News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Bird-friendly agriculture: finding the right balance to benefit birds and farmers

New research finds that whole-scale farm diversification can promote higher abundances of beneficial birds in farmland.

New conservation tool calculates the optimal time to spend researching a habitat before protecting it

Deciding when to stop learning and take action is a common, but difficult decision in conservation. Using a new method, this trade-off can be managed by determining the amount of time to spend on research at the outset.

Ecological trade off? Utility-scale solar energy impedes endangered florida panthers

New study first to document effects of utility-scale Solar energy installations on a large carnivore.

New research shows that current national red squirrel conservation strategies likely to undermine species survival in future

Red squirrel conservation strategies in the UK and Ireland, that favour non-native conifer plantations, are likely to negatively impact red squirrels.

Urban gardens are a dependable food source for pollinators through the year, study suggests

Gardens in cities provide a long and continuous supply of energy-rich nectar from March to October.

City allotments match farming productivity per square metre

Urban growers in Brighton and Hove were able to harvest 1kg of insect-pollinated fruit and vegetables per one metre square, which is within the range of conventional farming.

The sky’s the limit: Using airborne DNA to monitor insect biodiversity

Scientists at Lund University have discovered for the first time that it is possible to detect insect DNA in the air. This offers scope for exploring a whole new way to monitor terrestrial biodiversity.

Indigenous communities hold a huge and unique source of ecological knowledge

Indigenous people in the rainforests of Gabon have knowledge of plant and fruit-eating animal interactions that exceeds that found in academic literature.

Solar parks could boost bumble bee numbers in a win-win for nature

Simple changes to how UK solar parks are managed could boost ground nesting bumble bee populations in the parks and surrounding areas.

Newly discovered fish songs demonstrate reef restoration success

Whoops, croaks, growls, raspberries and foghorns are among the sounds that demonstrate the success of a coral reef restoration project.

Ecological knowledge of local populations more accurate than 10 years of conventional scientific monitoring

The ecological knowledge of local populations proved to be more accurate than 10 years of conventional scientific monitoring for animal abundance in the Amazon

Invasive ants can threaten ecosystems by damaging plants at the roots

New study reveals how big-headed ants disrupt photosynthesis and plant growth.

Loss of tree species has cumulative impact on biodiversity

Diseases affecting different UK tree species have shown to have a multiplying effect on the loss of associated biodiversity.

Woodland and hedgerow creation will be crucial to support pollinators in Wales

The largest survey of pollinator abundance in Wales has found that woodland and hedgerow creation can play a crucial role in action to reverse declines in insects.

Helping smooth New Zealand sea lions’ road home

Researchers create a new way of redefining New Zealand sea lions’ habitat. The work will help take the surprise out of coming across sea lions on a forest hike.