tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56264493587634341062024-02-01T21:35:07.487-08:00FOREST NEWS COMPILATIONcurrent and recent news forest degradationforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-26554754195497226252014-01-28T18:35:00.001-08:002014-01-28T18:35:25.457-08:00FOREST BURNING : PRESCRIBED BURNS TO RESTORE CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN GRASSLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA99nQ9rFNJkbKbdAez_3eOlw4r6q-KIXRfoVHptbeABoU3sVnv7UjgoA8Jgp1M9XUE781RXIBvIabMT1l-n3XPpXXwBdMjPX7VB03OWquG907ynlsqPxIPRZyP73_aMr87PJ07V4cYio/s1600/forest-burning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA99nQ9rFNJkbKbdAez_3eOlw4r6q-KIXRfoVHptbeABoU3sVnv7UjgoA8Jgp1M9XUE781RXIBvIabMT1l-n3XPpXXwBdMjPX7VB03OWquG907ynlsqPxIPRZyP73_aMr87PJ07V4cYio/s1600/forest-burning.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Ministry of Forests, Lands and <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_2">Natural Resource</span>
Operations advises that prescribed burning is planned for several areas
west and south of Williams Lake between Sept. 24 and Oct. 31, weather
conditions permitting.
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These burns are being managed under the Ecosystem Restoration Program to
help restore native grassland ecosystems. The following areas will be
treated using <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_5">prescribed fire</span>:<br /><br />* Beecher's Prairie (Highway 20 at the Toosey turnoff): approximately 220 hectares<br />* Bald Mountain (south of Riske Creek): approximately 150 hectares<br />* <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_6">Deer Creek</span> (Alexis Creek area): approximately 100 hectares<br />* Crow's Bar (Fraser River area, south of Dog Creek): approximately 3,000 hectares<br />* Ward Creek (Fraser River area, north of Gang Ranch): approximately 400 hectares<br /><br />Historically,
the grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed through frequent,
low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment,
rejuvenated understory plants and helped maintain more open grasslands
and forests with <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_7">large trees</span>.
The reintroduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these
grasslands is intended to restore and maintain traditional grassland
plant communities that are native to these areas.<br /><br />These fires are
part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered by the
provincial government in consultation with First Nations, local
ranchers, the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Cariboo-Chilcotin
Conservation Society.<br /><br />Factsheet: Prescribed burning as an <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_1">ecosystem management</span> tool<br /><br />*
Fire is a normal, natural process in many of British Columbia's
ecosystems. Many species of plants, birds, insects and other animals
depend on fire for its regenerative properties.<br /><br />* Fire helps
control insects and the spread of disease in forests. It also
contributes to forest regeneration, as younger trees replace older
trees. Having trees of various ages in a forest helps create
biodiversity.<br /><br />* Prescribed burning is one of the tools used by forest professionals to achieve <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_3">land management</span> objectives. For example, fire can be used to enhance habitat and improve forage for cattle, deer, bighorn sheep and moose.<br /><br />*
A controlled burn can also reduce fuel loads (combustible material such
as underbrush and dead wood) and reduce the risk of wildfire in
interface areas (where urban development borders on rural areas).<br /><br />* The size and intensity of prescribed burns are carefully planned and controlled to meet ecosystem <span class="ha3q04h8665i" id="ha3q04h8665i_4">management objectives</span>.
Prescribed burns are only ignited when weather conditions are
favourable and when the fire will not create excessive smoke. Important
factors used to determine whether a burn will go ahead include the
venting index, temperature, humidity and wind conditions.<br /><br />* The
venting index is a measure of how quickly smoke will disperse under
specific conditions. Prescribed fires may only be ignited on days when
the forecast for the venting index is "good" or better.<br /><br />* All
prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act's
open burning smoke control regulation, which helps minimize the amount
of smoke that's produced.<br /><br />* A prescribed burn is ignited and
continuously monitored by trained firefighting crews to ensure that the
fire does not spread beyond its planned size. The fire crew supervisor
(the "burn boss") is responsible for ensuring that initial burning
conditions are favourable and that the fire is fully extinguished once
the prescribed burn is complete.<br /><br />Media Contact:<br />Hugh Flinton<br />Ecosystem Restoration<br />Range Branch<br />Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations<br />250 398-4224<br />hugh.flinton@gov.bc.ca
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-39216442472230067282013-05-30T06:57:00.000-07:002013-05-08T23:48:12.450-07:00PHOTOS: MORE NEW SPECIES FOUND IN INDONESIA'S 'LOST WORLD' <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRtQN-iZObkfliYcMmWvcMVr9b_lLxxt7iMVe-k7EPbvbxdF5fDE1IN_8S6HoFlsnffcN2sibL9DzwX0DYMdXBUWVXcqDIKNLBUql-2M3Su6ajRW2EQ6574An7Wi5TAkyf8DYC7fJv8hq/s1600/LIZARD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRtQN-iZObkfliYcMmWvcMVr9b_lLxxt7iMVe-k7EPbvbxdF5fDE1IN_8S6HoFlsnffcN2sibL9DzwX0DYMdXBUWVXcqDIKNLBUql-2M3Su6ajRW2EQ6574An7Wi5TAkyf8DYC7fJv8hq/s400/LIZARD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif,arial; font-size: 85%;">The Foja Mountains on the Indonesian side of New Guinea have proven a biological treasure trove that just keeps spilling riches. Two-and-a-half years ago the region—dubbed Indonesia's 'lost world'—made news globally when researchers announced the discovery of a giant rat: five times the size of the familiar brown rat. New amphibians, birds, and insects have also been found during past expeditions in 2005 and 2007. A collaborative team of Indonesia and international researchers have since returned to the Foja Mountains and found more <u><i><b>spectacular species</b></i></u>.<br /><br />Undertaken by Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), the recent 2008 expedition has proven as just as fruitful as two prior ones. During this expedition biologists uncovered several new mammals, a bird unknown to science, a new amphibian and a new reptile, as well as a dozen insect species.<br /><br />"The Foja Mountains are a virtual island where species have evolved for millennia," explains John Francis, Vice President for Research, Conservation and Exploration at National Geographic in a press release. The National Geographic Institute provided scientific and financial support, while Tim Laman of National Geographic magazine joined the expedition as photographer (see a selection of Laman's photos at the end of the article).<br /><br />The expedition's new amphibian was discovered fortuitously by herpetologist Paul Oliver as it sat on a bag of rice in the camp. The frog (Litoria sp. nov.), already dubbed 'Pinocchio', has a long nose that points up when males call, but down when they are inactive. Oliver also uncovered a new gecko species during the trip. Ornithologist, Neville Kemp, was also lucky: he discovered an unknown species of imperial pigeon (<i>Ducula</i> sp. nov.). Researchers recorded the new bird no less than four times during the expedition.<br /><br />One of the discoveries proved a record-breaker: a new species of dwarf wallaby (<i>Dorcopsulus</i> sp. nov.) is now the smallest in the world. Biologists also found a new species of blossom bat (<i>Syconycteris</i> sp. nov) and a new tree mouse <i>Pogonomys</i> sp. nov.).<br /><br />Braving torrential rains and flash floods, researchers in addition found a new black and white butterfly (<i>Ideopsis fojana</i>) and a new flowering shrub (<i>Ardisia hymenandroides</i>).<br /><br />"While animals and plants are being wiped out across the globe at a pace never seen in millions of years, the discovery of these absolutely incredible forms of life is much needed positive news," said Dr. Bruce Beehler, a senior research scientist at CI and expedition member. "Places like these represent a healthy future for all of us and show that it is not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis."<br /><br />Many of the species recorded on the expedition, while not new to science, are incredibly rare. Scientists took the first photos ever of a free moving golden-mantled tree-kangaroo (<i>Dendrolagus pulcherrimus</i>), which is classified by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered due to over-hunting and habitat loss. Researchers believe there may be less than 250 golden-mantled tree-kangaroos left in the world.<br /><br />Spread over 300,000 square hectares in western New Guinea, the Foja Mountains are made-up of pristine isolated rainforest free from development, roads, and deforestation. The Indonesian government has currently classified the area as a National Wildlife Sanctuary. Conservation International hopes this RAP helps encourage more protection in the region.<br /><br />Conservation International's RAP surveys send researchers into poorly known parts of the world for a short time (usually three-four weeks) in order quickly assess a region's biodiversity. This RAP was supported by National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, and Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), and will be covered in the June 2010 issue of National Geographic magazine.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/05_Frog_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 310px; width: 465px;" /><br />Long-nosed tree frog (Litoria sp. nov.) New species of frog, discovered by Paul Oliver of Australia with funding from the National Geographic Society. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/03_Wallaby_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 310px; width: 465px;" /><br />Wallaby (Dorcopsulus sp. nov.) The world's tiniest known member of the kangaroo family, discovered by Kristofer Helgen of the Smithsonian Institution. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/10_Pigeon_NevilleKemp.568.jpg" style="height: 311px; width: 465px;" /><br />Imperial pigeon (Ducula sp. nov.) New species. Photo by: Neville Kemp. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/08_BlossomBat_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 310px; width: 467px;" /><br />Blossom bat (Syconycteris sp. nov.) New species. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/06_Gecko_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 311px; width: 467px;" /><br />Gecko (Crytodactylus sp. nov.) New species discovered by Paul Oliver of Australia, with funding from the National Geographic Society. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/04_TreeMouse_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 309px; width: 464px;" /><br />Tree mouse (Pogonomys sp. nov.) Likely new species, discovered by Kristofer Helgen of the Smithsonian Institution. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/02_Fieldwork_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 310px; width: 465px;" /><br />Harry Sutrisno of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences traps moths. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/07_WoolyGiantRat_TimLaman.568.jpg" style="height: 694px; width: 464px;" /><br />Woolly giant rat (Mallomys sp. nov.) New species. A related article, with images by Tim Laman, appears in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. To view more images, go to www.ngm.com/foja.<br /><br /><br />http://news.mongabay.com</span><span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif,arial; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span></span></span>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-20282152221935439202013-05-30T06:52:00.000-07:002013-05-08T23:42:36.325-07:00A NATION OF TRAGEDIES: THE UNSEEN ELEPHANTS WARS OF CHAD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0HwHgbR8tQvUIBHA0i0LKxN9zuhv3epQ-P9j_E5xF8QO3h8dEgbqlO4ay9us1XMGQc4d5tg6XJLQL73u90MrgxJlfwvAsgR1mt2QWoSqNk6jYfiwGGgP4U5In8bSPQyj36yqgYB5NCO8/s1600/elephant-DEATH.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0HwHgbR8tQvUIBHA0i0LKxN9zuhv3epQ-P9j_E5xF8QO3h8dEgbqlO4ay9us1XMGQc4d5tg6XJLQL73u90MrgxJlfwvAsgR1mt2QWoSqNk6jYfiwGGgP4U5In8bSPQyj36yqgYB5NCO8/s1600/elephant-DEATH.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif,arial; font-size: 85%;">Stephanie Vergniault, head of SOS Elephants in Chad, says she has seen more beheaded corpses of elephants in her life than living animals.<br /><br />In the central African nation, against the backdrop of a vast human tragedy—poverty, hunger, violence, and hundreds of thousands of refugees—<i><b>elephants are quietly vanishing</b></i> at an astounding rate. One-by-one they fall to well-organized, well-funded, and heavily-armed poaching militias. Soon Stephanie Vergniault believes there may be no elephants left.<br /><br />A lawyer, screenwriter, and conservationist, Vergniault is a true Renaissance-woman. She first came to Chad to work with the government on electoral assistance, but in 2009 after seeing the dire situation of the nation's elephants she created SOS Elephants, an organization determined to save these animals from local extinction. As a writer Vergniault is also working on a screenplay related to the ivory trade in Chad and elsewhere in Africa.<br /><br /><table align="right"> <tbody>
<tr> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td width="350"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> <img border="0" src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/soselephantraphael__photos_031.350.JPG" /><br />Poached elephant: poachers cut off the trunk and sometimes the head to get at the ivory tusks. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault. </span></td> </tr>
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"The <i><b>population of Chadian elephants was around 20,000</b></i> in the 1980s, but due to the intensive poaching, it was reduced to a little more than 3,000 today," Vergniault recently told mongabay.com, illustrating a total decline of 85 percent in less than three decades. And that number keeps falling: 105 elephants were killed by poaching in the region of Logon Oriental during the month of April alone. According to Vergniault if poaching continues at this rate not a single elephant will be alive in Chad in three years time.<br /><br />SOS Elephants is working desperately to establish ways to stop poaching in Chad, yet they face off against poachers who are highly-trained and well-compensated soldiers-of-fortune with access to sophisticated technology, not simple locals driven to kill elephants out of desperate poverty.<br /><br />"I doubt [the poachers] are living in Chad," Vergniault says. "They have a kind of Arabic nomadic style: traveling by horses divided into small groups of 5, sometimes with camels to carry the ivory. They are apparently former soldiers, since they are very well trained when shooting."<br /><br />Vergniault says that she believes the poachers have their main base in the Central African Republic, and are likely operating both in Chad and Cameroon. These poachers are also equipped with the latest in technological advances, including GPS and satellite phones. They may even be employing satellite imagery to locate and follow elephant herds.<br /><br /><table align="right"> <tbody>
<tr> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td width="350"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> <img border="0" src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/soselephants.schoolroom.350.JPG" /><br />Vergniault works with locals. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault. </span></td> </tr>
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"Due to certain sources that I cannot for the moment reveal, we are really wondering if they are not using satellite pictures to localize the groups of elephants," Vergniault explains. "It is very important for us to understand how the traffic is organized abroad and if the 'guys' behind the traffic have very sophisticated ways to operate and are able guide the poachers due to very high satellite picture, perhaps even military quality?"<br /><br />Who is ultimately organizing and paying these militia-poachers no one knows. However, the ivory does not stay in Africa, but most likely ends up in far-away China, a nation known for a rich market of illegal wildlife goods.<br /><br />The only way for SOS Elephants to even begin combating such determined poaching is by working closely with locals and the Chadian government.<br /><br />"We are slowly establishing a very good network of local informers who have been taught by us to give us the position of poachers or elephants. Due to our very good relationships with the Chadian authorities, we are alerting the Mobile Forces of Protection of the Environment and sometimes even the Head of State to ask him to send troops whenever it is necessary," Vergniault says, adding that the Head of State of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, has become a heroic ally in the war to save the nation's elephants.<br /><br /><table align="right"> <tbody>
<tr> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td width="350"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> <img border="0" src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/saisie__ivoire_2_kukundja.350.JPG" /><br />Officials seize ivory with killed elephant in the background. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault. </span></td> </tr>
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The government, Vergniault stresses, has been incredibly helpful. In fact, it's not only elephants that are losing their lives to poachers' ammunition, but Chadian soldiers as well. Last month poachers killed two Chadian soldiers in a single weekend. The elephant wars are a human tragedy just as much as a wildlife one.<br /><br />Along those lines, SOS Elephants is not content to only work on the poaching issue, but is also helping locals protect their fields from hungry elephant.<br /><br />"Because we need to enhance the quality of the relationships between elephants and farmers, our second kind of activities is to teach the people how to better protect their crops," says Vergniault, who has worked with farmers to employ red pepper as elephant-repellent, including planting red pepper around their fields.<br /><br />Historically, Chad's elephants have migrated both to Cameroon and the Central African Republic using the same corridors for centuries, but recently farmers have moved into many of these corridors planting crops, which has brought sensitive elephants and humans closer together. SOS Elephants is also working with authorities on plans to move people out of the elephant corridors.<br /><br /><table align="right"> <tbody>
<tr> <td width="20"><br /></td> <td width="350"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> <img border="0" src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/soselephant.carcass.soldiers.350.JPG" /><br />Vergniault overlooks carcass with soldiers for protection. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault. </span></td> </tr>
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"A lot of education should be done with locals to explain that elephants can produce income and that it is [the local's] duty to alert the authorities when poachers are around," Vergniault says, but adds that saving Chad's elephants is not just up to Chadians.<br /><br />"At a greater level the International community should pressure all the states buying [ivory] to condemn it."<br /><br />As highly-intelligent animals, Vergniault says that the elephants of Chad have not been left psychologically unscarred by the poaching war waged against them. In fact, the constant pursuit by armed killers—and tens-of-thousands of their own dead—have made the elephants of Chad increasingly aggressive, and even murderous.<br /><br />"Elephants have a very good memory and, in my opinion, most of them are now survivors of a 'holocaust'. They have seen other elephants from their groups killed by humans and more and more they are taking their revenge and are becoming serial killers," Vergniault explains. "It is a pity! The remaining elephants of Chad are survivors and their only way to survive is to be very aggressive. For example, every time Chadians elephants see a horseman, they charge! Why? Because poachers are horsemen!"<br /><br />Elephant poaching is on the rise globally, but in all the media covering the issue the massacred elephants of Chad have been largely ignored: Vergniault hopes to change this.<br /><br />In a nation still considered unstable—where approximately 80 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and hundreds-of-thousands of refugees have arrived to escape violence in Darfur—saving elephants may appear unimportant next to the scale of human tragedy. Yet, if one is to hope for the future of Chad, and of central Africa in general, one has to believe that species like the elephant can survive the current onslaught—just as one hopes the people will weather the long storm—and continue to inhabit a region where they have roamed for millions of years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>To keep up on the work of SOS Elephants join the Facebook page which sends out regular updates: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60337531783&ref=ts">SOS Elephants Facebook Group</a>.</b><br /><br /><b>Questions for Stephanie Vergniault or offers of help? Please feel free to contact her: svergniaul@aol.com</b> <br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/Chadselephants.568.JPG" /><br />A herd of elephants roaming free in Chad. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/BRACONNAGE_MOYEN_DALLAH_047.568.JPG" /><br />Vergniault inspects an 'average' poaching. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/soselephants.motorcycle.568.JPG" /><br />Vergniault rides with a soldier for protection. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/elephant.poached.568.JPG" /><br />Poached elephant with trunk cut off. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/sos.elephants.footballteam.568.JPG" /><br />SOS Elephants works closely with local communities. Here they have sponsored a local football team. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/poached.elephant.sos.568.JPG" /><br />Poached elephant with its head cut off. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/sos.elephants.locals.568.JPG" /><br />Vergniault working with locals. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/officials.ivory.568.JPG" /><br />Officials hold up confiscated ivory. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos.mongabay.com/j/poached.elephant.vergniault.568.JPG" /><br />Vergniault examines a poached elephant. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Vergniault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><script src="http://comments.mongabay.com/comments.js" type="text/javascript"></script></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif,arial; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /><br />Source : </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif,arial; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 85%;">mongabay.com<br /></span></span></span></span></span>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-32427953066209371222013-05-29T23:17:00.000-07:002013-05-08T23:24:53.342-07:00HABITAT LOSS BLAMED FOR MORE SPECIES DECLINE<div class="image">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"><img alt="Coenonympha orientalis. Photo © Neil Thompson" border="0" height="266" src="http://www.iucnredlist.org/images/news/coenonympha_orientalis_neil_thompson_18095_rzA_0_180.jpg" title="Coenonympha orientalis. Photo © Neil Thompson" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"> </a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"> </a><br />
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<b>Habitat loss is having a serious impact on Europe’s butterflies, beetles and dragonflies. The release of the European Red List, commissioned by the European Commission, shows that nine percent of butterflies, 11 percent of saproxylic beetles (beetles that depend on decaying wood) and 14 percent of dragonflies are threatened with extinction within Europe. Some species are so threatened that they are at risk of global extinction and are now included in the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"> </a><br />
<table align="left" class="quoteBox" style="height: 173px; width: 166px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td><img alt="Chris van Swaay" height="325" src="http://cmsdata.iucn.org/img/original/melitaea_aurelia3___chris_van_swaay_small.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Nickerl’s Fritillary<br />
(<i>Melitaea aurelia</i>)</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
<i>“When talking about threatened species, people tend to think of larger, more charismatic creatures such as pandas or tigers, but we mustn’t forget that the small species on our planet are just as important, and are also in need of conservation action. Butterflies, for instance, play a hugely pivotal role as pollinators in the ecosystems in which they live,” </i>says <b>Jane Smart, Director, IUCN Biodiversity Conservation Group</b>.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"> </a><br />
<br />
According to new studies commissioned by the European Commission and carried out by IUCN, Butterfly Conservation Europe and the European Invertebrates Survey, nearly a third (31 percent) of Europe’s 435 butterfly species have declining populations and nine percent are already threatened with extinction. For example, the Madeiran Large White Butterfly (<i>Pieris wollastoni</i>) is Critically Endangered (possibly extinct), having not been seen on Madeira for at least 20 years, and the Macedonian Grayling Butterfly (<i>Pseudochazara cingovskii</i>) in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is also Critically Endangered because quarrying activities are reducing its habitat. A third of Europe’s butterflies (142 species) are found nowhere else in the world, and 22 of these endemic species (15 percent) are globally threatened.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"> </a><br />
<i>“Most butterflies at risk are confined to southern Europe; their main threat is habitat loss, most often caused by changes in agricultural practices, either through intensification or abandonment, or to climate change, forest fires and the expansion of tourism,”</i>’ says <b>Annabelle Cuttelod, IUCN Coordinator of the European Red List</b>.<br />
<br />
For the first time, saproxylic beetles have been assessed for the IUCN Red List. These beetles are unique because they are highly dependent on decaying wood, particularly in forests, and play an essential role in recycling nutrients. A third of the 431 species assessed are unique to Europe. Almost 11 percent (46 species) are at risk of being lost from the region, and seven percent (29 species) are threatened with extinction at the global level. A further 13 percent (56 species) are listed as Near Threatened within Europe.<br />
The main long-term threats to saproxylic beetles are habitat loss due to logging and the decline in the number of mature trees. The Violet Click Beetle (<i>Limoniscus violaceous</i>) is an Endangered species that typically lives in large tree cavities containing wood mould. It is under threat from changing woodland management practices.<br />
<br />
Dragonflies occur almost everywhere in Europe, with the highest numbers in southern France, the foothills of the Alps and parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Fourteen percent of the 130 dragonfly species assessed are at risk; five of these are threatened with global extinction. A further 11 percent are considered Near Threatened within Europe. Like butterflies, most of the threatened species are confined to southern parts of Europe. Increasingly hot and dry summers combined with intensified water extraction for drinking and irrigation are causing the dragonflies’ wetland habitats to dry up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91XlDkx0XDKYTbjSBRFflMuW33XDAZmuZGBfzinEyeR43MYzY_6yi_14KTFaD99GmGfGQOXfMSbX9tRhEUsc6z0WHcPV_0O22d1WDi4_QwQOqhZn8r4cOyhe3zJOAbc69944opVn-KP6x/s1600/hutan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91XlDkx0XDKYTbjSBRFflMuW33XDAZmuZGBfzinEyeR43MYzY_6yi_14KTFaD99GmGfGQOXfMSbX9tRhEUsc6z0WHcPV_0O22d1WDi4_QwQOqhZn8r4cOyhe3zJOAbc69944opVn-KP6x/s400/hutan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Three of the most threatened dragonflies of Europe are endemic to the brooks and small rivers of Greece and nearby countries, including Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey. If no action is taken species like the Greek Red Damsel may become extinct during the first half of this century.<br />
<br />
<i>"Nature's future is our future, and if it fails, we will fail too,” </i>says <b>EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik.</b> <i>“The ecosystem services nature provides, like the provision of food and water and climate regulation, are the vital backbone of our future prosperity. So when a Red List like this raises the alarm, the implications for our own future are clear. This is a worrying decline."</i><br />
<i>Source : http://www.iucnredlist.org/</i><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"><i></i></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="habitat-loss-species-decline"><i><br /></i></a>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-90081146467977299792013-05-25T10:55:00.000-07:002013-05-08T23:36:31.318-07:00LONG TERM OBJECTIVES AND GOALS | CONSIDERABLE DEVELOPMENT OF INDONESIAN FOREST AND FORESTRY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5mkpmcL6awnfiFlFxZXm9ciAAxRgt4aeQJr7u_abT7D627X5Tu_glbfxj7bVg1LtDqJL13zt02cRC9XzpRD9xLcrVXAAYLM0puVC9GJDyJw6PRiTAFPWhtwNLoe8DlIh5hFunKp0K2ZA/s1600/ekologi-hutan_clip_image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5mkpmcL6awnfiFlFxZXm9ciAAxRgt4aeQJr7u_abT7D627X5Tu_glbfxj7bVg1LtDqJL13zt02cRC9XzpRD9xLcrVXAAYLM0puVC9GJDyJw6PRiTAFPWhtwNLoe8DlIh5hFunKp0K2ZA/s400/ekologi-hutan_clip_image002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2.2. long term objectives and goals"></a></h2>
Considerable development of Indonesian forest and forestry was initiated 30 years ago. Forestry became one of the lead sectors for development and during this period Indonesian forestry has constituted a very essential sector of the Indonesian economy. The forestry sector contributes to employment, the development of backward and remote areas, foreign exchange revenues, and generates goods for other sectors of the economy. In short, directly and indirectly, forests greatly contribute to the social and economic welfare of the country. Indonesian forests provide raw materials to a large number of industries so that forest and wood-based industries have domestic and export markets and provide significant multiplier effects. <br />
<br />
The Major Guidelines for National Development of Indonesia (GBHN) indicate that Indonesia forest resources should be utilised in a rational and sustainable way with regard to their environmental role and the needs of future generations. The specific goals of Indonesian forestry are related to: (a) environmental conservation, (b) economic growth, (c) social welfare, (d) reduction in unemployment, (e) trade-off in involvement of private, public and co-operative sectors especially in economics activities, (f) promotion of investment and economic growth in less developed regions, and (g) attention to global environmental issues. <br />
<br />
The more specific goals of Indonesia forest resource management have been centred upon: (a) develop the outer islands so as to relieve population pressure in Java and Bali; (b) utilise forests, including plantations, for national development; (c) develop more productive man-made forests and convert degraded-unproductive areas to produce more wood; (d) generate livelihood opportunities for forest communities and the rural population through the multiple-use management of forests; and (e) conserve natural resources to benefit present and future generations. <br />
<br />
In implementing these policies, the MoF derives the programmes on the basis of some items of legislation. Some legislation relevant to forestry development are Act No. 5 of 1967 - the basic forestry law; Act No. 4 of 1982 - the basic environmental management law; and Act No. 5 of 1990 - the conservation of natural living resource and their ecosystems. Under the Act No. 5 of 1967, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) through the Ministry of Forestry (MoF) holds authority to control, manage, and administer the forest resource. The Act No. 5 of 1967 basically determined that forest resource development be directed to: (a) water regulation, (b) flood and erosion prevention, (c) wood and non-wood production, and (d) source of income. The Act also covered the sustained yield principle and the rights of present and future generations to access to and hence benefit from the forest. <br />
<br />
In fact, the policies on forestry are mainly based on national development objectives defined under a 25-year long-term national development plan (Pola Dasar Pembangunan Jangka Panjang (PJP) further detailed in a 5-year national development plan (Pelita). Indonesia is now in the period of the second long-term national development plan (PJP II) from 1994 to 2019, under which the national objectives are directed to economics, environmental, religion, culture, national defence and security, as well as politics. In the beginning of this period, particularly during the ongoing Pelita VI (1995-2000), the objectives of forestry sector emphasise sustainability, conservation, people's participation in forestry activities, poverty alleviation as well as economic and political stability. This would be further implemented consistently in the future. <br />
<br />
How far all these long-term objectives can be achieved now depends greatly on success of the government in handling the recent monetary and confidence crisis. In facing the crisis, the government is now preparing some strategic and practical responses to hold the targets and objectives unchanged partly through implementation of the 50-point Letter of Intent agreed upon with the IMF.<br />
<br />
Source : http://www.fao.org/<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2.2. long term objectives and goals"></a></h2>
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-76529984829077077892013-05-09T00:48:00.001-07:002013-05-09T00:49:54.992-07:00FOREST DEGRADATION IN SELANGOR MALAYSIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrRV-GeY2NVCYAS5fRQg9TReHq7t_c13v6ehjVIly1bBdI6r-IoGyuyBd9XfnxlenpEtndge4LoitXXttpC3x-2DXEm4ETOdLzAdxkUUOgTBQ70HCWBSfmOPgt_UdPKacgZEowjjYsZPs/s1600/forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrRV-GeY2NVCYAS5fRQg9TReHq7t_c13v6ehjVIly1bBdI6r-IoGyuyBd9XfnxlenpEtndge4LoitXXttpC3x-2DXEm4ETOdLzAdxkUUOgTBQ70HCWBSfmOPgt_UdPKacgZEowjjYsZPs/s400/forest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><b><i>Forest Degradation</i></b>. Selangor
which had experienced a loss of up to 10% of its forests in the 22 years
between 1990 and 2012 continues to face forest degradation, a study by
UKM scientists found.</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The
<u><i><b>deforestation</b></i></u> was found to be due to economic and development factors
including increased farming and urbanisation arising from a growing
population.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Director
of UKM’s Institute of Climate Change (IKP), Professor Dr Sharifah
Mastura Syed Abdullah said the continued degradation of the remaining
forests is of a major concern.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Speaking
to UKM News Portal after a seminar on Space Sciences here, Prof Sharifah
Mastura said knowledge on deforestation and its driving forces in
Selangor is very important as it provides the basis for the calculation
of the total amount of carbon stock remaining above ground.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Carbon stock is the supply of carbon, especially carbon dioxide, kept in trees and other plants.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">She said
the study provided an insight into appropriate measures that could be
taken to increase the area of trees to reduce the release of carbon
dioxide emission into the atmosphere.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Photographs
taken by satellites and land use maps from the Ministry of Agriculture
and Agrobased Industry showed the deforestation in Selangor had complex
causes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">She said
the reduction in forest cover in the state must be understood because
for decades perceptions and controversies of deforestation had persisted
in public debate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Prof
Sharifah Mastura said the degradation was due to economic, institutional
and cultural practicesand policywith just over half related to
population dynamics and the rest due to agriculture, economic factors,
public policy and road networks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">She gave the following data:</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: justify; width: 406px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="283"><i><span style="color: black;">Factors Causing Deforestation in Selangor</span></i></td>
<td valign="top" width="123"><i><span style="color: black;">Percentage</span></i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">Population Dynamics</span></td>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">54.4</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">Agriculture Intensification</span></td>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">18.2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">Economic</span></td>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">13.6</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">Public Policies</span></td>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;"> 9.1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;">Road Networks</span></td>
<td valign="top"><span style="color: black;"> 4.5</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><img border="0" class="border" height="425" src="http://www.ukm.my/news/images/stories/Campus2013/hutan1.jpg" width="640" /><img border="0" class="border" height="425" src="http://www.ukm.my/news/images/stories/Campus2013/hutan2.jpg" width="640" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Overall
forest loss in the 22 years was 2% from dipterocarp forestsmade up of
the largest trees and 8.6% from peat swamp forests.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">While the
stastistics may not appear to be alarming, detailed analysis using the
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed the quality of the
forest had degraded widely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Most
researchers agree that forest cover is an important and critical feature
as it plays a major role in maintaining the regional
hydro-climate-ecological balance as well as life sustainability and well
being on earth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">In
Malaysia forest and grassland conversion was fourth in the source of
carbon dioxide emission in the country, contributing 14%. Continuous
conversion of forest to other land use is responsible in the releasing
of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Global annual data on emission of carbon dioxide from deforestation amounted to 25% of the total carbon emission.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Prof
Sharifah Mastura urged more case studies be done on the deforestation
process – not only in Selangor, but all over the country. Only then can
the regional level be considered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">She said
case study results from Selangor contain valuable ground truth that
helps to build up the bigger picture of the actual deforestation issue
in Malaysia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Any policy
aimed at sustaining the forest in Selangor would be futile if
underlying causes of deforestation are not properly known or poorly
understood.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Many
countries have policies favouring economic growth over forest
protection. Consequently, these countries have to bear long term
downstream and irreversible impacts of environmental degradation among
which is an unsustainable forest resource.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i>Forest Degradation </i></b></span>Ensuring
carbon stock in the soil and vegetation above ground, provides the
critical information required for policy makers to access the
feasibility of projects based on land acquisition, Prof Sharifah Mastura
said.</span></div>
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-41070426612147699332013-05-09T00:20:00.000-07:002013-05-09T00:31:30.130-07:00GLOBAL EMISSIONS : MICROSOFT CARBON FEE FUNDS CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY FORESTRY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdbDiENbkAB4hI85tdgqPRd-U7K1xeNA5rarCMvESA-Se7l3vIEo6dfh_5wTCY2pEHfRTqTX2TaVqJSE41cUCKYXSTz03ctE9NKKY8TTxkhu5Sr1Ip2C9qFw0Wep19giK-XP3BX3k9XoJ/s1600/degradation-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdbDiENbkAB4hI85tdgqPRd-U7K1xeNA5rarCMvESA-Se7l3vIEo6dfh_5wTCY2pEHfRTqTX2TaVqJSE41cUCKYXSTz03ctE9NKKY8TTxkhu5Sr1Ip2C9qFw0Wep19giK-XP3BX3k9XoJ/s400/degradation-forest.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Microsoft
is directing some of the money from its “game-changing” internal <b>CARBON FEE</b> to fund international carbon offset projects. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The
Seattle, Washington-based technology firm implemented the <b>carbon fee</b> in
July 2012 as part of its commitment to become carbon neutral, in
recognition of the fact that the information and communications
technology sector emits 2% of <i><b>global emissions</b></i>. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“We
are part of the problem, especially when we look at our customers and
the proliferation of devices that are emerging and the energy they
require, so we need to also be part of the solution,” said Tamara “T.J.”
DiCaprio, senior director of carbon and energy, environmental
sustainability for Microsoft. DiCaprio announced Microsoft’s new wave of
offset purchases at the first ever </span><a href="http://www.reddtalks.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #17609e; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">REDD+ Talks</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">event hosted last week by the </span><a href="http://www.coderedd.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #17609e; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Code REDD</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> Campaign, CSR Wire and REDD+ project developer Wildlife Works in Sausalito, California. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Since
the implementation of the carbon fee, the company has invested more
than $4 million in renewable energy and carbon offset projects around
the world. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Microsoft’s
“game-changing corporate policy,” as DiCaprio describes it, fits right
in with projects to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
(REDD+), she said. One project Microsoft is investing in is the Oddar
Meanchey forest protection project in Cambodia, in which Terra Global
Capital works with local communities to halt deforestation and protect
an area of 56,000 hectares of tropical forest. Forest cover in the Oddar
Meanchey province is being lost at an average annual rate of 2.1%, the
highest in the country. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The
company has also chosen to partner with Carbon Neutral Company to
invest in carbon reduction projects that preserve forests and wildlife
and generate jobs and fund education. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“As
a corporation in a developed country, we can invest in emerging
countries, developing countries, to help them develop in a low-carbon
economy, which is really the foundation for the Kyoto Protocol,” she
said. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">There
are three pillars to Microsoft’s strategy: be lean, be green, be
accountable. Being lean involves reducing the company’s energy use,
waste and air travel. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“The
first step was really to take a look at our own house, get our own
house in order, clean up our own operations,” DiCaprio told attendees at
the REDD+ Talks in Sausalito, California last week. “In order to do
that, our reduction in carbon emissions had to go to zero and hopefully
be net negative when we complete the process.” </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Becoming
a greener company entails, among other activities, investments in
renewable energy and carbon offsets projects. The accountability phase
involves charging the company’s 14 business divisions an additional fee
to account for their carbon emissions, she said. The carbon price, which
was not disclosed, could increase over time. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“The
accountability has been amazing,” she said. “It was very important for
me to start to talk about carbon in terms of dollars.” </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“The impact on the business has been significant,” DiCaprio continued. “The folks are engaged now.” </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">DiCaprio
hopes her company’s efforts can serve as a model for other
organizations in putting a price on carbon, collecting the funds,
driving accountability throughout the organization and using the funds
to support projects, such as the Kasigau Corridor REDD project that aims
to protect 500,000 acres of forest under threat in Kenya. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“The
world needs our help,” she said. “Microsoft can’t do it alone. We need
to be able to distribute these funds out to the organizations and the
groups that are making an impact.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">http://www.forestcarbonportal.com</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-72425008584183475262013-01-29T06:49:00.001-08:002013-01-29T06:57:17.358-08:00DUTERTE BLAMES WEST, CHINA FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, FLOODS IN DAVAO CITYDAVAO CITY, Philippines – “Don’t blame poor Filipinos for what’s
wrong with the weather,” Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said as he lashed at
critics who blamed illegal logging for the worst flooding that
inundated some areas in Davao in water for the whole week.
<br />
<br />
“Every time there’s something wrong with the weather, you start
to crucify the Filipinos, when we don’t have a significant contribution
to what ails the weather. We contribute the least to global warming,
blame the Western world, blame the US and China,” Duterte said, reacting
to the crawler on a cable news network (ANC), which quoted environment
groups as saying the “denudation of Mt. Apo contributed much to the
recent flooding in Davao City.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Duterte, in his Sunday television program, said the volcanic peak
of Mt. Apo had no trees in the first place. Mt. Apo had nothing to do
with the recent flooding, he said.
<br />
<br />
Duterte said 89 million cubic meters of rainfall, an equivalent
to a one-year production of drinking water of the Davao City Water
District in the city, poured in the city in two days, causing the
floods.
<br />
“We never contributed significantly as to alter the temperature of the planet, it was the Western World,” Duterte said.
<br />
<br />
“The rivers and tributaries overflowed,” Duterte said, adding that the flood came from the Lipadas and Davao watershed.
<br />
<br />
He said even if it was illegal logging, it was not the Filipinos
who denuded large forest areas in Mindanao, citing South Cotabato, which
was a virgin forest before American companies started logging
operations that cleared away entire forests.
<br />
<br />
“Who were the first loggers in Mindanao? Those were Americans,”
Duterte said. “Where are our trees? Of course, there were Filipinos, but
at that time, it was considered legitimate.”
<br />
Duterte asked critics to look at the bigger picture, instead of
automatically castigating poor Filipinos for what’s ailing the
environment.
<br />
<br />
“The bigger picture is it was not us who destroyed the
environment, we have the least of the contribution to climate change,”
he said. “What caused the severe wind, velocity 200 kilometers per hour?
It’s the climate. What’s the effect? Everything. Everyone had his share
(of disasters) including New York,” he said.
<br />
<br />
“Do not believe these foreigners coming from the US and Europe to lecture on us about issues,” Duterte said.
<br />
<br />
But he defended those who developed housing subdivisions even in
areas considered now as flood-prone and a catch basin for water. He said
that the developers have been granted permit by the Housing Land Use
and Regulatory Board (HLURB) in the first place, hence, did not have any
choice but to develop the properties.
<br />
<br />
“Jade Valley (subdivision) was built what used to be a riverbed,
so when the river overflowed, expect the water to get inside your
house,” Duterte said.
<br />
<br />
Residents in flood-prone housing subdivisions, such as the Jade
Valley Subdivision, had asked the vice mayor to intervene, hoping to put
a stop to the payment of their housing mortgages within the
subdivision, which developers carved out of the dried up riverbed and
proved to be prone to flooding.
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-90599944323240191522013-01-29T06:05:00.000-08:002013-01-29T06:18:46.289-08:00RADICAL ADVENTURES INTO THE RAINFOREST The rainforests have been called the lungs of the world, and they are
home to the greatest diversity of species of any biome. The massive
and accelerating destruction of the rainforests for purposes of raising
cattle and exploiting mineral resources is an obscene tragedy on a scale
beyond description. And so when individuals with the necessary drive,
curiosity and courage undertake radical adventures into the rainforest
and return to tell about it, it is cause for celebration. And so it is
with two extraordinary recent books: <em>Walking the Amazon</em>, by Ed Stafford, and <em>Naked in Eden</em>, by Robin Easton.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqAIlMGJr4jz64Q_l6vxdr6VeqbDW7xnJ5p52AYaiY4iSyzmlxJd2TRW4p2IxoXOPjf_PpENevKa5o2Akp9Gpc_uJxrzGvtGWek0C_amlN3TTyHEky6v-wiRbc9DguDK2AUXtgQ_BTmjJ/s1600/ADVENTURE-FOREST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqAIlMGJr4jz64Q_l6vxdr6VeqbDW7xnJ5p52AYaiY4iSyzmlxJd2TRW4p2IxoXOPjf_PpENevKa5o2Akp9Gpc_uJxrzGvtGWek0C_amlN3TTyHEky6v-wiRbc9DguDK2AUXtgQ_BTmjJ/s400/ADVENTURE-FOREST.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In 2007, Ed Stafford was searching with a friend for an excursion
into the wilderness that would represent a blend of nature study, an
outstanding feat of physical fitness, and an accomplishment never before
attained. Without knowing much about what it would entail, he settled
upon the idea of walking the entire length of the Amazon River, some
four thousand miles, from its origins in the heights of the Andes
mountains in Peru, all the way to the Atlantic ocean in Brazil. The
river had been traversed its whole length previously by canoe, but never
by anyone navigating exclusively on foot.<br />
<br />
Planning for the excursion required 15 months of meticulous
preparation. Stafford had a background as a captain in the British army
and several years experience as a wilderness nature guide, so he was
not entirely unfamiliar with the nature of the challenge he had set for
himself. Nevertheless, he was trying to accomplish something no one
else had even attempted, much less achieved, and which most
knowledgeable observers considered impossible. <br />
<br />
The Amazon is not a nice, tidy flow of water, secure within banks
lined with established paths and trails. On the contrary, the river is
an unruly mass, swelling with the seasons, restless in its boundaries,
often overflowing and flooding the surrounding countryside. Add to this
the perils posed by native populations, sometimes suspicious of and
hostile to outsiders; the palpable danger of stumbling across narcotics
operations near the portion of the river that runs through Colombia; the
threat of arrest by legal authorities ever vigilant about passports,
visas and local rights of passage; and these are just the hurdles not
presented by the jungle itself.<br />
<br />
For Stafford, the rainforest was not a source of wonder and beauty
but a formidable obstacle to overcome. To be sure, he was conscious of
ecological considerations, careful about recording illegal logging
operations, and committed not to consume endangered species for food.
But his driven, goal-oriented attitude forced him to regard the jungle
as a stubborn foe of sorts, a multiheaded monster that could end his
journey with a single poisonous snakebite or a thousand cuts by razor
grass.<br />
Somehow, in spite of all odds, Stafford actually completed his
impossible expedition. It required 860 days -- well over two years --
most of them accomplished with a single companion and some 80 pounds of
gear on his back. At the end of it all, he had acquired "over 200,000
mosquito and ant bites each; about 600 wasp stings; a dozen scorpion
stings...; and one Guinness World Record." Within days of his
achievement, over 900 articles had been written about it world wide, and
soon he was named European Adventurer of the Year.<br />
<br />
For a study in contrast, it would be hard to find a greater gulf in experience than that represented by Robin Easton's book, <em>Naked in Eden</em>.
The two stories have in common a close encounter with the rainforest,
sustained over a period of many months. Both authors endured extreme
hardships and exposed themselves to exceptional dangers. Both came away
radically changed by their experience. But there the similarity ends.<br />
<br />
Stafford's psychological journey consisted of finding within himself
the deep determination to persist in the face of severe and prolonged
adversity. Easton's journey was of another kind altogether. She was
raised in the countryside of Maine, where both her parents were attuned
to the rhythms of nature. Her father often took her on day trips into
the wild and taught her survival skills and the ability to appreciate
the beauty of the rivers, the wildlife and the forest. <br />
<br />
Later, as a young woman trying to find her way in society, Easton felt
increasingly alienated, uprooted and ill. The rainforest proved to be
her salvation. She had married a man from Australia who was sensitive
to her moods and needs, and courageous enough to accompany her into the
wild. By virtue of his youthful pluck and initiative, they made their
way into the Daintree rainforest on the northeast coast of Australia and
set up camp in a place completely removed from human beings. At 1,200
square kilometres, the Daintree
represents 0.2 percent of the landmass of Australia, yet it is home to
20 percent of the continent's species of birds, 30 percent of its frog,
marsupial and reptile species and 65 percent of its bat and butterfly
species.<br />
<br />
Over the course of more than a year, Easton underwent a profound
psychological transformation. Her husband had a phobia of snakes and
spent his days in camp and on the beach, but Easton hiked every day deep
into the forest. There she communed with the plants, trees, rocks,
streams and wildlife and learned to understand herself as well as her
connection with the natural world. She felt the trees speak to her and
explain the laws of nature and the tragedy of mankind's disassociation
from the earth and its inhabitants.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
"Naked in Eden" is not just a metaphor. Easton shed her clothes and
her shoes and hiked stark naked, mile after mile, day after day, into
the heart of the rainforest. She had countless adventures with birds,
snakes, marsupials, trees, and all the other inhabitants of the wild.
Perhaps the foremost lesson she learned was the all-encompassing lesson
of love. She felt the rainforest pulsating with beauty and life,
embracing her completely, with no judgment, but radiating love.<br />
<br />
Stafford and Easton are both pioneers in a world where everything
seems already to be known. Both found their way into the inner recesses
of nature, and both came away radically changed by the experience.
They are poles apart in the essence of what drove them and what they
discovered, but they are alike in bringing back to civilization the
clarion call of the wild. We owe them both our gratitude, and we owe it
to ourselves to heed the lessons they have learned.<br />
<br />
Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-edmund-moody/radical-adventures-into-t_b_2553185.html forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-31534592599594991402012-09-18T23:39:00.002-07:002012-09-18T23:39:45.006-07:00FOREST FIRE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
The first water-dropping helicopter was en route to a fast-moving forest fire in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley nearly half an hour after it was first reported, according to a timeline compiled by the provincial government, which says an initial review has found the response was fast and well co-ordinated.
<br />
<br />
The fire started in high winds just outside of Peachland on Sept. 9, causing 1,500 residents to flee and destroying four houses.
<br />
<br />
Newly released audio recordings of RCMP radio dispatches detailed the initial response, as Mounties on the ground called for help and at times appeared frustrated that firefighters were not on the scene sooner.
<br />
<br />
But the B.C. Forests Ministry says although its review largely confirmed the account gleaned from the audio recordings, it also indicates the response by provincial firefighters was appropriate in the circumstances.
<br />
<br />
"An initial review by all responding agencies shows an excellent co-ordinated response. The ministry has received numerous compliments for its fast response to this fire," the ministry said in a fact sheet released this week.
<br />
<br />
"Given the aggressive behaviour of this wildfire, public and first responder safety was of paramount importance. No injuries were reported during this incident."
<br />
<br />
The fire was first reported at 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, and emergency officials quickly confirmed it was just outside the jurisdiction of Peachland's volunteer fire department, leaving the initial response to the provincial wildfire management branch.
<br />
<br />
A forest officer was in a truck driving to the scene by 3:10, according to the ministry timeline.
<br />
<br />
By 3:22, about 27 minutes after the fire was first reported, the first water-dropping helicopter was in the air and en route. The chopper's travel time to the fire was estimated to be about five minutes.
<br />
<br />
At roughly the same time, a duty officer with the Peachland Fire Department responded.
<br />
<br />
The forest officer requested Peachland's help at 3:27, and the two vehicles from the department were dispatched within minutes. The first Peachland Fire Department member was on the scene at 3:34, according to the ministry — 39 minutes after the fire was first reported.
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the fire was growing rapidly in strong winds..
<br />
<br />
The fire moved one kilometre in just half an hour — or 33 metres every minute, according to the ministry fact sheet.
<br />
<br />
At one point, sparks and embers capable of starting smaller fires — a process known as spotting — were being carried up to 500 metres ahead of the main fire.
<br />
<br />
At 3:59 p.m., a bird-dog plane, which makes observations and directs air tankers carrying fire retardant, flew overhead. An air tanker dropped the first load of fire retardant at 4:16, according to the ministry.
<br />
<br />
The ministry said it would also conduct a full review into the response, as it does with all significant fires.
<br />
<br />
Neither the provincial wildfire management branch nor the Peachland Fire Department have targets for response times.
<br />
<br />
The Forests Ministry said such guidelines aren't practical for provincial firefighters because of the size of the province. Instead, the ministry noted 92 per cent of all wildfires are contained before they reach four hectares.
<br />
<br />
The Peachland Fire Department, which required a request from the province before leaving its own boundaries, also said response time targets don't make sense, because response times often depend on where volunteers are when a fire breaks out and how quickly they can reach the fire hall before responding.
<br />
<br />
The ministry fact sheet noted the wildfire management branch has an agreement with Emergency Management B.C. to co-ordinate responses when fires are near populated areas. In such cases, a response that involves multiple agencies is handled through a "unified command structure," which was put into action in the Peachland fire.
<br />
<br />
The ministry noted that agreement allows municipal fire departments to respond to fires outside of their jurisdiction if requested by the wildfire management branch.
<br />
<br />
The Peachland fire started about two kilometres up the road from the end of the Peachland Fire Department's jurisdiction.
<br />
<br />
Elsie Lemke, chief administrative officer with the District of Peachland, said a major issue in such cases is insurance, including personal and corporate liability and workers' compensation.
<br />
<br />
"We're covered for responding to fires or other emergencies within our boundaries," said Lemke.
<br />
<br />
"The only time we're covered to go outside out boundaries is when we're called by the appropriate organization that has the right to request us or when a neighbouring community calls and asks for our help when it's under a mutual aid (agreement)."
<br />
<br />
There are a number of homes and acreages along the road between the district and where the fire started, near a park on the side of Highway 97C.
<br />
<br />
Lemke noted in 2010 the Regional District of Central Okanagan planned to explore the possibility of funding fire protection in the valley.
<br />
<br />
When the regional district asked the province for help in paying for such a study, the government said its grant funding had been used up for the year. Lemke said Peachland has not heard anything further about the issue since then.
<br />
<br />
http://www.ottawacitizen.comforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-54106050457742495702012-09-18T23:23:00.000-07:002012-09-18T23:23:41.606-07:00"VIRGIN BIRTH" AMONG ANIMALS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUchVSFwFoyj3_xIheLuNn5l5BG25zf7ch3HIBK5khJ4FT2PHozYWTvNZAIPSF6cBEc-TUe6hyt9mhTrcqO3S4itykpMeEcLzynkFeq6QN22tYNgymAB7d8HklHuWiEh3FAgYaNbubXip/s1600/snake-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUchVSFwFoyj3_xIheLuNn5l5BG25zf7ch3HIBK5khJ4FT2PHozYWTvNZAIPSF6cBEc-TUe6hyt9mhTrcqO3S4itykpMeEcLzynkFeq6QN22tYNgymAB7d8HklHuWiEh3FAgYaNbubXip/s400/snake-baby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"Virgin birth" among animals may not be a rare, last-resort, save-the-species stopgap after all.<br /><br />For the first time, animal mothers, specifically pit vipers, have been discovered spawning fatherless offspring in the wild. More to the point, the snakes did so even when perfectly good males were around.<br /><br />Among vertebrate animals that normally reproduce sexually, virlgin birth, or parthenogenesis, had been observed in only captive female snakes, Komodo dragons, birds, and sharks.<br /><br />Until now it's been considered an evolutionary novelty, albeit one that made a sort of sense—a way for a bloodline to continue in the absence of suitable fathers.<br /><br />For the study behind the find, published in this week's issue of the journal Biology Letters, a team led by biologist Warren Booth of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma captured pregnant copperhead and cottonmouth (see picture) females from fields where males were present. When the snakes gave birth, the researchers documented the physical and genetic characteristics of the litters.<br /><br />Tests showed that 1 of the 22 copperhead mothers had given birth parthenogenetically, as had 1 of the 37 cottonmouth snakes collected—a ratio Booth finds surprisingly high.<br /><br />"The fact that we find it in such small sample sizes is quite remarkable," Booth said. "What we're going to do now is go back to these populations and do sampling year-to-year to see if we can find instances of parthenogenesis again."<br /><br /><br /><br />Virgin-Birth Mysteries<br /><br />Why would female snakes undergo parthenogenesis when males are available?<br /><br />One possibility: It might have been the only way they could reproduce. Booth noted that the copperhead that underwent parthenogenesis was smaller than usual—and perhaps passed over by males in favor of fitter females.<br /><br />Other scientists have suggested that parthenogenesis is a kind of random reproductive mistake. Booth himself is investigating the possibility that a bacteria or virus is the trigger.<br /><br />Another mystery: Each of the two virgin-birth litters consisted of a single snake. A normal copperhead litter might number between 6 and 9, while cottonmouths can spawn up to 20 offspring.<br /><br />Also, the two virgin-birth baby snakes were both male. That might just seem like the luck of the draw, except that every known parthenogenetic snake offspring has been male—a certifiable scientific mystery.<br /><br />"It would be interesting to see if we can find females," Booth said. "There's no reason realistically why we shouldn't find females, but in all of the [snake] species that we've looked at ... they've all been males."<br /><br />It's also unknown whether animals born by parthenogenesis can reproduce normally or have virgin births themselves.<br /><br />Parthenogenetic offspring often exhibit abnormalities or die early. That shouldn't surprise anyone, Booth said, since it's essentially "a severe form of inbreeding."<br /><br /><br /><br />You're Safe for Now, Men<br /><br />A virgin birth occurs when a polar body—a cell produced along with the egg—essentially functions like a sperm and "fertilizes" the egg.<br /><br />As a result, the DNA of a virgin-birth offspring, or "parthenogen," doesn't perfectly match that of its parent—the offspring is a sort of half clone.<br /><br />So far, parthenogenesis has only been observed among sharks, reptiles, and birds (which are closely related to reptiles). Mammals aren't thought to be capable of parthenogenesis, because their reproduction requires copies of genes from both parents.<br /><br />"So no human parthenogenesis anytime soon," said Stony Brook University marine biologist Demian Chapman, who discovered virgin birth among blacktip sharks.<br />
<br />
http://news.nationalgeographic.com<br />
<br />
<br />forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-31392360846391321972012-09-02T21:54:00.000-07:002012-09-02T22:13:44.499-07:00Unprecedented threat for UK trees from pests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEUgKwONUEBnXXSehityrhXyIuX84Y3iEe95wKxsIZD0_W303jbXpa1PVJt7zQfTKKJz2-A4sVgwW1LVMkdYWD-RIY4iLFxQXDR_Nwc6W2-ay-sl3omO_O5CyJRIdeemHwG30JZYqwskx/s1600/tree-uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEUgKwONUEBnXXSehityrhXyIuX84Y3iEe95wKxsIZD0_W303jbXpa1PVJt7zQfTKKJz2-A4sVgwW1LVMkdYWD-RIY4iLFxQXDR_Nwc6W2-ay-sl3omO_O5CyJRIdeemHwG30JZYqwskx/s400/tree-uk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
All species are vulnerable to potential attacks - from ecologically vital oaks to non-native ornamental species, such as lawson cypresses.
<br />
The biggest risk, it warns, comes from non-native organisms, which - in their natural range - are kept in check by natural predators and environmental conditions.
<br />
However, if they are able to become established in the UK's natural environment then there are often no natural controls to curb their spread, resulting in a potentially devastating impact on the landscape.
<br />
In October 2011, UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman launched the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Action Plan, warning that millions of trees could be lost in the next few years unless urgent action was taken.
<br />
The Commission recently published biosecurity guidance, offering advice on steps that can be taken to avoid accidentally spreading damaging organisms on clothes, footwear, vehicles, etc.
<br />
"The fact that we are an island has helped us, because we are fairly impoverished compared with the European mainland," explained Hugh Evans, head of Forest Research in Wales.
<br />
"So even the 20 miles of water is enough to protect us from the pests that are quite dangerous on the mainland."
<br />
But our relative isolation has come at a cost, he warned.
<br />
"If pests do get through, then they arrive without the spectrum of natural enemies and that is one element that can make the effect within the arrival country much worse than in the country of origin."
<br />
<br />
<b>Growing trade</b>
<br />
<br />
Richard McIntosh from Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) says the growing volume of international trade is one reason for concern.
"Trade is becoming increasingly global, and there is an ever-widening diversity of plants and plant material being traded around the world," he told BBC News.
<br />
"There are examples of where pests or pathogens have been introduced, and it is very difficult to respond to them once they are within the EU.
<br />
"Prevention is much better than cure but identifying all of the risks is not always the easiest thing to do."
<br />
Probably the most widely publicised pathogen is Phytophthora ramorum, a fungal organism which was suspected of being introduced to these shores via the plant trade. There is no treatment; infected trees have to be felled and removed from the natural environment.
<br />
Although it had been present at low levels in the UK for a number of years, in 2009 there was a sudden change in the pathogen's behaviour. It was recorded infecting and killing the commercially important Japanese larch trees in South-West England.
<br />
It was the first time in the world that P. ramorum had been found on a species of conifer. It has since been recorded affecting larch trees at sites in all four UK nations.
<br />
John Morgan, head of the Forestry Commission's Plant Health Service observed: "We are still are pursuing a policy of reducing the level of the disease so then it does not spread further.
<br />
"If, over a number of years of felling, we can reduce its spread we can then preserve what we have left in terms of larch in forests."
<br />
Dr Morgan added that the disease would not be eradicated: "Once something like that is established then we are purely looking at a policy of containment.
<br />
"P. ramorum is definitely in the realms of containment strategies. By the time it was discovered in larches, it was too late."
<br />
Experts say the symptoms to look out for on larch trees include dead and rtipaally flushed trees present in groups, patches or distributed throughout a stand. An affected tree's crown and branches die back, and there is a distinctive yellowing or ginger colour beneath the bark.<br />
<br />
<b>Unwelcomed guests</b><br />
<br />
Another pest that was introduced to the UK as a result of human activity was the great spruce bark beetle.<b> </b><br />
<br />
"It clearly came into this country via wood that had not been debarked properly," said Prof Evans.<br />
"What was interesting - and I think this is [a] somewhat
typical story - is that although we found it in 1982, our subsequent
research found that it had been in the country at least 10 years prior
to that."<br />
The beetle breeds under the bark and destroys the cambium (a
layer of growing tissue that produces new cells to carry water, sugars
and nutrients around the tree). This weakens the tree, and in most
extreme cases, the damage can kill the tree.<br />
As part of their research, Prof Evans said scientists quickly
identified a possible "bio-control" option. They introduced a natural
predator - another species of beetle called <i>Rhizophagus grandis</i>.<br />
"We were able to bring that beetle in to the country; we got
the very first licence for the release of a non-native species under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act.<br />
"It proved to be incredibly successful," he told BBC News. <br />
"[The great spruce bark beetle] did kill quite a few trees,
but after the predator was introduced and we continued to monitor it for
a few years, its population has dropped to a relatively low level. It
is still spreading, but the predator seems to be following it."<br />
<br />
<b>Preventing pests</b><br />
<br />
Dr Morgan said UK control measures involved four stages.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"We try to prevent pest and diseases entering the country; then, if
they have arrived, we switch to a policy of eradication to try and stop
them becoming established," he said.<br />
"If they do become established then we try and follow a
policy of containment which is to try and slow or stop the spread of the
pest. <br />
Finally, if all previous three efforts have failed then we operate a way that we can live with the particular pest or disease."<br />
There are a number of ways that scientists are able track the global or regional spread of a pest or pathogen, such as the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/evaluation/index_en.htm">EU Plant Health Directive</a> that requires nations to report new outbreaks or new pathogens.<br />
Another way data is shared among researchers is via bodies such as the <a href="http://www.eppo.int/">European Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization</a> and the <a href="https://www.ippc.int/">International Plant Protection Convention</a>.<br />
"Both of these organisations have notification systems where
countries are able to report developments that might be of wider
interest," revealed Fera's Richard McIntosh.<br />
"We monitor that sort of intelligence, together with
information that might be coming out via publications, and also what we
are finding - such as what we are intercepting at the national borders."<br />
Mr McIntosh said this information is used to produce a
document known as a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA), which looks at the risks,
possible impacts and control of each organism within a UK context.<br />
<br />
<b>Wider impact</b><br />
<br />
Andrew Sharkey, head of woodland management for the Woodland
Trust, said the impact of pests and diseases often had ramifications
that were felt beyond the individual trees that were infected.<br />
<br />
"Two of our sites have been affect by [<i>Phytophthora ramorum</i>]... so we had to fell the larch on those sites," he said.<br />
"We are comfortable with this because it is good practice but
it means that it has disrupted all of the site plans for those sites. <br />
"The larches on one of the sites were on what we call
'planted ancient woodlands', which we were trying to restore back to
native woodlands. <br />
"This has an immediate impact on our biodiversity work and planning work."<br />
In 2011, Natural England's Keith Kirby warned that the future
well-being of the UK's oak trees was at a crossroads because of the
potential threat from a <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-868CUH">disease known as Acute Oak Decline (AOD)</a>, which experts warned could be as devastating to the treescape as Dutch elm disease.<br />
Dr Kirby told BBC News that research was helping shed more light on dynamics of the mysterious disease.<br />
"We are becoming more and more certain that it is basically a
bacterial issue, and a beetle is involved in its spread. It appears
that the problem is also exacerbated if the tree is under stress," he
said.<br />
"But we are not that much further along in terms of knowing exactly how abundant or widespread it is. <br />
"At the moment, it does not look as if it has gone beyond the
East Midlands and southern England area, where most of the records have
come from."<br />
As one of the UK's leading woodland ecologists, Dr Kirby said
people had to be philosophical about the fact that the composition of
woodlands were going to change.<br />
"We cannot attempt to maintain the mixtures that existed in
the past," he observed. "We have to accept that there will be change,
and manage the dynamic situation. <br />
"If you have got a changing environment, you cannot expect
the communities and assemblages of species of past environments to
survive."<br />
<br />
<br />
Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19167307forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-47586381527940498532012-09-02T21:31:00.000-07:002012-09-02T21:31:02.174-07:00Australia Joins EU Carbon Emissions Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkYvxIYqI7G4yY5-9T-WUK9HRHZohjpH9W5wZin_LKeD17vjX8WT50H0MK-MCpOBtWqSZ0BK_HeZwZ3KTao2QTAtBSZm-zHxSgImvGeMIzZQhbRlDZHsR4-wD-oY6upwSv99uG6NwI4tO/s1600/carbon-emissions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkYvxIYqI7G4yY5-9T-WUK9HRHZohjpH9W5wZin_LKeD17vjX8WT50H0MK-MCpOBtWqSZ0BK_HeZwZ3KTao2QTAtBSZm-zHxSgImvGeMIzZQhbRlDZHsR4-wD-oY6upwSv99uG6NwI4tO/s400/carbon-emissions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
<br /></div>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
Australia plans to link
its carbon trading scheme with the EU's, enabling firms to use European
permits from mid-2015 to emit carbon dioxide (CO2).</div>
The EU's carbon market is the world's largest and the deal is
being seen as a significant step towards cutting greenhouse gas
emissions globally.<br />
The aim is to have the Australian and EU schemes fully linked from July 2018.<br />
Australia is the developed world's highest CO2 emitter per head of population. It now taxes big polluters.<br />
The carbon tax introduced in Australia last month has
triggered fierce opposition. It forces about 300 of the worst-polluting
firms to pay a levy of A$23 (£15; $24) for every tonne of greenhouse
gases they produce.<br />
The EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard,
said "we now look forward to the first full international linking of
emission trading systems". <br />
"It is further evidence of strong international co-operation
on climate change and will build further momentum towards establishing a
robust international carbon market," she said on Tuesday.<br />
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/headlines/news/2012-08-28_01_en.htm" title="Joint statement on Australia-EU carbon deal">The deal with the EU </a>aims
to give Australian firms more options for meeting their CO2 reduction
targets. That could dilute criticism of the government over the carbon
tax, which opponents say puts Australian firms at a disadvantage
internationally.<br />
<span class="cross-head"> </span><br />
<span class="cross-head">Polluter pays</span>
<br />
Both the Australian and EU carbon schemes are based on
cap-and-trade - they set emission caps for the biggest polluters,
forcing them to buy permits if they want to go above their emission
targets. <br />
The greenest firms can sell any surplus permits to heavy
polluters, creating a financial incentive for industry and power
generators to cut emissions.<br />
Each EU carbon permit currently trades at about eight euros
(£6; $10) per tonne. The EU's carbon market had a turnover of some 90bn
euros in 2010, the Euractiv news website reports.<br />
As part of the plan to link up with Europe, Australia will
scrap a carbon floor price of 12.4 euros per tonne that it was going to
introduce in July 2015. That would have made carbon permits more
expensive in Australia than in Europe.<br />
The 300 firms in Australia's scheme can meet up to half of
their carbon targets through internationally approved green projects in
developing countries. But in future the maximum will be only 12.5% for
UN-certified carbon offsets - green projects that come under the Kyoto
Protocol.<br />
Australia's Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said linking
the Australian and EU systems "reaffirms that carbon markets are the
prime vehicle for tackling climate change and the most efficient means
of achieving emissions reductions".<br />
He added that Australian firms would now be able to buy EU permits in advance of trading them in 2015.<br />
<br />
Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19408612forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-83222166545431735742012-08-31T22:58:00.001-07:002012-08-31T23:04:13.114-07:00Greenomics Indonesia Open Statement in Response to Interview with Scott Poynton in REDD-Monitor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3JFIbhGC9NPxXYwVxQROIgE2KPPijbwvxXnXtjmfUVDN8ByjFrYqF7TxZRTGVkVmL72veVe7sST8uleQJFzU26eS8RjR7toPvxGX0XJ-cT7QIxPb7wGS_Xjdu8NvA4yZ-7FLNOMwjRMN/s1600/palm-oil-redd.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3JFIbhGC9NPxXYwVxQROIgE2KPPijbwvxXnXtjmfUVDN8ByjFrYqF7TxZRTGVkVmL72veVe7sST8uleQJFzU26eS8RjR7toPvxGX0XJ-cT7QIxPb7wGS_Xjdu8NvA4yZ-7FLNOMwjRMN/s400/palm-oil-redd.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
First of all, we at Greenomics Indonesia would like to express our appreciation to Chris Lang (REDD-Monitor) for posing important questions arising from Greenomics Indonesia reports to Scott Poynton (Executive Director of TFT) in an interview that was carried by redd-monitor.org on 23 August 2012. The questions put by Chris Lang are key questions based on Greenomics Indonesia reports on the agreement between TFT and GAR. Chris Lang provided space in REDD-Monitor for Greenomics Indonesia’s views when we strongly criticized the collaboration between TFT and GAR. We are thankful therefore for the support that has been provided by Chris Lang and REDD-Monitor.
<br />
Greenomics Indonesia now feels called upon to respond to the points raised by Scott Poynton in the said his constructive and productive comments on the Greenomics Indonesia reports, particularly the report of our investigation into the first year of operation of the collaboration agreement between TFT-GAR in respect of three GAR concessions in West Kalimantan Province.
<br />
In Greenomics Indonesia’s view, the points set out herein need to be raised for the purpose of clarifying what was said in the interview.
<br />
<ul>
<li>The criticism levied by Greenomics Indonesia against the TFT-GAR Agreement is not based on antipathy on the part of Greenomics Indonesia to the agreement, but rather the need to have regard to a report by the Indonesian State Audit Board stating that the greater part of GAR palm concessions in Central Kalimantan Province are located in areas that are legally designated as forestland. Greenomics Indonesia’s criticism is therefore not based on the perceptions, or indeed prejudice, on the part of our organization, but rather on an audit report issued by the Indonesian State Audit Board.
</li>
<li>We also need to avail of this opportunity to update TFT and Greenpeace about the latest report from the Indonesian State Audit Board (2012), which is based on samples of legal violations of forestry law by palm companies in Central Kalimantan Province. This report states that 3 of the 17 palm companies found to have committed legal violations are actually GAR companies. The report also reveals that GAR has palm concessions blocks that are located in designated forest zones based on the Central Kalimantan spatial plan. This means that these GAR palm concession blocks are operating in violation of the Central Kalimantan government’s own spatial plan. Consequently, it will be clear that Greenomics Indonesia’s criticisms continue to be highly relevant, namely, even based on the Central Kalimantan spatial plan, GAR still operates palm concession blocks that are located within designated forest areas. TFT and Greenpeace need to take head of these serious legal violations.
</li>
<li>Clear legal evidence that the bulk of GAR palm concessions in Central Kalimantan Province are located on land that is legally designated as forestland is provided by Government Regulation No. 60 of 2012, which was signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 6 July 2012. This Government Regulation proves that Greenomics Indonesia’s criticism of the TFT-GAR Agreement is well-founded and valid from the legal perspective. The President’s signature on this Government Regulation clearly shows that the majority of GAR palm concessions in Central Kalimantan are sited on legally designated forestland and therefore require forestland relinquishment permits. The issuance of this Government Regulation proves beyond doubt that the Greenomics Indonesia criticism of the TFT-GAR Agreement is more than just an exercise in cynicism.
</li>
<li>One of the proofs that Greenomics Indonesia is not acting cynically in respect of the TFT-GAR Agreement is that fact that following the issuance of Government Regulation No. 60 of 2012, Greenomics Indonesia took the initiative of holding discussions with the President Director of PT Smart Tbk, Daud Dharsono. PT Smart is the GAR subsidiary that manages all of the GAR concessions in Indonesia, including those operating in Central Kalimantan. The said discussions were intended to ascertain the extent to which the GAR concessions can obtain forestland relinquishment permits following the issuance of Government Regulation No. 60. It is found that thanks to Government Regulation No. 60, forestland relinquishment permits can be obtained by GAR in respect of palm concessions located in convertible production forest, by paying compensation for timber that had been cleared without the obtaining of timber clearing permits. Meanwhile, for GAR concessions in permanent production forest, the GAR concessions can obtain forestland relinquishment permits by providing substitute land to be set aside as permanent production forest and paying compensation for timber that had been cleared without the obtaining of timber clearing permits.
</li>
<li>TFT, Greenpeace and GAR should pay close attention to this Government Regulation bearing in mind that it represents the position of the President of the Republic of Indonesia and is highly relevant to the legal reality that the majority of GAR palm concessions in Central Kalimantan Province continue to be legally designated as forestland.
</li>
<li>Scott Poynton stated in his interview with REDD-Monitor that “We made maps with Greenpeace and areas were marked ‘Go’ and ‘No-‐Go’”. This statement shows that TFT and Greenpeace played key roles in determining the areas that could be cleared and those that could not on the GAR concessions. In its report, Greenomics Indonesia investigated three GAR concessions in West Kalimantan Province, and revealed that in the interests of forest conservation, changes were made in the areas designated for clearance so as to avoid clearing natural forest that was still relative intact and connected with relatively extensive forest blocks. From the conservation perspective, such choices were correct.
</li>
<li>However, these conservation choices nevertheless violated forestry law as the changes in the locations to be cleared were not accompanied by revision of the relevant timber clearing permits (IPK). Under forestry law, the punishment for this is a fine of 10 times that amount of forestry royalties that have been paid to the state. Bearing in mind that TFT and Greenpeace played an instrumental role in determining the “Go” and “No-Go” areas for land clearance, accordingly TFT and Greenpeace have a legal responsibility to ask GAR to pay such a fine.
</li>
<li>The payment thereof should be seen as proof of a high level of commitment to the GAR forest conservation program and a willingness to transfer land clearance from blocks that have relatively intact forest cover to locations that are considered as no longer capable of supporting the forest conservation program, notwithstanding the obligation to pay a fine. This would set a good example for other palm oil companies operating in Indonesia. However, if the fine were not to be paid by GAR, this would by contrast set a bad precedent. In fact, both TFT and Greenpeace could be seen as promoting violations of forestry law. Accordingly, this legal responsibility to encourage GAR to pay the fine should be discharged as expeditiously as possible. Greenomics Indonesia has already informed Daud Dharsono that it would be more than willing to provide input and technical facilities to hold the company fulfill its duty to pay the fine. This also shows that Greenomics Indonesia is not acting cynically as regards the TFT-GAR Agreement.
</li>
<li>Greenomics Indonesia has also exposed a number of GAR palm operations that are located within designated forest areas in South Kalimantan Province. The report in question is serious and far from being an exercise in cynicism aimed at the TFT-GAR Agreement. Rather, it represents an attempt by Greenomics Indonesia to remind TFT and Greenpeace that the TFT-GAR Agreement has the potential to give rise to legal action against GAR palm concessions located in designated forest areas. As an update for TFT and Greenpeace, top GAR/PT Smart executive responsible for the management of GAR palm concessions in South Kalimantan Province have been detained by the police and are being processed according to law, primarily in connection with GAR’s operation of palm concessions located on designated forestland. It would be far-fetched indeed to claim that the police moves in this respect are also motivated by cynicism towards the TFT-GAR Agreement.
</li>
<li>Greenomics Indonesia firmly believes that sustainability must be brought about in line with the relevant legal parameters so as to ensure best practice. Sustainability must not be used as an excuse for failing to respect legal rules and boundaries.
</li>
</ul>
In conclusion, Greenomics Indonesia would like to once again express its sincere appreciation to Chris Lang and Scott Poynton for, among other things, discussing the Greenomics Indonesia reports related to the TFT-GAR Agreement in the REDD-Monitor interview. Greenomics Indonesia believes that the GAR Forest Conservation Program has the potential to serve as an excellent example for the development of the palm oil industry in Indonesia, particularly on Borneo Island. But first, the problems related to licensing in Central Kalimantan, the issue of fines in West Kalimantan and the overlapping of GAR palm concessions in South Kalimantan will all need to be resolved as expeditiously as possible.
<br />
Source : redd-monitor.orgforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-73762470750899604802012-08-31T22:46:00.001-07:002012-08-31T22:51:57.469-07:00REDD and markets from Rainforest Foundation UK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIKAObFQiSlv2Qn5yUYz7LloxcJGHgkR0VAPQflu5zh-d8Pt1RrC2YXXkKkVCMTJXgeJaKevKBeanR9UGyHsd79JYssOppeLOu1UGM_jMuGxWF9wgDU9wXhdxgx2N5pM9_EdVq_eg0OMO/s1600/redd-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIKAObFQiSlv2Qn5yUYz7LloxcJGHgkR0VAPQflu5zh-d8Pt1RrC2YXXkKkVCMTJXgeJaKevKBeanR9UGyHsd79JYssOppeLOu1UGM_jMuGxWF9wgDU9wXhdxgx2N5pM9_EdVq_eg0OMO/s400/redd-forest.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A new briefing by the Rainforest Foundation UK argues against creating an international carbon market to finance REDD. The briefing is released just before a UN meeting in Bangkok, that will discuss potential options for financing REDD.
<br />
The policy briefing, which is available below, is structured around five main critiques of trading forest carbon:
<br />
1. It is highly questionable whether a forest carbon market will reduce the cost of tackling climate change or generate billions for forest protection.
<br />
2. The proposed forest carbon market is distorting ‘readiness’ preparations for REDD so that they are more focused on creating a tradable asset than outcomes that are beneficial for forests, forest peoples and biodiversity.
<br />
3. The ownership of forest carbon – the underlying asset of the proposed market – is contested and unclear, and its trade is particularly susceptible to fraud.
<br />
4. Potential REDD emissions reductions credits may not represent genuine reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, due to inflated baselines and leakage. Trading them in an offset market could lead to increased total global carbon emissions, and prolong existing heavily polluting activities.
<br />
5. Alternative financing options and approaches exist and are viable.
The briefing “warmly welcomes” the fact that governments and high-level decision-makers are increasingly recognising the importance of tropical rainforests and that, “they have begun, albeit patchily, to take action to reduce the level of forest destruction.” However, relying on carbon trading to finance REDD, “is likely to be costly, inefficient and may be counter-productive”. Rather than relying on REDD to address climate change, the briefing recommends turning to the source of the problems, by:
<br />
reducing greenhouse gases in industrialised countries; tackling unsustainable consumption and the drivers of deforestation in the global north and south; and focusing on enablers like equitable land tenure, good governance, full and effective participation and the respect of forest peoples’ rights.
<br />
Below is Rainforest Foundation UK’s press release about the briefing:
‘Rainforest Roulette’?: Carbon markets might do more harm than good for efforts to tackle deforestation and climate change
<br />
Rainforest Foundation UK Press release, 28 August 2012
<br />
London – Using markets to try and keep carbon stored in the world’s forests might be a dangerous mistake, according to a new report published by the Rainforest Foundation UK today[1], as governments prepare to meet later this week for a new round of negotiations on funding for climate mitigation, including for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (‘REDD’)[2].
<br />
Key findings of the report are that:
<br />
A forest carbon market may increase rather than reduce the cost of tackling climate change;
<br />
Legal reform under REDD tends to favour carbon traders and not forest communities;
<br />
Ownership of the carbon stored in forests is contested, unclear and susceptible to fraud;
<br />
A forest carbon market might not reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to major design loopholes;
<br />
Alternative, more cost-effective, ways of reducing deforestation, and for raising the necessary funds, exist and are viable.
<br />
“Instead of protecting forests, the use of carbon markets will mostly protect the interests of heavily polluting companies, which would be able to carry on polluting, whilst their payments to offset emissions in poor tropical forest countries will probably be very inefficient and ineffective,” said Simon Counsell, Executive Director of the Rainforest Foundation UK and one of the authors of the report.
<br />
UN negotiations taking place in Bangkok from August 30th aim to agree on a global mechanism to finance the protection of forests in poor countries. Many governments and the private sector favour the use of carbon markets[3]. The authors compare this potential decision to betting the future of the rainforest on a game of roulette.
<br />
“With the global carbon markets already in crisis, and after a number of high-profile scams involving forest carbon, choosing the market-based approach would be a very risky bet for protecting forests, when there are viable alternatives on the table”, said Nathaniel Dyer, Policy Advisor for the Rainforest Foundation UK.
<br />
The report suggests that efforts to restrict imports of illegal timber, improvements in forest governance, and giving recognition to the land rights of people living in the forests, would be more successful.
<br />
Contacts:
Simon Counsell: simonc@rainforestuk.org
Nathaniel Dyer: natd@rainforestuk.org
RFUK office: 020 7485 0193
<br />
Notes to editors:
<br />
[1] Rainforest Roulette? Why creating a forest carbon offset market is a risky bet for REDD is published by Rainforest Foundation UK on August 28th, and is available at http://bit.ly/TsltM2
<br />
[2] Deforestation and forest degradation are estimated to contribute around 12% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions. More than 40 national governments are in the process of creating national REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) strategies.
<br />
[3] As part of the on-going UNFCCC negotiations, a meeting on the “financing options for the full implementation of results-based actions relating to REDD-plus, including modalities and procedures for financing these results-based actions” is taking place at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand from 30th August 2012. Further details are available here: http://tinyurl.com/92o76cd
<br />
The Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) was founded in 1989. The mission of the Rainforest Foundation UK is to support indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the world’s rainforest in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfil their rights to land, life and livelihood.
<br />
Source : redd-monitor.org
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-17940580333051892772012-08-31T22:20:00.000-07:002012-08-31T22:20:23.336-07:00Forest Razing by Ancient Maya Worsened Droughts, Says Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuM1I0i_pXQsGizfkQGxCPZrq0AESFxHPqqm7KMUf0WtRjKfp6ZPW_DAsNP3ZL5SDqNCcQkdjrXUG08Ba9b0VnwVRMWmtGbIzIR1wlMPRErPdYA-7SfGJPytw9LKxT0GMB-noJTMFkyRP/s1600/maya-rain-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuM1I0i_pXQsGizfkQGxCPZrq0AESFxHPqqm7KMUf0WtRjKfp6ZPW_DAsNP3ZL5SDqNCcQkdjrXUG08Ba9b0VnwVRMWmtGbIzIR1wlMPRErPdYA-7SfGJPytw9LKxT0GMB-noJTMFkyRP/s400/maya-rain-god.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For six centuries, the ancient Maya flourished, with more than a hundred city-states scattered across what is now southern Mexico and northern Central America. Then, in A.D. 695, the collapse of several cities in present day Guatemala marked the start of the Classic Maya's slow decline. Prolonged drought is thought to have played a role, but a study published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters adds a new twist: The Maya may have made the droughts worse by clearing away forests for cities and crops, making a naturally drying climate drier.<br />
"We're not saying deforestation explains the entire drought, but it
does explain a substantial portion of the overall drying that is thought
to have occurred," said the study's lead author Benjamin Cook, a
climate modeler at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory and the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.<br />
More than 19 million people were scattered across the Maya empire at
its height, between A.D. 250 and A.D. 900. Using population records and
other data, the study authors reconstructed the progressive loss of
rainforest across their territory as the civilization grew. The
researchers ran computer simulations to see how lands newly dominated by
crops would have affected climate. In the heavily logged Yucatan
peninsula, they found that rainfall would have declined by as much as 15
percent while in other Maya lands, such as southern Mexico, it would
have fallen by 5 percent. Overall, the researchers attributed 60 percent
of the drying estimated at the time of the Maya's peak to
deforestation.<br />
As crops like corn replace a forest's dark canopy, more sunlight
bounces back into space, said Cook. With the ground absorbing less
energy from the sun, less water evaporates from the surface, releasing
less moisture into the air to form rain-making clouds. "You basically
slow things down -- the ability to form clouds and precipitation," he
said.<br />
The idea that the Maya changed the climate by clearing away jungle,
partly causing their demise, was popularized by historian Jared Diamond
in his 2005 book <em>Collapse</em>. In the first study to test the
hypothesis, climate modeler Robert Oglesby and his colleagues ran a
computer simulation of what total deforestation of Maya lands would do
to climate. Their results, published in 2010 in the Journal of
Geophysical Research, showed that wet season rainfall could fall 15 to
30 percent if all Maya lands were completely cleared of trees. Oglesby,
who was not involved in the Cook study, said that Cook's estimate of a 5
to 15 percent reduction in rainfall, though lower than his own, makes
sense since Cook's simulation used a realistic tree-clearing scenario.<br />
Archeologists attribute a variety of factors to the collapse of the
Classic Maya, whose ancestors are still living today in parts of Mexico,
Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. In addition to a drying
climate in several regions, the city-states struggled with
overpopulation, changing trade routes, war and peasant revolts.<br />
The Maya cleared the forests to grow corn and other crops, but they
also needed the trees for cooking large amounts of lime plaster used in
constructing their elaborate cities. Thomas Sever, an archeologist at
the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and a co-author of the 2010
deforestation study, said that it would have taken 20 trees to produce a
single square meter of cityscape. "When you look at these cities and
see all the lime and lime plaster, you understand why they needed to cut
down the trees to keep their society going," he said.<br />
The Maya also lacked the technology to tap the groundwater several
hundred feet beneath them. Their reservoirs and canals were able to
store and distribute water when rain plentiful, but when the rain
failed, they had nowhere to turn. "By the time of the collapse, every
square mile of soil had been turned over," said Sever.<br />
Scientists know from studying climate records held in cave formations
and lake sediments that the Maya suffered through a series of droughts
yet they continue to debate their severity. In a paper earlier this year
in Science, researchers Martín Medina-Elizalde and Eelco Rohling of
Mexico's Yucatan Center for Scientific Research found that annual
rainfall may have fallen as little as 25 percent during the Maya's
decline, from about A.D. 800 to A.D. 950. Most of the reduction in
rainfall, however, may have occurred during the summer growing season
when rain would have been most needed for cultivation and replenishing
freshwater storage systems, they added.<br />
Today, many of the Maya's abandoned cities are overgrown with jungle,
especially on the Yucatan peninsula. Satellite images, however, show
that deforestation is happening rapidly elsewhere, including in other
regions the Maya once occupied. The study may offer a warning about the
consequences: "There's a tremendous amount of change going on in
Guatemala," said Oglesby. "They may be that much more vulnerable to a
severe drought."<br />
Other authors of the study are: Kevin Anchukaitis, Lamont-Doherty;
Jed Kaplan, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland;
Michael Puma, NASA GISS; Max Kelley, NASA GISS and Denis Gueyffier,
ONERA, the French Aerospace Lab.<br />
Source : Sciencedaily <br />
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-42752619948891812552012-08-31T20:20:00.000-07:002012-08-31T20:24:40.330-07:00Panda Preferences Influence Trees Used for Scent Marking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6w0Mgu3hHWqmhiq-_Fd8k5ExQOJRIvUT_1fKnLI_iebLfaZjLMbsu2xUUpOTMpECaJCKKo-nLdOqpb4-smpbYhOjaj4BLMBMeL-rB_w31V9SjnIkESshcPs4cdZHHdhafS5Fh4jGJtJp/s1600/panda_animal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6w0Mgu3hHWqmhiq-_Fd8k5ExQOJRIvUT_1fKnLI_iebLfaZjLMbsu2xUUpOTMpECaJCKKo-nLdOqpb4-smpbYhOjaj4BLMBMeL-rB_w31V9SjnIkESshcPs4cdZHHdhafS5Fh4jGJtJp/s320/panda_animal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As solitary animals, giant pandas have developed a number of ways to communicate those times when they are ready to come into close contact. One means of this communication occurs through scent marking. A recent study by San Diego Zoo Global researchers, collaborating with researchers at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, indicates that pandas make clear and specific choices about what trees are used for scent marking.
<p></p>
"Variables affecting the selection of scent-marking sites included bark roughnesss, presence of moss on the tree trunk, tree diameter and distance to the trail," said Ron Swaisgood, Ph.D., co-head of San Diego Zoo Global's Giant Panda Conservation Unit.
<p></p>
"These choices have clear effects on the scent signal, making it last longer, be detected from further away, or otherwise enhance its communication efficiency. We are not surprised that pandas are efficient with their use of chemo-signals, as mounting evidence suggests that many aspects of giant panda life history are constrained by their energetically poor diet."
<p></p>
This study, which was recently published in Animal Behavior, confirms that old-growth forest and other factors like tree type are important for maintaining habitat that will support giant panda conservation.
<p></p>
Soure: Sciencedailyforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-55625504927153060522012-08-31T20:17:00.001-07:002012-08-31T20:17:41.881-07:00Cold-Blooded Tropical Species 'Not as Vulnerable' to Climate Change Extinction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA-xrPpbQlpBw7DSmdC0m3elIbNKmeUXN89aLuFuoIbr3mCJ_hnaqQDbEOKQADc9teDELCREWylHzSk-E7D4sJXjzuAJUyq8dWFCoELzGuNEQFS_Rh-LxPvuONjW9EY-Iw8DmQcEO7fHt/s1600/tropical_species_animal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA-xrPpbQlpBw7DSmdC0m3elIbNKmeUXN89aLuFuoIbr3mCJ_hnaqQDbEOKQADc9teDELCREWylHzSk-E7D4sJXjzuAJUyq8dWFCoELzGuNEQFS_Rh-LxPvuONjW9EY-Iw8DmQcEO7fHt/s400/tropical_species_animal.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
In the face of a changing climate many species must adapt or perish.
Ecologists studying evolutionary responses to climate change forecast
that cold-blooded tropical species are not as vulnerable to extinction
as previously thought. The study, published in the British Ecological
Society’s <em>Functional Ecology</em>, considers how fast species can evolve and adapt to compensate for a rise in temperature.<br />
<br />
The research, carried out at the University of Zurich, was led by Dr
Richard Walters, now at Reading University, alongside David Berger now
at Uppsala University and Wolf Blanckenhorn, Professor of Evolutionary
Ecology at Zurich.<br />
“Forecasting the fate of any species is difficult, but it is
essential for conserving biodiversity and managing natural resources,”
said lead author Dr Walters. “It is believed that climate change poses a
greater risk to tropical cold-blooded organisms (ectotherms), than
temperate or polar species. However, as potential adaptation to climate
change has not been considered in previous extinction models we tested
this theory with a model forecasting evolutionary responses.”<br />
Ectotherms, such as lizards and insects, have evolved a specialist
physiology to flourish in a stable tropical environment. Unlike species
which live in varied habitats tropical species operate within a narrow
range of temperatures, leading to increased dangers if those
temperatures change.<br />
“When its environment changes an organism can respond by moving
away, adapting its physiology over time or, over generations,
evolving,” said Walters. “The first two responses are easy to identify,
but a species’ ability to adapt quick enough to respond to climate
change is an important and unresolved question for ecologists.”<br />
The team explored the idea that there are also evolutionary
advantages for species adapted to warmer environments. The ‘hotter is
better’ theory suggests that species which live in high temperatures
will have higher fitness, resulting from a shorter generation time.
This may allow them to evolve relatively quicker than species in
temperate environments.<br />
The team sought to directly compare the increased risk of extinction
associated with lower genetic variance, owing to temperature
specialization, with the lowered risk of extinction associated with a
shorter generation time.<br />
“Our model shows that the evolutionary advantage of a shorter
generation time should compensate species which are adapted to narrow
temperature ranges,” said Walters. “We forecast that the relative risk
of extinction is likely to be lower for tropical species than temperate
ones.”<br />
“The tropics are home to the greatest biodiversity on earth, so it
imperative that the risk of extinction caused by climate change is
understood,” concluded Walters. “While many questions remain, our
theoretical predictions suggest tropical species may not be as
vulnerable to climate warming as previously thought.”<br />
<br />
Source : Sciencedaily <br />
forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-8857285336825443742012-05-30T16:57:00.000-07:002013-05-08T23:16:31.861-07:00INDONESIA’S PRESIDENT HAS VOWED TO DEDICATE THE LAST THREE YEARS<span class="date"> </span> <br />
<div class="post_content" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_4274" style="width: 310px;">
<a href="http://blog.cifor.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SBY1.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-4274" src="http://blog.cifor.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SBY1-300x225.jpg" style="height: 262px; width: 349px;" title="Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono." /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
Indonesia’s President has vowed to dedicate the last three years of his administration to safeguarding his nation’s rainforests - a pledge that received broad support at a major conference in Jakarta. <br />
<br />
Hosted by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the conference provided a platform for 1,000 leaders of Indonesia’s government, business community and civil society, as well as foreign donors, to discuss the future of the forests, the third-largest tropical forest in the world.<br />
<br />
“I will continue my work and dedicate the last three years of my term as President to deliver enduring results that will sustain and enhance the environment and forests of Indonesia,” Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the conference. “If it weren’t for the benefits that our forests provide, then our way of life, our people, our economy, our environment and our society would be so much the poorer.”<br />
“Our success in managing our forests will determine our future and the opportunities that will be available to our children.”<br />
<br />
Indonesia is losing about 1.1 million hectares of its forests each year. Most of it is due to unsustainable logging that includes the conversion of forests to plantations for palm oil and the pulp and paper industry. It is also partly due to large-scale illegal logging, which is estimated to cost Indonesia about $4 billion annually.<br />
“We must change the way we treat our forests so that they are conserved even as we drive hard to accelerate our economic growth,” the President said. “I do not want to later explain to my granddaughter Almira that we, in our time, could not save the forests and the people that depend on it. I do not want to tell her the sad news that tigers, rhinoceroses, and orangutans vanished like the dinosaurs.”<br />
<br />
In his speech, the president reiterated a 2009 pledge to cut Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 41 percent from business-as-usual levels by 2020 – a vow only achievable if the forests are safeguarded.<br />
Globally, deforestation accounts for up to 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. In Indonesia, however that figure is up to 85 percent, Yudhoyono said. This makes the country one of the highest emitters in the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvqzWIPp3aM3vxjR1gr1kgDquo9Y7t5Y7D_EKrShYuAgdEqzyyCmEAtoI_3YGL4bXPOL9UeENMHa_O1RtZ9S6OqAKdJCs-FXb9h2LZkWmcFshe9BdMFfrqI5jJuXOfXswmxJeDi-lDblB/s1600/hutan-hujan-tropika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvqzWIPp3aM3vxjR1gr1kgDquo9Y7t5Y7D_EKrShYuAgdEqzyyCmEAtoI_3YGL4bXPOL9UeENMHa_O1RtZ9S6OqAKdJCs-FXb9h2LZkWmcFshe9BdMFfrqI5jJuXOfXswmxJeDi-lDblB/s400/hutan-hujan-tropika.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Norway has committed up to US$1 billion to help Indonesia meet its emissions reduction target, and in May this year the Indonesian government issued a two-year moratorium on new forestry concessions.<br />
“Norway is proud of the partnership with Indonesia,” Erik Solheim, Norway’s Minister for the Environment and International Development, said at the conference. “We strongly encourage other countries to support the work that President Yudhoyono and the government of Indonesia is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Yudhoyono is now one of the foremost statesmen leading the international fight to combat climate change.”<br />
<br />
It is predicted that up to US$30 billion could flow from developed to developing countries each year to help facilitate significant reductions in deforestation, and Indonesia could potentially claim a significant share of these funds through REDD+, a global mechanism for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">R</span>educing <span style="text-decoration: underline;">E</span>missions from <span style="text-decoration: underline;">D</span>eforestation and forest <span style="text-decoration: underline;">D</span>egradation, as well as the conservation and sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks.<br />
<br />
Indonesia is one of the countries with the most REDD+ demonstration activities in various stages of development, and Indonesia has been an early participant in various bilateral and multilateral initiatives to prepare for REDD+ implementation at the national level.<b></b><br />
<br />
In addition to potential funding opportunities through REDD+ in coming years, Indonesia has a range of options available to reduce the pace of deforestation, while at the same time expanding agricultural production to guarantee food security targets and promote economic growth.<br />
This includes focusing future agricultural development on so-called degraded land, rather than clearing rainforest to make way for plantations or developing carbon-rich peatland. The government could also support a push for agricultural intensification – increasing yields per hectare, which are currently relatively low.<br />
<br />
“While there are some ‘win-win’ opportunities to reconcile forest management to meet both global and domestic objectives, there will also be some trade-offs that will require leadership from government, business, and civil society to determine the best way forward for Indonesia in a manner that is transparent and fair,” said Frances Seymour, CIFOR Director General.<br />
<br />
As part of his push to safeguard the forests, President Yudhoyono called on Indonesia’s captains of industry to adopt more sustainable forests management practices.<br />
<br />
“I call upon our business leaders, particularly those in the palm oil, pulp wood and mining sectors, to partner with us by enhancing the environmental sustainability of their operations,” the President said. “I ask you to join me in pledging to safeguard this national treasure for the sake of our children.”<br />
The President’s pledge received widespread support from conference attendees.<br />
<br />
“I am pleased to be here at the Forests Indonesia Conference because the UK recognizes the importance of climate change in Indonesia. We are pleased to be supporting the government of Indonesia’s work to meet its internationals climate change commitments,” said Jim Paice, UK Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.<br />
<br />
##############<br />
<b><i>Transcript of the President’s speech.</i></b><br />
<div align="center">
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT</div>
<div align="center">
SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO</div>
<div align="center">
FORESTS INDONESIA CONFERENCE:</div>
<div align="center">
ALTERNATIVE FUTURES TO MEET DEMANDS FOR FOOD, FIBRE, FUEL AND REDD+</div>
<div align="center">
SEPTEMBER 27, 2011</div>
<div align="center">
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, JAKARTA</div>
Your Excellencies Minister Erik Solheim <i>[ei-rik sul-haim] </i>of Norway, and Minister Jim Paice <i>[jim peis]</i> of the United Kingdom,<br />
Your Honour Mrs Frances Seymour <i>[fransis seimor]</i>, the Director General of CIFOR,<br />
Excellencies Ministers and Ambassadors,<br />
Chiefs of International Organizations,<br />
Distinguished Guests,<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
First of all, let<i> </i>me begin by welcoming all of you to this important Conference.<br />
It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me and my Government, to be part of this important meeting. The theme of this conference, “<i>Forest Indonesia: Alternative futures to meet the demands for food, fuel, fiber and REDD+</i>” is very relevant and timely.<br />
For Indonesia, like many other countries blessed with tropical forests, are facing the challenge of sustainably managing its vitally important forest resources.<br />
Hence, let me congratulate the organizers, CIFOR and their partners, for bringing together—under one roof—forest stakeholders, from all over Indonesia and the world. We have among us government officials and representatives of NGOs, civil society as well as the business and academic communities.<br />
We may have different backgrounds, but we all have known the pleasure of resting in the cool shade of a tree.<br />
It would be nice if one day we could organize a conference like this in the open air, protected from the heat of the sun, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">by</span> the green crown of sturdy trees.<br />
I am glad that this Conference discussion and its outcome will be shared online by audiences worldwide—including the forthcoming COP-17 in Durban, South Africa. This will be an excellent opportunity for us to stress on the importance to walk the talk, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not just</span> talk the talk.<br />
On my part, I will continue my work and dedicate the last three years of my term as President, to deliver enduring results that will sustain and enhance the environment <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> forests of Indonesia.<br />
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
Exactly six months ago, in this same hotel, I spoke before the participants to the Business <span style="text-decoration: underline;">for</span> the Environment Conference, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">or</span> B4E conference. During that meeting I dared the business world to think innovatively—to create a balance between gaining economic benefits and ensuring the preservation and sustainability of the global environment.<br />
The aim of today’s meeting, logically, is to build upon the discussions held last April and re-affirm Indonesia’s pioneering role in harnessing forestry to the global effort to address climate change.<br />
Indeed, forests are so dear to my heart, and I am sure all of you also hold it close to your hearts. Forests are so precious because in the first place, if it were not for their air-filtering trees, we would all be breathing in polluted air and living in a much hotter world.<br />
If it weren’t for the shelter and food that forests provide, we would have scarce if any biodiversity at all. And the wonders of the animal world such as the Sumatran tiger, the rhinoceros and the orangutan would have gone extinct a long time ago.<br />
And most importantly, if it weren’t for the benefits that our forests provide, then our way of life, our people, our economy, our environment and our society would be so much poorer.<br />
Hence, the core of my message today is that our success in managing our forests will determine our future <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the opportunities that will be available to our children.<br />
And yet, our forests remain under tremendous pressure.<br />
Globally we are facing the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Global warming increasingly threatens our livelihood and even our very survival. On top of that, because we are facing another global financial crisis, nations may lose vigour in meeting their environment-related commitments.<br />
As a developing nation, we prioritize the promotion of growth and the eradication of poverty. But we will not achieve these goal by sacrificing our forests. We must attain both development and the management of our forests– simultaneously.<br />
This is because forest management is tightly intertwined with the livelihood of our people, with our food security, with the availability of wood and fuel. It is also closely linked with climate change.<br />
Therefore we need to take bold initiatives through close collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders.<br />
We must change the way we treat our forests, so that they are conserved even as we drive hard to accelerate our economic growth. We must intensify our efforts to cut down emissions from land use, land use change and forestry exploitation. These factors account for up to 85 percent of Indonesia’s entire greenhouse gas emissions.<br />
I do not want to later explain to my granddaughter Almira, that we, in our time, could <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> save the forests and the people that depends on it. I do not want to tell her the sad news that tigers, rhinoceroses, and orangutans vanished like the dinosaurs.<br />
And I am sure that none of you would want to deliver such grim news to your children and grandchildren. I am sure that you all want to see that those forests will still be there several decades from now—fascinating us with their beauty and the mysteries they hold. And still providing economic benefits while help stabilize the climate of planet Earth.<br />
And I am also sure that you would like these forests to become our precious legacy for our children.<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
Let me now bring up a few questions that are relevant to your discussions in this meeting.<br />
First, at the global level, what would Indonesia’s sustainable forests management efforts mean?<br />
Indonesia’s tropical forests are the third largest in the world – and they are central to our economy, environment and society. Our forests host roughly 12 percent of the world’s mammals, 16 percent of its reptiles and amphibians and 17 percent of all bird species. Over 10,000 species of trees have been recorded across the archipelago. Each year many new species are discovered in Indonesia. This biological gift is intertwined with the rich cultural diversity of Indonesia’s forest.<br />
Forests are the lynchpin to our biodiversity. They are home to bees, bats, birds, insects and other pollinators of the crops we plant. They also help regulate the quality and availability of water for irrigation. Forests provide foods, including seeds, leaves, fruits, roots, gums, mushrooms, and habitat for animals.<br />
Indonesia, home to the third largest tropical forests in the world, views itself as the custodian of these great green treasures; and I want to keep it that way. So we are gathered here to deal collectively with those challenges to our forests.<br />
My next question is then, <i>why is sustainable forest management so important to Indonesia? </i><i></i><br />
The first reason is food security. Indonesia’s 238 million citizens are under pressure of rising commodity prices. The Government of Indonesia is pursuing a programme to increase agricultural and forest productivity, particularly through the cultivation of critical and idle lands. In this regard, we have selected centers of rice production in several provinces throughout Indonesia. Indeed, the sustainability of forests is crucial to an abundant rice harvests.<br />
Secondly, in the area of energy security, our forests are home to potential sources of energy such as micro-hydro, geo-thermal, and bio-energy. We are increasing the portion of alternative sources of energy in our energy-mix. Forest ecosystems offer competitive advantage by making possible the replacement of conventional fuels by renewable energy sources.<br />
Thirdly, Indonesia is a major supplier of fiber. Indonesia’s land availability and the fast-growth of many tree species, supported by favorable tropical climate, have also increased the economic value of our forests.<br />
Fourthly, forests make the terrain more resistant to landslides <span style="text-decoration: underline;">that</span> threaten many communities. They are vital to efforts at mitigating and adapting to climate change, the impact of which is now being felt all over our archipelago and the rest of the world.<br />
Also, our mangrove forests—the largest in the world—can protect coastal communities from the devastation that can be inflicted by storms and tsunamis. Moreover, mangrove forests serve as nurseries to many fish species that are of great commercial importance—and also crucial to our food security.<br />
Lastly, through our efforts at reducing CO2 emissions, Indonesia can make a significant positive impact on the climate situation. In this regard, although our peat swamp forests are the largest in the world, they have suffered degradation. That has greatly diminished their capacity to reduce CO2 emissions. Restoration is therefore essential.<br />
Hence, it is clear that Indonesia’s forests are of immense value. They offer us a lot of opportunities and benefits.<br />
We therefore need to go into partnership with all stakeholders to sustainably manage our forest resources.<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
To ensure the sustainability of our forests while still meeting our development objectives, my Government has given priority to a set of policies and actions to safeguard our forests and ensure their sustainable management.<br />
I made a pledge at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh that we in Indonesia will voluntarily reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent from business-as-usual levels by 2020. Since then, my Government has carried out many initiatives.<br />
In 2010, we signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of Norway to cut emissions by reducing deforestation and forest degradation. This is known as REDD Plus–a concept that was launched in Bali in 2007.<br />
In May this year, I instituted a two-year moratorium on new licenses to exploit natural primary forest and all peat lands. About two weeks ago, I signed a Decree outlining more than 70 self-funded government programs. This is a demonstration of our commitment to reduce by 26 percent our projected emission in 2020 under a business as usual scenario.<br />
These are groundbreaking steps, but they are not goals in themselves. They are simply measures that give us time and resources, to review and revise land use policy and practice. They also provide opportunity to develop a new sector in our economy—through ecosystem restoration concessions for carbon sequestration and emission reduction.<br />
Apart from the moratorium, we have built indicative maps that are important to the implementation of REDD Plus, and to the formulation of wise policies related to forests. These maps will also facilitate the resolution of decades-long problems of land use and land tenure.<br />
I have also signed a Decree to set up a Task Force for the establishment of a REDD+ agency as stated in the Letter of Intent. We are also developing a national strategy on REDD Plus. The strategy includes elements such as the establishment of REDD+ institutions, the formation of relevant financial mechanisms, monitoring and benefit-sharing. To this end, and to meet the REDD+ expected targets, global funding is necessary.<br />
I am happy to inform you that there are now more than 40 REDD Plus pilot or demonstration projects across Indonesia. This makes us a pioneer in creative ways to address climate change. It also provides us with research insights that will enrich our discussions today, and at the forthcoming global negotiations in COP17 in Durban, South Africa.<br />
Another initiative of ours is the Forest Eleven Forum that we launched four years ago, which has brought together major tropical forest countries. My Government has also pursued bilateral forestry cooperation with several countries.<br />
In the light of international enthusiasm for sustainable forest management, our local stakeholders must also take an active role in this field. I call upon our business leaders, particularly those in the palm oil, pulp wood and mining sectors, to partner with us by enhancing the environmental sustainability of their operations.<br />
Still another initiative is the provision of funding for small and medium enterprises run by forest-edge inhabitants, micro finance programmes for the rural poor and for women, and Local Development Projects (PNPM) for local villages.<br />
At the grassroots level, we have also launched a massive campaign programme to plant one billion trees nation-wide annually<br />
It is said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I would like to say: “A billion trees a year shield the world’s lungs from decay.”<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
Despite our modest achievements, I am mindful that these efforts will only take us part of the way towards our emission reduction target.<br />
A long journey still awaits us. We know we must do more, to address the primary sources of our greenhouse emissions, such as illegal logging, forest encroachment, forest and land fires, and peat land drainage. And indeed we are working hard and comprehensively to overcome these challenges.<br />
At the same time, we are mainstreaming all these perspectives and commitments into a special development framework. Our endeavours to effectively protect the environment are reflected in a special 15-year Master Plan to accelerate and expand our economic development. This means that sustainable development is part and parcel of our efforts to boost Indonesia’s economy, so that it will become the 12th largest economy by 2025.<br />
This meeting is of great value to Indonesia. It is a contribution to global efforts at protecting forests and to the advance of the climate change discourse.<i> </i>I am especially pleased to see many business leaders here today because they bring decades of experience to the table, and help to shape the future of our nation’s forests. I encourage all of you to forge greater cooperation with international partners.<br />
I ask you to join me in pledging to safeguard this national treasure, for the sake of our children.<br />
As I mentioned earlier, Indonesia, as custodian of one the largest tropical forests of the world, will continue to maintain a pro-environment growth strategy.<br />
The task before us today is to chart a sustainable future for our forests and meet our development objectives. This is not an easy task. But we will pay a much higher price if we do not take up the challenge. By working hard together, we can help guarantee the future of our forests. And the future of our children and grandchildren.<br />
That future begins now.<br />
I thank you<br />
<i>Wassalamu</i><i>’</i><i>alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh<br /><br />Source : http://blog.cifor.org<br /></i>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-64735437803796779572011-09-27T18:50:00.000-07:002011-09-27T18:51:43.800-07:00Asean urges Indonesia to sign pollution pact<div style="text-align: center;" class="artimg"><img src="http://news.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/09Sep11/20110924.115224_jakarta.jpg" height="280" width="430" /></div><p>Asean members are calling on Indonesia to ratify the grouping's Transboundary Haze Pollution agreement in a bid to control the impact of air pollution caused by forest fires.</p> <p>"The Indonesian government has postponed the ratification of this agreement several times already. It should sign up because this collaboration will help Asean countries deal with the pollution cause by forest fires, especially in Indonesia," Supat Wangwongwattana, director general of the Pollution Control Department, said.</p> <p>Supat was speaking at the Subregional Ministerial Steering Committee's 12th meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution held in Bangkok yesterday. Also present at the meeting were several senior environment officials from other countries in the region.</p> <p>"We have sent many official letters to the Indonesian government asking them to control the haze caused by forest fires, but there has been no formal response from the authorities. Hence, we do not have any answers for our people," Supat explained.</p> <p>In 2006, more than 29,000 hotspots were detected in Indonesia, and though the number dropped to 8,000 in 2010, it rose again to 17,000 this year.</p> <p>Every year, during the months of August and September, four provinces in the South of Thailand are covered in smoke from Indonesian forest fires, causing respiratory problems among the residents.</p> <p>Arief Yuwono, from the Indonesian Environment Ministry's Degradation Control and Climate Change, told the meeting that his government had implemented a plan to deal with haze pollution, which included the prevention and control of forest and land fires. The government has also strengthened lawenforcement measures and will conduct a zeroburning campaign, he said, adding that new laws on plantation, environment and forestry would be enforced among relevant stakeholders.</p><p>Source : http://news.asiaone.com<br /></p>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-2003299868412639362011-09-27T18:39:00.000-07:002012-09-02T23:53:33.974-07:00Singapore puts heat on Indonesia to take on haze situation<div class="artimg" style="text-align: center;">
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The Singapore authorities have stepped up efforts to add peer and economic pressure on Indonesia, which is yet to sign the Asean Transboundary Haze Pollution agreement.<br />
The nine other Asean nations have ratified the 2002 agreement to prevent and control haze pollution in the region.<br />
To date, Singapore has collaborated with Indonesia in the province of Jambi to train officials and staff from non-governmental organisations in studying satellite photos.<br />
This is so that they can identify plantations and companies responsible for forest fires.<br />
Air- and weather-monitoring stations have also been set up to detect forest fires and smouldering peatland more efficiently.<br />
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday that Singapore has offered to extend the existing million-dollar project through several sub-projects in Jambi, as part of a second phase.<br />
Jambi, located about 330km south of Singapore, is one of the provinces worst hit by forest fires this year.<br />
Indonesia has yet to respond to Singapore's offer.<br />
While Singapore offers support by providing resources, the Indonesians have to be the ones to decide and take the lead, because "it is their province, their plantations, their agricultural centre", said Dr Balakrishnan.<br />
"There are lessons which have to be taught on the ground, as well as (having) to make sure that there is enough economic and social pressure on people taking a shortcut."<br />
Fires in Jambi and other Sumatran provinces have been faulted for the haze that envelops Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia each year.<br />
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Dr Balakrishnan, who has just returned from the Transboundary Haze Pollution meeting in Thailand, believes that "the strongest...stimulus to pro-social behaviour is peer pressure".<br />
He was speaking to the media at the launch of the Public Hygiene Council at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Addressing hygiene issues here, he said that anti-social behaviour, such as littering, can also be curbed through exerting peer pressure.<br />
The new council, which has 21 members, is headed by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's chief executive, Mr Liak Teng Lit.<br />
The council's main aim, said Mr Liak, is to stamp out unhygienic practices and raise standards here "up to the first-world standard".<br />
A National Environment Agency (NEA) survey led by one of the council members, Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, found that nearly four in 10 here would litter if they thought nobody was looking.<br />
Prof Straughan, vice-dean of the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said that NEA could leverage on the survey findings to reach out to "younger new citizens".<br />
The council also hopes to improve the cleanliness of public toilets, especially those in foodcourts and coffeeshops.<br />
Discussion sessions, public forums and feedback channels will be set up, and a new educational campaign will be rolled out by the end of the year from the findings obtained.<br />
Mr Liak said: "Every Singaporean needs to take ownership in building a clean Singapore. Only then can we say that we are First World and enjoy the place."<br />
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Source : http://news.asiaone.comforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-6815429552514048952011-09-27T17:10:00.000-07:002011-09-27T17:12:07.449-07:00Norwegian Minister for Environment praises Indonesia’s fight against climate changeNorway’s Minister for the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, has praised Indonesia’s commitment to the fight against climate change at today’s Forests Indonesia conference in Jakarta. <p>“The president has issued an overall policy about how Indonesia will combat climate change…what he has done today is a very positive step in making Indonesia a world leader in the fight against climate change.”</p> <p>Solheim opened today’s conference <em>Forests Indonesia: Alternative futures to meet demands for food, fibre, fuel and REDD+, </em>hosted by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and in this video speaks of Norway’s involvement in the implementation of the bilateral agreement on REDD+, what Indonesia can learn from Brazil’s bilateral agreement and issues surrounding carbon offsets.</p><p>Source : http://blog.cifor.org<br /></p><p><br /></p> <p><span class="youtube"> <iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4toeB3K542g?color1=d6d6d6&color2=f0f0f0&border=0&fs=1&hl=en&modestbranding=1&loop=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&rel=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"><br></iframe> </span></p>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-58824409273551982402011-09-27T17:07:00.000-07:002011-09-27T17:09:37.760-07:00SBY Vows to Protect Forests<span class="caption"><b></b></span><div><div style="margin: 5px 20px 0pt 0pt; float: left; width: 315px;"><img class="firstimage" src="http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/media/images/medium2/20110927234759353.jpg" alt="President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered the opening address at the Forests Indonesia Conference in Jakarta on Tuesday. Deforestation by palm oil, mining and paper interests has made Indonesia the world’s third-highest greenhouse gas emitter. (Rumgapres Photo/Abror Rizki)" /></div></div>President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday stated his commitment to ensure sustainable development of the country’s environment and forests.<br /><br />“I will continue my work and dedicate the last three years of my term as president to deliver enduring results that will sustain and enhance the environment and forests of Indonesia,” Yudhoyono said in a speech in his opening address at the Forests Indonesia Conference.<br /><br />The president said the country’s people, economy, environment and way of life are tightly intertwined with its forests.<br /><br />“Our success in managing our forests will determine our future and the opportunities that will be available to our children,” Yudhoyono said.<br /><br />But he will need to work hard to convince the nation’s environmental groups, who have previously accused the government of making grand statements on conservation but failing to deliver results.<br /><br />The conference was hosted by the Center for International Forestry Research and was attended by 900 participants from the government, the business community and civil society as well as foreign donors.<br /><br />Its purpose was to discuss the future of forests in Indonesia, which has the third-largest amount of tropical forest in the world.<br /><br />While many now recognize the importance of safeguarding the country’s many forests, however, they remain under “tremendous” pressure, Yudhoyono said.<br /><br />“As a developing country, we are prioritizing economic growth and poverty eradication. But we will not reach those aims by sacrificing our forests,” Yudhoyono said.<br /><br />Indonesia should be able to find a balance, he said.<br /><br />“We must change the way we treat our forests so that they are conserved even as we drive hard to accelerate our economic growth,” he said.<br /><br />Yudhoyono said he did not want to have to tell his granddaughter someday that the country failed to save its forests.<br /><br />To alleviate the pressure on forests, Yudhoyono said the government had set up programs to enhance agricultural productivity as well as ensure an adequate stock of staple food, including rice.<br /><br />The government has also launched a tree-planting campaign that will aim for at least one billion new trees annually, Yudhoyono said.<br /><br />“It is said that ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ I would like to say: ‘A billion trees a year shields the world’s lungs from decay,’ ” he said.<br /><br />Yudhoyono also said that Indonesia remained steadfast in its pledge to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-41 percent by 2020.<br /><br />Globally, deforestation accounts for up to 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. In Indonesia, however, that figure is 85 percent, making the country one of the highest emitters in the world, the president said.<br /><br />“A long journey still awaits us. We know we must do more to address the primary sources of our greenhouse emissions, such as illegal logging, forest encroachment, forest and land fires and peat land drainage,” Yudhoyono said. “And indeed we are working hard and comprehensively to overcome these challenges.”<br /><br />Yudhoyono emphasized the long-term importance of caring for the country’s forests while continuing to pursue a path of development.<br /><br />Cifor director general Frances Seymour said that leadership was needed not only from the government but also from business and civil society to chart the best way forward for Indonesia .<br /><br />“While there are some win-win opportunities to reconcile forest management to meet both global and domestic objectives, there will also be some trade-offs that will require leadership,” Seymour said.<br /><br />Source : http://www.thejakartaglobe.comforestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-70422043766013350832011-09-27T16:55:00.000-07:002011-09-27T16:56:10.927-07:00‘Green treasures’ could fuel a new economic sector, says Indonesian PresidentOpening the inaugural <a href="http://www.forestsclimatechange.org/forestsindonesiaconference.html">Forests Indonesia</a> conference in Jakarta today, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called sustainable forests part of his plan for putting Indonesia’s economy in the global top 12 by 2025. <p>“Indonesia, home to the third largest tropical forest in the world, views itself as the custodian of these great green treasures; and I want to keep it that way,” he said. “I ask you to join me in pledging to safeguard this national treasure, for the sake of our children.”</p> <p>The wealth of Indonesia’s forests can be counted in their rich biodiversity and the many valuable products they provide Indonesian people. Thanks to a funding mechanism known as <a href="http://www.forestsclimatechange.org/publications/redd-101.html">REDD+</a>, that wealth can also be counted in carbon.</p> <p>In an effort to combat climate change, REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) pays countries to preserve carbon in their forests.</p> <p>President Yudhoyono has pledged to cut Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2020, and by 41 percent with international assistance. Norway has since committed US$1 billion to help Indonesia meet its target. Among other initiatives, the deal with Norway includes a two-year moratorium on new forest concessions effective May this year.</p> <p>President Yudhoyono explained: “These measures give us time and resources to review and revise land use policy and practice. They also provide opportunity to develop a new sector in our economy—through ecosystem restoration concessions for carbon sequestration and emission reduction.”</p> <p>Some in the business sector are unconvinced. They say the moratorium, conflicting regulations, legal uncertainties, and overlapping concessions make operating in Indonesia more trouble than it’s worth.</p> <p>But a growing number of businesses will support a low-carbon economy and sustainable resource use, given incentives or proof of REDD’s business opportunities.</p> <p>Debate about REDD+ and Indonesia’s forests prompted the <a href="http://www.cifor.org/">Center for International Forestry Research</a> (CIFOR) to convene today’s Forests Indonesia conference, where leaders from business, development and government sectors will discuss future challenges and opportunities for Indonesia’s forests.</p> <p>President Yudhoyono reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Indonesia plays a leading role in harnessing forestry to address climate change, dedicating the rest of his term to delivering enduring results for Indonesia’s forests.</p> <p>Efforts to protect the environment have already been included in the 15-year <a href="http://www.ekon.go.id/media/filemanager/2011/05/27/p/d/pdf_mp3ei.pdf">Master Plan</a> for accelerating and expanding Indonesia’s economic growth.</p> <p>The president also urged business leaders to contribute their experience, and to work with government and international partners to shape the future of Indonesia’s forests.</p> <p>“We need to take bold initiatives through close collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders. We must change the way we treat our forests, so that they are conserved even as we drive hard to accelerate our economic growth,” he said.</p> <p>“Our success in managing our forests will determine our future and the opportunities that will be available to our children.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Source : http://blog.cifor.org</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626449358763434106.post-75917615664743374412011-09-27T16:52:00.000-07:002014-01-28T18:09:24.825-08:00Forest Service letting wildfires burn<div class="photo">
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Thousands of acres in the Tonto National Forest continued to burn over the weekend.<br />
Ironically enough, Forest Service rangers couldn’t be happier.<br />
Instead of rushing to douse the flames, forest managers are mostly taking advantage of the cool conditions to let the fires burn — mindful of the growing body of research demonstrating the value of low-intensity fires at the right time of the year.<br />
Recent studies have demonstrated that such low-intensity, controlled burns actually increase the diversity of plants and wildlife in the forest. Another recent study of tree-ring data going back hundreds of years has underscored that Southwestern forests have adapted to fire frequencies as often as once every two years.<br />
So the early fall flush of fires burning now may do far more good than harm, say forest managers.<br />
Over near Young, the Tanner Fire continues to burn nearly a month after a bolt of lightning started the blaze at the peak of Armer Mountain in the Sierra Anchas.<br />
Crews this week will close Highway 288 in places to build a fire line around the blaze, according to John Thornburg, fire management officer.<br />
“The fire remains within our management area and continues to burn heavy pockets of fuel which prevents catastrophic wildfires in the future.” <br />
The fire put up a plume of smoke from the Tonto Basin, Globe and Young. Downdraft winds from a thunderstorm off Armer Mountain pushed the fire across Highway 288 Saturday evening around 7 p.m. and the fire burned through a dispersed camping area. No campers were present and no structures were lost.<br />
On Monday, crews closed Highway 288 from Reynolds Creek south to the A-Cross Road.<br />
Meanwhile, the lightning-caused Frio Fire continued to burn in the Pinal Mountain range. The fire has burned 3,600 acres since Aug. 17 and is 90 percent contained. Crews will be setting backfires this week to control the spread of the fire, especially on its eastern flank.<br />
“Resources are assigned again today to ensure that we keep the fire where we want it to be, doing what we want it to do,” said Brad Johnson, Globe Ranger District spokesperson. <br />
“We predict that smoke will continue to be visible for the next several days. As fire activity and spread are reduced, smoke impacts will be lessened considerably. We thank the public for their patience and support as we finish this project which will considerably lessen the danger of catastrophic wildfire in the future.”<br />
Low intensity fires after the monsoon season actually benefit Southwestern forests, removing tree thickets, returning nutrients and preventing destructive crown fires — mostly during May and June. Such high intensity fires leaping from treetop to treetop sterilize the soil, creating a water-resistant crust and consume every tree and shrub over large areas.<br />
Although low-intensity controlled burns reduce the chance of such catastrophic fires, many residents still suffer health problems from the smoke. For health information concerning smoke effects, please contact the Gila County Division of Health and Emergency Services, 5515 South Apache Ave., Suite 100, Globe, AZ 85501, (928) 425-3231 ext. 8888.<br />
Residents can also stay updated on fires at www.fs.usda.gov/Tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.<br />
A recent tree-ring study demonstrated how adapted most forested systems have become to regular, low-intensity fires, according to findings published in Applied Vegetation Science and Physical Geography. <br />
Mature pines more than 500 years old often show 14 or more fire scars dating back to the mid 1600s, which means they generally survived a fire every 2-10 years, according to the researchers from Texas A & M University. <br />
The researchers noted that for centuries Native Americans regularly set grassfires, knowing such frequent fires actually helped the forest.<br />
However, fire frequency began to drop dramatically after the 1930s, when the U.S. Forest Service introduced its “Smokey Bear” campaign to prevent forest fires.<br />
Source : http://www.paysonroundup.com<br />
<br />forestnewscompilationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11479050536878161158noreply@blogger.com0