Biodiversity

Around the world, people plan to plant more than 1 trillion trees this decade in an ambitious effort to slow climate change and reduce biodiversity loss. But if the past is prolonged, many of those planted trees won't survive. And if they do, they could end up as biological deserts that lack the richness and resilience of healthy forests.

April 26 marks the 40th anniversary of the explosion at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The accident caused the largest ever release of radioactive material into the environment, and at the time people predicted that the affected area would be rendered uninhabitable, devoid of life for thousands of years. But the reality is quite different.

The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034) has begun (1), but international and regional guidelines for managing glacier ecosystems are lacking. In the European Union (EU), the only legislative tool that acknowledges glaciers as a protected habitat is the EU Habitats Directive (2), but even that does not fully take into account glacier biodiversity and its complexity (3). The absence of legally mandated biodiversity monitoring in these environments is unacceptable in the face of irreversible loss.

In the Philippines, Indigenous communities have been harvesting wild honey for centuries. A new chemical analysis of this honey now provides insights into the biodiversity of the region. "And an additional reason to protect the national tree properly," says lecturer Merlijn van Weerd of the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CML).

Climate change is making Canada's seasons more erratic, its weather more extreme and its ecosystems less predictable—and UBC Okanagan scientists have now produced the first national map of exactly where that unpredictability is hitting hardest. Their findings, published in Communications Earth & Environment, reveal a troubling mismatch: the regions best shielded from climate chaos are among the least protected by Canada's national network of parks and conservation areas.

Oceanographers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa discovered that microbial communities—from the sunlit surface to extreme depths—in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre exhibit robust seasonal cycles. The study provides new insight into how high levels of biodiversity are maintained in the open ocean. The research is published in The ISME Journal.

The Darwin Tree of Life Project: Transforming Biology and Boosting the UK Economy Through Genomic Science In a landmark collaboration uniting prominent institutions such as the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Natural History Museum, and numerous research partners across the UK and Ireland, the ambitious Darwin Tree of Life Project seeks to sequence the genomes of […]

Sequencing the DNA of all complex life in the UK and Ireland could generate up to almost £3 billion for the economy across agriculture, conservation, and research over the next 30 years, according to a new report.

Marine biodiversity underpins the functioning of ocean ecosystems and the services they provide to humanity. Paradoxically, despite our profound dependency on biodiversity, we are driving its rapid decline and we find ourselves asking the question of whether we, as a society, have the tools to address it. The fate of marine biodiversity thus lies largely at the intersection of science, policy, society, and industry. All these sectors rely on knowledge to support our economic, cultural, social, and environmental well-being. Knowledge comes from transforming data into usable and actionable information, and data are derived from sustained observations which are driven by requirements of policy, society, industry and science. This interconnectedness across sectors represents both an opportunity for improved coordination toward sustainable development, and a challenge as potential competing priorities are negotiated. Each of these sectors plays a critical role in developing tools to help

Halting and reversing the global decline in biodiversity is now urgent to avoid destabilizing Earth's vital systems that support human well-being. That's the stark message of a new paper published today in Frontiers in Science. The authors warn that without protecting remaining intact biomes and ecosystems, climate and development goals will be impossible to achieve.

Tropical rainforests are home to almost two-thirds of all vertebrate species and three-quarters of all tree species: they are the most species-rich terrestrial ecosystem on Earth. However, over half of these diverse rainforests have already been cleared, and their area continues to decline drastically, primarily for agricultural purposes. Is there a chance of regeneration, and can not only trees but also the unique diversity of thousands of animal species return to cleared areas?

Scientists have warned that a new UK Government report on global biodiversity loss and national security risks distorting evidence and driving ineffective policy by framing ecological degradation and its impacts on migration as a security threat. The report, "Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security," was published in early 2026 and argues that accelerating biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose mounting security threats to the UK.

Scientists exploring Saudi Arabia’s desert soils have discovered resilient microbial enzymes that could transform drug manufacturing. These glycosyltransferases, shaped by extreme conditions, may enable more efficient, stable, and flexible bioprocessing for complex biologics. The post Redefining Bioprocessing Using Reservoirs of Biochemical Diversity appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Deep within the lush expanse of the Chocó tropical rainforest in northwestern Ecuador, a groundbreaking study is reshaping how scientists understand ecological recovery after disturbance. This research, emerging from the Canandé and Tesoro Escondido reserves, employs a meticulous chronosequence approach, providing a novel window into how complex rainforest ecosystems regenerate over time after human land […]

A new study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal provides a profound look at life up to nearly 10 kilometers below the ocean's surface in the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. The research catalogs at least 108 distinct organism groups (morphotaxa), including the deepest-ever observation of a fish and a baffling, unidentified animal that has left global taxonomic experts stumped.

Diverse soil microbial communities may help suppress pathogens naturally, acting as a biological barrier against their establishment and spread, according to a new study. Professor Brajesh Singh, from The University of Western Australia's School of Agriculture and Environment and Institute of Agriculture, was lead author of the study published in Cell Host & Microbe, which examined human pathogens in soils.

There is a closing 20-year window in which decisions on climate and land use will determine the fate of dozens of native birds, butterflies and plants across Great Britain, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. That is the warning in a new study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), which, for the first time, predicts how different combined environmental changes would affect the survival of species within 1km square areas across the country.

Taxonomic endemism and phylogenetic endemism are both important measures of biodiversity. The former describes the number of distinct species found nowhere else, whereas the latter shows the amount of evolutionary branch length unique to a particular area. A comprehensive phylogeny provides the essential evolutionary framework for delineating centers of paleo- and neo-endemism across both measures.

A Critical Two-Decade Window to Safeguard British Biodiversity Amid Climate and Land Use Change In an unprecedented examination of Britain’s ecological future, a recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has illuminated a narrow twenty-year window during which key decisions on climate policy and land management will decisively shape the survival […]

For decades, scientists have observed a clear pattern across the natural world: biodiversity tends to be higher near the equator and lower toward the poles. Known as the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), this trend holds across ecosystems—from forests to oceans—and across life forms, from bacteria and plants to animals.

A groundbreaking international study has illuminated a critical yet overlooked factor in the conservation of avian biodiversity within fragmented tropical forests: the quality of the surrounding landscape matrix. Traditionally, ecological models have treated fragmented forest remnants as isolated ‘islands’, with species richness predicted primarily by fragment size and isolation distance. However, this new research underscores […]

A new study has revealed that improving the landscapes surrounding forest remnants can dramatically increase their ability to retain bird species—even when the forest fragments themselves are small or isolated. For decades, traditional ecological theory has treated isolated habitat remnants as "islands," predicting species' survival largely through area size and isolation. But these models have long overlooked the nature of the "matrix": the farmland, vegetation, or open areas surrounding these habitat remnants. This surrounding landscape is critical, as species must move through, use, or avoid it when navigating between forested areas.

Beavers should be embraced as key allies in the fight against biodiversity loss according to scientists at the University of Stirling, after new research revealed the significant ecological benefits the animals bring to wetland habitats. Beaver populations across Europe and North America are recovering from historically low levels after being hunted to near extinction.

In the heart of the Marais Poitevin regional nature park, the second-largest wetland in France, a scientific team led by a CNRS researcher has demonstrated the ability of clay soils to self-organize into geometric patterns. Known as mottureaux, these microreliefs, similar to hummocks, channel rainwater infiltration and promote plant biodiversity in marsh soils.

Hefei Botanical Garden: Pioneering Biodiversity Conservation, Resource Utilization, and Public Engagement in China Nestled in the pivotal climatic transition zone between subtropical and temperate regions, Hefei Botanical Garden has skyrocketed to prominence as a leading botanical institution in East China. Renowned for its exemplary integration of scientific innovation and ecological stewardship, this garden not only […]

Profit-seeking investors could align their muncipal bond investments with conservation actions

As the United States continues to lead global oil and gas production—accounting for roughly 20% of worldwide output in 2024—understanding how different extraction methods affect ecosystems has never been more urgent. A new study in ACS ES&T Water offers new clarity: conventional, often decades-old oil-and-gas infrastructure leaves a deeper, more persistent mark on freshwater biodiversity than unconventional shale (fracking) development.

Payments that enable landowners to rewild ecologically degraded land—in the form of biodiversity credits bought by investors wishing to offset their impact on nature—could be an effective component of the emerging market for nature recovery, but will not work as a standalone approach.

Intact ecosystems have the capacity for self-regulation, which keeps their complex structure of species—such as animals, plants, fungi and bacteria—in balance. For example, when the population of a species increases, its per capita growth rate decreases, keeping population growth in check. Ecological stability is an important indicator of how well self-regulation works and how "healthy" ecosystems are. Measuring and assessing the stability of ecosystems is therefore crucial for monitoring and conserving biodiversity.

The bubonic plague, which swept across Europe between 1347 and 1353, is estimated to have killed up to one half of the continent's population. The sudden loss of life led to the abandonment of farms, villages and fields, creating what researchers describe as a massive historical "rewilding" event. However, the devastation caused by the Black Death in medieval Europe may not have delivered the environmental benefits that could be assumed to follow large-scale human decline, according to new research.

The UK is “seriously off track” to meet global targets to halt biodiversity loss by 2030, a new analysis has warned. Research by the RSPB...

As the global population accelerates towards ten billion by mid-century, the urgent demand for more food production collides starkly with the imperative to conserve biodiversity. This growing tension challenges agricultural policies worldwide, urging a shift towards strategies that align food security with environmental sustainability. A pioneering article published in npj Sustainable Agriculture highlights a transformative […]

A study of changes to the habitats of more than 700 species reveals massive biodiversity loss—but also possibilities for restoration. "There is a lot of talk about deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Amazon, but even here in Colombia there is much less said about the tropical dry forest, although it is also an extremely rich ecosystem—and one that is under severe threat," warns Colombian researcher Maria Isabel Arce Plata.

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Achievements of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan In 2016, the Government launched the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), working in concert with all sectors of the community to protect Hong Kong's precious ecological resources and advance sustainable development. The initial phase of the BSAP has yielded significant achievements, including the designation of new marine and country parks to...

The world's conservation efforts over recent decades have made great strides in slowing biodiversity loss, according to international and Australian researchers who argue that referring to the world's current biodiversity crisis in terms such as 'the sixth extinction' is "alarmist". The researchers reviewed existing research to investigate the impact of conservation efforts on slowing global extinction rates, rescuing declining populations and protecting important natural habitats. They say while the current state of biodiversity is "dire", there is evidence of success in all three areas as a result of conservation efforts, and argue that there should be more focus on clearly and transparently measuring the success and failure of conservation efforts.

Biodiversity is changing across the planet, yet governments still lack the robust, consistent data needed to track these changes and guide effective conservation. Now, a new study led by the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), proposes a comprehensive roadmap to build a modern, integrated Biodiversity Observation Network (BON) for Europe—one that could become a global model for biodiversity monitoring in the 21st century.

Europe is on the brink of a transformative leap in biodiversity monitoring with the launch of a visionary initiative designed to unify and modernize data collection across the continent. This pioneering effort, led by the University of Amsterdam, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, outlines an integrated roadmap […]

Urbanization ranks as one of the most formidable forces reshaping the planet’s ecological landscape, driving profound transformations across biodiversity worldwide. Yet, despite its undeniable impact, the lingering effects of historical urban developments on present-day ecosystems have remained elusive, obscuring our grasp on the true consequences of urban expansion. A groundbreaking recent investigation from China now […]

LEIPZIG, Germany — A new study published in Conservation Biology shows that geotagged social media photos can significantly improve biodiversity datasets, especially in regions underrepresented in global monitoring efforts. Led by scientists from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, and Monash […] The post Social Media Images Help Fill “Major Gaps” in Global Biodiversity Data appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

An ecosystem is not a still life. Even where everything looks stable—a woodland, a lake, the soil—the internal "bookkeeping" keeps changing: how many individuals belong to which species, and for how long. Some populations expand, others crash. That dynamism is part of what we call biodiversity, but it also carries risk: when numbers are very low, chance events and short spells of unfavorable conditions can increase the likelihood that a species disappears locally.

Every living organism has its own genetic "blueprint": the source code for how it grows, functions and reproduces. This blueprint is known as a genome. When scientists sequence a genome, they identify and put in order the chemical building blocks—adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G) nucleotides—that make up an organism's DNA.

A new study published in Conservation Biology shows that geotagged social media photos can significantly improve biodiversity datasets, especially in regions underrepresented in global monitoring efforts. Led by scientists from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, and Monash University, the team integrated Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) occurrence records with public images of the tawny coster butterfly (Acraea terpsicore) from Flickr and Facebook, and saw a 35% increase in total observations.

The most effective conservation strategies for protecting vertebrates on a global scale are those aimed at mitigating the effects of overexploitation, habitat loss and climate change, which are the most widespread threats with the greatest impact across the planet. This is one of the main conclusions of an article led by researchers Pol Capdevila, from the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) at the University of Barcelona, and Duncan O'Brien, from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom).

The Yangtze River Basin, a global biodiversity hotspot, has endured severe ecological degradation over several decades due to intense human activity, leading to a marked decline in aquatic biodiversity. In order to halt this 70-year trend, the Chinese government instituted a comprehensive 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River in 2021.

A new study sheds light on how farmer-led collaboration can help create the conditions to address biodiversity loss in agricultural landscapes. The research looks at "farmer clusters"—groups of farmers working together across landscapes to support biodiversity-sensitive farming—and explores how these collaborative initiatives evolve over time, what shapes their success, and why some mature more effectively than others.

Professor Darren Evans and Madeleine Fabusova from the School of Natural and Environmental Science have published new research that shows that typical levels of artificial light at night can simultaneously suppress early-night activity and disrupt navigation cues in nocturnal insects and spiders. These findings identify twilight as a disproportionately sensitive period, raising questions about how street lighting and other mitigation strategies should be targeted.

Felicity Newell brings global research experience to Texas landscapes The post New field ecologist provides rainfall, land use and biodiversity expertise appeared first on AgriLife Today.

Korea now officially recognizes 62,604 species within its borders, up from 61,230 in 2024, according to data released Monday. The latest National Species List, compiled by the National Institute of Biological Resources, is based on data gathered through the end of 2025. Compared with the 28,462 native species identified in 1996, the confirmed total has more than doubled. The steady rise reflects the discovery and formal documentation of species that were already present in Korea but previously unknown. Taking Korea’s land masses into account, experts estimate that the country may host around 100,000 native species in total. Among the species newly added to the list, 307 are entirely new to science, with their existence confirmed for the first time, according to the organization. One such discovery is a plant known as “beoteum yangjikkot,” a perennial herb that grows with yellow petals and spreads as its roots extend sideways. It has been confirmed as an endemic species found only in

In a landmark study published in Science, researchers from the Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) have unveiled deeply concerning trends regarding pesticide toxicity in global agriculture. Despite the United Nations’ target set at COP15 in Montreal in 2022 aiming to halve pesticide-related environmental risks by 2030, the study reveals that current trajectories of pesticide application […]

At the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, in 2022, nations committed to reducing the risks associated with pesticide use in agriculture by 50% by 2030. A new study by a research team from RPTUKaiserslautern-Landau, published in the journal Science, reveals that this global target is now under serious threat.

A research team led by Prof. Zhu Yongguan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at the CAS Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, has identified the mechanisms by which sponge city construction significantly enhances urban plant diversity, according to a study published in Cell Reports Sustainability on January 27.

Solar is scaling faster than any other new power source in the United States. According to the EIA, almost 70 GW of new solar generating capacity is scheduled to be added in America in 2026 and 2027, a 49% increase compared to the end of 2025. That pace is good news for decarbonization, yet it… The post Arkansas research is showing how solar farms support biodiversity appeared first on Solar Power World.

In an era where the balance between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation is increasingly delicate, groundbreaking research has emerged to shed new light on how digital technology can revolutionize biodiversity monitoring on farmland. The study titled “Narrowing farmland biodiversity knowledge gaps with Digital Agriculture,” published in npj Sustainable Agriculture, presents a transformative approach that harnesses […]

In a groundbreaking study published in “Discover Artificial Intelligence,” researchers Bibi and Yang bring attention to the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting a smarter, greener planet. Their findings highlight the potential for AI technologies to revolutionize sustainable energy, transportation systems, biodiversity, and water management. As the adverse effects of climate change become […]

New research looks at carbon dioxide removal—where carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored—and finds that large-scale reliance on land-based methods, such as planting forests or bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), can protect biodiversity by avoiding climate impacts, but could also compete with biodiversity protection unless site selection criteria are refined.

Pesticides, a mainstay in modern agriculture, are recognized for their vital role in pest control and crop yield enhancement. Yet, their pervasive presence in soils worldwide has increasingly raised concerns about unseen repercussions on the intricate web of soil biodiversity. This groundbreaking study marks a pivotal advancement in our understanding of how pesticide residues, ubiquitously […]

Seventy percent of soils in Europe are contaminated with pesticides. A Europe-wide study co-led by researchers of the University of Zurich now shows that their effects on soil life are substantial, as pesticides suppress various beneficial soil organisms. To protect soil biodiversity, the findings should be taken into account in current pesticide regulations.

Trees play a central role in life on Earth. They store CO₂, provide habitats for animals, fungi, and insects, stabilize soils, regulate water cycles, and supply resources that humans rely on—from timber and food to recreation and shade on a hot day.

In an era where agricultural sustainability is not just a preference but a necessity, groundbreaking findings illuminate a promising path forward. The recent publication by Raveloaritiana and Wanger, slated for 2026 in Nature Communications, presents compelling evidence that long-term agricultural diversification can simultaneously enhance financial profitability, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This comprehensive second-order meta-analysis synthesizes […]

Global food trade is essential for food security, but its ecological consequences often remain unseen. A new data paper published in One Ecosystem introduces a global long-term dataset, quantifying biodiversity loss embodied in the international trade of staple food crops. As such, this dataset offers a novel perspective on how food trade redistributes environmental pressures worldwide.

Plankton, though often overlooked, are fundamental components of marine ecosystems that sustain life and maintain ecological balance. These microscopic organisms, primarily comprising phytoplankton and zooplankton, form the base of the marine food web and influence a myriad of ecological interactions. In the vast expanse of our oceans, it is plankton that play a pivotal role, […]

Humankind is only a link in a fragile chain. Maintaining biodiversity is for me definitely a question of survival on this planet. Our future life depends on maintaining biodiversity as not only the susceptibility for natural disasters is reduced by an intact nature, but also the access to clean water, all kinds of food or raw materials is assured. The nitrate and pesticide pollution of the drinking water resources around our village is only one of the problems I can mention here within context.

Photographer Frédéric Noy's shots give an insight into life around the rainforests of Udzungwa Mountains National Park – and efforts to protect it

According to a new study by the University of Würzburg, Bavarian meadows are the most monotonous insect habitats. Surprisingly, fields and settlements often offer more diversity than grassland.

Mangroves, typical of tropical and subtropical latitudes, have become veritable natural traps for land- and sea-based waste. The roots of these trees, known as mangroves, have a great capacity to trap litter—from both land and sea—which gradually breaks down until it is buried in the muddy bottom.

Living walls—structures housing flowers and plants fitted to the outside of new and old buildings—can significantly enhance the biodiversity within urban environments, a new study has shown.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that organized civil society and social mobilization are key, yet often unrecognized, agents of global biodiversity conservation. By analyzing a global dataset of 2,801 socio-environmental mobilizations from the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas), the research identifies that local struggles against polluting industries are critical for protecting the planet's most sensitive, biodiverse regions.

Learn how plants communicate through chemical signals, and why losing biodiversity can disrupt these hidden communication networks.

Brazilian scientists say mosquitoes may be biting humans more often as other sources of blood dwindle through biodiversity loss. The team used light traps to capture mosquitoes at two natural reserves in Brazil and tested the blood in their stomachs to see where it came from. They were able to analyse blood meals from 24 mosquitoes, and identified the blood of 18 different people, one amphibian, six birds, one dog, and one mouse, suggesting humans are mosquitoes' favourite food. The researchers say that as Brazil's Atlantic Forest shrinks due to deforestation and human activity, many plants and animals have disappeared. The lack of other food sources may be leading mosquitoes to change their habits and habitats, and to get closer to humans, the team says. The findings could help develop more effective policies and strategies to control disease-carrying mosquitoes and help predict and prevent future disease outbreaks, the researchers conclude.

Stretching along the Brazilian coastline, the Atlantic Forest is home to hundreds of species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and fishes. However, due to human expansion, only about a third of the forest's original area remains intact.

Nature is the foremost international weekly scientific journal in the world and is the flagship journal for Nature Portfolio. It publishes the finest peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology on the basis of its originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, accessibility, elegance and surprising conclusions. Nature publishes landmark papers, award winning news, leading comment and expert opinion on important, topical scientific news and events that enable readers to share the latest discoveries in science and evolve the discussion amongst the global scientific community.

The Northern Territory's investment in solar and wind energy production needs to benefit people and the planet, but new research highlights critical pitfalls in planning.

Charophytes are extremely beneficial to lakes, improving water quality and biodiversity. However, their abundance was found to decline in many lakes without clear signs of eutrophication during recent decades.

Global terrestrial biodiversity hotspots are among the most ecologically important regions on Earth. These 36 regions, which occupy only 2.5% of the planet's land surface, support nearly half of all plant species and more than one-third of terrestrial vertebrates.

A study published in Avian Research demonstrates that the Hide-in-Bird Pond (HIBP) model, a community-based, grassroots avitourism initiative in which local communities establish artificial ponds and feeding stations to attract avian species for non-invasive observation and photography, has proliferated rapidly across China.

Sulfur butterflies glide across Zorrillo Canyon, hundreds of them, moving back and forth against the cerulean sky. It's nothing short of a fairy wonderland for the scientists below.

Rare earth minerals are indispensable to the manufacture of high-performance magnets, batteries, and other materials that are vital to clean energy, communications, aerospace, and defense technology (1). The global demand for rare earth minerals is expected to double by 2050 (2). China dominates the rare earth mineral market, but recent Chinese export restrictions have motivated the countries that rely on China to increase the development of domestic supplies (3). On 20 October 2025, Australia signed an agreement with the United States to strengthen the supply chains for rare earth mineral mining and processing (4). Although the US-Australia rare earths framework (5) may bolster Australia’s domestic processing capacity, the economic benefits could come at a cost to global biodiversity.

Concern groups have called for a more concrete timeline and clearer details in an updated action plan for Hong Kong’s biodiversity strategy, which for the first time lists assessing the capacity of ecotourism hotspots as a priority. The government on Wednesday unveiled its updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which covers four strategic areas – nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering. It lists 30 priority actions and 81...

When you walk around the Groupama Stadium in Lyon (France), you can't miss them. Four majestic lions in the colors of Olympique Lyonnais stand proudly in front of the stadium, symbols of the influence of a club that dominated French football in the early 2000s.

In a study published in Science Advances on December 19, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from international institutions, explored the impact of mountain building and climate cooling over 30 million years across five major mountain systems in the Northern Hemisphere and revealed that these processes are key drivers of the rich plant diversity found in Earth's alpine biome.

A study reveals the underground interactions between fungi and oomycetes in twenty Andalusian dehesas, wooded pasturelands typical of the Iberian Peninsula, making it possible to identify the role of water as the main driver of microorganism diversity and to shed new light on the pathogen responsible for la seca, a disease greatly affecting the holm oak

Although humans are to blame for nature's recent decline, a new study shows that for millennia, European farming practices drove biodiversity gains, not losses.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, researchers have unveiled an intricate and place-based assessment of biodiversity intactness across sub-Saharan Africa, shedding new light on the differential contributions of various land uses to both the loss and preservation of biodiversity. This comprehensive evaluation integrates land use patterns with biodiversity indicators to capture not only the […]

Researchers from the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences (APES) have contributed significantly to a major African-led study revealing that sub-Saharan Africa has already lost 24% of its biodiversity since pre-industrial times. This means that, on average, the populations of diverse plants and animals across the region have declined by nearly a quarter.

The world needs a new approach to environmental crises threatening the health of people and the planet by adopting policies to jointly tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution, according to a U.N. report released Tuesday.

Farmers plant or preserve riparian buffers for various reasons, such as improving water quality, controlling erosion, or maintaining hunting habitat. Now, a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign underscores the benefits of riparian buffers to terrestrial biodiversity, finding that for every 10% increase in forest cover, an additional species is present.

When I, Erik Meijaard, worked as a wildlife consultant for a timber concession in Borneo, I often chatted with the logging truck drivers—and quickly realized that some of them knew far more about local wildlife populations than the company's own biodiversity teams.

Meadows once teeming with buzzing insects and colorful plants are quietly losing their diversity. But how fast is this change happening and can we detect it before species disappear? A German-Swiss research team led by Professor Dr. Lena Neuenkamp of Bielefeld University has found an answer.

An international team has published the first comprehensive study on the seamounts of the Cape Verde archipelago, their biodiversity, ecological functionality and socio-economic relevance in the journal Progress in Oceanography. The team was led by Covadonga Orejas, a researcher at the Gijón Oceanographic Center of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC); Veerle Huvenne, a researcher at the UK National Oceanography Center (NOC); and Jacob González-Solís, professor at the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona.

A new analysis published in the journal BioScience challenges conventional conservation approaches by demonstrating that traditional livestock grazing on rangelands represents a crucial but often overlooked strategy for protecting global biodiversity.