News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Birds are laying their eggs earlier, and climate change is to blame

Hundred-year-old museum collections help show that birds are nesting earlier in the spring

Rewilding apex predators can limit the seed dispersal by frugivorous carnivores

New research finds the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx in Southern Spain could be limiting fruit dispersal from smaller carnivores

What do grasshoppers eat? New research shows similarities with mammal teeth

New research identifies startling similarities between the mouths of grasshoppers and mammal teeth.

Restoring tropical peatlands supports bird diversity without impacting livelihoods

A new study has found that oil palm can be farmed more sustainably on peatlands by re-wetting the land.

Scientists estimate invasive insects will kill 1.4 million US street trees by 2050

A new study estimates that over the next 30 years, damage to US street trees from invasive insects could cost over 900 million dollars.

Parental sugar intake has profound effects on offspring health, study finds

New study has challenges the traditional thinking around parental sugar intake and offspring fitness with some unexpected results.

Research and conservation action must be better linked to protect seabirds in the face of climate change

New ZSL-led study shows how latest knowledge of climate change threats could be better connected with conservation action to protect seabirds and other at-risk species.

Research demonstrates value ‘injurious weeds’ can bring to both pollinators and biodiversity

A new study demonstrates that weeds are far more valuable in supporting biodiversity than we give them credit for.

Bringing out the best in wild birds on farms

Natural habitat maximizes the benefits of birds for farmers, food safety, and conservation.

Climate change: Are mountain plants too inflexible?

Alpine plants display little variation within their species. This could put them at a disadvantage when it comes to climate change.

Feeling connected to nature linked to lower risk of snake and spider phobias

Study finds that people who feel more connected to nature are less likely to be affected by snake and spider fears or phobias.

Researchers develop portable sensor-packed tool for insect tracking

Researchers develop a portable and affordable tool to accurately tracks insect movements.

Tickets for the ark

From wasps to whales – how do we choose what to save? In a new book, Rebecca Nesbit explores the moral quandaries behind conservation priorities.

Interactive map helps protect one of the UK’s most threatened mammals

Researchers develop new tool to map suitable habitats for threatened water voles in Glasgow.

Dog faeces and urine could be harming nature reserves, according to new study

New research finds that dogs in nature reserves contribute a significant amount of nutrients to the environment, which could harm biodiversity.