it takes for ecosystems and natural processes to fully recover. “The conservation message is don’t lose them in the first place,” Hobbs said. “Keep the food web intact, because there’s not a quick fix for losing top predators from ecosystems.” Although we have lost these predators in Britain, and our ecosystems are depleted as a result, it is a reminder that we must not lose any other links in this complex web. If we do, restoring them is much harder and takes a long time! https://lnkd.in/e5yXvW_a

Today, let's delve into the importance of hedgerows, an often overlooked but vital component of our rural landscapes. According to a new map, the most comprehensive to date, England's hedgerows would stretch almost ten times around the Earth if lined up end to end. This staggering figure, amounting to 390,000 km of hedges, underscores the extensive network of these natural structures that crisscross the English countryside. Hedgerows are much more than just lines of trees and shrubs marking boundaries and containing livestock. They are biodiversity hotspots, supporting hundreds of wild plant species, providing shelter for nesting birds, small mammals, and insects, and playing a significant role in carbon capture. The laser scanning technology from the air, known as Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), has allowed for this detailed mapping, which reveals not only the extent of existing hedgerows but also areas where the network could be expanded. In the context of environmental conservation and sustainable practices, the mapping of hedgerows is a crucial step. It aligns with national policies aiming to expand hedgerows in the UK and could inform strategies for filling gaps in the hedgerow network. This could enhance connectivity for wildlife and contribute to the UK's carbon sequestration goals. The decline of hedgerows since the 1940s, primarily due to intensive farming and development, has been a significant loss for biodiversity and carbon storage. However, the slowdown of this loss since the 1990s and the current efforts to protect and expand hedgerows are encouraging signs. As an environmentalist and advocate for sustainable futures, I'm heartened by the recognition of the value of hedgerows and the technological advancements that aid in their conservation. The mapping project not only provides a tool for better protection and management of these natural assets but also serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between our agricultural practices, land use, and the health of our ecosystems. As we continue to face the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, initiatives like the hedgerow mapping project are vital. They are a testament to how traditional landscape features can contribute to modern environmental goals and how, with careful planning and management, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future. For more information on this fascinating development and its implications for conservation efforts, visit the BBC article at . #Hedgerows #Biodiversity #SustainableFarming

The really important findings of this paper are not what’s reported. Here I explain why: https://lnkd.in/gyVFRJKZ Meanwhile, in a related topic, sea otters are found to stabilize saltmarsh. But that doesn’t stop a scientist adding the caveat ‘“I’m not saying we should start putting predators in all the different ecosystems’. I’m curious. Which ecosystems without predators are they talking about? https://lnkd.in/gMt2cpJh

We’re excited to announce our latest publication, “An Update on the Conservation Status Assessment of Two Endangered Freshwater Mussel Species in Bavaria, Germany,” recently published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. This study examines 22 streams for each species, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 and 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘴, providing valuable insights into their conservation status. Key findings include: 🔹 The population of 𝘔. 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 continues to decline, despite some success in juvenile recruitment from breeding programs. Unfortunately, habitat quality often fails to meet their needs. 🔹 In contrast, 𝘜. 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘴 is experiencing positive trends, with increasing population numbers and a healthy presence of juveniles. However, we found no individuals older than 16 years, likely due to predation and habitat management practices. Both species are affected by climate change, underscoring the urgency for tailored conservation efforts. Our findings emphasize the need for specific strategies: restoring habitats for 𝘔. 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 and addressing predation threats for 𝘜. 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘴. A big thank you to all our collaborators for making this research possible! #FreshwaterConservation #Mussels #Biodiversity #Research #ClimateChange #HabitatRestoration https://lnkd.in/enQSxXSJ

“Hemlocks throughout eastern North America are threatened by an invasive species, Adelges tsugae, or hemlock woolly adelgid...The ecosystem in which hemlocks reside would not simply be degraded by their loss; it would cease to exist,” writes Grace Haynes, a researcher at Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in the current issue of From the Ground Up. The Nature Conservancy, The New York State Hemlock Initiative, the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, and several other organizations have joined together in an effort to restore eastern hemlock forests decimated by hemlock woolly adelgid. Their first goal is to locate and document as many surviving individuals of hemlock as possible, with the hope of interbreeding partially pest-resistant trees to generate a diverse, resilient stock to reseed lost hemlock forests. This collaborative project is seeking land trusts, academic institutions, or similar partners in the Northeast who can set up hemlock plots and monitor them annually for decline. Learn more about this important project by reading Haynes' article, "Hemlocks Saving Hemlocks: Finding Health in a Threatened Ecosystem." https://buff.ly/48gyRAE #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #environment #hemlock #invasive #invasivespecies

Where best to invest in blue carbon projects and mangrove restoration in the Mekong delta, Vietnam ? The Mekong Delta is home to the largest mangrove area in Vietnam and is also highly exposed to climate change and coastal squeeze. Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contribution (2022), as well as forestry and sectoral policies, position mangrove restoration as a national priority for mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable coastal development. While policymakers have established national and provincial targets for mangrove restoration, and a significant number of foreign and national projects are already underway, questions remain over where restoration should take place. Mangrove restoration is a complex undertaking that requires political, social, economic and biophysical enabling conditions. It should also be conducted on the basis of local knowledge and expertise, and involve participatory decision-making processes. Based on a literature and policy review, spatial analysis, participatory mapping and stakeholder consultations, our paper identifies potential sites for mangrove restoration; looks at policy planning, possibilities for natural regeneration, and stakeholder perceptions on opportunities and challenges for mangrove restoration in the Mekong Delta. The full report is available at: https://lnkd.in/gsbbjbfW

The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is linking up with Coillte for a forest field day in Co Sligo this Wednesday, October 23rd. #CoillteNature ecological lead Declan Little will share information on the biodiversity restoration work undertaken at Hazelwood Forest, a priority Annex 1 alluvial woodland habitat. Hazelwood is an important biodiversity area, with Annex 1 alluvial woodland in the northern end and mixed broadleaf woodland in the southern end. Historically the northern end has been part of the flood plain of the river and alluvial soils dominate. Part of the area was restored to alluvial woodland under an #EULIFE project focusing on the removal of the invasive shrub rhododendron. Much of the southern end was broadleaf woodland in the 1800s, however there is little evidence of any old native woodland remaining today. In the 1940s/50s much of the site was planted with beech, oak and ash, then conifers in the 1960s and 1980s. This mixed woodland has considerable potential to develop as native woodland in places. The woodland walk will cover areas where conservation actions have been undertaken, with a discussion of #biodiversity management planning and the importance of engagement with key stakeholders, including the local community, as well as long-term monitoring. Read more and register here: https://lnkd.in/e_HsAjK2 Woodlands of Ireland ForES Project #WoodlandConservation #ForestEcology #WoodlandBiodiversity #ForestWildlife #NativeIrishWoodland