"Additives used in salmon feed during farming include fishmeal and fish oil, as well as insect-based ingredients, which are being explored as sustainable alternatives to traditional fishmeal."

Insect meal is used as an additive to replace fish meal in salmon feed, as it provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish.

Antibiotics are often used in salmon feed but are being replaced due to health concerns and environmental impacts.

Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and additives.

Amino acids are added to feed to enhance its nutritional value by supporting cell growth and immune system development.

Bovaer is a methane-reducing feed additive developed by DSM, shown to reduce emissions by 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health in farmed salmon.

The types of Omega 3 fatty acids found in farmed salmon are EPA and DHA.

Insect-based proteins are used as an additive in salmon feed in France, as suggested by the potential future of fish feed.

The new salmon feed includes essential amino acids, which are crucial for animal protein production and immune body formation.

"Additives used in salmon feed during farming include fishmeal and fish oil, as well as insect-based ingredients, which are being explored as sustainable alternatives to traditional fishmeal."

Title:

Content: World’s Largest Insect Farm to Open in France

Once fully operational, the massive vertical farm will produce 200,000 tonnes of insect-based ingredients a year.

Ÿnsect, one of the world’s largest insect rangers, is betting big on bugs to help push the world in a more sustainable direction.

Founded in 2011, the company is fast approaching its goal of opening the world’s largest insect farm and dramatically scaling up its operations. Located about an hour north of Paris, the state-of-the-art facility will leverage automated systems and vertical farming techniques to raise mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and enable the production of over 200,000 tonnes of insect-based ingredients per year. The site, estimated to be completed by the end of 2022, will join two other Ÿnsect facilities already operational in France and the Netherlands.

"It’s an automated warehouse, very similar to an Amazon warehouse, where instead of storing stuff, we are storing live insects," Ÿnsect CEO and co-founder Antoine Hubert told Time last year. "There is a climate-control system which is highly complex to maintain temperature and moisture from zero to 30 meters high. All operations are automated. Anything that you do on [an insect] farm is done with robots."

Feed for Fish, Fertilizer for Plants, Burgers for Humans

For the past decade, mealworms cultivated at Ÿnsect’s farms have been turned into powders and oils that have become nutritional additives to pet and farm feeds. Thanks to a ruling last year by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) that deemed mealworms safe for human consumption, the company has also begun selling its powders for shakes, cereal bars, pasta, and even alt-meat burgers. In addition, the shed shells of the rapidly growing mealworms are collected and sold as beneficial organic fertilizers to farmers.

According to MealFlour, a project that promotes mealworm farming as a way to battle malnutrition in Guatemala, a serving of mealworm powder is 55% protein, contains all essential amino and fatty acids, and has more iron than sirloin beef. Compared to the production of milk, pork, chicken, and beef, mealworms are also more sustainable and require fewer resources and energy.

While its recent forays into human foodstuffs have garnered attention, Ÿnsect's focus presently remains on helping to feed sustainably the animals that feed the world. For instance, aquaculture, like salmon farming, is a resource-intensive operation that uses both land-based crops (soy) and massive amounts of wild-caught fish to create what's known as fishmeal. With food production projected to have to grow by more than 70% by 2050 to meet demand, the overfishing of oceans to feed aquaculture operations is not a feasible option. Studies, such as a recent trial by NOAA, have shown that supplementing or even replacing fishmeal with insect- and plant-based foods holds promise for eliminating the need for wild-caught sources. According to Hubert, there are other positives as well.

"They [salmon] were reaching the maturity stage faster and eating less so they were avoiding a large quantity of feed," he told Fast Company in 2020. "There was less mortality so the farmers get more fish eventually than before... This also explains why we have a carbon-negative balance, because we are avoiding so many quantities of inputs to feed fish to have the same quantities of fish."

Hubert added to Fast Company that Ÿnsect has contracts worth more than $100 million with fish feed producers. This past year, with the acquisition of U.S.-based mealworm producer Jord, it also began entering new markets, such as the rapidly growing U.S. backyard chicken feed market.

A Record-Breaking Vertical Farm

One look at the animated video of Ÿnsect’s new facility up above and you can see why it’s been touted as an automated marvel. Mealworms will be reared by robots in stacked tubs stretching several stories tall. Unlike other insect food alternatives such as flies or crickets, mealworms do not hop or fly, allowing the company to maximize the space available.

In an effort to make sure the creatures are ethically farmed, Hubert reached out to philosophers from the Sorbonne University to judge their welfare. As he told The Guardian, the students determined that the mealworms had "more in common with mushroom-growing and hothousing vegetables" than with livestock.

"They have no brain in the strict sense of the word," he said. "We know they have a reflex reaction and they communicate and build intelligent structures, but nobody has shown they feel anything. However, what is important is to respect them as living organisms, which we do."

In addition to the new farm in France, Ÿnsect plans to continue to scale its operations with additional facilities, including a major site in the U.S. The biggest hurdle ahead, however, says Hubert, is making insects a normal part of everyday diets.

"I believe that the big challenge is accepting insects as part of the human diet," he told Authority Magazine. "A large part of the world's population eats insects, but we must be able to prove its properties and its benefits for the environment in order to reach more and have more impact!"

View Article Sources
  1. "Ÿnsect Welcomes European Interministerial Delegation to Amiens." Ynsect.

  2. "Why Eat Mealworms?" MealFlour.

  3. "Edible Insects." Food and Agriculture Organization.

  4. van Dijk, Michiel, et al. "A Meta-Analysis of Projected Global Food Demand and Population At Risk of Hunger for the Period 2010–2050." Nature Food, vol. 2, no. 7, 2021, pp. 494-501., doi:10.1038/s43016-021-00322-9

  5. "The Future of Fish Feed May Lie in Insects, Mold, and Algae." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Insect meal is used as an additive to replace fish meal in salmon feed, as it provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish.

Antibiotics are often used in salmon feed but are being replaced due to health concerns and environmental impacts.

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Anticipating obsolescence: The next step to enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture

With growing concerns about the environmental toll of single species fish farms, a research project has been looking at the feasibility of introducing a more sustainable and potentially more profitable method of fish farming, using three complementary species.

Much as native American people planted squash, maize and climbing beans together to benefit each other, (often called the "three sisters"), farming finned-fish, shellfish and seaweeds together could benefit each other and reduce any environmental effects of fish farming. Small scale integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), as the system is called, has traditionally been used at a small domestic scale in Asia, providing the farmer with more than one product to sell or use.

The feasibility study conducted by Bangor University and published in Ecological Modelling has identified the locations around the Atlantic coast which would be most suitable for IMTA, based on farming salmon, and Oarweed, a type of kelp seaweed commonly found in temperate Atlantic coasts. The research considered the natural distribution of the three species, whether suitable locations clashed with busy shipping lanes or marine protected areas and whether there was close access to sizeable ports in order to reach markets.

The western coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland; Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Ireland, and the western coast of Brittany, northwest France were found to be the best locations to further develop IMTA based aquaculture.

As Conchúr Hughes of Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences explained, "One of the problems with the type of single species aquaculture practiced in Europe is that excess food and feces can lead to deterioration of local ecology, while density can mean that aquaculture companies need to use antibiotics and other additives to maintain a healthy fish-stock.

"Mussels are filter feeders, they can be responsible for removing up to 54% of salmon waste materials from the , using it as energy to grow, while the oarweed removes soluble nutrients from the water column. Oarweed can then be farmed to use in a variety of products, from food supplements for human consumption or for fish farms, as a fertilizer or as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals.

"Each of these species complements the other and mitigates against problems."

IMTA-based aquaculture

Both salmon and mussels are important food sources in Europe, and while oarweed is not as yet, this is a sector that is expected to experience a rapid increase in demand in the coming years- and can provide an alternative sustainable source of fertilizer and other products.

Seaweed cultivation can also provide environmental benefits. The seaweed in the water acts as a buffer against as it approaches the shore, reducing the energy as it passes through the seaweed, much as trees act as a buffer against strong winds, which can help reduce erosion. It also elevates the pH and oxygenates the water.

More information: Conchúr Hughes et al, Habitat suitability modelling for an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system along Europe's Atlantic coast, Ecological Modelling (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110459

Provided by Bangor University

Citation: Anticipating obsolescence: The next step to enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture (2023, September 27) retrieved 27 September 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-09-obsolescence-sustainability-aquaculture.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

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What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

What health concerns are there specifically related to additives in farmed salmon feed?

Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and additives.

What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

Amino acids are added to feed to enhance its nutritional value by supporting cell growth and immune system development.

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Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
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Mohamad Elbaz
Agriculture: Poultry production depends on 55% of small breeders.
The sector recovered soon.
A report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation revealed the recovery of the poultry industry during the coming period from the repercussions in which the industry was exposed during the recent period after the adoption of poultry production on 55% of small breeders.
A report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, represented by the Animal Production Research Institute, said that the decline experienced by the poultry industry and production will be recovered from its consequences at the earliest opportunity, in light of the tangible boom achieved by the small breeder, which cost us to achieve self-sufficiency during the past years.
The report downplayed the repercussions of the recent crisis in the poultry production sector, explaining that large entities are the most affected, while the basic strength of the industry, represented by small breeders, has remained largely stable.
The report pointed out that the basic strength of poultry production projects depends mainly on the segment of small breeders, which represents about 55% of the actual strength of this economic activity, where he touched on the file of feed additives, explaining its importance to the poultry production industry, which is mainly based on maximizing the benefit of all inputs.
The report stressed that the desired goal of the use of feed additives, is to achieve the maximum possible absorption rate of protein, carbohydrates and fats, from the feed formula provided to birds, in a way that enhances the doubling of their productivity and improve their properties.
Feed additives are divided into two main sections: Feed additives: are those additives that enter the food directly, most notably vitamins of both types “fat ” and“ soluble in water ”, and play an active role in the completion of the process of digestion, in addition to its strong contribution to improving immunity.
The report added that the breeder aims to maximize productivity and double immunity rates, which achieves a tangible economic savings for the breeder, and is reflected positively on the level of profitability expected by the end of each cycle, explaining that amino acids “amino acid ”: the cell building unit and the pillar of animal protein production, in addition to its important role in the formation of immune bodies.
The report added that the mineral salts: divided into two basic “structural salts ”, the most important of which are“ calcium, potassium, magnesium ”, which enter as the main part in the synthesis of bones, and “non-food salts ”, and play the role of regulator of metabolic processes that take place within the body.
The report pointed out that there are non-food feed additives: the latest trend in the world of feed additives, which specialists call “yeasts ” or“ plastics, ” and represent a type of bacteria beneficial to living organisms.
The report stressed that the latest scientific research revealed that each gram of intestinal juice of a healthy human or animal, contains "1210" bacterial organism, as one of the most prominent manifestations of health, while some studies have found that 30% of the weight of the organism is only bacteria.

Bovaer is a methane-reducing feed additive developed by DSM, shown to reduce emissions by 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

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Home / Science / News /  Could curbing cow burps slow global warming?

Could curbing cow burps slow global warming?

Scientists have found ways to reduce methane emissions from cattle, but the costs might deter farmers

Methane produced by “cow burps" is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Researchers are studying ways to stifle these emissions, which could help slow global warming. Methane, like carbon dioxide, traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

Methane produced by “cow burps" is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Researchers are studying ways to stifle these emissions, which could help slow global warming. Methane, like carbon dioxide, traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

The U.S. and more than other 100 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. On Tuesday, Danone, one of the world’s largest dairy companies, said it would align itself with the pledge by cutting emissions of its fresh-milk suppliers.

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The U.S. and more than other 100 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. On Tuesday, Danone, one of the world’s largest dairy companies, said it would align itself with the pledge by cutting emissions of its fresh-milk suppliers.

The methane from cow burps is generated by enteric fermentation, a process by which microbes in the stomachs of cattle help break down and digest plant material. The process releases methane as a byproduct, which the animals expel through belching.

The United Nations estimates that food and agriculture are responsible for almost one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions. This includes farm-based activities, such as enteric fermentation, which accounts for about 5% of global greenhouse gases.

The agrifood sector also encompasses pre- and post-farm activities, such as food shipping, as well as changes in land use, such as the clearing of forests for farms.

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A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reviewed almost 100 strategies for curbing enteric emissions.

It identified five that cut daily methane from livestock by an average of 21% without harming animal productivity, and three more that reduced emissions per unit of milk or meat by an average of 12% while actually improving animal productivity.

One of the most studied options is Bovaer, a feed additive developed by Dutch chemical maker DSM. The compound has been shown to reduce emissions by an average of 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

Researchers have also seen reductions by introducing oilseeds, such as canola, into livestock diets, and by encouraging cattle to graze on less mature grasses. Younger grasses are lower in fiber and easier to digest.

The seemingly simple act of giving livestock more feed also pays dividends. A better-fed animal produces more meat and milk relative to any extra methane it may emit during digestion. Cattle aren’t always fed the right amount, according to the authors of the study, or may lack essential nutrients in their diets, which limits productivity.

Despite the effectiveness of these strategies, some farmers may be reluctant to adopt them, according to the lead author of the study, Claudia Arndt of the International Livestock Research Institute. Changing established practices—whether it is buying new feeds or additives or reseeding pastures—can add to expenses.

“The greater the extra costs per kg of milk, the greater the risk of years with negative income," said Jan Dijkstra, of Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, author of a study on the economics of methane mitigation.

Farmers’ willingness to embrace the techniques might depend on whether they are enticed or compelled to do so through incentives or regulations, according to Frank Mitloehner, an air quality specialist at the University of California, Davis.

So far, U.S. government efforts to curb methane have largely focused not on agriculture but on the oil and gas industries, which are a smaller domestic source of the gas.

California, the top milk-producing state, has set a goal on its own of reducing methane from dairy and livestock 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. The state’s clean air board says that enteric mitigation measures will likely be needed to achieve the goal.

Regulatory approval for methane-reducing products could also could speed their adoption.

Boaver, which has been cleared for use in more than 40 countries including the European Union, has been in the U.S. approval process for six years, according to Hugh Welsh, president of DSM North America.

“The FDA is treating it as a drug, we believe it is more appropriately regulated as a feed ingredient," he said.

Said Dr. Mitloehner: “We know this is one of the additives that works, but it is not available in the U.S."

In response to a query about Bovaer, a spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said, “The FDA encourages new product development and is exploring innovative approaches for evaluating new animal products that may also have benefits for people and the environment."

A recent U.N. report proposed changes to the agrifood sector that could help meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius.

On-farm emissions cuts make up almost one-fifth of the recommended measures, with about 17% of them coming from efforts to reduce enteric methane.

A gas’s impact on warming is measured by how well it traps heat and how long it stays in the atmosphere. Methane is more effective at trapping heat than CO2, but only lasts about 12 years in the atmosphere. CO2 can persist for centuries.

Because methane is a high-impact but short-lived gas, cutting its emissions could have a relatively fast-acting effect on the pace of climate change.

“Warming from methane does not accumulate over long periods of time," said Dr. Arndt. “Thus, it makes it important to reduce emissions right now to limit global warming."

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Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health in farmed salmon.

Title:

Content: Cheaper salmon is 'as good as premium farmed products when it comes to Omega 3', study shows

  • Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills
  • Researchers analysed packs of farmed Scottish and Norwegian salmon from 10 UK supermarkets
  • The best provided 67% of the recommended weekly Omega 3 but the worst only offered 26%
  • Fillets from two stores did not contain significantly more Omega 3 than non-premium products

Premium farmed salmon may be no healthier than value brands when it comes to Omega 3, a study has shown.

Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills.

Researchers analysed packs of farmed Scottish and Norwegian salmon from 10 UK supermarkets.

The best provided 67 per cent of the recommended weekly Omega 3 but the worst only offered 26 per cent.

Fillets from two stores did not contain significantly more Omega 3 than non-premium products.

Premium farmed salmon may be no healthier than value brands when it comes to Omega 3, a study has shown. Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills. (File image)

Farmed salmon tend to be fed a mixture of fish and vegetable oils but the latter lack the fatty acids found in seafood.

Study leader Dr Matthew Sprague, from Stirling University, said: 'The amount of EPA and DHA can vary based on the cut of salmon, as well as what it was fed, but farmed salmon is still high in nutrients.'

Salmon not only contains Omega 3 but selenium and phosphorus, which are also important for health.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Consumers take various factors into consideration when buying salmon, including its health benefits and the way it is produced, and they will weigh these up when choosing what to purchase in a supermarket.'

Salmon not only contains Omega 3 but selenium and phosphorus, which are also important for health

Phil Brooke, from Compassion in World Farming, said: 'Intensive fish farming is bad for fish welfare and the product only contains Omega 3 due to the wasteful consumption of feed containing fish oil.'

Wild salmon consume only fish oil, which they get from algae and smaller fish, but lose fatty acids from that fish oil, as they become leaner during the migration back from the sea to the river to spawn.

This means farmed fish, which are kept confined in cages within the sea, can contain more Omega 3 than the wild variety.

But vegetable oil is more accessible, sustainable, and also cheaper than fish oil for the expanding fish farming industry.

So more of this can be used, which substantially reduces the amount of Omega 3 in farmed salmon.

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Cheaper salmon is 'as good as premium farmed products when it comes to Omega 3', study shows

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The types of Omega 3 fatty acids found in farmed salmon are EPA and DHA.

Insect-based proteins are used as an additive in salmon feed in France, as suggested by the potential future of fish feed.

The new salmon feed includes essential amino acids, which are crucial for animal protein production and immune body formation.


"Additives used in salmon feed during farming include fishmeal and fish oil, as well as insect-based ingredients, which are being explored as sustainable alternatives to traditional fishmeal."

Salmon feed additives include fishmeal, fish oil, and insect-based ingredients, with insects, mold, and algae being considered for future use.

"Fishmeal and fish oil are commonly used additives in salmon feed, but their production is depleting wild fish stocks. Insect-based ingredients may also be used as an alternative."

Fishmeal and fish oil are used as additives in salmon feed, with over half a million tons of pelagic fish being converted to these products annually to feed farmed fish and livestock.

"Salmon feed used in farming includes fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish, and may also include insect-based ingredients."

Insect meal is used as an additive to replace fish meal in salmon feed, as it provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish.

Insect meal is used as an additive in salmon feed to replace fish meal.

Antibiotics are often used in salmon feed but are being replaced due to health concerns and environmental impacts.

Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and additives.

Antibiotics and additives are used in traditional single species fish farms to maintain a healthy fish-stock.

"Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and other harmful substances such as carcinogenic formaldehyde."

Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and additives.

"The use of antibiotics and additives in traditional single species fish farms is a common practice, although the provided text does not give a detailed list of additives used in salmon feed. The text focuses on the issue of sea lice and the use of pesticides in salmon farming."

Amino acids are added to feed to enhance its nutritional value by supporting cell growth and immune system development.

The purpose of adding amino acids to feed is to increase the nutritional value, which is a common goal of using feed additives in animal feed, including salmon feed.

The purpose of adding amino acids to feed is to increase its nutritional value, which can enhance the productivity and properties of the animals being fed.

Bovaer is a methane-reducing feed additive developed by DSM, shown to reduce emissions by 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

The name of the methane-reducing feed additive is Bovaer, which has been approved for use in over 40 countries but is still in the approval process in the US.

Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health in farmed salmon.

Omega 3, specifically EPA and DHA, is beneficial for heart health in farmed salmon.

Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health found in farmed salmon.

The types of Omega 3 fatty acids found in farmed salmon are EPA and DHA.

Farmed salmon contains EPA and DHA, two types of Omega 3 fatty acids that are beneficial for heart health and thinking skills.

Insect-based proteins are used as an additive in salmon feed in France, as suggested by the potential future of fish feed.

The new salmon feed includes essential amino acids, which are crucial for animal protein production and immune body formation.

The new salmon feed likely includes essential amino acids as a nutrient.

"Additives used in salmon feed during farming include fishmeal and fish oil, as well as insect-based ingredients, which are being explored as sustainable alternatives to traditional fishmeal."

Title:

Content: World’s Largest Insect Farm to Open in France

Once fully operational, the massive vertical farm will produce 200,000 tonnes of insect-based ingredients a year.

Ÿnsect, one of the world’s largest insect rangers, is betting big on bugs to help push the world in a more sustainable direction.

Founded in 2011, the company is fast approaching its goal of opening the world’s largest insect farm and dramatically scaling up its operations. Located about an hour north of Paris, the state-of-the-art facility will leverage automated systems and vertical farming techniques to raise mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and enable the production of over 200,000 tonnes of insect-based ingredients per year. The site, estimated to be completed by the end of 2022, will join two other Ÿnsect facilities already operational in France and the Netherlands.

"It’s an automated warehouse, very similar to an Amazon warehouse, where instead of storing stuff, we are storing live insects," Ÿnsect CEO and co-founder Antoine Hubert told Time last year. "There is a climate-control system which is highly complex to maintain temperature and moisture from zero to 30 meters high. All operations are automated. Anything that you do on [an insect] farm is done with robots."

Feed for Fish, Fertilizer for Plants, Burgers for Humans

For the past decade, mealworms cultivated at Ÿnsect’s farms have been turned into powders and oils that have become nutritional additives to pet and farm feeds. Thanks to a ruling last year by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) that deemed mealworms safe for human consumption, the company has also begun selling its powders for shakes, cereal bars, pasta, and even alt-meat burgers. In addition, the shed shells of the rapidly growing mealworms are collected and sold as beneficial organic fertilizers to farmers.

According to MealFlour, a project that promotes mealworm farming as a way to battle malnutrition in Guatemala, a serving of mealworm powder is 55% protein, contains all essential amino and fatty acids, and has more iron than sirloin beef. Compared to the production of milk, pork, chicken, and beef, mealworms are also more sustainable and require fewer resources and energy.

While its recent forays into human foodstuffs have garnered attention, Ÿnsect's focus presently remains on helping to feed sustainably the animals that feed the world. For instance, aquaculture, like salmon farming, is a resource-intensive operation that uses both land-based crops (soy) and massive amounts of wild-caught fish to create what's known as fishmeal. With food production projected to have to grow by more than 70% by 2050 to meet demand, the overfishing of oceans to feed aquaculture operations is not a feasible option. Studies, such as a recent trial by NOAA, have shown that supplementing or even replacing fishmeal with insect- and plant-based foods holds promise for eliminating the need for wild-caught sources. According to Hubert, there are other positives as well.

"They [salmon] were reaching the maturity stage faster and eating less so they were avoiding a large quantity of feed," he told Fast Company in 2020. "There was less mortality so the farmers get more fish eventually than before... This also explains why we have a carbon-negative balance, because we are avoiding so many quantities of inputs to feed fish to have the same quantities of fish."

Hubert added to Fast Company that Ÿnsect has contracts worth more than $100 million with fish feed producers. This past year, with the acquisition of U.S.-based mealworm producer Jord, it also began entering new markets, such as the rapidly growing U.S. backyard chicken feed market.

A Record-Breaking Vertical Farm

One look at the animated video of Ÿnsect’s new facility up above and you can see why it’s been touted as an automated marvel. Mealworms will be reared by robots in stacked tubs stretching several stories tall. Unlike other insect food alternatives such as flies or crickets, mealworms do not hop or fly, allowing the company to maximize the space available.

In an effort to make sure the creatures are ethically farmed, Hubert reached out to philosophers from the Sorbonne University to judge their welfare. As he told The Guardian, the students determined that the mealworms had "more in common with mushroom-growing and hothousing vegetables" than with livestock.

"They have no brain in the strict sense of the word," he said. "We know they have a reflex reaction and they communicate and build intelligent structures, but nobody has shown they feel anything. However, what is important is to respect them as living organisms, which we do."

In addition to the new farm in France, Ÿnsect plans to continue to scale its operations with additional facilities, including a major site in the U.S. The biggest hurdle ahead, however, says Hubert, is making insects a normal part of everyday diets.

"I believe that the big challenge is accepting insects as part of the human diet," he told Authority Magazine. "A large part of the world's population eats insects, but we must be able to prove its properties and its benefits for the environment in order to reach more and have more impact!"

View Article Sources
  1. "Ÿnsect Welcomes European Interministerial Delegation to Amiens." Ynsect.

  2. "Why Eat Mealworms?" MealFlour.

  3. "Edible Insects." Food and Agriculture Organization.

  4. van Dijk, Michiel, et al. "A Meta-Analysis of Projected Global Food Demand and Population At Risk of Hunger for the Period 2010–2050." Nature Food, vol. 2, no. 7, 2021, pp. 494-501., doi:10.1038/s43016-021-00322-9

  5. "The Future of Fish Feed May Lie in Insects, Mold, and Algae." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Salmon feed additives include fishmeal, fish oil, and insect-based ingredients, with insects, mold, and algae being considered for future use.

"Fishmeal and fish oil are commonly used additives in salmon feed, but their production is depleting wild fish stocks. Insect-based ingredients may also be used as an alternative."

Title:

Content: Ad

The EU must not support intensive fish farming — it's not sustainable

Free Article

The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will run between 1 July and 31 December 2024, has announced in its programme that it will pay particular attention to the development of “sustainable and competitive aquaculture”, arguing that “it is the animal protein production sector with the smallest environmental footprint.”

Beyond a supposedly low carbon footprint, aquaculture is also presented as an alternative to mitigate declining wild fish catches. However, under the term “aquaculture” we find various production models – some of which are more environmentally benign when conducted at appropriate scale, such as the cultivation of mussels, clams, and oysters, and some of which come with significant damaging impacts.

Many European consumers who want to eat fish from sustainable sources believe farmed salmon, trout and seabass are sustainable choices. But the intensive farming of carnivorous fin fish is neither socially nor environmentally sustainable.

The environmental impacts of this industrial production model include an increase in harmful algal blooms, a negative impact on sea grass meadows due to the accumulation of organic matter around farms, mass fish die-offs, the use of the harmful substances such as carcinogenic formaldehyde or antibiotics, and water pollution, creating dead zones on the sea bed underneath the farms. Adding to this, carnivorous farmed fish such as salmon and seabass require high volumes of fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish in their feed.

In Europe, industrial aquaculture of carnivorous fish at sea is damaging the environment and displacing traditional activities such as coastal small-scale fisheries.

On the island of Poros, Greece, for example, the plan is to increase the area dedicated to open net pen carnivorous fish farms by 28 times. Yet, underwater video depicts that marine ecosystem near the current small-scale pens is completely dead from the waste and pollution of the farms, and local professional fishermen attest to a loss of wild fish since the influx of fish farms.

Beyond Europe, the production of fishmeal and fish oil necessary to feed carnivorous farmed fish is depleting wild fish stocks. This is the case in West Africa where the overfishing of small pelagics such as sardines and mackerel for industrial fish farms in Europe is undermining food security and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and women fish-processors. Fish is taken away from people in low-income countries to feed the farmed fish which will be consumed in wealthy nations.

The UN special rapporteur on the right to food acknowledged this in his report to the Human Rights Council in early 2024: “Many farmed fish are carnivorous species that require feed products harvested from wild fish stock, thereby creating another source of pressure on wild fish stocks and disrupting ecosystems.

Moreover, global feed companies are exacerbating food insecurity in some communities. For example, over half a million tons of pelagic fish that could feed over 33 million people in the region are instead extracted from the ocean along the coast of West Africa and converted to fishmeal and fish oil, primarily in order to feed farmed fish and livestock, mostly in Asia and Europe.”

The current EU strategy for aquaculture does not respond to the social and environmental challenges posed by this sector and fails to clearly define what “sustainable” aquaculture is. In fact, in a special report on aquaculture, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) found that the European Union has been pouring funds into the development of aquaculture with little proof that this has contributed to the sector’s “environmental and social sustainability or its competitiveness.” The ECA report further highlights that “there are currently no indicators available to monitor the environmental sustainability of EU aquaculture.”

Under the agriculture and fisheries agenda, Hungary has reaffirmed its wish to support farmers, and fish farmers, through a “farmer-friendly European food system.” Rather they should support low impact small-scale fishers as primary food producers.

Under the Hungarian presidency, the EU should discontinue support for industrial aquaculture of carnivorous species and instead promote more sustainable small-scale aquaculture options that can co-exist instead of negatively affecting small-scale fisheries in Europe and beyond. If Europe wants to be a model in sustainable ocean governance, it must place small-scale, low-impact fisheries and aquaculture at the heart of its food policy.

This is an open letter signed by the following organisations from Africa and Europe: African Confederation of Artisanal Fisheries Organisations (CAOPA), Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Feedback Europe, Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE), Compassion in World Farming and the Rauch Foundation.

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This article is sponsored by a third party. All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author and not of EUobserver.

Author Bio

The Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements is a platform of European and African organisations that raises awareness about the impacts of the EU-Africa fisheries agreements on artisanal fishing communities.

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The Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements is a platform of European and African organisations that raises awareness about the impacts of the EU-Africa fisheries agreements on artisanal fishing communities.

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Fishmeal and fish oil are used as additives in salmon feed, with over half a million tons of pelagic fish being converted to these products annually to feed farmed fish and livestock.

"Salmon feed used in farming includes fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish, and may also include insect-based ingredients."

Insect meal is used as an additive to replace fish meal in salmon feed, as it provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish.

Insect meal is used as an additive in salmon feed to replace fish meal.

Antibiotics are often used in salmon feed but are being replaced due to health concerns and environmental impacts.

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Anticipating obsolescence: The next step to enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture

With growing concerns about the environmental toll of single species fish farms, a research project has been looking at the feasibility of introducing a more sustainable and potentially more profitable method of fish farming, using three complementary species.

Much as native American people planted squash, maize and climbing beans together to benefit each other, (often called the "three sisters"), farming finned-fish, shellfish and seaweeds together could benefit each other and reduce any environmental effects of fish farming. Small scale integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), as the system is called, has traditionally been used at a small domestic scale in Asia, providing the farmer with more than one product to sell or use.

The feasibility study conducted by Bangor University and published in Ecological Modelling has identified the locations around the Atlantic coast which would be most suitable for IMTA, based on farming salmon, and Oarweed, a type of kelp seaweed commonly found in temperate Atlantic coasts. The research considered the natural distribution of the three species, whether suitable locations clashed with busy shipping lanes or marine protected areas and whether there was close access to sizeable ports in order to reach markets.

The western coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland; Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Ireland, and the western coast of Brittany, northwest France were found to be the best locations to further develop IMTA based aquaculture.

As Conchúr Hughes of Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences explained, "One of the problems with the type of single species aquaculture practiced in Europe is that excess food and feces can lead to deterioration of local ecology, while density can mean that aquaculture companies need to use antibiotics and other additives to maintain a healthy fish-stock.

"Mussels are filter feeders, they can be responsible for removing up to 54% of salmon waste materials from the , using it as energy to grow, while the oarweed removes soluble nutrients from the water column. Oarweed can then be farmed to use in a variety of products, from food supplements for human consumption or for fish farms, as a fertilizer or as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals.

"Each of these species complements the other and mitigates against problems."

IMTA-based aquaculture

Both salmon and mussels are important food sources in Europe, and while oarweed is not as yet, this is a sector that is expected to experience a rapid increase in demand in the coming years- and can provide an alternative sustainable source of fertilizer and other products.

Seaweed cultivation can also provide environmental benefits. The seaweed in the water acts as a buffer against as it approaches the shore, reducing the energy as it passes through the seaweed, much as trees act as a buffer against strong winds, which can help reduce erosion. It also elevates the pH and oxygenates the water.

More information: Conchúr Hughes et al, Habitat suitability modelling for an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system along Europe's Atlantic coast, Ecological Modelling (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110459

Provided by Bangor University

Citation: Anticipating obsolescence: The next step to enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture (2023, September 27) retrieved 27 September 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-09-obsolescence-sustainability-aquaculture.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

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What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

What health concerns are there specifically related to additives in farmed salmon feed?

Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and additives.

What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

Antibiotics and additives are used in traditional single species fish farms to maintain a healthy fish-stock.

"Traditional single species fish farms use antibiotics and other harmful substances such as carcinogenic formaldehyde."

What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

"The use of antibiotics and additives in traditional single species fish farms is a common practice, although the provided text does not give a detailed list of additives used in salmon feed. The text focuses on the issue of sea lice and the use of pesticides in salmon farming."

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Drug-resistant sea lice an increasing problem for B.C. fish farms, new study finds

By Melanie Nagy

Click here for updates on this story

    May 14, 2022 (CTV Network) — Every spring, endangered juvenile wild salmon migrate from B.C.’s rivers to the Pacific Ocean, but their numbers are dwindling and some fear sea lice parasites are increasingly to blame. Sea lice are tiny, oval shaped crustaceans that can cling to the backs of wild salmon, feeding on their skin, muscle tissue and blood. Adult fish are generally not harmed when a few lice attach themselves, but juveniles with underdeveloped scales can be harmed or killed when heavily infested. While the parasite occurs naturally in the waters off B.C.’s coast, there’s long been concern over outbreaks on aquaculture farms where open-net pens make it possible for lice to move from farmed fish to young migrating salmon. “Salmon farms act as this year-round reservoir for sea lice, potentially providing sea lice to wild juvenile salmon when they wouldn’t normally get them,” conservation biologist Sean Godwin said. Godwin is the lead author in a recent study that looked at the state of sea lice in the Pacific Ocean. Along with his fellow researchers, he found the parasite is increasingly becoming resistant to one of the main tools the industry relies on to combat the problem. “Our paper found that this tool, which is a pesticide known [as] SLICE, or emamectin benzoate, is becoming less effective and that sea lice are developing resistance to it on farms here,” Godwin said. To assess parasite resistance, “bioassay, treatment and salmon-louse count data from 2010 to 2021” were analyzed. During that time, the researchers found a notable decrease in the effectiveness of SLICE. “It is going to be more difficult for salmon farms to control sea lice outbreaks on their farms,” said Godwin. In the province’s stunning Clayoquot Sound, Bonny Glambeck routinely uses a fine-mesh net and a sample cup to test the waters near fish farms. Glambeck heads the Tofino-based conservation society known as Clayoquot Action and every year she monitors industry lice counts and tracks wild salmon infestations. “The control of sea lice on fish farms is something I do not believe the industry has ever been able to crack,” she said. “Parasites like these sea lice proliferate on these farms and then they can pass them on to wild salmon. With that, we feel that every year that goes by and these farms are allowed to pollute the waters with these infestations, they are just wiping out another generation of wild salmon.” Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires all fish farms in Canadian coastal waters to have a sea lice management plan. The federal department also places a limit of three lice per salmon during the spring when young salmon are out-migrating and are most vulnerable. In addition to that, the industry publicly reports lice counts on individual company websites every month. “The worry is that those lice levels might accumulate and then be released back to affect wild migratory salmon. The science doesn’t support that, but the concern exists so the industry responds to that,” said Brian Kingzett. Kingzett is the science and policy director with the BC Salmon Farmers Association. He says the industry has warned the federal government for years about the waning efficacy of SLICE, and has long called on Ottawa to approve new pesticide options. “There are other anti-parasite agents that have been approved in other areas of the world and we would certainly like to add that to our toolbox.” While SLICE is the only approved pesticide in Canada, it is not the only option for a fish farm struggling with a lice infestation. Kingzett says other environmentally friendly methods include the use of specialized delousing boats. One readily used vessel can suck fish from ocean-based pens into tanks where pressurized water is used to forcibly remove any attached lice. According to the industry, any dislodged bugs are collected by filters for disposal so they are not reintroduced to the marine environment. “During the last five years, the industry has spent about $100 million on importing new technologies,” Kingzett said. “Fish farming is an important industry in B.C. because we are facing a global seafood shortage and the farming sector is looking to provide sustainable, high-quality product.” The industry, however, is controversial and there’s been an ongoing battle to have all fish farms in the province removed. Earlier this month, there was a large protest in Tofino involving Indigenous leaders, conservationists and environmentalists. The group took to the waters near a local fish farm to voice their opposition to the industry and call on Ottawa to evict them. “It is a do-or-die moment for the salmon farming industry,” said Alexandra Morton, who is an independent biologist and longtime wild salmon activist. “We need to do whatever we can to save wild salmon populations because they are sadly on the verge of extinction.” In response, those in support of fish farms argue they are not a direct threat to wild salmon and are a vital industry. According to the BC Salmon Farmers Association, there are nearly 5,000 jobs linked to fish farms and at least $1 billion “in economic activity” is generated annually. Despite that, Ottawa has previously announced that it’s committed to phasing out open-net salmon farms in B.C. by 2025. In addition, it’s uncertain if 79 federal fish farm licenses expiring in June will be renewed.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Matthew Talbot
matthew.talbot@bellmedia.ca

CNN Newsource

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What has the release of Netflix's ecological crisis documentary "Seaspiracy"  exposed?

The pollution risks associated with antibiotics used in sea-farmed salmon.

Amino acids are added to feed to enhance its nutritional value by supporting cell growth and immune system development.

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Mohamad Elbaz
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Agriculture: Poultry production depends on 55% of small breeders.
The sector recovered soon.
A report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation revealed the recovery of the poultry industry during the coming period from the repercussions in which the industry was exposed during the recent period after the adoption of poultry production on 55% of small breeders.
A report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, represented by the Animal Production Research Institute, said that the decline experienced by the poultry industry and production will be recovered from its consequences at the earliest opportunity, in light of the tangible boom achieved by the small breeder, which cost us to achieve self-sufficiency during the past years.
The report downplayed the repercussions of the recent crisis in the poultry production sector, explaining that large entities are the most affected, while the basic strength of the industry, represented by small breeders, has remained largely stable.
The report pointed out that the basic strength of poultry production projects depends mainly on the segment of small breeders, which represents about 55% of the actual strength of this economic activity, where he touched on the file of feed additives, explaining its importance to the poultry production industry, which is mainly based on maximizing the benefit of all inputs.
The report stressed that the desired goal of the use of feed additives, is to achieve the maximum possible absorption rate of protein, carbohydrates and fats, from the feed formula provided to birds, in a way that enhances the doubling of their productivity and improve their properties.
Feed additives are divided into two main sections: Feed additives: are those additives that enter the food directly, most notably vitamins of both types “fat ” and“ soluble in water ”, and play an active role in the completion of the process of digestion, in addition to its strong contribution to improving immunity.
The report added that the breeder aims to maximize productivity and double immunity rates, which achieves a tangible economic savings for the breeder, and is reflected positively on the level of profitability expected by the end of each cycle, explaining that amino acids “amino acid ”: the cell building unit and the pillar of animal protein production, in addition to its important role in the formation of immune bodies.
The report added that the mineral salts: divided into two basic “structural salts ”, the most important of which are“ calcium, potassium, magnesium ”, which enter as the main part in the synthesis of bones, and “non-food salts ”, and play the role of regulator of metabolic processes that take place within the body.
The report pointed out that there are non-food feed additives: the latest trend in the world of feed additives, which specialists call “yeasts ” or“ plastics, ” and represent a type of bacteria beneficial to living organisms.
The report stressed that the latest scientific research revealed that each gram of intestinal juice of a healthy human or animal, contains "1210" bacterial organism, as one of the most prominent manifestations of health, while some studies have found that 30% of the weight of the organism is only bacteria.

The purpose of adding amino acids to feed is to increase the nutritional value, which is a common goal of using feed additives in animal feed, including salmon feed.

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Content: Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market – Status and Development, Average Product Price and Market Shares of Key Players

Market Research Reports, Business Consulting Services & Analytics

The increase in the demand for and consumption of livestock-based products as well as the growth in animal feed production is anticipated to grow the market.

HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA, January 17, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- IndustryARC, in its latest report, predicts that The Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market is estimated to reach $29.2 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period 2023-2028. Feed additives are a diverse group of molecules, substances or living things that help animals take food, absorb it, assimilate it into their bodies, grow and stay healthy. They have an impact on physiological processes like reproduction, stress resistance and immune system performance. Feed additives can be immune stimulants, probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, acidifiers or others. The anticipated rise in demand for feed additives as a consequence of the growing demand for animal feed is one of the major factors driving the market for compound harmless feed additives during the forecast period of 2023–2028. According to European Feed Manufacturers' Federation, farm animals in the EU27 consumed an estimated 701 million tonnes of feed in 2021, of which about 22 % are produced by Compound Feed manufacturers.

Click here to browse the complete report summary:
https://www.industryarc.com/Research/Global-Compound-Harmless-Feed-Additive-Industry-Market-Research-511853

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Key takeaways:

This IndustryARC report on the Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market highlights the following areas -

1. Geographically, North America dominated the Compound Harmless Feed Additive market in 2022, owing to the rising livestock production in Mexico and the United States. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period 2023-2028, owing to the heavy demand for natural poultry feed additives augmented by the consumption of processed poultry in countries such as China, India and Australia.

2. The increase in the demand for and consumption of livestock-based products as well as the growth in animal feed production is anticipated to grow over the forecast period of 2023–2028.

3. The standardization of meat products as a result of disease outbreaks and the implementation of innovative animal husbandry practices to improve meat quality are projected to drive the market.

4. A detailed analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats would be provided in the Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market Report.

Interested in knowing more relevant information? Click here:
https://www.industryarc.com/pdfdownload.php?id=511853

Segmental Analysis:

Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market Segment Analysis – by Additive Type : Based on additive type, the Compound Harmless Feed Additive market is further segmented into antibiotics, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, mycotoxin detoxifiers, prebiotics, probiotics, flavors and sweeteners, pigments, binder acidifiers and minerals.

Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market Segment Analysis – by Livestock : Based on livestock, the Compound Harmless Feed Additive market is further segmented into pork and swine, poultry, cattle, aquaculture and others. The poultry segment held the largest revenue market share in 2022, owing to the rise in demand for natural poultry feed additives and poultry-based items including meat and eggs.

Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market Segment Analysis – by Geography : Based on geography, the North American Compound Harmless Feed Additive market accounted for 36% of revenue share in 2022, due to the rising demand and consumption of meat in the region.

Competitive Landscape:

The top 5 players in the Compound Harmless Feed Additive Industry are -

1. BASF SE
2. Koninklijke DSM N.V.
3. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
4. Bluestar Adisseo
5. DeKalb Feeds Inc.

Click on the following link to buy the Compound Harmless Feed Additive Market Report:
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IndustryARC is one of the leading market research and consulting firms in the world. It produces over 500 unique market reports annually. If you are looking for a detailed overview of a particular market, you can simply connect with the team at IndustryARC. You can not only buy your preferred market report from the website, but also get personalized assistance on specific reports.

Related Reports:

A. Cattle Feed Market
https://www.industryarc.com/Report/15063/cattle-feed-market.html

B. Animal Probiotics Market
https://www.industryarc.com/Report/18555/animal-probiotics-market.html

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The purpose of adding amino acids to feed is to increase its nutritional value, which can enhance the productivity and properties of the animals being fed.

Bovaer is a methane-reducing feed additive developed by DSM, shown to reduce emissions by 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

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Home / Science / News /  Could curbing cow burps slow global warming?

Could curbing cow burps slow global warming?

Scientists have found ways to reduce methane emissions from cattle, but the costs might deter farmers

Methane produced by “cow burps" is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Researchers are studying ways to stifle these emissions, which could help slow global warming. Methane, like carbon dioxide, traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

Methane produced by “cow burps" is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Researchers are studying ways to stifle these emissions, which could help slow global warming. Methane, like carbon dioxide, traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

The U.S. and more than other 100 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. On Tuesday, Danone, one of the world’s largest dairy companies, said it would align itself with the pledge by cutting emissions of its fresh-milk suppliers.

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The U.S. and more than other 100 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. On Tuesday, Danone, one of the world’s largest dairy companies, said it would align itself with the pledge by cutting emissions of its fresh-milk suppliers.

The methane from cow burps is generated by enteric fermentation, a process by which microbes in the stomachs of cattle help break down and digest plant material. The process releases methane as a byproduct, which the animals expel through belching.

The United Nations estimates that food and agriculture are responsible for almost one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions. This includes farm-based activities, such as enteric fermentation, which accounts for about 5% of global greenhouse gases.

The agrifood sector also encompasses pre- and post-farm activities, such as food shipping, as well as changes in land use, such as the clearing of forests for farms.

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A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reviewed almost 100 strategies for curbing enteric emissions.

It identified five that cut daily methane from livestock by an average of 21% without harming animal productivity, and three more that reduced emissions per unit of milk or meat by an average of 12% while actually improving animal productivity.

One of the most studied options is Bovaer, a feed additive developed by Dutch chemical maker DSM. The compound has been shown to reduce emissions by an average of 30% in dairy cows and 45% in beef cattle.

Researchers have also seen reductions by introducing oilseeds, such as canola, into livestock diets, and by encouraging cattle to graze on less mature grasses. Younger grasses are lower in fiber and easier to digest.

The seemingly simple act of giving livestock more feed also pays dividends. A better-fed animal produces more meat and milk relative to any extra methane it may emit during digestion. Cattle aren’t always fed the right amount, according to the authors of the study, or may lack essential nutrients in their diets, which limits productivity.

Despite the effectiveness of these strategies, some farmers may be reluctant to adopt them, according to the lead author of the study, Claudia Arndt of the International Livestock Research Institute. Changing established practices—whether it is buying new feeds or additives or reseeding pastures—can add to expenses.

“The greater the extra costs per kg of milk, the greater the risk of years with negative income," said Jan Dijkstra, of Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, author of a study on the economics of methane mitigation.

Farmers’ willingness to embrace the techniques might depend on whether they are enticed or compelled to do so through incentives or regulations, according to Frank Mitloehner, an air quality specialist at the University of California, Davis.

So far, U.S. government efforts to curb methane have largely focused not on agriculture but on the oil and gas industries, which are a smaller domestic source of the gas.

California, the top milk-producing state, has set a goal on its own of reducing methane from dairy and livestock 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. The state’s clean air board says that enteric mitigation measures will likely be needed to achieve the goal.

Regulatory approval for methane-reducing products could also could speed their adoption.

Boaver, which has been cleared for use in more than 40 countries including the European Union, has been in the U.S. approval process for six years, according to Hugh Welsh, president of DSM North America.

“The FDA is treating it as a drug, we believe it is more appropriately regulated as a feed ingredient," he said.

Said Dr. Mitloehner: “We know this is one of the additives that works, but it is not available in the U.S."

In response to a query about Bovaer, a spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said, “The FDA encourages new product development and is exploring innovative approaches for evaluating new animal products that may also have benefits for people and the environment."

A recent U.N. report proposed changes to the agrifood sector that could help meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius.

On-farm emissions cuts make up almost one-fifth of the recommended measures, with about 17% of them coming from efforts to reduce enteric methane.

A gas’s impact on warming is measured by how well it traps heat and how long it stays in the atmosphere. Methane is more effective at trapping heat than CO2, but only lasts about 12 years in the atmosphere. CO2 can persist for centuries.

Because methane is a high-impact but short-lived gas, cutting its emissions could have a relatively fast-acting effect on the pace of climate change.

“Warming from methane does not accumulate over long periods of time," said Dr. Arndt. “Thus, it makes it important to reduce emissions right now to limit global warming."

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The name of the methane-reducing feed additive is Bovaer, which has been approved for use in over 40 countries but is still in the approval process in the US.

Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health in farmed salmon.

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Content: Cheaper salmon is 'as good as premium farmed products when it comes to Omega 3', study shows

  • Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills
  • Researchers analysed packs of farmed Scottish and Norwegian salmon from 10 UK supermarkets
  • The best provided 67% of the recommended weekly Omega 3 but the worst only offered 26%
  • Fillets from two stores did not contain significantly more Omega 3 than non-premium products

Premium farmed salmon may be no healthier than value brands when it comes to Omega 3, a study has shown.

Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills.

Researchers analysed packs of farmed Scottish and Norwegian salmon from 10 UK supermarkets.

The best provided 67 per cent of the recommended weekly Omega 3 but the worst only offered 26 per cent.

Fillets from two stores did not contain significantly more Omega 3 than non-premium products.

Premium farmed salmon may be no healthier than value brands when it comes to Omega 3, a study has shown. Fish-eaters benefit from two Omega 3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which can boost heart health and thinking skills. (File image)

Farmed salmon tend to be fed a mixture of fish and vegetable oils but the latter lack the fatty acids found in seafood.

Study leader Dr Matthew Sprague, from Stirling University, said: 'The amount of EPA and DHA can vary based on the cut of salmon, as well as what it was fed, but farmed salmon is still high in nutrients.'

Salmon not only contains Omega 3 but selenium and phosphorus, which are also important for health.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Consumers take various factors into consideration when buying salmon, including its health benefits and the way it is produced, and they will weigh these up when choosing what to purchase in a supermarket.'

Salmon not only contains Omega 3 but selenium and phosphorus, which are also important for health

Phil Brooke, from Compassion in World Farming, said: 'Intensive fish farming is bad for fish welfare and the product only contains Omega 3 due to the wasteful consumption of feed containing fish oil.'

Wild salmon consume only fish oil, which they get from algae and smaller fish, but lose fatty acids from that fish oil, as they become leaner during the migration back from the sea to the river to spawn.

This means farmed fish, which are kept confined in cages within the sea, can contain more Omega 3 than the wild variety.

But vegetable oil is more accessible, sustainable, and also cheaper than fish oil for the expanding fish farming industry.

So more of this can be used, which substantially reduces the amount of Omega 3 in farmed salmon.

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Cheaper salmon is 'as good as premium farmed products when it comes to Omega 3', study shows

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Omega 3, specifically EPA and DHA, is beneficial for heart health in farmed salmon.

Omega 3 is a beneficial nutrient for heart health found in farmed salmon.

The types of Omega 3 fatty acids found in farmed salmon are EPA and DHA.

Farmed salmon contains EPA and DHA, two types of Omega 3 fatty acids that are beneficial for heart health and thinking skills.

Insect-based proteins are used as an additive in salmon feed in France, as suggested by the potential future of fish feed.

The new salmon feed includes essential amino acids, which are crucial for animal protein production and immune body formation.

The new salmon feed likely includes essential amino acids as a nutrient.


Green walls provide environmental benefits including improved air quality, temperature regulation, and dust retention, thereby contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Green walls can provide environmental benefits including temperature regulation.

"Green walls can help with indoor climate control by regulating temperature and mitigating temperature changes, as evidenced by a study that showed a 5°C reduction in wall temperature in residential buildings."

"When choosing plants for a green wall, homeowners should consider the specific conditions of their space, such as humidity levels, and select plants that are suitable for those conditions, like ivy and ferns for high-humidity areas."

"A green wall provides the aesthetic benefit of beautification by adding a natural touch to interior spaces and making any house look radiant with fresh green."

Indoor green walls can have a positive impact on mental health by creating a natural and relaxing atmosphere.

Ivys, heucheras, and ferns are suitable for a low-maintenance vertical garden due to their ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.

"Suitable plants for green walls include lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, which can be selected based on space planning and installation requirements."

Vertical gardens can create the illusion of more space and add privacy in small areas.

Low-maintenance plants like the Dragon Tubeh, Junzi and Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are recommended for vertical gardens due to their air-purifying properties.

Customized landscape designs adapt to the local climate, and considering the plant hardiness zone is crucial for creating an effective outdoor space.

Vertical green walls can reduce indoor temperature by 1.8 ℃.

"Vertical gardens provide environmental benefits including improving air quality by absorbing air pollution, retaining dust, and regulating temperature."

Green walls provide environmental benefits including improved air quality, temperature regulation, and dust retention, thereby contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

Green walls can provide environmental benefits including temperature regulation.

"Green walls can help with indoor climate control by regulating temperature and mitigating temperature changes, as evidenced by a study that showed a 5°C reduction in wall temperature in residential buildings."

Title:

Content: Africa Has Its First Chief Heat Officer. Five Things Should Be On Her Agenda

24 February 2023
analysis

Freetown's heat officer can set an example to Africa and the world as temperatures and risks rise.

Eugenia Kargbo has an unusual job: she is the city of Freetown's chief heat officer. Her role in Sierra Leone's capital is the first of its kind in Africa. She has been tasked with raising public awareness about extreme heat, improving responses to heat waves, and collecting, analysing and visualising heat impact data for the city, which is home to 1.2 million people.

Freetown is increasingly threatened by dangerous temperatures. In 2017, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ranked Sierra Leone third, after Bangladesh and Guinea Bissau, on its list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The risks are concentrated in its capital and largest city, Freetown, where some 35% of the population live in 74 informal settlements like Kroo Bay, often in disaster-prone areas like the seafront or hillsides. Houses are densely built and typically temporary structures made of "heat trapping" materials. Services that supports cooling, such as water and electricity, are usually inadequate.

As an architect whose work includes researching ways to reduce heat in African cities, I think the creation of an Heat Officer position is a good move. The world's cities are almost all getting hotter and, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, temperatures will only keep rising.

But, while this is a global challenge, African cities are unique. The significant proportion of urban dwellers who are poor and those whose living conditions do not provide adequate shelter from the elements make the African context unique and deserving special attention.

With these realities in mind, here are five things I'd suggest should be on the agenda of both Kargbo and any other heat officer appointed elsewhere on the continent in future.

1. Take a diverse approach to urban greening

Nature-based approaches are a great way to address increasing temperatures linked to climate change. Scholars have established positive links between green infrastructure, temperature moderation and even health outcomes in African cities as well as elsewhere in the world.

This has informed a growing number of tree-planting initiatives and the development of urban parks. But it is important that municipalities move beyond only these kinds of spaces. African cities are becoming densely populated; that means less space will be available for greening initiatives on land.

Vertical systems of building (for example on walls, roofs, columns) and urban infrastructure (for example on bridges, road furniture) should be explored to make up for the lack of space on the ground.

In the last few years, I have led the design and development of experimental vertical gardens in low-income areas of Nigeria and Tanzania. We have shown that these vertical gardens reduce wall temperature of residential buildings by as much as 5°C in Dar es Salaam. The gardens have other benefits like providing fresh vegetables for household consumption. Similar ways of growing vegetation vertically have been seen elsewhere in the world, including in Mexico City.

2. Strengthen the link between heat and health

Exposure to extreme heat usually comes with health problems - and can even kill people, as I and many other scholars have documented. It exacerbates underlying health conditions.

One area of concern when it comes to the heat-health nexus in African countries is that mosquito numbers increase in higher temperatures. This means malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes might become significant problems for Freetown and other African cities.

These health problems are further complicated by the fact that many city dwellers across the continent can't access adequate and affordable health care. Community health initiatives within cities and efforts to ramp up health services in qualitative and quantitative terms must be integral to heat adaptation plans and actions.

3. Focus on early warning and improved awareness

It is far better to be proactive than reactive. Heat vulnerability patterns within Freetown and other African cities must be studied and used to make sense of weather predictions in order to inform warning systems.

In the warning systems, for example, an alert level can be triggered when the weather forecast shows three or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperature and humidity above a threshold of, say, 30°C. Other levels of alerts can correspond with higher temperatures. This sort of system has been implemented in Toronto, Canada, with good outcomes. A recent study of urban areas in Ontario (the province where Toronto is located) shows that early warnings may have meant fewer heat-related illnesses severe enough to warrant hospital or clinic visits.

4. Encourage the transfer of knowledge

Cities can adapt to heat faster when they share knowledge and experiences. Some scholars argue that inter-city collaboration and knowledge-sharing can enhance municipalities' resilience and improve urban residents' skills to deal with heat-related issues.

Kargbo's work will generate many lessons that can be shared with other African cities; she, too, will learn from other cities' successes and failures.

5. Let locals lead

While there is plenty to learn from more developed countries outside Africa, it is important to also draw from local indigenous knowledge and practices. An examination of knowledge and awareness about climate-related and environmental problems in African traditional society shows there is much to be learned from indigenous systems.

Top-down approaches are not enough. They must be complemented by bottom-up approaches in the planning, funding, execution and assessment of heat adaptation initiatives.

Inclusion is also important because it shifts power to those who are most affected by heat - people living in low-income and informal areas are disproportionately affected. Involving them enhances the impacts of initiatives and interventions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Olumuyiwa Adegun is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

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"When choosing plants for a green wall, homeowners should consider the specific conditions of their space, such as humidity levels, and select plants that are suitable for those conditions, like ivy and ferns for high-humidity areas."

Title:

Content: Make your home more stylish!
6 wonderful examples of ornamental plants
Genie Chien
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Do you like gardening? If you like flowers and plants, you can use ornamental plants as materials for interior decoration! Green has a natural beauty and charm, and it is easy to match with furniture and space, which is an indispensable element of interior decoration.
With them, even if it is not a beautiful house, it can make your home look radiant with fresh green.
Let ’ s take a look at the 6 ideas that make a stylish home out of plants!
Example 1: The Little Forest in the House
Do you want to live in a forest?
The designer saw through your mind and specially redesigned this house into a forest landscape.
This home is made of light wood and white, where green plants grow everywhere, creating a beautiful visual feel.
Living here, you can feel the natural atmosphere in all seasons, and your body and mind will feel extremely relaxed and comfortable!
Example 2: Bold use of plants to decorate home space
This open space combines a living room, dining room and kitchen, where designers use plants to make bold décor.
The rows of trees grow against the wall to form a beautiful vision. The indoor movement line is unparalleled, and living here is not only extremely relieving, but also can breathe the green verdant at the same time!
Example 3: Green interior wall
The interior is decorated with a vertically-green botanical garden, from the ceiling to the floor. Not only is it impressive at first glance, but the three-dimensional shape is even more impressive! Facing these greenery every day is the most healing secret of the busy world!
Example 4: A relaxing bathroom with a vacation style
Bathrooms with high humidity are also good for growing plants.
Here, the designer uses white and green to make your bathroom a vacation retreat.
Ivy and ferns are ideal choices, and the space forms a balanced color, so beautiful that people do not want to leave!
Example 5: Small green garden on the shelf
It is also a good idea to combine small ornamental plants with small accessories.
This way, using a rustic vine basket and small utensils, with beautiful green plants, creates a mini botanical garden in the space.
It not only makes the space more efficient, but also adds a lot of fun to life.
Example 6: Smart use of the outdoor garden
This residence has green plants planted on the outdoor balcony, allowing their verdant greenery to penetrate the interior.
Sitting in the living room, you can observe the growth of plants through a large area of glass windows.
In order to make the whole picture look beautiful as a painting, the designer took special care to choose the right plant to make the perfect match, so that the visual beauty is more divided!
If you are looking for inspiration to decorate your home, you must not miss the following articles:
12 Lighting Designs to Light Up the Appearance of Your Home!
Do you need someone to help you design or build your home?
Find a professional now!
Find out more about home design!

"A green wall provides the aesthetic benefit of beautification by adding a natural touch to interior spaces and making any house look radiant with fresh green."

Indoor green walls can have a positive impact on mental health by creating a natural and relaxing atmosphere.

Ivys, heucheras, and ferns are suitable for a low-maintenance vertical garden due to their ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.

"Suitable plants for green walls include lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, which can be selected based on space planning and installation requirements."

Title:

Content: Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Chiayi
The school received an environmental subsidy of NT $220,000 two years ago to plant large Dumbo flowers to form a green wall, which helps to cool down the temperature and purify the air, and also to install an automatic sprinkler system to maintain the ecology of the green wall.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Chiayi City Government, since 2019, the Environmental Protection Department has promoted the vertical air green wall project. Since 2019, three schools, including Xingjia, Jiabei Elementary School and Jiabei Elementary School, have installed climbing plants on the school's daughter wall and the balcony of the classroom.
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Chiayi Municipal Government said that this year, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the target of subsidies, in addition to the original subsidies of public middle school, public elementary school, public preschool institutions, public welfare groups, public facilities, environmental protection night market, civic activity center and other venues, air green wall subsidies of 3,000 to 6,000 yuan per square meter, single subsidy ceiling of 400,000 yuan.
According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Agency, according to the results of the study, vertical green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10) by about 40% and 60%, but also reduce the concentration of indoor fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) by about 10%, ozone by about 30%, and indoor temperature reduction by about 1.8 ℃.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau, the appropriate plant types are lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, and can be selected according to the space planning and installation requirements, so that the space is more beautiful.
# Green Wall # Cooling # EPB # EPD # Planting

Vertical gardens can create the illusion of more space and add privacy in small areas.

Title:

Content: AD It Yourself

How to Create an Outdoor Oasis When You’re Short on Space

Experts chime in with smart solutions for limited backyard square footage, from plant propagation to thinking vertically

Though we can daydream of summer lunches beneath a pergola, the reality for many of us is that square footage is limited. But with great small backyard ideas, having limited outdoor space shouldn’t be a reason to discard your fantasy of a lush retreat at home. There are many innovative ways to craft an inviting outdoor retreat yourself, from layering your plants strategically to using multipurpose furniture. Below, we asked three experts to weigh in on how to create a compact oasis that will leave guests wondering your secrets.

Figure out your budget and plant hardiness zone

Maryah Greene, New York–based plant doctor, stylist, and founder of Greene Piece, recommends putting some thought into how much you’d like to spend and what plants will work best in your zone. “Consider this before going hard and decking your outdoor space out [completely], because you may find that you only get to enjoy those plants for a few months unless they’re perennials,” she advises. “The most common mistake that people make is investing a ton of money into their outdoor space just to realize that some of those plants won’t grow back next year!”

When choosing plants for a truly tight space, Fernando Rubio, landscape architect and founder of Defined Outdoors, picks plants that thrive in those conditions. “Opt for compact varieties such as herbs, dwarf shrubs, and container-friendly trees,” he says. “Also, consider using small-size foliage to add a layered, multidepth feel to your outdoor space.”

For budget-conscious DIY’ers, Greene suggests repurposing extra indoor items as planters or decorative elements. You should also try propagating, she says. “Different plants propagate differently, but for the ones that are cutting propagations, plop your cutting into a jar of water until it roots. From there, you can plant it in your garden or outdoor space without spending a dime on a new plant.”

Find practical solutions for your tiny footprint

Lacking a “typical” outdoor space? Small space consultant, author, designer, and stylist Whitney Leigh Morris dares you to get creative when it comes to small backyard ideas. “Even the tiniest slice of outdoor space surrounding your home can be transformed into a functional and tranquil retreat without much effort,” she says. “A stoop, driveway, porch, or miniature garden can all be effective ways to enlarge and enhance your living space. In order to maximize utility, keep reality in mind rather than being lured into styles that don’t suit your practical needs or the qualities of your surroundings.”

One of Greene’s favorite ways for urbanites to flex their green thumbs is by planting in window boxes. “If your fire escape allows you to sit a small planter right outside your window, this can make for a great place to grow herbs or add a few colorful flowers,” she adds. Just remember to keep safety first; avoid obstructing the pathway. Morris is a fan of container gardens, “whether [it’s] repurposed, staggered-height pots, wall-mounted vessels, or balcony planters,” she says.

All three experts were keen on the idea of vertical gardening. “Vertical elements like hanging planters, wall-mounted planters, trellises, and pedestals can draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of more space. Plus these elements can also add privacy and serve as a focal point in your outdoor space,” Rubio says.

Make it an extension of your home

You don’t need a massive patio or garden for dreamy indoor-outdoor living. The key is continuity: Decorate your outdoor space just like you would your interiors. “Don’t overlook ambiance,” Morris says. “It’s not just important for visual impact, but for your nervous system and well-being too. Soft, warm-hued lighting; soothing sounds; lush greenery; textile layers such as outdoor rugs and upholstery; and privacy borders, from billowing curtains to trellises to folding screens, can all play a vital and impactful role in establishing a serene setting.”

Lighting can make all the difference in how your space feels,” Rubio adds. “Adding some ambient lighting like string lights or lanterns can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you’re handy, task lighting—like spotlights or pendant lights—can also highlight specific areas or features.”

Rubio also advises keeping the design simple and pared back, if that’s your vibe. “When working with limited space, a minimalist approach to layout and design can make your space feel more spacious and relaxing,” he says. “Streamlined design elements, a simple color palette, and plenty of negative space can help create a visually appealing and calming outdoor oasis. Plus it makes maintenance a lot easier in the long run.”

Prioritize function

To make sure your small outdoor space is one you’ll actually use, consider what will make the reimagined zone work best for you. “For example, if you get abundant rain, make sure to use weather-proof pieces and incorporate waterproof storage into your design features,” Morris offers. “If you entertain a great deal, keep not only your guests in mind but also their belongings. Where will everything be placed to avoid overcrowding when you host? If your outdoor area is exposed to ongoing direct sun, explore safe methods of blocking the sun through plants, umbrellas, or sail shades.”

For Greene, it’s all about growing what you can use. “Herbs, veggies, flowers…if you cook a lot or just enjoy the occasional bouquet on your table, save yourself money and reward yourself,” she says.

Meanwhile, Rubio recommends smart outdoor furniture: “In small outdoor spaces every inch counts, so incorporating multifunctional elements can be a game changer,” he says. “Benches with built-in storage or planters that double as seating can maximize your space and make your outdoor area more practical. Modular furniture is also a smart option, allowing you to easily rearrange and adapt your space as needed.”

Low-maintenance plants like the Dragon Tubeh, Junzi and Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are recommended for vertical gardens due to their air-purifying properties.

Customized landscape designs adapt to the local climate, and considering the plant hardiness zone is crucial for creating an effective outdoor space.

Vertical green walls can reduce indoor temperature by 1.8 ℃.

"Vertical gardens provide environmental benefits including improving air quality by absorbing air pollution, retaining dust, and regulating temperature."