News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

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.

Scientists and key figures develop vision for managing UK land and seas after Brexit

Researchers have outlined how fishing and farming policies could be created to protect employment opportunities and the environment after Brexit.

Wildlife and wind farms: Are British gulls staying safe in the winter sun?

New research shows that Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding in Britain could be vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines whilst on migration and during the winter months as well as during the breeding season.

Road verges provide refuge for pollinators

Research finds roadside verges can provide food and refuge for pollinators but cutting them too early in the year removes this benefit.

Connecting Shared and Spared Land in the Agricultural Landscape

Can land-sharing and land-sparing be combined to meet food demands whilst conserving biodiversity?

Call for experts: Invasive species

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

Invasive Species Week: UK Invasions in a Changing Climate

In an Invasives Species Week special, Jane Catford and Regan Early discuss the possible synergies between climate change and the spread of invasive species.