Biodiversity News

Figuring out whether de-extinction is possible is as much a technical puzzle as a philosophical one. Add two kinds of DNA to the mix, and it gets even more complex. Elay Shech, Professor of Philosophy, Auburn University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bringing nature back to our cities doesn’t just mean plants and birds. We can bring native animals back too. Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in conservation and wildlife management, University of Sydney Thomas Newsome, Associate Professor in Global Ecology, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Species-rich islands are in the crosshairs of stronger storms as the climate crisis escalates. Simon Valle, Conservation Planning Officer at IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group & Honorary Lecturer in Conservation Science, Bangor University David Jorge Pereira, PhD Candidate, Conservation Science, University of Birmingham Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Violence by armed groups is dangerously disrupting the conservation and protection of the environment. Papa Sow, Senior Researcher, The Nordic Africa Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Grassland Society of Southern Africa has been conducting scientific research for 60 years, adapting to new challenges. Kevin Kirkman, Professor of Grassland Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal Craig Morris, Senior Researcher, Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production, University of KwaZulu-Natal Helga van der Merwe, Doctor in Arid Systems Ecology, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor’s whopping majority doesn’t mean environmental reform will be any easier. When economy and environment clash, the economy usually wins. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildlife trafficking extends to areas like ant smuggling and illegal trade Elliot Doornbos, Senior Lecturer of Criminology, Nottingham Trent University Angus Nurse, Professor of Law and Environmental Justice, Anglia Ruskin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The map combines findings from more than 1,300 studies and is an important tool for conservation. Lily Bentley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Autumn-Lynn Harrison, Research Ecologist, Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Institution Daniel Dunn, A/Prof of Marine Conservation Science & Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS), The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists added descriptive terms to the existing general Indigenous frog and reptile names to make them specific. Fortunate Mafeta Phaka, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher of herptile-human interactions, North-West University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

America’s marine protected areas help fish populations thrive. Trump’s plan to open them to industrial fishing may ultimately harm the fishing industry itself. David Shiffman, Faculty Research Associate in Marine Biology, Arizona State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Canada needs a biodiversity protection and conservation act that will address current biodiversity decline and prevent future threats. Trevor Swerdfager, Practitioner-In-Residence, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, University of Waterloo Derek Armitage, Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Claims of ‘bringing back’ any species take away focus from proven solutions that can actually fix the extinction crisis. Martín Boer-Cueva, Ecologist and Environmental Consultant, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Dieter Hochuli, Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Marco Salvatori, Post-doctoral Researcher in Ecology, University of Florence Peter Banks, Professor of Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research found regrowth in Queensland provided valuable habitat after 15 years, on average, with some species benefiting from trees as young as 3 years of age. Hannah Thomas, PhD candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Extinction is, for the time being, forever – and a symptom of our global economic system. Rich Grenyer, Associate Professor in Biogeography and Biodiversity, University of Oxford Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ever since Charles Darwin, scientists have assumed species facing the same problem often evolve similar traits. But that’s not always the case. Isabelle Ng, PhD candidate, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University Alexandre Siqueira, Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow, School of Science, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We don’t want to admit it, but our beloved pet dogs do a lot of environmental damage, from killing or terrifying wildlife to emissions from pet food. Bill Bateman, Associate Professor, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University Lauren Gilson, Research Associate, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Biosecurity policies may seem onerous and expensive – but they are working to prevent new species from pushing native species out in the Antarctic. Rachel Leihy, Ecologist, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Melodie McGeoch, Professor of Ecology, Monash University Steven Chown, Director, Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future and Professor of Biological Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many native plants are missing from habitats where they should thrive – even in wilder areas. Why? Human actions such as logging, poaching and setting fires. Cornelia Sattler, Research Fellow in Ecology, Macquarie University Julian Schrader, Lecturer in Plant Ecology, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Flies are the most ecologically diverse and important migrant group. We just had no idea. Will Hawkes, Insect Migration Researcher, College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Farmers can take ownership of nature recovery actions and scientific expertise can adapt to local knowledge in the design of environmental outcomes. Charles Masquelier, Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Exeter Carolyn Petersen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Social Science and the Environment, University of Exeter Matt Lobley, Professor of Rural Resource Management, University of Exeter Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.