After rabbits, foxes, brambles and the cane toad, you would have thought Australia would have had enough of invasive exotic species, writes Jane Wright. Wrong! CSIRO scientists are introducing a French dung beetle, in the hope it will lead to fewer flies, improved soil fertility and structure, and greater carbon sequestration.
Australia - exotic beetles fly in to clean up the cattle dung Jane Wright | 5th October 2014 Comment Australia Farming Carbon Ecology dung-beetle-onthophagus-vacca-cut.jpg After rabbits, foxes, …
Although flowing water is fundamental to river ecosystems, temporary streams are distinctive landscape features that support surprisingly diverse communities, writes Rachel Stubbington. However, the biodiversity of these dynamic ecosystems needs greater recognition and protection.
Dry rivers are living rivers - with our care and protection Rachel Stubbington | 25th July 2016 Comment Water Natural World Ecology Conservation Rivers UK Science temporary streams are set-cut.jpg …
As if melting ice in Polar bears' Arctic habitat was not enough, Norwegian scientists have found that organic pollutants such as pesticide residues are disrupting their thyroid and endocrine systems, adding a further threat to the species' survival.
Polar bears at risk from pollution as well as warmth Tim Radford | 24th April 2015 News Toxics Pollution Ecology Oceans Waste Arctic Mammals polar-bears-cut.jpg As if melting ice in Polar bears' …
Intensive grouse shooting on England's uplands is doing huge damage to fragile ecosystems, writes Martin Harper - and to the 'protected' hen harrier. It's high time to bring this industry under control with a new licencing system.
… regulated Martin Harper RSPB | 27th June 2014 Activism Hunting Birds Ecology UK Regulation …
The psychosomatic effects of this pandemic will be carried in our bodies and will redefine our relationships with ourselves, others and the Earth.
Towards a shift in interdependent life Dr. Sanja Dejanovic | 1st May 2020 Comment Covid-19 Coronavirus Thought Leaders Embodiment Ecology Capitalism screenshot_2020-05-01_at_15.58.54.png The …
Those opposed to the mass release of GM crops and foods inadequately tested for health and ecological safety are routinely accused of being anti-science, writes Elizabeth Henderson. But it's the GM corporations and their academic allies that are suppressing scientific research, and organic farmers that are building alliances with independent scientists for a future of safe, healthy food.
Organic farmers are not anti-science - we leave that to the genetic engineers Elizabeth Henderson | 24th May 2016 News GMOs Science Technology Farming USA Ecology clover-cut.jpg Those opposed to the …
Forest fires are invariably portrayed as fiercely destructive environmental calamities. But for the native forests of the American West, large fires are essential to ecological renewal. Contrary to the mantras of logging companies and forest service officials, we suppress them at our peril.
… Hansen Dominick A. Dellasala | 12th May 2014 Activism Forests USA Ecology …
The state of the world’s nature shows human-driven sixth mass extinction is ongoing.
A million species threatened Arthur Wyns | 6th May 2019 News Biodiversity United Nations Ecology Extinction Science & Systems bdday_870.jpg The state of the world’s nature shows human-driven sixth …
Poland's environment ministry has a plan for a huge increase in logging in Europe's last great primeval forest, writes Zachary Davies Boren. Officials claim it's to control bark beetles. But ecologists say the insects are regulated naturally within the forest ecosystem, while logging threatens huge damage to irreplaceable biodiversity.
Timber! Poland's bid to increase logging 8-fold in primeval Bialowieza Forest Zachary Boren Greenpeace Energydesk | 18th February 2016 News Forests Biodoversity Ecology UNESCO Poland Belarus EU Law …
Yellowstone Park is home to America's last pure-bred wild bison, writes George Wuerthner. Yet the Park's management is planning to kill around a thousand of these precious animals this winter. Ostensibly it's to protect cattle on public lands near the park from brucellosis. But bison have never been known to transmit the disease to them. The real reason is to keep all the pasture for livestock.
… bison George Wuerthner | 14th December 2015 Activism USA Natural World Mammals Farming …
Peter Kropotkin died 100 years ago. But his ecological and social innovations and teachings still resonate today.
Kropotkin's ecology Brian Morris | 24th December 2021 | Comment Kropotkin Anarchism Karl Marx Ecology Mutual Aid Ecologist Recycled Systems maxresdefault.jpg Peter Kropotkin died 100 years ago. But …
To embrace the Earth as truly alive is a step too far even for many committed environmentalists, writes Charles Eisenstein: worried that others may perceive us as unscientific, childish, woolly-headed and ridiculous. But it's a step we must take: in refusing to recognise the living Gaia that is both our creator and our home, we accept and perpetuate the philosophy of her destroyers.
… the emotionally-perceived dimensions of our activism in favor of the linear, rational, and … for policymaking. A lot of environmental activism depends on appeals to survival … Fear might stimulate a few gestures of activism, but it does not sustain long-term …
A spate of hydroelectric dam building in Nepal means that future earthquakes could send inland tsunamis flooding down the steep mountain valleys, writes Michael Buckley. Disaster was averted in last month's quake - a badly damaged dam was not yet filled. But despite the risks and the damage to river ecology, tourism and rural livelihoods, there's no sign of any policy shift.
In Nepal's next big quake, hydropower dams threaten catastrophe Michael Buckley | 4th May 2015 News Nepal China Hydropower Ecology Water Land Grabs Development Renewables …
Removing the natural habitat of Hazel Dormice - one of the UK's most endangered species - is further threatening their existence says a new report from Manchester Metropolitan University. LAURA BRIGGS reports
New study shows habitat loss as the reason for the UK's 'Disappearing Dormice' Laura Briggs | 1st February 2017 News Dormice Conservation Ecology dormousefig-1.jpg Removing the natural habitat of …
Marine conservation is usually expressed in austere and negative terms, writes Alasdair Harris, with strict quotas and exclusion zones. But the truth is the exact opposite: it's about working with natural ecosystems to unlock their productive potential, creating sustainable wealth and abundance for fishing communities while enhancing marine biodiversity.
… in Madagascar Alasdair Harris | 12th May 2015 Activism Fishing Ecology Madagascar Fishing …
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 Hanson | 28th October 2015 Comment Forests USA Ecology Birds Biodiversity Politics pine-bark-beetle-cut.jpg Bark …
Mexico is determined to restore populations of its largest native predator, the jaguar, to long term viability, writes Kent Paterson. That means creating millions of acres of ecological corridors across the country, and joining with US colleagues to secure large areas of habitat in southwestern states, where recent sightings give hope that jaguars are returning to their former range.
… the jaguar Kent Paterson | 13th November 2015 Activism Mexico USA Xonservation Predators …
A new study shows that the market-leading Roundup herbicide kills soil microbiota at concentrations 50 times lower than used in agriculture, writes Claire Robinson. The findings raise serious new concerns about the environmental impacts of glyphosate herbicides.
Monsanto's Roundup toxic to soil fungus at ultra-low doses Claire Robinson GMWatch | 5th May 2016 News Science Ecology GMOs Toxics Pesticides aspergillus-nidulans-cut.jpg A new study shows that the …
Conservation groups have mounted a legal challenge to an 'unprecedented' program to exterminate two entire wolf packs in the Idaho Wilderness - intended to inflate elk numbers and attract recreational hunters
Idaho wolf eradication challenged The Ecologist | 10th January 2014 News Predators Hunting Wolves Ecology USA wolves-kill.png Conservation groups have mounted a legal challenge to an 'unprecedented' …
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.
Extinction is forever Robert J. Burrowes | 30th December 2015 Comment Extinction Ecocide Ecology formosan-clouded-leopard-cut.jpg Humanity is continuing to drive species into extinction at a …
By mimicking the purifying behaviour of wetland ecosystems we can deal with our sewage using one quarter of the energy, and a fraction of the smell...
The Living Machine: an ecological approach to poo Tafline Laylin | 8th June 2010 News Waste And Recycling Sewage Ecology Ecosystems Biomimicry Findhorn findhornlivingmachine.jpg The Findhorn Living …
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.
Who believes in the big bad coywolf? Roland Kays North Carolina State University | 20th November 2015 Comment Evolution Ecology USA Canada Mammals coywolf-cut.jpg Novel canids are hunting the forests …
A study of feral cats in Tasmania shows that culling them to reduce their impact on native wildlife had a paradoxical effect - their population went up! If you can't take 'pest' animals out faster than they can reproduce and move in from nearby areas, writes Christopher Johnson, you're better off not bothering at all.
Cullers beware - killing 'pest' animals can increase their abundance Christopher Johnson | 8th May 2015 Comment Australia Ecology Hunting feral-cat-nsw-cut.jpg A study of feral cats in Tasmania shows …
Lynx could be re-introduced to sites in England and Scotland before the end of 2015, according to the Lynx UK Trust, which has just issued polling and survey results that show strong support for the idea among the UK population.
Lynx could be reintroduced to Britain 'this year' Oliver Tickell | 27th April 2014 News Ecology Predators UK e lynx by erwin van maanen-cut.jpg Lynx could be re-introduced to sites in England and …