MEDO Mtoni’s Post

Over $423 Billion per year. That's how much the global economy loses to invasive species which threaten nature, food security and human health. A new report by the International Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities. Aimed at policymakers, the report shows that invasive species threaten the quality of life and cultural identities of human communities, especially on islands, where biodiversity loss is most damaging.Our work restoring islands by removing invasive species from islands has massive spillover effects--not just ecologically, but culturally, economically, and politically. Read the report here: tinyurl.com/2c3rjukd #conservationnews #biodiversity #invasivespecies #conservation #ecoconscious #ipbes

A remarkable UN report highlights the significant consequences of invasive species in the global biodiversity crisis 🌎 The new IPBES report on invasive species was released yesterday as a result of the IPBES plenary assembly in Bonn. One of our Associate Professors, Alejandro Ordonez Gloria, has contributed as a co-author of the report. The report highlights invasive species and their detrimental impact on the global biodiversity crisis. This report will serve as a crucial tool in promoting positive change and hopefully raise awareness about this previously overlooked issue. Find the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dS3gmfWD Furthermore, researchers from our Department, Jens-Christian Svenning, Anders Barfod, and Alejandro, have contributed to the recent article by Politiken based on the report (in Danish and behind a paywall) here: https://lnkd.in/eGQzGPWG #Biodiversity #InvasiveSpecies #IPBESReport 🌍🌱

Looking for a way to measure biodiversity? 4️⃣ different ways to measure biodiversity: Species richness: This refers to the total number of species within a region. Genetic diversity: This is the total variety of genes within a single species. Endemic species: These are species that occur in a specific region and nowhere else in the world. Ecosystem diversity: This is the total number of ecosystems in a region. The infographic also details the primary drivers of biodiversity loss, which include: Habitat loss Invasive species Overexploitation Pollution Climate change These factors can all contribute to a reduction in the number of genes, individual organisms, species, and ecosystems in a given area. #biodiversity #environment #sustainability #conservationscience

#grrf Special Day Update 22 May- International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated on May 22, it is a global observance that highlights the importance of biodiversity and its crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. This day serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic resources that make our planet unique. It is a time to reflect on the web of life and recognize the intricate connections between humans and the natural world. Biodiversity encompasses the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they inhabit. It is the foundation of our food, water, air, and overall well-being. The alarming rate of species extinction, habitat loss, and degradation poses a significant threat to biodiversity. The International Day for Biological Diversity aims to raise awareness about these challenges and promote efforts to protect and conserve biodiversity. Happy Biodiversity Day!! #grrf #biosphere #biodiversity #ecology #sustainability

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮? While biodiversity supports us in countless ways, the other side of the relationship is not so positive. Species are going extinct at a rate that our planet has not experienced in about 65 million years, when dinosaurs, and approximately 75% of species on earth, went extinct. Of the species on earth that we know about 44,000 are threatened with extinction. Considering that many experts believe we have only identified about 1/8th of the species on earth, the actual number is likely a lot higher. Whole species could be disappearing before we even notice they are there. 𝙎𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 5 main causes of biodiversity loss: Land use change (how humans physically change the land or sea e.g. for construction, agriculture or mining), pollution, climate change, overexploitation (e.g. overfishing, overharvesting of trees), and invasive species. Directly or indirectly, the likelihood is that everyone of us contributes to each of these drivers on a daily basis. The good news is that we can begin having a positive impact today, and it’s not too hard! UN Biodiversity #biodiversitycriss #extinctionspecies #rarespecies #conservationefforts #humanimpact #protectourplanet #biodiversityloss #environmentalawareness #saveourspecies #sustainableliving #actfornature #biodiversityireland #biodiversityweek #bepartoftheplan

The term “invasive species” might conjure images of foreign plants or animals taking over a new territory. Globally, these invaders have wreaked havoc on native ecosystems. In the Middle East, a region characterized by its unique biodiversity and delicate ecological balance, the threat of invasive species is particularly acute. #InvasiveSpeciesAlert #BiodiversityUnderThreat #MiddleEastEcology https://lnkd.in/gsFp2EHb

Diogo, I., Sillero, N., & Capinha, C. (2024). Predicting the risk of invasion by broadleaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) in mainland Portugal. Heliyon, 10(13). DOI: https://lnkd.in/e6z3U-Ek Broadleaf water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) is an emerging invasive alien plant in Europe, and thus a priority for EU-level surveillance, monitoring, and eradication. This species is native to North America and threatens aquatic ecosystems by creating dense stands that can fill an entire water body, leading to both economic and native biodiversity losses. Although its presence in Portugal is not reported, the species is already established in several European countries, including Spain. In this study, we assessed the risk of invasion by this species in mainland Portugal by jointly considering environmentally suitable areas and the risk of human-mediated introduction. 

From the new IPBES #InvasiveAlienSpecies report 'invasive ... grasses, can sometimes be highly flammable and therefore promote more intense and frequent fire regimes, causing increased risks to nature and people, and increased carbon release into the atmosphere'. http://bit.ly/481cnD9 That's all true for gamba grass in northern Australia. Our research website https://lnkd.in/gFuV9a9d is helping land managers better understand the scale of the gamba problem, the serious threat it poses to biodiversity and how research can support successful gamba management approaches.

Title: "Navigating the Global Invasion: Simplifying the Impact of Alien Species on Our World" In today's interconnected world, the rise in human population size has led to a surge in invasive alien species, disrupting ecosystems and human livelihoods worldwide. These invaders, which spread outside their native habitats, have complex and far-reaching effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. From breaking down biogeographic realms to altering trophic networks, invasive alien species wreak havoc on native species richness, genetic composition, and ecosystem functioning. Their impacts, often unnoticed until they are well-established, pose significant challenges for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. While some nations like Australia and New Zealand prioritize biosecurity, international cooperation is essential to combat the escalating threat of invasive species. By implementing and enforcing robust management strategies, coupled with addressing other global changes, we can mitigate the impacts of these invaders and safeguard our ecosystems and livelihoods for future generations.

💡 How do we define Biodiversity? 🌱 IPBES definitions of #biodiversity serve as a foundational framework for international policy and decision-making related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. 🌿 Variety of life 🌿 Variety of functions They emphasise the importance of ecological processes in maintaining biodiversity and highlights the threats posed by human activities such as habitat loss, #climate change, overhunting, invasive species, and pollution. 🌳 Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), a set of standardised parameters, allows for standardisation across different regions and ecosystems and for a holistic understanding of biodiversity changes. 6 main categories of EBVs: - genetic composition - species populations - species traits - community composition - ecosystem structure - ecosystem function. As such, they cover the first four levels of ecological organisation (individual; population; community; ecosystem; biome; biosphere). 👇 Read more 💡 https://lnkd.in/gGvPhZ_3