The Conversation Africa’s Post

Land degradation is a huge issue across the continent of Africa. One of its biggest drivers is biological invasions. This is when invasive species (species that aren’t naturally found in the area) arrive and produce large numbers of offspring which spread over long distances. Mlungele Nsikani, a land restoration specialist and environmental scientist, explains how ecological restoration is a great way to reverse land degradation. 💻 South African National Biodiversity Institute #EnvironmentAndEnergy

Species extinction rates are 1,000 times higher than ever. We must organize and work together to make real progress, reverse the loss, and conserve what’s left. Tracking conservation progress and challenges is a vital step to preserve global biodiversity. This is where Half-Earth comes in. The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation’s project helps in 1. Identifying priority areas and active conservation efforts around the world 2. Understanding the status of vertebrate species in specific regions and expanding protected areas 3. Mapping and effectively reducing human impact 4. Analyzing and comparing how different countries are pursuing conservation efforts Join the biodiversity conservation movement today. See how Half-Earth can help you: https://lnkd.in/gGB93QK6 #biodiversityloss #conservation #halfearth #extinction

Grasslands, one of the most important ecosystems for providing ecosystem services and biodiversity and yet one of the most neglected in global conservation agendas #Grasslandsconservation #birdconservation BirdLife International https://lnkd.in/d8n7YVqx

Biodiversity Net Gain is a conservation strategy that aims to ensure development projects have a positive impact on biodiversity. It requires that the biodiversity value of a site must be increased after development, compared to its pre-development state. This is typically achieved through measures such as habitat restoration, creation of green spaces, and implementation of ecological enhancements. By prioritising the net increase in biodiversity, BNG helps mitigate the adverse effects of development activities on natural habitats and species populations, contributing to sustainable development practices. #biodiversity #conservation #sustainability

Glad to have been involved in the development of a national database of Maltese wetlands and water bodies, a crucial component of the "Conservation of the island wetlands of the Mediterranean Basin" (MedIsWet) project, detailed in this new research paper published in Springer journal "Biodiversity and Conservation". Despite being based on rapid assessments, the information gathered from this inventory (https://lnkd.in/e3zz_TTc) and similar databases across the Mediterranean islands provides invaluable insights into lentic ecosystems. Wetlands are vital for a plethora of ecosystem services and boast rich biodiversity 💦🌳 🐸 . Once undervalued, if not neglected, we now recognize their immense importance for both humanity and the environment. Let's continue to champion their preservation and sustainable management 🌍 . #WetlandsConservation #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalResearch https://lnkd.in/ehZU4zyt

Roughly 1 billion acres of farmland — an area half the size of Australia — are currently abandoned around the world. Similarly, degraded forests (those that were logged and not restored) cover an area nearly the size of Russia. These “in-between” lands, neither fruitful nor completely barren, have massive potential to boost biodiversity and help capture carbon from the atmosphere, per a recent report from Yale Environment 360. #tree #arborist #ISA #isasouthern

Ensuring biodiversity protection in Kazakhstan is challenging due to the country's vast and diverse landscapes, including steppes, mountains, forests, and deserts, which make systematic data collection difficult and resource-intensive. Additionally, infrastructure development, such as power lines and wind farms, disrupts wildlife habitats and migration routes, particularly for species like the saiga antelope. The lack of reliable data further complicates conservation efforts, hindering informed decision-making and the establishment of effective policies. Moreover, climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering ecosystems and threatening species' survival. Despite the problems, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan continues to push forward with initiatives like the Altyn Dala program and the development of a national biodiversity strategy to ensure the protection of these critical ecosystems. #BiodiversityChallenges #KazakhstanConservation #WildlifeProtection #ClimateChangeImpact https://lnkd.in/eiZ6A7iU

The Russell Mulgrave Basin biodiversity hotspot will benefit from a $2 million grant to Jaragun Ecoservices from the Australian Government’s Reef Coastal Restoration Fund.   Surrounded by agriculture, Wanjuru Traditional Owners have observed the biodiversity of the Russel Mulgrave Basin decline over time, which has flow-on effects to the adjacent Great Barrier Reef.   The funding will enable the Wanjuri-Yidinji owned and operated organisation to amplify their work to recover culturally and ecologically important species in the multi-habitat mangrove ecosystems.   It’s great to see government investment in Traditional Custodian-led projects to restore biodiversity. First Peoples are custodians of a knowledge system that has supported Australia’s high level of biodiversity for thousands of generations.   First Peoples leadership, expertise and perspectives are fundamental to halting nature loss in Australia and to recovering healthy landscapes.   Read more about Jaragun’s project here: https://lnkd.in/gndEPzJB   And if you want to learn more about how current environmental reforms could empower First Nations people, you can read our ‘Protecting Country and conserving our culture’ factsheet here: https://lnkd.in/g9rKaAGC #NAIDOC2024 #NAIDOCWeek #BlakLoudProud #Conservation

The Weddell Sea, the largest marginal sea in the Southern Ocean, is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. Home to emperor penguins, seals, krill, fish, whales, and seabirds, its seafloor hosts millions of icefish and gardens of sponges, anemones, and sea squirts, showcasing biodiversity comparable to tropical reefs. Eleven institutes from eight countries have united in the Weddell Sea Observatory of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Change (WOBEC) to assess the current state of this biotic community and establish a baseline for long-term monitoring. Part of the EU’s BiodivMon flagship program, WOBEC aims to understand and protect this unique ecosystem amid climate change, starting with a kick-off meeting in April and a €1.9 million investment. This is a huge step in the right direction for marine conservation! #OceansMonth #Biodiversity #MarineLife

#BiodiversityLoss #CoExtinctions 'While nearly one million species are currently at risk of extinction, the United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn is drawing attention to “co-extinctions”: the chain reaction occurring when the complete disappearance of one species affects another.  Publication : Accelerating extinction rate triggers domino effect of biodiversity loss https://lnkd.in/e_VyZ8ix