News and Opinion - British Ecological Society

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.

Research reveals which animals perceive time the fastest

New research reveals that the animals that perceive time the fastest are those that are small, can fly, or are marine predators.

BES response to the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Negotiations at the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP15 drew to a close in the early hours of this morning, with countries agreeing on a new deal to protect nature, the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

New research uncovers hidden long-term declines in UK earthworms

New research suggests significant and previously undetected declines in UK earthworm abundance could have occurred.

Green transformation day held at Durham primary school

The British Ecological Society (BES) held a ‘green transformation’ day at Laurel Avenue Primary School in Durham.

Capturing Ecology 2022 – Winning Images Announced

Captured by international ecologists and students, this year's winning images tell a powerful story about the intricacies of nature, and our relationship with the natural world.

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.

Lianas more likely to infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests

Lianas in Malaysian forests are more likely to infest smaller trees.

Rhino horns are getting smaller, according to analysis of artwork and photographs

Analysis of artwork and photographs has revealed that rhino horns have been getting smaller and human attitudes towards rhinos have shifted from predation to conservation.

Opening school doors to nature in North East England

The British Ecological Society has been delivering a green transformation to primary schools in North East England, improving over 10,000 school children's connection to nature.

Researchers quantify forage yield gap caused by woody encroachment

New research quantifies the economic impacts of lost herbaceous production from tree encroachment throughout the American west.

Asian elephants prefer habitats on the boundaries of protected areas

New research finds that elephants prefer habitats on the periphery of protected areas, rather than the areas themselves