News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Global study finds predators are most likely to be lost when habitats are converted for human use

A first of its kind, global study on the impacts of human land-use on different groups of animals has found that predators, especially small invertebrates like spiders and ladybirds, are the most likely to be lost when natural habitats are converted to agricultural land or towns and cities.

The temporal dimension of the ‘alien attack’ in plant-pollinator communities

A new study shows for the first time that both alien plants and alien pollinators influence the organisation of ecological networks over time; yet the causes and consequences for the local communities are widely dependent on the trophic level of the invasion.

Climate change unlikely to drive sugar maples north

Sugar maples won’t be heading north anytime soon, despite climate change, according to a new study.

First come, first bred

Arriving early in the breeding area is crucial for successful reproduction in non-migratory birds.

Fish species benefit from marine protection to varying extents – common and exploited species profit most

Marine protected areas in the Mediterranean Sea are home to more fish species, with the greatest gains found among species most sensitive to exploitation

Mowing urban lawns less intensely increases biodiversity, saves money and reduces pests

Researchers from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres have found that reducing the intensity of lawn mowing in urban spaces leads to increased biodiversity, economic savings and reduced presence of allergy-triggering weeds.

Plant-eating insects disrupt ecosystems and contribute to climate change

Plant-eating insects affect forest ecosystems considerably more than previously thought.

CSUN study demonstrates marine protected areas are most effective in overfished areas

Northern Ireland’s recovering pine marten population benefits red squirrels, but the urban grey squirrel poses a problem

The recovery of pine marten in Ireland and Britain is reversing native red squirrel replacement by invasive grey squirrels

Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar

Researchers at Stirling University have found that exposure to chronic low-dose radiation, found in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, negatively affects bumblebee energy use by increasing their metabolic rate and food consumption. The preliminary results will be presented on 12 December at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting in Belfast.

Local traditional knowledge can be as accurate as 10 years of scientific transect monitoring of animal abundance in the Amazon

New research from a cross-organisational consortium in the Amazon has found indigenous knowledge to be as accurate as scientific transect monitoring.

Study finds that multi-species grassland mixtures increase yield stability, even under drought conditions

In a two-year experiment in Ireland and Switzerland, researchers found a positive relationship between plant diversity and yield stability in intensely managed grassland, even under experimental drought conditions. The results are presented today at the British Ecological Society’s annual meeting in Belfast.

Participation in citizen science camera trap project dramatically increased school children’s knowledge of UK mammals

Children who participated in a citizen science project called MammalWeb, used camera traps to detect wildlife visiting their schools..

Invest in pollinator monitoring for long-term gain

A research team from the University of Reading and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is studying how to improve pollinator monitoring in the UK in a cost-effective manner.

Young tree swallows carry environmental stress into adulthood

Researchers at Cornell Lab of Ornithology have found a negative relationship between the temperature during tree swallow development and their hormonal response to stressors as adults.