Biodiversity News

A survey of solar farms in southern England revealed surprisingly rich habitat for birds. Catherine Waite, Research Associate, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge Joshua Copping, Conservation Scientist, RSPB & Visiting Researcher, University of Cambridge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Thousands of Australian species and ecological communities are threatened – and many don’t have a recovery plan in place. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

All countries must accelerate efforts to avert the biodiversity crisis, and preserve Earth’s precious natural places for future generations. Justine Bell-James, Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Second generation rat poisons are so potent that they’re banned for home use in Europe and North America. But here, you can pick them up at Bunnings or Coles. Robert Davis, Associate Professor in Conservation, Edith Cowan University Judy Dunlop, Research Fellow in Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University Melissa Snape, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Ecology, University of Canberra Stephanie Pulsford, Adjunct Fellow in Ecology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Managed well, golf courses can bring nature back to our cities. Here’s how to balance the good and bad for urban biodiversity. Jacinta Humphrey, Research Fellow in Urban Ecology, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Replanting habitat corridors offers wildlife a way to move between isolated habitat – and much of this is done by volunteer groups. Nigel Tucker, Research Associate in Environment and Sustainability, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Usual approaches to addresing the climate crisis are not working, and as the world changes many are struggling to find a clear sense of place. Learning to love the world could help solve both issues. Barbara Leckie, Professor, English and the Institute for the Comparative Study of Literature, Art, and Culture; Academic Director, Re.Climate: Centre for Climate Communication and Public Engagement, Carleton University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Hopes for environmental law reform during the current term of federal government have been dashed, so what lies ahead for ‘nature positive’ next term? Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers mined the knowledge of politicians, public servants and environmental advocates to understand how everyday people can achieve real change for nature. Lily van Eeden, Lecturer, RMIT University Liam Smith, Director, BehaviourWorks, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 2010, an enormous marine heatwave devastated ocean life in Western Australia. Now another big one is taking hold – and heading towards Ningaloo. Sina Pinter, PhD Candidate in Ocean Dynamics, The University of Western Australia Matt Rayson, Senior Research Fellow in Oceanography, The University of Western Australia Nicole L. Jones, Professor of Physical Oceanography, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With children heading back to school at the height of summer, a recent study finds too many playgrounds need better tree cover. Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Abigail Cunninghame, Research Assistant, Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To listen deeply to nature is to become aware of behaviours, relationships and patterns of interaction between multiple species – and to learn from what we hear. Monty Nixon, PhD Student in Education, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Clearing huge tracts of land to plant one crop like maize has degraded land and put healthy food out of the reach of ordinary people. A new book has solutions. Rachel Wynberg, Professor and DST/NRF Bio-economy Research Chair, University of Cape Town Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Agricultural and fishing practices are changing the biodiversity and stability of entire regions. Kevin McCann, Full Professor, Biology, University of Guelph Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute and Professor in the Dept. of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph Marie K. Gutgesell, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Guelph Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our best chance of stabilising our climate and adapting to the changes ahead lies in protecting and actively restoring nature. Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor, Future of Food, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford Nathalie Pettorelli, Professor, Conservation Biology, Zoological Society of London Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildlife monitoring is vital to arresting Australia’s extinction crisis. But research shows we may be getting false pictures of how species are faring. David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Benjamin Scheele, Research Fellow in Ecology, Australian National University Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Maldwyn John Evans, Senior Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research highlights the need for a broader approach to attracting fairy-wrens and other beloved birds to our gardens. Rochelle Steven, Lecturer in Environmental Management, Murdoch University David Newsome, Assoc. Professor of Environmental Science, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.