Swiss Re’s Post

Old Botanical gardens as a prime example for the possibilities for urban space for biodiversity - a journey through the old botanical garden of Göttingen:

🕵♀️ Who’s living in your garden? Our counter currently stands at 780 species. One year ago, I started counting and identifying plants, animals and mushrooms. Our ambition is a 1000-species garden, a green oasis where biodiversity thrives 🐥 🐸 🦉 🦋 🐌 🐝. After numerous ecological interventions - a natural pond, a mixed hedge, a flower meadow, a dead hedge, ... - we see the biodiversity increasing. Nature is grateful, it readily takes up those new spots. 👉 Would you also like more species, be sure to check out the tips in our latest blog https://lnkd.in/eSKbw7Zn (also in FR & NL). 💚 Get started and counting!

It is fun fact Friday! 🐺 Did you know that wolves play a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining ecological balance? ⚖ Across various ecosystems globally, their presence has profound effects on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Wolves, as apex predators, influence the population and behaviour of prey species, preventing overgrazing and maintaining plant diversity. Their predatory role creates a domino effect, influencing the abundance and distribution of various species within the ecosystem. While the specific dynamics may vary, the overarching impact of wolves as keystone species transcends geographical boundaries. Their significance extends to diverse ecosystems worldwide, emphasising the interconnectedness of species and the delicate balance they maintain. Understanding and protecting keystone species like wolves offer valuable lessons for conservation. Preserving these apex predators is not just about their individual survival but safeguarding the intricate web of life they support. 🇵🇱 🇩🇪 In a survey conducted by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig on public attitudes toward re-wilding initiatives, the majority of respondents expressed support for reintroducing large carnivores and herbivores, such as wolves and elk, to the area. Despite some reservations among locals, the study suggests a significant appetite for re-wilding at the national level, emphasising a preference for the natural return of wildlife to the region 🐾 The findings of this study also highlight the importance of considering local input in conservation planning. Find this and more fun facts on our blog: https://www.kuyua.com/blog Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/emazg-FT And here: https://lnkd.in/eh6EiEZN #Biodiversity #Wolves #KeystoneSpecies #Rewilding

📣The event concerns the topic of "Conservation and Management of Mediterranean Forest Habitats", and it's organized by LIFE GoProForMEDproject. The workshop will take place on Monday, December 4, 2023, in person, at the Forestas Service Center (Sassari -> Sardinia - IT), and online (in ENG/ITA). The aim of the workshop is to share the results of activities carried out during the first year of the project, and it is a way to start connections and network among Europe.   In this initial phase, protocols and management interventions have been defined for the establishment and implementation of an ecological network in over 4,000 hectares of forest habitats in the Mediterranean region. The workshop will present the first results of biodiversity monitoring in the forest and the outcomes of the initial application of the protocols in the Montes forest (Sardinia).  Lastly, two discussion panels will engage all participants (both in-person and remote) on specific pressures on forest ecosystems, typical of the Mediterranean area: forest fires and grazing. These two aspects, combined with the forest management models promoted by the project, constitute the main challenges for ensuring the conservation of biodiversity in Mediterranean forests.

Botanists have discovered a novel plant species, Amalophyllon miraculum, in a small woodland area in northwestern Ecuador, underscoring the significance of safeguarding even minor remnants of imperiled ecosystems. This diminutive plant, measuring only 5 cm (2 in) in height, was spotted thriving on a large rock within a region that has suffered a substantial loss of its original forest cover due to agricultural expansion and historical governmental policies that encouraged deforestation. Researchers believe that this newfound species symbolizes optimism for the conservation of biodiversity, demonstrating that distinct species can endure even in significantly transformed environments. Conservation groups are collaborating with local landholders to safeguard the remaining forested areas and nurture rare species, emphasizing the environmental and societal advantages of preserving these ecosystems. #BiodiversityConservation #EcosystemPreservation Photos by J.L Clark.

Recently, we announced our investment in Ponterra's ARC Restaura Azuero Project in Panama, alongside Microsoft and Carbon Streaming Corporation. Here are a few things we like about this project: ✅ Additionality The project restores lands that have been degraded after years of cattle grazing. 🐒 Ecology and Biodiversity Dry tropical forests have high concentrations of unique wildlife, which contribute to sustaining the area’s complex ecological systems. 🌳 Native Tree Species By re-planting with more than 75 native tree species, the project strengthens biodiversity and helps connect disparate native forest. 💸 Community Benefits As grazing has become less profitable, reforestation allows community members to switch to a restorative economic activity without sacrificing their livelihoods. 📈 Scale The project’s initial phase includes 10,000 ha and aims to expand to more than 50,000 ha.

Most of us recognize that safeguarding nature and biodiversity is crucial for sustaining life on Earth. However, our actions towards this goal vary. While some actively contribute, others simply go with the flow without taking consequential steps. A portion prioritizes short-term economic gains, exploiting Earth's resources with little regard for the long-term implications on life. Years ago, my family acquired a magnificent forest in Costa Rica with the intention of preserving its natural state. Recently, we took a step further by establishing the Forest Guardians Foundation to expand our conservation efforts concentrically and positively influence our neighbors to join this mission. Witness the wonders we aim to protect: 2,000-year-old Podocarpaceae trees, 700-year-old Oak trees, hundreds of bird species, including the endangered Resplendent Quetzal with its vibrant and plush tail feathers, and a diverse array of mammals, to name a few. Truly a pristine and beautiful forest ecosystem.

It's fun fact Friday! 🐹 Today we're digging into what is meant by "keystone species" — nature's heroes that shape entire ecosystems 🌍✨ Ever wondered what makes an organism a keystone species? These ecological linchpins have low functional redundancy, meaning their unique role has no substitute in the ecosystem. If a keystone species vanishes, the entire habitat faces a radical transformation ☄ Apex predators 🦈 Many people know the iconic story of grey wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Their absence disrupted the delicate balance, leading to an elk population explosion. The subsequent wolf reintroduction in the '90s brought harmony back to this vast ecosystem. Habitat creators 🐘 Elephants, the gentle giants of the savanna, showcase how herbivores can be keystone species. By munching on shrubs and small trees, elephants prevent the African savanna from becoming a dense forest. Their strategic grazing maintains a thriving grassland, supporting diverse species from antelopes to zebras. Mutualists 🌺 Keystone mutualists are tag teams of the ecological world. Take the hummingbird and Patagonian plants, for example. Acting in harmony, these partners ensure pollination for 20% of local plant species. Their interdependence creates a delicate dance that sustains the entire Patagonian ecosystem. Ecosystem Engineers 🐋 Going above and beyond keystone species, umbrella species, foundation species, and ecosystem engineers each contribute uniquely to maintaining the health of their habitats. Nature's symphony relies on these keystone species, ensuring a harmonious balance in the wild 🐾 🌾 Find this and more fun facts on our blog: https://www.kuyua.com/blog Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ezDXkkr4 #biodiversity #keystone #keystonespecies #balance

It's fun fact Friday! 🦒 Did you know that large herbivores, such as elephants and antelope, are not just picturesque inhabitants of our planet, but they also hold the title of "keystone species"? Imagine them as the architects of their ecosystems! These creatures actively shape the environment around them. By munching on vegetation, they influence the landscape in various ways. When they graze, they control the growth of certain plants, allowing others to thrive. This grazing activity, in turn, affects the diversity of plant species and even influences nutrient cycles in the soil. In essence, large herbivores act as ecological engineers, moulding their habitats and promoting a delicate balance that supports all surrounding life 🦓🐘 Find this and other fun facts on our blog: https://www.kuyua.com/blog University of California, Berkeley recently published article in Nature: https://lnkd.in/e2c4um9d #biodiversity #keystonespecies #ecosystemengineers #rewilding

Ticked a few things off my ever growing to do list today and one of them was to complete the Neighbourhood Nature course with The Open University #OpenLearn. It was so interesting to learn a woodlands structure and how management methods can benefit biodiversity as well as conservation importance of ancient trees. This is just a snippet of the consideration that the award winning Brooks Estates Ltd puts into their open space management 🌿 Rain Brooks 🌱 Flora Tswei 🌱 Ellie Tswei 🌱 Claire Willetts #conveyancing #propertymanagement #sustainability #openuniversity #openlearn #teambrooks #legal #woodland #openspacemanagement