Alexander Watson

WHAT IS #BIODIVERSITY? Understanding #Biodiversity_Matters Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the interactions between species and their environments. Biodiversity structure and function are related in many ways, including: Ecosystem functioning Biodiversity interacts with climate, resources, and ecological processes to shape ecosystem functioning. Ecosystem functions include nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and pest regulation. Biodiversity levels Biodiversity can be described in terms of species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity. These levels are interconnected, and changes at one level can affect others. Interaction diversity Interaction diversity is important for maintaining resiliency in ecosystems that are frequently disturbed. Nonuse values Nonuse values, such as stewardship, ethics, and cultural beliefs, are indirectly related to biodiversity. Biodiversity loss Biodiversity loss can have a significant impact on ecosystem functioning. The impact of species loss may be comparable to or greater than other environmental factors. #LifelongLearning #Protect_Our_Shared_Planet #BiodiversityForUsAll

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💡 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 ‘𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠’ 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 ‘𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥’❓ I increasingly come across opinions based on oversimplifications or a lack of knowledge of agronomic definitions. The result❓ Ideological posts that, instead of bringing us closer to the truth, move us further away from the 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 📚 To start, here are a few facts most people forget: ✅ The boundaries between conventional and regenerative systems are fluid. They differ more in management philosophy than in a list of allowed and forbidden tools. ✅ In 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, chemicals are also used, but only as a last resort, in minimal doses, and with respect for soil health and biodiversity. ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 can just as well adopt regenerative practices such as no-till cultivation, multi-species cover crops, IPM, or precision irrigation. ✅ 𝐍𝐨-𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 is not reserved only for organic or regenerative systems 💡, as it is simply a technology that can be implemented in any system. 📚 In fact, many conventional farms have been using elements of IPM, biological plant protection and soil degradation-limiting technologies for years. The very term conventional in agronomy simply means the most commonly used system in a given region, not ‘𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥’. 📚 I believe it is important, especially in today’s world, that not only farmers but also consumers know these basic differences. Social oversimplifications (organic = good, conventional = bad) ignore the large middle ground where conventional farms operate sustainably. 📚 Many regenerative farms started out as conventional and use its tools: sensors, soil analysis, precision fertilization, machinery minimizing compaction or satellite technologies. 💡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: in regenerative farming, the restoration of the ecosystem and long-term productivity, not maximizing yield at all costs. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 = an 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑥 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠, with extended IPM covering the entire farm and all biological processes. In short: regenerative is 💡 a business-ecosystem strategy, not a 'return to nature' in the ideological sense. #RegenerativeAgriculture #ConventionalFarming #SustainableFarming #IPM #Agriculture #Agroecology #Organic #RolnictwoZrównoważone © Emilia Mikulewicz · Cultiva EcoSolutions

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Thelonectria sp. — A Root-Zone Sentinel of Undisturbed Forest Soils found in the Ozark Forest tells us something unique... Thelonectria species are slow-growing, root-associated fungi that prefer stable, humus-rich soils with long-term plant continuity. They are fundamentally different from fast decomposers or disturbance-tolerant fungi. In ISHGD terms, this species is a “Soil Continuity Indicator” — living proof that the forest floor has remained biologically intact across generations. Why It Is Absent from Orchard and Private Land Samples. The absence of Thelonectria sp. elsewhere is not accidental — it is diagnostic. Environment Why Thelonectria Cannot Persist Orchard Root systems are younger; soil chemistry fluctuates; microbial succession resets Private land Compaction, mowing, nutrient pulses, or disturbance disrupt root micro zones Forest Stable humus + old roots + fungal dominance allow persistence Thelonectria does not tolerate nitrate spikes, mechanical disturbance, or frequent drying–rewetting cycles. Its absence elsewhere confirms the ecological integrity of your forest site. Why Its Presence in the Ozark Forest Matters is that they are a Marker of Long-Standing Root Continuity. Thelonectria sp. is tightly linked to: Old, persistent fine-root systems (oak, hickory, mature hardwoods). Continuous root exudation chemistry that has not been reset by planting or disturbance. This gives it a Stable moisture and temperature regimes buffered by canopy cover. This means the soil where you found it has likely never experienced a biological reset (tillage, heavy compaction, fertilization, or repeated clearing). In soil genomics, Thelonectria is a “root memory organism.” As we are getting better on displaying our technologies we are expanding how we connect with the communities who are working hard to expand our urban forest buy showing the way of the vast unknow networks below ground in order to grow above ground. Cheers

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"Out of sight, out of mind" is one problem for freshwater species conservation. A forum on Friday led by Christina Sayer and Monika Bohm at IUCN's Word Conservation Congress, with speakers Topiltzin Macbeath from Mexico and Hanta Razafimanahaka from Madagascar explored this and other reasons why a quarter of freshwater species around the word are at risk of extinction. People can readily see many birds, reptiles and mammals, and become aware of some of their plights, but apart from some enthusiasts many don't give much thought as to what is happening below the surface of creeks, rivers, marshes, springs and lakes. Also, many tend to think of aquatic species primarily in terms of food: someone who would never dream of killing and eating a chimpanzee or a panda might still kill and eat a rare fish or crustacean, either by not taking it seriously enough or simple ignorance that any of them are actually threatened species. Another aspect of this is that freshwater systems are indeed an important source of food for humans across the world, and it is important to pay attention to freshwater biodiversity conservation to support this. A further problem discussed was one of empathy: people generally find it easier to empathise with mammals that obviously show emotions than with fish, and when it comes to something like a freshwater mussel "which just looks like a rock" they find it even more difficult. A plea was made for more education, especially through zoos and aquariums, to educate the public globally on the threats to many of the freshwater species (animas, plants and fungi), their ecological roles (e.g. filter. feeders such as mussels helping to keep water clean) and the sentience and behaviour of animals where it is not immediately obvious. Here in Australia, the driest non-polar continent on this planet, with watercourses, lakes and swamps that dry up during droughts (which are likely to become ever more severe and long-lasting with climate change) or are polluted, over-harvested for water and other resources, or filled in for developments, it is urgent that we pay more attention to our threatened freshwater species before we lose more of them, and find out more about those which are deemed "data deficient" on the IUCN's Red List.

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New head of the Forest and Soil Ecology Research Unit: From 1 September 2025, Arthur Gessler will head the new Forest and Soil Ecology research unit at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL. The specialist in nutrient cycles in forests is an adjunct professor at ETH Zürich and one of the most cited scientists in the field of animal and plant sciences. Arthur Gessler's work aims to explain the processes that control forest growth, nutrient cycles and interactions between organisms at the molecular and the tree population level. This knowledge is crucial for understanding current changes in ecosystems and landscapes, for example in the context of climate change or changing land use. ‘The new research unit is investigating the processes and functions of forest ecosystems, such as nutrient and water cycles, holistically from the atmosphere to the plants to the soil,’ he says. https://lnkd.in/d8HRfwMp Deutsch: https://lnkd.in/d75sg-uR #forest #forestecology #drought #research

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The WWF Switzerland has published a powerful white paper and open letter calling on the G20 to embed nature into the next phase of the Sustainable Finance Roadmap. As the world faces accelerating biodiversity loss and mounting economic risks, this is a timely and necessary intervention.  At Gold Standard, we strongly support this call. Protecting and restoring nature is not just essential to delivering our climate goals, it’s also the foundation for long-term resilience and economic sustainability. Last week, at our Climate Action for People and Nature conference, we launched our Nature Responsibility Framework to help companies take responsibility for their impact on nature and invest in credible solutions.  The Nature Responsibility Framework is inspired by and builds on the work of leaders and other global standard setters, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as well as work from other global standard setters like Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), IUCN, Business for Nature, and WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development).  We join WWF in urging policy and financial leaders at the G20 and beyond to broaden the lens and act on the interconnected crises of nature and climate.  Read WWF’s open letter: https://lnkd.in/ezRcEWJ7 Learn about Gold Standard’s Nature Responsibility Framework: https://lnkd.in/ekn5-35q

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The BioRescue Project Breaks New Ground With only two northern white rhinos left — Najin and her daughter Fatu at Ol Pejeta — the BioRescue consortium, led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany) and co-ordinated by Safari Park Dvůr Králové (Czechia), is working tirelessly to prevent the species from disappearing forever. Through advanced reproductive and stem cell technologies, the team has made remarkable progress. At the end of 2023, the world saw the first-ever rhino pregnancy through IVF, using a southern white rhino embryo. Since January 2025, three new northern white rhino embryos have been created, bringing the total to 38 since the first oocyte collection from Najin and Fatu six years ago. In July 2024, a historic milestone was reached at Ol Pejeta: the world’s first transfer of a pure northern white rhino embryo into a southern white rhino surrogate, carried out in close co-operation with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute. Two further transfers followed in December 2024 and May 2025. Although none has yet resulted in a long-lasting pregnancy, each attempt marks vital progress towards success. This work proves that science, collaboration, and perseverance can bring hope to a species on the brink of extinction. You can support our work and help save the northern white rhinos by donating via the link https://lnkd.in/eMjaVSV4 Photo: National Geographic #OlPejeta #OlPejetaConservancy #Kenya

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From the CIFOR-ICRAF library | 📚 Four decades of data show that planted mangroves can store up to 75% of the carbon found in intact mature forests. Recent research using data from 684 mangrove restoration sites worldwide, shows that planted mangroves are effective carbon sinks, especially when done right. ▪️ After 20 years, planted mangroves can reach 75% of the carbon storage found in intact forests ▪️ Mixed-species planting, especially with Rhizophora spp., leads to better carbon accumulation ▪️ Soil carbon remains stable, helping stop further carbon loss from degraded land These findings offer valuable insights for designing mangrove restoration efforts that truly deliver for climate, biodiversity, and local communities. Read more:🔗 https://lnkd.in/gPMqS-9R #TreesPeoplePlanet #WetlandsMatter

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🌿🌼 New study reveals: Why farmers join agri-environmental schemes (AES) – or not... 🧑‍🌾💬 Financial incentives alone do not convince farms to adopt conservation measures – but peer support and guidance from environmental organizations do. That’s the finding of a new study by ZALF and the Landschaftspflegeverband Nordwestsachsen (Landscape Conservation Association Northwest Saxony). 📍 70 farms in Saxony were interviewed. The study draws three key conclusions: 1. Share knowledge: Large farms with experience in both areas should be encouraged to pass on their knowledge. 2. Strengthen advisory services: Non-profit organizations should be enabled to provide advice on both production and nature conservation. 3. Promote contacts: Mutual support among farmers facilitates participation in AES. 🔗 More about this study: see link in the comments! 👇 #agriculture #environment #climate #EU

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If the goal is to keep forests standing and cut emissions, we need tools that play different roles: Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) → long-term conservation finance for hectares of forest Jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+) → results-based payments for verified climate outcomes (tonnes) 📊 A new analysis by Andre Rodrigues de Aquino and Andres B. Espejo shows that together, these two tools could mobilize ~US$8.5 billion per year by 2030—covering ~54% of what’s needed to keep forests standing. 🔗 Read the paper: https://lnkd.in/dR39M8Jx 📄 Published by Ecosystem Marketplace. #NatureFinance #REDD+ #TFFF #ClimateSolutions #ForestConservation #JurisdictionalApproach #ClimateFinance

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