Today in “Mamoní Street”, we learn how Big Bird can boost forest carbon storage
Mamoní Valley Preserve
The Mamoní Valley Preserve is a 5,000-hectare land conservancy in one of the top 25 Biodiversity Hotspots in the world.
A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that species of large frugivorous birds contribute to regenerating tropical forests by dispersing seeds on the ground. In doing so, they help increase a forest’s carbon storage by 38%.
In tropical forests, most plant species depend on animals to disperse their seeds. In degraded areas, birds fill in this role by transporting and planting seeds. All frugivorous birds play an important role in forest regeneration. The difference with larger birds, which can eat larger fruits, is that their seeds will grow into trees with greater biomass and carbon sequestration.
However, the study indicates that in degraded forests the movement of birds is restricted, leading to less seed dispersal and carbon capture.
In these places, forested patches are small and located far apart. As a result, birds have to make longer flights and are more exposed to predators and extreme weather conditions when going from one stretch of forest to another.?
Trees capture climate-warming carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into oxygen and plant material through photosynthesis. With birds flying less and dispersing fewer seeds, we risk having fewer trees on the ground and more carbon in the atmosphere.
领英推荐
Reducing deforestation and restoring forests play a fundamental role in decreasing atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate change.
Passive restoration is more economical than active restoration (planting trees), as it is cheaper and produces more diverse forests with greater carbon storage potential. But for it to be successful, we need to ensure that animals contribute to it.
Since 2006, Mamoní Valley Preserve has prevented almost 25.000 tons of C02 emissions annually through avoided deforestation. This, in some way, could be the work of the more than the 400 species of birds found in the Preserve, hence the importance of ensuring the long-term stability of species that populate our Valley.
#frugivorousbird #Birds #carbonstorage #climatechange #tropicalforests
Latin America Director at Wildlife Works Carbon
8 个月This is why it is so important to foster connecting corridors of forest ?? much better and greater variety of seed dispersal
Founder & Chairman of CLASP
8 个月Thanks for sharing, Daniel. Stories like this help us understand the amazing tropical forest we hike through in the Mamoni Valley.
Executive Director at Wild Earth Allies
8 个月Brian Gratwicke - has your work brought you into contact with Mamoní Valley Preserve (for whom I am a proud Board member)? Either way, it’s been too long, so let’s reconnect!
Bioenvironmental Systems Engineer
8 个月Great and concise read! It’s so important to highlight the importance of these type of solutions?? A lot of times us humans don’t need to elaborate complex restoration projects but should instead work more on education around these topics so we can preserve what we have and let nature plays its role. Panama’s biodiversity is astonishing, we need environmental education being taught in school????
NGO Management
8 个月It’s so amazing to learn what an important role our wildlife plays not only in our reforestation efforts, but also in the care for the planet and the fight against climate change.