News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Mowing urban lawns less intensely increases biodiversity, saves money and reduces pests

Researchers from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres have found that reducing the intensity of lawn mowing in urban spaces leads to increased biodiversity, economic savings and reduced presence of allergy-triggering weeds.

Study suggests economic growth benefits wildlife but growing human populations do not

Do the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals promote or limit conservation.

Greening the City: Payment for Ecosystem Services in Urban Environments

Greenery and biodiversity is extremely valuable to urban residents - how can this be captured in decision-making?

Fisheries outcomes maximized through traditional practice

Periodic pulse harvesting best protects fish stocks whilst maximising benefits to fisheries.

BES response to the IPBES biodiversity report: This matters

The IPBES report lays out the scale and magnitude of the crisis we are facing in the natural world. The BES response explains why this matters.

New research a game changer for fox control

A new study found that when control programs aren’t strategic, fox numbers can quickly recover.

Food safety: Dung beetles and soil bacteria reduce risk of human pathogens

Organic farming encourages higher biodiversity among dung beetles and soil bacteria.

Wind turbines cause habitat loss for migratory soaring birds

New study published in Journal of Animal Ecology calls for new regulatory measures.

Nematode odours offer possible advantage in the battle insect pests

Nematodes may prove more useful than previously thought. Not only do they directly kill insects in the soil, they also produce chemical cues that offer plants additional protection.

Rewilding: Can it foster human coexistence with nature?

A new book published by the BES aims to build common ground on this divisive issue.

Experts warn against mega-dams in lowland tropical forests

Mega-dams should not be built in lowland tropical forest regions due to the threat they pose to biodiversity and ecosystems, according to a new Journal of Applied Ecology study.

New study on grassland-bird nest survival published in the Journal of Applied Ecology

Tractor-based management, such as light-strip disking, and establishing native-grass practices on private grasslands, can improve nest survival of multiple grassland bird species and communities.

Hen harriers and red grouse: Finding common ground in a persistent conflict

Conflicting management views between hen harrier conservationists and red grouse shooting organisations in England.

Warmer winters threaten UK blackcurrant farming

New research presented at the BES annual meeting suggests milder winters may cause UK blackcurrant crops to flower later in the year and produce less fruit.

Monitoring urban biodiversity with machine learning

A new algorithm monitoring biodiversity in urban environments could improve our understanding of how cities can best support plant and animal life.