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Issue 110 - July 2024

The Sea Serpent, Limits to Growth, & Adaptive Management

In August 1817, the learned men of the Linnaean Society of New England had studied their Bestiaries, ancient, illustrated volumes of all the animals. They set out from Boston for Gloucester’s high rocky shore to survey the seascape. There, they found what they were looking for. The sea serpent was a “60 to 100-foot long, black, shiny, leathery, scaly, reptilian beast with humps, large eyes, and sharp teeth.”Had they heard the local fishermen, the scientists would have dismissed claims that their sea serpent was a school of bluefin tuna.

Not too many years earlier, in 1798, the English economist, cleric, and scholar Thomas Robert Malthus published anonymously that increased food production would improve the population’s well-being. However, with abundance, population growth would be geometric, while the means of subsistence increase would be arithmetic. The standard of living would go down, and people would suffer “the Malthusian trap.”  In short, Malthusians believe the population will inevitably outgrow available food supplies.

Models Aren’t Always Right, But Nature Is

In 1972, the authors of the publication Limits to Growth used computer modeling to predict what would happen with exponential economic and population growth.  Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, they presented three scenarios.  Two of the scenarios saw population “overshoot” and societal collapse. A third scenario resulted in a “stabilized world.”  

Based on The Limits to Growth and other publications of the 1970s, many people believe that human numbers will always grow until they reach the limit of subsistence and that overpopulation may only be avoided, to use Malthus’s words, by “vice” (including “the commission of war”), “misery” (including famine or want of food and ill health), and “moral restraint” (i.e., abstinence).  Publications informed the way they looked at the world. Fortunately, the intricate relationships for humans as part of nature are not as straightforward as calculations and computer models portend. 

For example, cattle were observed deteriorating in a pasture. Consistent with their expectations, the experts proclaimed that this was over-grazing and that the population must be reduced to a sustainable level consistent with what the resource provided. In a large African elephant park, they found that the carrying capacity for elephants had been exceeded, and the resource base was being destroyed.  Over twenty-seven years, they called for the culling of more than 14,000 elephants.  Their belief system dictated that many elephants must die for the elephant population to survive. 

In both cases, the experts had assessed the situation, prescribed the solution, and left others to manage it. When they returned to find neither the pasture nor the elephant park improved despite the removal of animals, they clung to their science, blamed the managers, wrote off the loss, and carried on.

When he introduced adaptive management, C.S. Hollings (1978) took a very different approach to the certainty of the Malthusians. Hollings and other researchers identified critical uncertainties regarding ecosystem dynamics and designed diagnostic management experiments to reduce the unknowns. They took the radical step of including all stakeholders in the management deliberations because the greater the diversity of perspectives, the more robust the solutions would be.  Having a stake in solving the problem assured effective implementation of systems management. 

There were outcries from the scientific community in response to Hollings’ ideas. They knew the best practices through extensive research and juried publications. Doing anything different would be less effective and might cause more damage when time is of the essence. In other words, adaptive management is too risky, and management should be left to the scientists who know best.

Nature Adapts, We Should, Too

In central Oregon is Bear Creek. There, 25 cattle were let out to roam freely in June and brought back into the barn in August. Initially, the cattle stayed by the riverside, where it was the coolest, and ate all the tasty plants. Stream banks turned to mud. Scoured by sediments, the river cut deeply into the land. The pasturelands, with less diversity of plants and compacted soils, became arid.

The adaptive management approach was to section the grazing lands with fencing.  The cattle were let out to the creek in May to graze on first shoots that included rushes and willows.  This saved the rancher money for a month of cattle feed.  Cattle thrived on the new growth.  They were moved to another pasture well before the resource was overgrazed. Every few weeks, the cattle were moved to higher pastures. Grazing in moderation stimulated plant growth.  Cattle fertilized the higher meadow and removed thatch, allowing more wildflowers to grow. 

For 20 years, riparian plants along Bear Creek thrived and spread.  The 500,000 gallons of water per mile once held in the land became 4 million gallons per mile.  The stream bed rose 2.5 feet.  It overflowed its banks and meandered to become one-third of a mile longer.  The carbon, nitrogen, and hydrological cycles were restored and strengthened. Grazing cattle had regenerated the land like buffalo in grasslands long ago. 

The same lessons benefited the pachyderms targeted for culling. The improvements when they were moved according to what was best for the land was nothing short of elephantine.  People coordinated with elephants to improve ecosystems with more resources for all. African farmers wanted elephants in their fields, stomping fibrous plants, pushing seeds into the ground, and pooping to fertilize the soil. Communities gathered and worked out when and how long the elephants would visit each family’s field.  Arid wastelands turned to lush green areas retaining water.

Adaptive management, the integration of cattle or elephants and people, produces a more synergistic balance between the two as active parts of nature. Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and microbes that cooperate are more fit for survival and growth than those that compete.

Act for Natural Harmony

By organizing, life overcomes the odds, entropy, and limits to growth.  Families organize into populations, populations into communities, and communities into ecosystems. Adaptive management recognizes that ecosystems have vast networks of interconnections, where it is impossible to fully predict what one management action will do. Through experimentation, observations of entire systems (animals, plants, soil, stream flow, etc.), and informed actions, people of the place know the workings of their ecosystems better. What happens on the margins, beneath hooves and elephant feet, or stimulated by grazing, is critical for the turning of cycles and the balance of nature.

To identify uncertainties, recognize the unexpected as they arise, and adopt responsible place-based stewardship practices, we must first see beyond our expectations and not mistake a school of tuna for a sea serpent.   

Grasses draw down 3.67 tons of carbon dioxide for every ton of carbohydrates photosynthesized into biomass or pushed into the soil. A natural lawn will build an inch of soil in a year while supporting a surprising level of bee richness and abundance to benefit more flowers, robins, rabbits, and other grazers. A 200-square-foot lawn will draw down and store one ton of carbohydrates in the soil.

Rather than fret over degraded land at home, work with nature to manage a patch of grass. An established lawn does not need quick-release fertilizer because that will kill beneficial soil microbes. Don’t water because bees do not like it. The grass will then put down deeper roots to open the soil. Set the lawn mower blade to four inches and cut every two or three weeks. This will stimulate the grass to grow, as will walking on the grass.

Even putting a potted plant on a step will help nature draw down more carbon, slow the changing climate for the better, and benefit all. Take a step today to revitalize your part of the world.


Rob Moir in Greenland

About The Author

Dr. Rob Moir is a nationally recognised and award-winning environmentalist. He is president and executive director of Cambridge, MA-based Ocean River Institute, a nonprofit providing expertise, services, resources, and information unavailable on a localized level to support the efforts of environmental organizations. Please visit www.oceanriver.org for more information.


More Article by Dr. Moir


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Issue 110 - July 2024

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – July 2024 – Issue 110

July 2024 Cover


NEWSROOM

Back to the Bay: Southern Sea Otter Conservation Efforts in Northern California

sea otter banner

The southern sea otter, or California sea otter, is one of three endangered subspecies of sea otter found in a small area near central California. Despite government protection, this species has been endangered for over sixty years, unable to make significant population growth in almost thirty years. Read more…

Choking The Seas: How Marine Debris is Reshaping Ecosystems

Millions of pounds of plastics enter the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. Marine ecosystems have had to evolve rapidly to survive these changes. If climate change and plastic pollution continue to increase at these rates, marine ecosystems may no longer be able to keep up with the changes. Read more…

Actions to Strengthen Marine Turtle Conservation Agreed at UN Meeting in Tanzania

Sea turtle Conservations Banner

Governments, scientific experts and stakeholders gathered over four days in an international meeting that ended today to discuss pressing conservation issues for marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region. Read more…

CCMI Reveals The Impact & Future Implications of Record-Breaking Temperature on Little Cayman’s Reefs

CCMI’s 2023 Coral Bleaching Report Card shows that the coral bleaching in Little Cayman was severe, and comparably more severe than other reefs in the region, this is likely to be attributed to factors including higher coral cover to start with and the presence of more susceptible species that are not present on most reefs with more stressors. Read more…

Book Suggestion: The Arctic in Peril, A Photographic Journey Through a Changing Landscape

The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White banner

In “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White,” Sebastian Copeland invites us on an extraordinary visual journey to the heart of a vanishing world. Through his lens, we witness the raw beauty and delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem, a landscape of ethereal ice formations, vast tundra, and resilient wildlife. Read more…

Dive in with The Reef-World Foundation: “Drops in the Ocean” Campaign Sweeps Across the UK!

Dive in with The Reef-World Foundation: "Drops in the Ocean" Campaign Sweeps Across the UK!: Photo Banner

The Reef-World Foundation, a leading non-profit dedicated to coral reef conservation, today announced the exciting launch of its new campaign, “Drops in the Ocean,” which went live on Monday, 17 June across the UK. This impactful campaign receives a significant boost. Read more…

The Sea Serpent and Limits to Growth

Greenland Sea Serpent banner

The learned men of the Boston Natural History Society had studied their Bestiaries, ancient, illustrated volumes of all the animals, and set out for Gloucester’s high rocky shore to survey the seascape. There, they found what they were looking for. Read more…

G20 CORDAP & KSLOF Forge Historic Partnership to Combat Coral Reef Decline

This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to harness the unique strengths and resources of both organizations to enhance coral reef conservation and restoration efforts on a global scale. Read more…

TomopterisPolychaete banner

Scientists on a research expedition onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) have located Chile’s deepest and most northern cold seeps. At 2836 meters deep, the seeps provide chemical energy for deep-sea animals living without sunlight, offering potential insights into the conditions that led to the development of life on Earth. Read more…

Wild Women Expeditions Voted Best Adventure Tour Operator in the 2024 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards

Wild Women Expeditions has been voted ‘Best Adventure Tour Operator’ in the 2024 edition of the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The leader in women’s adventure travel takes the top spot for the second year running, and the third time overall, having won this category in 2021 as well. Read more…

The Parrot & the Igloo, Exposing the History of Climate Change Denial

THE PARROT AND THE IGLOO book banner

In “The Parrot and the Igloo,” David Lipsky embarks on an ambitious initiative to untangle the complex history of climate change denial. With a deft hand, he weaves together a narrative that is both informative and captivating, exposing missed opportunities, deliberate misinformation, and the intricate dance between science and politics. Read more…

Saudi Arabia Shows Initiatives, Bolstering Ocean Sustainability & Biodiversity Conservation at High-Level Event

Saudi Arabia Shows Initiatives ARTICLE BANNER

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir took part in the High-Level Event on Ocean Action, held in the capital of Costa Rica, San José, from June 7-8, at the head of the Kingdom’s delegation. Read more…


Feature Destination

Geneva ranks among the top five European destinations for 2024

Geneva Tourism is delighted to announce that the iconic Swiss city has been named one of Europe’s leading destinations to visit in 2024 by European Best Destinations – the most visited travel and culture website in Europe with 8 million visitors annually. Read more…

World Oceans Day Highlights Immediate Protection Measures Needed

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UN World Oceans Day, celebrated on Friday at UN Headquarters in New York, focused on “opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities” to protect marine life worldwide. Read more…

A Traveler’s Guide to Discovering the Charm of Geneva

Geneva city photo banner

For many, Geneva may not immediately come to mind as a bustling tourist destination compared to other European cities. It lacks sandy beaches and a certain youthful exuberance, but what it offers is a rich cultural tapestry. Read more…

ASEAN & UNDP Launch Joint GEF-Funded Marine Conservation Project

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the governments of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, kick start this year’s World Ocean Day celebration with the launching and inception of the GEF-funded joint marine conservation project – Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS)–on 6 June 2024. Read more…


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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Book Suggestion

Book Suggestion: The Arctic in Peril, A Photographic Journey Through a Changing Landscape

In “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White,” Sebastian Copeland invites us on an extraordinary visual journey to the heart of a vanishing world. Through his lens, we witness the raw beauty and delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem, a landscape of ethereal ice formations, vast tundra, and resilient wildlife.

The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White: Book Cover

Copeland’s photographs are not merely stunning works of art; they are a poignant testament to the alarming pace of climate change. His images of melting glaciers, receding sea ice, and altered animal migration patterns serve as a wake-up call to the urgent need for climate action. Each photograph tells a story of transformation and loss, showcasing the vulnerability of this pristine wilderness to the effects of human activity.

But “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White” is not simply a lament for a disappearing landscape. Copeland’s narrative goes beyond the visual, offering a nuanced exploration of the complex relationship between humans and nature. He delves into the history of Arctic exploration, the challenges faced by indigenous communities, and the geopolitical implications of a rapidly changing Arctic. His words paint a picture of a region at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges yet brimming with potential for resilience and adaptation.

The book’s poetic prose and striking imagery combine to create an immersive experience that transports readers to the heart of the Arctic. Copeland’s passion for this fragile ecosystem is evident on every page, as he shares his reflections and insights gained from years of exploration and advocacy.

“The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White” is a compelling demonstration of the power of photography to inspire change. It is a visual symphony that awakens our senses, challenges our assumptions, and compels us to protect this extraordinary place before it’s too late. As Dr. Jane Goodall eloquently states in her foreword, this book is “a powerful and moving tribute to a region that is both awe-inspiring and deeply vulnerable.”


Sebastian Copeland

About The Author

With approximately 6,000 miles under his skis in the polar regions, Sebastian Copeland has led numerous expeditions to the North and South Poles on foot. Noted as a photographer “who has produced works that are of outstanding artistic merit and communicate messages of urgent global significance,” Copeland has addressed audiences at the UN, universities, and many Fortune 500 companies to warn of the systemic transformations taking place in the polar regions and their geopolitical consequences. In 2017, Men’s Journal named Copeland one of 25 of the world’s top adventurers of the last 25 years. The Arctic completes a polar trilogy comprising Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020) and Polar Explorations (2022). Copeland was named four times Photographer of the Year. In 2019, he was knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the National Order of Merit; and the National Order of Arts and Letters. Dr. Jane Goodall, known for her landmark chimpanzee study, is the most recognizable figure in conservation today.


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Book Suggestion

Book Suggestion: The Parrot & the Igloo, Exposing the History of Climate Change Denial

In “The Parrot and the Igloo,” David Lipsky embarks on an ambitious initiative to untangle the complex history of climate change denial. With a deft hand, he weaves together a narrative that is both informative and captivating, exposing missed opportunities, deliberate misinformation, and the intricate dance between science and politics.

Lipsky’s journey begins with the early warnings of global warming, highlighting the missed signals and the rise of a professional lying apparatus that has cast doubt on the scientific consensus. He meticulously traces the origins of this disinformation campaign, revealing how the same tactics used to deny the dangers of cigarettes and acid rain were employed to undermine climate science.

Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lipsky exposes the human element of climate change denial, delving into the motivations and consequences of inaction. He questions the role of media, corporations, and politics in shaping public opinion and hindering meaningful action. By unravelling the tangled web of denial, Lipsky empowers readers to critically assess the information presented to them and to seek the truth about the climate crisis.

The book serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to confront the urgency of the situation and to challenge the misinformation that has stalled progress. Lipsky’s unique perspective, honed through his experience as a writer and professor of narrative, allows him to present complex issues in a clear and accessible manner, making the book a compelling read for both experts and newcomers to the topic.

“The Parrot and the Igloo” is not just a historical record but also a call to action. It encourages readers to engage with the issue, to question the narratives presented to them, and to seek the truth about climate change. Lipsky’s engaging writing style and insightful analysis make this book an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet. It is a timely and essential contribution to the ongoing discussion about climate change, offering a unique perspective that is both informative and thought-provoking.

By exposing the tactics of climate change denial and highlighting the urgent need for action, Lipsky’s book empowers readers to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful conversations about the climate crisis. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of a daunting global crisis.


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