Invasive species risk a biodiversity disaster – but there is still time to stop it

Modern ecosystems are very different to how they were just a few centuries ago.

Guillaume Latombe, Lecturer in Environmental Change Biology, The University of Edinburgh • conversation
Sept. 6, 2023 • ~6 min

Trees discovered at record-breaking altitudes highlight why we should restore Scotland's mountain woodland

Native trees have been found at new heights in the Scottish Highlands, demonstrating how mountain woodland could recover from deforestation – benefiting humans, wildlife and climate issues.

Sarah Watts, PhD Researcher in Plant Ecology and Conservation, University of Stirling • conversation
Aug. 23, 2023 • ~7 min

In search of the world's largest freshwater fish – the wonderfully weird giants lurking in Earth's rivers

Freshwater megafish numbers have fallen by 94%, according to one study.

Stefan Lovgren, Research Scientist in River Ecosystems, University of Nevada, Reno • conversation
July 25, 2023 • ~10 min

When wolves move in, they push smaller carnivores closer to human development – with deadly consequences

Reintroducing wolves can restore important ecological processes, but it can have unintended effects when smaller predators like coyotes are driven closer to people, a team of ecologists found.

Laura Prugh, Associate Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Sciences, University of Washington • conversation
May 18, 2023 • ~8 min

Fire danger in the high mountains is intensifying: That’s bad news for humans, treacherous for the environment

Fires here can affect meltwater timing and water quality, worsen erosion that triggers mudslides, and much more, as two scientists explain.

Mojtaba Sadegh, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Boise State University • conversation
April 19, 2023 • ~8 min

Weasels, not pandas, should be the poster animal for biodiversity loss

Polar bears and wolves may get the glory, but small predators like weasels, foxes and their cousins play outsized ecological roles. And many of these species are declining fast.

David Jachowski, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Clemson University • conversation
Dec. 5, 2022 • ~8 min

Mussels are disappearing from the Thames and growing smaller – and it's partly because the river is cleaner

A new survey has revealed an alarming deterioration in the health of the River Thames ecosystem – but some of the recorded changes may be the result of a cleaner river.

Isobel Ollard, PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge • conversation
Nov. 28, 2022 • ~7 min

Wildfires often lead to dust storms – and they’re getting bigger

Atmospheric dust storms often follow wildfires and have serious impacts on human health and ecology.

Matt Telfer, Associate Professor of Physical Geography, University of Plymouth • conversation
Nov. 18, 2022 • ~7 min

Do humans really need other species?

People wouldn’t last long without the countless other species we depend on for survival.

Tom Langen, Professor of Biology, Clarkson University • conversation
Aug. 29, 2022 • ~9 min

The Mediterranean has experienced record sea temperatures this summer: this could devastate marine life

While official data is yet to be released, this year’s Mediterranean marine heatwave will likely have devastating ecological consequences.

John Spicer, Professor of Marine Zoology, University of Plymouth • conversation
Aug. 18, 2022 • ~7 min

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