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Khan MA, Ali S, Anser MK, Nassani AA, Al-Aiban KM, Rahman SU, Zaman K. From desolation to preservation: Investigating longitudinal trends in forest coverage and implications for future environmental strategies. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25689. [PMID: 38370204 PMCID: PMC10867341 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Pakistan's forest cover is experiencing significant degradation in the ongoing efforts to combat climate change. The current state of the climate catastrophe is acknowledged. Nevertheless, there is a significant lack of readiness to tackle it effectively, especially regarding safeguarding the welfare of forthcoming generations. Pakistan bears significant relevance for future generations in this global crisis. The primary objective of this study is to examine the environmental difficulties faced by Pakistan and emphasize the critical need to safeguard its natural resources, considering the well-being of present and future generations. By using rigorous correlation and robust least squares regression methods, we investigate the complex interplay of financial aid, environmental legislation, precipitation, population growth, foreign direct investment, and afforestation within the time frame spanning from 1990 to 2022. The findings demonstrate that providing financial aid for afforestation initiatives significantly expands forested areas in Pakistan. Furthermore, the expansion of the population, the implementation of rigorous environmental restrictions, and the yearly amount of precipitation all play a role in the augmentation of forest coverage in Pakistan. Nevertheless, an alarming pattern of diminishing forest coverage over the years presents noteworthy obstacles. The importance of governance in promoting afforestation initiatives and sustainable development is highlighted by the emergence of adequate regulatory quality as a key factor. The average amount of precipitation has a discernible beneficial influence, underscoring the significance of climatic factors. The results above emphasize the need to implement cautious water resource management strategies and regulations responsive to climatic conditions. Based on these observations, the study proposes promoting sustainable agricultural and forest management, adopting a well-balanced strategy towards population expansion, implementing regulatory changes, and prudent use of water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asif Khan
- Department of Forestry & Wildlife Management, The University of Haripur, Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22620, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Ali
- School of Economics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | - Abdelmohsen A. Nassani
- Department of Management, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, P.O. Box 71115, Riyadh, 11587, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid M. Al-Aiban
- Department of Public Administration, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, P.O. Box 71115, Riyadh 11587, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafiq ur Rahman
- Bahria University Law School, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Zaman
- Department of Economics, The University of Haripur, Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22620, Pakistan
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Crespo D, Faião R, Freitas V, Oliveira VH, Sousa AI, Coelho JP, Dolbeth M. Using seagrass as a nature-based solution: Short-term effects of Zostera noltei transplant in benthic communities of a European Atlantic coastal lagoon. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115762. [PMID: 37979526 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide several ecological functions that improve the overall ecological health of coastal systems and therefore, it is urgent to promote the restoration of such habitats. In Ria de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon in the Atlantic Coast of Portugal, a restoration initiative was responsible for transplanting the dwarf eelgrass Zostera noltei into a highly degraded area. This eelgrass was used as a nature-based solution (NbS) to mitigate some of the impacts of historical mercury contamination. Comparisons of key-species features (density and biomass), and some community-derived indicators (total density and biomass, species richness and Shannon-Wiener index) between the transplanted seagrass patch, their bare vicinities, and their counterpart habitats on the source area, provided signs of the effectiveness of the restoration action on the benthic communities' recovery. Indicators were higher within the restored meadow, and biomass derived indicators of the restored meadow were similar to the source meadow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Crespo
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Rita Faião
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Vânia Freitas
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Vitor Hugo Oliveira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana I Sousa
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João Pedro Coelho
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Marina Dolbeth
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Watson KM, Pillay D, von der Heyden S. Using transplantation to restore seagrass meadows in a protected South African lagoon. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16500. [PMID: 38047028 PMCID: PMC10693235 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Seagrass meadows provide valuable ecosystem services but are threatened by global change pressures, and there is growing concern that the functions seagrasses perform within an ecosystem will be reduced or lost without intervention. Restoration has become an integral part of coastal management in response to major seagrass declines, but is often context dependent, requiring an assessment of methods to maximise restoration success. Here we investigate the use of different restoration strategies for the endangered Zostera capensis in South Africa. Methods We assessed restoration feasibility by establishing seagrass transplant plots based on different transplant source materials (diameter (ø) 10 cm cores and anchored individual shoots), planting patterns (line, dense, bullseye) and planting site (upper, upper-mid and mid-intertidal zones). Monitoring of area cover, shoot length, and macrofaunal diversity was conducted over 18 months. Results Mixed model analysis showed distinct effects of transplant material used, planting pattern and site on transplant survival and area cover. Significant declines in seagrass cover across all treatments was recorded post-transplantation (2 months), followed by a period of recovery. Of the transplants that persisted after 18 months of monitoring (~58% plots survived across all treatments), seagrass area cover increased (~112%) and in some cases expanded by over >400% cover, depending on type of transplant material, planting arrangement and site. Higher bioturbator pressure from sandprawns (Kraussillichirus kraussi) significantly reduced transplant survival and area cover. Transplant plots were colonised by invertebrates, including seagrass specialists, such as South Africa's most endangered marine invertebrate, the false-eelgrass limpet (Siphonaria compressa). For future seagrass restoration projects, transplanting cores was deemed the best method, showing higher long-term persistence and cover, however this approach is also resource intensive with potentially negative impacts on donor meadows at larger scales. There is a clear need for further research to address Z. capensis restoration scalability and improve long-term transplant persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M. Watson
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Deena Pillay
- Marine and Antarctic Centre for Innovation and Sustainability, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sophie von der Heyden
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- School of Climate Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Morrissette HK, Baez SK, Beers L, Bood N, Martinez ND, Novelo K, Andrews G, Balan L, Beers CS, Betancourt SA, Blanco R, Bowden E, Burns-Perez V, Carcamo M, Chevez L, Crooks S, Feller IC, Galvez G, Garbutt K, Gongora R, Grijalva E, Lefcheck J, Mahung A, Mattis C, McKoy T, McLaughlin D, Meza J, Pott E, Ramirez G, Ramnarace V, Rash A, Rosado S, Santos H, Santoya L, Sosa W, Ugarte G, Viamil J, Young A, Young J, Canty SWJ. Belize Blue Carbon: Establishing a national carbon stock estimate for mangrove ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161829. [PMID: 36731558 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mangrove ecosystems are among the most economically and ecologically valuable marine environments in the world. Mangroves are effective at long-term carbon storage within their sediments and are estimated to hold 12 billion metric tons of carbon worldwide. These ecosystems are therefore vitally important for carbon sequestration and, by extension, climate change mitigation. As part of the Paris Agreement, participating countries agree to provide plans to reduce their carbon emissions, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs). However, despite mangroves being recognized as important nature-based solutions, many countries still lack national data on carbon stocks and must use global or regional averages, which may not be sufficiently accurate. Here, we present the national carbon stock estimate of mangrove ecosystems for the NDC of Belize, acquired through a collaborative approach involving government agencies and NGOs. We conducted a comprehensive sampling of mangroves across the country, including a range of mangrove ecotypes. The mean total ecosystem carbon stock (TECS) for the nation was 444.1 ± 21.0 Mg C ha-1, with 74.4 ± 6.2 Mg C ha-1 in biomass stocks, and 369.7 ± 17.7 Mg C ha-1 in sediment stocks. Combining these data with a recent mapping effort, we provide the first national comprehensive mangrove carbon stock estimate of 25.7 Tg C. The national mean from this study varies from previous global analyses, which can under- or overestimate TECS by as much as 0.6 Tg C and 16.5 Tg C, respectively, depending on the study. These data supported the NDC update of Belize, and can be used to inform the country's mangrove protection and restoration commitments. The collaborative approach of this work should serve as a blueprint for other countries seeking to conserve natural blue carbon sinks as a strategy to achieve their climate targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Morrissette
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA; Smithsonian Marine Station, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA; Working Land and Seascapes, 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA.
| | - Stacy K Baez
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA.
| | - Lisa Beers
- Silvestrum Climate Associates LLC, 1 Lower Crescent Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA.
| | - Nadia Bood
- World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica (Belize Field Office), 1154 Sunrise Avenue, Belize City, Belize.
| | - Ninon D Martinez
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Kevin Novelo
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Gilbert Andrews
- Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
| | - Luis Balan
- Belize Forest Department, Forest Drive, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - C Scott Beers
- Silvestrum Climate Associates LLC, 1 Lower Crescent Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA
| | | | - Reynel Blanco
- Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, 329 Lagunita Street, Sarteneja Village, Corozal District, Belize.
| | - Eeryn Bowden
- Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, 1 Mile San Antonio Rd., Hopeville, Belize.
| | | | | | - Luis Chevez
- World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica (Belize Field Office), 1154 Sunrise Avenue, Belize City, Belize.
| | - Stephen Crooks
- Silvestrum Climate Associates LLC, 1 Lower Crescent Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA.
| | - Ilka C Feller
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA.
| | - Galento Galvez
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Kent Garbutt
- Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
| | - Ronny Gongora
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | | | - Jonathan Lefcheck
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA.
| | - Alwyn Mahung
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Colin Mattis
- National Climate Change Office, 7552 Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Tre McKoy
- Belize Forest Department, Forest Drive, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Daniel McLaughlin
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Johan Meza
- Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative, Chunox Sarteneja Road, Corozal, Belize
| | - Edwardo Pott
- Belize Forest Department, Forest Drive, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Genevieve Ramirez
- Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, 1 Mile San Antonio Rd., Hopeville, Belize.
| | - Vivian Ramnarace
- Belize Fisheries Department, Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
| | - Anthony Rash
- Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, 1 Mile San Antonio Rd., Hopeville, Belize.
| | - Samir Rosado
- Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
| | - Honorio Santos
- Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, 329 Lagunita Street, Sarteneja Village, Corozal District, Belize
| | - Leomir Santoya
- Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, 329 Lagunita Street, Sarteneja Village, Corozal District, Belize
| | - Wilson Sosa
- Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative, Chunox Sarteneja Road, Corozal, Belize.
| | - Gabriela Ugarte
- University of Belize Environmental Research Institute, Price Centre Road, Belmopan, Belize.
| | - Jose Viamil
- Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative, Chunox Sarteneja Road, Corozal, Belize.
| | - Arlene Young
- Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
| | - Jayron Young
- Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, 62 Bella Vista, Belize City, Belize
| | - Steven W J Canty
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA; Smithsonian Marine Station, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA; Working Land and Seascapes, 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA.
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Abstract
Mangroves have been converted and degraded for decades. Rates of loss have declined over the past decades, but achieving resilient coastlines requires both conservation and restoration. Here, we outline the challenges for the global restoration of mangroves and what actions could enhance restoration. Ambitious global targets for mangrove restoration, if successful, could deliver global benefits of carbon sequestration, fisheries production, biodiversity, and coastal protection. However, large-scale mangrove planting efforts have often failed, and smaller projects may not deliver landscape-scale benefits, even though they are more suited to community management. Solutions to achieving global targets include reducing risks of large projects and increasing the uptake and effectiveness of smaller projects. Sustainable mangrove restoration requires investment in capacity building in communities and institutions, and mechanisms to match restoration opportunities with prospective supporters and investors. Global reporting standards will support adaptive management and help fully understand and monitor the benefits of mangrove restoration. Restoration of mangroves is urgently needed and contributes to climate change mitigation, but often faces biophysical, social, economic and regulatory barriers. This Essay describes emerging solutions supporting restoration of mangroves - solutions that are needed to fully implement restoration goals and achieve resilient, sustainable coastal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Edward Barbier
- Department of Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Carlos M. Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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Global Mangrove Extent Change 1996–2020: Global Mangrove Watch Version 3.0. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14153657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Mangroves are a globally important ecosystem that provides a wide range of ecosystem system services, such as carbon capture and storage, coastal protection and fisheries enhancement. Mangroves have significantly reduced in global extent over the last 50 years, primarily as a result of deforestation caused by the expansion of agriculture and aquaculture in coastal environments. However, a limited number of studies have attempted to estimate changes in global mangrove extent, particularly into the 1990s, despite much of the loss in mangrove extent occurring pre-2000. This study has used L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) global mosaic datasets from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for 11 epochs from 1996 to 2020 to develop a long-term time-series of global mangrove extent and change. The study used a map-to-image approach to change detection where the baseline map (GMW v2.5) was updated using thresholding and a contextual mangrove change mask. This approach was applied between all image-date pairs producing 10 maps for each epoch, which were summarised to produce the global mangrove time-series. The resulting mangrove extent maps had an estimated accuracy of 87.4% (95th conf. int.: 86.2–88.6%), although the accuracies of the individual gain and loss change classes were lower at 58.1% (52.4–63.9%) and 60.6% (56.1–64.8%), respectively. Sources of error included misregistration in the SAR mosaic datasets, which could only be partially corrected for, but also confusion in fragmented areas of mangroves, such as around aquaculture ponds. Overall, 152,604 km2 (133,996–176,910) of mangroves were identified for 1996, with this decreasing by −5245 km2 (−13,587–1444) resulting in a total extent of 147,359 km2 (127,925–168,895) in 2020, and representing an estimated loss of 3.4% over the 24-year time period. The Global Mangrove Watch Version 3.0 represents the most comprehensive record of global mangrove change achieved to date and is expected to support a wide range of activities, including the ongoing monitoring of the global coastal environment, defining and assessments of progress toward conservation targets, protected area planning and risk assessments of mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
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