Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #rewilding
Most recents (24)
1/ Today is Show Your Stripes Day, and I'm here to shed light on Belgium's numbers and why it's crucial to take action NOW. Let's dive in and see how we can be part of the solution! #ShowYourStripes #ClimateEmergency
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
2/ 🌡️🌍Belgium has been experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand. Rising temperatures & extreme weather events are clear indicators of the urgent action needed to combat this global crisis. Here are some numbers that highlight the challenges we face.
3/ 🌍 Belgium has seen a significant increase in average temps over the past few decades. Since the 1800s, the temp has risen by 1.8°C, with the increase accelerating in recent years. This warming trend threatens ecosystems, agriculture, & overall well-being of our society.
We need to talk about nature… 🌿
Please, please don’t be one of those people who watch a show like Wild Isles, think how beautiful nature is and how sad it is that we’re losing it at an alarming rate, but then not do anything about it!
TAKE. ACTION.
Here’s how... 🧵
Please, please don’t be one of those people who watch a show like Wild Isles, think how beautiful nature is and how sad it is that we’re losing it at an alarming rate, but then not do anything about it!
TAKE. ACTION.
Here’s how... 🧵
There are dozens of things individuals and businesses can do to support nature’s recovery and help tackle ecological collapse and biodiversity loss.
And some of those things are really quick and easy to do.
Here are just a few of them…
And some of those things are really quick and easy to do.
Here are just a few of them…
🐝 THE PEOPLE'S PLAN FOR NATURE
A plan created for the people, by the people of the UK – a vision for the future of nature, and the actions we must all take to protect and renew it. Add your voice here, takes 10s:
peoplesplanfornature.org
#PeoplesPlanForNature #SaveOurWildIsles
A plan created for the people, by the people of the UK – a vision for the future of nature, and the actions we must all take to protect and renew it. Add your voice here, takes 10s:
peoplesplanfornature.org
#PeoplesPlanForNature #SaveOurWildIsles
The Case for Free-Range Lab Mice
🧵 A thread based on my @NewYorker story🧵
newyorker.com/culture/annals…
🧵 A thread based on my @NewYorker story🧵
newyorker.com/culture/annals…
No-one knows how many mice & rats are experimented on in the US, bc even tho' they are the most common species used in biomedicine, thanks to Sen. Jesse Helms, rodents are officially excluded from the Animal Welfare Act.
It’s estimated @ 120 million/yr.
tinyurl.com/47awxv4s
It’s estimated @ 120 million/yr.
tinyurl.com/47awxv4s
Experiments on animals are required by law and bioethics codes, but in a 2014 analysis of 2,000+ drugs, animal tests were found to be “highly inconsistent” predictors of toxic effects in humans.
You might as well toss a coin instead.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.117…
You might as well toss a coin instead.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.117…
Today we're looking rewilding and animal-mediated seed dispersal in a paper that aims to identify areas and species in the Atlantic Forest to restore seed-dispersal interactions through rewilding
1/
#rewilding #rewildingscience
1/
#rewilding #rewildingscience
The authors start by explaining that as animal populations and species decline, the ecological interactions involving them are lost. Trophic rewilding his to restore these interactions through reintroductions or surrogate introductions
2/
2/
They say that certain types of animal interactions can be particularly beneficial, such as seed dispersal, which helps natural forest regeneration, creating more suitable habitat and a positive feedback loop
3/
3/
Instead of spending a lot of public money and wasting council workers' time spraying vast quantities of carcinogenic chemicals on tiny bits of green space, collect plastics strewn all over Brum.
#Glyphosate
#ToxicChemicals
#Carcinogens
#Animals
#Environment
#Pollution
#Glyphosate
#ToxicChemicals
#Carcinogens
#Animals
#Environment
#Pollution
Stop spraying highly toxic chemicals on the bits of greenery left in Birmingham and the W Midlands.
Save workers' health/lives and have your them collect the masses of litter/plastics everywhere
#StopTheSpraying
#Glyphosate
#Carcinogens
@BhamCityCouncil
cancercenter.com/community/blog…
Save workers' health/lives and have your them collect the masses of litter/plastics everywhere
#StopTheSpraying
#Glyphosate
#Carcinogens
@BhamCityCouncil
cancercenter.com/community/blog…
@mattp_eti @MetPoliceEvents @metpoliceuk You will notice that our laws are extremely biased in favour of corporations and the Billionaire Class and against the best interests of the mass of society.
Maybe read:
Captive State, by @GeorgeMonbiot, When Money Talks, by @DerekCressman,
The Climate Book by @GretaThunberg
Maybe read:
Captive State, by @GeorgeMonbiot, When Money Talks, by @DerekCressman,
The Climate Book by @GretaThunberg
Why is phasing out livestock production important? A case study:
There are currently 1.4-1.5bn domestic sheep on the planet (FAOSTAT 2020). Most are grazed in ecosystems to which they're non-native, wreaking havoc on vegetation regeneration, soil stability and biodiversity.
🧵
There are currently 1.4-1.5bn domestic sheep on the planet (FAOSTAT 2020). Most are grazed in ecosystems to which they're non-native, wreaking havoc on vegetation regeneration, soil stability and biodiversity.
🧵
Many, though, are still grazed in the region in which they were first domesticated, and this juxtaposition arguably provides an even starker example of why animal agriculture is fundamentally incompatible with ecological sustainability.
By contrast to 1.5bn domestic sheep, their wild progenitor species, the mouflon, is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with a total population <27,000. This is split into several distinct subspecies.
iucnredlist.org/species/549402…
iucnredlist.org/species/549402…
Our new #rewilding paper: Slow development of woodland vegetation & bird communities during 33 years of passive rewilding in open farmland.
Where tree seed sources & dispersers were scarce, a shrubland mosaic developed, full of songbirds eg. warblers.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
1/n
Where tree seed sources & dispersers were scarce, a shrubland mosaic developed, full of songbirds eg. warblers.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
1/n
Hawthorn & bramble dominated, probably dispersed by thrushes, with open grassland/herbs & swampy wetlands, where ditches filled & failed. Masses of blossom & fruits, inc blackberries, haws & feral apples. 2/n
Trees were rare, because nearest major source of seeds was a wood 1.5 km away. Also no local Jays to plant acorns. Deer weren’t common, about 1 Roe per 5 ha (no muntjac yet). Big contrast with our prev study of natural regeneration at Monks Wood:
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
3/n
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
3/n
Sea-eagles and hill lamb losses: Today I’ll talk about one of the most headline-grabbing suspected causes of lamb losses- predation by white-tailed eagles, often known as sea eagles, the UK’s largest bird of prey. 1/13
Like in Ireland, sea eagles went extinct in Scotland during 1916 following sustained persecution and egg collection. They were reintroduced in three phases: 1975-1985 Isle of Rum 82 eagles released, 1993-1998 Wester Ross 58 released, and 2007-2012 Fife 79 released. 2/13
The population has been steadily growing, with an estimated 150 pairs and an unknown number of juveniles. Their diet is very species diverse, reflecting the fact that sea eagles are considered generalist predators and scavengers. 3/13
Second post in the #WildlifeWeek series.
Day 2 – Squeals return to the tall wet #grasslands of #Assam !!!
1/13
Day 2 – Squeals return to the tall wet #grasslands of #Assam !!!
1/13
Pygmy Hog is the tiniest, rarest and the most #endangered of all wild #pigs globally. In fact, phylogenetic analysis of the pygmy hog revealed that it belongs to a separate genus, Porcula. It is evolutionarily unique and completely different from #boars, #warthogs, and pigs.
2/13
2/13
Known to once thrive in the lush tall and wet grassland plains of the sub #Himalayas, they were feared to be extinct in the 1960's but were “rediscovered” in the year 1971.
3/13
3/13
The #BigPictureConference is already amazing and I’ve only just stepped through the doors @ScotlandTBP #rewilding
Session One- rewilding for everyone. #BigPictureConference
First we have Vicki Hird and her books Rebugging the Planet #BigPictureConference #rewilding
Forests are important. Here’s why🧵 1/n
Forests
- make shade & cool the surface
- capture CO2
- purify the air
- make clouds & rain
- prevent drought
- prevent flooding
- prevent erosion
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot @AncientTreesATF @GretaThunberg
#rewilding #ClimateAction
Forests
- make shade & cool the surface
- capture CO2
- purify the air
- make clouds & rain
- prevent drought
- prevent flooding
- prevent erosion
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot @AncientTreesATF @GretaThunberg
#rewilding #ClimateAction
2/n. Forests act as stabilisers for earth’s climate. They’re essential for our survival. And they’re under extreme threat.
🌳🌴🍂🌱🌿
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot @GretaThunberg @gringreen @andypic @dwnews
🌳🌴🍂🌱🌿
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot @GretaThunberg @gringreen @andypic @dwnews
3/n. Our ecosystem, the one we rely on survival for, relies heavily on forests. Our farmers rely on the steady rains forests bring.
Ironically agricultural expansion drives almost 90 percent of global deforestation.
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot
fao.org/newsroom/detai…
Ironically agricultural expansion drives almost 90 percent of global deforestation.
@IrishRainforest @GeorgeMonbiot
fao.org/newsroom/detai…
I am deeply grateful to have this tangled tale published by @PetarPjandric & @SpringerEdu: “Rewild my heart with pedagogies of love, kindness and the sun and moon” - doi.org/10.1007/s42438…
1/ 🧵
1/ 🧵
The pressing problems we face from wars to pandemics erupt against the less dramatic background of the mundane continued destruction of our planet as a habitable realm.
2/
2/
All the while “EdTech solutionism” creates new problems as fast as it fixes old ones. Something in the urgency of the fix may be part of the problem. Are we too desperate to fill a hole in the world that we only see through a hole in ourselves?
3/
3/
So after a bit of a delay, the @EU_Commission finally published the proposal of #RestoreNature. This is a major step forward in the implementation of the @EUEnvironment Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. However there is still some potential for improvement. A thread.
First a brief examination of the many positive aspects of the proposal. It’s ambitious but arguably achievable in most of its goals. It covers agricultural, forest, freshwater, marine and habitats with specific targets, indicators and approaches for each.
It is progressive over time, with targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. And aims for a positive future for biodiversity as in the #naturefuturesframework @ipbes or the ideas of bending the curve of biodiversity loss, by Georgina Mace and others.
Cedar the highland surveys her kingdom.
She & Willow are just beside the main Topsy #farmyard.
We're working on building a nice platform/railing/deck for our visitors to say hi
Right now the viewing area is a piece of salvaged plywood.
Topsy is leveling up.
But, leveling up...1/5
She & Willow are just beside the main Topsy #farmyard.
We're working on building a nice platform/railing/deck for our visitors to say hi
Right now the viewing area is a piece of salvaged plywood.
Topsy is leveling up.
But, leveling up...1/5
in a way that feels right for us.
Each new click of the gear gets us closer to the place where we would like to be.
What does that look like?
It looks like the #animals getting the best possible care, all of the time, & not having to factor in what a vet costs or how much a...2/5
Each new click of the gear gets us closer to the place where we would like to be.
What does that look like?
It looks like the #animals getting the best possible care, all of the time, & not having to factor in what a vet costs or how much a...2/5
particular medicine costs.
The Topsy staff always has enough human resources to mostly work on projects they want to work on most of the time.
It looks like more #rewilding.
It looks like having #SallysGarden as a #teaching, #workshop space.
It looks like the buildings...3/5
The Topsy staff always has enough human resources to mostly work on projects they want to work on most of the time.
It looks like more #rewilding.
It looks like having #SallysGarden as a #teaching, #workshop space.
It looks like the buildings...3/5
In my opinion, rewilding is one of the most important things we can do for wildlife. Creating resilient ecosystem diversity is vital for the conservation of an area. In Scotland beavers were reintroduced with high hopes of them aiding in rewilding the land.
#rewilding
#rewilding
The choice regarding beavers was down to there remarkable ability to naturally rewild an area. Doing so by creating many different habitats that are vital for invertebrates, species know to be essential to ecosystems, as well as improving water quality through daming. #nature
Unfortunately, the reintroduced beavers are under threat from conflict. There natural behaviour gets them into bother with agriculture such as when dambed rivers overflow and destroy crops. The number of beavers killed by farmers had been increasing.
#CumbriaWildlifeMedia
#CumbriaWildlifeMedia
Did you know that reindeer were once vastly native to Scotland?
They can be again!
They can be again!
Today we have around 150 demoseticated reindeer within the Cairngorms. Reintroduced in 1952 by Mikel Utsi from Sweden.
He found that reindeer thrive within scotland extremely well and the climate and temperatures match their needs. They also bring in tourists during winter.
He found that reindeer thrive within scotland extremely well and the climate and temperatures match their needs. They also bring in tourists during winter.
Reindeer like most species in the UK were hunted to extinction, because we keep proving that we cant look after what we have, sustainably. Even still polititains are relucatant to invest in rebuidling an Ecological Utopia by reintoducing old species and rewilding dead landscapes.
FFS, det hedder ikke "giver @LeaWermelin tørt på". Det hedder illustrerer sin uvidenhed. "Rådyr, harer, fasaner"..... jeg bliver så træt. Vil I høre, hvad der er op & ned på biodiversitet, så følg med herunder. [1/15] effektivtlandbrug.landbrugnet.dk/artikler/miljo… #dkgreen #dknatur #dkpol
[2/15] Danmark huser 37000+ arter, nogle røde, nogle blå 😉. Det er intet i forhold til troperne, hvor der på en hektar i regnskoven findes flere arter end i hele #dknatur. Men det er nu sådan, det er. Det er vores #biodiversitet.
[3/15] Noget natur har det fint. Hvis du trives med mere CO2, vand, varme og næringsstoffer, er du godt kørende i et moderne kulturlandskab. Tidsler, brændenælder, kørvel, skvalderkål, mælkebøtter, burresnerre, bynke, højt græs. Grønne marker. Det koger.
Having grown a bit sick of the silly conservation vs farming narrative, last year I started on a series of articles about farmers doing great things for #nature in #Cumbria. I didn't do one on @herdyshepherd1, but thankfully, I had lots of other farms to choose from. (THREAD)
First up (unsurprisingly) was @wildhaweswater, where I'm lucky enough to work as site manager. We are hoping to show how sustainable upland farming can work alongside ecological restoration. We're learning lots in the process. @Natures_Voice leeschofield.co.uk/farming-with-n…
Next, I visited Sam & Claire at @gowbarrow, on the beautiful shores of Ullswater. They're doing brillinat regenerative farming, with cattle, pigs and ponies. leeschofield.co.uk/farming-with-n…
1/n Controversial new paper alert!
WILD LARGE HERBIVORE DENSITIES AREN’T UNNATURALLY HIGH, & imo much higher numbers in the future could be a sign of successful nature recovery!
Thread – please hear me out :)
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/13…
#restoration #rewilding @JAppliedEcology
WILD LARGE HERBIVORE DENSITIES AREN’T UNNATURALLY HIGH, & imo much higher numbers in the future could be a sign of successful nature recovery!
Thread – please hear me out :)
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/13…
#restoration #rewilding @JAppliedEcology
@JAppliedEcology 2/n My career started in the Scottish Highlands @alladale1 , and restoring the Caledonian Pine Forest was the key restoration/rewilding goal. Standing in the way were red deer eating all the saplings. Solution: reduce deer numbers or fence them out, deer were the problem.
@JAppliedEcology @alladale1 3/n The red deer population at the time was about 13 per km2. So clearly 13 red deer per km2 is too many deer, and they were ‘overgrazing’, or in this case ‘overbrowsing’, as I had been taught and read.
Today, a mature patch of woodland in Gartmore, Scotland, was destroyed. All parties involved knew that a family of red squirrels were nesting in the trees.
Thread:
Thread:
Red squirrels are a protected species according to the wildlife and countryside act of 1981:
nature.scot/professional-a…
nature.scot/professional-a…
A clear-fell licence was issued by the @scotforestry last year, however, this was put on hold when the community of Gartmore showed significant opposition. All parties were to meet to discuss the felling. But the meeting never happened, and the felling went ahead.
But this is only part of the #bilby story. How did #bilbies behave once they were released into the Taronga #sanctuary, and did this affect overall success? To find out, we attached GPS devices & radio-transmitters to bilbies to track their movements post-release. #ScienceWeek
GPS devices collected incredibly detailed data on nightly #bilby movements, and radio-transmitters allowed us to locate #bilbies underground during the day. This track shows how bilby “Charlie” used the sanctuary just after release
Tracking data revealed hidden #bilby behaviours, such as their little-known social lives! It turns out that #bilbies have quite complex #socialnetworks and that bilby sociality may help explain some of the story behind their post-release success.
1/6 Our 🌎 is heating and losing crucial carbon sinks. (Look at the #Amazon!)
🌳Tackling climate change means decarbonizing the economy but also recarbonizing our ecosystems
🦥I'm looking at the role of mammals in this task
But wait, mammals absorb CO2?⬇️
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
🌳Tackling climate change means decarbonizing the economy but also recarbonizing our ecosystems
🦥I'm looking at the role of mammals in this task
But wait, mammals absorb CO2?⬇️
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
2/6 Well no *but* they mediate carbon flux:
Grazing by🦌🦘can stimulate🌿growth (more CO2 absorbed). Too much grazing does the opposite!
🐺🦁 influence plant growth by keeping 🦌 in check.
Meanwhile🐰 can ⬆️ soil carbon by digging. So much going on!
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
Grazing by🦌🦘can stimulate🌿growth (more CO2 absorbed). Too much grazing does the opposite!
🐺🦁 influence plant growth by keeping 🦌 in check.
Meanwhile🐰 can ⬆️ soil carbon by digging. So much going on!
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
3/6 Mammal functions are so complex #climate scientists are ignoring them in #carbonbudget relying on 🛰️ images of 🌍vegetation.
But their role matters: by some estimates 🐺control of 🦌in North America could offset emissions of up to 20mn 🚗/year!
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
But their role matters: by some estimates 🐺control of 🦌in North America could offset emissions of up to 20mn 🚗/year!
#DICECON21 #ConEffect
Fantastic article by @guyshrubsole about restoring the UK's most neglected, forgotten and depleted habitat: rainforest.
theguardian.com/environment/20…
theguardian.com/environment/20…
When I first started writing about the UK's rainforests, the overwhelming response was disbelief. Because we have lost all but a few tiny fragments, and because of our deeply weird conservation priorities, this rich and wonderful habitat had been almost completely forgotten.
But I've never seen social attitudes change faster than our approach to ecology in the UK. In just a few years, we have started to shed our strange obsession with degraded habitats, to understand ecological history and to embrace #rewilding. It's an astonishing turnaround.
