Pollination

• The first ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report, released today by the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, showed that the conservation status of many migratory species is getting worse.
• The convention maintains a list of migratory species that are already in need of protection.
• More than one in five (or 22%) of the already threatened migratory species now face extinction.

Which species are listed?

• There are 4,508 species in the world that are migratory, and the convention lists 1,189.
• What must be done

  My research has pointed out that migratory species undertake remarkable journeys that connect diverse habitats across the globe.

• The report found that the threatened migratory species occurring in Africa, Asia and North America are experiencing the fastest declines.
• Of the migratory species that the convention lists as needing some level of protection, 97% are under threat of extinction.

Migratory animals’ habitats are being destroyed

• In Africa, 79% of new cropland over the past few decades has been established by destroying the natural vegetation where many migratory animals lived, the report says.
• The report also points out that pollution and introducing alien invasive species into habitats of natural vegetation put pressure on these indigenous species.

Why migratory species are important

• Migratory species consume tons of food daily.
• For example, deep-sea creatures, particularly tiny zooplankton, migrate from deep waters to the surface at night to feed on phytoplankton.
• Tiny marine animals are key to working out its climate impacts

  Protecting migratory species goes beyond conserving biodiversity; it is crucial for ensuring a healthier future for our planet.

What to do about it

• This includes expanding protected areas used by migratory species, taking down fences and making more effort to connect protected areas to each other.
• Stronger laws, enhanced international collaboration to curb illegal activities, and reducing bycatch in fisheries are urgently required, says the report.
• This report marks a significant step towards creating a conservation roadmap for migratory species.

• He is a senior Statistician at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
• He is also affilicated with the One Mara Research Hub (OMRH) and the Greater Serengeti-Mara Conservation Society; both devoted to securing the future of the magnificient Greater-Serengeti Mara Ecosystem.

• Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory wanted to understand the ecological value of photovoltaic solar energy sites planted with native grasses and wildflowers.
• The five-year field study looked at two solar sites in southern Minnesota operated by Enel Green Power North America.
• They examined how vegetation would establish and how insect communities would respond to the newly established habitat.
• Second, habitat-friendly solar sites can help mitigate land-use conflicts associated with the conversion of farmland for solar energy production.

• FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BeeHero , the pioneer of data-driven precision pollination, announced today the appointment of Ze'ev Barylka as its Chief Sales & Marketing Officer.
• In this key leadership role, Barylka will direct the strategic sales and marketing efforts for BeeHero around the world as the company continues its mission to future-proof global food security through its innovative pollination solutions.
• Before joining BeeHero, Barylka served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Rivulis Irrigation in North America, where he spearheaded sales and marketing efforts.
• He has also successfully integrated sales, marketing, and product innovation for other prominent precision agriculture companies including Netafim, where he served as Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Development.

• Whole Foods Market announced a new pollinator policy for its Fresh Produce and Floral purchasing to support pollinators in recognition of the critical role they play in our food system and the environment.
• The company has long championed pollinator health through its commitment to organic agriculture, which prohibits toxic persistent pesticides.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231218414385/en/
  Whole Foods Market Unveils New Pollinator Health Policy for Fresh Produce & Floral (Photo: Business Wire)
  As part of the new pollinator policy, by 2025, the company will:
  Require all fresh produce and floral growers to implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system, which prioritizes preventative and biological pest control measures and reduces the need for chemical pesticides.
• Encourage all fresh produce and floral suppliers to phase out the use of nitroguanidine neonicotinoids.