Tropenbos Colombia Establishes Centre for Intercultural Tree Management

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Tropenbos Colombia Establishes Centre for Intercultural Tree Management

Published 16 May 2025

Tracey Hearn

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Earlier this year, Tropenbos Colombia, together with forestry professors from Universidad Distrital and the Puerto Naranjo Indigenous Resguardo, laid the groundwork for the development of an intercultural and biodiverse seed bank.

The initiative, rooted in knowledge exchange on forest restoration and seed use, seeks to honour local leadership and traditional wisdom. The new seed bank, named the House for Intercultural Seed Management, will serve as a hub for research, seed care, and student learning, with full community and elder participation.

Read the full report below kindly prepared by Catalina Vargas, Tropenbos Colombia, Communications Advisor.

In February, Tropenbos Colombia’s team and teachers of Forestry Engineering from the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas visited the Puerto Naranjo Indigenous Resguardo to establish the basic agreements for the creation of a biodiverse and intercultural seed bank. It was meeting focused on exchanging knowledge about restoration and seeds with the participation of different members of the community, including the local coordinator of the process Didier Pisarro and the traditional elders and leaders of the Resguardo.

The visit highlighted the extensive experience that Puerto Naranjo already has in forest restoration processes. As established in its own management plan, the community has been promoting forest recovery initiatives for more than ten years. There is a commitment among locals to strengthening the knowledge related to restoration and benefiting from the cultural and economic advantages of having a biodiverse territory. Women in particular are very interested in the income possibilities of providing seeds to restoration processes in all the Amazon region.

On this occasion, we visited many areas of the territory, after requesting the permits required by traditional authorities. The first area we visited was the restoration plot surrounding one of the springs in the Resguardo, more precisely the water source used by the self-managed community aqueduct recently established. The locals told us that seven decades ago, when they settled in this land, they found evidence of past settlements in this precise area, as there were remains of clay pots and flutes. More recently, it had become pasture for cattle ranching; and now, we witnessed how many planted seeds —including canangucha and asaí palms, ideal for areas near water sources — are successfully growing.

The second restoration visited was in an area of vendeagujales, a grass that grows in deforested areas and behaves as an invasive species with the peculiarity that it is difficult to restore because fire strengthens it. In this area, we observed how fire management continues to be a challenge for the restoration processes. Finally, the third restoration we visited was a fenced plot further inside the Resguardo where a chagra, the biodiverse indigenous cultivation system, is being planted. In the long term, if the traditional agricultural knowledge is properly applied —a knowledge that is mainly female— the forest will be recovered.

Among the many agreements, all the participants decided to name the new seed bank as a house for intercultural seed management underlining that it will be a space for seed care, research and dialogue, as well as accommodation for the university students. Another agreement was that elders, both men and women, would be part of the research team working as guides and accompanying the development of the proposal. In addition, the creation of a local indigenous research team was consolidated. Last of all, there will be a visit of some members of the community to a well-known nursery of dry forest tree species soon.

The creation of intercultural biodiverse seed banks is an initiative of Tropenbos Colombia, the Resguardo Puerto Naranjo and the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas with the support of the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate.

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GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR: New Landmark Report Outlines Threat to Global Seaweeds

Published 16 May 2025

Tracey Hearn

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GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR, funded by the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban has recently released a landmark report outlining the threats facing global seaweed habitats.

The report highlights how human-induced threats, including global climate change, overfishing, pollution and an increase in invasive non-native species, could result in dramatic changes in distribution and diversity of seaweed species and their habitats and what this could mean for both ocean and human health.

The State of the World’s Seaweeds report combines the most up-to-date scientific evidence and emphasises that despite the importance of seaweeds, and the severity of the threats they face, they are afforded inadequate conservation measures. Authors of the report call for these major gaps to be addressed.

Lead author of the report, Dr Sophie Corrigan, from the Natural History Museum, London said: “Seaweeds are often the unsung heroes of the marine world. They form some of the largest marine habitats we have and underpin so many marine resources, as well as playing an important role in the function of other marine habitats such as cementing coral reefs together and protecting them from wave damage. Food, medicines and even the cosmetics industry rely on seaweed for the properties they can offer.

“While interest in kelp forests is rightfully building, other seaweeds have been left behind. This is something we want to change, and we’re hoping that all seaweeds will benefit from the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30by30 initiative as more protected areas are created or expanded in the coming years.

“Safeguarding the future of seaweeds and realising the full potential of seaweeds and their uses will require a global movement to unite governments, researchers, industries, charities, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in protecting seaweeds. This report is an important step in that process.”

Seaweeds are red, green and brown macroalgae. The ancestors of the reds lived on the Earth over 1.6 billion years ago. Collectively seaweeds cover an area the size of Australia, making them the largest of the planet’s vegetated marine habitats which many other species depend on.

They play a significant role in cleaning up our world and absorb carbon dioxide at a far greater rate than many plants on land do and can help to absorb pollution from the oceans as well.

There are also millions of seaweed farmers in 56 countries worldwide who rely on seaweed for their livelihoods. The vast majority of farmers are in Asia, which accounts for more than 95% of global seaweed farming.

However, seaweeds face an uncertain future: they are threatened by many pressures but the necessary data to determine the rate at which seaweed habitats are being lost globally does not exist. It is predicted that the majority of seaweeds will experience a high degree of local extinction and poleward expansions by the end of the century, with overall global declines in coverage and diversity.

Prof. Juliet Brodie of the Natural History Museum, London, along with GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme leader Prof. Elizabeth Cottier-Cook of SAMS and Prof. Lim Phaik Eem from the University of Malaya are co-authors on the State of the World’s Seaweeds report.

Prof. Cottier-Cook said: “The State of the World’s Seaweeds is a landmark report, providing a robust knowledge base for the development of a global conservation strategy. A strategy that will not only protect wild seaweeds, but sustain the future livelihoods of the millions of farmers dependent on this invaluable resource.”

GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR have recently launched a call for experts to develop the UN Seaweed Breakthrough Targets. For more information on the project and the call, please visit the Global Seaweed Superstar website

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EMBRACE: Reviving Forgotten Food Crops, Securing the Future

Published 16 Apr 2025

Tracey Hearn

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In the second quarter of our project, we set out to achieve two major milestones:

  • Identification and Collection of Seeds of Minor and Indigenous Crops and Endangered Tree Species that are threatened with extinction within our project communities.
  • Mapping of All Project Working Areas across the selected regions.

We are excited to report significant progress toward these goals, marked by deep community collaboration, invaluable traditional knowledge, and a growing sense of shared purpose.

Seeds of Heritage: A Journey with Communities
Working hand in hand with local communities, we embarked on a journey of rediscovery; identifying and collecting indigenous minor crops and endangered tree species. These are not just plants; they are living legacies. Once vital components of local food systems, these species are now teetering on the edge of obscurity, overshadowed by the dominance of commercial agriculture and changing land-use patterns.

Yet, hidden within these seeds is immense potential for nutrition, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. For many of the farmers and families we met, these crops represent far more than food. They are cultural treasures, passed down through generations, entwined with identity, tradition, and community memory.

Regional Coverage and Species Collected
Our field teams successfully visited fifteen communities across three regions namely Ahafo, Ashanti, and Western North. In these communities, we collected over 100 different species of minor crops, including:

  • Vegetables
  • Legumes and Oilseeds
  • Roots and Tubers
  • Cereals

Each collection was accompanied by the rich traditional knowledge surrounding their cultivation, culinary and medicinal uses, seed systems, and perceived changes in availability and use over time. These insights are not just data points; they are the stories, wisdom, and lived experiences of the communities themselves.

To preserve and share this knowledge, a comprehensive database is being developed to make this information accessible to researchers, policymakers, and development partners.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: A Core Commitment of the EMBRACE Project
One of the most impactful lessons from our community engagements was the need to elevate every voice, especially those of women. In nearly every community we visited, women emerged as custodians of seed knowledge, responsible for seed selection, preservation, and the intergenerational transfer of agricultural wisdom.

However, these same women are often left out of decision-making processes. That’s why Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is not a side note; it is central to our work. We believe that true agricultural progress only happens when all farmers, regardless of gender or background, have equal access to resources, opportunities, and leadership.

More Than Seeds: Co-Creation and Conservation
The EMBRACE Project goes far beyond conservation. Through Project EMBRACE, we are not just preserving seeds, we are:

  • Reviving traditions
  • Reinforcing community resilience
  • Reclaiming food sovereignty
  • Reconnecting science with indigenous knowledge

We’re co-creating solutions with the very communities who have nurtured these crops for centuries. By listening and learning from them, we are reshaping how conservation and agriculture intersect; grounded in mutual respect, shared learning, and lasting impact.
Some of the collected seeds will be stored in community seed banks, ensuring long-term access and preservation. Others will be reintegrated into farms, gardens, and agroforestry systems, where they can continue to grow, adapt, and nourish generations to come.

Looking Ahead: Resilience Rooted in Diversity
In a world grappling with climate uncertainty, rising food insecurity, and biodiversity loss, the path forward must be one of resilience through diversity. Every seed we save, every species we protect, is a step toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and food-secure future. Let us continue to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our food systems. Let us honour the stewards of traditional knowledge and preserve the heritage that gives us not just food, but identity, resilience, and hope.

We are Listening. Learning. Preserving.
Together, we are EMBRACING the future, one seed at a time.

Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey
EMBRACE Communications

This report was reviewed and edited by: EMBRACE TEAM: Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey, Dr. Clement Oppong Peprah, Dr. Jeannette Aduhene-Chinbuah, Dr. agr. Felix Frimpong, Dr. Kwesi Atta Snr. Aidoo, Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah

Find out more on the EMBRACE website

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Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity: Can adaptive governance improve fisheries management?

Published 16 Apr 2025

Tracey Hearn

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Dyna Mapeto and Nevarson Msusa of the Community Outreach Unit of the Malawi College of Fisheries worked with the project team in Malawi and fishing communities to produce a short film introducing the idea and relevance of adaptive fisheries governance.

Please watch the video and read the blog below for further insights on adaptive fisheries governance authored by Professor Fiona Nunan, Professor of Environment and Development at the University of Birmingham.

 

 

Malawi and Uganda are both hosts of Great Lakes of Africa, being Lake Malawi and, in Uganda, lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward. Lakes Malawi and Victoria in particular are significant water bodies, with Lake Victoria being the second largest freshwater body in the world and Lake Malawi the fourth. Inland fisheries therefore make a significant contribution to food security, livelihoods and government revenue in both countries.

Given such dependence on lake fisheries, there is significant fishing pressure, evident in the number of fishers, boats and gears, leading to declining stocks and degraded lake ecosystems. Use of illegal gears, often using nets and hooks that can catch smaller fish, and methods are also contributing to this decline in stocks and degraded shoreline habitats.

Due to concerns that government doesn’t have the capacity to effectively manage fisheries on its own and also due to recognition that resource users can play an important role in fisheries management, both countries adopted a co-management approach to governing the fisheries from the 1990s. A co-management approach to governance means that resource users, and sometimes others, such as the private sector and NGOs, are involved in decision-making with government. The introduction of co-management often involves the formation of structures to facilitate community involvement. In Malawi, this involved the formation of Beach Village Committees (BVCs) and in Uganda, Beach Management Units (BMUs).

In both countries, the performance of co-management has been patchy over time, with some BVCs and BMUs being more effective than others. Both countries have experienced debates and challenges, including about which powers and functions are shared by government, how the systems are financed and how illegal fishing, linked to bribery and corruption, undermine trust and accountability. In Uganda, the co-management system was suspended in late 2015, with an interim system put in place. The 2022 Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, however, commits the government to establishing fisheries co-management committees at all levels and in Malawi, a new fisheries policy is currently being finalised.

The Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity project is therefore timely for both countries, providing an assessment of governance capacity to inform the strengthening of co-management whilst also investigating how fisheries governance can better respond to the challenges of climate change.

How can adaptive governance build on the co-management experience?
To assess adaptive fisheries governance capacity, the project developed a framework that brings together insights from literature on natural resource governance, adaptive governance, fisheries and climate change, ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management and methods and frameworks for assessing governance capacity. The framework was finalised at national multi-stakeholder workshops held in Malawi and Uganda with inputs from government, representatives of fishing communities and NGOs.

The theory and practice of adaptive governance puts a lot of emphasis on recognising different sources of knowledge (e.g. local and traditional, as well as scientific) and using knowledge and new information to make timely changes to management measures and practices. In this way, governance should be better informed and more responsive to change.

Assessing the capacity for adaptive fisheries governance also provides the opportunity to investigate how fisheries governance and management can be more holistic and integrated, i.e. take more account of the impacts of destructive fishing methods on the lake ecosystem and assess how biodiversity could be better protected and restored. The assessment has also involved studying the resourcing and performance of the existing governance systems, and how inclusive and fair the systems are, in particular for women and more marginalised groups.

Our assessment has involved interviews, focus group discussions, transect walks and document analysis, all carried out at national level, with district local governments and with a sample of communities at two lakes in each country, lakes Chilwa and Malawi in Malawi and lakes Victoria and Kyoga in Uganda.

Initial findings from the assessment have identified challenges in sustaining information generation, use and sharing, tackling the prevalence of fishing illegalities, a key driver of biodiversity loss in the lakes, and how a more integrated approach to fisheries governance could be developed.

Over the coming months, the project team will continue to work with government, fishing communities and NGOs to review the data and identify how governance can be strengthened, biodiversity better protected and capacity to cope with climate change improved. Through this, we will help develop plans and guidelines that will be shared with other sectors and countries, to inform the development of more integrated, responsive and inclusive governance approaches for fisheries and other natural resources across the world.

With additional funding from the International Science Partnerships Fund, a short video has been produced on the project in Malawi which provides a great introduction to the fisheries of Malawi and to adaptive fisheries governance. In Uganda, an edition of The Fisher newspaper was sponsored by the project with the same additional funding, with hard copies of the newspaper distributed to district fisheries offices and fishing communities across Uganda.

You can review the newspaper here

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GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR: Developing new innovative cultivation methods for testing wild eucheumatoids for their climate resilience

Published 25 Mar 2025

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A research team from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, is developing climate-resilient seaweed strains in Semporna, Sabah under the GCBC-funded GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR project.

Eucheumatoids – a group of red seaweed species – account for over 90% of global production of carrageenan, a product widely used as a gelling, binding and thickening agent in various industries including food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Euchematoid output has declined in recent years due to the low genetic diversity of aging cultivars. This challenge is further intensified by climate change, which has led to a rise in pests and diseases.

The research aims to address this issue by developing new strains resistant to climate change, pests, and diseases. Wild eucheumatoids were collected from the Semporna waters (Sabah Province, north-east Borneo), under permission granted by the Sabah Biodiversity Centre. Specimens were hand-picked during snorkeling, selecting only large, healthy individuals.

As the size and morphology of the wild-collected eucheumatoids were smaller and less bushy compared to the commercial ones, the longline cultivation method, commonly used in commercial seaweed farming was not suitable for their on-growing. An innovative new net system therefore had to be developed as an alternative to the longline.

The new system was found to work most effectively based on a two-stage approach. Firstly, the newly collected eucheumatoids were on-grown in basket nets with a relatively small mesh size to prevent grazing by herbivorous fish and turtles. This was then followed after 40 days by a larger cage net system, which allowed greater water circulation, around the eucheumatoids once they had grown in size, but again deterred the grazers.

Transferring seedlings from basket net to cage net system (Pic: Nurulafifah Yahya)

The new two-stage netting system has successfully enabled not only the survival of wild-collected eucheumatoids, but their increase in size compared with the longline method. The growth rate of the wild-collected eucheumatoids is also comparable to commercially cultivated species, reaching a rate of 3.03 % day-1 when cultivated in the cage net over the typical 45-day cultivation period.

One downside of the system is that it does require frequent cleaning and maintenance, due to the netting becoming covered with biofouling which reduces the water flow. On the plus side, however, this new cultivation system has been so successful that the research team have now donated over 150 kg of wild-collected eucheumatoid seedlings to a local seaweed company for them to on-grow at their farm.

The farmers are also extremely interested in the larger cage design and the research team are working closely with the local stakeholders to further expand this innovative research in Malaysia.

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The GCBC community is growing: Reflections from the 2025 GCBC Research Symposium

Published 24 Mar 2025

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By Samantha Morris

In March, the GCBC community came together in person and online to share big ideas, transformative practice, and stories of impact at the 2025 Research Symposium.

Support for research tackling the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty is essential. The GCBC is a programme that does this and more, bringing together researchers and practitioners from around the world to unlock the potential of nature to deliver climate solutions and improve livelihoods.

Each year the GCBC hosts a research symposium to share big ideas, transformative practice, and stories of impact. This year the research symposuim was bigger than ever with a full three-day programme, including the first ever GCBC Open Day on Tuesday 4 March.

This year’s symposium was a fully hybrid event, with online attendance supported throughout as part of the GCBC’s commitment to reduce barriers to global engagement within and beyond our growing community

Watch the GCBC Research Symposium Open Day here.

 

Prof. Gideon Henderson, Chief Scientific Adviser, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  

The GCBC Research Symposium Open Day shone a spotlight on results from across the programme highlighting important cross cutting issues for the programme including innovative research practice, working with the private sector, and connecting research and policy.

After a warm welcome from Kew’s Professor Monique Simmonds, OBE and Deputy Director of Science – Partnerships, the day officially began with opening addresses from Professor Alexandre Antonelli (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Professor Gideon Henderson (Defra) and Kate Hargreaves (DAI) who all shared their reflections on why research at the intersection of biodiversity loss, climate change, and poverty alleviation is so critical right now.

Professor Tim Wheeler, Deputy Director of International Science at Defra, spoke next hosting the first panel of the day: Contributing to global goals, the science behind frameworks and targets. Joining him were Dr Constanza Gonzalez Parrao (3IE), Dr Aster Gebrekirstos Afwork (CIFOR-ICRAF), Wendy Toro (CIASE), and Rithiny Teng (WCS Cambodia).

The second panel of the day was hosted by research uptake expert Louise Shaxson, and tackled the important issue of influencing policy and decision makers with research evidence. Louise was joined by a panel of five GCBC research project representatives both in person and online: Professor Elizabeth Cottier-Cook (SAMS), Dr Euridice Honorio (RBG Kew), James Mutunga Joshua (Nature Kenya), Fiona Nunan (University of Birmingham), and Damian Sulumo (MVIWAARUSHA). Louise and the panellists drilled down into a variety of new ideas and creative approaches to using research evidence to influence policy and practice.

The final panel of the day took on the challenge of how to harness private sector investment for nature based solutions. Panel chair George Whalley was joined in person and online by six panellists from a variety of sectors and backgrounds to tackle the question: what are the practical steps to harnessing private sector investment, and how do we get money flowing into biodiversity projects? The panellists were: Susan Forester (FSD Africa), Alicia Gibson (Finance Earth), Drea Burbank (Savimbo), James Naughton (DAI), Julia Martin-Ortega (University of Leeds), and Scobie Mackay (Imperative).

On the remaining two days, the symposium programme focused on connection and collaboration within the current group of funded GCBC research projects. With over fifty representatives at Kew in person and more joining the programme online it was a productive and busy couple of days covering early results, best practice approaches and innovative methods.

Breakout session at the GCBC Research Symposium

Overall, the 2025 Symposium was a collaborative and inspiring event. An opportunity to deepen existing connections within the GCBC research community and to build new links with a wider network of partners and organisations committed to working at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty alleviation.

Thank you so much to all members of our GCBC research community who joined us in person and online for the symposium, and to our wonderful speakers, panelists, and chairs for your insights, expertise, and for generously giving your time to be with us.

All funded projects are listed on the GCBC website here.

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Introducing CROSSROADS: Using native plants to restore biodegraded soils in Ethiopia

Published 24 Mar 2025

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The first in-person meeting of the CROSSROADS project was held between 10 and 14th March, 2025 in Hawassa, Ethiopia. CROSSROADS is one of the new projects awarded last year under the GCBC’s Second Research Grant Competition (RGC2).

Researchers from lead partner, the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), and the International Water Management Institute (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), travelled to Hawassa to meet partners from the Central Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute and Hawassa University.

A healthy soil is the basis for improved rural livelihoods and resilience to climate change. Using side-lined plant species to improve soils could increase their value and so encourage their spread. CROSSROADS aims to catalogue and rate side-lined species with potential to restore agriculturally degraded soils. This will use a combination of systematic review of the existing scientific literature, community engagement to draw together traditional knowledge, new field and lab measurements, and modelling.

A major component of the project is the development of new tools to communicate findings, dissemination of tools and facilitation of use of top-rated species.

Fighting soil erosion with innovation

A visit to potential field sites in the area of Lokka Abaya, South of Hawassa, highlighted the limitations on organic inputs available to improve the soil; a high proportion of crop residues are used for livestock feed, fuel or building. Land pressures reduce the amount of space available for wild species to proliferate, resulting in high potential for biodiversity loss. Many of these wild species could be used to improve soils by adding or releasing nutrients, or by stabilising the soil with their roots to reduce erosion.

Exclosure areas that could be used as sources of seeds for restoration of degraded soils

The CROSSROADS team visited an exclosure area in the kebele (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia). Exclosures are formerly degraded areas where livestock and cropping have been excluded to allow time for the fertility of the land to recover. An important idea to emerge from this visit was the potential to encourage the top-rated side-lined species to grow in exclosures, providing a source of seeds for plants, which could then be collected by local entrepreneurs and used for soil improvement.

In research aligned to the GCBC CROSSROADS project, University of Aberdeen and Hawassa University researchers worked together to construct a laboratory rainfall simulator at Hawassa University. This new equipment allows for controlled testing of soil erosion, providing detailed information on soil loss and water flow under rainfall conditions typical of the regions we are exploring. Livestock, especially grazing in communal grazing areas, are responsible for high levels of erosion. We are using the rainfall simulator to evaluate how biodiverse plants and different types of land management can combat soil erosion, arguably the greatest threat to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

A rainfall nozzle and pressure controllers were brought from the UK; these match equipment already in place in the laboratory at the University of Aberdeen. In Ethiopia we scoured markets to buy consumables and worked with local tradespeople to construct a 4 m tower from bamboo with metal erosion troughs to hold soil during testing.  Delivering water to the rainfall simulator required a water supply to be diverted to a large holding tank, which is then pumped at controlled pressure to regulate rainfall intensity.

Early results have found improved stabilisation in soils collected near to homesteads (where more biodiverse plants are grown) compared to soils from further away (where fields are planted with monocultures). With this equipment now in place, there are many opportunities to explore the impacts of specific plants or biodiverse mixtures, with the objective of demonstrating how side-lined plant species could help combat erosion by improving soils. By using underutilised plant species, both above and below-ground, biodiversity will be enhanced through increased use of indigenous crops, trees and shrubs to improve fertility and reinforce unstable soils. The extent of this and the consequent impacts on soils, biodiversity, poverty and climate adaptation will be fully quantified and understood through the CROSSROADS project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blog: Balancing conservation and livelihoods – exploring local perspectives within the Indonesian seaweed industry

Published 05 Mar 2025

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By Shaun Beattie, Early Career Researcher, GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR

Indonesia is the world’s second-largest seaweed producer, and for more than 267,000 farming households, it’s more than just an industry – it’s a way of life. Nowhere is this more evident than in South Sulawesi, Indonesia’s largest seaweed-producing area, where vast coastal communities depend on seaweed farming for their livelihoods.

With low cultivation costs, short production cycles and minimal labour requirements, red seaweeds such as Kappapycus spp. and Eucheuma spp. have become extremely popular exports in the region. As global demand for seaweed-derived ingredients, such as carrageenan and agar continue to grow, Indonesian seaweed exports are set to rise. However, sustainable and lasting seaweed cultivation depends on healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity-rich habitats, including those created by seaweeds themselves. Balancing conservation efforts with the industry’s rapid expansion presents a growing challenge, as this push for greater seaweed production risks putting pressure on these vital environments.

Recently, I – along with Cicilia Kambey (University of Malaya) – have been in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as part of the GCBC funded Global SeaweedSUPERSTAR project. Our goal? To explore local perspectives on the ecological and community value of seaweeds and uncover the key barriers impacting its sustainable management.

Insights and Generous Hospitality

Our goal was ambitious: to speak with and interview 100 local stakeholders, including seaweed farmers, manufacturers, aquaculture organizations, industry professionals, government officials, academic institutions, and NGOs.

As a result, these three weeks absolutely flew by as we met a number of great people, sharing conversations and insights on the current state and future of Indonesia’s seaweed industry.

What really stood out was the overwhelming support we received. Everyone we met was eager to contribute, generously sharing their time and thoughts. We were welcomed with incredible kindness, along with a nice cup of tea or coffee, as we discussed the aims of our research. On occasion, we were even treated to some incredible seaweed-based snacks and beauty products from fantastic independent business owners!

The seaweed farming communities were also eager to share their knowledge and showcase their daily routines. As we toured their farms, we often arrived to find groups of (mostly) women carefully tying individual seaweed seedlings to long lines before transporting them out to sea for cultivation. It was fascinating to see just how fast they could tie each seedling to the line at perfect intervals.

Economic Stability vs the Call for Conservation

It quickly became clear that many farmers understood the important ecological role that seaweeds played in marine ecosystems. They frequently mentioned how seaweed supports local fish stocks and acts as a nursery for juvenile fish. However, this awareness was often followed by a candid admission: that the protection of natural seaweed stocks was largely overlooked because they held little to no economic value. With the price of seaweeds fluctuating significantly in recent years, farmers were predominantly focused on securing sustainable incomes from cultivated seaweed. As a result, the protection of cultivated seaweeds was considered important, but the conservation for natural seaweed stocks was often an afterthought.

The mood for economic assurance was echoed by many of the other stakeholders we spoke with. Local NGO groups and government officials in the Department of Fisheries strongly emphasised the need for international investment to support the expansion and sustainable management of the seaweed industry. Without incentives or clear guidance, it was feared conservation would remain a lower priority for many in the industry.

Shifting Attitudes

So how can seaweed protection be implemented whilst also ensuring the needs of local communities are met?

Despite their lack of immediate ‘economic value’, corals and seagrass conservation efforts have gained significant traction in recent years. Coastal communities have become champions of their restoration and protection, largely because they now better understand healthier ecosystems benefit their livelihoods, particularly in relation to fish farming. A similar shift in attitudes could occur for seaweeds through targeted educational awareness and capacity building programmes. Many community members we spoke to were open to conservation efforts, provided they could see tangible benefits to their own lives.

One promising approach would be preliminary financing for sustainable cultivation that nudges farmers away from overharvesting practices, whilst promoting long-term sustainability. If farmers could see the economic and environmental advantages of protecting both cultivated and natural seaweed stocks, attitudes and practices may begin to shift.

Looking Ahead

These are just a few of the early observations from our time in Makassar, but one thing was clear: the immense passion and energy people have for seaweeds in South Sulawesi. I look forward to diving deeper into the responses and perspectives gathered from our interviews.

I will be presenting the results of this research at the One Ocean Science Congress (OOSC) conference in Nice, France in June 2025. I hope to discuss how these local views and practices align or contrast with global priorities in seaweed conservation, and aim to provide actional insights for advancing the sustainable management of seaweeds, that both safeguard marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.

On a final note, this research trip has reaffirmed a crucial point: harmony between conservation and economic stability remains necessary for a sustainable and successful seaweed farming industry and with the right strategies in place, this balance can start to be achieved.

 

 

 

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The GCBC Research Grant Competition 3 (RGC3) Concept Note application has CLOSED

Published 04 Feb 2025

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The GCBC Opportunities Portal for Concept Note submissions for the Third Research Grant Competition (RGC3) CLOSED at 23:00 hrs UTC, on Sunday, 16 March, 2025. Any applications submitted after that time and date will not be accepted or considered for the full proposal stage. 

The GCBC extends grateful thanks to all applicants who made submissions through the Opportunities Portal. We have been delighted with the responses to this grant call, particularly from the Global South.

Over the next few weeks we will be working through the applications, carrying out eligibility checks, technical evaluations, moderation and scientific meetings to establish the most suitable Concept Notes to take forward to the next round. 

RGC3 Themes

The two research themes of this RGC3 are:  

  • Theme 1: Using biodiversity to improve the climate resilience of agricultural, food and bioeconomy value chains – Transforming agrifood systems at scale to incorporate nature-based solutions that build biodiversity back into production landscapes to boost climate resilience and reduce poverty (open to all GCBC focus regions). 
  • Theme 2: Biodiversity hotspots in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – Building sustainable businesses from nature to adapt to climate change, protect biodiversity, and tackle poverty (focused in SIDS). 

The GCBC, a UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), aims to fund a mixed portfolio of up to twenty grants in RGC3, covering a range of topics and geographies across both themes. Grants sums of between £100,000 and £1 million are offered for projects of 12-36 months duration. 

The GCBC will accept proposals for projects with activities in GCBC-eligible countries in Latin America (including Central America), the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South-east Asia and the Pacific and Small Island Developing States. A list of GCBC eligible countries is available here. To be accepted for funding under the GCBC programme projects must demonstrate: 

  • Fit to GCBC: All proposals need to address poverty alleviation and climate resilience, focusing on approaches that better value, protect, restore and sustainably manage biodiversity. 
  • Fit to theme: Proposals must address research questions within one of the themes set out above. 
  • GESI: All proposals must incorporate clear plans to factor in gender, equality and social inclusion from the outset. 
  • R&D: Proposed work must meet the definition of research and development: creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge (OECD, 2015). 

 

 

 

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Agriculture Agroforestry Coastal Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration Food Systems Improving livelihoods Indigenous Peoples Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Natural Resource Management Nature based solutions Partnership Small Island Developing States Social Inclusion

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GCBC Private Sector Study Factsheet Now Available

Published 30 Jan 2025

GCBC

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Financing Nature based solutions Partnership

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A recent study by Stantec, now available to download, explored the Biodiversity / Nature Based Solutions (NbS) private sector investment market and the technologies and data use. Its focus was on the GCBC priority countries covering knowledge for the ‘Global South’ NbS market through a range of stakeholders including Nature Tech Firms, Interest Groups, Investors and Academics.

Conclusions from the study suggest that the market is nascent and dynamic but expected to expand and mature in the future. There was consensus that the current NbS investment market is not meeting the demand but this could change as the market grows (and the pipeline of investable projects increases); project costs fall (due to economies of scale and technologies); and regulation evolves to support the market. The Nature Tech market is crowded and has challenges in balancing robustness with cost-effectiveness; but the Nature Tech could be simplified and made more usable without losing quality.

View the factsheet here

 

 

 

 

 

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Financing Nature based solutions Partnership

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