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Issue 99 - August 2023

MSU Researchers Offer Enhanced Definition of ‘Climate-Smart Forestry’

By Forestry Department at Michigan State University

Faculty from the Forestry Department at Michigan State University have published a new article with PLOS Climate offering an in-depth look at ‘climate-smart forestry’ and the role forests play in climate change mitigation.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Researchers from the Forestry Department at Michigan State University, Lauren Cooper and David MacFarlane, have published a new article with PLOS Climate. In their paper, Climate-Smart Forestry: Promise and Risks for Forests, society, and Climate, Cooper and MacFarlane recognize the need for an expanded and shared understanding of the term “Climate-Smart Forestry”. This term has gained currency in dialogues on the role forests play in the global climate crisis. A clear and complete definition of Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) is required for policymakers, natural resource managers, project managers, and others. To build this understanding, the authors have undertaken a literature review, a qualitative assessment of practice and policy use, and a statistical analysis of datasets from related studies. With these data, they assess current definitions and framing of CSF, explore CSF gaps and potential risks, present a new definition of CSF to broaden intervention types and engage multiple scales of decision-makers, and explore sources of evidence of CSF.

Over the last few decades, forests have become an increasingly important focus of international investment, in efforts to promote change in global deforestation and degradation trends, and as a means to reduce and remove atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG). Additionally, various regulatory and voluntary markets utilizing forest-based carbon credits have gained traction in recent years. However, tensions remain in discussions around utilization versus conservation, issues with carbon commodification, and the potential for carbon credits to become a form of greenwashing primarily benefiting those entities most responsible for excess GHG emissions. The use of CSF and related terms, such as “Climate-Smart Forest Economy” or “Climate-Smart Forest Products”, seems to rely on an assumption that CSF has been adequately defined and is well understood. This leads to the term being adopted and used colloquially, without critical examination and robust scientific rationale, constituting a “science-practice gap”.

The current understanding of CSF can be summarized as encompassing three overarching objectives:

  • Increasing carbon storage in forests and wood products, in conjunction with the provisioning of other ecosystem services,
  • Enhancing human health and community resilience through adaptive forest management, and
  • Using wood resources sustainably to substitute for non-renewable, carbon-intensive materials.

To close gaps in theory and practice, Cooper and MacFarlane propose an enhanced definition CSF that includes two additional goals:

  • Protect natural places by avoiding loss of forests, intact forests, forest complexity, biodiversity, connectivity, or conversion to higher management intensity;
  • Promote restoration of degraded landscapes, improved ecosystem function, and connectivity (e.g., through corridors).

Further, the authors identify an emerging emphasis on forest carbon sequestration rates over carbon storage, indicating a narrow understanding of climate benefits. A focus on carbon sequestration does not fully consider the long-term resilience of forests, other treed landscapes, and the benefits of stored carbon on the landscape. They propose augmenting traditional forestry metrics by defining and promoting additional CSF indicators—such as tree longevity and biomass residency time—to be included in analysis, used to appraise multiple forest types more appropriately, adequately assess higher storage/lower productivity forests, and bring attention to protecting the large and secure carbon pools that are currently in place.

Cooper and MacFarlane also note that forest carbon projects commonly omit carbon pools and GHGs which are considered “not significant” or too difficult to assess, though some (such as forested peat soils) have the potential to be immensely important. They point out that including even default values for these kinds of carbon pools can provide important insights to support decision-making. Additionally, the authors assert that CSF claims around the carbon stored in harvested wood products must be based in data-driven calculations to avoid overestimating substitution benefits or underestimating emissions and fossil fuel use related to current forestry practices.

Finally, this research recognizes that industry, investors, and governments are the entities most likely to benefit from current understandings of CSF which do not fully incorporate traditional ecological knowledge. Roughly 1.5 billion Indigenous and rural peoples depend on forests for food and livelihoods, occupying approximately 28% of global land and nearly 20% of global forests, with either formal or informal tenure rights. Forests cover more than 80% of indigenous land area, totaling over 330 million hectares representing some of the most ecologically important, carbon rich biodiversity hotspots on the planet. Of these, 173 million hectares are considered “intact forests” meaning they have had little to no human modifications in the last 60–80 years. Recent decades have seen a greater focus on indigenous and rural rights in relation to conservation and climate mitigation, which can be leveraged to reduce risk of CSF oversight.

In this paper, Cooper and MacFarlane delineate the following gaps in and risks associated with the currentframing of CSF:

  • Overly simplified relationships between carbon sequestration and forest management,
  • Emphasis on above-ground tree volume as forest carbon stocks,
  • “Carbonization” of forest values,
  • Unintended social effects and unequal benefit distribution,
  • Misinterpreting climate effects, and
  • Overlooking efficiency gains and economic misalignments.
Planning and implementation phases of both Current CSF and proposed Enhanced CSF frameworks.

As the authors illustrate in the figure (attached), an enhanced conceptualization of CSF allows for a broad umbrella under which additional forested or potentially forested landscapes may be assessed, particularly those that may not be managed primarily for timber. Cooper and MacFarlane also propose an expansion of current planning and implementation phases to include assessment of the broader impacts of CSF strategy across socio-cultural values, trade-offs for co-benefits and safeguards, and landscape-level ecological and economic considerations.

This research underscores the value of considering a diversity of land management and conservation practices beyond carbon, that are essential to adapting to climate, actively consider other species, and support resilient landscapes that will continue to provide for the full spectrum of social and economic human need.

To read the full journal article please visit this LINK!


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Feature Destination

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – August 2023 – Issue 99

Cover Issue 99 August copy

Feature Destination

Peru Passes Important Ocean Protection Law to Protect The First Five Nautical Miles at Sea

The approval of the law recognizing ancestral and artisanal fishing is a historic milestone that guarantees the protection of this zone, benefiting over 50,000 artisanal fishermen who provide 80% of the fish that feeds the Peruvian population. Read more…

Hiking Through History: How Can You Discover Peru’s Past on Foot?

Peru is an ancient country with a complex history. The Incan Empire, who lived here from around 1200 AD, played a vital role in the country’s development until it was conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s. Read more…

Rare Peruvian Diving-Petrels Nesting on Chañaral Island Following Decades of Absence

Endangered Peruvian Diving Petrel in Flight

Peruvian Diving-petrels (known locally as “yuncos”) are small ground-nesting seabirds endemic to the Humboldt Current System that flows along the western coast of South America. Read more…

UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has approved the designation of 10 new biospheres reserves in 9 countries, and one transboundary biosphere reserve across 2 countries. With these new designations, the World Network now totals 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites. Read more…


NEWSROOM

Blue Movement Directory: A New, Updated, Geo-Map-Based Guide Empowering Ocean Action Worldwide

Blue Frontier, the nationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and known as “The Voice for Ocean Action,” is proud to announce the launch of its newly updated, revised and geo-map-based Blue Movement Directory. Read more…

Nice Dive & Trips To Madagascar: Explore Nosy Be and Save Endangered Lemurs

Premier tour agency based in Vienna, Austria, NiCe Dive & Trips GmbH has launched an exclusive travel to the captivating archipelago of Nosy Be, Madagascar from the 25th of September to the 4th of October 2023. Read more…

Curtin University’s Prof. Robert McCauley Honored as Top Marine Scientist for Pioneering Whale Song Research

A pioneering marine scientist, whose dedication has contributed to a greater understanding of the secret life of whales through their song, has today been honoured among Australia’s top marine scientists. Read more…

Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension

We hope that our findings will spark a broader discussion about the urgency to leverage any and all credible data to better understand and mitigate the threats posed to leatherbacks by fisheries. The tool presents an opportunity to spark dialogue about sea turtle conservation and to inform efforts to reduce fisheries impacts. Read more…

Mindful Conservation: Why We Need a New Respect for Nature

As a biologist, I am trained to believe that data is everything. I have collected data and published scientific articles for more than 25 years. But while scientific data certainly is important to underpin the need to protect landscapes, to create protected areas and to restore biodiversity, it’s just one aspect of how we can work towards safeguarding nature. Read more…

The Most Definitive List of The World’s Best Beaches Ever Created Is Released

The World’s 50 Best Beaches, Presented By Banana Boat, has released a new list of the best beaches in the world. The list is a collaboration with over 750 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals, including many of the biggest names in travel such as Jyo Shankar, Pilot Madeleine, Dame Traveler and others. Read more…

Discover White Charks & More in 3D: Cutting-Edge, Interactive Shark and Ray Displays Bring The Ocean to Life

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is bringing sharks to life, thanks to interactive 3D models that will be available across various platforms. Visitors to the World of Sharks website can investigate the biology and evolution of sharks and rays by rotating first-of-their-kind models online at the SOSF’s flagship information repository. Read more…

SAY GOODBYE TO LIDS FOR GOOD: ChoosePlanetA Launches Ground-Breaking First Single-use Paper Cup

The unique and patented paper cup comes with an integrated top flap that easily folds and locks into place which does away with the traditional use of plastic lids. Made from a bio-based, 100% certified home compostable paper, it is also free from PE (Polyethylene) coating. Read more…

The Reef-World Foundation is a Winner of The Escape 100: Awards for The Top Purpose-Led Organisations to Work At

James Greenhalgh, Digital Strategy Manager at The Reef-World Foundation, commented: “The Reef-World Foundation is a phenomenal place to work where everyone’s contribution is valued, and our team is able to punch well above our weight in terms of conservation impact. Read more…

The World’s First App Store to Lead The Fight Against Climate Change

Greenly, the leading carbon accounting and management platform, announced today the launch of The Climate App Store, the world’s first app store focused on providing tools to measure and reduce users’ carbon footprints. Read more…

MSU Researchers Offer Enhanced Definition of ‘Climate-Smart Forestry’

Over the last few decades, forests have become an increasingly important focus of international investment, in efforts to promote change in global deforestation and degradation trends, and as a means to reduce and remove atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG). Read more…

How We Created the Hottest Global Average Temperature Day and What to Do About It

July 3rd was the hottest day recorded as a global average of temperatures taken at hundreds of sites worldwide. The worldwide average for that day was 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit. The record stood one day until July 4th, which was even hotter at 62.92 degrees. Read more…

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Announces Recipients of $3.5 Million Global Sustainable Fisheries Initiative

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, has awarded $3.5 million in grants to ten organizations and universities in seven countries for the development of new tools and innovations that will improve the sustainability of global fisheries, the program announced today. Read more…

WeWhale Launches Merchandise Collection, with 100% of The Profits Going Directly to Whale & Dolphin Protection Projects

The whale and dolphin projects being supported are of vital importance. Among them is the development of an innovative system that helps prevent collisions between vessels and cetaceans, as well as the creation of a sanctuary where captured marine mammals can be released and returned to their natural home. Read more…


SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

Monthly Beach Cleanup Event from July 28, 2023

Clean Uo event for July 28, 2023

Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023

In July 2023, SEVENSEAS Media conducted two impactful events in Krabi, Thailand. The Monthly Beach Cleanup Event at Ao Sew Beach saw enthusiastic volunteers remove a staggering 150.6 kilograms of trash, underscoring the pressing issue of marine pollution and the significance of sustainable practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The organization stressed the importance of proper waste management to protect coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, in the face of an unexpected storm, SEVENSEAS Media’s Coral Nursery & Restoration team demonstrated unwavering dedication, rescuing and relocating 75 corals to safer locations, bolstering their chances of survival and growth. The team outlined a comprehensive plan for continued coral recovery missions and data collection efforts throughout the year. The recent storm served as a stark reminder of the urgency to safeguard coral reefs from climate change impacts. We would like to express our gratitude for the support received from individuals and communities in this conservation community. We would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to  Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.


The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here


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Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration

SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023

Amidst an unexpected storm, our diving team persists, rescuing and relocating corals to safer nurseries while forging ahead with essential data collection for the preservation of marine life in Krabi Thailand.

This month, our coral nursery and restoration team recently commenced a mission to rescue and relocate corals in the face of adversity. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, the team demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to safeguarding these fragile ecosystems.

During a routine visit to the nursery, the team found themselves caught in the clutches of an unexpected storm, leaving them stranded for nearly four hours. Despite the adversity, their passion for conservation never wavered. With unyielding determination, they rescued a total of 75 corals from the previous nurseries and relocated them to new, safer havens at deeper locations. The efforts made during this critical mission are expected to increase the corals’ chances of survival and growth.

Undeterred by the challenges faced, our team has laid out a comprehensive plan to continue its mission throughout the year. Starting immediately, they will venture out twice a week until December 2023, combining coral recovery missions with essential data collection efforts.

As the project unfolds, more updates will be provided, shedding light on the progress made, the challenges overcome, and the discoveries unearthed through their rigorous scientific data collection. Rest assured, we will keep our marine community and the public informed about our mission to preserve and restore our invaluable coral ecosystems.

We would like to express our gratitude for all support received from individuals, organizations, and communities alike. Without this collective backing, such conservation efforts would not be possible. Every contribution, whether big or small, has played an instrumental role in our success so far.

In light of the recent storm’s impact, the next nursery outing will see a slight shift in focus. Instead of planting new corals, the team will prioritize the collection and regrouping of survivors, salvaging them from the damage caused by the freak storm. The decision to establish a new nursery at a deeper location is a strategic measure aimed at bolstering the corals’ resilience against future storms.

With a notable absence of storms of this magnitude for over five years, this event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the urgent need to safeguard our coral reefs from the impacts of climate change.

Stay tuned for more updates, data insights, and stories of resilience as we continue our inspiring journey to save and revitalize the reef in Krabi. Your continued support will make all the difference in this race against time to protect one of Earth’s most precious ecosystems.

Note: The above information is based on the latest update from SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration activities in July 2023. Further developments and updates will be shared once available.


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Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration

SEVENSEAS Media Beach Cleanup Event from July 28, 2023

A Total of 150.6 Kilograms of Trash Removed, Highlighting the Importance of Sustainable Practices

Krabi, Thailand, witnessed another successful beach cleanup event organized by SEVENSEAS Media on July 28, 2023. With the breathtaking backdrop of Ao Sew, volunteers joined forces to combat the pressing issue of marine pollution and its devastating impact on our oceans.

Under the scorching sun and amidst the soothing waves, our volunteers collected an impressive 150.6 kilograms of trash from this seemingly small beach. The amount is truly alarming, reflecting the scale of the marine pollution crisis. However, it also showcases the unwavering commitment of individuals who strive to protect our coastal ecosystems.

The collected debris was segregated, with 19 kilograms earmarked for recycling—a testament to the potential of converting waste into valuable resources. A total of 27 bags were used to store the collected trash, symbolizing the sheer volume of litter that relentlessly finds its way onto our pristine shores.

SEVENSEAS Media understands that the ultimate solution to marine pollution lies in tackling the problem at its source. While beach cleanups play a crucial role in mitigating immediate impacts, the key to long-term change lies in reducing waste production and adopting sustainable practices.

Individuals can make a significant difference by embracing the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By being mindful of our consumption habits and opting for eco-friendly alternatives, we can minimize the generation of waste that often ends up in our oceans. Reusing items wherever possible and recycling materials that can be repurposed help close the loop and decrease the burden on our environment.

It is also important to ensure that the waste we do produce is disposed of correctly. Implementing proper waste management systems, supporting recycling initiatives, and promoting composting can go a long way in diverting trash from entering our seas.

Our monthly beach cleanup serves as a reminder that the fight against marine pollution is ongoing, and our collective efforts can drive positive change. The beauty of Ao Sew, Krabi, and countless other coastal treasures around the world depends on our commitment to protecting them.

Be a part of SEVENSEAS Media’s Beach Cleanup in Krabi, Thailand, and help combat marine pollution. Join us to remove tons of trash from the beach and make a powerful impact on our environment. The date of the event will be announced on our Facebook Page. If you can’t make it in person? Show your support with a donation to keep our mission going.


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