A new EU Regulation aims to limit the spread of invasive species through 'pathway controls' and bans on possession, transport and trade, writes Yannic Rack. But will it be up to the most important task - keeping the most hazardous aliens out, before they ever get the chance to become a nuisance?
… EU turns fire on invasive species already costing €12 billion a year … March 2015 Comment Natural World Invasive Species red-squirrel-cut.jpg A new EU … aims to limit the spread of invasive species through 'pathway controls' and bans on …
The Atlantic rainforest of Brazil is a biodiversity treasure, writes Miranda Dyson - as exemplified by the discovery of seven minute and beautiful frogs. But with the forest already reduced to under a tenth of its original extent, and going fast, they and countless other species may not survive much longer.
… Seven new species of tiny frog found in Brazil's cloud … and going fast, they and countless other species may not survive much longer. Seven new species of miniaturised frogs have been found …
Conservation projects have pulled several endangered European birds back from the brink of extinction, but habitat loss, industrial farming, over fishing and climate change all represent growing threats that requires broader and deeper change in the EU and beyond.
… population in Europe is recovering and the species is no longer at risk. Photo: Satriver … birds has revealed that nearly one fifth of species are at risk of extinction across the European Union. Of the 82 'at risk' species, 11 are 'critically endangered; 16 …
Humanity is continuing to drive species into extinction at a terrifying rate, writes Robert J. Burrowes - not just nameless beetles and midges, but mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and trees. The biggest causes are habitat destruction, pollution and hunting ... and unless we stop soon, we too will be among the victims of our ecocidal attack on Earth.
… Humanity is continuing to drive species into extinction at a terrifying rate, … from the Dodo? The answer is that these species all became extinct since the year … in 1662. The one thing that all of these species have in common is that the cause of …
While we face 'hard choices' about which species and ecosystems to conserve, it's odd how we face no such quandaries over which of our frivolous luxuries to refrain from, or what murderous weapons system not to build, writes Derrick Jensen. And of course, there's no question at all of tackling the root causes of global ecocide.
… Endangered species don't need an Ark - they need a Living … While we face 'hard choices' about which species and ecosystems to conserve, it's odd … journal Science concluded that the world's species are disappearing as much as 1,000 …
As Europe and North America warm, bumblebees should be able to fly north to cooler climes, writes Tim Radford. But they're not: the bees' range is receding in the south, but staying put in the north, and scientists fear their shrinking habitat will put many species at risk of extinction.
… fear their shrinking habitat will put many species at risk of extinction. The humble … of 36 European and 31 North American species of the genus Bombus and mapped the … change-related range shifts in bumblebee species across the full extents of their …
Farmers' first line of defence against pests is the ecosystem in and around their fields, write Jonathan Lundgren & Scott Fausti. With widespread or indiscriminate use of pesticides essential biodiversity is lost - and the result is more frequent and serious infestations, and a decline in food security.
… to society, such as toxicity to beneficial species and wildlife, the contamination of … Previous researchers have documented that species diversity within agroecosystems can … typically very diverse, and understanding how species interact within biological networks …
The zebra and quagga mussels, exotic invaders from the Caspian, are already causing huge damage in North America by 'biofouling' and disrupting native ecosystems, writes Yannic Rack. And now Britain is having to gear up for an impending invasion that threatens a costly meltdown of our aquatic biodiversity.
… a while. It's one of a number of non-native species that are increasingly making their way … who studied the ecological impact of invasive species as a researcher at the University of … Tackling the problems caused by invasive species quickly becomes even more costly when …
The Earth is now undergoing the biggest mass extinction since the end of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, writes James Dyke - the result of our collective desire to convert our planet into goods, services and trash. If we go on the biosphere itself will survive, but it will be impoverished. As will we.
… It found a clear signal of elevated species loss which has markedly accelerated … numbers, to establish extinction rates for species that were very conservative, with the understanding that whatever the rate of species lost has actually been, it could not …
Most of the world's large herbivores - from elephants to gorillas, tapirs and sloths - are at risk of extinction, a new study shows. With most of these species in poorer countries, rich nations should dedicate substantial resources to their survival. But we must also lead by example - by reintroducing them ourselves.
… a new study shows. With most of these species in poorer countries, rich nations … world and the vast majority of those large species disappeared. Our planet's large mammal … 2.5m years are continuing today - and smaller species are now also threatened. Our new …
Novel canids are hunting the forests of Eastern North America from Florida to Labrador, writes Roland Kays, where hybrids of coyote, dog and wolf have evolved into highly competitive forms. But is it the evolution of new species? If left in long term isolation, perhaps - but that's not about to happen. Genetic mixing and evolution still have a long way to run.
… forms. But is it the evolution of new species? If left in long term isolation, … our noses. However, this is not a new species - at least not yet - and I don't think … eastern coyotes are actually a mix of three species: coyote, wolf and dog. The percentages …
A welt of anti-wildlife 'riders' have been attached to essential legislation in the US Congress, writes Caeleigh MacNeil - aimed at stripping protection from endangered species and so grease the skids for industrial exploitation of wildlands against the wishes of the great majority of Americans.
… Protecting endangered species - Congress says NO, America says YES … aimed at stripping protection from endangered species and so grease the skids for industrial … great majority of Americans. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has overwhelming public …
Bark beetles are invariably presented as terrible, forest killing pests, writes Chad Hanson. But in truth forest biodiversity depends on them to create the snags for insects to burrow in, woodpeckers to feed off, and countless birds and even pine martens to nest in. So when you hear politicians calling for bark beetle 'salvage' logging, send them off with a flea in the ear!
… In defense of the Bark Beetle: a keystone species of Western forest ecosystems Chad … ground. Fact #2: Bark beetles are keystone species in US forest biodiversity Rather than … both the bark beetle and wood-boring beetle species at issue are native species that fill …
The international pet trade presents itself as responsible and conservation-aware, writes Clifford Warwick - and a key part of the message is the idea that its animals are captive bred. But the truth is very different. Quite apart from the routine cruelty and high mortality, the trade continues to depend on captive wild animals and contributes only negatively to wildlife survival.
… seriously negative for their wellbeing , the species population, and probably for the … 80-98%, and wild populations of certain species, such as clown fish (boosted in trade … environment and risk becoming invasive alien species. Breeder animals and their progeny …
Rising levels of carbon dioxide don't just cause global warming, writes Jason Hall-Spencer. Another consequence is acidifying oceans - which promises to disrupt marine ecology around the world, killing off oysters and corals, while boosting 'nuisance species' like stinging jellyfish.
… oysters and corals, while boosting 'nuisance species' like stinging jellyfish. For most … And while much has been written about the species that will lose out , a lot less has … for life in the sea, many of these lucky species are already considered a nuisance in …
Reports that Syria's iconic Northern Bald Ibis colony is endangered by IS's capture of Palmyra are mistaken, writes Gianluca Serra. The species is already extinct as a breeding population for reasons unconnected with IS. The war that is destroying Syria came only as the last straw for a long-dwindling species whose plight the world chose to ignore.
… are mistaken, writes Gianluca Serra. The species is already extinct as a breeding … only as the last straw for a long-dwindling species whose plight the world chose to … Ibis vanished from the wild as a breeding species due to known threats along the …
Is the aspiration to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 - enshrined in the UN's new Sustainable Development Goals - a fairy tale? It's ambitious, writes Richard Pearson, but there are plenty of signs that the world is acting effectively to conserve its endangered habitats and species. With extraordinary effort, we can do it.
… to conserve its endangered habitats and species. With extraordinary effort, we can do … life on Earth. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. There are any …
'Ocean giants' in our coastal waters are increasingly rare, writes Dr Lissa Batey, thanks to a host of threats from pollution to entrapment in fishing gear. Marine Protected Areas in England and Wales could help restore our cetaceans to their former abundance - but so far, only one has been designated for these species in Wales, and none in England.
… far, only one has been designated for these species in Wales, and none in England. They … as it is! Many whale, dolphin and porpoise species can be found around our shores, along … of contaminants means that some of the 28 species of whale, dolphin, porpoise and the …
A survey of threatened Arctic mammals highlights melting sea ice as a prime threat to eleven keystone species, writes Tim Radford - meaning that efforts to conserve them may be doomed to failure unless we also tackle the causes of climate change.
… sea ice as a prime threat to eleven keystone species, writes Tim Radford - meaning that … depend on the Arctic for their survival as species; they are vulnerable; and biologists … way, they help communities survive. "These species are not only icons of climate change, …
With Monarch butterfly numbers down by 90% in 20 years - largely as a result of GMO crops in key feeding areas - the US Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the insect's status with a view to granting it legal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
… Monarchs may win 'endangered species' protection The Ecologist | 6th … it legal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Endangered Species Act protection may be warranted for …
UNESCO's Lake Ohrid-Prespa Biosphere Reserve at Mount Galicica, Macedonia, is at risk from a raft of aggressive developments, write Elena Nikolovska & Daniel Scarry: tourism complexes, a new expressway and ski resort all threaten its tranquility and stunning diversity of wildlife, backed by loans from the EU's taxpayer-funded Bank, the EBRD.
… is divine. At the latest count, 1200 native species have been observed in Lake Ohrid's … as brown bear, wolves, and jackal; over 1500 species of butterflies and moths; multifold … with worldwide rare and endangered species. Due to the historical genesis of the …
Biologist E O Wilson's grand idea of setting aside half of the planet for nature to thrive is both appealing and deeply challenging, writes William Lynn. But it's missing a key element: an urban vision of how people can live ecologically, joyously in the half we make our own.
… extinction event in earth's history. More species are being lost today than at any time … notion that humans share a bond with other species ( biophilia ) and a herald about the … and perhaps, someday, revive an extinct species or two. Not a bad idea in and of …
Two of Asia's three rhino species are 'critically endangered', writes David Tosh, yet the lion's share of rhino conservation resources is lavished on Africa. The reason is simple: Africa's rhinos generate more cash from tourism. But should this really be the point?
… asian-rhino-cut.jpg Two of Asia's three rhino species are 'critically endangered', writes … the same attention? There are three rhino species in Asia (the Indian, Javan and … or hangover cure. Yet despite Asian species appearing to be in a more perilous …
Despite a raft of legislation to protect our wildlife, 60% of our key species are in decline, writes Jenny Jones. That's why we need a new and positive approach, going beyond protection to rebuilding flourishing, sustainable wildlife populations. And people too will see the benefits - in our own as is our health and wellbeing.
… to protect our wildlife, 60% of our key species are in decline, writes Jenny Jones. … of, and response to, the alarming decline in species and natural habitats across the UK … highlighted that of the thousands of UK species assessed, over the last 50 years, 60% …