News and Opinion

Development of a diagnostic tool for water bodies

If a river or stream is not doing well, there are many possible causes, but they are sometimes difficult to detect. Scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have now developed a method that evaluates biological symptoms of rivers and calculates probable causes.

Indigenous knowledge still undervalued in environmental decisions

New research published today in People and Nature finds that Indigenous knowledge is regularly underutilised and misunderstood when making important environmental decisions.

The multiple benefits of conserving native forest

Research published in Journal of Applied Ecology shows how the presence of Chaco Serrano forest remnants in the vicinity of soybean fields has led to an increase in the diversity of insects that control pests

Younger generation fail to notice environmental decline due to generational amnesia risking conservation longevity

Tracking re-invasion of mice on offshore havens

Scientists highlight the importance of biosecurity as a study in Journal of Applied Ecology shows how easily pests can reinvade islands.

Bee neighbourly: sharing bees helps more farmers

The benefits of cost-sharing the conservation of wild bee habitats on agricultural lands, especially in nearby farming communities, can help overcome the tragedy of the commons.

The forgotten fauna: introduced seed predators are no surrogate for extinct seed-eating animals on islands

A new study led by Dr Jo Carpenter has shown that it’s not just the loss of mutually beneficial species like pollinators or seed disperses that have a severe impact on island ecology, the loss of “negative” interactions such as destroying seeds or parasitism is also important.

Lianas strongly impact forests in southern Amazonia

A team of Brazilian and British scientists has uncovered the extent to which trees across the southern edge of the Amazon are infested by woody climbing plants and the impact they have on the forests.

Insect diversity boosted by combination of crop diversity and semi-natural habitats

To enhance the number of beneficial insect species in agricultural land, preserving semi-natural habitats and promoting crop diversity are both needed, according to new research published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied of Ecology.

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.

Childhood connection to nature has many benefits but is not universally positive, finds review

Children are happier and more likely to protect the natural world when they have a greater connection to it, but this connection is complex and can also generate negative emotions linked to issues like climate change.

Indigenous leadership gets best results for wildlife translocations

Wildlife translocations will have better results if they are led, or genuinely co-led, by Indigenous peoples. That’s the premise of a recently published paper in People and Nature by researchers at the University of Canterbury and South Island environmental practitioners.

Shark “sea lanes” need protecting

Scientists have found sharks face increased danger when moving between protected reefs, and they’ve recommended shark “sea lanes” be protected as well.