News and Opinion

Researchers become DNA detectives to gather forensic evidence to aid rhino poaching prosecutions

Events  | 

Researchers become DNA detectives to gather forensic evidence to aid rhino poaching prosecutions

Researchers use DNA markers to provide forensic evidence for poaching cases involving the Indian rhino. 

READ MORE about Researchers become DNA detectives to gather forensic evidence to aid rhino poaching prosecutions
More frequent and extreme marine heatwaves likely to threaten starfish

Events  | 

More frequent and extreme marine heatwaves likely to threaten starfish

Common starfish cannot survive amplified marine heatwaves projected at the end of the century and experience lasting negative effects from current heatwaves, according to new research.

READ MORE about More frequent and extreme marine heatwaves likely to threaten starfish
Characterising wildlife consumers to guide behaviour change efforts provides optimism amid the Asian Songbird Extinction Crisis

Events  | 

Characterising wildlife consumers to guide behaviour change efforts provides optimism amid the Asian Songbird Extinction Crisis

Novel research has identified three main groups within the Indonesian songbird owner community: ‘hobbyist’, ‘contestant’ and ‘breeder’.  

READ MORE about Characterising wildlife consumers to guide behaviour change efforts provides optimism amid the Asian Songbird Extinction Crisis
Opportunities for Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in Scotland

Policy  | 

Opportunities for Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in Scotland

This event ‘Pie and a Pie’ event was jointly held online by the British Ecological Society (BES) Scottish Policy Group (SPG) and Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

READ MORE about Opportunities for Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in Scotland
From sewage to water consumption: aquatic ecology during coronavirus

Membership  | 

From sewage to water consumption: aquatic ecology during coronavirus

Aquatic ecologists were among those who rapidly responded to the coronavirus epidemic, with many examples given at the BES Special Interest Group conference.

READ MORE about From sewage to water consumption: aquatic ecology during coronavirus
Capturing Ecology: Behind the Lens - Top tips for photographers

Events  | 

Capturing Ecology: Behind the Lens - Top tips for photographers

We've collected together some top tips from the winning photographers of Capturing Ecology.

READ MORE about Capturing Ecology: Behind the Lens - Top tips for photographers
How to save your planet: UK Schools Outreach Project

Learning & Resources  | 

How to save your planet: UK Schools Outreach Project

During British Science Week 2020 the BES Education Team travelled around England to deliver outreach events in which school pupils learnt more about global environmental challenges and how to solve them.

READ MORE about How to save your planet: UK Schools Outreach Project
Wildlife 'porn' or a conservation tool? A summary of our debate on nature documentaries

Events  | 

Wildlife 'porn' or a conservation tool? A summary of our debate on nature documentaries

A panel of producers, presenters and researchers debated the purpose of nature documentaries.

READ MORE about Wildlife 'porn' or a conservation tool? A summary of our debate on nature documentaries
Best of Belfast: highlights from the 2019 Annual Meeting

Events  | 

Best of Belfast: highlights from the 2019 Annual Meeting

We have pulled together a summary of our favourite moments from the 2019 Annual Meeting in Belfast.

READ MORE about Best of Belfast: highlights from the 2019 Annual Meeting
2019 Annual Meeting Student Prize Winners

Events  | 

2019 Annual Meeting Student Prize Winners

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Student Talk and Student Poster Prizes from our 2019 Annual Meeting.

READ MORE about 2019 Annual Meeting Student Prize Winners
Northern Ireland’s recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels, but the urban grey squirrel poses a problem

Events  | 

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

READ MORE about Northern Ireland’s recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels, but the urban grey squirrel poses a problem
Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar

Events  | 

Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar

Researchers at Stirling University have found that exposure to chronic low-dose radiation, found in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, negatively affects bumblebee energy use by increasing their metabolic rate and food consumption. The preliminary results will be presented on 12 December at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting in Belfast.

READ MORE about Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar
Local traditional knowledge can be as accurate as 10 years of scientific transect monitoring of animal abundance in the Amazon

Events  | 

Local traditional knowledge can be as accurate as 10 years of scientific transect monitoring of animal abundance in the Amazon

New research from a cross-organisational consortium in the Amazon has found indigenous knowledge to be as accurate as scientific transect monitoring.

READ MORE about Local traditional knowledge can be as accurate as 10 years of scientific transect monitoring of animal abundance in the Amazon
Study finds that multi-species grassland mixtures increase yield stability, even under drought conditions

Events  | 

Study finds that multi-species grassland mixtures increase yield stability, even under drought conditions

In a two-year experiment in Ireland and Switzerland, researchers found a positive relationship between plant diversity and yield stability in intensely managed grassland, even under experimental drought conditions. The results are presented today at the British Ecological Society’s annual meeting in Belfast.

READ MORE about Study finds that multi-species grassland mixtures increase yield stability, even under drought conditions
Participation in citizen science camera trap project dramatically increased school children’s knowledge of UK mammals

Events  | 

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..

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