Johann P.’s Post

In this👇 Video the #UNDP lists 5 reasons why #mangroves are so important for #biodiversity, local communities and the planet as a whole. Hooray for mangroves !🌱🙌

Significant loss of #mangrove forests, an essential feature of the #biosphere, can be expected as we approach 2.0°C avg. #globalwarming. Without more urgent action to reduce #greenhousegasemissions and remove co2 from the atmosphere, i.e. different from what we are doing now, we are on an ever accelerating trajectory toward that end. Complete loss of coral reefs is also expected at 2.0°C. The consequences to #ocean eco-systems and food-webs would be devastating and irreversible, but would cascade across the entire biosphere and accelerate climate change to uncontrollable levels. If we passed 1.5°C four years ago, where are we now? UN Biodiversity, The White House, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell , USAID, United States Congress, United States Senate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Department of Defense Alan Buis, A Degree of Concern: Why Global Temperatures Matter, NASA (Jun. 19, 2019) https://lnkd.in/gbfaDn6p. Working Group, Valerie Masson-Delmotte et al., Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis Summary for Policymakers [ar6] (2021) Cristian Roman-Palacios & John J. Wiens, Recent responses to climate change reveal the drivers of species extinction and survival, Proc.of Nat’l Acad. Sci. (Feb. 10, 2020) https://lnkd.in/gzsj5Gtc. Alan Buis, A Degree of Concern: Why Global Temperatures Matter, NASA (Jun. 19, 2019) https://lnkd.in/gbfaDn6p

Fascinating fact about mangroves! 🌿🌏 Mangroves are truly the unsung heroes of our planet, forming the cornerstone of coastal ecosystems and supporting an incredible array of life. 🐠🦜 Their role goes beyond just biodiversity; they are vital in protecting coastlines, sequestering carbon, and supporting the livelihoods of many communities. 🛡️🌱 It's amazing how these unique ecosystems contribute so much to both our environment and society. I'm curious, what are some innovative ways we can further protect and restore mangrove forests in the tropics? #MangroveConservation #Biodiversity #ClimateAction

FLORA, FAUNA, FUNGA! 🍄 In addition to above-ground species diversity, the web of fungi beneath our feet is crucial to life on earth. Historic step: National Geographic Society includes fungi in its wildlife definition and launches the short film “Flora, Fauna, Funga” 👏 “Fungi comprise one of life’s kingdoms—as broad a category as “animals” or “plants”—and play vital roles sustaining life on our planet. When we disrupt them, we jeopardize the health and resilience of the biosphere. We also destroy the library of remarkable solutions that fungi have evolved, many of which might prove vital to humans in the future. Yet fungi are under-researched and represent a meagre 0.2% of global conservation priorities.” 📕 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezh7bYdb 🍿 Watch the documentary: https://lnkd.in/eVfiC_y6 Heads-up from our co-founder & fungi enthusiast Lien De Ruyck 🌱

SOS Lemurs was launched in 2017 by IUCN Save Our Species and is the only initiative dedicated to lemur conservation worldwide. Thanks to a 9.5 million CHF input, the SOS Lemurs projects will continue until 2029, working to protect both lemur species and their habitats. They will also create livelihood opportunities for the Malagasy people who rely on their local biodiversity. Madagascar is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with incredible levels of endemism and species richness! Lemurs are just one of the many organisms endemic to the island – which is the fourth largest island on the planet – with 112 known lemur species! Unfortunately, according to the IUCN Red List, 90% of all lemur species are threatened with extinction, and 31% are now critically endangered! With threats such as hunting for food, the pet trade, and habitat destruction from illegal logging, lemurs are among the most threatened mammal groups in the world! To read more about the SOS Lemurs Initiative, go check out this article on the IUCN SOS webpage: https://lnkd.in/ePzPc2cb. Operation Wallacea is incredibly proud to play our part in protecting and conserving not only lemurs but all biodiversity within Madagascar! Head to our website to learn more about our research and how you can get involved!

Have you seen the giant carnivorous land snails of Aotearoa? 🐌 These beautiful creatures are thought to live for more than 20 years and can suck up earthworms whole – New Zealand’s ‘ultimate predator’ in action 😲. But now these amazing creatures are sliding towards extinction. The Powelliphanta species are some of the largest and most brightly coloured snails in the world – but 28 types are now ‘nationally critical’, just one step away from extinction. That includes the species living the biodiversity hotspot of the West Coast’s Denniston Plateau, public conservation land where ‘open-cast coal mining is planned for much of the remaining high-quality snail habitat’. C’mon New Zealand! It’s time to stand up for nature and stop new coal mines from destroying the planet.

Did you know that Myrtle Rust has the potential to impact non-myrtaceous species, like epiphytic orchids? About 14% of Australia's orchids are epiphytic, meaning they live in, and rely on, trees. Scientists at the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the The Australian Network for Plant Conservation inc. (ANPC), the Australian Tropical Herbarium and the University of QLD-St Lucia, found that a quarter of these species grow on myrtaceous hosts. Myrtle Rust has the potential to cause collateral damage to these and other epiphytes relying on myrtaceous hosts, which must be considered in the fight against this devastating fungal disease. You can read the full article here, https://ow.ly/kM0a50TsLOZ Image: Dendrobium aemulum. Credit Judebirder from iNaturalist Australia CC-BY-NC 4.0 (int) Australian National Botanic Gardens

One of the most endangered rhino species is the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Here are two key reasons why Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered: Habitat Loss: The Sumatran rhino is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, specifically Sumatra and Borneo. However, extensive habitat loss from deforestation, logging, and agricultural activities has significantly reduced their suitable habitat. As a result, their population has fragmented, making it difficult for individuals to find suitable mates and reproduce. Poaching: Similar to other rhino species, Sumatran rhinos are targeted by poachers for their horns, which have high demand in traditional Asian medicine markets. The horn is erroneously believed to possess medicinal properties. This illegal trade has had a severe impact on the species, resulting in a rapid decline in population numbers. The combination of habitat loss and poaching, along with low reproductive rates and inbreeding, have pushed the Sumatran rhino to the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts, such as the establishment of protected areas and anti-poaching initiatives, are crucial in reducing these threats and saving this endangered species from extinction. #SumatranRhino #Rhino #EndangeredSpecies #Poaching #HabitatLoss #Biodiversity #Deforestation #TRP #RadioactiveRhino #Future

The Orchid plant family (Orchidaceae) is distributed worldwide and composed of more than 25K - 26K species with highly endemic and endangered taxa in wild habitats (ref. 1). In terms of global conservations of the evolutionarily important Orchid groups, approximately 300 taxa (over 70% of these taxa) still need to be assessed by IUCN (ref. 1). Ref. 1) https://lnkd.in/g5u6qH73

It's #FungiFriday! Today's rotter is the Stump-grinder fungus, also sometimes called Lumpy bracket. Our arboricultural consultants have a thorough understanding of fungi associated with different tree species. They are especially familiar with those which may cause a tree to decay over time. Correctly identifying the species enables an arboriculturalist* to anticipate the likely behaviour of the fungus and determine the extent and timeframe in which it may be capable of causing damage to the tree. It is important to understand this fungal progression so that trees are not removed unnecessarily or, conversely, removed too late to prevent damage when they eventually fail. *Arboriculturalist = someone who has studied trees and how to manage them in different environments 📷🍄: Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://lnkd.in/ddzprHi>, via Wikimedia Commons #fungifacts #fungifinds #FactFriday. #trees #arboriculralconsultant #arboriculture #decaydetectordog #woodlandmanagement #treecare