New solution for capturing microplastics before they enter waterways
A thousand litres of seawater can contain up to 8.3 million particles of microplastics. Udentifying these very small particles has been difficult – usually...
Forest grazing counteracts the effectiveness of trees to reduce flood risk
Planting trees can reduce flood risk, but a high intensity forest land use, such as grazing, can counteract the positive effect of the trees,...
New studies aim to drive protections for beetles
Natural England has published (on 1 August) the first comprehensive review of the conservation requirements of two groups of beetles in the UK for...
New EU nutrient directive essential to halt ecosystem breakdown
The ongoing nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands and Flanders illustrates how ineffective management of nutrients can lead to both serious ecological damage and political...
Study reveals the global growth of ecological and environmental citizen science is fuelled by...
Scientists at the UK-based Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and the Natural History Museum, London have revealed the diversity of ecological and environmental...
Gardens are secret powerhouse for pollinators, says research
Home gardens are by far the biggest source of food for pollinating insects, including bees and wasps, in cities and towns, according to new...
World’s lakes losing oxygen rapidly as world warms, says study
Oxygen levels in the world's temperate freshwater lakes are declining rapidly - faster than in the oceans - a trend driven largely by climate change that threatens freshwater biodiversity and drinking water quality.
Negotiations open in world’s first legally-binding treaty to protect the high seas
Treaty negotiations to conserve and protect nearly two thirds of the ocean opened on 4 September at the United Nations (UN) in what is...
First global atlas of rangelands launches, and reveals vulnerable state of a neglected ecosystem
New atlas reveals climate-critical rangelands cover half the world’s land surface, supporting millions of people and critical ecosystems— yet often ignored despite threats...
Technology will boost real-time monitoring of remote peatlands
Researchers will develop new ways to monitor carbon emissions from vast swathes of peatland after winning almost half a million pounds to develop new...
Research reveals remarkable resilience of sea life in the aftermath of mass extinctions
Research appears to show that marine ecosystems can start working again, providing important functions for humans, after being wiped out - and to do...
New measures and research needed to tackle ecological impact of pharmaceuticals
A group of international researchers has issued a warning about the increase in pharmaceutical contamination in the environment, with suggestions about how it might...
River diversions may cause microplastics to remain longer on land and in streams before...
Diverting streams and rivers to irrigate crops or provide drinking water may significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments before they flow...
Record numbers clean up in Scotland’s 25th Great British Beach Clean
There’s more litter on Scottish beaches than last year with cotton bud sticks at their highest level for eight years
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS)...
SEPA fish farm report published in international journal
Independent review of SEPA Fish Farm Survey Report – ‘Evaluation of a New Seabed Monitoring Approach to Investigate the Impacts of Marine Cage...
Uncovering the hidden talents of urban soils
Urban soil and its importance to the health of both our environment and society will be comprehensively analysed in a new research project led...
Diverse forests hold huge carbon potential, as long as we cut emissions
New study estimates that natural forest recovery could capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon, but only if we also reduce greenhouse gas emissions....
DNA pinpoints river animals in the here-and-now, new research reveals
New research proves that environmental DNA survives for less than two days in small fast-flowing rivers
A timely return
Beavers are set to recolonise the UK. Northumbria University Associate Professor in Ecology Mike Jeffries looks at the impact their reintroduction could have on wildlife and flood prevention
Amazon study suggests big conservation gains possible for imperilled freshwater ecosystems
A new study by an international team of environmental scientists in the Brazilian Amazon appears to show that redesigned conservation projects could deliver big gains for critical freshwater ecosystems – raising hopes for the futures of thousands of species
