The Nature Conservancy Science

🔬 Each month, we bring you insights from one of TNC’s scientists. This month, we’re excited to spotlight Mate Zec, our Europe Renewable Energy Siting Specialist. 🌍🌳 Mate’s work is at the intersection of technology and nature, optimizing solar and wind power development to harmonize with our natural world and local communities. But his role doesn’t stop there. Mate emphasizes the importance of communication and public engagement, fostering a dialogue that brings us all closer to a sustainable future. 🗣️ Click to watch and learn more about Mate’s work and his work with renewable energy. Mate Zec #TNCScience #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #PublicEngagement

We are so excited about this new postion within the Global Science Team at TNC! If you or anyone you know would be a great fit, apply!

Dedicated to restoring the Teluk Semanting Mangrove, an Indonesian village embraces the mantra: “More mangroves, more blessings,” as they plant Rhizophora seedlings. The country holds the third-highest potential globally for carbon sequestration through natural climate solutions*. Today, on the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (UNESCO), we remember that with temperatures rising rapidly, there’s a critical need for solutions that not only sequester carbon but also provide shelter, aid communities in adapting to extreme events, and safeguard ecosystem balance and livelihoods. This short documentary is part of The Nature in Action series, a collaboration with community-led filmmakers from ‘If Not Us Then Who?’. The series showcases stories of individuals and communities at the forefront of nature protection and recovery, emphasizing successful #NatureBasedSolutions and the strong leadership of #IndigenousPeoples and local communities. 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eKNbJvHi ⁉ Curious about the platform behind these stories? *Naturebase is a new interactive tool that brings together science-based data on nature’s pathways to benefit the climate by showing where, why, and how to implement high-integrity nature-based projects with the highest carbon mitigation impact while improving livelihoods and protecting biodiversity. Save the date for the launch of the platform this Monday, the 28th! #climateaction #mangroves The Nature Conservancy Science The Nature Conservancy

Every year, commercial fishers deploy between 45,000 to 65,000 Fish Aggregation Devices (dFADs) in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. These devices are a lifeline for the industry, attracting an abundant catch. However, up to 10% of these dFADs drift away, lost and unrecovered, turning from tools of the trade into threats for our oceans. These lost dFADs can drift into protected waters, causing damage to fragile coral reef ecosystems. 🕵️ One place at risk is the Palmyra Atoll, a preserve in the Pacific Ocean known for its seabirds, land crabs, and healthy coral reefs. But there is hope. The Atoll is home to the pioneering dFAD Watch Program, a beacon of innovation and collaboration in ocean conservation. 📡This program employs cutting-edge satellite technology to track and intercept dFADs. But it’s not just about interception - the program also collects vital oceanographic data, contributing to our understanding of the seas. 🛑The initiative has already seen significant success, intercepting 37 dFADs and preventing over 4000 feet of nets from causing damage to sensitive habitats. That’s 4000 feet of potential destruction prevented - clear evidence of the power of technology and collaboration in conservation. 🤝This work is a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and industrial partner Purse Seine Tuna Fleets, and future plans are in the works to extend the program to other island nations. Check out more information about this work here https://nature.ly/46qoCZx #Fisheries #CoralReefs #OceanConservation

Our new paper - ably led by Jonah Busch is out! See Jonah's post below for a summary of some of the most compelling results, but for the data folks out there (like myself) - I'm also very excited because this paper includes new and spatially explicit implementation cost, opportunity cost layers, pixel-level carbon accumulation curves for natural regrowth and plantations, and a map of the "most likely" predicted plantation species.

The western US is witnessing a rapid transformation of its forests, a change that is having a profound impact on the availability of water from snowmelt. The intricate relationship between forests and snow is complex, and unfortunately, existing models fall short in providing precise snow measurements across diverse forest structures. 🏔️ To bridge this gap, a team of TNC scientists has turned to Snowtography. This cost-effective monitoring technique assesses the impact of snow in forests, providing invaluable data that was previously missing. Coupled with data from remote sensing in Arizona, the researchers discovered: the impact of forest cover on snowpack is elevation dependent 🔬 ❄️ At lower, warmer sites, forest cover reduces the packing and melting of snow, leading to an advanced snowmelt timing. However, at higher, colder sites, the opposite is true - forest cover delays snowmelt. 🌨️ These findings have far-reaching implications. They suggest that forest management strategies can influence not just the timing of snowmelt, but also its volume. This could potentially lead to a trade-off situation: enhancing forest resilience might come at the cost of maximizing downstream water resources. ❄️ 🌳 This research highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between forests and snow. As we continue to grapple with climate change and its impacts, such insights will be crucial in helping us manage our natural resources more effectively. Read the full research article here https://nature.ly/4cdcBrX #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Snowmelt Ravindra Dwivedi Jessie K. Pearl Marcos Robles 📸 Patrick McDonald/TNC Photo Contest 2018

In Lamu, Kenya life is deeply connected to the sea. Small-scale fisheries, a lifeline for many, are an integral part of the culture, livelihoods, and the local economy. However, this vibrant region is under threat. The vision of large-scale development projects cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of these traditional ways of life. While these projects promise progress, they often overlook the delicate balance of these ecosystems and the rights of small-scale fishers. 🔍 Recent work co-led by scientists from The Nature Conservancy in Africa has shed light on this pressing issue. They have analyzed the integral connection between basic human rights and the protection of small-scale fisheries. Their research delves into the extent to which judicial courts have recognized or granted rights to small-scale fishers. 🏘️ The team identifies crucial steps for communities whose rights are threatened by large development projects. These steps are not quick fixes, but systemic changes that can only be achieved by movement building and sustained advocacy over time. 🎣The fight for the rights of small-scale fishers is a fight for the preservation of culture, livelihoods, and the local economy. It’s a fight for sustainable development that respects the rights of all stakeholders and the environment. To read the full paper click here https://nature.ly/3Yb2uQT #Fisheries #HumanRights Bryan P. Galligan, SJ George Maina Fernando Saldivar

India’s rich network of freshwater resources plays a crucial role in their ecology, society, and economy. But these vital ecosystems are under threat from pollution, overexploitation, habitat loss, and climate change. A dedicated team, including scientists from TNC India, has proposed a comprehensive strategy to safeguard these resources. Their approach includes: 🚣♀️Establishing a shared national freshwater conservation vision 🌏Integrating freshwater goals into global efforts 📒Conducting regional conservation planning 🗣️Addressing implementation gaps They also emphasize the need for secure sustainable funding, improved data access, knowledge translation, and raising national awareness about the importance of freshwater. Read the full paper here https://nature.ly/4bOHhiE #Conservation #Sustainability #Freshwater Roshni Arora

The Global Mangrove Alliance is on a mission undertaking a crucial inventory of mangrove projects and policy efforts worldwide to protect and restore these vital ecosystems. Together with Mangrove Breakthrough, the Global Mangrove Alliance is committed to working with their members, partners, and extended network to achieve TNC’s ambitious 2030 Goals. 🔍 As these groups scale their efforts, they are seeking to identify all ongoing mangrove work. This will help them to maximize funding opportunities and prioritize investments and implementation support. 📝 The Global Mangrove Alliance’s 2024 Stock Take Survey is an opportunity to identify and connect viable projects with funding and training opportunities and to measure worldwide progress towards 2030 goals. Available in 9 languages, the survey is for anyone around the world who works with mangrove projects, policy, research, or diversified livelihood projects and is open through Aug. 31, 2024. If you are working with mangroves in some capacity, the team would love for you to take the survey (found here) https://nature.ly/3W7tf67. Your input is valuable and will help to inform future planning around mangrove project opportunities. #GlobalMangroveAlliance #MangroveBreakthrough #2030Goals #MangroveConservation 📷 Axel Martínez/TNC Photo Contest 2023

Earlier this year, TNC’s One Conservancy Science Program published its inaugural annual report, emphasizing the vital role of natural infrastructure in protecting coastal communities. The report highlighted TNC initiatives related to natural infrastructure, with findings including: 🌊Coral Reefs and mangroves offer a wealth of services to people and act as natural barriers, reducing wave energy and storm surge heights, which in turn minimizes inland flooding. 💸Despite their immense benefits, coral reef and mangrove restoration face funding limitations. Innovative financing models are essential to support post-storm recovery efforts. 📝In 2019, TNC pioneered the world’s first coral reef insurance policy in Mexico. Recently, TNC’s science confirmed the feasibility of reef insurance in Hawai‘i and Florida, leading to the first US coral reef insurance policy in Hawai‘i in late 2022 💰A groundbreaking study by TNC and partners assessed mangrove insurance policies in Mexico, Florida, and The Bahamas. These mangroves provide over US$17 billion annually in flood protection benefits. The report identified nine potential pilot project sites, emphasizing the need for targeted action 🤝TNC collaborated with the Asian Development Bank to develop a report that reviews coral reef benefits, risks, and sustainable financing opportunities in Asia and the Pacific To read the full report and learn more about this work click here https://nature.ly/4cWuXhA #NatureMatters #CoastalProtection #CoralReefs #Mangroves #Financing