Renewable energy development threatens many globally important biodiversity areas

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 26(5), P. 3040 - 3051

Published: March 5, 2020

Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is fundamental for halting anthropogenic climate change. However, facilities can be land-use intensive and impact conservation areas, little attention has been given whether the aggregated effect of transitions poses a substantial threat global biodiversity. Here, we assess extent current likely future infrastructure associated with onshore wind, hydropower solar photovoltaic generation, within three important areas: protected areas (PAs), Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Earth's remaining wilderness. We identified 2,206 fully operational boundaries these another 922 under development. Combined, span are degrading 886 PAs, 749 KBAs 40 distinct wilderness areas. Two trends particularly concerning. First, while majority historical overlap occurs in Western Europe, electricity development increasingly Southeast Asia, globally region Second, this next wave represents ~30% increase number PAs impacted could compromised by ~60%. If world continues rapidly transition towards will face increasing pressure allow expansion. Coordinated planning expansion biodiversity essential avoid conflicts that compromise their respective objectives.

Language: Английский

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The wildlife snaring crisis: an insidious and pervasive threat to biodiversity in Southeast Asia

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 27(4), P. 1031 - 1037

Published: Oct. 14, 2017

Language: Английский

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Understanding and minimizing environmental impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 33(4), P. 883 - 894

Published: March 22, 2019

Abstract China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) sets to create connections build infrastructure across Eurasia, Asia, parts of the African continent in its initial phase is largest project all time. Any on this scale will necessarily pass through ecofragile regions key biodiversity areas (KBAs). This creates an imperative identify possible impact probable effects conservation values facilitate adaptive planning mitigate, minimize, or avoid impacts. Using highest resolution route maps BRI available, I overlaid proposed road rail routes KBAs, protected areas, predicted hotspots for over 4138 animal 7371 plant species. also assessed relationship between with distribution mines countries proportion deforestation forest near routes. Infrastructure, especially mining, was clustered route; thus, construction development along may increase size number mines. Up 15% KBAs were within 1 km railways. Thus, planned pose a significant risk biodiversity, because majority are unprotected. Many different taxa route. These varied taxa, making systematic management environmental assessments effective strategy at least some taxa. A combination mitigation strategies likely be necessary protect most important proximal development, currently unprotected other that need protection. fuller assessment trade‐offs make good decisions each site being developed, including potentially modifying minimize Modification foregoing needed if stakeholders consider costs too high.

Language: Английский

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Blue–Green Infrastructure for Flood and Water Quality Management in Southeast Asia: Evidence and Knowledge Gaps

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 69(4), P. 699 - 718

Published: April 16, 2021

Abstract In Southeast Asia, projections of rapid urban growth coupled with high water-related risks call for large investments in infrastructure—including blue–green infrastructure (BGI) such as forests, parks, or vegetated engineered systems. However, most the knowledge on BGI is produced global North, overlooking diversity contexts globally. Here, we review literature flood risk mitigation and water quality improvement Asian cities to understand scope practical identify research needs. We searched evidence local types peer-reviewed grey assessed performance based hydrological, societal, environmental metrics. The body Asia small dominated by wealthier countries but found uptake among researchers practitioners countries. Bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, green cover received attention research. Evidence from modelling laboratory studies confirmed potential address flooding issues region. mainstream implementation remains limited, insufficient primary hydrological data information societal impacts. addition, combination infrastructure, under climate change, informal settlements poorly studied. Future practice should focus producing sharing empirical data, ultimately increasing regional base promote efficient strategies.

Language: Английский

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Ecomindsponge: A Novel Perspective on Human Psychology and Behavior in the Ecosystem

Urban Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 31 - 31

Published: Feb. 24, 2023

Modern society faces major environmental problems, but there are many difficulties in studying the nature–human relationship from an integral psychosocial perspective. We propose ecomind sponge conceptual framework, based on mindsponge theory of information processing. present a systematic method to examine with frameworks system boundaries, selective exchange, and adaptive optimization. The theoretical mechanisms were constructed principles new evidence natural sciences. core mechanism ecomindsponge is subjective sphere influence, which limited mental representation received processed objective influence–actual interactions reality. sum two sub-spheres: influencing (proactive) being influenced (reactive). Maladaptation thinking behavior mind as collection-cum-processor results deviation reality, includes main types: “stupidity” “delusion”. Using Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analytics dataset 535 urban residents, we provide consistent statistical proposed properties spheres. dynamic framework can be used flexibly practically for research well other fields.

Language: Английский

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Overpopulation is a major cause of biodiversity loss and smaller human populations are necessary to preserve what is left

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 272, P. 109646 - 109646

Published: June 30, 2022

Language: Английский

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The global palm oil sector must change to save biodiversity and improve food security in the tropics

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 457 - 466

Published: Aug. 22, 2017

Language: Английский

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Mangroves of Vietnam: Historical development, current state of research and future threats

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 218, P. 212 - 236

Published: Dec. 30, 2018

Language: Английский

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Intensive tropical land use massively shifts soil fungal communities

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: March 4, 2019

Soil fungi are key players in nutrient cycles as decomposers, mutualists and pathogens, but the impact of tropical rain forest transformation into rubber or oil palm plantations on fungal community structures their ecological functions unknown. We hypothesized that increasing land use intensity habitat loss due to replacement hyperdiverse flora by nonendemic cash crops drives a drastic diversity soil taxa impairs functions. Unexpectedly, conversion was not associated with strong massive shifts composition. Fungal communities clustered according system plant species. Network analysis revealed characteristic genera significantly different systems. Shifts structure were particularly distinct among trophic groups, substantial decreases symbiotrophic increases saprotrophic pathotrophic comparison forests. In conclusion, forests current systems restructure towards enhanced pathogen pressure and, thus, threaten ecosystem health

Language: Английский

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Ultramafic geoecology of South and Southeast Asia

Botanical studies, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 58(1)

Published: April 3, 2017

Globally, ultramafic outcrops are renowned for hosting floras with high levels of endemism, including plants specialised adaptations such as nickel or manganese hyperaccumulation. Soils derived from regoliths generally nutrient-deficient, have major cation imbalances, and concomitant concentrations potentially phytotoxic trace elements, especially nickel. The South Southeast Asian region has the largest surface occurrences in world, but geoecology these is still poorly studied despite severe conservation threats. Due to paucity systematic plant collections many areas lack georeferenced herbarium records databased information, it not possible determine distribution species, species most threatened. However, site-specific studies provide insights several locations Asia. tropical regions differs substantially those temperate that vegetation at lower elevations tall forest relatively low endemism. On mountaintops, where combined forces edaphic climatic factors intersect, obligate hyperendemics often occur. Forest clearing, agricultural development, mining, climate change-related stressors contributed rapid unprecedented loss ultramafic-associated habitats region. large Indonesia’s Sulawesi, Obi Halmahera, other smaller Asia, remains largely unexplored, should be prioritised study conservation.

Language: Английский

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