News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Opportunities for Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in Scotland

Crayfish ‘trapping’ fails to control invasive species

Despite being championed by a host of celebrity chefs, crayfish ‘trapping’ is not helping to control invasive American signal crayfish, according to new research by UCL and King’s College London.

Provide shady spots to protect butterflies from climate change, say scientists

Butterfly species that mostly rely on finding shade to keep cool are at a greater risk of population decline due to climate change and habitat loss.

How fish stocks will change in warming seas

New research out today highlights the future effects of climate change on important fish stocks for south-west UK fisheries.

Debate needed on the potential culling of generalist predators such as crows and foxes to protect Europe's declining ground-nesting birds

Further studies and debate are needed on the potential culling of generalist predators such as crows and foxes as a means of protecting Europe's ever declining number of ground-nesting birds.

Research shows recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels, but the grey squirrel still poses a problem in urban areas

Research led by Queen’s University Belfast has found that whilst red squirrels are responding positively to the increased presence of the pine marten across Ireland and Britain, its ability to control the grey squirrel is limited by the lack of forest cover and the presence of urban refugia.

Understanding deer damage is crucial when planting new forests

Scientists at the University of Southampton and Forest Research say understanding the risk of damage by deer to new and existing forests in Britain is crucial when considering their expansion.

Smaller fields and diversified crops can help spontaneous plants to make a comeback, even in the middle of fields

Scientists from INRAE and the CNRS, working with colleagues from Germany, Spain, the UK and Canada, find that increasing field border lengths could be a highly effective measure to complement agri-environmental schemes, maintaining and restoring plant diversity right to the centre of fields.

Why the British Ecological Society President mows round the dandelions in her lawn

New BES President Jane Memmott talks about how ecology affects everyone’s lives and how all of us can make a difference.

Transformative change: an idiot’s guide

Andy Suggitt reflects on the joint BES - University of York Pie and a Pint event

Northern Ireland’s recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels, but the urban grey squirrel poses a problem

The recovery of pine marten in Ireland and Britain is reversing native red squirrel replacement by invasive grey squirrels

Invest in pollinator monitoring for long-term gain

A research team from the University of Reading and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is studying how to improve pollinator monitoring in the UK in a cost-effective manner.

Changing the tide

The need for ‘collaborative solutions’ to the twin challenges of the biodiversity and climate crises.

Scientists develop new method to estimate seal breeding frequency

New research, led by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews, develops method to better record breeding histories of seals, allowing for improved fecundity calculations.

Badger behaviour inside the cull zone

ZSL study shows survivors of culls cover 61% greater areas potentially increasing risk of transmission to cattle.