Nine articles explore the impacts of ancient human societies on tropical ecosystems, revealing the importance of incorporating the paleosciences, social sciences and indigenous traditional knowledge in the development of solutions for contemporary environmental challenges

Study led by researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed data for the period 1991-2014 and revealed that deforestation increased in election years. The phenomenon could cancel out the environmental gains achieved by conservation policies and actions, the scientists warn.

Our understanding of current global reef condition derives from synthesis of local studies, which are based on disparate and sparse data sources of variable quality. In this study, we conduct a meta-analysis using estimates of coral cover from a variety of local surveys, quantitatively relating reef condition to a suite of biogeophysical forcing parameters. We find that readily available public data for coral cover exhibit unexpected trends, contrary to prevailing scientific expectations.

Substantial international investment is greening livestock farms with trees and shrubs to make them more productive and better for the environment. But excess male cattle from scaling up silvopastoral farms may contribute to deforestation elsewhere

Coconut trees grow slowly and are difficult to clone. Scientists at KU Leuven and the Alliance multiplied seedlings faster and conserved coconut genetic resources for the long-term. This will help preserve coconut tree biodiversity and meet increasing demand for coconuts and derived products

One of the most promising fields is photovoltaics. Prototype perovskite solar cells have been shown to be more efficient than commercial silicon-based cells.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are one of the main tools for ocean conservation worldwide; they are intended to conserve biodiversity and promote healthy marine ecosystems. In light of the recent campaign to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, clarity about how to design and evaluate MPAs is crucial. In order to address this need, a team of scientists from around the world, including the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), developed “The MPA Guide.”

With the support of NGOs, universities and business, the inhabitants of small towns in the Amazon are practicing a self-sustaining circular economy in which waste is converted into inputs for production.

Scientists at a FAPESP-funded research center investigated the mechanism that produces the main enzyme involved in the virus’s replication in cells. The findings are reported in the Journal of Molecular Biology.