Contents contributed and discussions participated by Patrick Thornton - Rare Conservation Links

Millions of hectares of Amazon rainforest threatened by the great chainsaw massacre | G... - 0 views

www.greenpeace.org/...34966

Amazon Brazil deforestation Greenpeace rainforest

shared by Patrick Thornton on 25 May 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 25 May 11

"Yesterday, Brazilian politicians took a decisive step towards opening the door to massive new Amazon deforestation, by voting in favor of radical changes to the Brazilian Forest Code - the primary legal instrument for protecting the Amazon. If these changes become law they will let hundreds of forest criminals off the hook, and massively expand the amount of forest under threat from the chainsaws"

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"Yesterday, Brazilian politicians took a decisive step towards opening the door to massive new Amazon deforestation, by voting in favor of radical changes to the Brazilian Forest Code - the primary legal instrument for protecting the Amazon. If these changes become law they will let hundreds of forest criminals off the hook, and massively expand the amount of forest under threat from the chainsaws"</div>

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Low fertilizer use drives deforestation in West Africa, imperils REDD implementation sa... - 0 views

www.eurekalert.org/...bc-lfu040611.php

REDD fertilizer deforestation West Africa palm oil cocoa

shared by Patrick Thornton on 12 Apr 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 12 Apr 11

ow-input farming for cocoa, cassava and oil palm has resulted in widespread deforestation and degredation of West Africa's tropical forest area, according to a new study by researchers at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). The study was published online this week in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Management.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">ow-input farming for cocoa, cassava and oil palm has resulted in widespread deforestation and degredation of West Africa's tropical forest area, according to a new study by researchers at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). The study was published online this week in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Management.</div>

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Giant fish help grow the Amazon rainforest - 0 views

news.mongabay.com/...-hance_pacu_seeddispersal.html

Amazon giant tambaqui seed dispersal fish

shared by Patrick Thornton on 12 Apr 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 12 Apr 11

The seed dispersal activities of many animals is essential for the Amazon and other forests, because, as Anderson explains: "plants rely on the seed dispersal activities of these animals (i.e. birds, bats, monkeys, tapirs, rodents, and fish) to move seeds away from the mother tree to good sites for germination […] For pioneer species like Cecropia (a genus of tree that we studied), seeds might need light gaps to germinate-that is, seeds might have very specific requirements for germination."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The seed dispersal activities of many animals is essential for the Amazon and other forests, because, as Anderson explains: "plants rely on the seed dispersal activities of these animals (i.e. birds, bats, monkeys, tapirs, rodents, and fish) to move seeds away from the mother tree to good sites for germination […] For pioneer species like Cecropia (a genus of tree that we studied), seeds might need light gaps to germinate-that is, seeds might have very specific requirements for germination." </div>

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Mangroves excel at storing climate-warming carbon, IBN Live News - 0 views

ibnlive.in.com/...635857.html

Mangroves CO2 climate change trees

shared by Patrick Thornton on 04 Apr 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 04 Apr 11

"Mangroves are so efficient at keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere that when they are destroyed, they release as much as 10 percent of all emissions worldwide attributable to deforestation -- even though mangroves account for just 0.7 percent of the tropical forest area, researchers said."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"Mangroves are so efficient at keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere that when they are destroyed, they release as much as 10 percent of all emissions worldwide attributable to deforestation -- even though mangroves account for just 0.7 percent of the tropical forest area, researchers said."</div>

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Small Signs of Hope for World's Most Endangered Cat - 0 views

www.treehugger.com/...worlds-most-endangered-cat.php

woodlands cats Spain Iberian lynxs

shared by Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11

"The woodlands and pastures of southern Spain once provided fertile hunting ground for the Iberian lynx, but habitat destruction, loss of prey, and trapping diminished the population of the reclusive feline dramatically, to just 100 animals a decade ago, making it the most endangered cat in the world. Now, thanks to a combination of political action, high-tech monitoring, and improved public awareness, the lynx is making a slow, if not always steady, comeback in Andalusia."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"The woodlands and pastures of southern Spain once provided fertile hunting ground for the Iberian lynx, but habitat destruction, loss of prey, and trapping diminished the population of the reclusive feline dramatically, to just 100 animals a decade ago, making it the most endangered cat in the world. Now, thanks to a combination of political action, high-tech monitoring, and improved public awareness, the lynx is making a slow, if not always steady, comeback in Andalusia."</div>

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Want water? Save forests - 0 views

news.mongabay.com/...0320-hance_water_forests.html

climate change UN FAO deforestation CPF drought desertification salinization floods soil erosion forests

shared by Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11

"[Forests] reduce the effects of floods, prevent soil erosion, regulate the water table and assure a high-quality water supply for people, industry and agriculture," said the Forestry Department Assistant Director General, Eduardo Rojas-Briales, with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Forests are part of the natural infrastructure of any country and are essential to the water cycle."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"[Forests] reduce the effects of floods, prevent soil erosion, regulate the water table and assure a high-quality water supply for people, industry and agriculture," said the Forestry Department Assistant Director General, Eduardo Rojas-Briales, with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Forests are part of the natural infrastructure of any country and are essential to the water cycle."</div>

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BBC News - India wild tiger census shows population rise - 0 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...world-south-asia-12877560

India tigers tiger conservation

shared by Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 28 Mar 11

"The number of tigers in India's wild has gone up by 20%, according to the latest tiger census, which has surveyed the whole of India for the first time. The census puts the population of the big cat at 1,706. There were 1,411 tigers at the last count in 2007."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"The number of tigers in India's wild has gone up by 20%, according to the latest tiger census, which has surveyed the whole of India for the first time. The census puts the population of the big cat at 1,706. There were 1,411 tigers at the last count in 2007."</div>

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BBC News - Africa rhinos face 'worst poaching crisis for decades' - 0 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...science-environment-12859295

Africa rhinos poaching

shared by Patrick Thornton on 25 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 25 Mar 11

Over the past three years, gangs are said to have killed more than 800 rhinos for their horns, which can fetch £22,000 per kilo on the black market.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Over the past three years, gangs are said to have killed more than 800 rhinos for their horns, which can fetch £22,000 per kilo on the black market.</div>

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CO2 killing our coral reefs, say experts - Environment - IOL | Breaking News | South Af... - 0 views

www.iol.co.za/...al-reefs-say-experts-1.1046850

coral reefs climate change co2 coral die off

shared by Patrick Thornton on 24 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 24 Mar 11

The world's coral reefs are in danger of dying out in the next 20 years unless carbon emissions are cut drastically, warns a coalition of scientists led by Sir David Attenborough.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The world's coral reefs are in danger of dying out in the next 20 years unless carbon emissions are cut drastically, warns a coalition of scientists led by Sir David Attenborough.</div>

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A "Stress Test" for Coral Reefs | Fast Company - 0 views

www.fastcompany.com/...a-stress-test-for-coral-reefs

coral reefs climate change global warming

shared by Patrick Thornton on 23 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 23 Mar 11

The researchers developed a "stress test" for coral reefs, identifying the ones they think most likely to survive rising sea temperatures. Those reefs--"reefs of hope," they call them--that pass the test should become a priority for conservationists, say the researchers.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The researchers developed a "stress test" for coral reefs, identifying the ones they think most likely to survive rising sea temperatures. Those reefs--"reefs of hope," they call them--that pass the test should become a priority for conservationists, say the researchers.</div>

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Extreme weather at home increases climate change awareness, engagement | Science Blog - 0 views

scienceblog.com/...te-change-awareness-engagement

psychology climate change global warming flooding UK ScienceBlog

shared by Patrick Thornton on 21 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 21 Mar 11

Direct experience of extreme weather events increases concern about climate change and willingness to engage in energy-saving behaviour, according to a new research paper published in the first edition of the journal Nature Climate Change this week. In particular, members of the British public are more prepared to take personal action and reduce their energy use when they perceive their local area has a greater vulnerability to flooding, according to the research by Cardiff and Nottingham Universities.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Direct experience of extreme weather events increases concern about climate change and willingness to engage in energy-saving behaviour, according to a new research paper published in the first edition of the journal Nature Climate Change this week. In particular, members of the British public are more prepared to take personal action and reduce their energy use when they perceive their local area has a greater vulnerability to flooding, according to the research by Cardiff and Nottingham Universities.</div>

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The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Weed-eating fish key to coral reefs' surv... - 0 views

www.thehindu.com/...article1529101.ece

coral reefs weed-eating fish parrotfish surgeonfish

shared by Patrick Thornton on 11 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 11 Mar 11

Preserving a species of weed-eating fish may be the key to saving the world's coral reefs from being engulfed by weed as human and climate impacts grow. A new study by the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS) has found that weed-eaters like parrotfish and surgeonfish can keep coral reefs clear of weed up to a point.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Preserving a species of weed-eating fish may be the key to saving the world's coral reefs from being engulfed by weed as human and climate impacts grow. A new study by the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS) has found that weed-eaters like parrotfish and surgeonfish can keep coral reefs clear of weed up to a point.</div>

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Case for saving coral reefs is economic as well as conservational | Environment | guard... - 0 views

www.guardian.co.uk/...saving-coral-reefs-is-economic

coral reef Coral Triangle coral bleaching GDP Belize

shared by Patrick Thornton on 08 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 08 Mar 11

"Take, for example, the Caribbean nation of Belize. A recent analysis by several of my colleagues concluded that the country's coral reefs contribute the equivalent to 10 to 15 per cent of the nation's GDP, primarily through tourism and fisheries. Likewise, the avoided damage to buildings and infrastructure that reefs provide by serving as a "speed bump" for tropical storms equates to the same GDP percentage."

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"Take, for example, the Caribbean nation of Belize. A recent analysis by several of my colleagues concluded that the country's coral reefs contribute the equivalent to 10 to 15 per cent of the nation's GDP, primarily through tourism and fisheries. Likewise, the avoided damage to buildings and infrastructure that reefs provide by serving as a "speed bump" for tropical storms equates to the same GDP percentage."</div>

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Can marine protected areas help safeguard fisheries and coral reefs? | The Jakarta Post - 0 views

www.thejakartapost.com/...fisheries-and-coral-reefs.html

Indonesia Coral Triangle MPA marine protected areas coral reefs

shared by Patrick Thornton on 04 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 04 Mar 11

Science and experience have supported this fact for the last 20 years in the Coral Triangle countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, where various forms of MPA are being implemented to protect coral reef habitats, manage local reef-associated fisheries and generate income for local residents through improved fishing and diving tourism enterprises.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Science and experience have supported this fact for the last 20 years in the Coral Triangle countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, where various forms of MPA are being implemented to protect coral reef habitats, manage local reef-associated fisheries and generate income for local residents through improved fishing and diving tourism enterprises.</div>

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The Understory » Palm Oil Pariah Sinar Mas Commits to Forest Protection. What... - 0 views

understory.ran.org/...-protection-what-about-cargill

Indonesia deforestation rainforest climate change palm oil orangutans

shared by Patrick Thornton on 04 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 04 Mar 11

Sinar Mas Group, the notorious international palm oil pariah, recently made a remarkable announcement: The company's subsidiary, Golden Agri Resouces (GAR), intends to implement a forest conservation policy. Among other things, GAR's Forest Conservation Policy commits it to a goal of "no new development" on peat lands, High Conservation Value Forest areas or High Carbon Landscapes, respecting Indigenous and local communities, and achievement of RSPO certification for all its holdings by 2015.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Sinar Mas Group, the notorious international palm oil pariah, recently made a remarkable announcement: The company's subsidiary, Golden Agri Resouces (GAR), intends to implement a forest conservation policy. Among other things, GAR's Forest Conservation Policy commits it to a goal of "no new development" on peat lands, High Conservation Value Forest areas or High Carbon Landscapes, respecting Indigenous and local communities, and achievement of RSPO certification for all its holdings by 2015.</div>

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Costco Pulls Threatened Fish from Stores - NYTimes.com - 0 views

green.blogs.nytimes.com/...ls-threatened-fish-from-stores

sustainable fishing Costco bluefin tuna Atlantic cod

shared by Patrick Thornton on 03 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 03 Mar 11

Among the fish being pulled from display cases are Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, Chilean sea bass, grouper, monkfish, redfish, swordfish and bluefin tuna. Sales of these and other at-risk species will not resume until a sustainable source can be identified, the company said in a statement.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Among the fish being pulled from display cases are Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, Chilean sea bass, grouper, monkfish, redfish, swordfish and bluefin tuna. Sales of these and other at-risk species will not resume until a sustainable source can be identified, the company said in a statement.</div>

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A Big Surprise Beneath the Ice - NYTimes.com - 0 views

green.blogs.nytimes.com/...a-big-surprise-beneath-the-ice

glaciers ice Antarctica Antarctic ice sheet

shared by Patrick Thornton on 03 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 03 Mar 11

A new study shows that ice melts far more extensively at the base of the Antarctic ice sheet, miles below the surface, than scientists had thought. The findings raise the possibility that melt water may even help govern the behavior of glaciers.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">A new study shows that ice melts far more extensively at the base of the Antarctic ice sheet, miles below the surface, than scientists had thought. The findings raise the possibility that melt water may even help govern the behavior of glaciers.</div>

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AFP: Asia-Pacific live fish trade under threat: experts - 0 views

www.google.com/...M5ipzGJZBGK88FzGZdwFZ7yUvqsu7w

Coral Triangle over fishing cyanide coral reef

shared by Patrick Thornton on 01 Mar 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 01 Mar 11

Officials and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region are meeting in Indonesia to discuss the future of the lucrative live fish industry.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Officials and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region are meeting in Indonesia to discuss the future of the lucrative live fish industry.</div>

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Hotspots of carbon confusion in Indonesia threaten to warm the world more quickly | Sci... - 0 views

scienceblog.com/...to-warm-the-world-more-quickly

Indonesia deforestation rainforest climate change global warming CO2

shared by Patrick Thornton on 28 Feb 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 28 Feb 11

A lot depends on how 'peat' and 'natural forest' are defined and how rights are agreed upon. Strong lobbies from the forest and tree-crop plantation industry argue that the economy will be harmed if 'business as usual' is interrupted. According to news sources, definitions of 'natural forest' and 'peat' differ between drafts prepared by the Indonesian Government's emissions reduction taskforce and by the Ministry of Forestry. There are several key issues that need to be resolved.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">A lot depends on how 'peat' and 'natural forest' are defined and how rights are agreed upon. Strong lobbies from the forest and tree-crop plantation industry argue that the economy will be harmed if 'business as usual' is interrupted. According to news sources, definitions of 'natural forest' and 'peat' differ between drafts prepared by the Indonesian Government's emissions reduction taskforce and by the Ministry of Forestry. There are several key issues that need to be resolved.</div>

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Parks key to saving India's great mammals from extinction - 0 views

news.mongabay.com/...0224-hance_karanth.html

Mongabay India conservation parks

shared by Patrick Thornton on 25 Feb 11 - No Cached

Patrick Thornton on 25 Feb 11

""The declines of species were so dramatic, widespread and so recent. I wish I could have seen what the country was like in 1800s with all this wildlife," Karanth says"

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">""The declines of species were so dramatic, widespread and so recent. I wish I could have seen what the country was like in 1800s with all this wildlife," Karanth says"</div>

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