News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

BES response to government plans to tackle the nature and climate crises

Jane Memmott, President of the British Ecological Society, responds to speech by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustice MP.

Pioneering research reveals gardens are secret powerhouse for pollinators

Home gardens are by far the biggest source of food for pollinating insects, including bees and wasps, in cities and towns, according to new research.

Researchers make ‘high vis vests’ to help monitor bee behaviour

Researchers have been trialling low-cost ways to monitor bees by dressing them in high visibility vests.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain may not deliver the desired outcomes for nature

England’s proposed mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirement for new developments might not deliver on promises to increase biodiversity, according to new research

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.

Participation in citizen science camera trap project dramatically increased school children’s knowledge of UK mammals

Children who participated in a citizen science project called MammalWeb, used camera traps to detect wildlife visiting their schools..

Badger behaviour inside the cull zone

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

Call for experts: Invasive species

Are you an invasive species expert? We need your help!

The hunger gaps: how flowering times affect farmland bees

Variation in farmland nectar supply creates seasonal hunger gaps for pollinators.

Eureka! Family focused ecology for British Science Week

Do you remember the moment that sparked your passion for science? That time as a bright eyed youngster when your jaw dropped with awe at the wonders of the natural world?

Few MPs attend the first climate change debate in two years - the whole story?

Reflections from a BES policy intern, on the recent Westminster climate change debate

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.

Scientists take to Twitter to study flying ants, starling murmurations and house spiders

The retrospective analysis of social media has been used widely to detect earthquakes or political sentiment, but not so much in ecological research.

Defining and delivering resilient ecological networks in England

What would a resilient network look like and how can it be assessed?

Exploring the science behind the food we eat

A science exhibit at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham.