Trees don’t like to breathe wildfire smoke, either – and they’ll hold their breath to avoid it

An unplanned experiment when wildfire smoke rolled through Colorado shows how trees keep some of the smoke out.

Mj Riches, Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental and Atmospheric Science, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
July 30, 2024 ~8 min

Tagging seals with sensors helps scientists track ocean currents and a changing climate

In some of the most remote places on Earth, tags attached to seals collect data at the cutting edge of ocean science.

Lilian (Lily) Dove, Postdoctoral Fellow of Oceanography, Brown University • conversation
July 25, 2024 ~5 min


Maths makes finding bat roosts much easier, our research shows

A new algorithm could reduce the amount of time it takes for ecologists to find bat roosts.

Fiona Mathews, Professor of Environmental Biology, University of Sussex • conversation
June 25, 2024 ~5 min

We’re using drones to map the temperatures of lizards and this could boost reptile conservation

New research documents how drones were used to track the temperatures of the Bay Islands anole lizard on the Honduran island of Utila.

Emma Higgins, Lecturer in Ecology, University of South Wales • conversation
June 20, 2024 ~6 min

We’ve found a way to help endangered eels overcome dams and weirs

Researchers say eel tiles offer conservationists a new fish passage solution that could slow down the population decrease of the European eel.

Catherine Wilson, Professor in Environmental Hydraulics, Cardiff University • conversation
June 18, 2024 ~6 min

How DNA analysis of our rivers and lakes can reveal new secrets about their biodiversity

Our research suggests environmental DNA analysis could transform traditional ways of monitoring freshwater ecosystems.

Simon Creer, Professor in Molecular Ecology, Bangor University • conversation
June 13, 2024 ~8 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

Humans have been altering nature for thousands of years – to shape a sustainable future, it’s important to understand that deep history

Understanding how humans came to exert such enormous pressure on Earth’s ecosystems can inform more sustainable ways of living.

Todd Braje, Executive Director, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon • conversation
May 16, 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

Wild turkey numbers are falling in some parts of the US – the main reason may be habitat loss

Wild turkeys were overhunted across the US through the early 1900s, but made a strong comeback. Now, though, numbers are declining again. Two ecologists parse the evidence and offer an explanation.

William Gulsby, Associate Professor of Wildlife Management, Auburn University • conversation
April 19, 2024 ~10 min

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