Public Affairs

Where the Red Fox Dens: Fox dens foster tree growth, according to new study

(September 13, 2022) – A study published in Ecosphere reveals that trees growing on and around the sites of fox dens, especially long-established fox dens, grow faster than trees without vulpine intervention.

High-flying hover flies: entomologists report for the first time that some North American hover flies migrate

(July 19, 2022) – Scientists have documented long-distance migration for the first time in several species of North American hover flies, some of the continent’s most important pollinators.

Over half of threatened species require targeted recovery actions

A staggering 57% of threatened species need targeted recovery actions to ensure their survival, new research has shown.

Urban agriculture can promote bee communities in tropical megacities

A research team led by Göttingen University scientists compares biodiversity across rural and urban landscapes.

A Prickly Situation

New research shows how the availability of kelp detritus alters the foraging behavior of urchins from passive feeding to active grazing on living kelp.

Shedding new light on coral Black Band Disease

A new study identifies benthic cyanobacterial mats as a possible refuge for Black Band Disease pathogens on coral reefs.

Balancing Protein in Your Diet Could Improve Water Quality

Balancing how much protein you eat with the amount your body needs could reduce nitrogen releases to aquatic systems, air and water in the U.S., according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Spatial aspects of biodiversity important for healthy forests

Biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have determined that tree beta diversity matters more for ecosystem functioning than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.

Study suggests two million ancient and veteran trees in England – ten times as many as previously recorded

A new study has shown there could be around eight to ten times as many ancient and veteran trees in England than currently recorded.

New study offers insight into past—and future—of west-side wildfires

A new study led by the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station examines the context surrounding the 2020 Labor Day fires in western Oregon and Washington.

The space between us

A study from the Missouri Ozarks highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy functioning of naturally occurring forests.

You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Hangry

Ecologists have discovered the array of factors that underlie a population’s fluctuating cannibalism rate.

Urban density strongly correlates with house sparrow health

A new study from the University of Nevada, Reno shows that house sparrows’ health closely correlates with urban density, and that sparrows are carrying surprisingly high loads of lead in their bodies.

New study: 2021 heat wave created ‘perfect storm’ for shellfish die-off

A team led by the University of Washington has produced the first comprehensive report of the impacts of the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave on shellfish.

What the Nose Doesn’t Know Helps Wildlife: Using Olfactory Cues to Protect Vulnerable Species

Behavioral ecologists have discovered a way to harness animals’ olfactory ability to protect vulnerable plants and endangered animals.

How wolf personalities can alter wetlands

New research from the Voyageurs Wolf Project shows that some wolves were much better at ambushing and killing beavers and, in turn, altered more wetlands than other wolves.

International study stresses the urgent need to protect aquatic fungi

An international study argues that the conservation of aquatic fungi has not been given due importance, and needs to be urgently recognized as a management priority.

Academic wins international award for work on ecological sustainability

Dr Mark Goddard, an urban ecologist interested in biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services in cities, is a co-recipient of the Sustainability Science Award from the Ecological Society of America.