Category Archives: Ecology
A healthy environment for a healthy population
The link between the environment and health has been acknowledged as long ago as the 19th Century when Edwin Chadwick made the connection between poor health and sanitation in London, leading him to champion a programme of social reform. However, … Continue reading
Study shows biodiversity value of 'Green Infrastructure'
Last year’s Natural Environment White Paper called for the creation of ‘green infrastructure’ as a tool to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the UK. Defining what this would entail, the report concluded that in addition to the conservation of existing … Continue reading
Despite rising temperatures distribution of some warmth-loving butterflies is shrinking in the UK
It is often said that there are winners and losers of climate change and warmth-loving species are expected to appear on the winner side. A new study was published in Global Change Biology this week that found it otherwise. The … Continue reading
Food security, biodiversity and ecosystem services are threatened by human induced spreading of fungal infections
A recently published review paper in Nature draws attention to the dangers of globalisation and international trade which facilitate spreading of fungal diseases. The authors collected data from all over the world and showed that fungal infections had increased, caused … Continue reading
Policy Internship Opportunity
The British Ecological Society has a opportunity for a paid internship to assist the Science Policy Team for two days a week for three months at the Society’s office in central London. Policy Interns will help: •Monitor legislation and policy … Continue reading
12 New Nature Improvement Areas Announced
The Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, today announced the creation of 12 new Nature Improvement Areas (NIA) across England. NIAs were a flagship policy contained in last year’s Natural Environment White Paper “The Natural Choice”, which set out aims to improve … Continue reading
The Shrimp Price Tag
Kennedy Warne, author of “Let Them Eat Shrimp: The Tragic Disappearance of the Rainforests of the Sea”, answered a few questions, posed by The Ecologist, about the importance of mangroves, the devastation caused by shrimp farming and his experiences researching … Continue reading
Apply now for BES Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme
The British Ecological Society Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme offers the opportunity for current or recent undergraduates to find out more about the careers available in the area of ecology. Under the year-long scheme, Fellows will have the opportunity to attend the … Continue reading
BES Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme now open for applications
Applications are now being accepted for the BES Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme. The scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for early-career ecologists to gain an insight into how ecology and the environment are addressed in policy making by spending two days shadowing … Continue reading
Octavia Hill Awards
Do you know someone who’s campaigned tirelessly to protect a patch of green space? Have you got a favourite teacher who’s inspired you to do something for nature? Is there a famous person you admire who’s challenging the system? If … Continue reading