Biodiversity News

When something is free, people use a lot of it. Economists are urging governments to compute values for natural resources – wildlife, plants, air, water – to create motives for protecting them. Linda J. Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Public Finance, Harvard Kennedy School Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Invisible to the eye, the microbial life in the air around us can vary depending on our environment. Jake M Robinson, Ecologist and PhD Researcher, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield Martin Breed, Lecturer in Biology, Flinders University Ross Cameron, Senior Lecturer, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Research into fox scents suggests a complex form of 'chemical communication' underlies the animal's behaviour. The findings could help improve pest control methods and protect native wildlife. Stuart McLean, Professor Emeritus, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists watched in real time as rising ocean heat transformed the sprawling reef. It was a harbinger for ecosystems everywhere as the planet warms. Sam Purkis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Miami Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even if they can't save us from climate change, society still depends on forests. Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer, Grantham Institute - Climate Change and Environment, Imperial College London Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To combat the biodiversity crisis, we need to fundamentally shift our economy and society and make nature conservation the norm. Rachel Buxton, Research scientist, Department of Biology, Carleton University Andrea Reid, Assistant Professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia Joseph Bennett, Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Science and Department of Biology, Carleton University Paul A. Smith, Adjunct Research Scientist, Conservation Biology and Arctic Ecology, Carleton University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New approaches are required for Canada to meet its current conservation goals. Matthew Mitchell, Research associate, Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One-fifth of Earth's land could be restored to wilderness by reintroducing animals and improving management. Andrew Plumptre, Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat, Cambridge Conservation Institute, University of Cambridge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To get a grip on the biodiversity crisis, we'll need to understand how wildlife is threatened in our own backyard. Louise Mair, Research Associate in Biodiversity Conservation and Policy, Newcastle University Philip McGowan, Professor of Conservation Science and Policy, Newcastle University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

All the ways plants, animals, insects and the bacteria around us can be beneficial to human health. Melissa Marselle, Lecturer in Psychology, De Montfort University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Madagascar stands out as an exceptionally interesting place in which to study the evolution of "mini" creatures. And we are only just starting to scratch the surface of this. Mark D. Scherz, Research scientist, Technical University Braunschweig Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Looking for a new gardening challenge? Turning your yard into an insect-friendly oasis could mean less work and more nature to enjoy. Brian Lovett, Postdoctoral Researcher in Mycology, West Virginia University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A diverse pollinator community is a reliable one. Deepa Senapathi, Senior Research Fellow in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, University of Reading Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An ecologist describes her field research and work on the impact of human activity on birds and their pathogens, which has taken her from Alaska to the Gulf of Guinea. Claire Loiseau, Chercheuse en écologie, Universidade do Porto Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reports of global biodiversity doom hide a more complex and encouraging picture. Conservation efforts can be targeted with more nuance species population data. Dan Greenberg, Postdoctoral research associate, Simon Fraser University Anna Hargreaves, Professor of Conservation Ecology & Evolution, McGill University Arne Mooers, Professor, Biodiversity, Phylogeny & Evolution, Simon Fraser University Brian Leung, Associate professor, McGill University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By continuing to privilege economic growth over environmental and social sustainability, we are taking huge risks with our future. Tom Pegram, Associate Professor in Global Governance and Deputy Director of UCL Global Governance Institute, UCL Julia Kreienkamp, Researcher at the Global Governance Institute, UCL Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We are only just beginning to understand the importance of this deep and hidden area of the inter-reef that supports a rich diversity of marine life. Mardi McNeil, Postdoctoral researcher, Queensland University of Technology Andrew Hoey, Senior Research Fellow, James Cook University Jody Webster, Professor of Marine Geoscience, University of Sydney Luke Nothdurft, Senior Lecturer - Earth Science, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Glaciers support a unique community of plants, many of which are found nowhere else. Robert Baxter, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, Durham University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Food farmed in tropical and Mediterranean climates comes at a higher cost to biodiversity than that grown elsewhere. Tim Newbold, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment, UCL Adrienne Etard, PhD Candidate in Biology, UCL Gonzalo Albaladejo Robles, PhD Candidate in Conservation Biology, UCL Jessica J Williams, PhD Candidate in Conservation Science, UCL Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.