Dr. Makarieva and Dr. Nefiodov will be presenting their scientific findings on the importance of water and healthy forests at Universities across the United States this fall. This important research is fundamental to the role of ecosystems in climate stability. Check below for locations near you. Dr. Makarieva will be speaking on the panel at…

Voices of Waterfor Climate global research on the role of water in cooling our planet Global restoration of natural water cycles is absolutelyessential for biodiversity and climate restoration. Vision Rehydrating the continents to restore natural water cycles and climate. Mission Educating globally to empower people to act locally to renew natural small water cycles to…

HYDRATE: The Role of Water Key Concepts Water is the primary method of cooling the earth, but the earth has dried up.  Not just as a result of global warming but also: Fewer forests to hold water and send water vapor and heat up into the atmosphere.   Degraded soil cannot hold water to grow vegetation…

We are happy to announce that our friends and colleagues are taking an active part in the first global conference on water. The United Nations Water Conference 2023 begins on March 22 in celebration of World Water Day. Stay tuned to our Instagram and Twitter for live coverage, and read more about the UN Water…

Droughts and flash floods are becoming a new normal in our warming world. What changed? Our landscapes are losing water as people alter the environment, cut trees, drain wetlands, and use chemicals that destroy the soil. And we’re feeling the heat. On October 21, we hosted Anastassia Makarieva, Jan Pokorny, Andrei Nefiodov, and Jon Schull…

Droughts and flash floods are becoming a new normal in our warming world. What changed? Our landscapes are losing water as people alter the environment, cut trees, drain wetlands, and use chemicals that destroy the soil. And we’re feeling the heat. On Friday, October 21 at 12:15pm ET, join Anastassia Makarieva, Jan Pokorny, Andrei Nefiodov,…

Throughout the year 2020, the public has grown increasingly aware of the ways we have inadvertently harmed the biodiversity and ecosystems upon which life depends. The United Nations having declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration presents the opportunity for a global focus on regenerating natural systems. Journalist and author Judith D. Schwartz has travelled…

Soil and climate scientist Walter Jehne works to educate farmers, policymakers and others about “the soil carbon sponge” and its crucial role in reversing and mitigating flooding, drought, wildfires, and rising global temperatures. He shows us how we can safely cool the climate and restore essential biodiversity by repairing our disrupted hydrological cycles, returning excess…

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

This March, we held the latest installment in our Nature’s Solutions as National Policy conference series, Code Red Water: Two Global Perspectives. Atossa Soltani and Michal Kravcik discussed how improved water management can support functioning water cycles to meet the needs of living systems and cool the planet. Watch the recording here!

Thousands of projects on six continents are endeavoring to cool our overheated planet and restore biodiversity loss by harnessing the power of photosynthesis, carbon sequestration and regeneration of degraded landscapes. Most of these efforts are not by governments or corporations, but by coalitions of researchers, farmers, fishermen, forest-dwellers, and village cooperatives. What would happen if…

Cabezon Peak after rain, Photo by John Fowler (CC BY 2.0) Although climate change is a global issue, it can and must be addressed locally. Our overall climate is shifting drastically, but local climates are also changing, and they don’t always get the same amount of attention. Local climates change when the environment is drastically…

On Saturday March 19 at 10 am ET we held the latest installment in our Nature’s Solutions as National Policy conference series, Code Red Water: Two Global Perspectives. Atossa Soltani and Michal Kravcik discussed how improved water management can support functioning water cycles to meet the needs of living systems and cool the planet. Watch…

This March, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate continues its series of mini-conferences exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. Our fourth installment features global perspectives on the challenges and opportunities to restoring water cycles. View the recording below, and access the chat and related resources, including presentation slides,…

This article (also highlighted in Compendium v2n1) reviews research on the benefits of tree cover in relation to water and energy cycles. Forests help produce rain. Vegetation releases water vapor through transpiration, increasing atmospheric moisture that is then transported by wind. In fact, “over most of the tropics, air that passes over forests for ten…

Many large herbivores may have important roles in dryland ecosystems. Equids such as donkeys and horses, as well as elephants, have been reported to dig wells of a maximum depth of two meters, enhancing water availability for a variety of animals and plants. Noting that this subject has received limited research attention, the authors carried…

Voices of Water One-Time Donation Please fill out the form below to join the effort to restore water cycles and create a healthy and livable future. Many thanks!

Climate Restoration Solutions – Leave it to Beavers!  Learn how beavers can help restore wetlands, which have one of the greatest potentials to restore habitats and sequester carbon. Check out Eager! by Ben Goldfarb.

Restoring Water Cycles to Cool the Biosphere. View the videos from our Fall 2015 conference at Tufts University and learn more about how easy, low-tech regeneration of local water cycles can reverse global warming and change the world.

Keep water on your property. Install rain barrels, rain gardens, and gray water systems.

A well-watered mulberry tree has been credited with averting the danger of destructive wildfires from destroying Brett Hawkins’ home during 2020’s unprecedented fire season in Australia. When massive fires raged through the bush through the summer, many homes were completely engulfed. However, Hawkins attested that when he returned to his home after evacuating, ‘I could…

In spite of its obvious benefits, agriculture, which covers one third of the Earth’s land surface, damages biodiversity and ecosystem services. In some regions, land degradation and depletion of water resources from irrigation have been so great that historical levels of food production in these regions risk decline. Some areas of previously productive farmland will…

Spring 2021, Wednesdays, February 3rd – April 21st 12 weekly classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie, held at 1pm and 7pm ET on Zoom. The Excitement and Inspiration of Science for the Curious to the Serious and everyone in-between. A fully interactive online adventure with discussions, experiments and explorations for independent thinkers of any…

Jan Lambert’s take: This article by Charles Hegberg, talks about the importance of soil restoration in urban settings for optimal stormwater infiltration. He writes: “We have hundreds of years of experience in making ‘Dirt’ – It’s time we start re-making ‘Soils’ on a landscape level, quickly.“ “It’s no secret: Americans take their lawns seriously –…

From Jan Lambert, Voices of Water for Climate Program Director:  I have come to know authors Nancy Wright and Richard Butz from Ascension Lutheran Church in Burlington, Vermont as two delightful and well-informed people with a wonderful message to share of how people of faith can act for good for clean water, and for a…

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) protects northeast Australia from wave exposure, while also creating habitat for a vast expanse of shallow- and deep-water seagrasses between the reef and the shoreline. Deep-water seagrasses here occupy an area roughly the size of Switzerland. While the carbon storage capacity of shallow-water seagrasses, dubbed ‘blue carbon,’ are known to…

Water plays a critical role in restoring a livable climate. A New Water Paradigm is emerging to help us restore landscapes naturally, so we no longer wastefully "drain the rain" but instead "retain the rain" with water catchments, soil, plants and animals. The result? We can renew our climates through local action, by allowing rainwater to soak into the soil to restore local land-based water cycles. We can also expect reduced flooding and pollution, renewed springs and streams, more drinking water, more food, less poverty and conflict, and improved wildlife habitat. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Jan’s Quick-Take: Didi is a world class educator and a real Vermonter who knows her stuff, and how to teach it to anyone who cares about soil and water. She is the great source for all aspects of the famed “soil carbon sponge.” We at Voices of Water for Climate consider her to be a…

Jan Lambert’s Quick-Take: A brief letter written for the Valley Green Journal by Michal Kravčík . For much more information, see Water for the Recovery of the Climate-A New Water Paradigm. [FIX LINK] Abstract: In the Valley Green Journal November 2014 issue I introduced readers to Michal Kravčík, a scientist who is an expert in…

Bernd Walter Müller edited by: Helena Laughton Jan Lambert’s Quick Take: Very understandable reading about the importance of the New Water Paradigm. Abstract: Most global water-related crises, such as water scarcity, drought, desertification, flooding, rising sea levels and climate change, are symptoms of long-term mismanagement of rainwater and vegetation. This results in global disruptions to…

Managing rainwater within a landscape so that neither heavy storms nor long dry spells devastate human endeavors and constructions is referred by Yu Kongjian as the “art of survival” [Yu 2012]. This Chinese landscape architect with an ecological mindset learned the art of survival by studying the ways of ancient peasant farmers. He contrasts the wisdom…

Given competing interests for floodplain property, some have argued for strategic partial reconnection of floodplains to the river by allowing portions of floodplain to flood, so that pressure elsewhere along the river during a flood may be alleviated [Opperman 2009]. For example, California’s Yolo Bypass was created in the early 1900s after the Sacramento River…

From California to Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington DC, people are coming together in their communities to learn what river their watershed drains into, how urban stormwater management has impaired that river, and how to restore river-floodplain ecosystems through a grassroots approach. A watershed is an area of land over which any rain that falls…

The Atlantic coast of Canada has started seeing damages related to sea-level rise and storm surges, including flooding, landslides, and shoreline recession. Some communities fear dikes will fail. As a result, people are looking to restoration of native coastal ecosystems as a defense against rising waters. When flooded, coastal marshes often receive large sediment loads…

Sustainable floodplains through large-scale reconnection to rivers, Opperman et al. 2009 The area of floodplains allowed to perform the natural function of storing and conveying floodwaters must be expanded by strategically removing levees or setting them back from the river. Floodplain reconnection will accomplish three primary objectives: flood-risk reduction, an increase in floodplain goods and…

This study provides empirical evidence that beavers influence hydrologic processes in riparian areas. Conducted at the headwaters of the Colorado River in the Rocky Mountains, the study examines patterns from two beaver dams of surface inundation, groundwater flow, and groundwater level dynamics. The authors observe that : Beaver dams on the Colorado River caused river…

Guest author Gerald Pollack introduces a fundamental shift in how we view water. It has the potential to significantly alter our understandings of any processes that involve water, including aspects of climate, biology, and how we approach eco-restoration. The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor Gerald H. Pollack, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering,…

Water and vegetation are climate heroes, co-starring in a story about as old as terrestrial life on Earth yet under-recognized in mainstream climate politics. Not only does the vegetation embedded in ecosystems act as a giant CO2-absorption machine, constantly removing the greenhouse gas from the air and storing much of it in soil and biomass,…

Evapotranspiration – A Driving Force in Landscape Sustainability, Eiseltová 2012 Vegetation cover cools Earth when it intercepts the sun’s energy. This is not just by providing shade, but also through evapotranspiration, which is how plants regulate their own internal temperatures. For a plant … transpiration[5] is a necessity by which a plant maintains its inner environment…

Regenerating the soil carbon sponge is our greatest point of leverage for salvaging the planet from the point of existential climate crisis. “Sponge” refers to the quality of a biologically active soil with high organic matter content to have lots of pore space for water absorption. Jehne states that every additional gram of soil carbon…

​This paper takes the innovative and paradigm-shifting position that carbon is not the primary consideration in climate; rather, water should be the central focus, integrated with carbon and energy cycles: Forest-driven water and energy cycles are poorly integrated into regional, national, continental and global decision-making on climate change adaptation, mitigation, land use and water management. This…

Human modification of the hydrological cycle has profoundly affected the flow of liquid water across the Earth’s land surface. Compared to changes to liquid water flow, alteration of water vapor flows through land-use changes has received comparatively less attention, despite compelling evidence that such alteration can influence the functioning of the Earth System. We show…

Responding to a common belief that trees lower groundwater infiltration due to transpiration, and a contrasting view that trees increase groundwater infiltration by increasing organic matter and soil porosity, these authors test an “optimum tree cover theory.” They find that “intermediate” tree cover maximizes groundwater recharge in the tropics, resulting in a 2-14% increase in…

The importance of water retention (the rainfall absorbed or used within an ecosystem) for mitigating flood and drought conditions and contributing to clean drinking water, for example, has been increasingly recognized in Europe in the past decade. Along with wetland preservation, better agriculture practices and other measures, preserving and re-growing forests are seen as key…

Biodiversity for a Livable Climate presents a talk by Walter Jehne, Australian climate scientist and soil microbiologist who is the Director of Healthy Soils Australia. Introduction by Didi Pershouse, The Center for Sustainable Medicine Presented on April 26, 2018 at Harvard University Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter:…

This study compared three corn-soybean cropping systems: (1) conventional 2-yr rotation with chemical inputs, and residues returned to soil; (2) a longer (than 2 years), organic rotation with grass/legume hayed and returned to soil in manure; and (3) a longer (than 2 years) organic rotation with grass/legume turned back into the soil directly. Even though…

With the rise of civilizations, humans began having significant impacts on bodies of water and the water cycle.  The early “hydraulic civilizations” appeared along major rivers (Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, Yellow River and others), changed watercourses and built canals for agriculture and transportation.  As populations and cities expanded, demand for food led to soil depletion while…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Our conventional view of water for decades has been to send it out to the oceans as quickly as possible. A new water paradigm developed by Michal Kravcik and colleagues explains why it’s so important to keep water…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Healthy soils and water cycles are closely intertwined. Opportunities abound to restore fresh and saltwater wetlands, and to manage urban, suburban and rural water flows in ways that help cool the planet. Nature has fascinating and powerful systems…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Healthy soils and water cycles are closely intertwined. Opportunities abound to restore fresh and saltwater wetlands, and to manage urban, suburban and rural water flows in ways that help cool the planet. Nature has fascinating and powerful systems…

Ing. Michal Kravčík,CSc. / Jan Lambert https://bio4climate.org/downloads/Kravcik_Global_Action_Plan.pdf Jan’s Quick-Take: This is a document intended to guide people from individuals to the national level, on addressing climate change through the restoration of short, or small water cycles, thus increasing the production potential and biodiversity of all continents through the introduction of various measures of rainwater retention.…

Ing. Michal Kravčík,CSc. / RNDr. Jan Pokorný, CSc. / Ing. Juraj Kohutiar/           Ing. Martin Kovác / RNDr. Eugen Tóth http://www.waterparadigm.org/download/Water_for_the_Recovery_of_the_Climate_A_New_Water_Paradigm.pdf Jan Lambert’s Quick-Take: The New Water Paradigm presents a very useful way to view drought and other climate change, a way that shows how humankind can influence climate for the better simply by restoring natural…

Landscape Heroes: Carbon, Water and Biodiversity See program below, with links to videos! A collaboration with the Ecological Landscape Alliance, NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association), NOFA Organic Land Care, and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate  UMass Amherst, Tuesday, January 31st: An in-depth, inspiring conversation on Carbon Sequestration and learn what practical steps you can take…

Mick Devin, Marine Researcher and Maine State Legislator, demonstrates research regarding polluted bodies of water and how treatments involving marine life can restore the ocean’s health. Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter: https://twitter.com/bio4climateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio4climate/ Presented at Restoring Oceans, Restoring Climate: Facing Fire & Ice, Food & Water, Flood…

Restoring Oceans, Restoring Climate: Facing Fire & Ice, Food & Water, Floods & Droughts Conference Home    Speakers   Program View the the conference videos, links on our program page. And here are some rave reviews: “This was a really FABULOUS conference. I learned an amazing amount that I didn’t know! I’ve been to many conferences during…

A documentary of the town meeting vote in Barnstead, NH on a local ordinance to prevent corporate takeover of the community’s groundwater taken on March 18, 2006. Dedicated to the memory of Gail Darrell. Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ #groundwater #democratic #takeaction

Didi Pershouse, The Center for Sustainable Medicine Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter: https://twitter.com/bio4climateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio4climate/ Presented at The Power and Promise of Biodiversity: Visions of Restoring Land, Sea and Climate conference at Harvard University on April 30, 2016 #water #soil #health

Elisabeth Cianciola, Charles River Watershed Association Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter: https://twitter.com/bio4climateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio4climate/ Presented at The Power and Promise of Biodiversity: Visions of Restoring Land, Sea and Climate conference at Harvard University on April 30, 2016 #history #greendevelopment #greeninfrastructure

Peter Lawrence: President and Co-founder of Biomimicry New England and a Biomimicry SpecialistAlyssa Novak: Coastal ecologist Homeschoolers are students of Jim Laurie’s, Staff Scientist at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter: https://twitter.com/bio4climateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio4climate/ Presented at The Power and Promise of Biodiversity: Visions of…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Foster Brown, Amazonian ecologist, gives an introduction to the interactive methods he uses to teach forest ecology in the Peruvian communities he works with. Presented at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate’s “Restoring Water Cycles to Reverse Global Warming”…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Glenn Gall takes us through the groundbreaking work done by many permaculture practitioners, and the central part which water plays in permaculture design. Discussion includes methods such as keyline, subsoiling and grazing, where water has become the focus…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Moderated by Adam Sacks, our three panelists speak of success in mobilizing people to work for water restoration in widely varied settings. Maude Barlow speaks on how water supply and water rights are at the heart of many…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Policy panel: Building Water Cycles into the International Climate Debate Walter Jehne, Tom Goreau and Jan Lambert with Michal Kravčík each speak on the opportunities for broadening the debate over climate as we approach COP21 in Paris. How…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Maude Barlow, longtime Canadian global activist for water rights, will describe the current crisis of global communities whose access to clean water is threatened by ecological damage and corporate exploitation. Presented at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate’s “Restoring…

Australian soil and climate scientist Walter Jehne discusses how the five kingdoms of life have created water cycles, moving water through sea, soil and air, navigating tumultuous changes through geological ages to the present, and how the human presence has brought earth’s systems into a crisis in which water is also the potential vehicle for…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Journalist Judith Schwartz, author of the groundbreaking book, Cows Save the Planet, gives the perspective of a concerned citizen seeking to understand how water fits into the complex workings of climate change. Presented at Biodiversity for a Livable…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ To activate closed captioning, click the “CC” icon at the bottom right of the video screen. Michal Kravčík guides us through the concepts of the New Water Paradigm in greater detail, showing how water cycles can be supported…

Innovative Slovakian hydrologist Michal Kravčík gives an introduction to his New Water Paradigm and the critical importance of regional or “small” rainwater cycles. The result is a set of empowering ecological concepts that enable people everywhere to secure clean and adequate water, prevent floods and drought and moderate local climate, simply by harvesting rainfall. Since…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Executive Director Adam Sacks welcomes conference attendees and speaks about the importance of water. Presented at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate’s “Restoring Water Cycles to Reverse Global Warming” conference October 16th-18th, 2015 at Tufts University. #waterconservation #watersecurity #cleanwater

Restoring Water Cycles toReverse Global Warming Conference Home   Program   Speakers    Sponsors/Partners Click here for videos and slideshows! Watch interviews with Michal Kravcik, Jon Griggs,Precious Phiri and Adam Sacks on Emerald Planet TV . . . . . . and one with Jim Laurie too! Even with elevated greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,water can cool the biosphere and…

Grandmother and long-time activist Candace Duchenaux is dedicated to preserving the Lakota way of life and the environmental integrity of our sacred mother earth. She has been at the frontlines in many battles for justice for the Lakota Oyate and against the destructive human forces threatening humanity and nature. She will tell us of the…

Judith Schwartz will tell stories from around the world about the transformations resulting from different approaches to water management, and the effects on local climate. With the ongoing drought in California, people are waking up to concerns about water sources – but while there’s discussion over the effects that climate change can have on water,…

With a record drought in California, floods in the UK and snow paralyzing areas of the South that have hardly met a plow, people are starting to make the connection between climate change and water. But generally the cause-and-effect link only goes one way, noting how climate change will affect water by putting stress on…

Thank you for taking action to bring the message that #NatureCools to the Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels. Your actions help us show that restoring and protecting nature cools the climate, hydrates the land to prevent wildfires, drought and flooding, and reduces extreme weather.  Here are the next steps you can take on the actions you…

What a thrilling week it has been! Since last Thursday’s New York Times article Tiny Forests with Big Benefits, my teammates and I at Bio4Climate have been buzzing with excitement at the recognition our forests and this type of restoration is getting. We are so thrilled by the enthusiasm of people’s responses, from interest in…

Have you ever heard of a squirrel that barks? Let me introduce you to the Prairie Dog.

Biodiversity 9 Deep DiveTransformation to a Holistic Perspective – Nature Can Cool the Planet Fall 2023, Wednesdays, September 20 – December 13 Are you ready to transform your understanding of how life on the planet works and how we can play a role? Join us as we follow the transformation of two leading writers and…

Which ferocious, fuzzy creatures dominate the forest and help their ecosystems thrive? Grizzly Bears!

What cute creature takes the title of the largest rodent on Earth? That would be the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, more commonly known as the capybara. Although they resemble their smaller relatives, these aquatic mammals are the biggest rodents to walk the planet!

Nathan Phillips remarked to me that trees were like lungs. I thought, it’s far more than that… In the Surgical Oncology Unit, the cancer ward, you can’t always save people. Sometimes all you can do is keep them comfortable, be there with them, then care for their families as they go. You see the many…

What would you get if you crossed a bear, a dog, and an otter? The Bush Dog!

I’d like to introduce this piece with a scenario. Suppose someone pointed out that you’d been looking at the climate through a pair of glasses with only one lens? Lifting them off your nose, they then provide you a new pair of glasses with two lenses. Suddenly, parts of the climate you couldn’t see before…

Four forestry specialists offer their views on how to reduce the wildfire risks. The Wildfire story that no one is talking about.  The media is full of stories about the causes and cures for the massive forest fires raging around the world.  Those fires have finally hit close to the Bio4Climate home in New England…

What curious creature with its own built-in armor digs its way into trouble but floats right out? The armadillo!

What organism can grow up to 35 inches in a day, conduct electricity, and survive an atomic bomb? Bamboo!

What is the heaviest, oldest and one of the largest creatures on the planet? It’s not the sperm whale, not even close. The surprising answer is PANDO!!! You’ve never heard of Pando? Neither had I, till Paula Phipps here at Bio4Climate suggested it as a Featured Creature! Pando is a 108-acre forest of quaking aspens…

John Feldman brings the voices of Bio4Climate together in his new film – Regenerating Life. When you donate to this campaign, part of your donation goes to support our work (as long as you fill in the box on the donation page with our name). And you get to see this groundbreaking film before the…

What creature lives in salty or brackish water, provides an ideal breeding ground for countless organisms, and helps maintain a thriving planet? The Mangrove!

Plants Cool the Planet Key Concepts Plants mitigate climate change through transpiration, carbon sequestration, cloud formation, and cooling effects. Transpiration Plants release water to the air which has a cooling effect on the plant, and the environment. Plants regulate temperature, contributing to ecosystem health. Condensation The transformation of water vapor into liquid droplets aids in…

What tiny creature dwells in a unique coastal forest, where it is famous for its appetite? That would be Xenohyla truncata, or Izecksohn's Brazilian treefrog.

Which ancient reptile is as old as crocodiles, has equally scary teeth, and can see all the way to the heavens? Of course it’s New Zealand’s own Tuatara!

What small but fearless songbird can astonish with its aerial acrobatics and is always ready to battle much bigger birds for dominance? The Black Drongo!

What 100 million year old creature brought on the ice age but is so tiny that a cluster can fit on your finger tip? That would be Azolla!

Everyone needs a forest, because not only are they one of the most efficient means for sequestering carbon, but the most effective system for cooling the planet, especially on the local level. With the loss of green spaces, more and more people are feeling the effects of heat islands, localized hotspots that can be readily…

What curious creature sounds like it will bite, but is actually used to heal? It is the Goodyera orchid, and it is a plant of contradictions!

We Need a New Climate Story Nature is Climate Biodiversity loss is not just the result of climate change, it is a primary driver of climate change.  Only solutions that prioritize this web of life will create a truly livable climate for all. Restore Nature – Cool the Planet Only nature has the ability to both…

Greene-Rose Park Forest Photos by Maya Dutta On Saturday November 5, 2022 we planted our second Miyawaki Forest in collaboration with the City of Cambridge in The Port at Greene-Rose Heritage Park. We are thrilled to bring another pocket forest to life with the help of the community. We will share information, updates, and photos…

Boston Film Premiere – October 14th, 2023 – Get Your Tickets! Regenerating Life is a three part documentary that highlights the importance of biodiversity and natural ecosystems in regulating the climate. Our friend John Feldman shares his journey through the science and the stories that helped him see the climate crisis in a whole new light. October 14th,…

by Fred Jennings, Ecological Economist for Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Part One: “Water Cools The Planet” Runtime 41:43 John Feldman introduces himself and expresses surprise that this work got him thinking a lot about water. The film proceeds to talk about water in its many diverse aspects: as a powerful greenhouse gas; in its…

Danehy Park Miyawaki Forest Our Miyawaki Forest at Danehy Park in North Cambridge was planted successfully on September 25, 2021 with the help of many fantastic volunteers. The forest is the first example of a Miyawaki Forest in Cambridge, MA and in the Northeast US as a whole. It is wonderful to see the community…

United Nations, New York CityMarch 23-24, 2023 Biodiversity for a Livable Climate was in New York meeting with attendees of the Conference of Parties (COP) on Water. Board member Sue Butler and Assistant Director of Regenerative Projects Maya Dutta, working with Jon Schull from EcoRestoration Alliance, had meetings with several exciting global Water Advocates. Meeting…

What unassuming weed could really brighten your garden and heal the world? Self-heal!

Sustainability and Humankind’s Dilemma: Life on a Tough New Planet Spring 2023, 12-2 pm ET, Fridays from April 21 – May 26 Approached from a Social Science perspective, this 6-week course provides a broad overview of the multiple crises confronting humankind: climate change, peak oil, resource depletions, ecological deterioration, and societal collapse.  It focuses on…

Which creature is the largest Asian antelope, considered sacred to some and pest to others? The Nilgai!

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels A series of virtual and in-person community events in 6 locations in the U.S. and Canada Fourth Event: CLEVELAND • on Zoom Saturday, March 25, 2023 1:00 – 4:30 pm EST  •  on Zoom Agenda Register Here Stay tuned for Part 2 with in-person and virtual Community Engagement…

In January, Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger joined us to discuss their new book, Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World. While the last few tumultuous years have heightened uncertainties about our food supplies, there’s some good news coming out of the regenerative agriculture movement. Regenerative practices restore degraded land, increase soil productivity, sequester carbon and…

This panel was one of several presentations hosted during Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels on Saturday, January 21, 2023 with Los Angeles community leaders. This event is the third in a series of six events hosted virtually and in-person in communities throughout the U.S. and Canada – https://bio4climate.org/roc Stay tuned to register…

What creature roams the Australian Outback, extends its hospitality to others in times of need, and eludes predators with a unique rear end? The tiny, mighty wombat! This little roly-poly ball of densely matted fur is a staple of Australia’s menagerie of weird and wonderful creatures.

What plant generates energy without photosynthesis, thrives in darkness, is said to quell anxieties, and was cherished by American poet Emily Dickinson? That would be Monotropa, also known as "Ghost Pipes", "Ghost Plants", "Indian Pipes", and "Corpse Plants", among other names!

Biodiversity 8 Deepdive: Symbiosis is Challenging Survival of the Fittest Spring 2023, Wednesdays, March 1 – May 12 How has conventional interpretation of Darwin’s survival of the fittest shaped not only our understanding of science and extinction, but also economics and cultural values? Are we genetically doomed to compete with nature and with each other…

What ancient invertebrate can breathe through its skin, squeeze through tight spots, and use slime to attack prey? The velvet worm!

What creature has the best and most adaptable eyesight in the natural world, packs a wicked punch harder than a bullet and can change its body colors at will? This would be the mantis shrimp in the stomatopod family!

On Thursday, January 26 at 6pm ET, Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger will join us to discuss their new book, Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World. While the last few tumultuous years have heightened uncertainties about our food supplies, there’s some good news coming out of the regenerative agriculture movement. Regenerative practices restore degraded land,…

What slimy creature improves its forest ecosystem, uses clever tactics to impair predators, and might make you think twice about a favorite fruit? The Banana Slug!

What prolific gold-flowered plant is loved by children, helps mitigate drought, has powerful medicinal properties and is named for an apex predator? The dandelion, of course! (Taraxacum officinale)

Which creature fights fires, creates wetlands, recharges groundwater, alters landscapes, and is a climate hero? Beavers!

In a time of accelerating global warming, nature’s ability to cool the Earth is one of the most exciting and important prospects we can explore. We’ve been proud to host scientific experts at the forefront of this research like Dr. Anastassia Makarieva, Andrei Nefiodov, and Jan Pokorny. They joined us a couple of months ago…

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels A series of virtual and in-person community events in 6 locations in the U.S. and Canada Third Event: LOS ANGELES • on Zoom Saturday, January 21, 2023 1:00 – 4:30 pm PST  •  on Zoom Stay tuned for Part 2 with in-person and virtual Community Engagement Eventshosted in…

Meet Eka Cahyaningrum, restorer of peatlands and advocate for primates. Her work in Indonesia restores wild animal populations and their habitats while uplifting local communities. Her youth-led efforts demonstrate the power of coming together under one goal: to create better living conditions for all living beings, so that we can all thrive. Eka Cahyaningrum, Primate…

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels Community Engagement Events Join us for one of the growing number of in-person and virtual events hosted in Kansas City and the surrounding area (To add an event, click here) Thank you for your interest to attend one or more Community Engagement Events in our series on Redesigning…

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels A series of virtual and in-person community events in 6 locations in the U.S. and Canada Second Event: KANSAS CITY • on Zoom Saturday, November 12 1:00 – 5:00 pm CST  •  on Zoom Plus, in-person and virtualCommunity Engagement Eventshosted in or near Kansas City! Biodiversity for a…

What psychedelic sea creature is known for its amazing array of colors, its creative survival tactics, and its wide dietary range that even includes its own kind? The nudibranch! (Pronunciation: Nood – eh – brank) I first became acquainted with nudibranchs due to a fellow nature lover in my life. A few months ago, my…

Which creature has a pair of built-in eye goggles, gives birth underwater, and uses their flippers to “walk” on the seafloor? The Manatee! A few months ago, I found myself sitting around campus with friends for Senior Week after all the other students had moved out. Left behind was a plush animal that resembled a…

By Carlos Mdemu Social Media, Writing, and Online Outreach Intern Since 2011, I have been working in the field of environmental and solid waste management. At the beginning of my journey, I remember visiting one of the famous local markets in Dar es Salaam for a community cleanup. The local market, in terms of waste management…

What creature is the largest of its kind, sports beautiful patterns, and holds a reputation for being a ‘gentle giant’?  The whale shark! Filter feeding for giants  The majestic whale shark is famed for being the largest fish in existence. With a length of up to 33 feet and weight up to 20 tons, they…

We welcome you to our community, where there’s good news from around the world about the power of eco-restoration to heal the Earth. We love to share how people are participating in the regeneration of land and water worldwide. You can too! We invite you to feel the joy and satisfaction of making a real…

We welcome you to our community, where there’s good news from around the world about the power of eco-restoration to heal the Earth. We love to share how people are participating in the regeneration of land and water worldwide. You can too! We invite you to feel the joy and satisfaction of making a real…

Which marine creature is named after a terrestrial one, possesses a unique facial feature, and has inspired crowds of people to visit California’s central coast? Elephant seals! One sunny morning (which is normal for California), I woke up to drive up the coast from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. I had one goal in…

Drought warnings in Massachusetts are a stark reminder that we are part of a global climate system where warming trends are accelerating. Is there something we can learn from adding a global lens to our local and regional mitigation efforts? Danielle Dolan, Deputy Director of the Mass Rivers Alliance, and Beth Lambert, Director of the…

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels Community Engagement Events In-person and virtual eventshosted in Montgomery County, Maryland and the surrounding area Thank you for your interest to attend one or more Community Engagement Events in our series on Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels in Montgomery County, Maryland and the surrounding…

Suggest a Featured Creature, Eco-Restoration Stories Currently Inspiring us, Throwback from the Bio4Climate Blog, Voices of Water, Staff Spotlight: Maya Dutta, Compendium Notes

Redesigning Our Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels A series of virtual and in-person community events in 6 locations in the U.S. and Canada Inaugural Event: Saturday, September 10 1:00 – 4:30 pm ET  •  on Zoom Plus, in-person and virtualCommunity Engagement Eventshosted in or near Montgomery County, Maryland! Biodiversity for a Livable Climate is partnering…

What can hold more than 500 species, sequester more than 500 lbs. CO2/year, be 10F cooler than its surroundings, soak up lots of rainwater,and be made by and for children in a space no bigger than a tennis court? A “mini-forest” planted using the Miyawaki Method, of course! Hannah Lewis (Bio4Climate Compendium editor) and Daan…

What creature is an ecosystem engineer, a hero of carbon capture, and a standout among its relatives for its unique environment?  Seagrass! Sorting out our relationships  Recently, I’ve been marveling at the strange science of taxonomy, and all of the examples of organisms that have defied classification or created challenging puzzles of how to name,…

Which creature weighs less than a coin, travels hundreds of miles alone, and contributes to the reproduction of thousands of plants? Hummingbirds! I didn’t know how blessed I was to be seeing hummingbirds all around me until I researched this Featured Creature. As soon as I read that these graceful, speedy birds exist only in…

Which creature is composed of four organisms in a symbiotic relationship, floats across the ocean because it lacks propellers, and stings prey with venom-producing tentacles? The Portuguese Man O’War! Last weekend, during a conversation on a camping trip up in the Berkshire mountains, one of my friends shared how he had learned about a creature…

To support efforts to stop deforestation, sign the Amazonia for Life pledge: https://amazonia80x2025.earth/declaration#déclaration The Amazon Rainforest is known as the “lungs of the earth” because it draws in carbon dioxide and breathes out oxygen. But it is also the biological heart of the planet’s hydroclimate system, the planet’s rain making machine. We have lost almost…

Which large creature has a toothy smile, a surprising family tree, and a name inspired by a piece of dishware?  The Gharial! I stumbled upon this creature when looking at various crocodiles and alligators, marveling with a friend at how funky reptiles can be (a typical Saturday night activity, naturally). I was captivated by the…

This July as Massachusetts, like many other parts of the world, reckoned with serious drought, we held a lecture to explore how we can address drought conditions on a local, regional, and global scale. Check out the recording and related resources here! Drought warnings in Massachusetts are a stark reminder that we are part of…

This week we ask: Which creature loves to wallow in mud, has two horns, and communicates through whistling and whining noises?  The Sumatran Rhino!  I believe that the Sumatran Rhino is one of the most beautiful species on this planet.  I adore rhinos. They are beautiful, majestic, and grand. Each rhino is literally a knight…

On Tuesday, July 12 at noon ET join us for an online lecture to explore how we can address drought conditions on a local, regional, and global scale. Drought warnings in Massachusetts are a stark reminder that we are part of a global climate system where warming trends are accelerating. Is there something we can…

Which creature enjoys climbing cliffs, blends in with mountain slopes, and carries an iconic headpiece? Bighorn sheep! Bighorn sheep are somewhat common where I live in Southern California (maybe it’s why the NFL Rams decided to come to Los Angeles). They can be seen in various mountain ranges, coming down to valleys for water or…

The Cambridge Public Library and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate present author Hannah Lewis in a reading and discussion of her latest book, Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World. The Miyawaki Method is a unique approach to reforestation devised by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. In the book, Lewis explains how…

What small creature found throughout the world is often mistaken for a cousin, evolves dramatically during its life cycle, and broadcasts ecosystem health?  The damselfly! Recently I’ve been finding a lot of solace and inspiration in nature, taking long walks into the late evening around the beautiful green spaces in my neighborhood. Though I’ve lived…

Bulu mini-forest in Cameroon after 19 months; Photo: Agborkang Godfred Hannah Lewis, Compendium Editor for Biodiversity for a Liveable Climate and freelance writer The Miyawaki Method The Miyawaki Method is a way to grow natural, mature forests in a couple of decades rather than a couple of centuries. You do this by observing what happens…

Biodiversity 6: Systems Thinking & Scenarios – Tools for Creating Better Ecological Futures Summer 2022, Wednesdays, June 22 – September 7 12 weekly classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie. He will hold two sessions every Wednesday, from 12 – 2 pm ET and 7 – 9 pm ET to accommodate students’ different schedules. The…

Which creature has an invisibility cloak, built-in snowshoes, and an important role in Central Asia’s mountainous ecosystems? Snow leopards! Mountain climber Snow leopards live throughout 12 countries in Central Asia, from China to Russia. The mountain ranges they inhabit are typically cold, dry, and arid. In the summer, these mountains are mostly yellow-brown, so snow…

This week we ask: What plant is used around the world for its immunity-boosting properties, loves shady and moist habitat, and is loved in turn by all sorts of pollinators?  The Common Elderberry!  I first learned about the healing properties of the elderberry plant when I was talking with a family member, Ilma, in Finland.…

This week we ask: What large member of the deer family is a fast runner, an excellent swimmer, and can be found across North America and Eurasia?  The Moose! This past weekend, I was hiking the Pine Cobble trail in Williamstown with my hiking class from my school, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA).…

What magnificent warm-blooded creature moves as fast as a freight train, feeds voraciously in large groups, and is often enjoyed at the beach? This would have to be the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, thunnus thynnus, or “tunny” for short! Incredible Adaptation  The body of the Atlantic bluefin tuna is football-shaped and strong, with a conical head and large mouth. The placement of…

Which creature is the largest terrestrial predator on the planet, has the most adorable cubs, and makes its own fresh water? Polar Bears!  Wintry Beauties Polar bears, also known as Ursus maritimus, or “sea bears,” live in the Arctic Circle and on nearby land masses and sea ice in the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway. These mammals are…

The Living Earth Paradigm: A better view for a better planet. The prevailing perspective on climate change is leading us astray. Issue Prevailing Paradigm Living Earth Paradigm Carbon in the atmosphere is the main problem. Is a long-term problem, but a short-term distraction. Carbon in the soil is a nice place to put carbon is…

Which creature is a combination of two other organisms, comes in bright colors, and helps us measure air quality? Lichen! Master of symbiosis Though we know lichens as creatures in and of themselves, lichens are actually a result of symbiosis, a mutually beneficial relationship between two or more species. In the lichen’s case, algae and fungi come together to form…

Which creature creates forests underwater, provides food and shelter for countless species, and helps stabilize the climate? Giant Kelp! Under the sea To witness the beauty of kelp, and watch how it contributes to the survival of numerous marine and terrestrial creatures, you have to go underwater. Although kelp looks like a plant, it is actually a type of…

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare Ground Cool your land Depave

What reptile loves to sunbathe, has an instinctual ability to always find its way back home, and can close its shell completely for protection? The Eastern Box Turtle! Let’s Start With The Basics… Chances are, you’ve probably come across an Eastern Box Turtle before. Box Turtles as a subspecies are one of the most common turtle species in the United States, and the Eastern Box Turtle is widespread…

By restoring nature, we can restore the climate, control fires, floods, and drought, feed billions, and cool the earth. Learn more by following these links: Restore rivers and waterways Cool the Earth Aim for diversityand native species Bring back the animals Cool the Continent Restore Healthy Soils Rehydrate the land Cool your community Cover Bare…

Stories help us envision the world we can create. They inspire us to celebrate and emulate the achievements of heroes. ERA story tellers include: John Liu, a television and video journalist who documented one of the biggest ecorestoration stories in history: the transformation of China’s Loess Plateau from desert to farmland. John is also founder…

Our understanding is based on the work of ERA Scientists Michal Kravčík, Jan Pokorný, and Anastassia Makarieva, among others.  To them we owe these actionable insights. Water and life moderate climate.  Warming, storming, fires, floods, and droughts are all caused by reversible land and water management practices. Dead, dry, sunlit dirt is 20-40 degrees F…

Which creature is a land animal closely related to marine mammals, has a portable pharmacy, and recently celebrated a holiday? Hippopotamuses!  River Horse Hippos are often described as large water pigs or cows, due to their appearance and water-loving nature. But their namesake, hippopotamus, comes from the Ancient Greek term for ‘river horse.’ Despite all these links…

Increasingly frequent droughts are destroying food production levels in the more drought-prone half of sub-Saharan Africa. Although most people have attributed this gathering crisis to climate change, about 80 percent of the cause of the droughts is that fallowing – a process of allowing the forest to grow for fifteen years or more to replace…

Fill out the form below to register for Nature’s Solutions as National Policy – Code Red Water on March 19, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET. Please note that by registering, you will be added to our mailing list. You can unsubscribe or manage your email preferences at any time.

Fill out the form below to register for Nature’s Solutions as National Policy – Code Red Water on March 19, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET. Please note that we want you to join us more than anything, so we never turn anyone away based on ability to pay.  For free registration, please sign…

You have successfully registered for Nature’s Solutions as National Policy – Code Red Water: Three Global Perspectives on March 19, 2022 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET. Enter the conference using this Zoom link. You will also receive an email confirmation with full Zoom information. Thanks for joining us!

In this talk, Fred Magdoff, Professor Emeritus of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont, describes the difference between nutrient- and life-depleted soil and nutrient dense, carbon-capturing, and water-storing soil. Fred Magdoff’s research was on ecologically sound ways to improve soil fertility, especially focusing on the critical role of soil organic matter. He…

Precious Phiri grew up in Zimbabwe and discusses her evolution as a trainer in Holistic Management and community facilitation. Her work focuses on working with rural communities and collaborating with networks in Africa to reduce poverty, rebuild soils, and restore food and water security for people, livestock and wildlife – and most recently, to address…

Our natural systems are under great stress. However, nature’s inclination is toward healing, and we can work with the logic of ecology to restore landscapes and waterways. Biodiversity for a Livable Climate hosts authors Judith D. Schwartz and Ben Goldfarb as they talk about regenerating landscapes—and the pivotal role of animals in earth healing. Judith’s…

What long misnamed creature develops complex social structures and offers many lessons for the human species?  The Bonobo! The bonobo, or Pan paniscus, is a small primate native to the Congo. For a long time, it was known as the “pygmy Chimpanzee” and thought simply to be a smaller type of chimp. However, bonobos comprise their own species, and possess…

Which creature lives across the globe, has a unique escape mechanism, and a muscle like no other? Scallops! Worldwide Wonder Scallops live in every ocean and amount to over 300 living species! They live in between and on top of rocks, coral, rubble, sea grass, kelp, sand, and mud. They are one of the largest families…

Didi Pershouse is the founder of the Center for Sustainable Medicine and has developed a practice and theoretical framework for systems-based ecological medicine—restoring health to people as well as the social and ecological systems around them. In her work she connects the dots between soil health and public health, and the role of beneficial microorganisms…

Globally, oyster habitats are the most degraded habitats among coastal systems, with the loss of 99% in the last 150 years. These 350 million years old keystone species and their habitats are at the brink of total collapse from industrial harvesting and pollution of coastal areas. Today scientists understand the ecological value of oyster habitats…

The Inga Foundation’s founder and director Mike Hands has been working to halt the destruction of rainforests from slash and burn agriculture for over 20 years. An experienced tropical ecologist and scientific researcher, Mike divides his time between his farm in Cornwall, UK, and the Inga Foundation’s Land for Life program in Honduras. Now in…

What creature smells like lilies, is particular about the type of soil it resides in, and is the largest of its kind in North America? The Oregon Giant Earthworm! A fews days after moving into college this past August, I took a long walk in search of solitude and refuge from the chaos of move-in week. I found…

What creature far older than dinosaurs has survived on earth for 480 million years, loves going to the beach, has enough vision for a Nobel Prize, is very much ‘for the birds’ and deeply treasured for its blue-blooded ‘aristocratic’ character? The horseshoe crab, or limulus polyphemus, of course! So how old are these creatures? Horseshoe crabs are “living fossils” dating…

Which creature promotes healthy soil, is often seen as a pest, and has cheeks perfect for storing leftovers? Pocket gophers! On my weekend hikes, I stay alert for any tiny movement. Rustling noises often lead me to discover an interesting creature, but only if I pay close attention. One animal I would often hear, but rarely…

Earth is heating up: “Global surface temperature was 1.09°C higher in 2011– 2020 than 1850–1900,” according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 6th Assessment Report.[3] Yet the mercury is not rising uniformly around the world – the Arctic is warming faster than are the lower latitudes, and temperatures over land are higher than over the…

Cloud cooling effects of afforestation and reforestation at midlatitudes, Cerasoli, Jin & Porporato 2021 Reforestation and afforestation (R&A) are well-established climate mitigation strategies in the wet tropics due to high carbon sequestration rates of forests/trees. However, at high latitudes (boreal regions), the low albedo of trees–compared to snow and other lighter land surfaces–leads to the…

The amount of Earth’s green cover (measured as Leaf Area Index[6]) has increased globally since 1980, especially in northern latitudes, where growing seasons have lengthened. This is due mainly to increasing CO2 concentration, but also to warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, nitrogen deposition, and land-use change (such as afforestation in China). Higher ambient CO2 can stimulate…

Animals contribute vitally to Earth’s water, carbon, and nutrient cycles. Every ecosystem is supported by uncountable animal species, ranging from birds to insects and mammals to fish, as well as microscopic organisms. The devastating news is that the Earth is losing about 150 animal, plant and microbial species every day, mostly due to human activities.[8] Understanding…

Can large herbivores enhance ecosystem carbon persistence? Kristensen et al. 2021 This article considers the overlooked role of grasslands and large herbivores in carbon storage. The principal question the authors pose is: what is the impact of large wild and domestic herbivores on the ability of ecosystems to absorb and store carbon over the long…

After having been wiped out by the 1920s, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995-1996. This study assessed the importance of large carnivores to wild ungulates’ behavior and density, with secondary effects on plant communities, rivers and channels, and beaver communities. Focusing on the West and East Forks of Blacktail Deer Creek, the…

Join the Transition to a Healthier World Cooling the Earth isn’t rocket science! But it’s not what most industries and governments are used to doing. That’s why we work so hard to educate the world that nature is the most important healing tool we’ve got. You can help bring this Earth-saving regeneration, already underway on…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy Biodiversity for a Livable Climate has been hosting a series of mini-conferences exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. Thousands of projects on six continents are endeavoring to cool our overheated planet and restore biodiversity loss by harnessing the power of photosynthesis,…

What might well be considered the most beautiful freshwater fish, beloved by anglers and everyone else, especially when dressed up in its fall spawning colors? The ‘brook trout,’ of course, or salvelinus fontinalis, which is actually a char!   Where do we find this beauteous creature? Brook trout, otherwise known as brookies, eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook char, squaretail, or even mud trout (though I’ve never heard them…

We welcome you to our community, where there’s good news from around the world about the power of eco-restoration to heal the Earth. We love to share how people are participating in the regeneration of land and water worldwide. You can too! We invite you to feel the joy and satisfaction of making a real…

Miyawaki Forests: Boosting Biodiversity and Climate Resilience with Ecosystem Restoration  December 9, 2021 Watch the webinar recording above, and check out the chat, slides, and related resources here. Event Description Learn about Miyawaki Forests and the newest example in Cambridge, MA, the first urban pocket forest of its kind in the Northeastern USA, which was planted this…

Giving Tuesday November 30, 2021 What are you thankful for? The gifts of Mother Earth – fresh air, clean water, good food, beautiful plants, majestic animals, and bounty both literal and figurative, are present all around us. The living Earth offers us what we need, and we get to participate in her give-and-take by partaking…

What dapper creature enjoys formal wear, is most active in the evenings, and is an indicator for wetland ecosystem health? Black-crowned Night Herons! During quarantine, I decided to take up photography as a new hobby. I wanted to know more about the creatures I encountered on my hikes and snorkel sessions. Photography allows me to…

What sort of creature lives in the mud, digs holes with its mouth, spits out mudpies, climbs trees and will jump for attention? The mudskipper, of course (or periophthalmus)! Photo from fishes-world.blogspot.com Photo from badmanstropicalfish.com Tell me about this strange creature, then… There are 32 living species of mudskippers, an amphibious goby-like fish that can live both in and…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy Code Red at Glasgow: What did they miss? November 20, 2021 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET This November, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate continued its series of mini-conferences on how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. We turned our attention to the Glasgow…

Fred Tutman joined our Life Saves the Planet lecture series on Monday, November 15 to discuss environmental movements and the importance of decolonizing our attitudes, actions, and leadership. Check out related resources and the talk recording on our GBH page. As the planet faces existential threats from multiple sources, the people raising movements aimed at…

What sort of voracious creature cannot see or smell well, feels its way around, and looks like someone’s nightmare enlarged? The star-nosed mole, of course, or condylura cristata! So what is a star-nosed mole and what is that horrible thing on its nose? The star-nosed mole is a very distinctive mammal, covered in dark brown, water-repellent fur, and wide…

In northwestern Australia, far from roads or major cities, a herd of wild donkeys carries a valuable promise. This remote region is the Kimberley, home to Kachana Station, a family-owned holistically managed landscape. The Henggelers have overseen Kachana Station for decades, and their management techniques have brought benefits for the soil, wildlife, and local climate. …

Which creature stays in the cold Arctic waters year-round, is nicknamed after a mythological creature, and has a distinct feature with an unknown purpose? Narwhals! I have been fascinated by the Arctic ever since I was a young girl. Being from California, I don’t generally thrive in cold weather, but the creatures of Arctic lands…

As many people know through firsthand experience, we planted the Northeast’s first Miyawaki Forest last weekend. After several months of planning, discussion, and organization, we gathered in Danehy Park in North Cambridge to create the forest. This was the part I participated in, but like so much of our work at Biodiversity for a Livable…

What sort of worm is festooned with sensitive tentacles all the way down its sides and – though it can’t bark – has a nasty bite? That would be the “clam worm” or alitta succinea, a denizen of estuarial waters. Alternative names I’ve always called them “seaworms” but they are normally known as “clam worms,” “ragworms,”…

Fall 2021, Wednesdays, October 6th – December 22nd Biodiversity 5: Cooling the Climate by Mastering the Carbon Cycle 12 weekly classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie. He will hold two sessions every Wednesday, from 12 – 2 pm ET and 7 – 9 pm ET to accommodate students’ different schedules. The Excitement and Inspiration…

What creatures with iconic ears have allowed humans to expand their horizons, yet are often misunderstood and underappreciated? Donkeys! Misunderstood Donkeys are often expected to act like their larger equid cousins, horses, but donkeys have their own abilities and attributes. Unlike horses, donkeys have evolved to live in desert environments. Their secret lies in their…

Cool the Earth: Green the Planet September 9 – October 13, 2021 Welcome to our Cool the Earth Campaign! You probably know the Earth is heating up, reaching records for high temperatures, storm intensity and frequency, drought, flooding, and desertification. You probably know that there are ways to be less destructive, actions we can take…

What creature can live for over two decades, was revered by Baltic-Finnish pagan tribes, and is Finland’s national bird?  The Whooper Swan!  There are many creatures on Earth that are very much entwined with human culture, and this week’s Featured Creature is an excellent representation of this. The Whooper Swan has been a part of…

This September, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate continued its series of mini-conferences exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. Our second installment focuses on animals and their crucial role in shaping ecosystems and supporting healthy functioning carbon, water, nutrient, and energy cycles. Watch the video recording here: You…

What creature grows tall and sturdy, cleans up its neighborhood, and defends itself from predators – all without moving a muscle? The Giant Barrel Sponge, or Xestospongia muta! A Giant Barrel by any other name…  Giant barrel sponges are aptly named for their shape and great size. They grow over 1 m tall, but only grow…

What creature is the second largest of its kind, a ruler of the sub-Antarctic, and is named after a feline lookalike? The leopard seal! Massive and Mighty The leopard seal is the second largest seal in the world, right after the elephant seal. Leopard seals primarily live along the icy shelves of Antarctica and nearby…

Bio4Climate has been studying the Miyawaki Method of reforestation over the past several months. This 50-year-old technique involves densely planting native forest species from shrub to canopy layer to create tiny, fast-growing urban ecosystems[3]. Members of our staff have joined local efforts to establish Miyawaki “mini-forests” in Cambridge, MA, in Los Angeles, CA, and one…

The following articles lay out a few key ecological concepts and terms that may be helpful to become familiar with for the growing number of biodiversity-conscious people and organizations that are beginning to plant more native plants on their land. Native plants, native ecosystems, and native landscapes: an ecological definition of “native” will promote effective…

This article provides an overview of types of plant communities and the process of succession in those communities. In each type of habitat, certain species group together as a community. Fossil records indicate that some of these groups (or very closely related precursors) have lived together for thousands or even millions of years. During that…

A vegetation type, or plant community, is identifiable by its distinct appearance compared to other landscape types within a landscape. For example, a grassland and a wetland differ in appearance from each other and from a forest, while a wetland-forest is yet another visibly different vegetation type. Plant species are recognizable by their form, which…

This article emphasizes the importance of species interactions as drivers of ecosystem function. The classic conservation approach is to set aside national parks or to target specific species for protection, based on their rarity or endangered status. However, these approaches can have trade-offs for non-target species, while also potentially failing to protect ecosystem function. The…

This review explores the question of whether plant-plant interactions drive evolutionary changes. “If such evolution is common, plant communities are not random assemblages of species.” The topic is under-studied compared to plant interactions with other groups. Research on plant–consumer, plant–pollinator and plant–disperser interactions has been central to understanding the complex mutualistic and co-dependent interactions among…

Well-planned tree-planting projects are an important component of global efforts to improve ecological and human well-being. But tree planting becomes problematic when it is promoted as a simple, silver bullet solution and overshadows other actions that have greater potential for addressing the drivers of specific environmental problems, such as taking bold and rapid steps to…

Symbiosis: Structure and Functions, Ecological and Evolutionary Role, Sélosse 2000 (La Symbiose : Structures et Fonctions, Rôle Écologique et Évolutif) Book review by Ehsan Kayal What is symbiosis? How is it defined? What does it involve? And how did it come to be? These are some of the questions French Biologist Marc-André Sélosse explores in…

(La Symbiose : Structures et Fonctions, Rôle Écologique et Évolutif) Book review by Ehsan Kayal What is symbiosis? How is it defined? What does it involve? And how did it come to be? These are some of the questions French Biologist Marc-André Sélosse explores in this book. It is not simple to define “symbiosis,” which…

Jeannette Christine Armstrong is a Canadian author, educator, artist, and activist, who wrote this article about the traditional decision-making process in Okanagan, called “enowkinwixw,” which demonstrates a great practice of biophilia. Okanagan, the Penticton Indian reservation in Canada where the author was born and raised, has a very fragile ecosystem. However, the author discovered that…

What tiny creature brings luck to farmers and other folks all over the globe? The ladybug!  One Lucky Lady Ladybugs, or beetles of the family Coccinellidae, are small, often colorful rounded insects beloved by children’s rhymes and gardeners alike.  Ladybugs are thought to be a sign of luck in many cultures and urban myths. Whether it’s…

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What species has a diet that includes small wasps, may be helping to spread an invasive species, and can predict hurricane season intensity?  The veery!  Living The Dream If you live in North or South America, particularly in the Northern United States, chances are you’ve seen a veery before! This creature is a member of…

Biodiversity 4: Forests, Fungi and Living Shorelines Summer 2021, Wednesdays, June 16th – September 1st 12 weekly classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie, held at 1pm and 7pm ET on Zoom. The Excitement and Inspiration of Science for the Curious to the Serious and everyone in-between. A fully interactive online adventure with discussions, experiments…

Climate change is already here. Severe weather-related events such as more frequent hurricanes, intense droughts, longer wildfire seasons, and devastating floods are evidence of this statement.  However, not all people are experiencing the consequences of the climate crisis equally. All too often, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) are on the frontlines. Due to systemic…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy June 5, 2021 9:00 – 11:00 am ET This June, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate hosted a mini-conference exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. This was the first in a series of mini-conferences on nature’s solutions as national policy, bringing together global…

Welcome to Biodiversity for a Livable Climate’s new website!Check out our Super Search button on the upper right of the page, which is right next to the Menu (and they will conveniently follow you around). There’s a wealth of information here on how to heal the biodiversity and global warming catastrophes that we’re facing today,…

What creature can regenerate limbs, is sought for research, and has the largest animal genome known? The axolotl, or mbystoma mexicanum, of course! What is so unusual about the axolotl, beyond its funny name? Axolotls, known as “Mexican walking fish”, are not a fish at all, but a type of amphibious salamander. There are lots of…

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“Ecological processes are not only more complex than we think. They are more complex than we can ever think.” – Michael Crowfoot, Soil Scientist “On one of my early projects…a scientist friend asked me, how did I know what I was doing, and where did I get the knowledge to understand the system with which…

Precious Phiri is the Founding Director of EarthWisdom Consulting Company.  She was formerly a Senior Facilitator at the Africa Center for Holistic Management (ACHM) in Zimbabwe where she directed training for villages in the Hwange Communal Lands region that are implementing restorative grazing programs using Holistic Land and Livestock Management.  She helps rural communities in Africa to reduce poverty, rebuild soils, and…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed…

Annita Seckinger is a soils and water scientist who works as a consultant for a range of organizations.  She is also the founder and president of the Watts Branch Watershed Alliance, an organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Watts Branch Watershed in Montgomery Country, Maryland.  Annita and Dr. Ray Weil are currently collaborating…

Nathan Phillips is professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University.He studies the physiological mechanisms and processes by which plants and ecosystems regulate water loss and carbon gain, and how these processes may be altered under global environmental change.  He is now applying this research to studies of urban ecology in a program called Urban Metabolism.

Eric Olson is a senior lecturer in the graduate program on Sustainable International Development at the Heller School at Brandeis. He has a background in evolutionary biology, ecology, and forest science. Among his interests are global atmospheric circulation, climate change, the sources and maintenance of soil fertility, and the pathways of nitrogen through atmosphere, soils, and…

Bruce Fulford is president of City Soil & Greenhouse LLC. For more than 30 years, he has pioneered composting, biothermal energy, four-season crop production and stormwater management practices and projects. He works closely with national and community-based organizations in land remediation, agricultural business development, fund raising, and job training.

Phil Colarusso, of the Ocean and Coastal Protection unit of the Boston EPA office, is a marine biologist and avid, highly experienced diver. He studies how Boston Harbor has recovered since the Deer Island wastewater treatment facility was installed.  He is an expert on how offshore eelgrass metabolizes carbon, and how we can protect and restore…

Thomas Akin is State Resource Conservationist at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the US Department of Agriculture. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to farmers to improve the health of their soils by implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, crop rotation, and reduced tillage. Healthy soils hold more water, better resist erosion and…

Jono Neiger is a founding partner of Regenerative Design Group with 24 years of professional experience in permaculture, ecological land design, site planning, community development, agroforestry, land management and conservation, and restoration. Mr. Neiger teaches widely around the northeast and southeast at colleges, workshops, and conferences on the topics of permaculture, ecological design, sustainable water use, and productive…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine” methodology invented by…

Bruce Fulford is President of City Soil & Greenhouse LLC. He has pioneered composting, biothermal energy, four-season crop production and stormwater management practices and projects for more than 30 years. His integrated projects are models of efficient and equitable resource management that reduce greenhouse gas sources and mitigate the effects of climate change. His company operates the City of…

Precious Phiri is a Senior Facilitator at the Africa Center for Holistic Management (ACHM) in Zimbabwe.  Precious directs training for villages in the Hwange Communal Lands region that are implementing restorative grazing programs using Holistic Land and Livestock Management. This helps rural communities in Africa to reduce poverty, rebuild soils, and restore food and water security. This nature-based…

Charlotte O’Brien, President and CEO, Carbon Drawdown Solutions, is an entrepreneur, pyrolysis and biomass expert who has worked for years with many varieties of bamboo, a plant that improves soils and water cycles, expands habitats for many other species, and may be harvested sustainably for uses ranging from construction to food to biochar, a soil supplement.…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine”…

Candace Ducheneaux, Hohwoju Lakota elder and long-time activist from the Cheyenne River homelands, is dedicated to preserving the Lakota way of life and the environmental integrity of our sacred mother earth. She has been at the frontlines in many grassroots battles for justice for the Lakota Oyate and against the destructive human forces threatening the existence of…

Diana Donlon is the Director of the Center for Food Safety’s Cool Foods Campaign. which offers hope on climate by empowering the public to make the critical connection between everyday food choices and climate change.  Before coming to work for CFS, Diana worked for a variety of family foundations supporting youth and sustainable agriculture programs.  She is the Board Secretary of…

Antje Danielson is the Administrative Director at the Tufts Institute of the Environment and the graduate interdisciplinary “Water: Systems, Science and Society” (WSSS) program. She came to Tufts from Durham University (UK), where she served as the Deputy Director for Sustainability, in May 2008. Previously, she worked with the Harvard Green Campus Initiative.  A long-time resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Antje also co-founded the innovative car-sharing company Zipcar. She holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Free University,…

Veronika Miranda Chase is an Environmental Policy Researcher, particularly interested in issues of sustainable development, climate change and the Water-Food-Energy Nexus. She has participated in projects related to climate mitigation and adaptation in developed countries, and has also worked in developing countries with poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods initiatives. She holds a Bachelors in International Relations…

Steven I. Apfelbaum is principal ecologist and chairman at Applied Ecological Services of Brodhead, Wisconsin.  He has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects, successfully navigated regulatory programs, and contributed his unique creative scientific expertise and enthusiasm to over 1,500 projects throughout North America and beyond. He is one of the leading ecological consultants in the U.S., providing technical restoration…

Biocharis a special charcoal product made from the slow burning of vegetable matter in a very low-oxygen environment to create almost pure carbon that, when buried in soils, provides many benefits for biodiversity and plant, soil health and human health.  It has many tiny pores that store nutrients, water, microbes, and carbon captured from the atmosphere…

Soil Carbon Cowboys is an entertaining twelve-minute video that clearly explains how three ranchers moved away from chemical-based ranching to holistic management and dramatically increased the soil carbon content and water-holding capabilities of their pastures – as well as the profitability of their operations and the time to spend with their families.

Holistic Management and Planned Grazing. Grasslands and grazing animals co-evolved over 50 million years. Good management of grasslands and grazing animals the way nature does it – constantly moving in tight herds rather than confined by fences – restores biodiversity, healthy water cycles, cools the biosphere and provides food and fiber to millions of people. Holistic…

Set up biodiverse “pocket parks” and rain gardens. Pocket parks and rain gardens capture rainwater and allow for better water infiltration into soils, and increase soil health and groundwater recharge. Grow an inexpensive Miyawaki Forest in your urban habitat (shown: Clifton Park in Karachi), with native plants, pollinators and biodiverse animal life. If there’s not much space, you…

Support and participate in community-driven programs for green initiatives. Work with your community to increase urban trees and vegetation to create an expanded urban tree cover, which is vital for cooling cities, managing water, improving air quality, and decreasing stress. And did you know asphalt heats up faster than bare ground? Depaving has a number of benefits including…

Build soil health by using soil amendments, such as high-quality biochar, compost, and compost tea.  Biochar, for example, improves water and nutrient retention, plant growth, and can store carbon underground for centuries. Composting feeds soil life by recycling nutrients for essential biodiverse microbial life. The Earth has been doing this for millions of years, our efforts…

Collective de-lawning. Most lawns are difficult to manage and do not allow for adequate water infiltration and carbon sequestration. Replacing turf grass with native grasses and plants would reduce the need for fertilizers and bring back critical functions of the soil.

Green your Infrastructure. Transform your roof or balcony into a “green roof.” Lobby your town to support green roofs on new construction. Utilize green infrastructure to collect and infiltrate stormwater into the soils. Your neighborhood will soon be very cool!

Support Regenerative Farms, Ranches, and Food ForestsRegenerative Farming provides for a number of environmental and health benefits. By eliminating toxics and focusing on revitalizing soils, regenerative farming increases water infiltration and biodiversity activity, producing food that is rich in nutrients and vitamins.

What is one of our oldest creatures – dating back to the Dinosaurs – that tolerates no pollution, lives underwater for up to 4 years and then takes flight for a few weeks to mate, and is beloved by trout and mimicked by anglers? This would be the stonefly, called Plecoptera, which means “braided wings”! So…

Restoring Water Cycles – Speakers – Home   Program    Sponsors/Partners Home   Program   Sponsors/Partners

Tufts Campus Info & Map Home   Program   Speakers    Sponsors/Partners We welcome you to this landmark conference, Restoring Water Cycles to Reverse Global Warming and hope the information here will assist you with the practical arrangements of your trip.  If you have any further questions, please contact us at climate2015@bio4climate.org. The conference is taking place in Asean Auditorium, 160 Packard Avenue, on…

What iconic creature thinks beyond its lifespan, navigates new terrain with grace, and stuns North America with its migrations? The monarch butterfly!

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and  a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine” methodology invented by ecological…

Betsy Nicholas, Executive Director, WATERKEEPERS® Chesapeake and Fair Farms, has more than 16 years of experience in environmental law and policy. Upon joining WATERKEEPERS® Chesapeake in December 2012, she saw an opportunity to help farmers develop management practices that benefited the farmers and improved water quality. With much outreach and collaboration, Fair Farms Maryland was…

Theodore “Tod” S. Wickersham, Jr., President of Beneficial Results LLC, focuses on assisting businesses and nonprofits improve their operations / profitability, build alliances, enhance collaboration, lead stakeholder groups, open markets, influence public policy, and achieve program objectives that also result in improved water and air quality, and reduced carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and diesel/toxics…

Claudio H. Ternieden is the Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Water Environment Federation in Alexandria, VA. Claudio directs WEF’s legislative and regulatory efforts in Washington, DC with both Congress and federal agencies and works to represent water professionals in our nation’s capital. Before coming to WEF, Claudio worked with several other…

Daniel Medina, PhD, PE, D.WRE, is a Senior Engineer based in LimnoTech’s Washington DC office, who specializes in water resource systems planning and climate change and resilience. His experience encompasses a wide array of water resources areas, especially in urban water issues including flood risk management, water supply, watershed restoration, climate change impacts, and the…

Charlene Johnston, PE, is a professionally licensed Civil Engineer and Program Manager at AECOM. She has more than 20 years of engineering experience. Over the past 15 years, Charlene’s professional focus includes climate resiliency and control of stormwater projects and flood studies. Her passion is green infrastructure (GI) / low impact development (LID) and building…

Kris Nichols, Chief Scientist, Rodale Institute, examines the impacts of management such as crop rotation, tillage practices, organic production, cover crops, and livestock grazing on soil aggregation, water relationships, and glomalin at the Institute. She received a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology and in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota, a…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed…

Daniel N. Robin, founder & managing partner of In3 Capital Partners, ABetterWorkplace and former adjunct professor at Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS, now Middlebury Institute), and has taught entrepreneurship, business planning, impact investing, and innovation for sustainability as faculty for the Sustainability Academy, as an independent consultant, and within a top-10 ranked international MBA…

Didi Pershouse is a cross-pollinator, helping to connect the dots between soil health and human health. She is the author of The Ecology of Care: Medicine, Agriculture, Money, and the Quiet Power of Human and Microbial Communities and the founder of the Center for Sustainable Medicine. After 22 years of clinical work with patients, she is now working with the…

Jim Laurie is a restoration biologist and co-founder of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. He has been learning how to restore lands and waters for 30 years and was the manager of the Vermont “Living Machine” which treated 80,000 gallons of sewage per day and was designed by ecological visionary John Todd. For 20 years he…

Dr. David C. Johnson is  Director of the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research at NMSU currently working with local growers and collaborating with: Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories; Texas A&M; Arizona State University; California State University, Chico; University of California, Davis; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the Thornburg Foundation, exploring paths to: improve food security in New…

Fred Jennings holds degrees in economics from Harvard (B.A.) and Stanford (Ph.D.), and taught in the economics departments at Tufts University and Bentley College before becoming a specialist in economic litigation (calculating damages, analyzing markets, and expert testimony) He is president and founder of the Center for Ecological Economic and Ethical Education (CEEEE), an organization devoted to the promulgation…

The Homeschool Symbiosis Team Annie Selle studies the beautiful intricacies of nature through both art and biology, and is an advocate for animal rights and the environment. She believes that humans have the power to change our society, and is optimistic about the future of the Earth.   Jamila dePeiza-Kern has studied environmental science, chemistry, geography, and geology,…

Dr. Anamarija Frankić is a founding director of the Green Harbors Project®, and the Biomimicry LivingLabs®, a research faculty at UMass Boston and University of Zadar, Croatia. She is a Biomimicry, Fulbright and Sea Grant Knauss Fellow. In 2014 she founded Biomimicry New England. Her educational background in biology, ecology, limnology and marine science, guided her interdisciplinary restoration research…

Herbert Dreiseitl is an internationally highly respected expert in creating Liveable Cities around the world with a special hallmark on the inspiring and innovative use of water to solve urban environmental challenges, connecting technology with aesthetics, encouraging people to take care and ownership of places. He has realized groundbreaking contemporary projects in the fields of…

Scott Dowd is a conservation biologist at New England Aquarium in Boston, MA, USA and Executive Director of Project Piaba. He received his M.Sc. from the University of Stirling in 2003; his thesis was entitled “Observations on the cardinal tetra fishery with an emphasis on the measurement of stress.” For more than 20 years, Scott has been…

John Reinhardt is the president of the Mystic River Watershed Association. He was an environmental policy analyst for the USEPA and MassDEP for over 35 years, and served as a conservation commissioner for the City of Somerville for 19 years.

Dr. Anamarija Frankić is a founding director of the Green Harbors Project®, and the Biomimicry LivingLabs®, a research faculty at UMass Boston and University of Zadar, Croatia. She is a Biomimicry, Fulbright and Sea Grant Knauss Fellow. In 2014 she founded Biomimicry New England. Her educational background in biology, ecology, limnology and marine science, guided…

David Morimoto is an ecologist, conservation biologist, and animal behaviorist by training. He has studied the effects of forest fragmentation on Ovenbirds in Massachusetts and performed basic bird inventories in the tropics, most recently on the Rupununi River in Guyana, South America. He is currently involved in urban bird research studying Cambridge birds and is working on the…

Jim Laurie is a restoration biologist and co-founder of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. He was manager of the Vermont “Living Machine” which was designed by ecological visionary John Todd. This biodiverse system treated 80,000 gallons of sewage per day. For 20 years he was a biologist and technical trainer in the chemical industry in Houston, Texas, where his…

What creature is named after a unique talent, is famous for a cool ‘hairdo,’ and stands out from the rest of the relatives? The Rockhopper Penguin! Not all penguins live on ice Scientists are still debating how many species of Rockhopper penguins exist, but generally there are three: Southern, Northern, and Eastern. Despite the lack…

Glenn Gall has been involved over the last decade with numerous natural solutions to restore a livable planet and reverse global warming.  This began with permaculture training from Peter Bane, Darren Doherty, Dave Jacke, and Mark Shepard, and developed into small scale farming and keyline design in Northern Ohio and Michigan.  He also teaches innovative agricultural…

Jan Lambert of Charlestown NH is an environmental journalist and editor of the  Valley Green Journal who has been working closely with Michal Kravčík in promoting the New Water Paradigm via her journal and a resource book, Water, Land and Climate – The Critical Connection: How We Can Rehydrate Landscapes Locally To Renew Climates Globally, to be published…

Steven I. Apfelbaum is principal ecologist and chairman at Applied Ecological Services of Brodhead, Wisconsin.  He has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects, successfully navigated regulatory programs, and contributed his unique creative scientific expertise and enthusiasm to over 1,500 projects throughout North America and beyond. He is one of the leading ecological consultants in the U.S., providing technical restoration…

Scott Horsley has 30 years of professional experience in the fields of watershed planning and water resources management and holds degrees in biology and marine policy. He has worked as a consultant to federal, state, and local jurisdictions, and private industry throughout the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, and China. Scott has…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine”…

Carol Evans, Nevada BLM fisheries biologist for the Elko District of the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada, joined the U.S. Forest Service in the late 1980’s and helped survey over 1,000 miles of streams in NE Nevada. She began her career with BLM in Elko in 1988 and since that time BLM and local ranchers…

Precious Phiri is the Founding Director of EarthWisdom Consulting Company.  She was formerly a Senior Facilitator at the Africa Center for Holistic Management (ACHM) in Zimbabwe where she directed training for villages in the Hwange Communal Lands region that are implementing restorative grazing programs using Holistic Land and Livestock Management.  She helps rural communities in Africa to reduce poverty, rebuild soils,…

Maude Barlow, best-selling Canadian author and human rights activist, is the chair of the board of Food & Water Watch. She is also an executive member of the San Francisco–based International Forum on Globalization, founder of the Blue Planet Project, and a Councillor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. Maude is the recipient of ten honorary doctorates as…

Michal Kravčík is an internationally recognized Slovak water scientist, ASHOKA fellow, and co-author of A New Water Paradigm: Water for the Recovery of the Climate, which emphasizes  hydrologic cycles in addressing climate change. He is also a founding member and chairman of Slovakia’s NGO People and Water.  In 1999, Kravčík was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his contributions to…

Ridge Shinn is the founder and CEO of Big Picture Beef and a leader in the shift away from feedlot beef to raising cattle on 100% grass and forages – no corn ever – using regenerative pasture and grazing management that sequesters carbon deep underground. Currently he is developing a large-scale supply of 100% grass-fed…

Didi Pershouse is a cross-pollinator, helping to connect the dots between soil health and human health. She is the author of The Ecology of Care: Medicine, Agriculture, Money, and the Quiet Power of Human and Microbial Communities and the founder of the Center for Sustainable Medicine. After 22 years of clinical work with patients, she is now working with…

Sharon McGregor is a biologist, environmental policy administrator, educator, and consultant, most recently serving as Assistant Secretary for the Environment (Biological Conservation and Ecosystem Protection) for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (MA EOEEA).  As Assistant Secretary and chief policy advisor for natural resources protection, she administered a pioneering biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection program.…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and is a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine”…

Beth Lambert is the Aquatic Habitat Restoration Program Manager at Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), MA Dept. of Fish and Game. She has been working in ecological restoration since 2000, and has been River Restoration Program Manager in Massachusetts, Coastal Restoration Coordinator with the New Hampshire Coastal Program, and a member of the Watershed Extension Faculty, North Coast Oregon…

Elisabeth Cianciola has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Trinity College, where she conducted research in areas as diverse as water quality sampling in urban rivers, rain garden design, and the taxonomy of algae. She recently completed an M.S. in Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire, where she taught courses focused on wetland and…

Judith Schwartz is a longtime freelance writer and author of several books. Over the last several years she has written about the juncture of economics and the environment for such publications as Time, Time.com, the Christian Science Monitor, Conservation, and the UKGuardian.  She is the author of the ground-breaking book, Cows Save the Planet and Other Improbable Ways of…

Randi Rotjan is a researcher at the New England Aquarium and professor in Boston University’s Marine Program. She studies coral reefs and climate change in the remote Phoenix Islands, the largest marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean, where she coordinates their science-related mission in her role as Chief Scientist. At Boston University she teaches Coral…

Jim Laurie, Restoration Ecologist, is a biologist from Rice University and  a pioneer in biological remediation of waste water. He was the technical manager of the world’s largest “Living Machine” project to clean raw municipal sewage with no toxic chemicals. The facility, through a grant from the EPA, processed 80,000 gallons/day using the “living machine” methodology invented by ecological…

Dr. Anamarija Frankić is a founding director of the Green Harbors Project®, and the Biomimicry LivingLabs®, a research faculty at UMass Boston and University of Zadar, Croatia. She is a Biomimicry, Fulbright and Sea Grant Knauss Fellow. In 2014 she founded Biomimicry New England. Her educational background in biology, ecology, limnology and marine science, guided her interdisciplinary restoration research…

Mick Devin is a two-term state representative in the Maine Legislature.  He is also the shellfish hatchery manager at the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center in Walpole, where he focuses on aquaculture research. He is a Knauss Marine Policy and Henry Toll Fellow.  In the legislature he sits on the Marine Resources Committee, where he…

George Buckley is the Assistant Director of Sustainability at Harvard Extension School, with decades of broad experience with oceans and ocean life. He began his career by winning the state science fair in high school with a study of snail teeth. He earned a degree in biology at Suffolk University with further study at Tufts and…

Rajendra Singh has been listed among The Guardian‘s “50 People Who Could Save the Planet“. Better known as the Water Man of India, Singh was recently named the 2015 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy – June 5, 2021 9:00-11:00 am ET This June, join us at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate for a mini-conference exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. This is the first in a series of mini-conferences on nature’s solutions as national policy,…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy – June 5, 2021 9:00-11:00 am ET This June, join us at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate for a mini-conference exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. This is the first in a series of mini-conferences on nature’s solutions as national policy,…

Which creature comes in a variety of fluorescent colors, provides habitat for thousands of other species, and is essential to keeping our blue planet blue? The polyp! An animal inside a colony inside an ecosystem Polyps are the animals that make up corals. A variety of corals, each with its own name, color, texture, etc.…

Nature’s Solutions as National Policy June 5, 2021 9:00 – 11:00 am ET This June, join us at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate for a mini-conference exploring how we can leverage nature’s solutions to shape policy on climate action and resilience. This is the first in a series of mini-conferences on nature’s solutions as national…

"We have to do everything we know how to do to address climate change." - Sir Nicholas Stern But what is "everything we know how to do"? What does "everything" mean? Who are "we"? Until very recently "everything" meant reducing emissions and pulling excess carbon out of the atmosphere. That has slowly begun to change, but our cherished , tenacious, fallacious assumption has been that global warming revolves around one isolated variable: carbon.

We welcome you to our community, where there’s good news from around the world about the power of eco-restoration to heal the Earth. We love to share how people are participating in the regeneration of land and water worldwide. You can too! We invite you to feel the joy and satisfaction of making a real…

What creature is the only known lizard to go foraging in the ocean, resides off the coast of South America, and is changing the definition of adaptation? The Marine Iguana! One of a Kind Marine iguanas are the only lizards that live partly in the ocean. They are endemic (meaning they only exist in one…

Quick Tour Since our modest but enthusiastic beginnings in 2013, our Biodiversity for a Livable Climate website has grown to the point where we ourselves marvel at how it has become such a rich resource! It’s also a pretty big place, so here’s a brief overview to help you find your way around, in order…

What tiny fish is resistant to toxins, can breathe air when necessary, has more names than is easy to count, and was the first piscine space explorer? The mummichog, of course! We had the chance to interview a few of these amazing creatures; we found them to be unassuming, humble, and tough as nails when…

What creature has no heart and no brain, and is the only known immortal animal? Turritopsis dohrnii! Otherwise known as the immortal jellyfish. Working As a Team All jellyfish lack hearts and brains. Despite this, these creatures have adapted to a variety of environments. They live in saltwater and freshwater, near the surface and throughout…

What creature can survive outer space, extreme temperatures, water scarcity, and even mass extinctions?  Tardigrades! These ancient beings, which have existed on earth for over 500 million years, are hardier than even the infamously indestructible cockroach.  Known as “water bears” or “moss piglets,” these microscopic creatures can be quite cute. Tardigrades actually make up their…

Which fish is named after a tool, can scan the sea floor like a metal detector, and is harmless to humans? The Hammerhead Shark! Hammering the Name Down As you might imagine, the Hammerhead Shark was named after the shape of their heads. All sharks have electroreceptors which can detect signals that living organisms radiate.…

At Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, we believe that everyone has a place in the fight for a livable climate and flourishing future. We were called to this work from different places and for different reasons, but we’re united in our commitment to be stewards of nature, and to work with nature and each other…

Which creature existed before the dinosaurs, is an aerial genius, and can detect things we can only witness through slow-motion cameras? The dragonfly! Predecessors to the Dinosaurs Dragonflies were some of the first winged insects to evolve, about 300 million years ago. When they first evolved, their wingspans measured up to two feet! In contrast,…

Visits several examples of restoration in action from around the world, and reviews papers on floodplains, wetlands; discusses partnering with beavers; and considers how regenerative land management addresses heatwaves, droughts, floods and fires.  Special guest article on the Fourth Phase of Water by Gerald Pollack.

Reviews the pivotal roles of water cycles and soil ecology in stabilizing ecosystems and the climate.

Covers a broad selection of eco-restoration articles, including soils, earthworms, water, wetlands, croplands, grasslands and forests. We also discuss how paradigms and peer review both advance and constrain the practice of science.

What creature is named after a fictional animal, has venomous properties, and is the ruler of five islands? The Komodo Dragon! The Top Lizard Komodo Dragons are actually lizards (despite their dragon-like features). But not just any lizard- the biggest lizard on Earth! They can reach the size of a small car, and their average…

What creature the size of a paperclip is lethal enough to kill ten grown men? The poison dart frog! What makes the poison dart frog so powerful? Poison dart frogs – so named because the Indigenous Emberá people of Colombia traditionally used the venom in blow darts – are some of the most toxic creatures…

Which creature looks like a snake, is actually a fish, and has shocking abilities? The Electric Eel! Misnamed Electric eels are not actually eels. They are a type of (scaleless) freshwater fish found mostly in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers of South America. They live along coastal plains and swamps, in very muddy water. Add…

Staff and Board Beck Mordini, Executive Director Beck brings 20 years of nonprofit experience including protecting the biodiversity of native plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and protecting undocumented workers from exploitation in Washington state. Her studies of International Environmental Law in Nairobi, Kenya were her first exposure to the issues of desertification and…

Eighth Compendium Issue, Mike Hands and Rattan Lal on Agroforestry, Voices of Water for Climate, Ecosystem Restoration Camps Symposium, Jim Laurie’s Biodiversity and Symbiosis III Class, Hannah Lewis’ Call Story, Grassland 2.0, Compendium Notes: Fence ecology: Frameworks for understanding the ecological effects of fences, McInturff et al. 2020

Welcome back to our Featured Creature series, where we share a creature whose evolutionary traits, special role within its ecosystem, or fun facts have captured our attention.  This week we ask, What creatures navigate oceans, climb mountains, feed forests, and motivate us to destroy renewable energy infrastructure? Pacific Salmon, of course! How do salmon find…

Tropical ecologist Mike Hands and soil scientist Rattan Lal joined our Life Saves the Planet lecture series to discuss the Inga Alley Cropping technique and the promise of agroforestry for promoting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and providing food security for farmers. 

Biology Created the Earth Around 3.8 billion years ago living cells appeared on Earth. Basic elements and molecules such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, minerals, water and many others, thanks to energy from the Sun, began assembling themselves into more and more complex structures. Unlike most planets in the universe, Earth became a planet that was…

What would you get if you crossed a duck, a chipmunk, and a dolphin? A platypus! The duck-billed platypus Platypuses spend most of the day sporting webbed feet while they hunt for food in fresh waterways. After a long day of swimming, they climb onto land, where they retract their webbed feet to show off…

Janot Mendler de Suarez is aTechnical Advisor & Caribbean focal point for the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, a consultant to the World Bank for the Caribbean CREWS (Climate Risk Early Warning Services), and a Visiting Research Fellow at Boston University Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future.  She is an innovator in the…

Jim Laurie is a restoration biologist and co-founder of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. He was manager of the Vermont “Living Machine” which was designed by ecological visionary John Todd. This biodiverse system treated 80,000 gallons of sewage per day. For 20 years he was a biologist and technical trainer in the chemical industry in Houston, Texas, where his…

Jan Lambert  is an environmental writer and editor of The Valley Green Journal www.valleygreenjournal.com , which addresses connections of agriculture, nature and communities. She has been a working partner with internationally recognized hydrological scientist Michal Kravčík, in promoting awareness of the central role of water cycles for environmental sustainability, via her journal and her book, Water, Land and Climate–The Critical Connection, published in October…

Hayat Imam is an American-Muslim of Bangladeshi origin. She is a feminist-activist committed to building global social justice movements. Her efforts have been directed towards nuclear disarmament, renewable energy, and economic opportunities for women. Former Executive Director of the Boston Women’s Fund, she has written and organized extensively on violence against women, and is co-author of Watermelons Not…

Rev. Dele is a grandmother,author and pastor who opens the environmental narrative to include the voice of Mother Nature so we create JOY with our Impact. Trained as a Climate Reality Leader and spiritual director, she supports spiritual leaders and Earthkeepers who are struggling with burnout and rage. As grandmother, theologian and permaculture professor Dele teaches…

When Rachel Burger, a South Portland, Maine resident and new grandmother, heard about Exxon Mobil’s plans – to use a World-War-II-era pipeline to pump millions of gallons of dirty tar sands oil through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, crossing over rivers, the Sebago Lake watershed and right out into Casco Bay, risking nearly all of…

Roland Bunch is one of the most well-respected leaders in regenerative land management, both in terms of food security and for addressing ecological degradation and climate change. He has worked as a consultant in sustainable agricultural development for over 45 NGOs and governments in 50 nations, including Cornell University, the Ford Foundation, Oxfam, Save the Children,…

Biodiversity III: Mastering the Water Cycle begins on February 3, 2021 and runs for twelve consecutive Wednesdays through April 21st, with choice of afternoon (1-3 pm EST) or evening classes (7-9 pm EST).  Jim will send you class notes and home study opportunities every week. A certificate of completion will be available for those who…

All over the world, from Australia to Europe to North and South America, wildfires have waged destruction on natural landscapes and human settlements alike. The devastation of these disasters is heartbreaking, and the images of catastrophe – walls of flame, scorched wildlife, a world gone red – are unforgettable. There is no more potent image…

Our burning planet: why we must learn to live with fire, Pyne 2020 Steven J. Pyne is an emeritus professor at Arizona State University and the author of several books on fire history and policy. He wrote this opinion piece as a protest against the prevention and suppression of wildfires in our land management process.…

This study examines the positive effects of beaver damming on the resistance of landscapes to wildfire damage. The authors find that in riparian corridors (areas along rivers), the presence of beavers and their dams can create refuges that withstand blazes that consume surrounding vegetation. Beavers play an important role in wetland habitats and are known…

Nader et al. survey herbicides, prescribed fire, mechanized treatments, hand cutting, and grazing animals as fire management techniques. Managing vegetation involves “changing the plant community to decrease the flame height when fire occurs,” favoring native species that may be more resilient to fire, and altering the landscape to create fuel breaks, which are patches across which…

A project in Queensland, Australia has met with success in its efforts to rehydrate the landscape on the farmland property of Worona Station, improving biodiversity, water retention, and resistance to erosion and fire. Worona Station had been degraded and faced serious erosion issues, so Chris Le Feuvre, the owner, partnered with consultancy groups of NQ…

Establishing ecological corridors is a way to mitigate the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation. Ecological corridors are linear landscape elements connecting otherwise isolated habitat patches within a larger matrix of environmentally degraded lands (urban or agricultural, for example). The corridors facilitate gene dispersal and migration, while also expanding habitat range for species constrained by…

A “Global Safety Net” to reverse biodiversity loss and stabilize Earth’s climate, Dinerstein et al. 2020 Currently, 15.1% of land on Earth is conservation protected. This article maps out an additional 35.3% of land needing near-term protection, along with ecological corridor routes connecting these areas. Half of the planet’s land is needed to serve as…

Currently, 15.1% of land on Earth is conservation protected. This article maps out an additional 35.3% of land needing near-term protection, along with ecological corridor routes connecting these areas. Half of the planet’s land is needed to serve as a Global Safety Net to biodiversity loss and stabilize the global climate. While the parallel crises…

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which created these guidelines, is an international environmental network founded in 1948 that provides conservation data, assessment and analysis to governments, NGOs and private entities. IUCN also manages the Red List of Threatened Species. This connectivity guideline is part of a series of best practices for protected…

In contrast to the Gao et al. [2017] article (above), this study maps out an ecological network spanning the entire nation of China. Most such ecological corridor analysis has previously focused at the local and regional levels, according to the authors. They note that in addition to protecting biodiversity, ecological corridors (ECs) purify air, regulate…

‘Road verges’ are strips of land on either side of roads and highways that are on average 3-4m wide, but can be as narrow as a few centimeters or many meters wide. “Road verges are commonly grassland habitats, but can be shrubland, forest or artificial arrangements of trees and horticultural plants, and we use the…

While not an ecological corridor per se, the Natura 2000 network is the largest coordinated network of conservation areas in the world. Covering 17.9% of Europe’s land area and nearly 10% of the continent’s marine areas, the network includes 27,852 sites with an area of 1,358,125 km2. The terrestrial portion of the Natura 2000 network…

Produced by a regional consortium on the environment in Brittany, France, this report describes the ecological value of woody strips encircling agricultural fields and enmeshing the countryside, their decline, and ways to incentivize their protection. Brittany is a heavily agricultural region that also features a long stretch of coastline where urban development and expansion is…

Vijay Kumar on Community Managed Natural Farming, SUGi Spotlight, Jim Laurie’s Biodiversity and Symbiosis III: Mastering the Water Cycle, Adam Sacks’ Call Story, Ngā Uruora Book Review, The Hidden World of Fungi, Compendium Notes: Effectiveness of the Miyawaki method in Mediterranean forest restoration programs, Schirone, Salis & Vessella 2011

Register for Biodiversity III: Mastering the Water Cycle Classes will begin on February 3, 2021 and run for twelve consecutive Wednesdays through April 21st, with choice of afternoon (1-3 pm EST) or evening classes (7-9 pm EST).  Jim will send you class notes and home study opportunities every week. A certificate of completion will be…

When you sit down to eat dinner, you may not pause to think about the origin of everything in front of you. But like everything else, that apple on your plate has a rich backstory, and when you bite into it, you partake of everything that has led that fruit to this moment. The energy…

By Florence Ann Barrett “Ecological processes are not only more complex than we think. They are more complex than we can ever think.” – Michael Crowfoot, Soil Scientist “On one of my early projects…a scientist friend asked me, how did I know what I was doing, and where did I get the knowledge to understand…

Fall 2020, Wednesdays, September 16th – December 9th Biodiversity 2: Systems Thinking and Transformation – Building Teams for Planetary Restoration. 12 weekly classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie. The Excitement and Inspiration of Science for the Curious to the Serious and everyone in-between. A fully interactive online adventure with discussions, experiments and explorations for…

The subject of infectious disease became both fascinating and uncomfortably relevant with the global breakout of Covid-19 in early 2020. Are bats to blame, hunting and selling of wild game or seafood markets? It turns out that the destruction of nature is the root problem, according to the UN environment chief and lead scientists for…

The UN’s Decade of Ecosystem Restoration declaration aims to “prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide,” stating that “there has never been a more urgent need to restore damaged ecosystems than now” [UNEP/FAO Factsheet 2020]. Estimates of global land degradation range from 25% to 75% of Earth’s land surface. The uncertainty is due…

Ecological restoration success is higher for natural regeneration than for active restoration in tropical forests, Crouzeilles et al. 2017 This meta-analysis comparing active restoration to natural ecosystem regeneration found the latter to be more effective. The authors conclude that “lower-cost natural regeneration surpasses active restoration in achieving tropical forest restoration success for biodiversity and vegetation…

This study tested the Miyawaki method of rapid natural forest regeneration (which has been shown to work in Japan and elsewhere) in the arid Mediterranean. In this area, millennia of human civilization have resulted in degraded soils and reduced and changed forest cover, traditional reforestation efforts have often failed, and desertification is a looming threat. The…

In continuation of the “blessed unrest” section of previous issues of the Compendium, the following sketches illustrate how people everywhere are seeing that humanity depends on nature for both our physical and spiritual wellbeing and our survival. As this awareness takes hold, people act to protect and restore not only the land, but also our…

https://www.yesmagazine.org/issue/just-transition/2017/10/12/the-hopeful-work-of-turning-appalachias-mountaintop-coal-mines-into-farms/ In Mingo County, West Virginia, the soil on a flat expanse of what had been a mountaintop is compacted, composed mainly of blasted rocks, and lacks organic matter, due to several years of coal mining. The ground is harder than anticipated; even the soil scientists say they are not sure how long it will…

https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2020/05/20/garden-advice-indigenous-food-growers/ Covid19 has been an additional stressor on many Native American communities already burdened by deprivations from centuries of ongoing injustice. According to Julie Garreau, project coordinator of Cheyenne River Youth Project, which operates a 2.5-acre youth garden in South Dakota, gardens are a source of both food and healing. “Gardens represent so much more,”…

Did you ever stop to think about what happens with all the water that goes down the storm drains in your town or city every time it rains? Jan Lambert, even though a lifelong nature advocate, never gave that question much thought until 2014, when as an environmental journalist she learned about the profound and…

Summer 2020, June 2 – August 18 Biodiversity, Symbiosis and Planetary Regeneration: Exploring Nature’s Possibilities for the Future! Weekly Classes with our staff scientist, Jim Laurie The Excitement and Inspiration of Sciencefor the Curious to the Serious and everyone in-between A fully interactive online adventure with discussions, experiments and explorations for independent thinkers of any age,…

Precious grew up in Zimbabwe and will tell us about her evolution as a trainer in Holistic Management and community facilitation. Her work currently focuses on working with rural communities and collaborating with networks in Africa to reduce poverty, rebuild soils, and restore food and water security for people, livestock and wildlife – and most…

Increasingly frequent droughts are destroying food production levels in the more drought-prone half of sub-Saharan Africa. Although most people have attributed this gathering crisis to climate change, about 80% of the cause of the droughts is that fallowing–allowing the forest to grow for fifteen years or more to replace the soil’s organic matter–is on its…

Blessed Unrest – Program – Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners All sessions will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., EDT.  On each day at around 1:30 p.m. there will be an option to attend a free hour-long workshop with one of the day’s speakers, depending on speaker availability. 10:30  Welcome and…

Native Foods and Agroforestry in California, San Antonio’s Green Stormwater Management, Dave Chapman and the Real Organic Project, Compendium Notes: The rhizosphere – roots, soil and everything in between, McNear 2013

Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners 2020 Blessed Unrest Sponsors and Partners Sponsors The vision of the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation is a world in which the boundaries between the human and natural world are indistinguishable and the totality of human needs are produced in a way that regenerates the ecosystems which we inhabit. To…

In the age of short attention spans, I was glad to see such a concise video. If you have not seen this short video check it out. Greta and George are right, we can still fix this. Healthy ecosystems sustain us. Everyone wants clean air, and clean water. Did you know your most of you…

The industrialization that has built today’s splendid high-tech cities isolated us from the land and water sources of the materials fueling this progress. Our cities scarcely reveal that the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, the purification of waters, and to some extent the bucolic weather patterns we have long relished have been gifts…

Global change and the ecology of cities, Grimm et al. 2008 Whereas just 10 percent of people lived in cities in 1900, now more than half the global population is urban and that proportion continues to grow. Cities occupy less than 3% of the Earth’s land surface, but generate 78% of global CO2 emissions and…

Whereas just 10 percent of people lived in cities in 1900, now more than half the global population is urban and that proportion continues to grow. Cities occupy less than 3% of the Earth’s land surface, but generate 78% of global CO2 emissions and consume 76% of wood used for industrial purposes. Urban dwellers depend…

The study of urban ecology has grown rapidly over the past couple of decades as the planet becomes increasingly more urbanized. The field started as the study of ecology within the green spaces of cities, and has since evolved into a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the city itself as an ecosystem with interacting social, ecological…

“The geometry, spacing and orientation of buildings and outdoor spaces” [Kleerekoper 2012: 30], as well as the prevalence of hard surfaces and reduced amount of vegetation, strongly modify the micro-climate of urban areas compared to rural surroundings. Characterized by an increase in temperature, a phenomenon referred to as urban heat island [UHI] effect has multiple…

Like vegetative and light or reflective surfaces, water bodies have a cooling effect on cities, reducing the Urban Heat Island effect. The average temperature at the river in this study was 1C less than at a reference point elsewhere in the city. Furthermore, the form of the landscape on the banks of an urban river…

What happened in New Orleans [during Hurricane Katrina], while a terrible “natural” disaster, was also the cumulative result of excessive and inappropriate management of the Mississippi River and delta, inadequate emergency preparation, a failure to act in time on plans to restore the wetlands and storm protection levees, and the expansion of the city into…

While the majority of people on Earth live in cities, the majority (60%) of the world’s largest cities are located within 100 kilometers of a coast. The pollution and urban infrastructure (such as marinas, sea walls, or oil/gas platforms) emanating from cities greatly stresses coastal marine habitats. Coastal infrastructure tends to be vertical and smooth,…

Because of the multiple threats and uncertainties of a changing climate, protecting coastal areas simply by building new seawalls (or some other such inflexible, single-tactic approach) is unlikely to be the most effective option. Instead, combined coastal adaptation strategies to allow for a dynamic response to multiple stressors are increasingly preferred. Climate scientists and coastal managers…

The construction and operation of buildings and houses is a major source of pollution and ecosystem destruction around the world. In light of this, the Living Building Challenge invites people to reimagine the built environment as a source of social and ecological regeneration. Nothing less than a sea change in building, infrastructure and community design…

This report, led by Ban Ki Moon (UN), Bill Gates (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and Kristalina Georgieva (World Bank), calls on decision makers worldwide to facilitate coordinated action to help communities adapt to climate change. Importantly, the report makes the case for nature-based adaptation approaches, which inherently help mitigation efforts as well. Adaptation measures…

By Christopher A. Haines, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Christopher Haines is a seasoned architect licensed in both MA and NY who applies expertise in regenerative architectural design, healthy materials, preservation, renovation and specification writing to small commercial and urban projects. He has spoken for years at US and international forums as well as formally…

A spatial overview of the global importance of Indigenous lands for conservation, Garnett et al. 2018 Indigenous people make up less than 5% of the global population, but their lands encompass 37% of the planet’s remaining natural lands and (partially overlapping with natural lands) 40% of Earth’s protected area, much of this in sparsely inhabited…

In climate policy and financing, the goals of adaptation (helping communities and ecosystems adapt to the effects of climate change) and mitigation (reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sinks) are often separate. This is because “adaptation and mitigation are driven by different interests and political economies, with distinct international donors and national institutions. These differences…

In continuation of the “blessed unrest” section of Compendium V3N1, the following sketches illustrate how people throughout the world are coming to recognise the enormous value of intact ecosystems, and are doing their part to protect and restore. Adopting Paul Hawken’s terminology and characterization of “blessed unrest” as a spontaneous, decentralized global social movement, we…

https://e360.yale.edu/features/the-science-and-art-of-restoring-a-damaged-wetland “It was a stink hole,” says Al Rizzo, the refuge manager of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware Bay. Humans had messed with hydrology in an ill-conceived project aimed to convert salt marsh into a large open freshwater impoundment system to attract migrating waterfowl among others. Lines of dunes and tidal gates were…

Sacred forests/groves are not uncommon in India, especially in the biodiverse Western Ghats mountain range. These groves are community-protected patches of forest ranging in size from less than a hectare to several hundred hectares, and they are often believed to house gods [Ormsby & Bhagwat 2010]. A particular temple in the Western Ghats just outside…

Permaculture in Communities, The Regenerative Development Manifesto, Bill Reed and the Regenesis Group, Compendium Notes: Community-based watershed stewardship programs, USA 

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Regenerating Soil and Water Landscapes Judy Schwartz, author of Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight, and a new book due out in July 2020, discusses what people around the world are doing to address our many…

Barn Swallows, birds who eat insects as they scurry across the sky, are disappearing. This isn’t surprising, I suppose, given that they are among the 2.9 billion birds lost across species in the United States – representing one third of the bird numbers we had 50 years ago. What did surprise me is how we got here, according to an intriguing explanation from a leading economist, Alfred E. Kahn.

Global Landscapes Forum event, Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot, Tony Rinaudo work in Niger, Dr. Susan Chomba; Compendium Notes: Blue carbon stocks of Great Barrier Reef deep-water seagrasses, York et al. 2018

Soil and climate scientist Walter Jehne explains how healthy soils act as a sponge for carbon and water – the “soil carbon sponge.” When we manage soils to absorb water, biodiverse living systems thrive, photosynthesis pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, the biosphere cools, and regenerates a viable life-support system for millions of species including…

Video of Walter’s talk now available here!   Walter Jehne is an internationally known Australian soil microbiologist and climate scientist. He is passionate about educating farmers, policymakers and others about “the soil carbon sponge” and its crucial role in reversing and mitigating flooding, drought, wildfires, and searing global temperatures. He shows us how we can…

Blessed Unrest, Matt Russell and Iowa Farmers, Prairies Restoration Movement, Paula Phipps, Compendium Notes: Trees, forests, and water: cool insights for a hot world

Industrialized forestry simplifies forest structure and harms biodiversity. To mitigate this harm, retention forestry has been adopted in places such as Sweden, where this study was conducted. “Retention forestry” avoids clearcutting and instead preserves some 5-30 percent of trees to benefit populations of birds, lichens, fungi and other types of organisms. The authors focused on…

Higher forest biodiversity (specifically plant functional diversity related to water, or hydraulic, transport) engenders greater ecosystem resilience to drought. This is because different species respond differently to water stress – some species slow down their release of water (and heat) through transpiration sooner than others do. Plants’ response to water availability in turn affects the…

The concept of ecological intensification in agriculture offers a framework for handling the question of how to produce enough food for a growing global human population while simultaneously protecting biodiversity. It draws on the language of ecosystem services, which includes supporting services such as soil formation, regulating services (pollination and pest control), provisioning services (production…

Ecological intensification: local innovation to address global challenges, Tittonell et al. 2016 World agriculture cumulatively produces enough to feed the whole human population and more, yet hundreds of millions of people on the planet are hungry due to problems of access to food. Noting that agricultural productivity is unevenly distributed around the globe, this book…

This review examines the concept of ecological intensification as a way to increase global food production by enhancing the ecological functionality of farmland. We present ecological intensification as an alternative approach for mainstream agriculture to meet [future climatic, economic and social] challenges. Ecological intensification aims to match or augment yield levels while minimizing negative impacts…

One million of an estimated 8 million species on Earth are at risk of extinction in the coming decades, according to a May 2019 report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Children today will live as adults in a world without the Milky Stork, without the Caquetá Tití Monkey, and…

A global agenda for soil carbon, Vermeulen 2019 This paper calls for efforts to make farmers, land managers, policy makers, and the public at large keenly aware of the link between soil carbon and its more widely appreciated social outcomes, such as agricultural productivity and food security, improved water quality, flood and drought mitigation, lower…

This paper calls for efforts to make farmers, land managers, policy makers, and the public at large keenly aware of the link between soil carbon and its more widely appreciated social outcomes, such as agricultural productivity and food security, improved water quality, flood and drought mitigation, lower rates of migration, biodiversity preservation, and climate change…

This paper recommends protecting 30% of Earth’s surface for conservation by 2030 and 50% by 2050. It also proposes building capacity for indigenous and other local peoples to enhance ecosystem integrity and sequester carbon in non-protected lands, halting energy infrastructure projects, and reducing plastics and toxic pollution. The authors frame a “Global Deal for Nature”…

The following sketches are but a tiny sampling of the countless ways people throughout the world push back against the socio-economic and political forces of destruction both of ecosystems and of the social fabric of society. Adopting Paul Hawken’s terminology and characterization of “blessed unrest” as a spontaneous, decentralized global social movement, we here present…

When the Waorani people of the Ecuadorian Amazon heard their government was planning to sell drilling rights to their land to international oil companies, they mobilized. They mapped the land to illustrate to the Western world its otherwise unseen cultural, historical and ecological richness. These maps include “historic battle sites, ancient cave-carvings, jaguar trails, medicinal…

The deep winter snow falls on the mountains around the Methow Valley in the state of Washington are declining. To manage problems with drought, the Methow Beaver Project has been capturing, tagging, matching male and female beavers and releasing them in key valley areas. The project workers know beavers are master engineers that know how…

Indigenous hunters have positive impacts on food webs in desert Australia, Penn State 2019 When Australian authorities removed indigenous Martu people from their traditional lands in the desertic center of the continent in the mid-1900s, endemic species there declined or went extinct. Researchers observed that the Martu’s hunting regime of small burning patches of land…

The Gaia hypothesis invites us to imagine Earth as an integral living system in order to explore the mechanisms by which life helps create and maintain the conditions for life, such as an oxygenated atmosphere. “The Gaia theory proposes that organisms contribute to self-regulating feedback mechanisms that have kept the Earth’s surface environment stable and…

As in every edition of this compendium, here we assemble and summarize research offering evidence of the power of ecosystems to address climate breakdown. The themes presented: forest dynamics ecological intensification and transformative change  were chosen based on recurrent themes of mostly recent reports and studies. Not surprisingly given its centrality to ecosystem function, the idea…

Understanding what makes forests thrive is important in light of mounting calls for reforestation and forest conservation as antidotes both to species loss and climate breakdown. Moreover, distinguishing between natural forest regeneration and timber plantations is critical to achieving intended goals. Intact forests, and especially tropical forests, sequester twice as much carbon as planted monocultures.…

Restoring natural forests is the best way to remove atmospheric carbon, Lewis et al. 2019 In order to keep global warming under the 1.5C threshold, the IPCC warns that not only must we cut carbon emissions nearly in half by 2030, we must also draw massive amounts of CO2 out of the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental…

Jan Lambert’s Quick-Take: This is must reading if you really want to understand the dynamics of climate. No, this is not another piece on fossil fuel emissions! Jan Pokorny and his colleagues are leaders in presenting to all of us the vital interactions of water vapor, plants, and solar energy in creating and maintaining a…

FIX LINK AT BOTTOM Jan Lambert’s Quick Take: ‘Beavers As Partners’ is a community service focus of The Valley Green Journal in helping communities find non-lethal solutions to human-beaver conflicts, especially with the use of beaver deceiver flow devices to prevent flooding. Abstract: Beavers As Partners is a campaign to raise awareness of the critical…

FIX LINK Jan Lambert’s Quick Take: Beavers are nature’s water engineers; they create and preserve wetlands vital to ecosystems. When beavers and human activities conflict with each other, there can be a win-win solution for both the beavers and the humans! Be sure to check out Skip’s website! Abstract: A win-win solution to human-beaver conflict…

While previous issues of the Compendium have addressed ecosystem strategies to reverse global warming, here we discuss ecosystem restoration to adapt to the consequences of climate change. From drought in Cape Town and wildfire in California and Greece to flooding in Beijing, Paris, Houston and North Carolina, each new report of catastrophe makes climate change…

The concept of hydrological drought (as distinct from meteorological drought) helps explain the success of these age-old techniques to enhance surface and groundwater supply. Meteorological drought is the occurence of abnormally low rainfall for a given region. Hydrological drought is a consequence of meteorological drought – it happens when surface and ground waters run low thanks…

We know how to enhance resilience to extreme weather where we live and work. Communities throughout the world are utilizing these approaches, and here we highlight several initiatives in a variety of habitats to illustrate potential paths forward. More information is included just below each project description. Following this section is a collection of summaries…

“In the past, humans have taken the land away from the water; now we need to give the land back.” – Professor Hui Li [Guardian 2017] Faced with severe flooding in many cities across China, such as a major 2012 Beijing flood, the Chinese government announced the Sponge Cities Initiative in 2014 as a remedy.…

To reduce the severity of flooding in Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England, where a 2012 flood did extensive damage, the UK Ministry of Environment released a family of beavers upstream of the village in a 6.5 ha enclosure in a publicly-owned forest. Scientists who have studied the stream believe the beaver dams could hold back some 6,000…

As the hydrological benefits that beaver dams bring to streams and surrounding landscapes becomes better known, ranchers, wildlife managers and researchers are increasingly working together to repair streams by building Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs). This method is attractive to ranchers searching for ways to manage drought and to irrigate their pastures reliably. In the spring,…

The arid San Joaquin Valley of California is intensively farmed and dependent on irrigation. The San Joaquin River, once teeming with migrating fish and other wildlife, is surrounded by farmland and has become warm, muddy, and nearly devoid of aquatic life. In 2012 and 2014, River Partners, a California non-profit dedicated to restoring riparian habitat and…

“You must have had a lot more rain because how else can water appear where it has not existed before?” asked Zimbabwe Minister of Water Development Sam Nkomo when he saw a clear water-lily-covered pool that had only come to exist in the upper river catchment two years prior [Savory 2009]. Two herders and their…

China’s Loess Plateau, roughly the size of France, lies between Tibet and Beijing just south of Mongolia, and is traversed by the Yellow River. Once covered in forest and grassland and the center of Chinese power and wealth, this area eventually became severely degraded by agriculture and unmanaged grazing. The fragile loess soils, composed of…

The 2011 drought in Texas was the worst in recorded history and it lasted until 2015. The ground was so dry that Jonathan Cobb, a 4th generation farmer in Blackland Prairie of central Texas, couldn’t even get crops planted. His 2,500-acre conventional row crop operation was already struggling financially through a treadmill of increasingly more inputs…

The following articles were selected and summarized by Bio4Climate’s Compendium editors and writers. The purpose of this collection is to highlight the scientific evidence and argumentation showing healthy restored and protected ecosystems as a powerful (albeit under-recognized) tool for managing the weather extremes wrought by climate change.   Floodplains and wetlands: making space for water…

The area of floodplains allowed to perform the natural function of storing and conveying floodwaters must be expanded by strategically removing levees or setting them back from the river. Floodplain reconnection will accomplish three primary objectives: flood-risk reduction, an increase in floodplain goods and services, and resiliency to potential climate change impacts [Opperman 2009: 1487].…

Human societies tend to value the potential benefits that a landscape might provide in a limited way, adjusting management practices towards desired outputs by maximizing the benefits gained from one or some of the services (often the provision of goods) leading to the loss of multifunctionality and the degradation of natural capital at the expense…

In their natural state, rivers are not separate or separable from surrounding lands. Rather, a river channel is just one integral part of a larger river-floodplain ecosystem. Annual flood pulses and larger flooding events connect river channels to their floodplains, driving the cycles of life for the particularly diverse ensemble of species that live in…

This article emphasizes the global importance of protecting and restoring wetlands in the context of climate change and outlines policy strategies for wetland protection and restoration. Wetlands play a major though under-appreciated role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Wetlands enhance local resilience to climate change by providing: “flood storage, buffering of storm damage, protecting…

The vulnerability of coastal wetlands to sea-level rise is disputed, with some researchers predicting most will be flooded out of existence by the end of the 21st Century. Coastal wetlands provide critical ecosystem services, including protection from storm surges, water quality improvement, fisheries habitat and carbon sequestration. By accounting for the enhancement of sediment build-up when…

Beaver dams and overbank floods influence groundwater–surface water interactions of a Rocky Mountain riparian area, Westbrook et al. 2006 This study provides empirical evidence that beavers influence hydrologic processes in riparian areas. Conducted at the headwaters of the Colorado River in the Rocky Mountains, the study examines patterns from two beaver dams of surface inundation,…

Beavers are recognized for their ability to restore floodplain hydrology and biological function, yet finding suitable places for their reintroduction remains a conservation challenge. The goal of this study was to identify places in the Snohomish River basin of Washington state suitable for beaver reintroduction. Because of their abilities to modify streams and floodplains, beavers…

Politicians often call for logging and fuel reduction to prevent future wildfires. However, it’s not good logging trees that are burning in such fires so much as cheatgrass, annual weed, dry brush and dead weeds. Reintroducing beaver to create ponds could raise the water table, increase humidity in the drainage area (thus reducing burn intensity)…

Hot days in the city? It’s all about location, NOAA 2018 In a project funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), about two dozen citizen scientists measured temperatures in Baltimore and Washington DC on two of the hottest days of 2018. By measuring temperatures second by second with thermal sensors while driving prescribed routes…

Cheatgrass is an introduced annual grass that has spread everywhere throughout the western USA. It is among the first plants to emerge in the spring, after which it completes its life cycle, drying out in summer and thus creating a continuous, dry, fine fuel load across the landscape. This study examined the cheatgrass invasion’s effect…

This study distinguishes between meteorological droughts (lower than average rainfall) and hydrological droughts, where rainfall shortage has eventually led to surface or groundwater levels falling, to predict area burnt from wildfires. By contrast, most studies consider only climate data when predicting wildfire, yet “these overlook subsurface processes leading to hydrological drought, an important driver” [Taufik…

This study examines how subordinate species[8] influence community insurance against drought in semi-natural grasslands of the Swiss Jura. The insurance hypothesis proposes that an increase in community diversity corresponds to an increase in the range of potential species responses to environmental stress. The authors tested the role of subordinate species in community resistance to drought, recovery and…

Direct evidence for microbial-derived soil organic matter formation and its ecophysiological controls, Kallenbach et al. 2016 Although the overall contribution of decaying plants, available substrate, and microbes to the buildup of soil organic matter (SOM) is well recognized, their individual contributions are not as clearly understood. Analytical shortcomings have constrained a thorough study that can…

This article highlights the relevance of the concept of “sustainable intensification” (SI), wherein farming practices are improved to produce more crops (intensification) while doing no harm to – and possibly even enhancing – the environment (sustainable). The combination of the two terms was an attempt to indicate that desirable outcomes, such as more food and…

Close up on California in the era of climate change: a verdant vision for fire-prone land Picture California in the 1700s, around the time the first Spanish missions appeared. It must have looked like heaven on earth for the 100,000s of native people living there [Ecological Society of America 2014], cradled between forested mountains and…

Picture California in the 1700s, around the time the first Spanish missions appeared. It must have looked like heaven on earth for the 100,000s of native people living there [Ecological Society of America 2014], cradled between forested mountains and sparkling ocean. Meandering streams and rivers teeming with salmon criss-cross the valley and are knit together…

Water Isn’t What You Think It Is: The Fourth Phase of Water by Gerald Pollack Guest author Gerald Pollack introduces a fundamental shift in how we view water. It has the potential to significantly alter our understandings of any processes that involve water, including aspects of climate, biology, and how we approach eco-restoration. The Fourth…

The current planetary upheavals weigh heavily upon us – and today more than ever we need to be on Nature’s side.  Her solutions to global environmental collapse are powerful and close to home, in all the waters and on every continent.  Let’s talk about eco-restoration everywhere, and proceed globally with all due haste. I’m confident…

In this third issue of the Compendium of Scientific and Practical Findings Supporting Eco-Restoration to Address Global Warming by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (“Bio4Climate”), we focus on the pivotal roles of water cycles and soil ecology in stabilizing ecosystems and the climate.

Vegetation cover cools Earth when it intercepts the sun’s energy. This is not just by providing shade, but also through evapotranspiration, which is how plants regulate their own internal temperatures. For a plant … transpiration[5] is a necessity by which a plant maintains its inner environment within the limit of optimal temperatures. And at the level…

Vegetation cover affects the amount of solar energy a land area absorbs and/or releases, thus altering local temperatures and precipitation. Plants regulate local temperatures through shading, albedo and evapotranspiration, which releases latent[9] heat. The ability of a surface to shed energy through latent or sensible heat is key to determining that surface’s temperature – shifts in the…

​The authors examine ecological and geophysical principles to explain how land far inland away from the ocean can remain moist, given that gravity continuously pulls surface and groundwater into the ocean over time. All freshwater on land originates in the ocean from which it has evaporated, is carried on air flux, and precipitates over the…

Highlighting the significance of Makarieva and Gorshkov’s “biotic pump” hypothesis (above), Sheil and Murdiyarso explain it in layman’s terms in this article for the benefit of a broader public, and examine its validity. They point out that the biotic pump hypothesis offers an explanation for a question not otherwise resolved in conventional climate theory. Conventional…

This climate model simulation illustrates how the biosphere affects the climate system. With “maximum vegetation,” more water is absorbed in the ground, allowing for evaporation to cool the land surface while also recycling more rain. This simulation resulted in an average temperature reduction over land of 1.2C. The authors describe their approach: We quantify the maximum…

Noting that “major increases in crop productivity and changes in regional climate are generally collocated in time and space over the central United States” [Alter 2018: 1587], the study tested the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship – that historical agricultural intensification has affected regional summer climate in this area. … from 1950 to…

This study finds that the physiological response of plants to increased atmospheric CO2 affects the global hydrological cycle even more than does the greenhouse effect and changes in precipitation. The authors conclude: This highlights the key role of vegetation in controlling future terrestrial hydrologic response and emphasizes that the carbon and water cycles are intimately coupled…

When managed with both climate adaptation and mitigation in mind, tropical reforestation (TR) can serve multiple synergistic functions. TR mitigates regional and global climate change, not only by sequestering carbon but also through biophysical cooling (via evapotranspiration), by recycling rainfall regionally, and by reducing pressure on old growth forests. Furthermore, TR helps local communities adapt to climate…

Riparian[14] ecosystems are naturally resilient, provide linear habitat connectivity, link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and create thermal refugia for wildlife: all characteristics that can contribute to ecological adaptation to climate change [Seavy 2009: 330]. Arguing for the restoration of riparian areas because of their ecological significance and inherent resilience, these authors articulate the importance of both…

Agrochemical companies argue that crops can’t be grown without their products. And in a sense, they are right, as long as we accept as inevitable a dysfunctional soil food web [LSP 2018: 16]. The importance of synthetic fertilizer for global crop production and the environmental consequences of its excessive use is often presented as a…

The nitrogen dilemma: food or the environment, Stewart & Lal 2017 Nitrogen (N) is the most important essential element for crop production because it is required in large amounts and is nearly always the first nutrient that becomes limiting after an ecosystem is converted to cropland. Cereal grains provide about 50% of the world’s calories,…

Nitrogen (N) is the most important essential element for crop production because it is required in large amounts and is nearly always the first nutrient that becomes limiting after an ecosystem is converted to cropland. Cereal grains provide about 50% of the world’s calories, and their production has become largely dependent on the use of…

Our review of estimates of P recycling in the human P cycle show considerable variability and uncertainty, but today it appears that only about one-quarter of the fertilizer P used in agriculture is recycled back to fields. The rest is lost to the cycle, and much of this loss ends up in waterways, causing expensive…

There is a prevailing view that global food and fiber production will continue to expand because of modern agricultural management systems with improved cultivars and intensive chemical inputs dominated by synthetic ammoniacal fertilizers. The use of these fertilizers has led to concerns regarding water and air pollution but is generally perceived to play an essential…

Scenario 300: Reducing Atmospheric CO2 to 300 ppm by 2061         by Jim Laurie, Staff Scientist Biodiversity for a Livable Climate bio4climate.org jimlaurie7@gmailcom  March 20, 2018 Danger in the Arctic: The Urgency of the Climate Situation Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased from 315 ppm in 1958 to 410 ppm in 2018. This is the…

Listening to the Voices of Nature– Program – Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners This program is arranged as cycles, the way Nature does it with water, carbon, sunsets, seasons, dust to dust and phoenixes arising from the ashes.  All of our talks are connected to one another in ways both obvious and subtle.  So rather…

Listening to the Voices of Nature– Sponsors and Partners – Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners Partners are organizations that help us get the word out.  Sponsors additionally contribute financially to our efforts.  These are our valued sponsors and partners since 2014. Sponsors for Voices of Nature The vision of the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation…

MARYLAND Philip Bogdonoff (second from right in red shirt), Director of Bio4Climate’s DC Chapter and member of our Executive Board, played a key role in its passage. UPDATE: By Philip Bogdonoff, March 30, 2021 Philip continues to be involved with several groups who are focused on Montgomery County’s Climate Action Plan, and has contributed to…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Please watch version with introduction here: https://youtu.be/123y7jDdbfY Biodiversity for a Livable Climate presentsHealthy Water Cyclesand the Soil Carbon Sponge:New Climate SolutionsA talk by Australian climate scientist and soil microbiologist Walter JehneDirector of Healthy Soils AustraliaIntroduction by Didi PershouseHarvard…

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ John Reinhardt: President Mystic River Watershed Association Presented at Revitalizing Ecosystems in Greater Boston to Survive Climate Change conference at Harvard University on March 31, 2018 #river #restoration #reviving

Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Please donate to our ecosystem restoration work: https://bio4climate.org/donate/ Ecosystems across our highly developed region are threatened by climate change. At the same time, local ecosystems can help us to weather the coming climate shocks. Ecosystems are our allies, and there is much that we can do…

Walter Jehne: New Climate SolutionsWater Cycles and the Soil Carbon Sponge Video here.Thursday, April 26, 20184:00 PM to 6:00 PM Haller Lecture Hall (Harvard)24 Oxford Street · Cambridge, MA  Organized by Paula C. Phipps A talk by Australian climate scientist and soil microbiologistWalter Jehne, Director of Healthy Soils Australia An internationally-recognized Australian climate scientist and…

Co-Sponsored by the Greater Boston Group of the Sierra Club and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Video links below! Saturday, March 31, 9 am – 4 pm Harvard University,* Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA Local ecosystems can help us to weather the coming climate shocks. Learn about current efforts and new possibilities…

In this second issue of the Compendium of Scientific and Practical Findings Supporting Eco-Restoration to Address Global Warming by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (“Bio4Climate”), we focus on the pivotal roles of biodiversity and regenerative agriculture in stabilizing ecosystems and the climate. We review a selection of a large and growing trove of research demonstrating…

Biodiversity refers to the outcome of 3.8 billion years of evolution since single-cellular life appeared on Earth. It is a concept embodied by an endless variety of life forms and strategies undertaken within the kingdoms of life. Biodiversity allows for a dynamic web of interactions, whereby countless organisms reliably supply one another with sufficient nutrients and…

Biodiversity Mammal diversity influences the carbon cycle through trophic interactions in the Amazon, Sobral 2017 In a mixed forest-savanna landscape of tropical Guyana researchers found that mammal diversity is positively related to carbon concentration in the soil. The authors explain that this is due to increased feeding interaction associated with greater mammal diversity, and specify…

Mammal diversity influences the carbon cycle through trophic interactions in the Amazon, Sobral 2017 In a mixed forest-savanna landscape of tropical Guyana researchers found that mammal diversity is positively related to carbon concentration in the soil. The authors explain that this is due to increased feeding interaction associated with greater mammal diversity, and specify that…

This study illustrates the importance of biodiversity for maintaining ecosystem stability. It tests the hypothesis that “other drivers of global environmental change may have biodiversity-mediated effects on ecosystem functioning – that changes in biodiversity resulting from anthropogenic drivers may be an intermediate cause of subsequent changes in ecosystem functioning” [Hautier 2015: 337]. Researchers found that…

The articles below offer a sampling of the myriad ecosystem roles played by species we may not think much about. For example, fungi, an exemplar ecosystem cooperator, buries carbon in the soil, sources otherwise unavailable nutrients like phosphorus for plant growth, and facilitates bacterial evolution. Great whales transport nutrients through the ocean for other species…

Fungus is a key component of healthy soil. It is known to “translocate compounds from nutrient-rich to nutrient-poor regions… facilitate the access of bacteria to suitable microhabitats for growth, enable efficient contaminant biodegradation, and increase the functional stability in systems exposed to osmotic stress” [Berthold 2016: 5]. This study shows that, in addition, mycelia facilitate…

A variety of intimate, symbiotic relationships exist between the roots of plants and the microorganisms in the soil. For instance, mycorrhizal fungi colonize the surface of plant roots, effectively extending them further through the soil to collect nutrients otherwise out of reach. These mycorrhizal branching structures, known as hyphae, emanating from plant roots also improve…

Testing the effects of ants and termites on crop yield in an arid part of Australia, this study showed “that ants and termites increase wheat yield by 36% from increased soil water infiltration due to their tunnels and improved soil nitrogen” [Evans 2011: 1]. The authors conclude: “Our results suggest that ants and termites have…

Agricultural production must produce enough food for almost 10 billion people by 2050 [FAO 2017],[10] and yet a third of all land is degraded [FAO 2015] and nearly all agricultural land has lost significant amounts of SOC (Soil Organic Carbon). So we have a puzzle to solve: how to produce more from less, and in the face…

Natural climate solutions, Griscom 2017 This is one of the most comprehensive mainstream studies to date of a broad spectrum of natural climate solutions by thirty-two co-authors and supported by The Nature Conservancy. The report examines “20 conservation, restoration, and/or improved land management actions that increase carbon storage and/or avoid greenhouse gas emissions across global…

Edited by innovator and entrepreneur Paul Hawken, Drawdown is a remarkable and comprehensive work presenting eighty well-vetted solutions and twenty promising “coming attractions” to remove carbon from the atmosphere and restore planetary health.  Hawken engaged numerous scientists, modellers, advisers, artists and writers, resulting in a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive exploration of possibilities for reversing global warming.…

Global Warming has been a message of warning since climate research and discussions began roughly two hundred years ago in western science. Today, the predominance of the future tense in the climate dialogue has set the tone and expectations that however many times the “window of opportunity” for meaningful climate action were to close, it…

“The world is divided politically, but ecologically it is tightly interwoven.” – Carl Sagan, 1980, Cosmos The magnitude of troubles ailing humanity is dizzying, if not terrifying – any 10 minutes of exposure to the daily news can attest to this. It’s hard to untangle the problems from each other, or to connect causes to…

Herbert Dreiseitl: Urban designer, landscape architect, water artist, interdisciplinary planner and professor in praxis. Learn more about Biodiversity for a Livable Climate: https://bio4climate.org/ Connect with usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bio4climateTwitter: https://twitter.com/bio4climateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio4climate/ Presented at the Climate Reckoning conference November 17-19, 2017 at Harvard University #urban #design #architecture

Climate Reckoning– Sponsors and Partners – Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners Partners are organizations that help us get the word out.  Sponsors additionally contribute financially to our efforts.  These are our valued sponsors and partners since 2014. Sponsors for Climate Reckoning The vision of the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation is a world in which the…

Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners Climate Reckoning – Program – Scroll down for links to videos . . .  Systems thinking takes on climate! The most powerful climate tool isn’t emissions reductions, regenerative agriculture, holistic management, biochar, soil restoration or any of a number of others.  Because global warming isn’t just about greenhouse gases,…

Conference Home    Speakers    Program    Sponsors and Partners Our most exciting, ground-breaking conference yet was a great success! Videos now online on the program page. Harvard University,* Museum of Natural History Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA Friday, November 17 – Sunday, November 19, 2017 Friday, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday,  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.…

This Compendium of Scientific and Practical Findings Supporting Eco-Restoration to Address Global Warming (the “Compendium”) is a fully referenced compilation of the evidence outlining the power, benefits and necessity of eco-restoration to address global warming. Bringing together findings from the scientific literature, government and industry reports, and journalistic investigations, this is a public, open-access document…

There is substantial evidence that we can address the climate crisis by intensive global eco-restoration: drawing down vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere into global soils through photosynthesis; managing water cycles to cool the biosphere; restoring biodiversity and degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Support for an eco-restoration hypothesis is solid and comes from a…

In order to re-evaluate our approach to climate change in the anthropocene and to find solutions in addition to reducing carbon emissions, we do well to consider the situation from a systems perspective.  That is, to acknowledge that we’re not simply dealing with recent energy imbalances disrupting millions of years of relative stability in planetary temperatures,…

Soils This compendium is, if nothing else, a testament to the key role soils must play if we are to preserve life on earth through the anthropocene. Soils, the engine of every terrestrial ecosystem, are themselves wildly diverse subterranean ecosystems providing habitat to countless trillions of micro- and macro-organisms. These organisms themselves create the soil…

This compendium is, if nothing else, a testament to the key role soils must play if we are to preserve life on earth through the anthropocene. Soils, the engine of every terrestrial ecosystem, are themselves wildly diverse subterranean ecosystems providing habitat to countless trillions of micro- and macro-organisms. These organisms themselves create the soil and…

Although often overlooked, ignored or taken for granted, earthworms are nevertheless keystone soil species, mediators and moderators for rebuilding healthy, biodiverse, high carbon and moisture rich topsoil [Darwin 1881; Blakemore 2016c]. We depend on soils for more than 99% of our food and 100% of our timber and natural fibres [Blakemore 2012, Pimentel 2013].  As…

Note: As mentioned in the Release notes, we have a small staff and therefore have had to postpone some important material to the next release, scheduled for January 2018.  This will include a more thorough exploration of the importance of wetlands in addressing climate. Wetlands only cover only a small proportion of the terrestrial surface…