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Tiempo Climate Cyberlibrary

Ecosystems



 

About the Cyberlibrary

The Tiempo Climate Cyberlibrary was developed by Mick Kelly and Sarah Granich on behalf of the Stockholm Environment Institute and the International Institute for Environment and Development, with sponsorship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

While every effort is made to ensure that information on this site, and on other sites that are referenced here, is accurate, no liability for loss or damage resulting from use of this information can be accepted.

World Distribution of Coral Reefs and Mangroves
World Distribution of Coral Reefs and Mangroves

Biodiversity, ecosystems and the climate issue — selected resources in the Tiempo Climate Cyberlibrary and on the web
 


In the Cyberlibrary

Ecosystems and Adaptation
James Waters argues the importance of ecosystems and ecosystem services for poor urban communities likely to be affected by climate change. Published July 2010

Seeing REDD in the Amazon
Virgilio Viana argues that REDD in the Amazon is a win for people, trees and climate. Published June 2009

Climate Change Costs in Namibia
James MacGregor quantifies the costs of climate change on Namibia’s natural resource dependent economy and people. Published October 2008

Building the Resilience of Mountain Communities to Climate Change
A global e-conference on Climate Change and the Himalayan Glaciers was held May 7-30th 2007. Tek Jung Mahat from ClimateHimalaya reports. Published July 2007

The Cook Islands - an Ocean and Coastal Environment
Vaitoti Tupa discusses the environmental challenges facing the Cook Islands, commenting on climate change and sea-level rise, resource sustainability and capacity building. Published May 2007

Environment - the Basis of Livelihoods
Tony Nyong argues that the impact of climate change on the environment should not be neglected as natural systems provide the foundation for many livelihoods. Published December 2005

Plantations Are Not Forests
Ricardo Carrere documents the negative social and environmental impacts of the increased planting of monoculture tree plantations and denounces the mistaken rationale behind this activity. Published October 2004

International Year of the Mountains
The year 2002 has been designated the International Year of Mountains by the United Nations General Assembly. Published September 2002

Global Change and Coral Reefs
Barrie Pittock summarizes the factors that are affecting the world's coral reefs. Published March 2000

The Rise and Fall of the Blue Revolution
Alfredo Quarto discusses the state of the global aquaculture industry and its environmental and economic impacts. Published June 1999

Sustainable Use of the Mangrove
Alfredo Quarto describes the silvofishery method of aquaculture, a low-input, sustainable use of the mangrove ecosystem. Published June 1999

First Six Years of GCTE
The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) has released a report on the major findings of the first six years of its Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (GCTE) Core Project. Published March 1998

Climate and the Mangrove Ecosystem
Phan Nguyen Hong describes the potential impact of climate change on Vietnam's mangrove ecosystem. Published December 1993

Life and Death in the Mangrove
Alfredo Quarto discusses the impact that commercial prawn farming is having on the world's mangrove forests. Published August 1993


On the Web

2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership
The Partnership will coordinate the delivery and communication of a suite of indicators measuring progress towards the "2010 target", agreed by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

A Preliminary Assessment of Energy and Ecosystem Resilience in Ten African Countries
A Preliminary Assessment of Energy and Ecosystem Resilience in Ten African Countries, from Helios International, is a preliminary attempt to identify points of vulnerability as they relate to climate change-related events and sketch out what changes are needed, both politically and programmatically, to increase resilience. Published 2007

Arctic Change
Data and information from reputable scientific sources place the present state of Arctic ecosystems and climate in historical context.

Arid Lands Newsletter
Informative bulletin published by the Office of Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona, covering the desertification issue, biodiversity conservation and related topics.

Assessing Biofuels
Assessing Biofuels, from UNEP, recommends new planning and management approaches to balance the beneficial effects of the production of biofuels with their environmental and social consequences. Published 2010

Biodiversity - Natural History Museum
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Biodiversity Conservation Network
The Biodiversity Conservation Network, a component of the Biodiversity Support Program, is a USAID-funded programme working in the Asia/Pacific Region to provide grants for community-based enterprises that directly depend on biodiversity.

Biodiversity Economics
Biodiversity Economics is an on-line resource for biodiversity economists, promoting economic approaches to conservation by sharing documents, contacts and information about upcoming events.

Blue Carbon - The Role of Healthy Oceans in Binding Carbon
Blue Carbon, from GRID-Arendal and UNEP, highlights the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems in maintaining our climate. It aims to assist policy makers to mainstream an oceans agenda into national and international climate change initiatives. Various electronic resources can be downloaded as well as the full report. Published October 2009

Blue Carbon Portal
The Blue Carbon Portal brings together the latest knowledge and resources on the role of oceans as carbon sinks.

Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation
A programme aimed at establishing sustainable approaches for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, focused on the State of Sabah in Malaysia.

Building Biodiversity Business
Building Biodiversity Business, from Shell and IUCN, argues that there is a need to develop new business models and market mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and to persuade the public and policy makers that biodiversity (or component ecosystem services) can be conserved on a commercial basis. Published March 2008

Buy, Sell, Trade!
The "Buy, Sell, Trade!" game is a role-playing exercise that demonstrates the multiple benefits of preserving ecosystems for the services that they provide.

Climate Change Threat to Pacific Ocean Mangroves
Climate Change Threat to Pacific Ocean Mangroves, from the United Nations Environment Programme, defines the potential impact on this valuable ecosystem, as well as current pressures, and options for sustainable management. Published July 2006

Ecosystem Informatics
Ecosystem Informatics has been developed to provide data, information and ecological modelling for forecasting changes in Earth's life support systems. The programme has been developed by NOAA's Satellite and Information Services, the Geophysical Data Center, and the University of Colorado's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences.

Extinction - It's Not Just for Polar Bears
Extinction - It's Not Just for Polar Bears, from the Center for Biological Diversity and Care for the Wild International, details the threat to Arctic wildlife posed by climate change and sea-ice loss. Published September 2010

Forest Resilience, Biodiversity, and Climate Change (6.0MB download)
Forest Resilience, Biodiversity, and Climate Change, from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, reviews the concepts of ecosystem resilience, resistance, and stability in forests and their relationship to biodiversity, with particular reference to climate change. Published October 2009

Global Crop Diversity Trust
The Trust is a public-private partnership raising funds to establish an endowment fund that will provide complete and continuous funding for key crop collections in eternity. the website contains background information about crop diversity, including slideshows.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services provides a bridge between science and policy making.

International Year of Biodiversity
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity.

Living Planet Report
The Living Planet Report, from WWF, is a periodic update on the state of the world's ecosystems. It describes the changing state of global biodiversity and the pressure on the biosphere arising from human consumption of natural resources. Published annually

Mainstreaming the Economics of Nature
Mainstreaming the Economics of Nature, from The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study, presents a synthesis of the approach, conclusions and recommendations of TEEB, a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity. Published October 2010

Managing Mangroves for Resilience to Climate Change
Managing Mangroves for Resilience to Climate Change, from the World Conservation Union and the Nature Conservancy, details a series of strategies and tools to fight the non-climatic stress factors to help mangroves survive in the face of climate change. Published October 2006

MANGROVE
Email discussion list covering the mangrove ecosystem.

Mangrove Action Project
The Mangrove Action Project builds grassroots networks with the aims of raising public awareness about mangrove forests, helping protect and restore the world's remaining mangrove forests and protect and promote the rights of indigenous coastal peoples. The site contains information about campaigns and briefing papers on mangrove ecology and related issues.

Mangrove Replenishment Initiative
Graphic simulation of mangrove replanting in Florida’s intercoastal waters with details of methodology.

Mangrove Web Sites
The Centre for Tropical Coastal Management Studies at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne makes available listings of web sites concerned with mangrove and other coastal resources and coastal zone management.

Mangroves for the Future
Mangroves for the Future, led by the World Conservation Union, is a multi-agency, multi-country initiative for the long-term conservation and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, forests, lagoons, estuaries, beaches and sandy shores.

Marine and Coastal Ecosystems & Human Well-being: Synthesis
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems & Human Well-being: Synthesis, from UNEP, sets out to provide answers to a series of questions: What is the current status of marine and coastal ecosystems? What are the drivers of change in marine and coastal ecosystems? Why should we care if we lose marine and coastal ecosystems? What can be done to ensure that marine and coastal ecosystems and services are conserved? Published June 2006

Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Outlook Series
Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Outlook reports, from the United Nations Environment Programme, give a detailed overview of how rising pollution, the effects of climate change, over-fishing and other drivers of change are affecting marine life in 18 world regions. Published ongoing

Marine ecosystem health - HEED Program
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Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is an international work programme designed to meet the needs of decision makers and the public for scientific information concerning the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and options for responding to those changes.

Mitigating Climate Change through Restoration and Management of Coastal Wetlands and Near-Shore Marine Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities
Mitigating Climate Change through Restoration and Management of Coastal Wetlands and Near-Shore Marine Ecosystems, from the World Bank, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and ESA PWA, explains the greenhouse gas dynamics of coastal wetlands and marine ecosystems and the importance of coastal wetland and near-shore marine ecosystem carbon pools for climate change mitigation. Published April 2011

Mountain Watch
Mountain Watch profiles methods developed to aid decision-makers to assess the condition of mountain ecosystems, the pressures that affect them and the services that they provide. A new analysis of global data sets is supplemented by regional and local case studies drawn from around the world.

Nature & Poverty Knowledge and Learning Network
The Nature & Poverty Knowledge and Learning Network provides a platform for practitioners working on ecosystem management and poverty alleviation. Practitioners can connect with people and organizations, share experiences and find tools and resources, gain easy and timely access to experts and benefit from field-based knowledge and insights.

Poverty, Health, and Ecosystems: Experience from Asia
Poverty, Health, and Ecosystems, from the World Conservation Union, highlights the challenges faced by poor and often resource-dependent households across Asia. Published August 2006

Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources
Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, from the United States Climate Change Science Program, focuses on federally-managed land and water. Published June 2008

ProtectedPlanet.net
Protectedplanet.net allows you to search in any language to find information about individual protected areas. You can explore the world with intuitive maps, photo's and text descriptions. Protectedplanet.net is the new face of the World Database on Protected Areas.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories.

Ramsar Factsheets on Wetlands Ecosystem Services
Factsheets of Wetlands Ecosystem Services, from Ramsar, profile the benefits people obtain from wetlands ecosystems. They illustrate the great diversity of ecosystem services delivered by wetlands and their values.

Reef Relief
Reef Relief is a non-profit grassroots membership organization dedicated to preserve and protect living coral reef ecosystems through local, regional and international efforts.

Society for Ecological Restoration International
The Society for Ecological Restoration International is a non-profit organization whose members are actively engaged in ecologically-sensitive repair and management of ecosystems through an unusually broad array of experience, knowledge sets and cultural perspectives.

The Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, People and Societies At Risk (4.5MB download)
The Coral Triangle and Climate Change, from WWF Australia, describes possible futures for the Coral Triangle nations of Southeast Asia and Melanesia and recommends local and global actions. Published May 2009

The Greater Mekong and Climate Change
The Greater Mekong and Climate Change, from WWF, recommends three key adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability across the region: the protection of regional ecosystems, a reduction in non-climate stresses such as unsustainable infrastructure and over extraction of natural resources, and the implementation of a regional climate change adaptation agreement. Published October 2009

The Western Australian Mangrove Page
Created with a view to improving communication between mangrove researchers around the world, providing information on techniques, literature, links to related sites and educational resources, and hosting the MANGROVE e-mail discussion list.

UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Comprehensive global agreement to address all aspects of biodiversity: genetic resources, species and ecosystems.

UNEP Bioenergy Issue Paper Series
The Bioenergy Issue Paper Series, from UNEP, covers various topics related to bioenergy, including land-use change, water, invasive species and stakeholder involvement. Published, 2010 onwards

Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global organization that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity.

World Distribution of Coral Reefs and Mangroves
Maintained by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, contains maps of the world distribution of coral reefs and mangroves and background information.

Autogenerated: 15 May 2015

Bright Ideas

GE cuts solar costs

General Electric plans to cut solar installation costs by half

Project 90 by 2030

Project 90 by 2030 supports South African school children and managers reduce their carbon footprint through its Club programme

Smart street lighting

Bath & North East Somerset Council in the United Kingdom has installed smart LED carriageway lighting that automatically adjusts to light and traffic levels

Longwood Gardens

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the American Public Gardens Association are mounting an educational exhibit at Longwood Gardens showing the link between temperature and planting zones

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers

The energy-efficient Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers hotel is powered by renewable and sustainable sources, including integrated solar photovoltaics and guest-powered bicycles

El Hierro

El Hierro, one of the Canary Islands, plans to generate 80 per cent of its energy from renewable sources

Remarkables Primary School green roof

The green roof on the Remarkables Primary School in New Zealand reduces stormwater runoff, provides insulation and doubles as an outdoor classroom

Weather Info for All

The Weather Info for All project aims to roll out up to five thousand automatic weather observation stations throughout Africa

SolSource

SolSource turns its own waste heat into electricity or stores it in thermal fabrics, harnessing the sun's energy for cooking and electricity for low-income families

Wave House

The Wave House uses vegetation for its architectural and environmental qualities, and especially in terms of thermal insulation

Mbale compost-processing plant

The Mbale compost-processing plant in Uganda produces cheaper fertilizer and reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Frito-Lay Casa Grande

At Casa Grande, Frito-Lay has reduced energy consumption by nearly a fifth since 2006 by, amongst other things, installing a heat recovery system to preheat cooking oil

More Bright Ideas...


Updated: May 15th 2015