Bigger is badder when it comes to climate impact of farms in the Amazon
A 20-year analysis of satellite data shows significant temperature differences in agricultural lands in southern Amazonia, depending on farm size.
Articles by Claire Asher
Claire has been working as a freelance science writer for over 6 years and her writing has appeared in New Scientist, BBC Future, Nature, Science, and The Scientist, among others. Her main interests are in ecology, conservation, animal behaviour and evolution, and she has written extensively for Mongabay about deforestation and land-use change in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado.
Study shows it took the Amazon as we know it over 6 million years to form
The asteroid impact 66 million years ago that killed more than 75% of all species on Earth, including all non-avian dinosaurs, triggered an ecological catastrophe that took the neotropical rainforests…
The key to averting environmental catastrophe is right beneath our feet
To stay within planetary boundary safe limits, we must protect soils by conserving global habitat and revamping industrial agribusiness — and do it fast.
Reversing warming quickly could prevent worst climate change effects: Study
Simple mathematical models suggest overshooting Paris climate accord emission targets for a short time won’t immediately trigger some environmental tipping points, allowing time to act.
The nine boundaries humanity must respect to keep the planet habitable
More than a decade after the Planetary Boundaries framework was first proposed by top scientists, we are no closer to changing our destructive trajectory — but 2021 gives us three opportunities to act.
A wet Amazon may be more resilient to a drying climate than thought: Study
In some of the wettest parts of the Amazon rainforest, dry air may increase plant photosynthesis rates — a response that contradicts the assumptions of many climate models, according to…
Conserve freshwater or land biodiversity? Why not both, new study asks
Integrating aquatic biodiversity into conservation planning could yield substantial benefits for freshwater species with minimal cost to terrestrial creatures, according to a study published in Science last month. Conservation areas…
Forest degradation outpaces deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon: Study
337,427 square kilometers of Amazon forest were degraded between 1992 and 2014 ¬(mostly due to logging and understory fires), compared to 308,311 square kilometers completely cleared.
Less than half of world’s humid tropical forests have high ecological integrity: Study
Just 6.5% of Earth’s best-quality and least-disturbed tropical forests are legally protected. Only 47% of remaining humid tropical forests globally have high ecological integrity.
Just half of major timber and pulp suppliers committed to zero deforestation: Report
Only one eighth of the 100 most influential timber and pulp companies have both a commitment to eliminating deforestation and an established system to monitor their progress.
Climate change could put tropical plant germination at risk: Study
By 2070, rising soil temperatures could cause germination failure in 20% of tropical plants, and reduced rates in more than 50%, with the potential to disrupt and alter tropical ecosystems.
Catastrophic Amazon tipping point less than 30 years away: study
Deforestation and climate change could convert Amazon rainforest to savanna by 2050. New infrastructure development would quicken process.
Brazil sugarcane growth can meet biofuel need and not drive deforestation: study
Intensifying cattle grazing on existing pasture could free up degraded land for new sugarcane plantations without need to clear Amazon forests and other native vegetation.
Amazon trees may absorb far less carbon than previously thought: study
Nutrient limitations in the Amazon’s million-year-old soils may mean climate models are overestimating the size of the future carbon sink by 46-52 percent.
Camera trap study reveals Amazon ocelot’s survival strategies
The largest study of ocelots ever reveals insights into habitat preferences and use. Brazilian Amazon ocelots prefer thick canopy cover, avoid humans.
Amazon REDD+ scheme side-steps land rights to reward small forest producers
Study finds pros and cons in a REDD+ carbon credit scheme in the Brazilian Amazon that rewards small-scale ecosystem service providers in local communities.
Shade or sun? Forest structure affects tree responses to Amazon drought
Small trees in the shade of the canopy are able to thrive during dry spells in the Brazilian Amazon, but those exposed to the sun in forest clearings suffer.
Brazil soy trade linked to widespread deforestation, carbon emissions
Analysis of new satellite data released by the Brazilian government links international soy exports to major deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado.
Brazil’s New Forest Code puts vast areas of protected Amazon forest at risk
Weakening of Brazil’s Forest Code by Congress in 2012 and by the Supreme Court in 2018 could free Amazon landowners to clear 15 million hectares of once protected forest: study.
Adapt to a changing Amazon now, or pay far higher price later, experts say
The costs of acting now to adapt to a predicted, dramatic loss of Amazon rainforest would be at least one order of magnitude lower than the economic fallout if we…
Amazon forests not changing fast enough to keep up with climate change: study
A three-decade study of Amazon forests finds rain-loving trees are being replaced by drought-tolerant species – an adaptation not close to keeping pace with climate change.
Extreme floods on the rise in the Amazon: study
Severe flood events have become five times more common over the last century as a result of natural atmospheric oscillations and human-driven climate change.
Mega-dam costs outweigh benefits, global building spree should end: experts
It is time to move away from large hydroelectric dams in favor of micro-scale energy generation and sustainable alternatives, according to a new report.
Saving the Amazon has come at the cost of Cerrado deforestation: study
The benefits of zero-deforestation agreements in the Amazon are being offset by the spillover of deforestation and native vegetation loss into other biomes.
Deforestation-linked Brazilian beef still flowing into international markets: report
The Brazilian cattle industry’s lack of traceability allows deforestation-linked beef to reach retailers committed to eliminating it. Uruguay’s digital traceability system could be a solution.
A river runs through it — and keeps the Amazon’s bird species diverse
Amazonian rivers don’t often drive the creation of new species, but do help maintain distinct populations, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances last month. Amazonian rivers…
Trase.earth tracks commodities, links supply chains to deforestation risk
Report details soy supply chains, shows that just six traders control most of Brazil’s deforestation risk. Report is product of Trase, a powerful new Internet tracking tool.
Plant response to rising CO2 levels may alter rainfall patterns across tropics
Increases in greenhouse gas levels are closing plant stomata (tiny pores in leaves); the plants then retain more water, potentially altering tropical rain patterns: study.
Hunting, fishing causing dramatic decline in Amazon river dolphins
Both species of Amazon river dolphin declined by over 90 percent between 1994-2017 in an Amazonas state reserve, mostly due to hunting and fishing: study.
Brazil’s actual forest-related CO2 emissions could blow by Paris pledge
Brazil is reporting its CO2 emissions within U.N. guidelines, but the nation’s true carbon releases due to forest degradation, wildfires and other key sources could be far higher.
Special series
Forest Trackers
- Deforestation spikes in Virunga National Park, DRC
- Slash-and-burn clearing nears Indigenous park as Brazil’s fire season ignites
- New areas of primary forest cleared in Brazil’s ‘lawless’ Lábrea
- Deforestation intensifies in northern DRC protected areas
Oceans
- ‘Watered-down’ plan to save India Ocean yellowfin tuna disappoints conservationists
- Tin mines close in on an Indonesian hamlet still clinging to nature
- NGOs back Maldives’ ambitious plan to save Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna
- Satellites keep watch over global reef health in a world first
Amazon Conservation
- Under assault at home, Indigenous leaders get a violent welcome in Brasília
- Amazon dams: No clean water, fish dying, then the pandemic came
- In Brazil’s most Indigenous city, prejudice and diversity go hand in hand
- With Indigenous rights at stake in Brasília, a territory is attacked in Paraty
Land rights and extractives
- Under assault at home, Indigenous leaders get a violent welcome in Brasília
- With Indigenous rights at stake in Brasília, a territory is attacked in Paraty
- Myanmar junta’s growing reliance on extractives for cash raises concerns
- Illegal logging in Philippines’ Palawan stokes fears of a mining resurgence
Endangered Environmentalists
- Rights groups demand end to Cambodia’s persecution of green activists
- With Indigenous rights at stake in Brasília, a territory is attacked in Paraty
- Brazil’s Bolsonaro vowed to work with Indigenous people. Now he’s investigating them
- Intimidation of Brazil’s enviro scientists, academics, officials on upswing
Indonesia's Forest Guardians
- From Flores to Papua: Meet 10 of Indonesia’s mangrove guardians
- Why I stand for my tribe’s forest: It gives us food, culture, and life (commentary)
- Reforesting a village in Indonesia, one batch of gourmet beans at a time
- Restoring Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem, one small farm at a time
Conservation Effectiveness
- Is planting trees as good for the Earth as everyone says?
- ‘Bad science’: Planting frenzy misses the grasslands for the trees
- A Malagasy community wins global recognition for saving its lake
- Scientists in Costa Rica are growing new corals to save reefs
Southeast Asian infrastructure
- Irrigation dams threaten Thailand’s tiger forests, say conservationists
- Relocating mangroves for Indonesian highway ‘not that easy,’ expert warns
- Indonesian governor’s arrest in road project points to more tainted contracts
- Papua deforestation highlights eastward shift of Indonesia forest clearing
