The Biodiversity Company’s Post

Sustainable logging: a pivotal contributor to carbon reduction. The logging industry has long been criticized for its environmental impact, particularly on forests and their biodiversity. However, with growing awareness about forests' role in mitigating climate change, the industry has started to take steps towards more sustainable practices that protect the environment and contribute to carbon reduction efforts. https://lnkd.in/etyTTnCq #Logging #Carbon #Forestry

The Awash River Basin is a significant geographical and ecological area located in the eastern part of Ethiopia. It plays a crucial role in the country's agriculture, hydrology, and biodiversity. Here are some key aspects of the Awash River Basin:  Geography and Hydrology   Location- The Awash River Basin spans several regions in Ethiopia, including the Oromia, Afar, and Somali regions. - Length: The Awash River is approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) long, making it one of the longest rivers in Ethiopia. - Source: The river originates from the highlands of central Ethiopia, near Addis Ababa, and flows northeast towards the Afar Depression. - Termination: The river ends in a series of terminal lakes in the Afar Depression, including Lake Abbe, without reaching the sea.    Climate and Environment   - Climate: The basin experiences a range of climates, from humid and temperate in the highlands to arid and semi-arid in the lowlands. - Biodiversity: The river and its surrounding areas support diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, savannas, and arid landscapes. These ecosystems are home to various plant and animal species.   Socio-Economic Importance   - Agriculture: The Awash River Basin is a vital agricultural region. The river provides irrigation for extensive farming areas, producing crops like cotton, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables. - Livestock: The basin supports a significant portion of Ethiopia's livestock, including cattle, camels, goats, and sheep. - Industry: The basin hosts several industrial activities, including sugar and textile industries, benefiting from the availability of water and fertile land.    Challenges and Management   - Water Scarcity: Despite its importance, the basin faces challenges related to water scarcity and variability in rainfall, impacting agricultural productivity and livelihoods. - Pollution: Industrial activities and agricultural runoff contribute to water pollution, affecting water quality and ecosystems. - Climate Change: The basin is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including altered rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events.    Conservation and Development Efforts   - Irrigation Projects: There are ongoing efforts to improve irrigation infrastructure to enhance agricultural productivity and water use efficiency. - Environmental Conservation: Initiatives are in place to protect and restore ecosystems, including wetland conservation and reforestation projects. - Sustainable Development: Efforts are being made to balance development needs with environmental sustainability, ensuring the long-term health of the river basin.   The Awash River Basin's importance to Ethiopia cannot be overstated, given its role in supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and biodiversity. Sustainable management and conservation efforts are crucial to addressing the challenges and ensuring the basin's continued vitality.

Earthworms: More Than Just Boring Animals Earthworms are often dismissed as boring, unimportant animals, but beneath the surface, these creatures play a critical role in ecosystems around the world. From aerating soil to improving soil fertility, earthworms are essential to the health of the planet and our well-being. - Soil Aeration: Earthworms dig intricate tunnels through the soil, creating pathways that allow air and water to flow more easily. This improved aeration is essential for root growth and provides a healthy environment for beneficial microorganisms. - Nutrient Cycling: Earthworms feed on decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves and compost, and convert it into nutrients that plants can easily absorb. This process, known as nutrient cycling, is essential to soil fertility and crop yields. - Soil Structure: Earthworms help improve soil structure by binding soil particles together and forming channels. This improved structure increases the soil’s ability to hold water and reduces soil erosion. - Ecosystem Engineering: Earthworms modify their environment in many ways. They create habitats for other organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, and contribute to the decomposition of organic matter. These processes are essential for healthy ecosystems to function. - Biodiversity: Earthworms support complex food webs that include thousands of different species. They are a food source for many animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. They also provide habitat for many microorganisms that play important roles in the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients. - Agriculture: Earthworms play an important role in agriculture. They improve soil fertility and increase crop yields. Vermicomposting, which involves adding earthworms to soil, can be used to promote plant growth and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. - Environmental indicators: The abundance of earthworms in soil is an indicator of the health of an ecosystem. They can be used to monitor soil health and assess the impact of different agricultural practices. Negative indicators can be. - Soil erosion: In some cases, earthworms can contribute to soil erosion by burrowing. However, their benefits in improving soil structure and reducing soil erosion far outweigh any potential negative effects. - Crop damage: In rare cases, earthworms can damage crops by burrowing into the roots. However, these cases are exceptional, and should not diminish the importance of earthworms to agricultural ecosystems. - Disease spread: Earthworms can be vectors for some diseases, such as rabies and leptospirosis. However, the risk of disease transmission from earthworms to humans is very low and can be managed with proper hygiene practices. In conclusion, earthworms are more than just boring animals. They play a critical role in ecosystems around the world, providing countless benefits to environmental and agricultural health. By protecting these amazing creatures.

🚀 Terraformation 1st carbon off-take agreement signed! 📈 This deal is a concrete sign of the private sector's #climateaction despite all the latest background noise, talks and speculations. Companies want to invest in #highquality #nativerestoration #carbonremoval projects 🐠 Our large-scale #Bluecarbon #ReDAW project aims to restore up to 10,000 hectares of mangroves in Ghana's Keta Lagoon over time with local communities and the Ghanaian government, in a site classified as a Ramsar biodiversity hotspot. #Terraformation #Seawatersolutions #Mangroverestoration #biodiversity #localcommunity #marineconservation #NBS #carbonremovals #sustainabledevelopment

Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits. Additionally, Agroforestry practices improve soil conditions, increase productivity, and improve climate change resilience.

Benefits of Reforestation & Agroforestry in Reducing the Negative Impact of Agriculture on the Environment 🌳🌾 Reforestation and agroforestry are key strategies in reducing the negative impact of agriculture on the environment. These practices offer numerous benefits that support both ecosystems and local communities. Biodiversity Protection 🌱🐾 Creating new forests and forest ecosystems preserves species diversity by providing habitats for various plant and animal species, including those threatened with extinction. Water Retention 💧🌲 Forests retain rainwater through extensive tree root systems, aiding water infiltration into the soil, reducing flood risk, and improving water availability during droughts. Surface Water Protection 🌊🌳 Forests act as natural filters, preventing soil erosion and trapping pollutants before they reach surface waters, improving water quality in rivers and lakes. Climate Regulation 🌍🌲 Forests absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, reducing its concentration in the atmosphere and mitigating climate change effects. Soil Structure Improvement 🌱🌾 Tree roots bring nutrients from deeper soil layers, enriching the soil. This improves water retention, increases fertility, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Sustainable Food Production 🌽🌳 Agroforestry, integrating forestry and agriculture, allows for sustainable food production. It increases productivity, reduces soil erosion, and minimizes chemical fertilizer use. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction 🌳🌍 Forests store carbon dioxide in tree biomass, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing global warming, supporting long-term planetary health. Support for Local Communities 👨🌾👩🌾 Reforestation and agroforestry projects create new jobs and promote the green economy, enhancing local community prosperity and quality of life. Erosion and Desiccation Reduction 🌱💧 Forests prevent soil erosion and maintain moisture, reducing the risk of land desiccation. This stabilizes soil, crucial for the health of agricultural ecosystems. Climate Balance Maintenance 🌍🌳 Forests maintain ecosystem and microclimate balance, supporting the health and functioning of ecosystems at both local and global levels. Increased Climate Change Resilience 🌳🌍 Reforestation creates diverse and resilient ecosystems that better cope with climate change, crucial for future food security and environmental health. Education and Social Awareness 📚🌳 Reforestation and agroforestry projects raise public awareness about the role of forests and sustainable agriculture, essential for effective environmental protection. Air Quality Improvement 🌲🌬️ Forests act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants & emissions, improving air quality, public health, & quality of life. #Reforestation #Agroforestry #SustainableAgriculture #EnvironmentalProtection #BIDEcologyGlobal #SustainableDevelopment #Agriculture #Biodiversity #Climate #Ecology

Capital for Climate's special roadshow side-event at the Brazil Climate Summit is only 5 days away. Invitees will get the chance to hear from 6 of the most innovative companies and funds active in the Brazilian Nature-based Solutions field: Patria Investments is a leading alternative investment platform in Latin America. In 2021, Patria entered a strategic partnership with Kamaroopin focused on late-stage VC and growth equities. More recently, Patria has partnered with Pachama to develop greenfield native reforestation projects through its Reforest Fund 1. Courageous Land enables large-scale reforestation across Brazil through its Agroforestry Intelligence Platform and Agroforestry Landscape Hubs, with the goal of reforesting 10,000 hectares of degraded lands and pastures by 2030 through biodiverse agroforestry systems. Symbiosis Investimentos e Participações S.A is a vertically integrated forestry and genetic improvement company focused on the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. One of the pioneers in sustainable hardwood production in Brazil, Symbiosis now has over 1.4Kha of planted production and conservation forests. Biomas is an impact company created in partnership between Banco Itaú, Rabobank, Santander Brasil, Marfrig Global Foods, Vale, and Suzano, with the goal of restoring and protecting 4 million hectares of native forests over 20 years across the Amazon, the Atlantic Forest, and the Cerrado. The company focuses on developing restoration projects that are economically sustainable and foster social development in their service area. Samauma is an ecosystem of projects dedicated to sustainable development and the transformation of realities, working together with local communities to conserve the rainforest. Since its founding, Samauma has partnered with FRAM Capital, BTG Pactual, MyCarbon and Mata Nativa BR to develop its first project in Acre State, with more than 148k hectares of native forest and which will directly impact more than 2.000 people. Beyond carbon avoidance and forest conservation, Samauma also has a partnership with UNICEF to support the UNICEF Seal Program, which focus on improving social indicators in undeveloped municipalities, especially those related to access to water, sanitation and hygiene. & the Reverte program, an initiative of Syngenta and Banco Itaú, the Reverte program provides long-term financing to Syngenta’s clients who seek to expand soy production over degraded pastureland in the Cerrado using regenerative agriculture practices, including integration with livestock production. This initiative is backed by Itaú as a financial partner and The Nature Conservancy, which developed its socio-environmental criteria. The fund aims to demonstrate the economic feasibility of restoring degraded pastures instead of opening new areas for cultivation, thereby avoiding deforestation. You can learn about these companies and more on our nbs.capitalforclimate.com investment platform.

The Effects of Implementing Three Climate-Smart Practices with an Integrated Landscape Approach on Functional Connectivity and Carbon Storage           Climate-smart practices are actions that can be implemented without affecting agricultural activities and that can promote these activities, generating direct and indirect benefits in ecosystem services provision and increasing agricultural productivity and private income. The present study evaluated the effect of three climate-smart actions (establishment of isolated trees, recovery of riparian vegetation, and implementation of live fences) on increased functional landscape connectivity and carbon storage. Three scenarios with rates of participation ranging from 5 to 100% were tested in two watersheds with different degrees of conservation and a high priority for national food production in Mexico. The main results suggest climate-smart practices positively impact landscape connectivity and carbon sequestration. However, the improvement in landscape connectivity mainly benefits species of short displacement (50–100 m), and the increase in carbon storage is directly linear to the area implemented in these practices. Also, the effectiveness of the modeled actions depends on the landscape structure, which was implemented with the highest benefits in watersheds with intense agricultural activity. The findings can support decision-makers in selecting the best strategies to increase landscape connectivity and carbon sequestration in productive landscapes. https://lnkd.in/g7wrTqAr @MDPIOpenAccess

🔊 1) Salido del horno: “The Effects of Implementing Three Climate-Smart Practices with an Integrated Landscape Approach on Functional Connectivity and Carbon Storage”           The Effects of Implementing Three Climate-Smart Practices with an Integrated Landscape Approach on Functional Connectivity and Carbon Storage           Climate-smart practices are actions that can be implemented without affecting agricultural activities and that can promote these activities, generating direct and indirect benefits in ecosystem services provision and increasing agricultural productivity and private income. The present study evaluated the effect of three climate-smart actions (establishment of isolated trees, recovery of riparian vegetation, and implementation of live fences) on increased functional landscape connectivity and carbon storage. Three scenarios with rates of participation ranging from 5 to 100% were tested in two watersheds with different degrees of conservation and a high priority for national food production in Mexico. The main results suggest climate-smart practices positively impact landscape connectivity and carbon sequestration. However, the improvement in landscape connectivity mainly benefits species of short displacement (50–100 m), and the increase in carbon storage is directly linear to the area implemented in these practices. Also, the effectiveness of the modeled actions depends on the landscape structure, which was implemented with the highest benefits in watersheds with intense agricultural activity. The findings can support decision-makers in selecting the best strategies to increase landscape connectivity and carbon sequestration in productive landscapes. https://lnkd.in/g7wrTqAr

Why Eucalyptus tree Species should not be planted in Wetlands!!!!! In many parts of Uganda, farmers have planted Eucalyptus tree species in wetlands. For the past 8 years, i have been working closely with Small Holder Farmers (SHF) promoting Agroforestry/ catchment restoration projects. Most of the SHF believe that planting Eucalyptus in wetlands is very good for wetland ecosystem. Here are some of the reasons why Eucalyptus species should never be planted in wetlands. 🌱 Water consumption: Eucalyptus trees are high water consumers, potentially altering wetland hydrology and reducing water tables. 🌱 Soil degradation: Eucalyptus roots can alter soil structure, reduce soil fertility, and increase soil salinity. 🌱Loss of biodiversity: Eucalyptus monocultures can displace native vegetation, reduce habitat diversity, and impact wildlife populations. 🌱Disruption of nutrient cycles: Eucalyptus trees can alter nutrient availability, potentially harming aquatic life. 🌱Impact on groundwater recharge: Eucalyptus trees can reduce groundwater recharge, affecting surrounding ecosystems. 🌱Altering water flows and sedimentation patterns. 🌱Changing wetland chemistry and affecting aquatic life. 🌱Disrupting migratory bird habitats and breeding grounds. 🌱Reducing wetland resilience to climate change. What are the Alternatives 🌱 Its important to protect the native wetland species without removing them. 🌱 Degraded wetlands can be assisted to regenerate by stopping any degradation activities and removing all exotic species. 🌱 Where tree planting is necessary, the ecological restoration practitioner must conduct an inventory/ baseline to understand the native species of the area, and such species should be used to restore back the wetland system. 🌱Support wetland encroachers such as SHFs with alternative environmentally friendly livelihood activities such as fish farming, apiculture, making handcrafts, mini-irrigation for crop farmers, etcetera. 🌱 Continuous massive awareness creation of the communities about the wise use/ sustainable utilization of wetland resources. 🌱 Promote agroforestry using environmentally friendly tree species such as nitrogen fixers, fast growing hardwoods etc. within the communities to provide fuelwood, timber, poles and other functions. 🌱Grow Eucalyptus tree species in the upland such as hills and mountainous areas. Avoid planting them along riverbanks, wetlands and lakeshores. Source: Views of the Writer: Ecological Restoration Practitioner.