The Nature Conservancy’s Post

Why do estuaries matter? These ecologically critical habitats, where rivers and oceans meet, are life-sustaining to countless species. When they suffer due to development or agriculture, the entire ecosystem suffers. Learn how TNC Oregon is working to restore these dynamic habitats that are disappearing from the Oregon Coast. https://nature.ly/3SclgDs

A useful reminder of the importance of wetlands to mark #WorldWetlandsDay

Rivers and streams transport water, organisms, essential gases, and nutrients across landscapes. They help recharge underground water reserves and provide habitats for numerous plant and animal species. They also help shape the Earth's features as they flow toward the sea. So, what happens when we encounter severely eroded stream banks? How can we encourage restoration to prevent further land degradation, protect habitats, increase overall ecosystem health, and ultimately increase water supply? Well, that's what we'd like to share in upcoming posts. More soon.🌿 #tobuildavillageinhaiti #riverrestoration #agrikilti #ayitiagrikilti

👀Meet the arrow-shaped plant of the Danube River! 🌿 The Sagittaria sagittifolia, also known as the Arrowhead, is a versatile wetland wonder thriving along the Danube and other major rivers in Europe and western Asia. 🌍 Adapted to fluctuating conditions, its name comes from the distinct arrowhead-shaped leaves. They give life to a very attractive pure white flower with a dark purple center, blooming from June to August. 🌼 Despite its adaptive prowess, this species faces endangerment due to habitat loss from river regulation. Classified as endangered, it enjoys protection in some countries. 🚨 This semi-aquatic plant plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, tolerating water level fluctuations, producing starchy tubers, and contributing to the delicate balance of these habitats. 🌱 Advocating for the preservation of the native Sagittaria sagittifolia is vital for sustaining this unique plant and safeguarding the biodiversity of wetland environments. 🌿 Image Source: donauauen.at 📸 #EUMissions #danubelighthouse #SustainableBlueEconomy #discoveringdanube #MissionOcean #SustainableFuture #natureconservation #wildlife

New insights into the habitat benefits of seaweed and shellfish farms in temperate ecosystems are emerging from a unique study initiated by The Nature Conservancy on opposite sides of the globe: New Zealand and the Gulf of Maine. https://lnkd.in/eEUT3Tai

Today is #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. This year’s theme is focused on the critical importance of insects to migratory bird populations. The Wood Duck is one of this year's ambassador bird species. According to World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), “Wood Ducks primarily forage in shallow waters, and research on their feeding habits indicate that during the breeding season, Coleoptera (beetles) and Diptera (flies) are the two main insect groups they eat. While adult Wood Ducks mainly follow a herbivorous diet, including seeds, algae, small fish, and both terrestrial and aquatic plants, young ducks rely on insects, making up about 70% of their diet. These migratory ducks travel from North America to coastal and wetland areas in Mexico and a portion of the Caribbean. Wetlands with plenty of water resources with insects are essential for Wood Ducks.” Protecting our natural spaces is vital to protecting biodiversity in the Kawarthas. We once again offer you our thanks for protecting the land you love. 💚 📸 Wood Ducks at KLT's Hammer Family Nature Preserve (Mike Lake)

Autumn rains in the Doñana wetlands are a gift from nature that bring enormous benefits to this unique ecosystem: •They replenish the soil, ensuring that the marshes have sufficient moisture. This is essential for the survival of local flora and fauna. •They provide nutrients: Precipitation carries nutrients from the surrounding lands into the marshes. These nutrients enrich the soil and encourage the growth of aquatic plants and algae. •They stabilize the sediment, contributing to the accumulation of sediment in the protected areas, where the vegetation retains them. •They influence the reproductive cycle of our crawfish. Increasing the flow and availability of water can be beneficial for their reproduction and development. •They increase biodiversity because fresh water brings with it a wide variety of aquatic organisms. These rains not only refresh the landscape, but also support life in the marshes.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, SEASALT Europe takes a moment to recognize the immense biodiversity of salt marshes, ecosystems that are not only crucial for sea salt production but also play a vital role in the health of our planet. Sea saltworks are coastal wetlands that teem with life, supporting a diverse array of flora and fauna. They act as natural barriers against storms and erosion, filter pollutants from water, and provide essential habitat for countless species, including birds, fish, and invertebrates. As sea salt producers, we are intimately connected to salt marshes. The salt we harvest is a product of these dynamic ecosystems, and we are committed to ensuring their sustainable management and protection. By working together, we can ensure that salt marshes continue to thrive for generations to come. #InternationalDayForBiologicalDiversity #SeaSaltworks #Biodiversity #SEASALTEurope

Dead #trees are crucial to forest #ecosystems, supporting #biodiversity and aiding regeneration. They host species like beetles, fungi, and bats, which depend on decaying wood. David Lindenmayer emphasizes their role in carbon storage, habitats, and nutrient recycling. "Snags" or fallen logs attract fungi that break down lignin, creating habitats for insects, amphibians, and birds. Over 1,200 U.S. wildlife species rely on dead trees, and removing them threatens many organisms. Forest management now focuses on preserving deadwood to support biodiversity and nutrient cycling. However, dead trees near roads or playgrounds may need removal for safety. While dead trees in private yards offer limited benefits, they are more impactful in forests. The debate on wildfire risk continues, but deadwood is generally less likely to ignite than smaller debris. https://lnkd.in/dXu2HH7N

“Even though water is scarce on many arid and semi-arid rangelands, the supply and storage of clean water is a fundamental ecosystem service provided by these lands… “Maximizing the amount of water available to plants supports many different ecosystem services and benefits on rangelands because so many are closely linked to vegetation (e.g., forage for both wild and domestic herbivores, habitat for a wide range of animals, biodiversity, carbon dynamics/sequestration, and nutrient cycling). Some have even stated that water is the ecosystem service that underpins all other ecosystem services. Even if “all” is too strong of a word, most would probably agree that water availability is necessary to support the vast majority of ecosystem services on rangelands.” Read more about this ecosystem service rangelands provide in the full report at https://ow.ly/TOVI50PBKjZ #rangelands #ecosystemservices