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Updated: 35 min 3 sec ago

We built an AI tool to help set priorities for conservation in Madagascar: what we found

Tue, 26/03/2024 - 16:03
Conservation of biodiversity is in the hands of humans but artificial intelligence can help guide decisions. Daniele Silvestro, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia must lead the world on nature restoration through ambitious interpretation of international law

Fri, 22/03/2024 - 10:49
Australia committed to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030 when we signed the global biodiversity framework. But what does that really mean? It’s open to interpretation. So let’s be ambitious. Justine Bell-James, Associate Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How do halibut migrate? Clues are in their ear bones

Wed, 20/03/2024 - 22:41
Atlantic halibut are making a strong comeback in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But how do we know where the fish move throughout their lives? Charlotte Gauthier, Étudiante au doctorat, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Large old trees are vital for Australian birds. Their long branches and hollows can’t be replaced by saplings

Thu, 14/03/2024 - 05:29
We scanned the tree canopy with lasers and found birds much prefer the branches of big old trees. Alex Holland, Researcher at Deep Design Lab and PhD Candidate at Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne Jason Thompson, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne Philip Gibbons, Professor, Australian National University Stanislav Roudavski, Founder of Deep Design Lab and Senior Lecturer in Digital Architectural Design, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The next pandemic? It’s already here for Earth’s wildlife

Mon, 11/03/2024 - 17:18
Bird flu is decimating species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Diana Bell, Professor of Conservation Biology, University of East Anglia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How we’re breathing new life into French forests through green corridors

Fri, 08/03/2024 - 14:01
The SUPERB project, part of the EU’s Horizon programme, aims to restore thousands of hectares of forest landscape across Europe. Madga Bou Dagher, Professor in Forest genetics, European Forest Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Anthropocene is not an epoch − but the age of humans is most definitely underway

Tue, 05/03/2024 - 21:19
Scientists have been debating the start of the Anthropocene Epoch for 15 years. I was part of those discussions, and I agree with the vote rejecting it. Erle C. Ellis, Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Why move species to islands? Saving wildlife as the world changes means taking calculated risks

Sun, 03/03/2024 - 23:36
Translocation may have been the key to survival for the eastern barred bandicoot but it might not be the golden ticket for every species. Anthony Rendall, Lecturer in Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Amy Coetsee, Threatened Species Biologist, The University of Melbourne Aviya Naccarella, PhD Candidate, Deakin University Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wild solitary bees offer a vital pollination service – but their nutritional needs aren’t understood

Fri, 01/03/2024 - 17:24
The nutritional needs of bees are complex and monoculture crops aren’t providing a diverse diet. Introducing more diverse wildflower meadows and green spaces could benefit wild pollinators. Ellen Baker, PhD Candidate, Nutritional Ecology, University of Oxford Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On fisheries, Australia must be prepared for New Zealand as opponent rather than ally

Fri, 01/03/2024 - 02:15
For years, Australia and New Zealand have been united in working for sustainable fishing in the South Pacific. That just changed. Lynda Goldsworthy, Research Associate, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How advanced genetic testing can be used to combat the illegal timber trade

Thu, 22/02/2024 - 20:50
Effective use of genomic identification could revolutionize the control of the illegal timber trade. Melanie Zacharias, Postdoctoral researcher in forest genetics, Université Laval Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Hard to kill: here’s why eucalypts are survival experts

Wed, 21/02/2024 - 19:12
From sacrificial bark to fire-germinating gumnuts to stealthy buds the eucalyptus has evolved an arsenal of protective measures. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New ecosystems, unprecedented climates: more Australian species than ever are struggling to survive

Mon, 19/02/2024 - 19:04
We’ve brought some species back from the brink – but more and more are being threatened. Here’s why Frédérik Saltré, Research Fellow in Ecology for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

20°C seems the optimal temperature for life on Earth to thrive – what does this mean in a warming world?

Thu, 15/02/2024 - 22:55
The ‘20°C effect’ could give us new insights into how temperature controls ecosystems and influences evolution – as well as how species might adapt to climate change. Mark John Costello, Professor, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University Ross Corkrey, Adjunct Senior Researcher in Biostatistics, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

8 ways that stopping overfishing will promote biodiversity and help address climate change

Thu, 15/02/2024 - 22:07
Recent research shows how reducing overfishing is both an ecological imperative and a critical means to addressing climate change. Rashid Sumaila, Director & Professor, Fisheries Economics Research Unit, University of British Columbia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works

Thu, 15/02/2024 - 14:28
England’s new ‘biodiversity net gain’ policy is ambitious, but researchers have identified flaws and loopholes. Natalie Duffus, PhD Candidate, Conservation Policy, University of Oxford Sophus zu Ermgassen, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New logging rules in NSW put the greater glider closer to extinction. When will we start protecting these amazing animals?

Tue, 13/02/2024 - 19:08
Australia has already lost so many wonderful mammal species. Do we want the southern greater glider to suffer the same fate? David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Kita Ashman, Adjunct research associate, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

‘Fortress’ conservation policies threaten the food security of rural populations

Tue, 13/02/2024 - 18:30
Integrating local and Indigenous knowledge into conservation can help to support diverse diets without compromising biodiversity goals. Terry Sunderland, Professor in the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

‘Fascinating and troubling’: Australians would rather save a single human life than prevent an entire species from becoming extinct

Tue, 13/02/2024 - 02:34
Survey respondents overwhelmingly prioritised saving a human life – even if that person had been repeatedly told to evacuate and even if, as a consequence, a snail or shrub species became extinct. John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Kerstin Zander, Professor of Environmental Economics, Charles Darwin University Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world’s spectacular animal migrations are dwindling. Fishing, fences and development are fast-tracking extinctions

Mon, 12/02/2024 - 19:10
Wildebeest herds churning dust. Sturgeon seeking spawning grounds. Shorebirds flying from Siberia. These iconic animal migrations could soon be a memory. Richard Fuller, Professor in Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Queensland Daniel Dunn, A/Prof of Marine Conservation Science & Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS), The University of Queensland Lily Bentley, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.