Open access copy available
Indicators to assess viable entry points for implementing landscape approachesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Regulating Green Finance and Managing Environmental Risks in the Conditions of Global UncertaintyBackgroundThis paper examines how growing global uncertainty, driven by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate risks, and declining international cooperation, increases the environmental, energy, and socio-economic risks confronting countries. In this context, green finance is a strategic tool to support sustainable development and strengthen resilience; however, the green finance landscape remains highly fragmented, with uneven regulatory frameworks, large disparities between developed and developing countries, and persistent volatility that limits effective environmental risk management. Open access copy available |
Resilience to Hurricanes is High in Mangrove Blue Carbon ForestsBackgroundWhile many anthropogenic forces threaten the survival of mangrove forests, tropical storms are the most significant non-anthropogenic sources of disturbance. Since mangroves are important carbon sinks, it is important to understand the impacts of tropical storms on mangrove forest structure, function, and carbon stock recovery. Open access copy available |
Getting the best of carbon bang for mangrove restoration buckBackgroundMangrove forest restoration projects have a range of benefits, like carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, that are important for different stakeholders. An analysis of the economic benefits and returns of mangrove restoration at country-level scales can encourage future support from these key investors and decision makers. Open access copy available |
Drivers of global mangrove loss and gain in social-ecological systemsBackgroundThe gain and loss of mangrove forests worldwide depends on both biophysical factors and socioeconomic factors. With global mangrove cover decreasing since the 1990s and biophysical pressures on mangrove forests (i.e., shoreline erosion, extreme weather events) increasing due to climate change, it is important to understand which forms of national conservation policies, programs, governance, and local economic activity most rapidly reverse the rate of loss of mangrove forests. Open access copy available |
The status of forest carbon markets in Latin AmericaBackground:Latin America (LATAM) hosts some of the world’s largest tropical forests, which provide significant carbon sequestration and a major share of global forest carbon credits. Despite these benefits, deforestation and forest degradation remain critical issues. Forest carbon markets, both compliance and voluntary, have emerged as key mechanisms to finance conservation, reduce emissions, and enhance climate resilience. Open access copy available |
Ecosystem services in decision making: time to deliverBackgroundOver the past decade, valuing and protecting ecosystem services has been promoted as a strategy to mainstream conservation globally. While the vision of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is gaining traction, a significant scientific and policy-implementation gap remains. Natural capital is often undervalued or ignored in major decisions by governments, businesses, and the public, a problem highlighted by natural disasters and crises where the loss of protective services becomes starkly apparent. Open access copy available |
Diverse values of nature for sustainabilityBackgroundDespite 25 years of progress in valuing ecosystem services, a global biodiversity crisis persists, underpinned by a "values crisis." Current policies and decisions often prioritize a narrow subset of market-based instrumental values, ignoring the diverse ways people relate to and benefit from nature. This paper, based on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Values Assessment, synthesizes over 50,000 sources to address this gap. Open access copy available |
Current trends and future directions for integrating social values into mangrove restorationBackgroundDifferent communication styles, governance, and social issues create barriers to successful mangrove forest restoration projects, and may hinder the ability to scale up projects to meet global restoration goals. Incorporating social values and stakeholder preferences into restoration projects can help identify best management practices, promote successful outcomes, and prevent distrust and inequality between restoration practitioners and stakeholders with different needs and perceptions of mangrove forests. Open access copy available |
Tree species that ‘live slow, die older’ enhance tropical peat swamp restoration: Evidence from a systematic reviewBackgroundHighly degraded forests often require active reforestation, which presents additional challenges with species selection for tree plantings. In tropical peat swamp forests, where harsh environmental conditions threaten seedling survival, various seedling and site treatments can enhance seedling survival and growth in restoration projects. Open access copy available |
