Bugs thrive in urban Los Angeles – volunteers’ traps reveal biodiversity hot spots for city insects and spiders

City life can mean lots of pavement and habitat loss. But many bug species are hanging on, especially in neighborhoods with steady temperatures near the mountains.

Teagan Baiotto, Ph.D. Student in Marine & Environmental Biology, University of Southern California • conversation
July 22, 2024 ~6 min

Flirting with disaster: When endangered wild animals try to mate with domestic relatives, both wildlife and people lose

Conflicts between herders and the wild ancestors of their yaks, camels and reindeer are a serious threat to both people and wildlife, writes a scientist who has seen these clashes firsthand.

Joel Berger, Professor of Wildlife Conservation, Colorado State University • conversation
July 3, 2024 ~9 min


African elephants address one another with name-like calls − similar to humans

Humans aren’t the only animals that have names for each other − and studying animals that use names can teach researchers more about how human names evolved.

Mickey Pardo, Postdoctoral Fellow in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University • conversation
June 11, 2024 ~9 min

Cities contain pockets of nature – our study shows which species are most tolerant of urbanization

Even in a concrete jungle like Los Angeles, wild species show up in surprising places. New research identifies the types of wildlife that best tolerate urban development.

Morgan Tingley, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
June 6, 2024 ~9 min

The UK’s nature restoration plans have some big holes – here’s how to fill them

Top conservation scientists demand a legally-binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss at home and overseas.

Nathalie Pettorelli, Professor, Conservation Biology, Zoological Society of London • conversation
June 5, 2024 ~6 min

Female giraffes drove the evolution of long giraffe necks in order to feed on the most nutritious leaves, new research suggests

Giraffe necks are a hot topic among biologists. A new study contradicts an older theory that says male giraffes need long necks to fight over mates.

Douglas R. Cavener, Huck Distinguished Chair in Evolutionary Genetics and Professor of Biology, Penn State • conversation
June 5, 2024 ~7 min

Could South Korea become a model for tackling illegal tiger trade?

Formerly one of the world’s largest markets for tiger bone, new research sheds light on the current situation in South Korea.

Joshua Elves-Powell, PhD Researcher, Conservation Biology, UCL • conversation
May 29, 2024 ~7 min

How genes shape birdsong, even when birds grow up far from home

It may not be obvious to the human ear but birds of the same species sing in different dialects.

Samyuktha Rajan, PhD candidate in Behavioural Ecology‬, Stockholm University • conversation
May 28, 2024 ~6 min


Hedges beat garden fences as wildlife havens and flood barriers – that’s why I’m taking them to the Chelsea Flower Show

Public engagement through school projects and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show play a vital role in educating the public about the myriad of environmental benefits provided by the humble garden hedge.

Tijana Blanusa, Principal Horticultural Scientist (RHS)/RHS Fellow, University of Reading • conversation
May 20, 2024 ~6 min

Fossil captures starfish splitting itself in two – showing this has been happening for 155 million years

Starfish reproduce by splitting in two. A new fossil reveals how ancient this ability is.

Aaron W. Hunter, Science Guide & Visiting Researcher, Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~6 min

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