https://news.mongabay.com/list/rainforests/ Environmental science and conservation news Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:43:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 https://imgs.mongabay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2020/05/16160320/cropped-mongabay_icon-32x32.png https://news.mongabay.com/list/rainforests/ 32 32 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/#respond 09 Oct 2023 08:00:03 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=274007 - Mennonite farmers have faced criticism for clearing thousands of hectares of forest across Latin America, often in protected areas and Indigenous territories.
- The company behind the project is called Terra Invest Suriname & Guyana, and plans to purchase as much as 30,000 hectares (about 74,000 acres) for approximately 1,000 Mennonite families.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/plan-to-bring-mennonite-farmers-to-suriname-sparks-deforestation-fears/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/javan-rhino-calf-endangered-species-ujung-kulon-indonesia/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/javan-rhino-calf-endangered-species-ujung-kulon-indonesia/#respond 06 Oct 2023 15:55:52 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=274028 - While the discovery of the female calf is good news, it comes amid growing doubt about official claims that the species’ population is increasing steadily.
- The Indonesian government puts the Javan rhino’s current population at about 80 animals, with an average of three new calves added per year.
- Its past estimates, however, have counted rhinos that have disappeared (some of which were confirmed dead), throwing into question whether the species’ population trend is really increasing or even declining.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/javan-rhino-calf-endangered-species-ujung-kulon-indonesia/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/world-owes-it-to-tanzania-to-keep-eastern-arc-forests-standing-study-shows/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/world-owes-it-to-tanzania-to-keep-eastern-arc-forests-standing-study-shows/#respond 06 Oct 2023 05:55:17 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273932 - The authors of a new study recommend that international investments in conservation within the Eastern Arc worth $2 billion need to be made over the next 20 years.
- Without this, the authors say, the mountains’ forests and their extraordinary levels of biodiversity will be lost or degraded as local communities convert them to agricultural land or harvest timber from them.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/world-owes-it-to-tanzania-to-keep-eastern-arc-forests-standing-study-shows/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/#respond 05 Oct 2023 16:30:05 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273811 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/sustainable-infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-in-search-of-an-oxymoron/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/small-wins-for-indigenous-malaysian-activists-in-dispute-with-timber-giant/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/small-wins-for-indigenous-malaysian-activists-in-dispute-with-timber-giant/#respond 04 Oct 2023 16:33:16 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273865 - In September, Samling agreed to withdraw a lawsuit it filed against SAVE Rivers, a local NGO that publicized concerns about the company’s treatment of people living in and around two areas under the company’s management.
- Samling also lost certification for its Ravenscourt Forest Management Unit, one of the areas of concern in its lawsuit against SAVE Rivers.
- Activists in Sarawak say they will continue in their fight to empower Indigenous communities questioning Samling and other industrial giants’ plans for their land and resources.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/small-wins-for-indigenous-malaysian-activists-in-dispute-with-timber-giant/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/#respond 04 Oct 2023 16:09:31 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273795 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/investing-in-the-pan-amazon-how-chinas-investment-operates/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/swab-a-leaf-and-find-a-species-or-50-thanks-to-edna/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/swab-a-leaf-and-find-a-species-or-50-thanks-to-edna/#respond 03 Oct 2023 13:41:57 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273793 - Researchers identified 50 species of animals in Kibale National Park in Uganda by swabbing leaves there for a little over an hour.
- This easy and cost-effective method could potentially help scientists and wildlife managers apply environmental DNA, or eDNA, analysis more widely to terrestrial settings.
- Sampling and analysis of eDNA has been gaining popularity among researchers as an effective and non-invasive way to survey large ecosystems, especially in aquatic settings; its use in terrestrial environments has, however, faced a few restrictions.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/swab-a-leaf-and-find-a-species-or-50-thanks-to-edna/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/indonesias-peatland-restoration-claims-in-question-as-fires-flare-up/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/indonesias-peatland-restoration-claims-in-question-as-fires-flare-up/#respond 02 Oct 2023 14:37:39 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273776 - But this claim has come into question following an increase in the number of hotspots in peatlands, including inside oil palm concessions that had burned in past years and went up in flames again this year.
- An investigation by The Gecko Project found the government appeared to have inflated the figure of 3.7 million hectares, with the actual figure derived from the government’s own methodology closer to 2.7 million hectares (6.7 million acres).
- Fires on carbon-rich peatlands are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions from Indonesia, which in turn is one of the world’s biggest emitters.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/indonesias-peatland-restoration-claims-in-question-as-fires-flare-up/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sumatran-province-hangs-on-for-late-rain-as-el-nino-fires-bring-heat-and-sickness/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sumatran-province-hangs-on-for-late-rain-as-el-nino-fires-bring-heat-and-sickness/#respond 28 Sep 2023 16:46:54 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273723 - In Palembang city, new respiratory infections will likely soon eclipse the total diagnosed in 2022.
- Meteorology officials expect the monsoon to begin in parts of Sumatra and Borneo islands in October, but warn dry conditions will persist in much of Indonesia until November.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/sumatran-province-hangs-on-for-late-rain-as-el-nino-fires-bring-heat-and-sickness/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/new-online-map-tracks-threats-to-brazilian-amazons-uncontacted-indigenous-peoples/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/new-online-map-tracks-threats-to-brazilian-amazons-uncontacted-indigenous-peoples/#respond 27 Sep 2023 15:02:52 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273644 - The exact location of uncontacted communities is deliberately displaced on the map to avoid any subsequent attacks against them from those who engage in illegal activity in or near their territories.
- The tool can help Indigenous agencies deploy more effective protective actions to fend off threats such as diseases and environmental destruction, which can wipe out vulnerable populations.
- Activists hope the platform will help create a vulnerability index that ranks uncontacted populations according to the severity of threats against them, which can promote stronger public policies.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/new-online-map-tracks-threats-to-brazilian-amazons-uncontacted-indigenous-peoples/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/#respond 27 Sep 2023 14:00:54 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273636 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-public-private-partnerships/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/experts-slam-massive-discount-in-fines-for-indonesian-palm-oil-billionaire/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/experts-slam-massive-discount-in-fines-for-indonesian-palm-oil-billionaire/#respond 27 Sep 2023 10:14:45 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273677 - The country’s highest court of appeal upheld the initial conviction of Surya Darmadi for conspiring with a local official to illegally obtain licenses for his oil palm plantation, but cut his fines from $2.7 billion to just $144 million.
- Experts who testified in Surya’s prosecution say the latest ruling sets a bad precedent for future law enforcement against corruption and environmental crimes in the country.
- And without fines, they warn, there can be no efforts to recover the carbon-rich and biodiverse peat ecosystems in Sumatra that Surya’s plantations destroyed.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/experts-slam-massive-discount-in-fines-for-indonesian-palm-oil-billionaire/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/#respond 26 Sep 2023 15:14:47 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273624 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-finance-what-is-new-and-what-is-not/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/#respond 26 Sep 2023 13:20:18 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273646 - Journalists from Mongabay Latam traveled to four areas — Shiviyacu, Forestal, Huayuri and Teniente López — where there were pipelines, puddles of oil, barrels with potential contaminants and oil-covered creeks and plants.
- According to the environmental authority, José Olaya is the location of eight of the 171 “impacted sites” that the Peruvian government has registered so far. There are 3,170 environmental liabilities caused by oil in the rest of the country.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/peruvian-amazon-wounds-remain-after-50-years-of-oil-spills-on-achuar-land/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/as-fires-threaten-indonesian-forests-actions-like-agroforestry-promotion-are-needed-commentary/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/as-fires-threaten-indonesian-forests-actions-like-agroforestry-promotion-are-needed-commentary/#respond 25 Sep 2023 16:56:37 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273616 - Alongside the usual causes, fire has also become a significant driver of deforestation: since 2001, fires have accounted for 10% of forest loss, and this trend is currently intensifying amid the El Niño weather phenomenon, which brings drier conditions.
- “Promoting and supporting agroforestry, alongside other sustainable land use practices, can be a powerful step toward preserving Indonesia’s forests, mitigating climate change, and safeguarding the well-being of both local communities and the global environment,” a new op-ed via the country’s Ministry of Finance argues.
- This post is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily of Mongabay.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/as-fires-threaten-indonesian-forests-actions-like-agroforestry-promotion-are-needed-commentary/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/how-canadas-growing-presence-in-latin-america-is-hurting-the-environment/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/how-canadas-growing-presence-in-latin-america-is-hurting-the-environment/#respond 22 Sep 2023 19:20:28 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273559 - The country is a leader in mining and oil investment in the region but doesn’t do enough to protect against deforestation, pollution and human rights violations against local communities, according to a series of reports published by activist organizations.
- The organizations said Canada should implement new regulations to protect environmental defenders and sign onto ILO Convention 169.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/how-canadas-growing-presence-in-latin-america-is-hurting-the-environment/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/deforestation-for-palm-oil-continues-in-indonesias-orangutan-capital/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/deforestation-for-palm-oil-continues-in-indonesias-orangutan-capital/#respond 22 Sep 2023 16:59:37 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273592 - While new plantations appeared to have not been established yet along the new canal channels, there is a mosaic of illegal oil palm around the locations of the new canal, indicating a future development of palm oil.
- As new canals continue to be dug, deforestation has also picked up, reaching 372 hectares (919 acres) in the first six months of 2023, a 57% increase from the same period in 2022.
- RAN has called on global brands like Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever to address the development of new canals and illegal plantations as their supply chains are tainted with illegal palm oil from the wildlife reserve.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/deforestation-for-palm-oil-continues-in-indonesias-orangutan-capital/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/#respond 21 Sep 2023 20:44:23 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273454 - Author Timothy J. Killeen is an academic and expert who, since the 1980s, has studied the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia, where he lived for more than 35 years.
- Chronicling the efforts of nine Amazonian countries to curb deforestation, this edition provides an overview of the topics most relevant to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and Indigenous cultures, as well as a description of the conventional and sustainable development models that are vying for space within the regional economy.
- Click the “A Perfect Storm in the Amazon” link atop this page to see chapters 1-13 as they are published during 2023.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/infrastructure-in-the-pan-amazon-railroad-development/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/#respond 21 Sep 2023 18:49:26 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273515 - Even the powerful Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) recognizes the cattle tracking demand and proposes a traceability model to the federal government.
- A new study shows that existing cattle companies’ zero-deforestation commitments have reduced Brazilian Amazon deforestation by 15% and that the devastation could be halved by scaling up the implementation of supply chain policies.
- The ideal animal tracking model is individual, but experts defend a middle-of-the-road solution to reduce illegal deforestation based on cross-referencing from inter-ranch cattle transport data and the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR).
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/eu-bill-and-new-green-policies-spur-progress-on-brazils-cattle-tracking/feed/ 0 https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/#respond 21 Sep 2023 18:43:09 +0000 https://news.mongabay.com/?p=273537 - The team located four trees, two male and two female, in a forest fragment near a sugarcane plantation in the metropolitan region of the city of Recife.
- The trees live in an area that was once Atlantic Forest, but now less than 7% of its original forest biome remains, mostly in small fragments.
- Researchers plan to search for more trees, protect the rediscovered site, and collect seeds for germination, but say these efforts will be costly.
]]> Mongabay]]> https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/lost-brazilian-holly-tree-species-found-again-after-nearly-200-years/feed/ 0