Category Archives: Ecology
How well is practical science resourced in schools?
How well is practical science resourced in schools? Practical work is a vital part of scientific teaching and learning. By giving students the opportunity to carry out experiments and assess evidence, the use of practical work in science enables transferable … Continue reading
Assessing the impacts of ash dieback
Spring is almost upon us, and early signs of budburst mean that trees will soon be in leaf. Warmer temperatures and leafing trees will both have implications for ash dieback, the disease found last year in ash trees in the … Continue reading
Sustainable Solutions to Global Environmental Change
On 8-9 April 2013 the British Ecological Society (BES) and the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) will be hosting a major international scientific meeting, Global Change and Biosphere Interactions , as part of our centenary and celebrating the launch of … Continue reading
Ash update a positive spin
It was no surprise to the scientific community when Secretary of State Owen Paterson announced on Friday that “It will not be possible to eradicate ash dieback” but members of the public and tree enthusiasts may well be shocked at … Continue reading
Importation of Ash trees is now banned in the UK
The subject of tree health within the UK is now gaining a heightened media profile and increased governmental attention, but is it too late for our beloved woodlands? The Ash tree ban has captured the nation’s attention and a segment … Continue reading
The partners in crime that could solve the case…
One of the strongest ecological structuring forces the world has ever known, that has influenced the genetic make-up of every organism on earth, is that of the partnership between parasite and host. The term parasite may evoke images of tapeworms … Continue reading
UK Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protected Areas Network is complete
The announcement last month by the Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon (Defra), that a 330km stretch of marine habitat between Studland and Portland in Dorset is to be designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) will complete the UK SAC … Continue reading
Environmental Stewardship Delivers Ecosystem Services Underpinning Food Security
The relationship between agriculture and ecosystem services is a strong one. Farming can contribute to critical services including food security and economic growth, maintenance of cultural landscapes, rural employment and (when managed correctly) provision of valuable habitat for a significant … Continue reading
Science/policy recommendations of International Insects Pollinators Workshop published
A newly published Report from the International Insect Pollinators Workshop held in February 2012 adds a strong voice to the argument that insect pollinators are invaluable to the environment and to society. The report, which should be made available this … Continue reading
Moving Forward with the NEWP – One Year On
Secretary of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman MP, announced yesterday that the Government would make £750,000 of extra funding available to create additional Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs). Those NIAs that were not successful … Continue reading