Wolves with a taste for nectar? How we discovered the first large carnivore that pollinates flowers

The Ethiopian wolf – Africa’s most endangered carnivore – has been found feeding on nectar.

Sandra Lai, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme, University of Oxford • conversation
Dec. 18, 2024 ~7 min

Making farming better for bees: can we breed crops that produce more nectar and pollen?

Our research shows this idea is likely to benefit bees more in summer than in spring.

Ciaran Harris, PhD Candidate in Pollinator Ecology, University of Sussex • conversation
Nov. 6, 2024 ~7 min


I’ve visited the same Rocky Mountain subalpine meadow weekly for a decade of summers looking at plant-pollinator interactions – here’s what I learned

Decades-long environmental studies can reveal trends caused by climate change better than projects that last only a year or two.

Julian Resasco, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Sept. 10, 2024 ~8 min

New solar farms can benefit nature – here’s how

New research shows that solar farms can boost biodiversity and benefit nature under the right policies and appropriate management.

Alona Armstrong, Professor of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Lancaster University • conversation
Aug. 12, 2024 ~6 min

I surveyed 17 million insects flying through a Pyrenean mountain pass – here’s what I learned about these ‘remarkable migrants’

Researchers have been estimating the vast numbers of insects, including many pollinators, migrating at one location in the Pyrenees. But climate change and habitat loss could affect their abundance.

Will Hawkes, Insect Migration Researcher, DEPT, University of Exeter • conversation
June 11, 2024 ~8 min

It’s OK to mow in May − the best way to help pollinators is by adding native plants

NoMowMay is a catchy concept, but it doesn’t provide the food that native North American pollinators need or lasting support for them.

Harland Patch, Assistant Research Professor of Entomology, Penn State • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~8 min

Early spring brings a ‘hungry gap’ for bees – here’s how you can help

Check that something is blooming every week, March through October, to help bees.

Matthias Becher, Associate Research Fellow in Behavioural Ecology, University of Exeter • conversation
March 28, 2024 ~7 min

Solar power occupies a lot of space – here’s how to make it more ecologically beneficial to the land it sits on

Solar development isn’t always good for the land, but pairing it with agriculture can produce multiple benefits.

Matthew Sturchio, PhD Student in Plant and Ecosystem Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~8 min


Wild solitary bees offer a vital pollination service – but their nutritional needs aren’t understood

The nutritional needs of bees are complex and monoculture crops aren’t providing a diverse diet. Introducing more diverse wildflower meadows and green spaces could benefit wild pollinators.

Ellen Baker, PhD Candidate, Nutritional Ecology, University of Oxford • conversation
March 1, 2024 ~6 min

Pollution messes up how pollinators sniff out flowers

Pollution degrades the chemicals wildflowers give off that help nighttime pollinators find them, researchers report.

James Urton-U. Washington • futurity
Feb. 19, 2024 ~8 min

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