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 …
International judges today condemned China's great 'water grab' of the South China Sea - not least for its destruction of over 100 sq.km of pristine coral reefs, dredged and ground up to build artificial islands, and the ransacking of their wildlife, from endangered sea turtles to giant clams.
China condemned for massive coral reef destruction Oliver Tickell | 12th July 2016 News Oceans Conservation China Fishing Coral Law Philippines scc-fb.jpg International judges today condemned China's …
In the first of a three part blog in which Les Carlisle joins a team of translocation experts, he discovers the buzz of darting and blindfolding a rhino, whilst considering the absurd fact that their very existence is threatened due to the growth of an inert keratinous material on their heads ...
Rhinos without borders: preparation & capture Les Carlisle | 1st November 2013 Comment Rhinos Conservation Ivory Natural World Africa 718214 (1).jpg The Rhinos Without Borders translocation team In …
Urgently needed protection granted to shark species on the brink of extinction.
Whitetip shark listed as protected species Staff Reporter | 19th March 2020 News Sharks Marine Life Ipcc COP Un Conservation oceanic_whitetip_shark.png Urgently needed protection granted to shark …
A rich forest in Tanzania has been placed under protection, supported by World Land Trust and other partners.
New nature reserve for Tanzanian wildlife Marianne Brooker | 24th January 2019 News Tanzania Wildlife Nature Reserve Conservation Science & Systems a0fbc8d9d13c4b40ab4b16d45c3b7505.jpeg A rich forest …
This year saw the launch of the Lush ethical cosmetics company's first-ever Spring Prize which rewarded organisations around the world who are committed to social and environmental regeneration. Lush is a content collaboration partner with the Ecologist and this is the first in a series of special reports from the 11 prize winners explaining more about their project and its goals. SIDDHARTH RAO introduces the Timbaktu Collective which won an award for its inspiring regeneration and conservation work with some of the most marginalised communities in India
Spotlight on Regeneration: The Timbaktu Collective bridging community and conservation Siddharth Rao Conservation Biologist | 12th July 2017 News Regeneration Environment Conservation Community India …
The use and spread of palm oil is beyond imagination; from cooking and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals and drilling fluids, it is even in nanny's chocolate cake. Its global consumption may have increased more than any other good, but what does this entail for the farmers? The crisis in Edo State of Nigeria speaks for itself, reports BURAG GURDEN
The palm oil crisis in Nigeria - and beyond Burag Gurden | 8th September 2017 News Palm Oil Nigeria Conservation Indigenous People 405220.jpg The use and spread of palm oil is beyond imagination; …
The Tory government in the UK is failing on its promise to protect 30% of land and seas.
Tories fail to protect nature Catherine Early | 25th October 2022 | News Nature Agriculture Biodiversity Conservation Editor’s Picks Lake District The Tory government in the UK is failing on its …
There's the Referendum vote and then there's what else happened on Brexit day. This, for instance...
Rare dormice return to Yorkshire Dales National Park Susan Clark | 27th June 2016 News Conservation Dormouse Endangered Species Peoples' Trust For Endangered Species hazel dormouse - credit - kate …
The global gold trade relies on 'tax optimisation' and dumping tons of hazardous waste.
The price of gold Dimitar Sabev | 8th January 2019 News Gold Mining Africa Asia Europe Canada Dundee Precious Metals dpm_3.jpg The global gold trade relies on 'tax optimisation' and dumping tons of …
The trade ban on rhino horn is not working, writes Keith Somerville. But non-lethally and sustainably harvested rhino horn can earn income to encourage breeders, pay rangers and anti-poaching teams, provide surveillance and supply wider benefits that will gain the support of people around parks, reserves and ranches.
To save our rhinos, we need a legal horn trade Keith Somerville University of Kent | 22nd September 2016 Comment Wildlife Trade Economics Africa Swaziland Conservation Hunting Farming …
The UK Government is to examine the activities of London-based oil company Soco over alleged violations of environmental protections and human rights abuses in Africa's first National Park, home to 200 Mountain gorillas.
Virunga - UK Government to investigate oil company The Ecologist | 17th February 2014 News Africa Congo Natural World Oil Fossil Fuels UK virunga-gorillas.png The UK Government is to examine the …
The idea that GMO cotton offers hope to Africa's impoverished cotton farmers is facile and fraudulent, writes Arya Tajdin. In fact it only adds to their vulnerability. Their real problems lie in the structural oversupply of subsidized cotton on world markets, and the flood of 'kifua' - dead white man's clothing - that undermines the continent's textile industries.
GM cotton: a false promise for Africa's farmers Arya Tajdin | 27th August 2015 News Farming Africa Tanzania Trade Corporations cotton-farmers-cut.jpg The idea that GMO cotton offers hope to Africa's …
A legal principle dating from Roman times is ripe for use in protecting our waste-filled and over-exploited seas and oceans, writes Deb Wright. Under the 'Public Trust Doctrine' governments are entrusted to protect shared natural resources from abuse, and can be held accountable for neglect of their duties.
Public Trust Doctrine requires governments to protect our oceans! Deb Wright | 9th March 2016 Comment Oceans Law Commons Climate Change Fishing Conservation Waste Pollution marine plastic.jpg A legal …
Survival International argues that the activities of WWF in the Congo Basin have been shown to be doing tremendous damage to rainforest tribes like the Baka, without effectively protecting the environment. But efforts to hold them to account have been frustrated, the director of Survival, STEPHEN CORRY, argues.
Survival International claims OECD failed to recognise WWF 'conservation abuse' Stephen Corry | 23rd November 2017 Comment Conservation Africa Survival WWF Indigenous Human Rights Violations …
The latest salvo in the battle over Africa's seed systems has been fired, writes Stephen Greenberg, with the Gates Foundation and USAID playing puppet-masters to Africa's governments - now meeting in Addis Ababa - as they drive forward corporation-friendly seed regulations that exclude and marginalize the small farmers whose seeds and labour feed the continent.
Grabbing Africa's seeds: USAID, EU and Gates Foundation back agribusiness seed takeover Stephen Greenberg Oliver Tickell | 23rd March 2015 News Africa Farming Seeds Corporations USA EU maria banda …
Recognising nature as a legal stakeholder with inalienable rights in environmental law proceedings is a powerful counterbalance to corporate dictatorship, writes Mumta Ito. It empowers people and governments to stand up for nature - the underlying basis of our economy and our lives. And it stands in contrast to feeble approaches based on the financialisation and commodification of nature, which may be twisted to justify more destruction.
Nature's rights: a new paradigm for environmental protection Mumta Ito | 9th May 2017 Comment Law Ecocide Conservation EU hierarchy of rights diagram-fb.jpg Recognising nature as a legal stakeholder …
Roads, mines, dams, power lines, pipelines and other infrastructure projects are fast eating into the world's 'core forests', writes Bill Laurance. These rare and precious places where wildlife and ecological processes can flourish undisturbed must come before the evanescent gains of 'development'. To save what's left, governments and funders must learn the word 'No!'
Saying 'No!' A last chance for the world's forests Bill Laurance James Cook University | 5th February 2016 News Forests Development Transport Conservation Africa Brazil Malaysia amazon-dam-cut.jpg …
If rhinos are driven to extinction in the wild, Africa's landscapes and ecosystems would be very different, reports Rachel Nuwer. The activities of this mega-herbivore diversify plant life and create prime grazing spots for other animals.
Africa without rhinos would be different, and poorer Rachel Nuwer | 6th April 2014 Comment Natural World Africa Ecology rhino-kariega.jpg If rhinos are driven to extinction in the wild, Africa's …