We discovered why giant pandas are black and white: here's how

The scientists who discovered that a giant panda’s distinctive markings provide camouflage from predators tell us about their latest work

Ossi Nokelainen, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Jyväskylä • conversation
Nov. 9, 2021 ~5 min

Moving beyond America's war on wildfire: 4 ways to avoid future megafires

Two forest researchers whose own communities were threatened by fires in 2021 explain how historic policies left forests at high risk of megafires.

Ryan E. Tompkins, Cooperative Extension Forester and Natural Resources Advisor, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources • conversation
Oct. 13, 2021 ~11 min


Five years after largest marine heatwave on record hit northern California coast, many warm–water species have stuck around

The Blob, a long-lasting mass of warm water, sat off the Pacific coast of North America for years, bringing new species to formerly cold waters. What allows some to survive while others fade away?

Sam Walkes, PhD Student in Ecology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Oct. 4, 2021 ~8 min

Rewilding: conservationists want to let elephants loose in Europe – here's what could happen

It sounds like a mammoth plan, but bringing back large herbivore species to Europe could help mitigate ecosystem collapse.

Ramiro D. Crego, Postdoctoral Researcher, National Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute • conversation
Sept. 29, 2021 ~7 min

Scientists at work: We use environmental DNA to monitor how human activities affect life in rivers and streams

Rivers are among among the most embattled ecosystems on Earth. Researchers are testing a new, inexpensive way to study river health by using eDNA to count the species that rivers harbor.

Emily S. Bernhardt, Professor of Biology, Duke University • conversation
Sept. 17, 2021 ~9 min

Why the changing colour of our streetlights could be a danger for insect populations

The increasing prevalence of white LED streetlamps spells worrying population declines for insects like moths.

Douglas Boyes, PhD Researcher, Newcastle University • conversation
Aug. 25, 2021 ~8 min

Ecomimicry: the nature-inspired approach to design that could be the antidote to urban 'blandscapes'

Generic urban landscape design is damaging for people and nature: an ecomimicry approach instead encourages nature to flourish even in cities.

Caroline Nash, Research Fellow in Biodiversity Conservation, University of East London • conversation
June 29, 2021 ~8 min

There are over 7,000 English names for birds – here's what they teach us about our changing relationship with nature

Research suggests our names for birds reflect our changing relationship with the natural world: here's why that matters

Andrew Gosler, Professor of Ethno-ornithology, University of Oxford • conversation
June 18, 2021 ~8 min


Insect population collapse: new evidence links it to dams

New data from tropical and subtropical regions suggests insects are declining thanks to dammed rivers

Liam N. Nash, Ecology PhD researcher, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
June 16, 2021 ~6 min

Early humans used fire to permanently change the landscape tens of thousands of years ago in Stone Age Africa

Combining evidence from archaeology, geochronology and paleoenvironmental science, researchers identified how ancient humans by Lake Malawi were the first to substantially modify their environment.

Sarah Ivory, Assistant Professor of Geosciences, Penn State • conversation
May 5, 2021 ~11 min

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