Forest loss in global protected areas

Protected areas are an essential component of conservation and climate change reduction. However, protected areas are not always as effective as they could be, this has previously been seen to correspond to gross domestic product (GDP), specifically where forested protected areas are concerned. The paper by Wolf et al (2021) aims to analyse the effectiveness of protected areas with regards to limiting forest loss.

They found that protected areas did reduce forest loss, but did not eliminate it completely. Those with the strictest management showed less deforestation than those with little to no management. The creation of new protected areas did see a slight increase in deforestation both within the protected area and in near by unprotected woodland.

Results show that protected areas within South Africa were the most effective in preventing forest loss. Protected areas with lower deforestation are expected to have other benefits, such as lower species loss, whether due to greater habitat availability or effective suppression of illegal hunting. As well as protecting biodiversity, protected areas also protect the immense carbon sink that is our forests. Deforestation not only stops this sink, but depending on the use of the wood, can also release the carbon back into the atmosphere. Reducing or preventing deforestation through protected areas is essential to tackle climate change.

Once again GDP was demonstrated to have a significant influence on the effectiveness of protected areas. The authors suggest that, to help maintain and improve protected areas, countries of higher GDP should assist those with lower GDP. This will aid actions such as species recovery/reintroduction as the acts can be done sooner rather than waiting for the GDP to increase to a point they can act themselves, by which point the species may be beyond saving, or be incapable of reintroduction.

Aichi Target 11: By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, with a focus on areas particularly important for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Areas are conserved through effective and equitable management as well as being ecologically representitive. Areas must also be well connected whilst merging seamlessly with the surrounding land and seascapes and coordinating with other conservation measures.

The Aichi Target was due for 2020, but the authors found that when corrected for with deforestation (effectiveness), current protected area was only around 6.5%. Again correcting for deforestation, or effectiveness, the authors find that the actual percentage of protected land needed is 41.3%. Clearly this target has not been met. Hope should not be lost, it is a goal that should be sought no matter how long it takes, but this should not lead us into complacency. Thinking that if met in 2050 it is fine too, no, the sooner the better.

Wolf, C., Levi, T., Ripple, W.J., Zárrate-Charry, D.A. and Betts, M.G., 2021. A forest loss report card for the world’s protected areas. Nature Ecology & Evolution, pp.1-10.

Convention on Biological Diversity - Target 11

New in nature 🌲

Winter. It's cold and the only new thing maybe a new layer of snow or the gifts received. In the natural world Spring is most commonly associated as being the season of new. Unburst buds becoming new leaves, new life in the fields and trees. New doesn't just happen in Spring though, mushrooms erupt in the Autumn, their fruiting bodies popping out of the ground and trees to shower spores on the world. Fruits too are commonly found in Autumn. New is a constant phenomenon, one that humans have a strong connection with; new shoes, new car, new phone, humans became obsessed with new.

More recently this changed as many realised the harm 'new' causes to the planet. Whether that be from waste, the use of resources or the lack of recyclability for too many items. There has become a move towards recycled and reused as well as pre-loved items, such as those sold on Vinted. New is something nice and something that most people love, but new in nature means so much more. New in nature is more about new life, whether that is offspring or new leaves on trees. New in nature is about survival of the individual and species.

When you consider the concept of new in the natural world, it puts perspective on that new bag you were looking at the other day, or the new phone waiting at the end of your contract. There are new things humans can look forward too without the environmental impact. A walk in the woods at any time of year will provide something new. Last year's seedlings will begin to emerge, flowers will bloom, fruits, nuts and seeds from trees and vegetation will form, mushrooms can be found, animals may be seen one visit and not the next with migratory species appearing, bringing a completely new almost exotic feel to the woodland. It is not just in woodlands that the new of nature can be experienced. Coastlines changing bring new species, again including some migratory. Even climate change will bring new to many environments. However, much of the climate change new may cause other problems such as competition between species, this will be especially problematic to niche species.

To some new is scary and something to avoid, but it is part of life for nature and humans. It can be problematic (climate change), but it can also be a joyous thing (new life). Appreciate the new and old.

Share your thoughts in the comments or come over to Discord to chat about this and other subjects.

https://linktr.ee/environmintleaf

Septimber- Halloween

Image credit: Morton Parish Council

Pumpkins, black cats and witches are all associated with Halloween without a second thought. As are trees of black gnarled appearance often sporting a rather angry or creepy face. But do their association with the creepy go deeper than the deadly tales of hanging trees and tales of lovers becoming forever entwined?

It could be that the association of trees in graveyards and their tattered look during mid to late autumn brought about many tales to scare children and keep them from the real dangers of playing around graves. Yet, while I can't say for certain that Yew trees keep the devil at bay or even take in lost souls’ other species do keep untoward chemicals and organisms at bay. For example, Willow trees take in nuclear radiation making sites safer over time. Oil from pine trees also dispel the unwanted, they are antibacterial and mildly antiseptic. Alder have a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria, Frankia alni, which takes in nitrogen from the atmosphere making it available to the tree where the nodules the bacterium have created are located.

The most obvious way trees help to clean our environment is their utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO₂). A reduction in CO₂ reduces many problems faced on our planet including climate change and local air pollution. This in turn improves the health of many people such as asthma sufferers.

So, you see there are many scary things at Halloween and whilst there is always some truth in folklore or myths, rest assured that trees definitely do more good than harm.

This post was written in collaboration with Manchester City of Trees. Visit their blog to read more on folklore and tales of spooky trees. As well as this find out about the research they are doing on the trees around Greater Manchester (UK) and their benefits for the population.Terrifying Trees post

More information on what trees do for us here.

Septimber – Woodland management

Many woodlands go undisturbed for centuries with so little human influence that you would not know anyone had been there at all. However, as humans realise the importance of woodlands and forestry so too do they see how important it is to manage and monitor them. It is of particular importance to manage a woodland as an individual and not assume that what works for one will work for all. For instance, there is little point in managing a woodland for dormice when they have never been found in the region before. Whilst if they were once present then the woodland could be managed to encourage their return.

There are many factors which must be considered when designing and implementing a management strategy. Its current use for one, is it used for recreation or has it been left abandoned? What are the plans for the future? Knowing this can change the type of plan drastically. For example, if the woodland is to be used commercially then the species and planting layout (i.e. in rows) are important. In a woodland to be used for conservation the tree species present are still significant whilst the structure of the understory and canopy is of equal consequence. Environmental issues such as flooding and drought must also be understood otherwise increasing or decreasing the woodland could do more harm than good. So, you see it is not a simple task to form a management plan that will actually work.

Septimber - Deadwood

Whilst this tree was still living when this photo was taken it is very old and its twin has already died.

Though it can be sad when a tree dies whether from old age, damage or from falling there is something good which comes from this loss. Deadwood both part of a living tree or laying on the ground has many uses for many species. Fungi, insects and birds all use deadwood, they grow on it, eat it or nest in it. Woodpeckers for example require deadwood which they hollow out for nesting, woodlice on the other hand consume deadwood¹. As well as being utilised by mobile species, as deadwood decays nutrients stored within it, such as Nitrogen (N), are broken down and returned to the soil for living plants to use again. So, you see whilst a tree dying is sad and does leave a hole in an ecosystem, particularly if an ancient tree, deadwood is also a major part of the woodland/forest environment and is relied on by many species.

1 Information for forest management with further information on species reliant on deadwood.

Septimber

Septimber

All things trees, wood and forest. Find an appreciation for the importance and uses of trees and why we rely on them so much despite our transfer to plastic and steel where timber was traditional.