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Monica Evans

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ABOUT THE WRITER

Monica Evans is a writer and community development practitioner based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since completing her Masters in Development Studies in 2010, she has worked on environmental and community development projects in New Zealand, the Pacific and Latin America. She’s particularly passionate about participation, creativity and wellbeing, and has a keen interest in ecology and sustainability. She lives on New Zealand’s West Coast, where she teaches dance, grows vegetables and tends to her pet alpacas.

By this writer

The wide-canopied pongamia tree boasts glossy leaves and oil-rich seeds that are now being used for biofuel and other resources. Lauren Guttierez, Flickr

In Indonesia, oil-rich pongamia tree gains attention growing where other species can’t

In Indonesia, scientists wake up to the many potentials of pongamia trees, from fueling jets to improving coffee quality.

 
A local farmer in China, which provides 20 percent of the world's food and fibers. Hamad M, Flickr

Food systems change: a low-hanging fruit for climate change mitigation?

Experts at GLF Climate put forth best routes for reducing food’s contributions to climate change

 
Six months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, its devastating effects were far from reversed. Lesley Wright, UNDP Philippines

When home is stolen: stories from the frontlines of climate migration

Increasing numbers of people are forced to leave their homes due to climate migration – but lack legal protection as refugees.

 
Organic produce for sale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. katetrysh, Unsplash

Organic certification: what’s worthwhile, when, for producers in the Global South?

New organic certification mechanisms are needed to make their costs worth the benefits to local growers around the world.

 
Organic chard. foodreich, Unsplash

What role should organics play in sustainable food systems?

It’s not all-or-nothing for organic agriculture. Instead, changing our complex food systems needs a rather a nuanced approach.

 
A student measures the circumference of a Funtumia Africana in a forest reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ollivier Girard, CIFOR

6 guiding principles for successful restoration of tropical forest landscapes

Top forestry research organizations issue guidelines for scaling up tropical forest restoration with multiple benefits for stakeholders.

 
Houseplants sitting in the sun in Malta. yer_a_wizard, Unsplash

5 ways to incorporate biophilic design into your living spaces

Biophilic design can be used to hone your habitat by optimizing your biological connection with nature and improve your mental wellbeing.

 
The semi-arid region of Bardenas Reales, Spain. bernardhermant, Unsplash

Everything you need to know about drylands

Explore the world's drylands, the ubiquitous, un-trumpeted ecosystems that are critical to feeding the world and cover much of the planet.

 
An aerial view of the village of Nalma, Nepal. Mokhamad Edliadi, CIFOR

New maps of global forest carbon flux offer fresh insights for action

Scientists have created a global series of forest carbon flux maps, which can allow policymakers to better select forests for protection.

 
the world's largest naturally occurring walnut forest, Arslanbob, rests in the foothills at the base of the Krebet Babash-ata mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. Sathish J, Flickr

Central Asia’s fruit and nut forests: the real Garden of Eden?

Dating back millions of years, the fruit and nut forests of Central Asia gave birth to some of the world's favorite snacks.

 
Farmers harvesting coffee in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Yusuf Ahmad, World Agroforestry

Building the business case for biodiversity

Learn why the business sector should invest in natural capital and biodiversity for the benefit of people, planet and profit.

 
Ectomycorrhizal mycelium associated to Picea glauca roots. This fungus helps move nutrients between hosts and is an important food source for invertebrates. André-Ph. D. Picard, Wikimedia Commons

Into the invisible, indispensable world of microbial biodiversity

Zooming in on the microbial biodiversity that populates our internal and external ecosystems, impacting all aspects of our lives

 
Cloud forest containing unique flora in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Vyacheslav Argenberg, http://www.vascoplanet.com/

Cloud forests: narrow bands of biodiversity filled with mist, fog and mystery

Particular altitudinal conditions of some mountains can result in cloud forests, unique "elvin woodlands" that contain special ecosystems

 
A local cocoa producer in Cameroon. Ollivier Girard, CIFOR

Tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity with nature-based solutions

Tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity with nature-based solutions to build resilient landscapes.

 
A peatland habitat for wild elephants in Sumatra, Indonesia. Faizal Abdul Aziz, CIFOR

Peatland forests: the swamps and bogs where tree-planting isn’t clear-cut

Peatland swamp forests are delicate ecosystems that can mass-store carbon – but only if planted with the right tree species.

 

ThinkLandscape is a multimedia platform bringing you original, knowledge-backed news and feature stories about climate and landscape solutions from around the world.

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