Norman Ruttan’s Post

🌍 Can saving wild species save humankind? 🌍 The Iberian Lynx population surged from fewer than 100 in 2002 to over 1600 in 2022, proving conservation works. Wendy Elliott highlights the deep connections between wild species and human survival. Honey bees pollinate our crops, while the bettong reduces fire risks in forests. At the World Species Congress, successes like the Indus dolphin, Iberian Lynx, snow leopard, and mountain gorilla showed the benefits of saving wildlife. We need more action, innovation, and collaboration to continue these successes. Saving wild species is saving ourselves. 🌿🦁 #Conservation #Biodiversity #WWF #WildlifeConservation #SaveOurPlanet

The draft National Biodiversity Economy Strategy aims to create jobs and promote economic growth by conserving 14 million hectares of wildlife landscapes.

A recent article has revealed that the largest population of night parrots (Pezoporus occidentalis), of which there are only about 50 left in Australia, could be protected by the presence of dingoes. Dingoes, as natural predators, prey on feral cats, which are the main threat to the birds. Dingoes help create a safer environment for night parrots to survive by reducing the number of cats. Meanwhile, the area where the birds live is facing new challenges due to the planned construction of a potash mine that could change the existing ecosystem. While the project offers economic benefits to the local Aboriginal community, it is important to ensure that conservation measures are implemented to protect the threatened species. We need to understand that the sustainability of ecosystems often depends on complex interactions between species. Dingoes, often considered as predators, actually play a key role in supporting biodiversity. Let's support conservation efforts and understand the importance of each species in our ecosystem! 🌍 https://lnkd.in/gjkZRupA

🌿🦋 Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Biodiversity: A Baseline Assessment of Butterfly Diversity at University of Vavuniya, Pampaimadu, Sri Lanka 🦋🌿 I am happy to share the findings from our recent research conducted at the University of Vavuniya in Pampaimadu, Sri Lanka. This comprehensive study provides a baseline assessment of butterfly diversity in this region, contributing to the broader understanding of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. The article is available on Research gate: https://lnkd.in/gVB_cR3K Let's continue to cherish and protect our natural world, one butterfly at a time! 🌍💚 #Biodiversity #Conservation #Research #Butterflies #UniversityOfVavuniya #SriLanka #EcosystemHealth #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience

A nice article below with another example of early signs of positive benefits to reintroducing grazers to an ecosystem - in this case, bison to a UK woodland system and the benefits to biodiversity. It's very early, but more data continues to accumulate re the benefits of grazing animals managed appropriately in an ecological context. https://lnkd.in/g38TKHd2

The Living Planet Report by WWF is a publication that tracks the state of global biodiversity using the Living Planet Index (LPI), which monitors changes in 35,000 populations of 5,495 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Since 1970, these wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73%. Freshwater species are faring even worse, with an 85% drop, while marine species have declined by 56%. The report also highlights a 95% loss in Latin American and Caribbean vertebrate populations, a region rich in biodiversity. The Amazon, in particular, faces a critical tipping point. If deforestation continues and 20-25% of the forest is lost, the ecosystem could shift irreversibly, affecting not only local biodiversity but also the global climate. Furthermore, food production is a leading cause of habitat loss. For example, soy farming in Brazil’s Cerrado to feed animals in other parts of the world shows how interconnected global food systems are to biodiversity loss. Finally, the report calls for stronger protection of land and ecosystems, emphasising Indigenous land rights and more sustainable management practices. Protected areas have long been a cornerstone of conservation, but a large part of Brazilian territory is not yet effectively managed for nature, despite international commitments. Credit to Alexander Lees for highlighting these critical insights from WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024. The time to act is now! #Biodiversity #LivingPlanetReport #Conservation #WildlifeProtection #Sustainability #Amazon

Sage Grouse in Canada are going to go extinct according to Dr. Mark Boyce at the University of Alberta. The challenges of species at risk protection on our disappearing native grasslands is why CWF partners with working ranches on the Prairies to conserve grassland biodiversity. Action to reinforce sage grouse populations and conserve native sagebrush grasslands is needed now to prevent sage grouse extinction. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZin3Far

💥Here are some alarming statistics on wildlife loss: ⭐Global Biodiversity Loss: 1. 60% decline in global wildlife populations (1970-2014) 2. 27% of assessed species threatened with extinction 3. 200 species extinctions per day ⭐Species-Specific Declines: 1. Lions: 43% decline (1993-2014) 2. Elephants: 30% decline (2007-2014) 3. Rhinos: 90% decline (1960-2015) 4. Pangolins: 90% decline (2000-2015) 5. Monarch Butterflies: 90% decline (1990-2016) ⭐Action Needed: 1. Protect 30% of global land and sea by 2030 (WWF, 2020) 2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 (IPCC, 2018) 3. Implement sustainable land-use practices 4. Support conservation efforts To address the wildlife loss crisis, we must take a multi-faceted approach: conservation Efforts, sustainable land-use practices, climate action, and addressing direct threats. Implementing these strategies requires collective action, commitment, and cooperation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dC8syzbM

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 😥 Biodiversity Crisis 🚨: The current rate of animal extinction is alarmingly high, primarily due to human-induced habitat loss. Conservation Efforts 🛡️: Efforts like the IUCN’s Red List and upcoming Green List highlight the urgent need for conservation policies. Human Impact 👣: Our expansion and activities are the main threats to wildlife, leading to a potential mass extinction event. Hope for Change ✨: Despite the challenges, conservation success stories and initiatives offer hope for preserving Earth’s biodiversity. 🌍 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/e2Y6JF3X #Biodiversity #Conservation #Sustainability #WildlifeProtection #EndangeredSpecies #EcoAwareness #Anthropocene #nature #extinction #humans #deforestation

As a wildlife conservationist, I believe that knowledge is the key to protecting our planet’s rich biodiversity. And conservation isn’t just about science—it’s about people, communities, and shared responsibility. I want to hear from you. What questions do you have about biodiversity conservation? Here are some prompts to help: 📍What is biodiversity, and why is it important for our ecosystems? 📍How does biodiversity impact our daily lives? 📍What are some effective strategies for conserving local wildlife? 📍How can we balance development and conservation in our communities? 📍What actions can individuals take to support biodiversity in their own backyards? Share your questions, thoughts, or experiences related to biodiversity conservation. Let’s learn from each other and inspire action within our community. If you have insights or resources on biodiversity conservation, please share them. #60dayschallenge #biodiversity #conservation.