Reinhold Gallmetzer’s Post

The Brazilian research institute #MuseuParaenseEmílioGoeldi and CCCA’s #HeronMartins shed light on the potential dangers of decreasing the Legal Reserve on Amazonian rural properties from 80% to 50%, as outlined in bill PL 3334/2023. Dive into the comprehensive analysis, exploring the critical role of the Legal Reserve in safeguarding native vegetation, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable resource management on rural lands. https://lnkd.in/dmf2SBAW

In a world where renewable natural resources are becoming scarce, forests are undoubtedly essential to societies' future. Societies in tropical forest regions can protect forests early or wait until it is too late. Starting early means: * It is cheaper * People are more open to it * Local development can be built around forest conservation Waiting too late means: * It costs much more to protect and restore * People fight against it * Those making money from cutting trees will push back hard Here is a success story: Amapá, a state in Brazil. Amapá has 143,000 km2 and is home to 750,000 people. It harbors forests, savannas, and America’s most pristine mangroves. In 1995, Governor João Capiberibe had a simple idea: build a new development model around forest conservation. When the next governor, Waldez Goés, took over, he did not abandon the vision despite being from an opposition party. He expanded it with the Amapá Biodiversity Corridor. Since then, all governors maintained the same development model. The article below shows that Amapá has protected 73% of its forests within protected areas and indigenous lands and is the first state in the Brazilian Amazon to achieve zero deforestation. This shows that conservation is development and that development is conservation. This was not just good fortune—it was strategic foresight. I am happy to have contributed to this outstanding achievement. Amapá is not without problems. The state needs help advancing a different development model. Unfortunately, public and private resources for conservation and sustainable urban infrastructure continue to flow to those places that lost their forests. In the Brazilian Amazon, these places always seem to win. To committed entrepreneurs and genuine conservationists looking to make a real impact in conserving the world's largest tropical forest, Amapá is not just a success story—it is an invitation. #amazon #conservation #climatechange #amapá #amazônia #biodiversity https://lnkd.in/eD7xiMJU

🌳 Eucalyptus Forests in Portugal: Mismanagement and Abandonment? 💹 Even though Portugal does not have the forest area as large some other of the EU members, Portugal ranks very high when forest-related part of GDP is considered. 9% of all export products in 2022 came from this sector. So the economic importance is undeniable — but how well are the forests managed, and what does this industry orientation mean for biodivesity and native species? 🪵 You will find some answers in the new publication of 'How Forest Management Is Failing to Protect Europe’s Carbon Sinks' investigation (https://lnkd.in/eHv4sxJK) #earthinvestigations Público Rita Cruz

🌿🌊 The Co-Management Plan of Ria Formosa Natural Park, with CCMAR's contribution, was approved by consensus, promoting the conservation and enhancement of this unique ecosystem. The initiative aims for participatory and sustainable management to protect biodiversity and cultural values. Find out more about it here 👇 #Protecting #ActLocalCCMAR #CCMARnews

“How can biodiversity be guaranteed in reforestation projects?” This is the title of the article, recently published by the Brazilian magazine Istoe Dinheiro, that explores the reasons why restoring a forest from the point of view of biodiversity is still a challenge and shows the current limited use of native species in reforestation projects🌳 As our partners at Jardim Botânico Araribá told the magazine, the reasons for this are several, from the lack of native plant materials to the lack of knowledge or even interest, as the objectives of some tree-planting projects could be others than conserving biodiversity. When these projects, such as those focused solely on carbon sequestration, employ exotic species, could even end up causing damage to the environment instead of helping to reverse the loss of biodiversity, as stressed by The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) manager David Bartholomew ⚠️💥   The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), as mentioned by the magazine, seeks to raise awareness of the inseparable link between tree planting and biodiversity conservation being the first scheme that certifies projects where tree planting, habitat restoration and agroforestry practices are protecting, enhancing and restoring biodiversity🌳🦋🐦   Read the full article at: https://lnkd.in/drS-u6ZV #Biodiversity #TheGlobalBiodiversityStandard #TGBS #EcosystemRestoration #GenerationRestoration

Peatlands are unique ecosystems found in different parts of the world, each with distinct characteristics influenced by climate, geography and local biology. In Brazil, tropical peatlands are rich in biodiversity and play a crucial role in storing carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. These ecosystems are formed over thousands of years, where organic matter accumulates under water-saturated conditions, creating an anaerobic environment that prevents complete decomposition. The chemical composition of peatlands is a determining factor in the life they support. In tropical peatlands, we find a greater diversity of plants adapted to acidic soils, such as grasses and trees adapted to flooded environments. On the other hand, in peatlands in cold climates, such as in Europe and Canada, mosses predominate, especially Sphagnum, which has a great capacity to retain water, creating humid and acidic habitats. In addition to their ecological importance, peatlands have significant socioeconomic value. They are sources of resources such as peat, used as fuel and substrate for horticulture, in Brazil they are used as an alloy in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics, and they also provide essential ecosystem services, such as water purification and protection against floods. However, peatlands are under threat due to unsustainable practices such as agricultural drainage and peat extraction. In Brazil, awareness of the importance of peatlands is still limited, and research in this area is scarce. It is vital to promote conservation studies and policies to protect these valuable ecosystems. To preserve Living Peatlands, everyone's support is needed. Contributions can be made through donations, participation in research and environmental education projects. Every action counts in the fight for the conservation of peatlands and the balance of our planet. https://lnkd.in/d2ryf-H3

#restoreNature @margracacarvalho Portugal - Thirty environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and citizen movements today called on the government to maintain the intention to vote in favor of the Nature Restoration Law in the European Union (EU), in defense of the conservation of species and habitats. According to recent Eurobarometer data cited in the statement, 63% of Portuguese people identify nature restoration as one of the most effective ways to address environmental problems. The Nature Restoration Law stipulates that all EU countries must present and adopt a National Restoration Plan with specific objectives. The 30 ENGOs and movements urge the Portuguese government to vote favorably for this law at the European Council of Environment Ministers meeting on Monday, thereby reinforcing “international commitments regarding the conservation of species and habitats and also contributing to generating public trust in Portuguese citizens towards public policies. Ambiente e Ação Climática SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves BirdLife Europe and Central Asia https://lnkd.in/dqayFZNQ

Cerrado Takes the Lead in Deforestation, Even in Protected Territories! According to MapBiomas Brasil, the Cerrado biome, specifically the Matopiba region including Bahia, Piauí, Tocantins, and Maranhão, accounted for more than half of deforestation in Brazil in 2023. Alarmingly, the Cerrado leads in deforestation, even in protected areas, wreaking havoc on Indigenous lands and conservation zones. The report also indicates an alarming growth in deforestation in the region, emphasizing the importance of addressing this pressing issue. Learn more about the findings and implications: https://lnkd.in/dJx4hyT7 #Deforestation #Cerrado #Conservation #MapBiomasBrasil #EnvironmentalImpact.

Recent legislation requires most planning permissions to ensure developments increase onsite biodiversity by at least 10% compared to pre-development levels. Some local plans may demand even greater gains. These can be met onsite, through registered offsite biodiversity enhancements, or statutory biodiversity credits, all of which are mandated to endure for a minimum of 30 years post-enhancement. Discover how recent legislation is reshaping biodiversity considerations in planning permissions. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3LAJZ0V #landowners #carboncredits #BNG #buycarboncredits #sellcarbon #sustainableland #climateaction #carbonoffset #biodiversitynetGain #landdevelopment

Luontoa has been supporting Forest Stewardship Council in its efforts to understand and evaluate FSC forest management certification contributions to maintaining, protecting and improving forest biodiversity. The results of the project are promising, and showcase already FSC's tangible impacts, but it remains clear that more information and data are needed to ensure effective and accurate monitoring of the outcomes of FSC certification. It has been a great opportunity to support a global leading certification scheme on the journey to understanding and underlining the importance of impacts and outcomes. #cop16 #biodiversity #impacts #fsc