Biodiversity News

The steep decline in biodiversity is worrying, especially as wild species are important for pollination and pest control. Lenore Fahrig, Chancellor's Professor of Biology, Carleton University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It's painfully clear nature is buckling under the weight of farming's demands. There's another way – but it involves accepting nature's limits. Sue McIntyre, Honorary Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The coconut – an icon of unspoiled tropical idylls – causes more environmental harm than many people realise. Erik Meijaard, Adjunct Professor of Conservation, University of Kent Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Mediterranean groupers are not alone: they are home to a wide variety of parasites. Amira Chaabane, Independant researcher, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN) Jean-Lou Justine, Professeur, UMR ISYEB (Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité), Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Human encroachment on the environment is increasing the threat of diseases like COVID-19, but spending more time in nature could also be part of the solution to this pandemic. Zita Sebesvari, Head of Environmental Vulnerability and Ecosystem Services, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Genetic information that could help finger the next infectious threat is in museums around the world. Pamela Soltis, Distinguished Professor and Curator, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Joseph Cook, Professor of Biology and Curator, Division of Mammals, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico Richard Yanagihara, Professor of Pediatrics and Principal Investigator, Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawaii Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists still report species as being 'discovered', even if they've been used by local populations for years. Alexandre Antonelli, Professor of Biodiversity, Director of Science, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New findings show how changes in land use have complex effects on animal and plant species. Maria Dornelas, Reader in Biology, University of St Andrews Gergana Daskalova, PhD Candidate in Global Change Ecology, University of Edinburgh Isla Myers-Smith, Chancellor's Fellow in Global Change Ecology, University of Edinburgh Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

All animals plays a role in nature, and in times of biodiversity loss and climate change, hunting "common" species such as foxes and badgers is irresponsible . Dirk Schmeller, Professor for Conservation Biology, Axa Chair for Functional Mountain Ecology at the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As the world deals with COVID-19, the sustainable use of wild species is a critical coping and resilience strategy. Mallika Sardeshpande, Postdoctoral research associate, Urban foodscapes and biodiversity, University of KwaZulu-Natal Charlie Shackleton, Professor & Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Science in Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods, Rhodes University James George Sekonya, PhD Researcher in Environmental & Geographical Sciences, University of Cape Town Rachel Wynberg, Professor and DST/NRF Bio-economy Research Chair, University of Cape Town Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

International law does not meaningfully address biodiversity conservation in the high seas. We risk losing marine species before we have a chance to identify and understand them. Jennifer Silver, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph Leslie Acton, Assistant Professor, The University of Southern Mississippi Lisa Campbell, Professor of Marine Affairs and Policy, Duke University Noella Gray, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Guelph Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A decade of no grazing has demonstrated positive effects on the richness of bird species. Lisa Malm, Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has been identified as a hotspot for emerging diseases, which occurs when human activities collide with a richness of animal species. Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reef fish vanish during marine heatwaves, but may bounce back quickly on reefs that have few other environmental stressors. Jennifer M.T. Magel, Research Assistant, Biology, University of Victoria Julia K. Baum, Professor of Biology, University of Victoria Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Baltic crusades had a long term impact on the local environment – 700 years later, the details of this are clear. Aleks Pluskowski, Associate Professor in Medieval Archaeology, University of Reading Alex Brown, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Reading Rowena Banerjea, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Reading Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Covid-19, like other major epidemics, is not unrelated to the biodiversity and climate crisis we are experiencing. Philippe Grandcolas, Directeur de recherche CNRS, systématicien, ISYEB - Directeur de l'Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA), Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN) Jean-Lou Justine, Professeur, UMR ISYEB (Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité), Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ponds create 'insect chimneys' which are a boon for hungry farmland birds. Mike Jeffries, Associate Professor, Ecology, Northumbria University, Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wild horses native to the steppes of Asia live now in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine), with an expanding population, 34 years after the nuclear accident. Germán Orizaola, Investigador Programa Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Oviedo Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The largest study of insect declines to date gives us the best indication of how species all over the world are faring. Stuart Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Bath Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research identifies areas where species may take refuge as the climate changes and finds they're largely unprotected. Diana Stralberg, Research Associate, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.