News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

New Years Honours for past and future BES Presidents

A former president and the president elect are named in the 2023 New Year Honours List

Paying farmers to create woodland and wetland is the most cost-effective way to hit UK environment targets, study suggests

Incentivising farmers to put aside farmland for nature could cut taxpayer costs in half, while delivering for climate, biodiversity, and food production targets.

Research reveals which animals perceive time the fastest

New research reveals that the animals that perceive time the fastest are those that are small, can fly, or are marine predators.

BES response to the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Negotiations at the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP15 drew to a close in the early hours of this morning, with countries agreeing on a new deal to protect nature, the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Bridget Emmett to be President of the BES from 2024

Members have elected Bridget Emmett to be the next BES President in an online vote.

New research uncovers hidden long-term declines in UK earthworms

New research suggests significant and previously undetected declines in UK earthworm abundance could have occurred.

Green transformation day held at Durham primary school

The British Ecological Society (BES) held a ‘green transformation’ day at Laurel Avenue Primary School in Durham.

Capturing Ecology 2022 – Winning Images Announced

Captured by international ecologists and students, this year's winning images tell a powerful story about the intricacies of nature, and our relationship with the natural world.

Planet’s most unique birds at higher risk of extinction

A new study finds that bird species with extreme or uncommon combinations of traits face the highest risk of extinction.

Warmer temperatures are linked to mismatch among forest plants

In response to warming temperatures, some taller plants are advancing their leafout timing which could lead to declines in native wildflowers as they flower or leaf out later and therefore receive less sunlight for photosynthesis in the spring.

Defra’s Environmental Targets Delayed

Find out more about our English Policy Group’s response to the draft environmental targets proposed by Defra earlier this year.

Lianas more likely to infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests

Lianas in Malaysian forests are more likely to infest smaller trees.

Rhino horns are getting smaller, according to analysis of artwork and photographs

Analysis of artwork and photographs has revealed that rhino horns have been getting smaller and human attitudes towards rhinos have shifted from predation to conservation.

Opening school doors to nature in North East England

The British Ecological Society has been delivering a green transformation to primary schools in North East England, improving over 10,000 school children's connection to nature.

Policy Debate on National Parks in Scotland

The British Ecological Society- Scottish Policy Group (BES-SPG ) co-hosted a ‘Pie and a Pint’ (PAAP) policy debate on National Parks with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), on October 6th 2022.