News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

Hen harrier row could help in other conservation conflicts

The long-running row over Britain’s hen harriers could offer lessons for other conservation conflicts.

Local nature associated with greater sense of wellbeing, according to new study

A new study from Cornell Lab of Ornithology investigates the effect of different nature excursions on wellbeing

Wellbeing benefits of citizen science projects revealed in first of its kind study

A first of its kind study explores the wellbeing benefits of participating in citizen science

Queen bees face death in commercial colonies

Wild queen bee deaths in commercial hives, including risk-mitigation efforts investigated

Grassland restoration tactics explored to aid biodiversity

A new study examines the recovery of grasslands to inform future restoration tactics and policy

Bird migratory movements predicted by new model

New predictive model allows scientists to anticipate migratory patterns within bird species.

Understanding China's political will to further conservation and sustainability

A study about China's government shows the role of political will in the future of our world

Frog pathogen has different impacts on species according to new study

A new meta-analytic study investigates the lethal pathogen causing biological disruption for frog species worldwide.

Touchscreen device proves useful for studying wild primates

A new study explores the use of touchscreen devices in experiments conducted on wild primates, with the aim of reducing the need for captive animals.

New study explores the integration of wildlife and denser populations in urban planning

How we can make our cities work better for people and wildlife? TNC researchers challenge assumptions on the merit of green spaces in our communities.

How Ireland’s smallest mammal, the pygmy shrew, is quietly and quickly disappearing from our landscape

The pygmy shrew is disappearing from Ireland because it is being outcompeted for insect food by the recent arrival of the invasive greater white-toothed shrew.

Farmland bird populations bounce back when farms devote 10% of their land to nature-friendly measures

RSBP researchers monitored the responses of farmland bird populations to different agri-environment scheme implementation levels.

Paying farmers to create woodland and wetland is the most cost-effective way to hit UK environment targets, study suggests

Incentivising farmers to put aside farmland for nature could cut taxpayer costs in half, while delivering for climate, biodiversity, and food production targets.

Planet’s most unique birds at higher risk of extinction

A new study finds that bird species with extreme or uncommon combinations of traits face the highest risk of extinction.

Warmer temperatures are linked to mismatch among forest plants

In response to warming temperatures, some taller plants are advancing their leafout timing which could lead to declines in native wildflowers as they flower or leaf out later and therefore receive less sunlight for photosynthesis in the spring.