What are Coastal Ecosystems?

Coastal ecosystems are an essential resource for marine life, and local coastal communities, who represent 37 percent of the global population in 2017. The coastal zone is an area of highly dynamic and productive ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems are areas where land and water join to create an environment with a distinct structure, diversity, and flow of energy. A typical coastal ecosystem consists of coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes. These aquatic ecosystems have immense social, environmental, and economic value due to the range of ecosystem services they provide.

The shallow water habitats create an ideal environment where young…

A journey in self-love

A cold spring dawned upon me, and I was thrown into an abrupt transition back to reality. A brick wall was all I had to break my fall.

I used the shattered pieces to re-build parts of myself I didn’t realize were broken or needed fixing.

A shift in focus and value.

I have enjoyed spending time with myself in a way that I haven't done before.

Sinking into moments with the people I love.

Enjoying the details.

Noticing life, and having a renewed appreciation for the mundane, the simple, and the normal. …

A Day In The Clouds

Together- Just you and I

Lying under the blue sky, watching clouds float by.

The deep green blades of grass press against my back, imprinting a pattern onto my skin.

You run your fingers down my arm as your eyes gaze over my body, the touch of your hand feels cool against my sun-soaked skin.

My head placed perfectly in the embrace of your chest and I listen to your heartbeat softly.

Soon we fell asleep.

Our eyes surrendered to the weight of the sun, as you fell deeper into a tranquil slumber, your grip…

The vivacious petals of the tiger lily stand strong as it feeds off of the day’s last remaining sunbeams.

Its roots planted firmly in the ground.

The world is spinning around so quickly, this simple life form cannot comprehend all of the impending change.

Within only a few moments, ominous overcast fills the evening sky.

Sharp strident sounds vibrate through the air.

The winding wind pushes past the lilies’ leaves and nearly breaks its stem.

Now, the rain falls, it pours out of the sky as though the clouds were broken down flood gates.

The lilies become submerged in water.

…

Our Blue Planet

We live on a blue planet; oceans cover 70 percent of the world’s surface and play a central role in supporting life on earth. The ocean supports a multitude of life forms, ranging from the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, to tiny microorganisms.

Biological diversity is imperative in maintaining the functionality and productivity of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Marine biodiversity makes habitats more resilient to environmental change, and provides basic goods and ecosystem services that are crucial to human life and poverty reduction.

An Essential Ecosystem

In recent decades, there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of fishery…

First of all….What are peatlands?

Peatlands are incredibly old landforms that have played an important role in the development of our natural history and are now found in almost every country in the world. The term ‘peatland’ refers to the peat soil and the wetland habitat growing on its surface. This natural terrestrial ecosystem formed over 10–40 thousand years ago is made up of partially decomposed plant material under waterlogged conditions.

Climate Regulation

Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth due to their carbon sequestration capacity. Plants use photosynthesis to extract carbon from the atmosphere and store it in peat. This is why peatlands have…

Toxic Algal Blooms: A Growing Problem

The Prevalence of Phosphorus:

The year 2019 marked the 350th anniversary of the discovery of phosphorus (P) by the alchemist Hennig Brandt. Phosphorus is the foundation for all life on earth. It is essential to global food production and supporting population growth around the world.

In fact, it has been argued that phosphorus is at the heart of the food, water, and energy nexus. Over the past 75 years, agricultural demand has dramatically increased the rate of global phosphorus mobilization. …

The biodiversity of insects is threatened worldwide- We need to take action now

Summary Points

• The biodiversity of insects is threatened worldwide. Dramatic rates of insect decline may lead to the extinction of 40% of the world’s insect species over the next few decades.
• The current rate of insect decline is eight times faster than that of mammals, birds and reptiles. Any insect population collapse would have detrimental repercussions for nature’s ecosystem.
• The current industrial agriculture model is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. Corporate concentration in the global food system has lead to an increased use of agrochemicals, fertilizers and pesticides…