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Medición de impacto ambiental: desafíos y soluciones para empresas

All businesses have nature in their value chain. Whether directly or indirectly, companies across all sectors depend on natural resources and ecosystem services to develop products, offer services, and maintain operational stability. Nature not only provides raw materials such as water, timber, minerals, and agricultural products but also provides essential services like climate regulation, crop pollination, and air and water purification—fundamental processes for maintaining the balance of natural cycles on our planet, ensuring human well-being, and supporting economic activities across various industries.Preserving the health of natural ecosystems is a shared responsibility that more and more companies are becoming aware of. Evidence of this includes public environmental commitments made by organizations of all sizes, the creation of roles and departments dedicated to developing environmental sustainability strategies, the progress of global movements such as Net Zero and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9mQeOqK9r/">Nature Positive</a>, and advances in environmental regulations that impose more stringent obligations on businesses to protect the natural world.This shared responsibility comes with an unavoidable requirement: companies must be able to measure their impact on nature accurately and transparently. Without concrete and precise data, assessing progress, optimizing strategies, and demonstrating commitment is difficult. However, achieving this poses a significant challenge, as environmental impact measurement can be costly, time-consuming, and logistically complex. The good news? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGglemIeEG/?img_index=1">Environmental monitoring and analysis tools</a> that leverage advanced technology are readily available today to make this process more efficient.This article will explore some of the main challenges of measuring environmental impact across large territories. Additionally, we will show you how your company can achieve thin agilely and cost-efficiently using <a href="https://le.mu/atlas-web/">Atlas</a>, our nature intelligence platform, which combines advanced technology with scientifically validated methodologies to provide nature-related data for your areas of interest.<h2>Environmental Quantification: 6 Benefits of Measuring Impact on Nature</h2> Conducting environmental impact assessments is not a peripheral exercise in your business strategy—quite the opposite. Understanding in detail how your company interacts with the natural world throughout its value chain has the potential to directly impact your business model and corporate goals, ensuring operational stability and unlocking new growth opportunities. Here are six benefits for companies investing in environmental analysis:1. Greater resilience to natural phenomenaSince companies depend directly or indirectly on nature, environmental degradation or ecosystem changes can pose operational and financial risks. By measuring their interface with the natural world, companies can identify their dependencies, anticipate risks, and develop adaptation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. 2. Optimization of resource useMany companies use natural resources without fully understanding their consumption efficiency or environmental impact. Measuring impact allows them to identify opportunities to reduce water, energy, and raw material waste, minimizing their ecological footprint and generating significant savings. For example, monitoring land use through satellite data can help agricultural businesses improve irrigation practices, optimizing water consumption without compromising production.3. Easier regulatory complianceEnvironmental regulations are constantly evolving and becoming stricter in different countries, including Chile. From emissions regulations to ecosystem conservation requirements, companies must demonstrate compliance to avoid financial penalties and reputational damage. Having solid data on environmental impact facilitates compliance with these regulations and allows businesses to anticipate future legislative changes, reducing the risk of fines and operational restrictions.4. Better evidence-based decision-makingAccurate environmental impact measurement provides scientific data that enables companies to design more effective strategies and maximize their positive impact. This helps avoid ineffective strategies or investments with uncertain returns resulting from decisions without reliable information. For example, a renewable energy company can use indicators for biodiversity and ecosystem changes to assess the optimal location for new projects and avoid negative environmental impacts.5. Ability to demonstrate progress on environmental commitmentsMore and more companies are publicly committing to reducing their ecological footprint and designing sustainability strategies. Without verifiable data, it is impossible to demonstrate progress toward these commitments and strategies, which can cast doubts on the credibility of these promises and cause lasting damage to the company's reputation.6. Meeting investor and consumer demandsInvestors and consumers increasingly value sustainability. They demand greater transparency and environmental commitment from companies. Investment funds assess a company's impact on nature when making financing decisions, just as consumers prioritize corporate responsibility in their purchasing choices. Therefore, having verifiable environmental metrics can open new business and financing opportunities.<h2>Challenges and Solutions in Environmental Impact Studies</h2> The benefits of measuring the impact on nature are unquestionable. However, saying it is different from doing it. And doing it, as we have mentioned, presents several challenges. Here are some of the main ones, along with what Atlas, our nature intelligence platform, can do to solve them:<h3>1. Cost and resources required for measurement</h3> Rigorous environmental impact measurement requires significant investments in multiple measurement tools and multidisciplinary teams. Sending experts to the field is logistically complex, time-consuming, and costly, as is covering large land areas to install sensors and environmental monitoring tools.Atlas: By using satellite imagery, our platform enables remote and efficient impact assessment, significantly reducing costs and logistical complexity. Additionally, Atlas provides scientifically validated insights from a multidisciplinary team of nature science experts.<h3>2. Availability and quality of environmental data</h3> To understand an ecosystem's trajectory, companies rely on both historical and updated data that must be reliable and consistent. Working with fragmented information from different sources, low-resolution data, or biased databases makes it difficult to conduct an accurate impact assessment and gain a historical perspective.Atlas: The models used to build Atlas' nature indicators combine various data sources and are developed with potential biases in mind. These indicators integrate historical data with the best resolutions available to ensure precise and in-depth measurements.<h3>3. Data processing, storage, and analysis</h3> The natural world is complex, and tracking changes in a specific area requires managing vast amounts of data points. Processing, storing, and analyzing these large volumes of information requires robust computational infrastructure and data science experts, which not all companies have at hand.Atlas: The technological infrastructure on which our platform is built takes on the heavy lifting of this technical challenge. The goal is to provide companies with seamless access to the information they need, enabling them to make strategic decisions quickly while saving time, energy, and money.<h3>4. Difficulty in interpreting and communicating data</h3> Having vast volumes of environmental data without a straightforward way to analyze and visualize it can be overwhelming for many companies. Whether communicating sustainability progress to investors, consumers, and regulators or presenting data internally, interpreting and conveying environmental information is not always easy.Atlas: Our solution is designed so that both technical and non-technical profiles can interpret and present complex environmental metrics to specialized and non-specialized audiences. Atlas features an intuitive interface with various visualizations, interactive maps, rigorous lists, and easy-to-understand insights for each indicator.<h3>5. Lack of standardized methodologies</h3> There is no single globally accepted framework for measuring environmental impact, leading to differences in results depending on the methodology used. Without clear standards, results can be inconsistent, making it challenging to compare sustainability strategies and impact reports across sectors, industries, and companies.Atlas: Atlas indicators can be adapted to various global and cutting-edge reporting frameworks, such as GRI, SASB, Nature Positive, and TNFD. Our team can guide any company through this process, ensuring the validity and comparability of the data provided.<h3>6. Compliance with environmental regulations</h3> Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly strict and are continuously updated, meaning companies must constantly adapt to new rules to avoid financial penalties and reputational damage. This is particularly challenging for companies operating in multiple countries or jurisdictions, requiring them to comply with different environmental standards. Atlas: Through precise and transparent indicators, our solution quantifies a company's impact on nature from a compliance perspective per current regulations and standards. In addition to experts in technology, earth sciences, and data science, our team includes experts on environmental legislation.<h3>7. Lack of integration with other information sources</h3> Many companies already have environmental data from fieldwork or other measurement platforms but lack the tools to integrate all their metrics and achieve a holistic view of their areas of interest. Compatibility issues between environmental monitoring systems and data sources are a common challenge for sustainability units.Atlas: In addition to the proprietary indicators we have developed and other nature indicators available on the platform, Atlas enables the integration of multiple data sources, serving as a single source of truth (SSOT). For example, Atlas can combine camera trap data, satellite imagery, and external databases in one platform.<h2>Want to Learn More About Atlas?</h2> Our nature intelligence platform gathers dozens of environmental indicators in categories such as carbon, biodiversity, vegetation, climate, risk, and water. Our indicators can be applied to your areas of interest to help you make agile, evidence-based decisions about the natural world. In addition, one of the key features of our platform is its flexibility and ability to adapt to different companies and needs, helping them solve nature measurement challenges. If your company wants to understand its relation with the natural world in greater detail or has a particular challenge in measuring environmental impact, don't hesitate to get in touch. <a href="https://le.mu/">You can schedule a free demo in just a few minutes.</a> That way, we can learn about your company's needs and explore solutions together. &nbsp;

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Environmental Impact Measurement: Challenges and Solutions for Businesses

If you had told us that 4 days, 14 hours, and 10 minutes after entering orbit we would have a flawless, almost perfect image with no anomalies from our satellite Lemu Nge, we would’ve asked you for a bite of your cookie. But no cookie needed to be harmed to achieve this moonshot, as that’s exactly what happened!&nbsp;On August 21, 2024, at 11:39 AM UTC, Lemu Nge captured 5000 lines in the Panchromatic band (250nm-625nm), resulting in a 23x28 km image from a 600 km orbit (the distance from Frutillar to Talca) over vineyards north of Lisbon, Portugal.The 1-band image, displayed in black and white (colorized with AI for entertainment and to simulate surface distinctions), will serve as the basis for future captures using the 32 bands of our hyperspectral camera, capable of distinguishing vegetation, water, infrastructure, and more.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/lemu-web-prod/Lemu_Nge_First_Image_Social_4615df0316/Lemu_Nge_First_Image_Social_4615df0316.jpeg" alt="Lemu Nge-First Image-Social.jpeg"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/lemu-web-prod/Lemuy_Nge_First_Image_Colorized_Social_bc585be37f/Lemuy_Nge_First_Image_Colorized_Social_bc585be37f.jpeg" alt="Lemuy Nge-First Image Colorized-Social.jpeg">This achievement is extraordinary due to its clarity, less than a week after launch. Results like this typically take months or even years of calibration. Now begins the testing phase with the 32 bands: configuring, calibrating, and synchronizing them, along with the ionic propulsion system, to capture key ecosystems of Chile and the Global South for our biological mission.This first image was 20 megapixels, reduced to 10 to ease downloading and increase sharpness. At full capacity, Lemu Nge will be able to capture up to 32 gigapixels of a broad spectral range over 2 million hectares of ecosystems on a single pass. All this from a satellite the size of a shoebox that consumes the equivalent of 4 LED light bulbs.&nbsp;Lemu Nge’s success is due to the collective intelligence of a global team with a common purpose: protecting the future of all living beings. Thanks to everyone who made this possible! Nobody ever achieves anything alone.(SPOILER ALERT: We are continuing with the tests and already have our first RGB image, but it’s not from Chile yet — lots of clouds lately. More updates soon!)

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Our satellite Lemu Nge flawlessly captures its first image from space

FRUTILLAR, CHILE (August 17, 2024) - Lemu, a Chilean startup pioneering technology to enhance nature-based solutions, announced today that its Lemu Nge satellite was successfully launched by SpaceX on August 16, 2024, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States.“Satellite imagery is the most efficient way to be able to monitor the 51 billion hectares of our planet, but despite all the satellites in orbit, very few are Earth observation satellites and even fewer have instruments that allow us to effectively distinguish biodiversity from space,” commented Leo Prieto, founder and CEO of Lemu. “After 6 years of work, we are thrilled to have put Lemu Nge in orbit, the first hyperspectral nanosatellite dedicated exclusively to this task. Its unique configuration puts it in a very small group of instruments needed to bridge nature's data gap, increasing the resolution of the data we currently use by more than 20 times.”The launch was an unprecedented technological milestone in the history of Chile, being the first time that a Chilean company placed a satellite into orbit and the first satellite in the world designed exclusively to observe biodiversity in the ecosystems of our planet, thus becoming a tool of the highest value for the study and protection of the natural world.Lemu Nge means “Forest Eye” in Mapudungun, inheriting this name from its main payload and scientific mission, a high-definition hyperspectral camera optimized for the observation of the Earth's ecosystems, allowing to see in detail their composition, trends, and changes over time.After the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), the initial mission of Lemu Nge will be focused on Chile, due to the large geospatial data gap for this country and the Southern Hemisphere in general.Initial observation areas will include:<ul><li>Characterization of Ramsar category Andean wetlands, from the highlands to Tierra del Fuego. &nbsp;</li><li>Monitoring of underwater macroalgae forests along the Chilean coast. &nbsp;</li><li>Classification of changes in land use. &nbsp;</li><li>Identification of key plant species — especially trees. &nbsp;</li><li>Identification of invasive plant species.</li></ul>The information gathered will help design effective conservation actions and sustainably manage the country's natural functions. Subsequently, the mission will be extended to the Global South and eventually to the entire world.Lemu Nge is a 6U (30x20x10 cm) nanosatellite, about the size of a shoebox. Its high-resolution hyperspectral camera can segment land cover and vegetation biodiversity with more than 20 times the current accuracy. The camera measures 32 spectral bands between 450 and 900 nanometers, making it possible to see details invisible to the human eye. The resolution on the ground is 4.75 m from 500 km altitude (Low Earth Orbit or LEO). The satellite has an advanced liquid metal ion electric propulsion system using non-toxic depressurized materials (FEEP), which allows it to adjust its orbit and de-orbit safely at the end of its mission, disintegrating without leaving space debris. It completes one orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes, resulting in 14 daily orbits (heliosynchronous or SSO).This mission is the result of more than 6 years of collaboration between Earth science, aerospace engineering, and information technology professionals from several countries: Designed by Lemu in Chile, assembled by NanoAvionics in Lithuania, with key components from Simera Sense in South Africa, Enpulsion in Austria, and launched into orbit by SpaceX from the USA.Lemu continues to advance its mission to bring nature online, bridging nature's data gap to help curb the environmental crisis. Its Atlas platform drives nature-based decisions by making nature visible in the value chain of all companies and institutions, facilitating solutions through its network of over 70 verified conservation and restoration projects across 5 continents. Lemu is approaching its goal of financing the conservation of 1% of the Earth's land surface by 2033. &nbsp;

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Lemu Nge: the first satellite dedicated to biodiversity goes into orbit!

Cloud forests are well protected by one of our stewards: Fundación Guanacas, Bosques de Niebla. This non-governmental organization located in northern Colombia works towards the conservation and expansion of crucial ecosystems called cloud forests, which are basically rainforests at high altitudes.These forests occur when thick vegetation reaches high mountains, and clouds help to create a humid environment filled with rainwater and atmospheric moisture (mist). They are also biodiversity-rich biomes since they are home to numerous endemic species whose survival is interconnected.To protect cloud forests and all life within them from the climate crisis, Fundación Guanacas works incessantly to conserve the area but to pursue their mission, they need our collaboration.This is why they became one of our stewards: through our app, you can connect with Fundación Guanacas and support them financially in order to conserve their ecosystem and wildlife. Water factories from the cloudsAs mentioned, cloud forests have unique features that make biodiversity thrive. These exceptional biomes are an important source of water for rivers, which also means that they are vital to many species living in the area.In fact, “Guanacas” is not only the name of one of the towns in which the reserve is located, but it is also an indigenous term that means “sacred water over stone,” an accurate concept if we consider the function of this natural system, where vegetation transforms fog into the water, becoming an essential regulator of the water cycle.<h1>Heavenly vegetation in a delicate circle</h1>Cloud forests are also home to many endemic species that need this environment to survive. Within the surrounding flora at Fundación Guanacas, you can typically find incredible orchids (Epidendrum fimbriatum), towering oaks (Quercus humboldtii), magnificent ferns (Cyatheaceae), breathtaking wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense) and ancient trees like “Alma Negra” (Magnolia sp).All the endemic flora in cloud forests plays a part in its delicate balance, so let’s explore one of the most beautiful ones: orchids. These outstanding plants with colorful flowers are found on almost all continents, but in cloud forests they have the highest number of species.Why are orchids so important? They are flowers that support pollinators; they offer their nectar to bees, flies, butterflies, and humming-birds, which in turn go and spread pollen to fertilize other plants. When any population of plants or animals drops, this cycle is interrupted, breaking the chain, which means many ecological problems arise.<h1>Heights where animals find shelter</h1>The fauna of cloud forests is also very diverse. Up there, many species of birds find food and shelter. We could mention, for example, the Andean motmot (Momotus aequatorialis), a blue-capped bird that lives at very high altitudes (it can nest at 3100m), or the green jay (Cyanocorax yncas) and the sparrow (Atlapetes blancae), which is now a critically endangered species.There are other peculiar animals, such as the “chocolate” frog (Hyloscirtus antioquia), a dark brown tree frog whose habitat is getting smaller every day.Felines are also part of this foggy scenery, including the cougar (Puma concolor), the northern tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus), and the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). These three species play a key role in the ecosystem’s balance. Cloud forests need all the help they can getIn 1970, cloud forests covered 50 million hectares of land. Presently, we are losing 1% each year.Colombia, home to the foundation, is the largest area containing these ecosystems, but now only 10–20% of them remain. This is due to many factors, such as population growth, unsustainable land use, and global warming.The rising temperatures force cloud forests to go even higher, reaching greater altitudes each year, while lower elevations suffer from deforestation. This means that the amount of heat produced results in less cloud moisture and the death of many species that rely on the typical humidity of that environment.Other consequences of climate change for cloud forests include more natural disasters due to harder and more frequent storms, animal migration, and the loss of biodiversity.Felines, frogs, lizards, ancient trees, bees, orchids, and even lichens could disappear if it weren’t for the work of organizations like Fundación Guanacas, and Bosques de Niebla. More than ever, they need our help to save cloud forests and restore their splendor.<h1>An organization with an important mission</h1>As mentioned before, the climate crisis is affecting cloud forests negatively. That is why part of Fundación Guanacas’s job is to keep this natural sanctuary as intact as possible and to restore what is already damaged. They have a conservation territory of approximately 762 hectares and created many programs aimed at addressing specific topics related to cloud forest conservation.The foundation also acts as an ecotourist location where you can, among other activities, camp, and practice birdwatching. They are also involved in investigative and educational projects that raise awareness about the importance of cloud forests.To support them, you can:<ul><li>Adopt a sparrow.</li><li>Give a tree as a gift.</li><li>Plant a wax palm under your name.</li></ul>These steps are simplified <a href="https://le.mu/">in our app,</a> where you can connect with Fundación Guanacas by adopting a hectare of your choosing and supporting its conservation efforts at the tap of a button.Follow us to learn more about Fundación Guanacas and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lemuearth/?hl=es">Lemu</a>.

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Meet the Stewards: Fundación Guanacas

Found in over 70 countries and territories, TNC is one of the world’s leading conservation groups with a focus on solving biodiversity loss and the ever growing issue of<a href="https://blog.le.mu/3-reasons-to-join-lemu-77581eedcb7a"> climate change</a>.Working with some of the leading scientists, staff and members, TNC is one of the key environmental organizations we at Lemu have the pleasure of working with.One of the oldest beings on Earth has this particular organization to thank for some of its preservation.Other equally important projects, such as the <a href="https://blog.le.mu/the-valdivian-coastal-reserve-a-highway-to-the-ice-age-aaf2dacb3706">Valdivian Coastal Reserve</a>, are guarded by TNC. This area is home to one of the oldest beings on Earth, like a a 2400 year-old tree, which is only accessible with the help of local tourist guides.Get to know this project and more by <a href="https://le.mu/">downloading our app!</a><h1>Here are 3 reasons why we love TNC:</h1>1. Through the work and initiatives they support, the organization helps to preserve areas from which we are still able to protect and learn from nature. In turn, this helps some of the most vulnerable communities and systems in the world.For example, in Chile, TNC champions conservation efforts that protect the country’s urban and high-Andean wetlands, which, in part, preserve the water supply to six million people in Santiago, Chile’s capital city. 2. When it comes to goals, no-one sets them higher than TNC whose mission is to reduce or store<a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/"> three billion metric tons of carbon emissions a year by 2030</a>. By continuing to preserve areas such as the Valdivian Coastal Reserve, where some of the oldest trees are found, these efforts will go a long way towards combating the growing threat posed by carbon emissions.In turn this will also assist in the Conservancy’s aim to assist 100 million people at risk of climate emergencies. 3. Like us here at<a href="https://blog.le.mu/3-reasons-to-join-lemu-77581eedcb7a"> Lemu</a>, TNC seeks to foster and inspire robust conversation about the ecosphere, and the part and value that ecosystems play in creating a healthier environment and planet for all. Let’s keep making conservation efforts transparent and teaching each other about<a href="https://blog-es.le.mu/la-importancia-de-los-biomas-y-el-balance-ecol%C3%B3gico-de-la-naturaleza-d44a13e328f9"> why preserving our ecosystems</a> is crucial, now more than ever.<a href="https://le.mu/">Sign up</a> for early access to our app to learn more about how you can play your part!

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Meet the Stewards: 3 Reasons why we love The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Imagine waking up to the calming sounds of nature, preparing your own food using resources from the land, and walking barefoot through some of the most beautiful landscapes nature has to offer. This sounds like a dream especially at a time when growing urbanization has removed us more and more from nature and its healing abilities.This was the vision for the founders of <a href="https://somosnativos.cl/">Somos Nativos</a>, a foundation that seeks to give the public an opportunity to be at one one with nature.Somos Nativos has created a network of parks in which nature lovers can enjoy access to natural spaces in a way that is no longer readily available.The foundation not only encourages physically immersing one in largely untouched land, but also promotes education around how to conserve nature, and the value that preserving ecosystems can offer.<h1>Parks and recreation: Kaikén School Park</h1><a href="https://somosnativos-cl.translate.goog/parque-escuela?_x_tr_sl=es&amp;_x_tr_tl=en&amp;_x_tr_hl=en&amp;_x_tr_pto=sc">Kaiken School Park</a> was the first of the foundation’s parks. About four hours’ drive from Coyhaique, in Chile’s Aysén Region.The park, which is mostly unaltered by humans, is a breathtaking stretch of 3500 hectares.It is here that groups of school children or the general public can “camp” out either in a large barn-like warehouse that houses up to 35 beds, or around campsites. There are activities available, including tours of the park (five to six hours) which can be enjoyed over a number of days.During this time, lessons about the history of the land, its ancestors, the climate, flora and fauna are explored.Also, visitors are given a glimpse to a time of old, when man was fully reliant on Mother Nature, and all she has to offer.Follow Lemu on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lemuearth/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and Twitter.Some of the other ways in which visitors are taught includes being encouraged to cook their own food, chop up firewood, fish and do some gardening.In Summer, there are the pristine lakes in which to swim in.The park offers a diverse group of guides that include those who are endemic to the land. Recreationally, expression through movement, music, writing are also part of the program.<blockquote>“Nativos promotes a different kind of conservation; one that focuses on promoting an ecosystem where forests, rivers, and the fungi realm, the flora and fauna also coexist with a modern human being that needs to return to the forest, to return to slow cooking, to return to long exploration and different expressions in order to rediscover food sovereignty, responsible construction, low-scale livestock farming.In short, a Neo-Rural culture where ancient and modern ways of doing things meet in pristine territories in order to defend the good life.” says Cristián Fernández, Founder of Nativos.</blockquote>If you enjoy <a href="https://blog.le.mu/3-tips-for-walking-through-the-forest-reducing-your-ecological-footprint-9622da16571b">exploring nature reserves and the forests reducing your ecological footprint</a>, you might also be interested in <a href="https://blog.le.mu/discover-quizap%C3%BA-natural-park-los-andes-many-treasures-b4c443b3d4e9">Quizapú Natural Park</a>, which offers guided tours on horseback. Kaikén’s Flora and faunaThe predominant species in Kaiken Park is the lenga forest, along with a great variety of fungi are also part of this beautiful ecosystem. Regarding the fauna that can be observed on the trails of the park, there is a great variety of birds, among which you can observe:<ul><li>Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)</li><li>Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)</li><li>Caiquén or upland goose (Chloephaga picta)</li><li>Traro (Caracara plancus)</li><li>Condor (Vultur gryphus)</li><li>Buff-necked ibis (Theristicus caudatus)</li><li>Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)</li></ul><h1>Creating a positive impact on nature</h1>As part of the network of parks, Somos Nativos also collaborates with Factory School Park which uses the same concepts and programs found at Kaiken. The 1500 hectare reserve is found in Cochamo, in the Llanquihue Province, Los Lagos Region.Today, they are promoting two School Parks, Aysén and Cochamó respectively. They are more than 5,000 hectares under DRA (real right of conservation) and with programs that receive more than 1,000 annual quotas for youth and adults.Guests are taught about conservation, and the ways of the past, highlighting nature’s benefits.Let’s keep teaching each other about <a href="https://blog-es.le.mu/la-importancia-de-los-biomas-y-el-balance-ecol%C3%B3gico-de-la-naturaleza-d44a13e328f9">why preserving our ecosystems is crucial</a>, now more than ever!

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Experience nature’s best with Somos Nativos

Welcome to the inspiring journey of Salvamontes, a group of dedicated individuals determined to protect the threatened Magnolia trees in the Tropical Andes hotspot, Alto de Ventanas, Antioquia, Colombia. Their efforts have not only safeguarded these majestic trees, but also a myriad of critically endangered species, from orchids to frogs, birds, and mammals. Join us in supporting their cause by downloading the Lemu App.<h2>A tale as old as forests</h2>This remarkable story traces back to a group of passionate individuals, deeply concerned about three species of endangered Magnolia trees in the biodiverse-rich Alto de Ventanas region of Antioquia, Colombia. As time passed, the urgency of their mission escalated, extending their reach to not only the Magnolias, but also to a host of other endangered species including orchids, frogs, birds, and mammals.Today, Salvamontes proudly oversees three natural reserves spanning 528 hectares in Alto de Ventanas. Within these cloud forests, they protect no less than 16 endangered species, including 8 animals, 3 trees, and 5 orchids, some of which are unique to this region.<h2>Almanegra (Magnolia guatapensis): A Tree Beyond Compare</h2>Magnolia guatapensis, or Almanegra de Guatapé, is a species endemic to the northern central cordillera of Antioquia, Colombia. Discovered in the municipality of Guatapé, its name bears testament to its origin. Thriving in humid to very humid forests at elevations between 1800 and 2500 meters, its largest and healthiest population resides in the municipality of Yarumal, within the DRMI Alto de Ventanas.With the potential to grow over 30 meters tall, Almanegra boasts long, straight, slender trunks that rise above the forest canopy. Its exquisite, cream-colored, large flowers emit a strong, inviting fragrance that beckons pollinators from afar. Classified as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List due to its restricted distribution and habitat fragmentation, Almanegra faces threats from habitat destruction and logging for its valuable wood.<h2>Handley’s Slender Opossum (Marmosops handleyi): A Nocturnal Acrobat of the Rainforest</h2>Residing within the borders of Antioquia, specifically in the breathtaking landscape of Alto de Ventanas, Handley’s Slender Opossum is a master of the rainforest. This diminutive creature, native to South America, possesses distinctive features that set it apart. Its lithe, elongated body facilitates seamless navigation through dense vegetation, while its large, round eyes grant exceptional night vision for nocturnal foraging.Equipped with a prehensile tail that acts as an extra appendage, aiding in branch-grasping and tree-climbing balance, this opossum is a nimble acrobat. When threatened, it employs agile maneuvers, making capture by predators a formidable challenge. Notably, Handley’s Slender Opossum possesses the unique ability to produce clicking sounds with its tongue, enabling communication and prey location in the forest's depths.<h2>Ghost Monkey Orchid (Dracula lemurella): A Peculiar Vision in the Deep Forest</h2>Dracula lemurella, with its narrow, pubescent leaves and delicate cream-colored flowers, teeters on the brink of critical extinction due to its severely restricted distribution and rapid habitat loss. The only known natural populations of this exquisite orchid are safeguarded within the natural reserves of Alto de Ventanas.<h2>Salvamontes: Unearthing Nature's Hidden Gems</h2>As Salvamontes' ranks swelled with specialists, they embarked on a journey of unexpected discoveries. In 2020, amidst the lush Bosque Pluvial Premontano of the Los Magnolios Natural Reserve, they stumbled upon a new miniature orchid species of the Lepanthes genus. Through rigorous botanical study, it was christened Lepanthes gloriae in honor of the late Gloria C. Arcila García, mother of one of the discoverers, who is a member of Salvamontes.The following year brought another revelation: Pristimantis carylae, a new species of frog, nestled alongside the Pristimantis chocolatebari (also known as the "Chocolate frog") in the La Selva de Ventanas Natural Reserve. These discoveries underscore the imperative of preserving ecosystems in their natural state.<h2>Their Aspirations and Goals</h2>Salvamontes envisions the restoration of the Los Magnolios reserve in Colombia, achieved through a tree nursery and the planting of endangered endemic species. Additionally, they are fervently working towards creating the Alto de Ventanas ecological corridor by expanding three natural reserves, all while spearheading conservation initiatives for threatened species like the Ventanas Magnolia tree, the Ghost Monkey Orchid, and Handley's Slender Opossum.<h2>Be there for them</h2>Embark on this incredible journey with Salvamontes and become a part of their mission. Download the Lemu App to support their vital conservation efforts in Alto de Ventanas. Together, we can make a difference for these remarkable species and the precious ecosystems they call home.

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Salvamontes: A tale of passionate people who decided to take action

The decline in global biodiversity is a pressing issue that can be primarily attributed to human overpopulation and overconsumption. Excessive production and consumption displace other species as we continue to expand our settlements, agriculture, infrastructure, and other activities. The main drivers of biodiversity loss include land-use change, direct exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species.<h2>Land-use change</h2>is the leading cause of biodiversity loss, driven by agriculture, forestry, and urbanization. Intensive agriculture has resulted in increased food production but at the expense of ecosystem services and climate stability. Problematic is particularly extensive livestock breeding not only as it devours lots of land but cattle also produce a powerful greenhouse gas: methane. Logging has reduced native forest cover, while illegal timber harvests negatively impact the environment and the livelihoods of rural communities. Ecosystem functionality is compromised when more than 20% of species are eliminated, and this threshold has already been surpassed in many areas.<h2>Overexploitation</h2>threatens both land-based and aquatic species, with unsustainable logging, gathering, and hunting being major contributors. Unsustainable practices put various plant groups and wild animal species at risk. Global trade in wild species has expanded, and illegal trade in wild species is now the third largest class of illegal trade globally. Sustainable use is crucial for the well-being of both wildlife and people who depend on them for their livelihoods.<h2>Invasive alien species (IAS)</h2>pose significant threats to native plant and animal life, leading to the decline or extinction of native species and negative effects on ecosystems. Islands are particularly vulnerable to IAS due to their isolation and a high proportion of endemic and specialized flora and fauna. International cooperation and action are required to address the global issue of IAS, focusing on prevention and rapid detection at borders.<h2>Pollution,</h2>including chemical waste, has a devastating impact on ecosystems, especially in freshwater and marine habitats. Excessive nutrient loading, air pollution, and marine plastic pollution all contribute to the loss of biodiversity and affect the survival of both wildlife and humans.<h2>Climate change&nbsp;</h2>is an intensifying threat to biodiversity, affecting vulnerable ecosystems such as coral reefs, mountains, and polar ecosystems. Besides severe direct and indirect impacts on human health, climate change alters weather patterns and species distributions, threatening up to one in six species at the global level.<h2>Addressing these drivers of biodiversity loss&nbsp;</h2>requires a multi-faceted approach. Policies, governance, enforcement, and engagement of indigenous peoples, local communities, and the private sector are all necessary for promoting biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, international cooperation and action on issues such as IAS, climate change, and pollution are essential. By working together to tackle these challenges, we can protect biodiversity and build a more sustainable future for both wildlife and humans.

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Addressing the Roots of Biodiversity Loss: Overconsumption and Overpopulation

More than <a href="https://sentientmedia.org/effects-of-deforestation/">4 billion</a> hectares of our planet are covered by forests - that’s around 30% of its land surface. As you can imagine, forests are kind of an important global resource. When we clear lands, another expression to say “cut trees down”, we’re boosting climate change and global warming, and causing critical damage to plant and animal species. This includes us, humans.If we continue to deforest at the pace we’re doing right now, we won’t be able to recover from the effects of deforestation. Don’t forget that, as we talked about in other articles, forests are also necessary to balance the levels of carbon dioxide that are released into the atmosphere.Here we’ll explore: the causes of deforestation, the effects of deforestation, and what we can do to reduce it. So without further ado, let’s go, let’s take care of our forests 🌳<h2>What are the main causes of deforestation?</h2>A known cause of deforestation is illegal logging. Logging is the base of a whole multi-billion-dollar industry. What is it about? Mainly about illegally harvested timber and related products like paper and packaging. Plus, illegal logging can also be connected to the “need” of some people to replace natural forests with monoculture plantations.But deforestation causes are not always illegal. There are some known causes that are allowed to happen despite the damage that is generated in our environment and our own lives. Let’s explore some of them.<h3>Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation</h3>80% of deforestation is done for agricultural purposes. Plus, <a href="https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-what-is-definition-deforestation-causes-effects/">33%</a> of agriculture-caused deforestation is a result of subsistence farming like local peasant agriculture found in developing countries. Commercial or industrial agriculture also ends up with the need to search for areas in which to grow food, fibers, or biofuels—like soybeans, palm oil, rice, cotton, and sugar cane.Note that also almost 500,000 hectares of forest are deforested to grow soy, and around 77% is mainly for feeding livestock—it’s believed that livestock is accountable for more than 14% of deforestation in the world. Therefore, animal agriculture is also an issue: 41% of tropical deforestation, which means 2.1 million hectares a year, is related directly to the broadening of pasture for feeding beef cattle.<h3>Palm oil: the second biggest cause of deforestation along with soy</h3>In 1980 4 million hectares were used to grow palm oil. That number increased to 19 million by 2018. Plus, it’s threatening almost 200 species that are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, like tigers and orangutans. Want to know how many tons of palm oil are produced each year? Almost 66 million tons and they’re used in household products, animal feed, food, and also as fuel for power and vehicles.Note that although it’s the second greatest cause of deforestation, it's responsible for less than half the amount of deforestation generated by cattle ranching.<h3>More frequent and intense forest fires:</h3>Fires are something that can naturally happen. Actually, they occur in some forest ecosystems naturally or as controlled fires. Controlled fires have been used mostly by Indigenous communities for centuries to clear small areas for agriculture. But some fires are started intentionally and people lose control of them. What’s the reason? Clearing land for non-forest uses.Plus, it’s important to take into account the fact that as Earth’s temperature rises, lands get drier. This paves the way for more intense and ferocious forest fires.Want some numbers? Here they are:<ul><li>In 2019 the Amazon rainforest suffered over 9,000 fires.</li><li>In 2021, Russia had its worst fire season since 2001: 18.13 million hectares of forest were destroyed.</li><li>In France, in one month alone, 17,000 hectares of pine forest burned to the ground.</li></ul><h3>Mining:</h3>Another well-known cause of deforestation is mining: around 44% of large-scale mining operations take place in forests. That’s why experts have already highlighted the fact that, for example, if governments like the Brazilian one keep on giving mining licenses to develop that activity in areas like the Amazon, which actually is protected, it will end up in thousands of square kilometers of brand new deforestation.And if that’s not already enough, we also have to deal with illegal mining. It’s done mainly to extract gold, and it’s accountable for the destruction of more than 40,000 hectares of forest between 2001 and 2014 in the Tambopata National Reserve located in Peru.<h3>Overpopulation:</h3>Do you know how many people live on Earth? The human population is almost on the cusp of 8 billion and will exceed 10 billion at the turn of the next century. This will translate into the need to increase food production. This will also mean an increase in deforestation: more lands will be cleared in the name of agriculture.But that’s not the end of the story. Overpopulation also means that more people will need places to live. Therefore, forests will be cleared in the name of urbanization too. People will need more roads and highways for transportation. Plus, they will also need furniture, paper, building materials, and many more products that come from logging industries that cut down trees to manufacture those things.<h3>Paper:</h3>400 million tons a year - that’s the world’s entire paper production and also between 13 to 15% of total wood consumption. Sadly, the demand for those products is increasing. For instance, a lot of forest regions are being cleared for making toilet paper among other tissue products.Note that just the amount of paper that we throw away each year is <a href="https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-deforestation.php">equivalent to approximately 640 million trees</a>. Just by recycling, we have the power to save 27.5 million tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide - plus, we also save many trees from being cut.<h3>Urbanization:</h3>We kind of spoke about this when we discussed overpopulation as a cause of deforestation. But let’s go a little bit deeper. It’s believed that 68% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050— contributing to deforestation. More people means more roads, airports, and houses.The last sentence drives us to another key point: urbanization. <a href="https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-what-is-definition-deforestation-causes-effects/">New constructions are responsible for 10% of deforestation</a>. New constructions include transportation, transformation, and energy generation.<h2>What are the effects of the deforestation?</h2>Problems from deforestation are already part of our planet’s daily routine. Sadly, there are effects of deforestation on animals, the environment, and on us. Let’s check out the most important negative effects of deforestation.<h3>How is deforestation affecting humans?</h3>What are the impacts of deforestation on humans? The effects of deforestation on people’s health are also a concern. Clearing forests has a great impact on human health in different ways. Picture this: the fragmentation of wildlife habitat as a result of deforestation, promoting the animals and insects movement to agricultural and human-inhabited areas, increasing the spread of novel pathogens from wildlife to domestic animals and humans.But that’s not the only effect. The World Wildlife Fund says that deforestation also puts potential medicinal resources at risk because there’s a point of view that says that they won’t be enough to cover all the damage caused by deforestation.Deforestation contributes to and boosts the impact of climate crisis like floods, therefore, it increases the chances of death, especially in areas of the world that are more vulnerable to extreme weather. This also means that clearing lands can be translated into the loss of direct health benefits like enhanced mental and physical well-being and cleaner air.Increased food insecurity is another effect. There are 2.4 billion people who use fuelwood for cooking, mostly in developing countries. Apart from that, it’s known that forests also help provide food for millions of people. They do so by lending a hand in maintaining soil quality, regulating the climate, and giving habitats and food to animals and plants. Deforestation puts all of these at risk and increases problems for food supplies worldwide thanks to its contribution to the climate crisis.Among the effects of deforestation on humans, local people and their livelihoods are at risk being at risk is an important one. The World Bank proved that rural households living near forests depend on them. 22% of their income is from forest resources. This includes timber, food, fodder, construction materials, fuel, and even medicine. So as you can imagine, when deforestation takes place, those resources decrease, making communities from Cameroon to India have trouble making ends meet.Another common effect connected to local people and their livelihoods is the fact that many of them have to migrate because of that and even because of extreme weather events. This makes people suffer social disruption and face important conflicts.You can help fight deforestation by supporting conservation projects that focus on restoring natural environments. How? Easy. Download the Lemu app and start funding them.<h3>How does deforestation affect animals?</h3><a href="https://medium.com/@FastTreeRemovalServicesAtlanta/deforestation-causes-effects-solutions-c718cc3ebb5#:~:text=The%20loss%20of%20trees%20and,causes%20the%20most%20deforestation%20worldwide">80%</a> of the world's known animal and plant species live in forests. So apart from the effects of deforestation on humans, deforestation affecting animals is also a reality. Picture this: trees, plants, animals, insects, carbon-sequestering fungi, and microorganisms live in forests, so clearing their lands leaves them without a home. Note that we discussed what happens when this situation takes place in terms of human health.Plus, when we remove trees we are causing fatal effects on plant and animal species. That’s mainly because we are not only destroying their habitats but we are also helping temperature variations, increased sunlight, and vulnerability take place.<h3>Effects of deforestation on wildlife</h3>Another consequence that deforestation causes to wildlife includes extinction. More than 4,000 species are at immediate risk when deforestation and unsustainable logging take place. We’ve already discussed what happens with their habitats, and as expected, many forest-dwelling species have issues surviving in the small pieces of land that are left. As the available land gets smaller, it can support fewer populations and species.That’s not the only reason why deforestation causes wildlife extinction. When animals live in smaller pockets of forests, they’re more vulnerable to hunting, poaching, and predators. Plus, some species can only live in forests so they can easily be extinct when their habitat is destroyed. Some forest-dependent animals that are extinct include the Mount Glorious torrent frog of Australia, the Formosan clouded leopard of Taiwan, and the cryptic tree hunter bird of Brazil.<h2>Impact of deforestation on the environment</h2>We’ll divide the impact of deforestation on the environment by discussing how it contributes to climate change and global warming while highlighting its effects.<h3>How does deforestation lead to climate change?</h3>When analyzing deforestation's causes and impacts, we have to discuss climate change. Why? Because deforestation paves the way for releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it causes Earth’s climate to change. Which leads to other effects.Psst, before we continue, if you’re wondering how you can help stop deforestation, check out our restoration page and discover conservation projects you can support on the Lemu app.<h3>Floods</h3>According to a study published in Global Change Biology, there’s evidence that proves that deforestation increases the frequency of flooding events and intensifies its impacts by, for example, increasing its duration, the number of people affected, and the physical damage.Other studies have also shown that deforestation contributes to the increase in floods in many ways. One of them is what the Water Resources Research proved in 2012. They revealed that in Canada clearing areas of forests in snowy regions can double or even quadruple the number of floods around streams and rivers.<h3>Soil erosion and deforestation</h3>Deforestation effects on the environment include soil erosion and desertification. But why does deforestation cause that? Trees and natural vegetation help soils to stay in place and balanced. When lands are cleared, the nutrient-rich topsoil erodes. Therefore, heavy rains and winds easily wash it.On the other hand, forests also play a role in regulating the water cycle. In consequence, clearing them paves the way for making local climates drier and for desertification.<h3>Acidic oceans</h3>Soils are not the only environment that’s affected by deforestation. As there are fewer trees to work as natural sinks, more carbon dioxide is absorbed by the oceans, which makes their pH decrease and causes acidification. This also contributes to important changes in their environment.<h3>How does deforestation contribute to global warming?</h3>First things first: more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as it’s a greenhouse gas, leads to an increase in Earth’s temperature. With that being said, it’s a very well-known story that trees work both as natural sinks and as a source of carbon dioxide.Why do we say that? Because forests are a huge storage of carbon when we cut them they release it into the atmosphere. Actually, nowadays tropical forests are emitting more than they can store: between 10 and 15% of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions come from deforestation. Note that agriculture is accountable for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions generated by humans.<h2>Is there anything we can do to stop deforestation?</h2>We know that maybe it’s pretty hard to stop all the deforestation around the globe by ourselves. But we can certainly do something about it by taking small actions that can be turned into significant changes for our planet.We’ve explored some solutions for the climate crisis recently, and now it’s time to see what we can do about deforestation. Some solutions are:<ul><li>Plant a tree. In your backyard, in a square. Find a place where you can help restore a natural sink. Of course, you have to look for the right species for that place and select the perfect planting location so the tree can grow smoothly. Don’t worry, it might sound a little bit complicated but it’s information that’s easy to find on the Internet and you can even ask your local government for some help if you wanna do it in a public space.</li><li>Reduce meat consumption.</li><li>Join an organization. You can become a subscriber, donor, or even member of a local or global organization that’s helping reduce deforestation.</li><li>Learn. Research is a key part of taking action to fight deforestation. You’ll find insights that will help you find the right way to reduce deforestation. Plus, you’ll also be more fueled to spark a conversation about deforestation and incentivize others to join you in the journey of taking care of our planet.</li></ul>Here at Lemu, we’re developing great content to help you pass smoothly through this learning path. We have a blog with a lot of information about the climate crisis, global warming, and more. Plus, our website is waiting for you to jump in, and learn about what we’re doing and how you can join a project that’s focused on supporting new ways to protect Earth.Ready to learn and be part of the change? Discover what we’re doing at Lemu 🌱

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