News tagged with oil plantations

Study finds logging of tropical forests needn't devastate environment

Harvesting tropical forests for timber may not be the arch-enemy of conservation that it was once assumed to be, according to a new study led by a University of Florida researcher.

Space & Earth / Environment

created May 10, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Biodiversity could be casualty of Myanmar openness

(AP) -- As many as 40,000 gorgeously plumed birds known as the Gurney's pitta thrive in the lowland rainforests of economically backward Myanmar. Across the border, Thailand's last five pairs are guarded around ...

Biology / Ecology

created May 07, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Assessing protected area effectiveness

A new study published in Conservation Letters aims to measure whether parks and reserves in the tropics succeed in protecting forests.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Apr 02, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Indonesia releases orangutans into the wild

Four orangutans were released into the wild on Indonesia's Borneo island on Tuesday, an official said, as the country ramps up efforts to protect the animals from extinction.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Feb 28, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Indonesia to conserve half of Borneo region

Indonesia's forestry ministry said Thursday it would conserve nearly half its share of Borneo island, which is covered with dense rainforest, so as to meet a presidential pledge to reduce gas emissions.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Jan 19, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Oil palms and conservation -- do they mix?

Conservation science can help protect the variety of living things in tropical landscapes even if they are being turned into oil palm plantations, new research argues.

Biology / Ecology

created Nov 24, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Companies not buying enough 'green' palm oil: WWF

Major retailers and manufacturers are not doing enough to honour commitments to use sustainable palm oil to help protect virgin rainforests from destruction, WWF said on Tuesday.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Nov 22, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 3

Warnings as sustainable palm oil effort falters

Environmentalists have warned that an effort to encourage the sustainable production of palm oil launched several years ago has not kept pace with expanding cultivation driven by rising demand.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Nov 20, 2011 | popularity 2.3 / 5 (3) | comments 1

Leaf litter ants advance case for rainforest conservation in Borneo

Studies of ant populations in Borneo reveal an unexpected resilience to areas of rainforest degraded by repeated intensive logging, a finding which conservationists hope will lead governments to conserve these ...

Biology / Ecology

created Oct 20, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

'Tree of Life' fighting for life

Scientists from The University of Nottingham have joined forces with researchers in Africa to tackle a lethal disease which is devastating a vital resource and foodstuff... the coconut palm.

Biology / Ecology

created Sep 14, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Orangutans struggle to survive as palm oil booms

Cinta, a baby orangutan found lost and alone in a vast Borneo palm oil plantation, now clings to a tree at a sanctuary for the great apes, staring intently at dozens of tourists.

Biology / Ecology

created Oct 22, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Rubber plantations could have 'devastating' impact in Asia

The expansion of rubber plantations in southeast Asia could have a "devastating" environmental impact, scientists warned Thursday as they pressed for a substantial increase in forest preserves.

Space & Earth / Environment

created May 21, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (6) | comments 4

Scientist warns that palm oil development may threaten Amazon

Oil palm cultivation is a significant driver of tropical forest destruction across Southeast Asia. It could easily become a threat to the Amazon rainforest because of a proposed change in Brazil's legislation, ...

Space & Earth / Environment

created Mar 24, 2009 | popularity 1 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Malaysia urged to force big oil to produce biofuel

Malaysia must force major oil firms to produce biofuel if the once-vaunted biodiesel industry is to have any future, industry experts told a conference Thursday.

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created Mar 12, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0