Patrick Waeber
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powaeber.bsky.social
Patrick Waeber
@powaeber.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1.2K following 600 posts
Scientist, conservationist, and activist exploring the intersections of nature, society, and sustainability. Passionate about diversity, complexity, and the beauty of change. Big fan of forests and their untold stories. 🇺🇦🇵🇸🇲🇬🏳️‍🌈
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powaeber.bsky.social
"I think my excuses need to be less extemporaneous." -- #Calvin
October 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
Madagascar’s #grasslands are no wastelands. Ancient. Complex. Alive. Not just old forests gone. They feed people. Hold biodiversity. Study them with locals. Respect their story. Manage with care. Resilience for nature and people. #TransdisciplinaryEcology #RethinkGrasslands #PeopleAndPrairies
"Conceptual diagram of key grassy biome terminology" (Fig.2) https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecm.70011
July 18, 2025 at 7:39 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
"Mechanisms driving changes in community trait composition and climate tracking. Changes in climaticconditions significantly influence tropical forest tree community dynamics, including survival (survivor assemblages),recruitment (recruit assemblages), and mortality (fatality assemblages)." https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/science.adl5414
March 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
Meet Leptophis mystacinus, a newly described parrot snake from Brazil’s Cerrado! 🐍 With its striking green stripes and long postocular markings, this species highlights the region’s incredible biodiversity. 🌿
#NewSpecies #Cerrado #Biodiversity

👉 peerj.com/articles/185...
Figure 7: Comparative coloration in life among the Leptophis species from the South American dry diagonal. (A) Leptophis mystacinus sp. nov., (ZUFMS-REP 4702) from Pium, Tocantins, Brazil, (B) L. marginatus from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and (C) L. dibernardoi from Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Photo credit: L. A. Silva (A), S. Keuroghlian-Eaton (B) and W. Pessoa (C). https://peerj.com/articles/18528/
March 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
These guys rock! Sharp analysis, even while still hot with justified outrage.

#TheBulwark
3 guys from the Bulwark podcast discussing what just happened
March 1, 2025 at 8:52 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
📌 More on this tiny mollusc! Below is a link with more info and literature on this little legend. And a lovely clip: must watch! 🎥🐌

🌿 #DynamicDunescapes
🦋 #LincolnshireWildlifeTrust
🐞 #Buglife

📺 Video: 🔗
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFs...

📖 Read more: 🔗
www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-dir...
"Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail (Vertigo angustior) is a tiny brown snail that can be found in undisturbed marshy coastal grassland and coastal turf fed by seepage. It is classed as Vulnerable on the Irish Red list, is a UK and Northern Ireland Priority Species that is listed in the EU Habitats Directive. The Irish populations are of global importance." https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/narrow-mouthed-whorl-snail/
February 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
👉 A stretch of dry land separates the Amazon and Atlantic Forests, but species have traveled between them for millions of years (arrows), following rivers and forested corridors.
"Map of major Latin American biomes showing the disjunct distribution of tropical wet forest and the intervening dry diagonal in South America, overlaidwith Inga occurrence records (grey circles; based upon 39 312 validated records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility). The map is adapted from theecoregion map of Olson et al. [5] but with ecoregions reclassified into tropical rain forests and cloud forests (green) and dry biomes (savanna, dry forest, chacowoodlands, seasonally flooded grasslands; in orange). Classification of the savanna and dry forest biomes follows Pennington et al. [6]. Coloured arrows provide aschematic of proposed historical or ongoing connection routes between Amazônia and Mata Atlântica: blue = the NE route, red = the SE-NW route, yellow = thedendritic network of gallery forests traversing drier biomes; the thicker arrows of the NE and SE-NW routes reflects Ledo & Colli’s [7] summary of the importance ofthese routes" https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/epdf/10.1098/rspb.2024.1559
February 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
Caribou traverse over 1,200km 🦌, while zebras cover ca 500km 🦓. Side by side, their journeys remind us how incredible and resilient the natural world 🌍 truly is. And this is terrestrial only.
#MigrationMasters #ProtectWildJourneys
#OvercomingBarriers

Paper from 2019: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"Some land animals embark on epic migration journeys, covering hundreds of kilometers over time as they move between feeding grounds, safer habitats with fewer predators, and their home ranges. This graphic visualizes the longest known land animal terrestrial migrations in kilometers. The data comes from the study “Longest terrestrial migrations and movements around the world” by Joly, K., Gurarie, E., Sorum, M.S. et al. published in 2019." https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-land-animals-with-longest-migrations/
January 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
Removing grey wolves caused ripple effects: too many coyotes & foxes reduced rodents, disrupting ecosystems. Ticks found new hosts, raising disease risks, while vegetation and insect populations changed. Losing wolves creates chaos.

#Wolves
#RippleEffects
#EcosystemBalance
"Box 3 Regulating interactions of wolves and the complex perceptions of their contributions to people Grey wolves (Canis lupus), historically distributed throughout North America and Eurasia, provide an excellent widespread example of how the extirpation of a top predator in an ecosystem can mediate herbivore release, ultimately altering the landscape8. Removal of wolves in the eastern USA and Canada has led to overpopulation of white-tailed deer, causing vegetative shifts that have harmed ecosystem conservation and NCP146. The loss of top predators, including wolves, has also released mesopredators such as red foxes and coyotes in the western USA, which has potential consequences for zoonotic disease regulation. Reintroducing wolves has been suggested to reduce Lyme disease incidence by reducing the density of mesopredator hosts of ticks64. Trophic cascades resulting from the loss or reintroduction of these top predators to ecosystems exemplifies their importance for regulating ecosystem function44,62." https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-024-00006-9#Sec23
January 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
The disappearance of North American sea otters caused a ripple effect: sea urchins thrived, destroyed kelp forests, and fish stocks declined. Coastal protection and fisheries suffered. A stark reminder of how wildlife loss cascades through ecosystems.

#SeaOtters #RippleEffect #EcosystemBalance
"Box 2 Changing perceptions of sea otters’ contributions to people Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have provided contributions to people around the North Pacific Rim for perhaps as long as 30,000 years134,135. Hunting of sea otters around coastal settlements would have increased the availability of urchins and other invertebrate prey for human consumption136. Indigenous coastal communities were therefore the first beneficiaries of sea otters’ contribution to people." "Image courtesy of James Thompson." https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-024-00006-9#Sec23
January 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
The best way to store carbon? Don’t chop down forests! 🌲🌳 Protect natural forests first; they store the most carbon. Let land regenerate naturally. If needed, support restoration. Multi-species plantations are better; monocultures? The last resort. #ClimateAction

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"...if the entire 350 Mha is given over to natural forests, they would store an additional 42 Pg C by 2100 (see ‘Which strategy?’). Giving the same area exclusively to plantations would sequester just 1 Pg C or, if used only for agroforestry, 7 Pg C. Furthermore, we find, on average, that natural forests are 6 times better than agroforestry and 40 times better than plantations at storing carbon (sequestering 12, 1.9 and 0.3 Pg C per 100 Mha by 2100..." https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01026-8
January 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
#EnergyTransitionParadox: rare minerals crucial for a low-carbon future are often found in areas where isolated Indigenous groups live. We must not repeat the fossil fuel crimes of harm and exploitation. Justice for vulnerable groups is key.

#JusticeInTransition

news.mongabay.com/2025/01/shou...
"For the world at large, the next three years will shape the outlook for the next thirty. To achieve a net zero economy by 2050, decarbonisation technologies must be deployed at an unprecedented scale in the near term. Metals and minerals are the backbone of these solutions and are in many cases in short supply, but it is our fundamental belief ‘how’ these are produced is as, if not more important than ‘how much’. “ICMM’s strategy sets an ambitious agenda that focuses on issues where the mining industry can make the biggest contributions related to society’s greatest challenges. These are also areas where the collective leadership of our company members, representing a third of the global industry, will be critical to push the boundaries of responsible and sustainable mining. Ro Dhawan, CEO https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-story/who-we-are
January 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
Be more tiger
#CalvinAndHobbes
January 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🌍Conservation actions include habitat restoration, tackling pollution and invasive species, and integrating biodiversity into water governance. Indicators like water quality fail to monitor biodiversity effectively, highlighting the need for freshwater-specific data.

#FreshwaterConservation
"Values and curves are shown for two alternative conservation strategies: a) maximises rarity-weighted richness, and b) maximises inclusion of the most range-restricted species. See Methods for a full explanation of each strategy. Surrogate effectiveness is measured using the Species Accumulation Index (SAI): values range from −∞ to 1, with 1 indicating perfect surrogacy, values between 1 and 0 indicating positive surrogacy, 0 indicating no surrogacy, and values less than 0 indicating negative surrogacy. In each panel, median SAI values are provided, with lower and upper confidence intervals in brackets. Blue lines are the optimal curves (accumulation of target diversity based on target priority areas); red lines are the surrogate curves (accumulation of target diversity based on surrogate priority areas); and grey lines are the random curves (accumulation of target diversity based on random selection of areas). Confidence intervals (95%, based on 100 randomisations) are shown in lighter shading around curves; most are too small to be visible." https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08375-z/figures/7
January 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🌍The main threats to freshwater species are pollution (54%), from agricultural and urban runoff, dams and water extraction (39%), disrupting habitats, and agriculture (37%), transforming wetlands and increasing eutrophication.

#CombatPollution
#SustainableWaterUse
#RestoreWetlands
"a, Proportion of threatened freshwater species (decapod crustaceans, fishes and odonates; combined and individually), extinct freshwater species (combined) and threatened tetrapods (combined) affected by each threat. The darker cells indicate a greater proportion of species affected by the threat. Threats are not mutually exclusive. Threats are coded following the IUCN Threats Classification Scheme (version 3.3) and combined for presentation as follows (the value of the highest hierarchical level is indicated; all subsequent levels are included): pollution (9); dams and water management (7.2); agriculture (2.1, 2.2 and 2.3); invasive species and disease (8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6); logging (5.2 and 5.3); urban development (1); hunting and fishing (5.1 and 5.4); energy production and mining (3); climate change and severe weather (11); human intrusions and disturbance (6); other ecosystem modifications (7.3); transportation (4); fire and fire suppression (7.1); problematic native species (8.2); aquaculture (2.4); and geological events (10). For the number of species: threatened freshwater species n = 4,190, extinct freshwater species n = 82, threatened decapods n = 472, threatened fishes n = 3,032, threatened odonates n = 686 and threatened tetrapods n = 7,112." https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08375-z/figures/2
January 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🐺 Over 100 wolves killed. Entire packs wiped out despite declining livestock losses. Since the new regulations in December 2023, around 100 wolves culled, many preemptively, not due to proven damage. Breaches Switzerland's conservation obligations.

#StopWolfCulling #SaveSwissWolves
"Die häufigste bekannte Todesursache für Wölfe in der Schweiz ist der bewilligte Abschuss. Verluste durch den Verkehr und illegale Abschüsse sind weitere wichtige Todesursachen von Wölfen in der Schweiz." https://www.kora.ch/de/arten/wolf/verluste
December 22, 2024 at 9:40 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🐺 More shepherding thanks to wolves. The number of sheep under constant shepherding has risen significantly, while those on “other pastures” have decreased. This reflects the growing presence of wolves and herd protection measures, bringing shepherding back to traditional herding.

#HerdProtection
"Entwicklung der Schafsömmerung Seit 2003 werden drei differenzierte Sömmerungsbeiträge für Schafe (ohne Milchschafe) nach Weidesystem ausgerichtet. Mit den höheren Beiträgen für das Weidesystem «ständige Behirtung» und für «Umtriebsweiden» gegenüber dem Weidesystem «übrige Weiden» werden die höheren Kosten dieser Systeme berücksichtigt. Wenn die Herde von einer Hirtin oder einem Hirten mit Hunden geführt wird, spricht man von ständiger Behirtung." https://www.agrarbericht.ch/de/betrieb/strukturen/soemmerungsbetriebe
December 22, 2024 at 9:40 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🐺 Politics kills wolves. Decisions to cull are politically motivated, ignoring evidence. No scientific basis for population limits. ➡️ 🧵

@birdlifeschweiz.bsky.social

#StopWolfMassacre #EvidenceBasedPolicy
#Wolf #Wolves

www.birdlife.ch/de/content/w...
image by Charly Gurt; https://www.kora.ch/de/aktuell/neue-zahlen-aus-dem-wolfsmonitoring--768
December 22, 2024 at 9:40 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
Just finished "Saving Ourselves" by @fisherdanar. What a read! Lessons: build strong communities, frame climate action as a justice issue, and boost resilience for lasting change. The future is in our hands. 🌍

#ClimateAction #SavingOurselves
#SystemicChange
Saving Ourselves, book by Dana R. Fisher
December 21, 2024 at 10:50 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
Alaskans, write to the Board of Game! Use this letter as is, or make it your own. Speak up to protect Alaska’s wolves before the Dec 27 deadline!
Subject: Protect Alaska’s Wolves – Oppose Extreme Proposals Dear Board of Game Members, I’m writing to oppose proposals that extend trapping seasons and, especially, the one allowing the killing of 73–80% of wolves in Unit [specific unit]. These plans are extreme and not based on sound science. Wolves are critical for healthy ecosystems. Killing such a large number will harm wolf populations, disrupt their packs, and throw nature out of balance. ⬛ I urge you to: Reject proposals that allow unsustainable killing or extended trapping of wolves. Follow science, not politics, when making decisions. Support balanced management that protects wildlife for future generations. ⬛ Please protect Alaska’s wolves. They are part of our heritage. Sincerely, [Your Name]
December 17, 2024 at 7:53 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
🌍🚢 "Silent enablers?" European shipping companies fueling the beef-deforestation link.

Cause-and-effect chain at a glance: Consumption 🍽️ → Beef production 🥩→ Deforestation.🌳

Time to rethink our appetite for destruction. 🌱

#BanBeefDeforestation
#Vegan
#Vegetarian
#Deforestation
#ClimateAction
Deforestation-linked beef. CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Hamburg Sud, Maersk, MSC. https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/12/12/silent-enablers-the-european-shipping-companies-moving-deforestation-linked-beef-around-th
December 13, 2024 at 9:15 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
2️⃣ Degraded forests mean lost habitats and declining species. Intact forests ensure ecosystems remain resilient to climate shifts and invasive species. Protect forest quality!
"On paper, the rainforests which give the golden bowerbird a home are extensive. But the reality is different when it comes to their quality. AlecTrusler2015/Shutterstock" https://theconversation.com/ravaged-jungle-just-25-of-the-worlds-surviving-tropical-rainforests-are-in-good-condition-245475
December 10, 2024 at 11:48 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
Brilliant!

#Time4Change
#OutAssad
#OutPutin
Putin and Assad, locked in silence, each thinking: 'Loser.' Source: Tages Anzeiger; 10 December 2024; analog; front page; caricature by Felix Schaad.
December 10, 2024 at 7:59 AM
powaeber.bsky.social
🌍 This cycle not only cools the planet...it also regulates regional rainfall patterns and sustains ecosystems. A process connecting forests and the skies!
Schematic of new particle formation from isoprene in the upper troposphere. Isoprene emitted by forests is efficiently transported to the upper troposphere at night via deep convective clouds. During daylight, the oxidation products of isoprene drive the formation of high particle number concentrations, which subsequently influence cloud formation and climate. Credit: Xu-Cheng He https://phys.org/news/2024-12-rainforest-emissions-linked-particle-formation.html
December 7, 2024 at 4:55 PM
powaeber.bsky.social
⚡Thunderstorms play a key role: They lift isoprene 15km high, where it reacts with lightning-produced chemicals, creating particles (aerosols) that seed clouds. Rain is born.

phys.org/news/2024-12...
"thunderstorm, a violent short-lived weather disturbance that is almost always associated with lightning, thunder, dense clouds, heavy rain or hail, and strong gusty winds." https://www.britannica.com/science/thunderstorm
December 7, 2024 at 4:55 PM