General
Afforestation and Reforestation Have Varying Biodiversity Impacts Across and Within BiomesBackgroundAfforestation and reforestation (AR) are widely promoted as nature-based solutions (NbS) for carbon dioxide removal and climate mitigation. Global initiatives aim to expand forest cover significantly to meet climate targets. However, AR can produce unintended biodiversity impacts, particularly when implemented in ecosystems such as grasslands or savannas, where native species are not adapted to forest conditions. The ecological outcomes of AR vary across biomes and species, highlighting the need for spatially explicit, biodiversity-sensitive planning frameworks. Open access copy available |
Enhancing Above-Ground Biomass Estimation in Agroforestry Systems: A Scalable Deep Learning Approach Using Sentinel-2 DataBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Carbon sequestration in mangrove forestsBackgroundMangrove forests are highly valuable due to the ecological (e.g., sediment deposition, fish nurseries, protection from tropical storms) and economic (e.g., food, fuel) resources they provide. Carbon storage potential in mangroves is also a highly valuable characteristic, especially as a passive method of carbon dioxide capture and storage. In order to protect these important resources and services, it is necessary to create accurate analyses of the global potential and significance of carbon storage in mangroves. Open access copy available |
The rate of global sea level rise doubled during the past three decadesBackgroundTracking global mean sea level (GMSL) is important for both global climate monitoring and informing coastal communities’ adaptation strategies. Previous methods of tracking GMSL calculate the average rate of GMSL rise to be 3.3 mm/year based on satellite data over 30 years. However, studies since 2017 have identified a significant acceleration in GMSL rise. Thus, it is important to ensure that current GMSL rate estimates are accurate to inform both local and GMSL rise adaptation strategies. Open access copy available |
Tropical dry forest land use/land cover change detection using semi-supervised deep learning algorithms and remote sensingBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Remote sensing of drylands: An overviewBackgroundOpen access copy available |
A systematic review on remote sensing of dryland ecological integrity: Improvement in the spatiotemporal monitoring of vegetation is requiredBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Storm Surge Reduction by MangrovesBackgroundFlooding and wave energy from storm surges can damage infrastructure and harm inhabitants of coastal communities. Climate change and sea level rise have the potential to increase or intensify storm surges, which necessitate investment in coastal defenses and disaster risk reduction. Mangroves can reduce the effects of storm surges through attenuating waves and wind, making mangroves an important form of nature-based protection for coastal communities. Open access copy available |
Reduction of Wind and Swell Waves by MangrovesBackgroundCoastal ecosystems can mitigate the damage from extreme weather events like tropical storms and hurricanes. With human populations increasing in coastal areas, policymakers and stakeholders are interested in coastal ecosystems, like mangrove forests, as a nature-based form of coastal defense and resilience. This report aims to examine the potential for mangroves to reduce wind and swell waves in order to inform decision makers about the potential for mangroves to decrease the risks faced by coastal communities. Open access copy available |
Ecosystem Services of Mangroves: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Contemporary Scientific LiteratureBackgroundMangroves provide many ecosystem services, such as breeding grounds for aquatic organisms, sediment accumulation sites, coastal protection, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. Beyond ecological functions, mangroves also sustain coastal livelihoods by providing natural resources and contributing to local economies. However, anthropogenic pressures from coastal development, agriculture, and aquaculture degrade mangrove ecosystems and the important ecosystem services they provide. Therefore, it is important to quantify and describe mangrove ecosystem services to better inform coastal policymakers and managers interested in mangrove conservation. Open access copy available |
