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xtruss · 6 months ago

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100-Foot 'Walking Tree' In New Zealand Looks Like An Ent from Lord Of The Rings — And Is The Lone Survivor Of A Lost Forest

An Unusual Northern Rātā Tree that looks like it is striding across an empty field has been Crowned New Zealand's Tree of the Year. The Giant Plant, which looks strikingly similar to an Ent from "The Lord of the Rings," is Centuries old.

— By Harry Baker | June 5, 2024

The "Walking Tree" is a Northern Rātā (Metrosideros Robusta). It is more than 100 Feet Tall and at least 150 Years Old. Image Credit: Gareth Andrews

A bizarre, giant tree with a pair of leg-like trunks looks like an Ent from "The Lord of the Rings" — and it has just been crowned New Zealand's Tree of the Year after strolling past the rest of the competition.

The strange tree, which has been nicknamed the "Walking Tree" because it looks like it's striding across a field, is a northern rātā (Metrosideros robusta) — one of New Zealand's tallest flowering tree species that can live for up to 1,000 years. It's roots and long, arm-like branches make the tree look like an Ent — a fictional race of tree-like creatures that guard the forests of Middle-earth.

The tree stands alone in the middle of a large paddock next to a cemetery near Karamea on the west coast of South Island. It is around 105 Feet (32 Meters) Tall — around the same height as a seven-story building, according to The New Zealand Tree Register.

The walking tree was the clear winner of the 2024 edition of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association's (NZ Arb) Tree of the Year award, walking away with 42% of the public vote, which included five other finalists, according to a statement emailed to Live Science.

"It just strode out into the lead right from the very start," competition organizer Brad Cadwallader told Radio New Zealand.

The walking tree is an "Exceptional Feature" and a "prime example of the remarkable trees that we, as New Zealanders, are fortunate to experience," NZ Arb President Richie Hill said in the statement.

A tall tree with a pair of thick leg-like roots that make it look like the tree is walking. Image Credit: Gareth Andrews

It is unclear exactly how old the walking tree is, but award organizers noted it is the lone survivor of a forest that was cleared around 150 years ago. "The farming family back then clearly thought it was special because they left it," Cadwallader said.

Northern Rātā Trees Are Epiphytes — a type of tree that starts life growing on the surface of a host tree before growing aerial roots that eventually reach the ground. The walking tree likely began life high up in the canopy of its host, living off air and rainwater before reaching the ground. Its unusual root layout was likely caused by how it grew around its host tree, which probably died off centuries ago.

"That host tree has now gone," Cadwallader said. "Maybe the tree was either very, very big, or there may have been another tree that fell and lent against the host tree, and that's why the roots have split near the ground and given it that walking appearance."

Northern Rātā Trees bloom bright red flowers between November and January. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Northern Rātā Trees are endemic to New Zealand and were once one of the most common species in the country's forests. However, their range has decreased over the last few decades and they are now listed as nationally vulnerable, according to the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.

In addition to deforestation, the main threats to northern rātā are the invasive common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), which destroy the trees by eating their leaves and gnawing at their roots.

The trees are also threatened by hybridization with the closely related Pōhutukawa Trees (Metrosideros Excelsa) and are susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia Psidii) — a Pathogenic Fungi native to South America that was detected in New Zealand for the first time in 2017.

#Planet Earth 🌍#Plants 🌱🪴#The Walking Tree #New Zealand 🇳🇿#The Lone Survivor | Lost Forest #An Ent #New Zealand Plant Conservation Network #Northern Rātā Trees Are Epiphytes #Brad Cadwallader #Exceptional Feature #NZ Arb | President | Richie Hill #Pōhutukawa Trees (Metrosideros Excelsa)#Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia Psidii) | Pathogenic Fungi #Live Science

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lichenaday · 2 months ago

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Any cool lichens to look out for in New Zealand? Google says not that many endemic species, but I'd love to find something unique or unusual ...

Because New Zealand is so ecologically diverse, it has a lot of really cool lichens! Check out the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network's page on lichens, where they have some free illustrated guides and ID keys you can download. How awesome is that?

If there was one lichen I would be on the hunt for while there, it would be Pulchrocladia retipora

Closely followed by Rexiella sullivanii

#lichen #lichens #lichenology #lichenologist #I need to get to the southern hemisphere #lichen asks #lichen answers #new zealand #Aotearoa

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drhoz · 6 months ago

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#2219 - Lycopodium volubile - Climbing Clubmoss

AKA Pseudodiphasium volubile. 'volubile' mean 'twining'.

Another clubmoss at the Craters of the Moon, although this one was growing further away from the scorching subterranean heat and had small trees and shrubs to clamber over. Distinguished from other clubmosses by the flattened fronds, and drooping strobili (spore-bearing structures). Photos of them from another of my sightings.

Wikipedia says the species is found from Malaysia to Queensland, Australia, and has been introduced to Equador, but the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network says that it's native to many parts of Aotearoa, and that there's only a single record of the species in Australia.

Found in many habitats from coastal to montane, in gumland scrub, shrublands, forest margins and along open ridgelines in dense forest, and on roadsides and cuttings. Difficult to propagate in captivity, apparently.

Craters of the Moon, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand.

#Pseudodiphasium #lycopodium #clubmoss #Lycopodiaceae #new zealand plant

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rjzimmerman · 4 years ago

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Excerpt from this story from Food Tank/EcoWatch:

More than 6,000 plant species have been cultivated for food worldwide, but only nine account for the majority of total crop production, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO finds that crop diversity is continuing to decline across the globe because of unsustainable agricultural practices, industrialization, and increased urbanization.

Collecting and organizing genetic diversity as a conservation strategy emerged in the 1960s and now plays an important role in ensuring the world's collective food security. Seed saving organizations have helped secure over 100,000 seeds during wartime in Syria, preserve 13 million seeds from over 70 species of native trees in the United Kingdom, and contribute to over US$77 million in pastoral agriculture revenue in New Zealand. As the climate crisis continues, seed preservation may also be critical in research and innovation to help farmers adapt to changing conditions.

Seed conservation can occur on-site in farmers' fields or protected areas, referred to as in situ, or in off-site collections, known as ex situ conservation. Ex situ collections represent the most widespread conservation strategy for plant genetics–it includes seeds kept in cold storage, living plants grown in open field seed banks, or tissue, DNA, embryos, or pollen samples stored in vitro. "Such genebank collections provide a means to make unique biodiversity available cheaply, and effectively, for the long-term," according to Crop Trust, a leading organization dedicated to conserving crop biodiversity.

According to FAO, there are more than 1,750 ex situ seed banks across the world – both international and local – that preserve over 7 million samples of seeds, cuttings, or genetic material. To celebrate these efforts, Food Tank has selected 26 seed saving organizations working to promote seed diversity through seed banks, exchange networks, and educational programs.

#seed banks #biodiversity

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rachael-li-mct · 5 years ago

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Transmedia : Research - Websites

From researching different species for the first project, I have realized that it was really difficult to find compilations of all NZ native species including plants and animals. There were however a lot of specialized websites that focus on just birds. I found these websites to be overly wordy and most normal people wouldn’t be interest in reading entire essays on a single species’ habitat or feeding habits. Through all of this research I have also personally discovered many native species that I never realized existed, or that I didn’t realize was native.

Here are some of the websites that I have looked into for examples and research.

New Zealand Birds Online

This is a really good website that is just focused on bird species. It has tools which allow you to identify unknown birds as well. This website is more suited for people who are looking for detailed information on a specific species, knowing what they're looking for rather than allowing them to explore the different species. The information found there is incredibly detailed with lots of references at the bottom of the page. There is also a basic fact file at the top of the page. There is also also a large photo gallery of the specific bird species and their bird song as well. There are some interesting aspects here which I could also include in my project like what the bird call sound like.

New Zealand Birds Online. (2013). New Zealand Birds Online. In Home page | New Zealand Birds Online. Retrieved from http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/

T.E.R:R.A.I.N

TERRAIN is an educational network under the the main GIS trust in Taranaki. Which is a community project that aims to improve the understanding of our environment and the ways we interact with it. This website has information on all types of species from moss to birds as well. This website is also more suited for people who already know what species they are looking for as the way to explore the species can be a bit confusing, it is just listed as names. Each page is also very detailed with large word blocks. The pictures of the species are only displayed after the text.

T.E.R:R.A.I.N. (2008). T.E.R:R.A.I.N - About TERRAIN. In T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network - Home. Retrieved from http://www.terrain.net.nz/terrain/about-terrain.html

Department of Conservation

The website by the New Zealand Department of Conservation includes aspects of the department itself such as news, blogs, events and locations and volunteering. They also have an area where you are able to look into the different native species. The pages on the species are much easier to understand. There not overly detailed with lots of images and relevant information. This is one of the websites that is easier to explore.

New Zealand Government. (n.d.). Native animals. In Department of Conservation. Retrieved from https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/

#transmedia

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axelreport · 4 years ago

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Global Agriculture IoT market Size, Growth, Demand, Opportunities & Forecast To 2027

Internet of Things (IoT) has been transforming modern agriculture industry. Asia Pacific agriculture IoT market will grow by 17.0% annually with a total addressable market cap of $94.88 billion over 2020-2030 driven by increasing population coupled with rise in demand for food, advancement in digital technologies, prevalent mobile devices, and government initiatives.

Highlighted with 40 tables and 39 figures, this 106-page report “Asia Pacific Agriculture IoT Market 2020-2030 by Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), System, Application (Precision Agriculture, Indoor Farming, Livestock, Aquaculture), and Country” is based on a holistic research of the entire Asia Pacific agriculture IoT market and all its sub-segments through extensively detailed classifications. Profound analysis and assessment are generated from premium primary and secondary information sources with inputs derived from industry professionals across the value chain. The report is based on studies on 2016-2019 and provides forecast from 2020 till 2030 with 2019 as the base year. (Please note: The report will be updated before delivery so that the latest historical year is the base year and the forecast covers at least 5 years over the base year.

Get HOLISTIC Request Sample of This Business Report:

https://axelreports.com/request-sample/105724

In-depth qualitative analyses include identification and investigation of the following aspects:

• Market Structure

• Growth Drivers

• Restraints and Challenges

• Emerging Product Trends & Market Opportunities

• Porter’s Fiver Forces

The trend and outlook of Asia Pacific market is forecast in optimistic, balanced, and conservative view by taking into account of COVID-19. The balanced (most likely) projection is used to quantify Asia Pacific agriculture IoT market in every aspect of the classification from perspectives of Offering, System, Application, and Country.

Based on Offering, the Asia Pacific market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue ($ mn) for 2019-2030 included in each section.

Agriculture IoT Hardware

• Automation and Control Systems

• Sensing and Monitoring Devices

• Navigation and Guidance Systems

Agriculture IoT Software

• Cloud Based Product

• On Premises Product

Agriculture IoT Services

• Professional Services

• Managed Services

Based on System, the Asia Pacific market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue ($ mn) for 2019-2030 included in each section.

Tracking & Positioning Systems

• GNSS/GPS Devices

• RFID

Monitoring & Detection Systems

• Wireless Sensor Network

• UAVs/Drones

• Auto-steering & Autonomous Vehicles

Communication Systems

• Network Communication Technologies

• Standards & Protocols

Cloud Computing

Data Management Systems

Based on Application, the Asia Pacific market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue ($ mn) for 2019-2030 included in each section.

Precision Agriculture IoT

• Crop Health Scouting

• Yield Monitoring

• Water, Pest & Fertilizer Management

• Climate, Weather & Soil Monitoring

• Farm Mapping

• Other Applications

Indoor Farming IoT

• Plant and Yield Monitoring

• Lighting Management

• Water, Pest & Fertilizer Management

• Ambient Environmental Monitoring

• Other Applications

Livestock Farming IoT

• Animal Health Monitoring

• Milk Harvesting

• Feeding Management

• Breeding Management

• Geofencing & Mapping

• Other Applications

Fisheries and Aquaculture IoT

• Animal Behavior & Health Monitoring

• Feed Monitoring

• Aquatic Species Tracking and Navigation

• Geofencing & Mapping

• Other Applications

Precision Forestry IoT

Other Applications

Geographically, the following national/local markets are fully investigated:

• Japan

• China

• South Korea

• Australia

• India

• Rest of APAC (further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka)

For each key country, detailed analysis and data for annual revenue ($ mn) are available for 2019-2030. The breakdown of key national markets by Offering, System, and Application over the forecast years are also included.

The report also covers current competitive scenario and the predicted trend; and profiles key vendors including market leaders and important emerging players.

Specifically, potential risks associated with investing in Asia Pacific agriculture IoT market are assayed quantitatively and qualitatively through GMD’s Risk Assessment System. According to the risk analysis and evaluation, Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are generated as a guidance to help investors & stockholders identify emerging opportunities, manage and minimize the risks, develop appropriate business models, and make wise strategies and decisions.

Get HOLISTIC Request Customization of This Business Report: https://axelreports.com/request-customization/105724

Key Players

· Ag Leader Technology

· AKVA Group ASA

· Antelliq

· Deepfield Robotics (Bosch)

· Deere & Company

· Delaval

· Eruvaka Technologies

· Farmers Edge

· GEA Group

· Komatsu Forest

· Ponsse

· PrecisionHawk Inc.

· Raven Industries

· Smartcultiva Corporation

· Topcon Corporation

· Trimble Inc.

About Axel Report:

Axel Reports is committed to being the key player in your company, offering you detailed information on products, market trends, competitors and customers. We offer premium progressive statistical surveys, market research reports, analysis and forecast data for industries and governments around the world. By allowing you to make well-informed choices, Axel Reports will help you develop a great successful marketing project.

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phgq · 4 years ago

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Million Trees Foundation plays key role in saving watersheds

#PHnews: Million Trees Foundation plays key role in saving watersheds

MANILA – One noble project considered as a legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte is the establishment of the Million Trees Foundation (MTF) that would ensure the continuity and sustainability of the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) for the rehabilitation of seven critical watersheds in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

This was emphasized by Reynaldo Velasco, chair of the board of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, in a statement to the Philippine News Agency Saturday.

Velasco also cited the importance of the incorporation and registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the MTF, a five-year watershed rehabilitation program launched in February 2017.

AMTC will benefit critical watersheds namely Angat, Ipo, Kaliwa, La Mesa, Laguna Lake, Umiray, and Upper Marikina, including Manila Bay, through the planting of one million trees yearly.

It was in response to President Duterte’s socio-economic development agenda, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022.

The AMTC program corresponds with the PDP focus areas on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience through partnerships in rehabilitating critical watersheds and convergence/complementation of resources.

Until December 2020, a total of 4,021,626 seedlings have been planted in the watersheds while 9,509.375 hectares were reforested. At the Ipo-Angat watershed, reforested area was 5,035.19 hectares; La Mesa, 1,723.39; Laguna de Bay, 347.83; Kaliwa–Umiray, 150.84; Upper Marikina, 1,928.99; and Manila Bay, 323.135.

The River Basin Control Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also identified 142 critical watersheds.

MTF will network with international foundations and entities focused on watershed management and planting of trees. Inspired by success stories in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, it will utilize drones for tree-planting, especially at the Rizal/Wawa watershed, to fast-track tree-planting targets.

Million Trees Foundation is advocating for the planting of bamboos along river banks; and narra and ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) trees in the other areas. It will also push for the massive planting of bamboos along riverbanks in Marikina and Laguna Lake.

Bamboos help absorb excess water, cut soil losses, and minimize soil erosion.

The foundation is not only concerned with tree-planting, reforestation and environmental sustainability.

“We also want to provide livelihood opportunities to people, particular those in the communities through our tree-planting advocacy,” Velasco said.

The livelihood projects include putting up a nursery for saplings to be planted in target areas, engaging local settlers to take care of the nursery and planted areas, developing wood carving home industries, and organizing small/marginalized farmers to be suppliers of ylang-ylang flowers to manufacturers. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Million Trees Foundation plays key role in saving watersheds." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1132809 (accessed March 07, 2021 at 04:45AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Million Trees Foundation plays key role in saving watersheds." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1132809 (archived).

#Philippines #News #Filipino #Pinoy #Tourism #Politics #Culture #Editorial #Environment #Society #History

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georgiasreserchproject · 5 years ago

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Aorangi Restoration Trust

Aim: The trust is a charitable conservation trust aiming to protect and restore the Aorangi Range, surrounding land and coastline in the Southern Wairarapa to its former glory. It consists of many sub-projects including 'Project Penguin', which aims to protect and enhance the historical breeding grounds of the Little Blue Penguin with pest control and education. These projects will be highly dependent on achieving funding and a ready supply of dedicated volunteers.

Ducks Unlimited

Aim: This wetlands and waterfowl conservation group works to save wetlands throughout New Zealand, including the Wairio Wetland at Lake Wairarapa, through protection, funding, technical aid and education.

Ducks Unlimited website (external site)

Featherston Walkways and Reserves Trust

Aim: To promote Featherston as the gateway to the Wairarapa. The trust maintains the Otauira, Dorset Square, and Barr-Brown bush reserves and Featherston Domain. The trust is also working with the South Wairarapa Tramping Club to connect Featherston to the Tararua Forest Park tramping network via the Buck's Road campsite, and is promoting a new mountain bike track and improved walking access to Wairarapa Moana.

Featherston Walkways and Reserves Trust website (external site)

Friends of Onoke Spit

Aim: To restore and preserve the native flora and fauna of Onoke Spit. The group has beach cleanups, planting and weeding restoration days and have a pest control programme where traps are regularly checked.

Friends of the ANZAC Memorial Bridge - Kaiparoro Inc

Aim: The main aim is to preserve and honour the memory of the nine people from the Tararua District who are commemorated on the ANZAC Memorial Bridge. Along with completing the restoration of the fabric of the bridge other volunteer work has included removing shrub and debris, nursing native plants, keeping the walkway in good order, improving the signage at the bridge, compiling and publishing an historic record and holding an ANZAC Day Service.

Contact: Kay Flavell [email protected] or +64 6 375 8441

Mangatarere Restoration Society

Aim: This streamcare group is working to improve the health of the Mangatarere Stream in the Carterton district. Volunteers are from the community, farming, local industry and iwi.

South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group

Aim: To enhance the ecology of the area with specific focus on potential educational, recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities available at Lake Onoke. The group have many events including working bees and planting and restoration days.

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aspiringjournalistworld · 5 years ago

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How far the U.K. is leaving the European Union? How much divergence or alignment?

On the 31st of January, the U.K. finally left the European union after a period of political upheaval, a period that was not witnessed since the Second World War. Despite a rising concern about the rights of the British citizens living in the EU and similarly the European citizens living in the U.K., a deal was reached with a majority approval from both the European and British Parliaments (Sandford, 2020). This divorce does not mean cutting all ties with the European Union overnight since Britain will have to go through an eleven- month transition period (ends on December 31, 2020), which was negotiated earlier by the former prime minister Theresa May (BI, 2020).This means that the U.K. will abide by the existing arrangements of the “free single market – free movement of goods, services, capital and labour – as well as rulings from the European Court of Justice” (Reader, 2020). A lot of decisions must be taken during this transition period in order to know how close the alignment will look like between the two actors. Taken all together, this departure does not mean that there will not be relations with the EU; the question is how far the U.K. is going to divert from the European Union; whether it will leave totally or will leave the door open for close alignment. It might seem too early to answer this question, especially that Britain is still at the beginning of the transition period. However, different arguments and analysis can be put forward in order to have a clear picture of what will happen next?

Photo credit: Ethical Journalism Network

Here is a variety of arguments, related to the future trade negotiations between the two parties, and the different scenarios proposed:-

Post-Brexit Trade Talks

Is the proposed transition period enough for serious negotiations?

The British Prime Minister is confident that he can reach a trade deal in the next 11 months, but the EU experts argue that it cannot be done that easy (Npr.org, 2020). In other words, reaching a deal to leave the EU took a long time to be finalised, the same complexity would encounter the trade negotiations, that's why the European Union officials proposed to prolong the transition period until the end of 2022 (Amaro, 2020). However, The British Prime Minister was sceptical about an extension period as he does not want to “face opposition within his conservative party” (Npr.org, 2020). In addition, the EU experts believe it is hard to finalise these agreements within this short time frame as both sides do not seem to have a common ground on what they want their new commercial ties to look like (Amaro, 2020). Inevitably, if the British government and the European Union failed to reach a deal, then their trade would be subject to the World Trade Organization regulations, meaning that tariffs would be imposed on some goods causing higher costs for both the British and the EU economies.

Divergence or Alignment?

According to NPR. Org, the U.K. treasury chief Sajid Javid has stated that there will be no alignment with EU regulations when building the new commercial ties. As a result, economists argue that this “would create trade barriers and increase the costs, hurting the U.K.'s agriculture and automobile sectors, among others. Consider this: Many foreign manufacturers built plants in the U.K. to take advantage of its free trade with the EU. If the country's exports to the EU face tariffs in the future, that might reduce the incentive for foreign companies to invest in the United Kingdom” (Npr.org, 2020). In the revised text of the political declaration sitting out the standards for the future relationship between the EU and the British government, both actors should recognise the salience of global cooperation to address issues including state aid, competition social and workers’ rights the environment and climate change. Under this declaration, the U.K. can choose a free trade agreement (FTA). But in return for zero tariffs and quotas, the U.K. makes "robust commitments" to ensure "open and fair competition" (European Commission, 2019). “However, this declaration is not legally binding as opposed to the withdrawal agreement which has the force of an international treaty”. That's why there is an ambivalence in these commitments given the fact that Boris Johnson has the intention to deviate from EU rules and set an independent trading path, as opposed to Theresa May’s government who foreseen a closer cooperation and ties with the European Union (Sandford, 2020).

What about U.S./ U.K. trade talks?

Another point related to this discussion is the U.K.’s growing relationship with the United States. The British government is looking forward to building a future deal with the U.S. and according to trade experts that puts the U.K. in a wavering position; whether to remain aligned to the EU laws to access the European market or to go along with the American procedures (Sandford, 2020). Amanda argues that although Boris Johnson would like to keep his ties with his American counterpart, he must keep his alignment with the EU “on issues such as; Iran, climate change and digital tax” (Sloat, 2020).

What are the proposed scenarios for the Trade deal?

The European Commission has proposed two scenarios that the U.K. could follow; the first one would be the same model of the Norway, where the U.K. could enjoy a full market access. The second one would be to have a standard free trade agreement like Canada. But the British government refused this proposal, indicating that “it is a binary choice between the two existing models”, requesting a “bespoke” free trade agreement. In fact, the Prime Minister opposed “the Norway model on the grounds that becoming a rule taker with no formal vote would be politically unsaleable”. Similarly, the Canadian model, “which does not cover much of the service sector (around 80% of the UK economy)”, would result in bitter havoc for the British Economy (Owen, Stojanovic and Rutter, 2017).

What about adjusting the existing models for future trade negotiations with the EU?

If the existing models were to be modified, three options could come into the picture:

An EU–U.K. Economic Area (‘Bespoke Norway’)

The U.K. broadly accepts Single Market rules and parallel institutions, but negotiates a new arrangement on freedom of movement and greater input on devising regulation (though it would not have a final say).

An EU–U.K. Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (Reverse Ukraine)

This would allow participation in the Single Market in sectors which remain aligned and subject to oversight. Non-harmonised sectors would face barriers.

An EU–U.K. Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (Canada plus)

This would be modelled on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), but with the aim of agreeing better access for services and provisions for enhanced regulatory co-operation, to try to minimise trade barriers where possible (Owen, Stojanovic and Rutter, 2017).

New Opportunities not formally on the table:

Some Brexit supporters believe that there could be an opportunity for seeking new ties with the former British colonies that might substitute trade with the European Union. They argue that allying with them, especially India and with Australia, Canada and New Zealand (known as the Anglosphere) could be considered an economic advantage for the U.K. However, these countries do not share the same enthusiasm as the U.K. for the following reasons: - 1) Canada has already a flourishing and rich market with the United States. 2) When the British government proposed free movement of people between Australia and the U.K., the Australian government was sceptical about it since this would lead the U.K. to attract skilled workers specially in the medical field “who could staff the perpetually understaffed National Health Service”. 3) As for India, it argued that if a trade deal is to be reached, restricted immigration should be applied. This can be seen as a result of the past imperialism and its atrocities. Luke Reader continues his argument by confirming that “Nor are these markets particularly lucrative. The combined size of the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand economies is about $3.3 trillion. This is only $500 billion more than annual British GDP. The Indian economy is of a similar size to that of the U.K. By contrast, the EU generates $18.7 trillion of economic activity a year”. In brief, the British government would be better-off, if it allied with these three economies and not with the EU who makes $18.7 trillion compared to the other three large economies (Reader, 2020).

To sum up, it is quite early to predict how much divergence the U.K. would be from the EU as there are contradictory signals of whether Britain will remain close or completely deviate from the EU. The only available narrative comes from the early trade talks that are still on the table. Broadly speaking, the British government is clear on what it does not want, however, it fails to express what it does and how it wants to achieve it. The U.K. officials showed their inclination for a middle ground trade policy between Norway and Canada, that means it might aspire for trade negotiations equivalent to that of Ukraine and Switzerland, but this would have a price since their access to the single market comes with commitments (Owen, Stojanovic and Rutter, 2017). On the other side, most political and economic analysists believe that reaching new trade negotiations, that will satisfy both sides, will be much harder than leaving the EU. By and large, this is not to say that Brexit cannot be a success, yet the U.K. finds itself in a difficult position since it is trying to re-establish itself as a nation state at the same time when other countries are forming trade blocs and engaging in multilateral agreements (Reader, 2020). Now, it is the time for the British government to decide on its preferred commercial relationship with the EU quickly as possible and this can be achieved, as Michel Barnier indicated “if there is mutual respect and no reneging on previous commitments” (Amaro, 2020)

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designbygrace2019 · 5 years ago

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WK5: Secondary Research

I have completed a wide range of secondary research in order to give some context to my qualitative interviews. This helps me to understand what is happening in the world with sustainability, current trends and discourse and the scale of the problem. I also took this opportunity to further delve into the psychology behind behaviour and what can lead to sustainable behaviour change.

New Zealand Situation

Major sustainability/environmental issues in New Zealand

Climate change and Dairy

Climate change as well as plastic pollution are the issues that get the most media attention. In NZ we are in particular facing the challenge of emissions and environmental damage caused by dairy farming, the backbone of our economy. This issue demonstrates the complexity of sustainability which involves both economic and social issues as well as environmental. Other big emitters include transport, in Auckland alone it makes up 40% of our emissions. The Government have responded to climate change with the zero carbon bill as well as signing the Paris agreement and the council with the climate action framework. The Zero carbon bill will hold the government to account around emissions especially the target of carbon neutral by 2050. The Paris agreement was created by the United Nations also a creator of the sustainable development goal. Nations who have signed it have agreed to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees below pre - industrial levels. (Wright, 2017)

Soil Erosion

Another less talked about environmental issue within sustainability. It is basically when land erodes away and is caused by nature such as land slides, thunder storms, scree and steam banks. human actions such as deforestation, and land clearing for farming which left soil vulnerable to rain, frost and wind. Introduction of new species such as possums and stoats which trample and eat plants also speeds up soil erosion. The displaced soil shifts to flatter land or gets into waterways and the ocean causing more environmental damage. Because the nz economy is so reliant on agriculture and food is integral to life and survival soil erosion is a massive issue and very much relevant to sustainability. (Gregg, 2008)

Other relevant issues include the ecological/biodiversity crisis and over population.

Key figures and organisations in Sustainability in NZ include:

Politically:

Green Party Mp’s, in particular co-convenor James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change and Eugenie Sage -

Ministry for the Environment asos min for the environment.

Jacinda Ardern has also said that climate change will be her generations “nuclear free” moment. And released the wellbeing budget ain 2019. Which indicates a shift in thinking from being solely economy focused to include social and environmental considerations.

Business:

Sustainable Business Network

Carbon Coalition

Academic:

AUT has the Vice Chancellors Sustainability Task force (Which I am a part of as a student representative)

Community:

Many community groups have sprung up to address a wide range of sustainability issues including:

For the Love of Bees

Sustainable Coastlines

School Strike for Climate

Eco Matters

Green washing and token actions

This term describes organisations and companies who make false claims about the “environmental friendliness” of their products to increase sales. This i a threat to genuine sustainability as it lulls people into thinking they are making a difference or gives them license to consume more. It also create sceptics of organisations and companies who are genuinely sustainable. Token actions such as banning plastic bags whilst a positive step and important can also prevent further more meaningful action. Some people believe that by switching from plastic straws to metal, is all they need to do to be more sustainable. This can limit people from understanding sustainability at a depth and truly shifting their behaviour, lifestyle and ultimately worldview.

Overall this section of my research makes it very clear how important it is for the public to engage in these issues in order to force change.

Behaviour change

Trans theoretical model: includes six stages an individual must go through to change a particular behaviour - especially used for harmful behaviours and addictions. Stages are: 1. Pre-contemplation, 2. Contemplation, 3. Preparation, 4. Action, 5. Maintenance, 6. Termination. A approximate time is given to each stage 6 months i required to maintain the action before it becomes habitual and the individual is no longer tempted to regress into bad habits. Theory highlighted the need for time to think and mental processes before making big shifts in life style.

Behaviour Interventions: My research from design research last semester was all about how behaviour can be manipulated by the design of products. And sustainable sue of a product can be subtly prompted through design. For example a fridge can be designed so that it is easier for the user to organise and remember where things are kept. This prevents them from keeping the fridge door open and shuffling items when trying to locate something, reducing energy usage.

Motivating Sustainable Behaviours: This was an interesting report I read last semester, and have gone over again about the psychology of sustainable behaviour. Drivers of behaviour were discussed. I learnt that new ideas in psychology include that decision making comes from two separate systems one is rational, deliberate and rules based the other is associative unconscious, sensory driven and impulsive. Sustainable behaviours do no generally appeal to the associative system, but strategies can be employed to make it so, or to drive the rules-based system to reject the associative systems gut/initial rejection of a sustainable behaviour.

Including:

Social proofing - when an individual believes that something is being done by those around them they are much more likely to engage in that behaviour too.

Breaking down Bystander Confusion or the inertia caused by confronting an overwhelming problem,

Emphasising intrinsic value or other benefits such as personal health etc.

Make information visible and accessible.

Encourage mindfulness/critical thinking.

Focus on making small changes and steps rather than being perfect.

(Manning, 2009)

References:

Gregg, P. (2008, November 24). Soil Erosiion and Conservation. Retrieved from teara: https://teara.govt.nz/en/soil-erosion-and-conservationWright, J. (2017).

Manning, C. (2009). Psychology of Sustainable Behaviours. Minnesota: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.Climate change and agriculture:

Understanding the biological greenhouse gases. Wellington: Parliament Commissioner For The Environment.

WK 5: Comparing Semester One Primary Research

Recap of most recent Insight Statements:

The future of my children and/or the next generation motivate me to do more

Sustainability is a broad and complex problem that can be difficult to comprehend and then difficult to act upon

Strong leadership from government and big organisations is required to make change

Busy lifestyle where I am trying to “get ahead” or keep up with the jones’s prevents me from taking positive action

sometimes I am sceptical of environmentally beneficial actions and this prevents me from acting

Communicating Sustainability in certain ways can make me feel either empowered or guilty”

Insight Statements from Semester one:

“role models in my life can encourage me and inform me to make sustainable choices”

“lack of time, money, and infrastructure or facilities that support sustainability are barriers to me taking sustainable actions.”

If I believe that government and business have greater responsibility for championing sustainable change than individuals I am less likely to engage in environmental/sustainability programs/volunteer events

a) Those that said government and businesses were most responsible for championing sustainable change reasoned that this was because these groups were the biggest polluters and/or had the most capacity to have impact on this issue. (4//8) Of the four that said govt was responsible ¾ were from the non community group. All of those that said businesses were responsible were from thee non-community group. b) Those that said the individuals were most responsible for championing sustainable change cited these reasons: (5/8) Out of this 5, 4 were from the community group.

“even if I am not aware of green washing, I will be conscious of the fact that not all “green” marketed or accredited businesses are necessarily authentic, truthful or accurate”

“If I cannot see the tangible benefit of what I am doing for the environment it makes the action less gratifying”

“some respondents located a particular area in sustainability that they were most interested in such as recycling, energy sources, community and wellbeing etc. and repeatedly made reference to these areas with their question answers”

many respondents identified frustration as a feeling they had towards sustainability in general. And said the lack of action from others was a reason for this.

Reflection

Consistencies between both groups included an awareness of green washing, the idea of leadership/role models. Lack of time and money being a barrier interestingly the more recent lot of interviewees who were older also mentioned lack of energy as a barrier to action. More acknowledgement that sustainability is a broad and complex problem came from the older group as well. Future of children as a reason to be more sustainable was emphasised more in the older group.

#i #E

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kevinscottgardens · 6 years ago

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4 through 17 May 2019

We’re busy planting in the garden and things are really starting to take off. Next week is the Chelsea Flower Show and it traditionally is a very busy week. Thankfully warm and sunny weather is forecast; however, that means irrigation has commenced as well.

I found one of my favourites in flower in the Mediterranean area of the garden, Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus.

Charlotte completed her traineeship and is now at Inner Temple for the summer. Brady, from North Carolina, and Naria, from northern Spain, are both fantastic interns. I love this time of year when we have international interns; they keep the garden team exciting.

I worked last weekend. Saturday, a local Japanese group hired the garden and created a most inviting and elegant picnic on the main lawn. They invited me to taste some of the food on offer; it was delicious!

Book club met last week to discuss, 'Cherry' Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved Japan’s Blossoms; it was on the floating garden, near Tower Bridge. It was wonderful to be floating on the river for the evening. The gardens are amazing and the view of the skyline is quite special. Our next book is A Buzz in the Meadow.

I was at Chester Zoo for the annual Plant Network records meeting this past Wednesday. It was nice to see some people I met at Kew and it proved an inspirational day.

Plant ident this week (the first in a while):

Apiaceae Carum carvi

Apiaceae Melanoselinum decipiens

Brassicaceae Lunaria rediviva

Caryophyllaceae Silene fimbriata

Iridaceae Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus

Linaceae Linum narbonense

Paeoniaceae Paeonia officinalis

Ranunculaceae Adonis annua

Ranunculaceae Ranunculus acris 'Stevenii'

Rosaceae Osteomeles schweriniae var. schweriniae

This was a first walking around London... a postbox in a tree.

This weekend I decided would be my last working for Margaret, here in Richmond. It was time to pass the baton to the next person, who is studying at Kew.

Plant of the week 10 May

Brassicaceae Crambe maritima L.

common name(s) - sea kale, sea cabbage, sea colewort, seakale, sea cole, crambe synonym(s) - Cakile pontica Prokudin; Cochlearia maritima (L.) Crantz; Crambe gigantea Kit. ex Janka [Invalid]; C. pontica Steven ex Rupr. [Invalid]; C. suecia Mill.; C. suecica see Mueller, Johann Sebastian; Crucifera maritima (L.) E.H.L.Krause conservation rating - Least Concern native to - N Africa, SW Asia, Europe location - dicotyledon order beds, accession _____ leaves - large, lobed, wavy-edged blue-green flowers - dense racemes of small white flowers in late spring habit - robust herbaceous, clump-forming perennial to 750mm tall and 600mm wide habitat - grows wild along the coasts of Europe, from the North Atlantic to the Black Sea pests - slugs, caterpillars disease - club root hardiness - to <-20ºC (H7) soil - moist and well-drained sun - full sun to part shade, sheltered propagation - seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn, by division in early spring, or take root cuttings in winter pruning - cut down to ground in late autumn nomenclature - Brassicaceae, brassica - Pliny’s name for various cabbage-like plants; Crambe - ancient Greek name κραμβη for a cabbage-like plant; maritima - growing by the sea, maritime, of the sea NB - shoots are served like asparagus: steamed, with either a béchamel sauce or melted butter, salt and pepper; AGM

References, bibliography:

Gledhill, David, (2008) “The Names of Plants”, fourth edition; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-52168-553-5

ÍIUCN [online] https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/176431/7240134 [19 May 19]

Plant List, The [online] http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2741304 [19 May 19]

Royal Horticultural Society [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/4710/Crambe-maritima/Details [19 May 19]

Wikipedia [online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crambe_maritima [19 May 19]

Plant of the week 17 May

Calceolariaceae Jovellana violacea (Cav.) G. Don

common name(s) - violet slipper flower, violet jovellana synonym(s) - Boea violacea (Cav.) Pers.; Calceolaria violacea Cav.; Fagelia violacea (Cav.) Kuntze conservation rating - none native to - Chile (and possibly New Zealand) location - future medicine bed, accession _____ leaves - ovate, toothed or lobed, carried on dark red stems; minty-spicy aroma when rubbed flowers - sprays of nodding, bell-shaped flowers appear in summer, pale purple with a yellow throat marked with small, dark purple spots habit - semi-evergreen, upright, suckering, sub-shrub, to 1m tall and 1m wide habitat - cooler climates of southern Chile, stream banks and forest margins pests - generally pest-free disease - generally disease-free hardiness - to -5ºC (H3) soil - well-drained; not clay sun - full sun, sheltered propagation - semi-ripe heel cuttings of side shoots in late summer pruning - mid to late spring; damaged, dead, diseased or to shape nomenclature - Calceolariaceae, calceolaria - slipper-like, calceolus; Jovellana - for Don Caspari Melchior de Jovenllanos (Jove Llanos) (1744-1811), Spanish statesman and patron of botany, student of Peruvian plant life; violacea - violet-coloured, violaceus NB - a common error in New Zealand to refer to J. punctata as J. violacea; true J. violacea has a larger leaf, though of similar form, a smaller flower – though also similar – and a deeper colour

References, bibliography:

Gledhill, David, (2008) “The Names of Plants”, fourth edition; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-52168-553-5

ÍIUCN [online] http://www.iucnredlist.org/search [19 May 19]

Jury Garden, The [online] https://jury.co.nz/tag/jovellana-violacea/ [19 May 19]

Plant List, The [online] http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-29203749 [19 May 19]

Royal Horticultural Society [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9473/Jovellana-violacea/Details [19 May 19]

#Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus #Crambe maritima #Jovellana violacea

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evoldir · 7 years ago

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Graduate position: UAuckland.PlantAnimalInteractions

PhD Scholarship available: Sensory ecology of a resilient ancient deceiver, the Splachnaceae dung mosses (The University of Auckland, New Zealand) How do plant-animal interactions survive and adapt in a changing world? The extraordinary Splachnaceae mosses grow on animal carcasses and dung, and use bright colours and rotten odours to lure flies into acting as spore dispersers. Splachnaceae are generally hosted by the remains of native mammals, e.g. in Australia, they grow on dung from wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian Devils. Splachnaceae specimens have also been found with preserved mammal remains, e.g. giant Irish deer and Canadian caribou. In New Zealand/Aotearoa, the biota is bird dominated with no native land mammals ?C the Splachnaceae mosses are now hosted by introduced mammals, e.g. goats. Could Aotearoa Splachnaceae’s original hosts be extinct moa or other herbivorous birds like takahē or putakitaki? Or seal or seabird colonies? Which insects are fooled into dispersing Aotearoa Splachnaceae? Our pilot data suggests dung beetles may be an extra courier here. This project aims to use behavioural ecology, chemical ecology, spectral modelling, paleoecology and ancient DNA to discover how mosses mimic the scents and odours of dung to deceive spore-dispersing insects, switch between bird, mammal, native and introduced hosts, as we explore how networks can respond to introduced species and megafaunal extinctions. There is scope to develop the project to suit your interests and aspirations as you develop your career. The successful applicant will benefit from working with established and productive researchers at the world class University of Auckland (New Zealand’s leading university) and Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua. The dynamic Ecology Ngātahi group, hosted by the Joint Graduate School for Biosecurity and Biodiversity, has many international and NZ PhD, MSc and Hon students, with diverse research taxa and approaches, including terrestrial, marine, behaviour, conservation, entomology, ornithology, invasive species etc. If you are looking for a totally unique project that you can lead and make your own, a newly established study system with fantastic pilot data, a welcoming and collegial postgrad environment, and great supervisors to launch you on your academic career, this could be your perfect PhD! Supervisory team: main supervisor is Dr Anne Gaskett (behavioural and sensory ecologist, specialising in plant-insect interactions, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand). Cosupervisor is Dr Jamie Wood (paleoecologist and ancient DNA lab manager, Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua, Lincoln, New Zealand). Location: The project is based in Auckland, New Zealand, with fieldwork in New Zealand and optionally Australia. Funding: PhD scholarship providing $NZD27,000 stipend per annum for 3 to 3.5 years (includes fees). Research costs will be offset by your annual $2700? student-managed research fund, and we will provide opportunities (and support!) to apply for further travel/conference funding. Resources: Own desk in a pleasant, collegial work environment at the University of Auckland; use of shared lab facilities (incl. microscopy, GC-MS); field first aid training provided; access to the wonderful outdoors of New Zealand and Australia; live in the beautiful, multicultural harbour city of Auckland; and professional, motivated and supportive supervisors who love research and a good work-life balance. Essential requirements: First class Masters or Honours in ecology, evolution or animal behaviour; proven English written and spoken communication skills; experience in managing data and statistical analyses; enthusiasm and motivation; creative problem solving; ability to work independently and as part of a team; experience in leading, organising and conducting field-based research; a driver’s licence (absolutely essential for field work); enjoyment of tackling both big evolutionary questions and small natural history questions; satisfaction in making and sharing discoveries. Ideal but not essential requirements: peer-reviewed publications; experience in insect and moss identification, experience in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and/or spectral modelling, a love of moss - or at least an interest in developing a love of moss! Experience with basic DNA techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, sequence analysis) useful but not essential. Applications: please email a letter addressing the essential and ideal requirements listed above, a 2-page CV including details of 2 referees who can be contacted, and a sample of your writing (ideally the introduction to your Hons or MSc thesis) to Dr Anne Gaskett ([email protected]). Applications close -- via Gmail

#EvolDir

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baileychadwick400spatail · 4 years ago

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Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design:

Biophilia Definition: “Although the term was originally coined by German social psychologist Erich Fromm, Harvard entomologist E. O. Wilson deserves much credit for this idea, and for his career of tirelessly working on behalf of the natural world. Wilson famously defines biophilia as “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms. Innate means hereditary and hence part of ultimate human nature”(Wilson 1984, 31) - Wilson E. O. 1984. Biophilia, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

The Power of Urban Nature:The Essential Benefits of Biophilic Urbanism:

“Human beings need contact with nature and the natural environment. They need it to be healthy, happy, and productive and to lead meaningful lives. Nature is not optional, but an absolutely essential quality of modern urban life.”

Conserving and restoring existing nature and finding new ways to insert new forms and grow nature is an important challenge in an urban environment.

“That presents challenges to integrating nature, and finding ways to ensure that all urban residents have the daily, ideally hourly, contact with the natural world that they need.”

Wellington, New Zealand. From Town Belt to Blue Belt

“The primary goal of Our Living City is to “improve Wellingtonians’ quality of life by strengthen-ing urban–nature connections and building economic opportunities from a healthy environment” (Wellington City Council 2015)”. “The strategy recognises that healthy biodiversity contributes to healthy environments and that creates healthy people … People will be connected with biodiversity by making it a common experience for all Wellingtonians; we will help people to understand the importance and value of biodiversity to their wellbeing” (Our National Capital - Summary, Wellington City Council 2015)

Wellingtonians are connected to nature. They are knowledgeable and passionate about Wellington’s biodiversity and want to live in a city of abundant nature that is in close proximity to them.” - (Our National Capital - Vision, Wellington City Council 2015)

“Wellington is, in many ways described here, working to strengthen human–nature connections.” - (Beatley, Timothy. Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design. Island Press, 2016

“There is a closeness to nature that is discernible to visitors. And Wellington is, in many ways described here, working to strengthen human–nature connections.”

“returning the birdsong to Wellington,” conveys one exem-plary way of imagining the future of a biophilic city.

“In 2013 I had the chance to ask Wade-Brown whether Wellington was a biophilic city, and, not surprisingly, her answer was an emphatic yes: “Wellington is absolutely a biophilic city! That’s why I live here; that’s why I stayed here. The connec-tion with the coast, the ability to wander in the forests, it’s the birds . . . whether it’s ka ̄ka ̄ or penguins, you can see them on a daily basis. You don’t have to say ‘right, I’m leaving the city, going to a nature reserve 100 kilometers away.”

“Nature is all around in Wellington, it is true, and residents value this in deep and important ways. The pro-found connections Wellingtonians have to the natural world can also be seen in the references to nature and animals in the architecture and urban design through-out the city.”

“Examples include the fern-shaped bollards throughout the downtown, trash cans etched with tree shapes, and the city’s new central library, which inte-grates a series of pillars in the shape of native palm trees … One explanation may have to do with the presence and continuing importance of Maori culture, for which interconnections with the natural world are central. But undoubtedly it is a creative mix of popular support for an outdoor lifestyle, strong political leadership, and the underlying ecology, history, and culture of this special city.”

Connection: Wellington city already has a strong connection to nature, the city is surrounded by a natural green belt of public and privately owned greenery. This bush environment is situated like a ‘U’ shape around the city centre and the coast line meets the city centre through a reclaimed waterfront. The city centre is surrounded by a natural environment, this natural network of ocean and vegetation is easily accessible for city dwellers if they are willing to travel 10-15 minutes. The Wellington City Council promotes these spaces through the city's biodiversity plan. Programs like ‘Our National Capital’ and … which have promoted spaces like Zealandia, waitangi park and the Botanical Gardens, by creating a green roofscape in Te Aro this would add to this program by bringing a greater greenery experience to the daily life of an inner city dweller.

A green roofscape would give the urban dweller a backyard where they can experience a greener daily life, it continues WWC biodiversity plan through a daily exposure to nature for Te Aro residents. Essentially bringing the ideas of the cities biodiversity plan to the most built up area of Wellington.

city’s biodiversity plan

(Our National Capital - Summary, Wellington City Council 2015) - https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/a-to-z/biodiversity/files/2015/1our-natural-capital-summary.pdf?la=en

(Our National Capital - Vision, Wellington City Council 2015) -

https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/a-to-z/biodiversity/files/2015/4our-natural-capital-vision.pdf?la=en

Beatley, Timothy. Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design. Island Press, 2016. - http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook?sid=f8515f42-e51c-44fc-800b-fd867add98fb%40sessionmgr4007&ppid=pp_Front_Cover&vid=0&format=EB

“Nature is not optional, but an absolutely essential quality of modern urban life”

Biophilic helps introduce the natural world into our built environment

A design process that Assumes people and nature are all connected and not separate

Site attributes are incorporated into the built design

A success would be that the plants and animals that occupy the site pre development can occupy the site post development

Brain Scan Testing positive power of nature:iPhone App Test:

New Technologies and Techniques for Understanding the Role of Nature in Cities:

In a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, University of Edinburgh students wearing EEG caps went on a roughly 30-minute walk, following a consistent route that took them through various urban segments of that city, including a shopping area, a busy com-mercial street, and a segment that included parks and green space, all the while send-ing streaming data of brain scans. The results of this study are consistent with resto-ration theory, and “showed evidence of lower frustration, engagement and arousal, and higher meditation when moving into the green space zone; higher engagement when moving out of it” (Aspinall, Mavros, Coyne, and Roe 2013).

More than 60,000 British citizens partici-pate in the Mappiness Project (an iPhone app), which asks participants to indicate the extent of their happiness when “pinged.” The responses are geocoded to a physi-cal location and setting and include other variables. Participants indicate that they are happiest when they are in nature, and this is one of the main conclusions of the project (MacKerron and Mourato 2013).

Conclusion of biophilic city benefits summary:

We are happier, healthier, more productive and more generous and creative and to think longer term.

Singapore:

“Singapore’s reimagining itself as a city in a garden is perhaps the best expression of this new understanding of cities as places where nature is not something separate, but all around, something that residents can experience every minute of the day.”

Designing and planning for a dense living environment is critical and the vast majority of the population lives in high-rise buildings. And yet this city is remarkably green and full of nature

Poon Hong Yuen, the CEO of the National Parks Board, or NParks, told me on a recent visit, this is simply a matter of necessity for this dense, land-scarce city.

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kristablogs · 5 years ago

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Expert-approved ways to feed all your favorite birds

A ruby-throated hummingbird dips into a nectar feeder. An East Coast favorite, the species can be harmed by yard predators like praying mantises and bacteria in unclean equipment. (Jeremy Lwanga/Unsplash/)

Julian Avery is an assistant research professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at Pennsylvania State University. This story originally featured on The Conversation.

Millions of Americans enjoy feeding and watching backyard birds. Many people make a point of putting food out in winter, when birds needs extra energy, and spring, when many species build nests and raise young.

As a wildlife ecologist and a birder, I know it’s important to understand how humans influence bird populations, whether feeding poses risks to wild birds, and how to engage with birds in sustainable ways.

There’s still much to learn about the risks and benefits of feeding birds, particularly through large integrated national citizen science networks like Project FeederWatch. But we now have enough information to promote healthy interactions that can inspire future generations to care about conservation.

View this post on Instagram

Look at this #beauty .... I spent some time watching #birds while out in the field yesterday and it dawned on me how cool #whitebreastednuthatch feet are! Their monstrous #toes allow them to orient in any direction they want to when clinging to a tree. Their bill is an impressive #tool too, they hammer open seeds and will even widen nest cavities with it! 💪🏼#beastmode • • • • #getoutside #exploreeverything #biodiversity #boss #beast #birdfeeder #birdwatching #birdphotography #kings_birds #nuts_about_birds #audubon @canonusa #teamcanon #birding #sunflower #musclemilk #muscle #nature_sultans #wildlife #feederwatch @shaverscreek @agsciences #birdseed @audubonsociety

A post shared by Julian Avery (@evolutionavery) on Feb 19, 2020 at 12:18pm PST

A long-term relationship

Birds have been taking advantage of human civilization for thousands of years, congregating where grains and waste are abundant. This means that people have been influencing the abundance and distribution of species for a very long time.

Studies show that providing food has myriad effects on birds’ decisions, behaviors, and reproduction. One significant finding is that winter bird feeding increases individual survival rates, can encourage birds to lay eggs earlier in the year, and can also improve nestling survival.

All of these factors alter species’ future reproductive performance and can increase total bird abundance in later years. It’s not always clear how increased abundance of feeder birds impacts other species through competition, but rarer and smaller species can be excluded.

This interactive diagram, based on community science data, shows how North America’s top 13 feeder species fare when they compete at feeders. Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Supplemental food has also led to reduced reproductive success in a few species. This may happen because it improves survival odds for less healthy birds that otherwise would be unlikely to survive and reproduce, or because it leads birds to eat fewer types of natural foods, making their diets less nourishing.

Changing bird behavior

Research also shows that birds are extremely promiscuous. One review examined 342 species and found that in approximately 75 percent, birds had one or more side partners in addition to their nest mate.

It’s not always clear why birds cheat, but several studies have found that supplemental feeding can reduce the amount of infidelity in certain species, including house sparrows. This hints that feeding birds might alter their behavior and have an effect on genetic variation in urban populations.

For birds that provide pollinating services, like hummingbirds and lorikeets, there is some evidence that providing them with sugar water—which mimics the nectar they collect from plants—can reduce their visits to native plants. This means they will transfer less pollen. Since much bird feeding happens in densely populated urban areas, it’s unclear how much impact this might have.

Some bird populations depend completely on feeding and would collapse over the winter without it. For example, Anna’s hummingbirds in British Columbia rely on heated feeders. Other species, such as hummingbirds in the southwest US, have become more locally abundant. Northern cardinals and American goldfinches have shifted and expanded their ranges northward with the availability of food.

In one incredible instance, garden feeders seem to have played a role in establishing a new wintering population of migratory blackcaps in the UK. This group is now genetically distinct from the rest of the population, which migrates further south to Mediterranean wintering grounds.

Don’t feed the predators

Scientists still know little about how bird feeding affects transmission of pathogens and parasites among birds. It is not uncommon for birds at feeders to carry more pathogens than populations away from feeders. Some well-documented outbreaks in the US and UK have shown that feeding birds can increase problems associated with disease—evidence that was collected through feeder-watch citizen science projects.

Because we still have a poor understanding of pathogen transmission and prevalence in urban areas, it’s extremely important to follow hygiene guidelines for feeding and be alert for new recommendations.

Feeding can also attract predators. Domestic cats kill an estimated 1.3 to 4 billion birds in the US every year. Feeders should not be placed in settings where cats are present, and pet cats should be kept indoors.

Feeders can also support both native and introduced birds that outcompete local species. One study found that feeders attracted high numbers of crows, which prey on other birds’ chicks, with the result that less than 1 percent of nearby American robin nests fledged young. In New Zealand, bird feeding largely benefits seed-eating introduced species at the expense of native birds.

Clean feeders and diverse diets

The good news is that studies don’t show birds becoming dependent on supplemental food. Once started, though, it is important to maintain a steady food supply during harsh weather.

Birds also need access to native plants, which provide them with habitat, food, and insect prey that can both supplement diets and support species that don’t eat seeds at feeders. Diverse food resources can counteract some of the negative findings I’ve mentioned related to competition between species and impacts on bird diets.

Good maintenance, placement and cleaning can help minimize the likelihood of promoting pathogens at feeders. Initiatives like Project FeederWatch have recommendations about feeder design and practices to avoid. For example, platform feeders, where birds wade through the food, are associated with higher mortality, possibly through mixing of waste and food.

It’s also important to manage the area around feeders. Be sure to place feeders in ways that minimize the likelihood that birds will fly into windows. For instance, avoid providing a sight line through a house, which birds may perceive as a corridor, and break up window reflections with decals.

There are lots of great reasons to bring birds into your life. Evidence is growing that interacting with nature is good for our mental health and builds public support for conserving plants and wildlife. In my view, these benefits outweigh many of the potential negatives of bird feeding. And if you get involved in a citizen science project, you can help scientists track the health and behavior of your wild guests.

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scootoaster · 5 years ago

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Expert-approved ways to feed all your favorite birds

Julian Avery is an assistant research professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at Pennsylvania State University. This story originally featured on The Conversation.

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A long-term relationship

This interactive diagram, based on community science data, shows how North America’s top 13 feeder species fare when they compete at feeders. Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Changing bird behavior

Don’t feed the predators

Clean feeders and diverse diets

The good news is that studies don’t show birds becoming dependent on supplemental food. Once started, though, it is important to maintain a steady food supply during harsh weather.

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hudsonespie · 5 years ago

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The Mounting Competition for Ocean Resources

[By Aisling Irwin]

Human demands on the ocean are growing more intense and more varied. Scientists say that could lead to unpredictable consequences including military conflict and economic and ecological collapses.

A multitude of interest groups is laying claim to the resources of the ocean, from exploring the seabed for minerals, to installing wind turbines, dispatching cruise ships and laying submarine cables. While some claimants can work alongside each other – and there may even be synergies – others are destined to clash, says a team from the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden.

The scientists have dubbed this rush the “blue acceleration”. They say that regulation is struggling to keep up with the explosion of activity which has surged from small beginnings just 30 years ago.

Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, a researcher in sustainability science, led the work, examining 18 different ocean demands and finding that many have grown exponentially. The findings were published last month in the journal One Earth.

Human demands on the oceans are increasing

Rising demand for fresh drinking and irrigation water, for example, means there are now 16,000 desalination plants worldwide, which transform 65 million cubic metres of seawater per day, with rapid growth predicted for floating plants. They suck in and kill small marine life and discharge warm, highly salty water that can disrupt coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, there are more than 1.3 million km of undersea telecommunications cables and more than 100,000km of seabed pipelines carrying gas, oil, water or sewage. These are innocuous unless they leak after damage from anchors or storms, but they are incompatible with some other seabed activities, such as dredging for sand, said Jouffray.

Demand for fish – wild and farmed – is soaring worldwide, and is projected to reach 154 million tons by 2030. There is also the US$385 billion nutraceutical market – which, for example, exploits the small crustacean, krill, for omega-3 fatty acids. Millions of marine organisms are used each year for home decorations, jewellery and aquaria. And bioprospecting for ingredients for medicines, cosmetics or other chemicals, is also increasing, said Jouffray.

All these activities compete with the 9,000 offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide and the exploration of the seabed for metal ores: more than 1.4 million square kilometres of international waters have been parcelled out in exploration contracts, with Chinese companies holding more mining claims in the high seas that lie beyond national jurisdiction than any other nation.

Sailing on the ocean’s surface are the world’s 94,000 commercial shipping vessels and 26 million annual cruise ship passengers. In the future, they may need to navigate around massive marine geoengineering projects designed to siphon CO2 into sub-sea chambers in an attempt to tackle climate change.

“There are all these hopes that the ocean will deliver as the engine of future human development,” Jouffray said.

“When you see all the lines on those graphs going up with sky-high expectation, intuitively you know it won’t add up for two reasons. First the ocean may be vast but it is not limitless. But beyond depletion… I think there will be emergent risk: we don’t really know yet how these things interact with each other because they are fairly recent.”

Activity in the South China Sea illustrates the complexity of blue acceleration, says the report. Lying on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, its 3.5 million square kilometres are bordered by six countries which are in dispute about ownership and rights to its bounty. This sea hosts more than half the world’s fishing vessels, is a major node in the network of undersea telecommunications cables, and sees $3.4 trillion-worth of goods pass through aboard an estimated one-third of global maritime traffic.

Norway is another example, according to the report. Bordering the North Sea in northern Europe, and with a long coastline, its government is aiming for a five-fold increase in salmon production by 2050, though the aquaculture industry already lacks production space. The fishing sector is concerned about pollution from aquaculture and fears cultivated salmon might escape and mix with wild populations. Meanwhile, Norway’s cruise tourism industry is preparing for a five-fold increase in visitors by 2030, oil and gas production are still growing, and now floating offshore wind farms have been mooted. In September 2019, massive sulphide deposits rich in metals and minerals were found on Norway’s continental shelf.

The ocean may be vast, but it is not limitless.

Lance Morgan, president of the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, United States, said: “If anything [the scientists] understated the issue. It’s not just about trying to wisely manage all the different activities, it’s about keeping the ocean functioning at the same time.

“[The ocean] is the largest ecosystem on Earth and if we do create problems that relate to its lack of resiliency – its ability to provide oxygen, absorb carbon and function properly – it’s not just the ocean that’s failing. It’s really our whole climate and life support system.”

Porter Hoagland, a marine policy specialist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, United States, said ocean “saturation” was far more of a problem around coasts than on the high seas. Some regions now use marine spatial planning to reconcile demands, notably Europe’s North Sea, but also in United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, he added.

Countries have the right to manage resources within the 200 nautical miles of their coastlines. Beyond this lie the “areas beyond national jurisdiction”. The water column and the seabed are treated separately, as are different sectors of ocean activity, such as fishing, shipping, mining and pollution.

Recently, there have been efforts to create a legally binding global agreement on conserving marine biodiversity in the high seas, and in March governments will meet in New York to try to complete a UN treaty to ensure “conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction”.

But this treaty is not allowed to undermine the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which sets rules for the exploitation of resources on the sea floor. The ISA is meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, this week to continue talks on a code that would govern eventual mining operations. NGOs and scientists are calling for a ten-year moratorium on deep-sea mining so that scientists can fully understand the risks.

Aisling Irwin is a science journalist specialising in environmental and development issues. This article appears courtesy of China Dialogue Ocean and may be found in its original form here.

from Storage Containers https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/the-mounting-competition-for-ocean-resources via http://www.rssmix.com/

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