Researchers found that sustainability certificates improve cocoa yield and income for small-scale producers, but have no effect on biodiversity in plantations. The study suggests that further biodiversity conservation measures are needed to achieve tangible environmental benefits.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has donated thousands of natural history books and journals to Ecuador's National Biodiversity Institute, expanding its research and education programs. The donation, valued at over 8,570 books, 2,000 journals, and 500 articles, will support the work of biodiversity specialists, students, and ...
A new study models habitat and climate needs of over 14,234 globally distributed vertebrate species to evaluate land-based climate mitigation strategies. Reforestation offers a clear net benefit to global biodiversity by mitigating climate change and expanding habitats.
A new study published in Science found that reforestation has the most beneficial effect on wildlife biodiversity compared to other plant-based climate-mitigation strategies. The research, led by NYBG Assistant Curator Evelyn Beaury, suggests that well-intentioned strategies could have unforeseen impacts on biodiversity.
A new study published in Environmental DNA revealed that insecticides and fungicides are the main factors affecting biodiversity in UK waters. The AI technology analyzed water and biofilm samples from 52 freshwater lakes, identifying key links between pollutants and biodiversity loss.
A recent Hungarian study found that garden pond features such as age, area, aquatic vegetation, and shoreline vegetation influence the occurrence of animals like amphibians, odonates, and birds. The study highlights the importance of pond management practices to support biodiversity in urban areas.
A recent study found that connectivity loss within pond networks leads to significant declines in microbial diversity and community evenness. The loss of connectivity disrupts trophic interactions, causing reduced biomass in zooplankton grazers and further exacerbating the decline in diversity.
The IPBES report explores interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health, identifying response options for co-benefits across five nexus elements. Existing actions fail to address complexity, resulting in inconsistent governance.
Researchers found that international trade has caused over 90% of biodiversity loss in tropical regions due to agricultural land conversion. The study tracked land use changes between 1995 and 2022, revealing a significant impact on species loss in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Madagascar.
Researchers introduce a framework to classify biodiversity credits, highlighting the challenges of representing biodiversity in a single unit. The study demonstrates the risks of relying on 'offsetting' and emphasizes the need for genuine nature recovery funding.
A new meta-analysis reveals climate change is reshaping ecosystems and biodiversity globally, altering species distributions and interactions. Under current temperatures, 1 in 20 species will be at risk, with extinction risks escalating sharply beyond this, including 14.9% at 4.3°C
The BioAgora project is launching a new funding call to support capacity development activities that bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policymaking. Applicants are invited to propose initiatives that will enable knowledge exchange, collaborative practices, and shared values in biodiversity conservation efforts.
Researchers developed a new framework to understand the complex relationship between wealth and biodiversity, offering communities with limited resources tools to promote biodiversity. The POSE framework examines power, objectives, socio-ecological context, and effort to influence biodiversity.
Research highlights knowledge gaps in plastics' effects on climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Scientists found only a few studies addressing impacts on climate change and biodiversity, while the majority focus on environmental pollution.
The Map of Life Rapid Assessments (MOLRA) team, led by Yale University professor Walter Jetz, has won a top prize in the XPRIZE Rainforest competition for their innovative rainforest tracking technology. The team used lightweight UAVs to collect biodiversity data and identified over 225 species in just 24 hours.
Research led by the University of Göttingen found enriching beech forests with commercially valuable native and non-native conifer species can enhance biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and economic performance. The study showed that mixing beech with Douglas fir resulted in positive gains, particularly for biodiversity and economic ...
Pensoft Publishers will host a side event at COP29, showcasing the impact of open science on effective policy-making. The event aims to demonstrate how open-access research informs evidence-based policies, enabling successful implementation of biodiversity and climate frameworks.
Dr. Gergana Daskalova's research explores biodiversity change amidst disappearing human traditions and changing socio-economics, shedding light on interactions between humans and nature. Her five-year fellowship project investigates the ecological and human fingerprints of land abandonment, focusing on Bulgaria's depopulating trend.
Researchers use animal tracking devices to monitor individual animals' locations over time, gaining detailed information on the specific impacts of threats like pollution and climate change. This data enables targeted interventions to make a positive effect on wildlife populations.
Experts argue that current implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain policy is flawed, with localized offsetting leading to double conservation gains when targets are placed where they benefit biodiversity most. This approach can greatly improve benefits to wildlife and help nature-deprived areas.
A new study found that 90% of countries with biodiversity conservation policies fail to specify individual and group behavioural changes, despite the critical role they play in making a real difference. Researchers suggest that clear policy specification on behaviour change is essential to boost effectiveness.
A new Princeton study provides detailed insights into the impact of cropland abandonment on biodiversity. The research reveals that most bird and mammal species gain habitat due to crop abandonment, but even more would have benefited if recultivation occurred.
The study found that a decrease in insect and spider biodiversity is accompanied by a decline in biomass and key fatty acid content. Aquatic ecosystems show less pronounced land use effects, whereas terrestrial ecosystems exhibit significant differences depending on land use.
A 24-year study found that elevated carbon dioxide levels nearly tripled species losses attributed to nitrogen pollution in grasslands, reducing species richness by an average of 7-19%.
The COP16 policy brief recommends implementing FAIR data principles to enhance biodiversity monitoring. This approach enables standardization of indicators, streamlined reporting, and improved global tracking.
A recent study found that two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions. KBAs identify critical habitats for species and their ecosystems. The researchers assessed 30 years of temperature data below the forest canopy, revealing that 66% of KBAs have transitioned to new
A new publication provides science-backed solutions for a sustainable Biodiversity Credit Market, ensuring true conservation gains. Monitoring control sites and tracking species population dynamics are key to establishing realistic baselines and avoiding inflated claims.
Research finds that low stream diatom biodiversity on islands may decrease oxygen production due to reduced biodiversity. This could have implications for freshwater ecosystems and the animals that depend on them. The study examines how island location, age, and distance from continents affect diatom diversity and oxygen levels.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze interactions between neighboring plant individuals, identifying genes involved in associative resistance. Mixing different plant genotypes reduced herbivore damage by up to 24.8% compared to planting individual genotypes.
Researchers found that enhancing soundscapes with diverse bird sounds in vineyards improved tourists' experiences, making them feel freer from work and more relaxed. By conserving biodiversity, outdoor businesses can create a positive impact on customers' mental and physical health.
The study reveals substantial gaps in compensating for lost protected areas, risking global efforts to conserve biodiversity. Protected areas play a crucial role in conserving species and ecosystems, but PADDD events expose them to extinction risks.
A McGill University study suggests that digitizing herbaria and uploading records can increase understanding of plant biodiversity and inform conservation policy. The researchers predict that this approach can yield crucial insights into preserving biodiversity amid climate change.
A recent study reveals that exotic species invasions are driving a stronger response in native ecosystems to climate change. Moderate levels of invasion may even help maintain high biodiversity, suggesting a form of natural species turnover.
A recent study found that biodiversity-biomass relationships are influenced by tree mycorrhizal associations and stand structural diversity at different spatial scales. The research, published in Forest Ecosystems, emphasizes the importance of considering environmental conditions and structural diversity in understanding scale-dependen...
A recent study published in Nature questions the scientific validity of the long-held claim that 80% of the world's biodiversity is found in Indigenous Peoples' territories. The research highlights the need to correct this figure, as it oversimplifies the complex relationship between Indigenous Peoples and biodiversity.
A worldwide survey by Goethe University Frankfurt found that students in environmental studies are unaware of the main causes of biodiversity loss. The study identified eight response types with varying levels of understanding, with climate change being underestimated in many countries. The researchers suggest that this lack of knowled...
A new study quantifies the impact of the Messinian Salinity Crisis on Mediterranean marine biodiversity, revealing a drastic reduction in species, with only 86 of 779 endemic species surviving. The crisis took over 1.7 million years to recover from, highlighting the long-term effects of ecological crises on biodiversity.
A recent meta-analysis found that the Messinian Salinity Crisis significantly altered Mediterranean biodiversity, with 66.8% dissimilarity between species before and after the crisis. The study also showed that only a few endemic species survived the event, while new species were introduced following the reconnection to the Atlantic.
Ecologists from HKU have mapped global biogeographic regions for ants, revealing similarities between ant and plant distributions. The study uses advanced techniques to predict and analyze ant distribution, shedding light on the importance of including insects in biodiversity mapping.
The study finds that agricultural expansion could lead to a 26% decline in biodiversity and emit almost half of current annual global CO2 emissions. Conservation policies can also have economic benefits, with minimal impact on GDP and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Experts provide clarity on key species elements of Goal A and Target 4, emphasizing the need for urgent focused actions to halt extinctions. The study aims to support Parties in updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans by clarifying implementation needs.
A recent study by UC Davis highlights California's vulnerability to climate change, with native plant species facing extinction in hot spots like the Sierra Nevada and coastal ranges. The study suggests a 19% loss of species by 2080 under current projections.
A joint work programme between the UNFCCC and CBD is crucial to meet international commitments under the Paris Agreement and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This unified approach can address the interconnected nature and climate crises, driving progress towards a sustainable future.
The project will sequence the genomes of eukaryotic species in Catalan-speaking territories to characterize genomic biodiversity. This will help design tools to minimize biodiversity loss and extinction.
A new study using a global pollen dataset reveals that human activity has increased plant diversity in many parts of the northern hemisphere over thousands of years. However, in other regions, such as Africa and South America, human land use led to decreased biodiversity.
A new study by iDiv-IIASA highlights the need for improved biodiversity monitoring in Europe, citing limitations such as fragmented efforts and lack of integrated data. The researchers identified key policy areas and solutions to address these challenges, including enhanced coordination, standardization, and stakeholder engagement.
Researchers found that planting energy crops on existing agricultural land in Central Europe and China minimizes harm to biodiversity. This approach allows for restoration of natural habitats, maximizing biodiversity benefits.
A new legal requirement for developers to demonstrate a biodiversity boost in planning applications may not be effective in improving bird and butterfly populations. Despite this, researchers suggest that the metric can capture plant biodiversity well, but needs improvement to reflect ecosystem intricacies.
Researchers reconstructing the history of biodiversity in the Indo-Australian Archipelago found that marine diversity increased since the early Miocene, driven by habitat factors. The findings suggest that the region's thermal stress moderated around 14 million years ago, allowing for favorable conditions for biodiversity to flourish.
Researchers found isolated refuges in cities where species like wrentits, mourning doves, and gopher snakes thrive. Urban planning initiatives can support more biodiversity by creating habitat for species that avoid cities.
A new study emphasizes the need for regulatory backing to ensure business and finance disclosures effectively combat biodiversity decline. Current voluntary targets are criticized for prioritizing short-term financial interests over medium-term conservation goals.
Researchers propose prioritizing large, interconnected protected areas with high ecological integrity to achieve global biodiversity targets. Identifying these 'Nature's Strongholds' can help coordinate efforts to conserve biodiversity at a global scale.
The BiCIKL project has shared lessons learned on improving data findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR-ness) of various biodiversity data types. The project's policy briefs provide recommendations for policymakers and research funders to adopt best practices and guidelines.
A new study reveals no consistent pattern between tree diversity and forest productivity at different elevations; biodiversity can increase or decrease productivity in various regions.
Research suggests mainstreaming biodiversity targets into policies and plans across sectors has been ineffective due to non-binding commitments and insufficient resources. The study highlights the need for top-down regulation and incentives to encourage greater commitment to nature recovery.
A new study found that low-intensity grazing systems offer benefits for local biodiversity protection, but struggle due to inflexible regulations and a lack of workforce. Land users face economic constraints and restrictive policies, leading to declining participation in sustainable practices.
A large multi-model study found global biodiversity declined between 2% and 11% due to land-use change alone. Climate change could overtake land-use change as primary driver of biodiversity loss by mid-century.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of 186 studies found that conservation actions improved biodiversity in 66% of cases, slowing decline or increasing species populations. While some interventions were ineffective, they still provided valuable knowledge for refining methods and addressing systemic drivers of biodiversity loss.
A large multi-model study published in Science found global biodiversity declined 2-11% due to land-use change. Climate change could become main driver of biodiversity loss by mid-century, with combined effects leading to decline in all world regions.
A global meta-analysis of 186 studies reveals that conservation actions have a net positive effect on biodiversity in two-thirds of cases. Conservation efforts targeting species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control and habitat restoration, show the largest impact.