Scientists spent 10 days searching for the critically endangered Fiji Petrel, securing the only-known recording of its call. Communities on Gau Island vowed to protect montane forests where the birds are thought to nest, as the species remains virtually unknown due to fewer than 50 individuals remaining on Earth.
Two coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, Bikar and Bokak, are found to be some of the most intact ecosystems remaining in the region, teeming with life. The study assesses sea- and shorebird populations, vegetation, turtle nesting, coral reefs, and fish assemblages, providing a comprehensive ecological baseline for conservation efforts.
Researchers found rerouting container ships and oil tankers around whale shark hotspots used at most one percent more fuel on longer voyages. For shorter crossings, restricting vessels' speed was more fuel efficient, with costs limited to less than one percent.
A new framework developed by Newcastle University and IUCN translates global biodiversity targets into measurable local action, guiding users from understanding species risk to guiding action and measuring conservation efforts. The framework is based on the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, which quantifies the po...
A first for basking shark science, the model simulates shark movement and aggregations around the Inishowen Peninsula in Ireland from 1982 to 2018. It shows that social and environmental drivers, not food availability, drive the formation of surface aggregations.
A new study led by Dr. John Stewart from Bournemouth University solved the 150-year-old mystery of the extinct giant crane's identity. The researchers found that the bones were from larger versions of the current common crane, not a separate extinct species.
The report highlights the importance of integrating long-term ecological evidence, locally grounded practices, and diverse knowledge systems into biodiversity monitoring and restoration planning. It demonstrates how ecosystems have been shaped by human interactions and knowledge systems over thousands of years.
The Kenya Rhino Range Expansion partnership has successfully created a new space for Kenya's growing rhino populations, expanding their habitat in Tsavo by 30 times. In Central Kenya, over 14 partners have committed to opening their properties to support rhino expansion, creating potential for new tourism and employment opportunities.
A new study maps climate stability and connectivity in Europe's protected areas, revealing gaps that undermine conservation. The analysis assesses the energy animals need to cross terrain, alongside habitat suitability and movement barriers, highlighting the need for connected networks of habitats to support climate adaptation.
This study investigated the effects of mycorrhizal type and life form on resource-use strategies in woody plants of the Qinling Mountains. The results showed that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) species exhibited acquisitive trait signatures, while ectomycorrhizal (ECM) species followed conservative strategies. Life forms also modulated le...
A new report provides practical support for restoration practitioners to respect the needs and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The guide complements existing ecological dimensions of restoration, highlighting five foundations and 13 mechanisms to ensure projects prioritize local knowledge and wellbeing.
A new study highlights Northern Australia, particularly WA's Pilbara region, as a stronghold for the critically endangered green sawfish. The review provides a crucial resource to guide conservation efforts and research, emphasizing the importance of scientific input in recovery initiatives.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique to destroy PFAS, breaking the chemicals apart rather than simply capturing them. The method uses palladium nanoparticles to convert hydrogen gas into a reactive form that strips fluorine from the PFAS molecule.
A new USDA-funded research project at Binghamton University's Pasture and Lawn Enhanced Diversity Global-change Experiment (PLEDGE) site investigates the effects of short-term drought on lawns. The study aims to improve water and fertilizer management, considering the growing concern of climate change and its impact on lawns.
The Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting (CGEF) will use in-situ observatories and advanced models to predict grassland ecosystem dynamics. The team will work with ranchers and land managers to develop actionable forecasts and tools, supporting regenerative practices and strengthening the STEM workforce.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has developed innovative research methods to study the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population using drones. Researchers collect thermal and breath samples to create individual health profiles, providing crucial non-invasive monitoring of the critically endangered population.
A new special issue in Nature Conservation brings together contributions from the international conference
A University of Kent study found that AI platforms, including Gemini and DeepSeek, can prevent potentially illegal wildlife trade by providing more informed purchasing decisions. However, the platforms were not infallible, with some failing to safeguard responses for less charismatic but equally concerned species.
A landmark survey has revealed the Seychelles' giant tortoise population to be thriving and stable at approximately 180,000 individuals, following years of conservation efforts. The population is now considered healthy and stable, with the highest figure ever recorded for the species.
Researchers from Shedd Aquarium and the U.S. Geological Survey discovered five new species of freshwater mussels in the southern US, highlighting the need for region-specific conservation strategies. The new species, named after their geographic locations, are rare and filter water to maintain healthy ecosystems.
A comprehensive assessment of jaguar connectivity across the Americas has identified key habitats and movement corridors that could guide conservation efforts. The study found a vast connected landscape spanning across 11 countries, with major connectivity gaps in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Atlantic Forest.
A new study highlights the importance of combining source reduction with cleanup of legacy macroplastics to prevent microplastic accumulation. The study found that halting plastic inputs by 2050 could reduce cumulative ocean plastic by 51.4% but would still leave significant amounts of microplastics behind.
A seven-year study of Barred Owls in California shows a significant decline in exposure to the most lethal class of rodenticides, attributed to the state's policy restrictions. The study also detects a new contaminant, cholecalciferol, in nearly one in five owls, suggesting product substitution as older compounds become harder to access.
Restored oyster reefs in Harris Creek exhibit structural complexity and support larger, more diverse fish communities, while harvested areas are dominated by small schooling fish. The study reveals long-term success of oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers found that AI-generated images can improve species identification and biodiversity monitoring when real images are limited. However, the synthetic images were less effective than real images overall, highlighting the importance of community science and real-world observations.
SUNY Cortland students are participating in research internships at fisheries across New York, led by USGS grants and partnerships with other institutions. The internships provide hands-on experience, skills in field and lab techniques, and opportunities to network with professionals and graduate students.
A new global framework for insect conservation tackles the major blind spot in biodiversity conservation, proposing locally led research and collaboration. The framework identifies four major obstacles to tropical insect conservation and proposes combining conventional scientific research with regional and non-English literature.
A study found that feeding and watching birds positively impacts people's well-being, reducing stress and increasing feelings of joy, gratitude, and calm. The activity also fosters engagement and a sense of meaning, as participants feel they are connecting with nature and contributing to science.
A recent international study identifies the importance of integrating different land use initiatives, involving various social groups, and continuously refining measures to prevent wildfires. The researchers advocate a long-term, preventive approach to shaping resilient landscapes that combine ecological, economic, and social objectives.
A new study found that the presence of peregrine falcons in the Bay Area dropped by 65% after an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. The decline is synchronous with the outbreak, which has affected millions of birds globally.
A new study highlights the impact of coastal freshening on the giant amphipod species Paraceradocus miersi, which lose salts, gain water, and suffer gill damage in diluted waters. The research warns that continued freshening may pose a significant threat to many marine invertebrates and reshape the global ocean's communities.
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
A study found that relocating turtle nests to cooler areas can produce mostly female hatchlings and reduce hatching success, while shading also affects hatchling size and ability to right themselves. Researchers aim to understand the factors affecting hatchling development to improve conservation strategies
The Galápagos snapdragon has shown encouraging signs of recovery thanks to a long-term partnership between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The project successfully outplanted 94 nursery-grown shrubs into harsh volcanic landscapes, with 28 adult plants established across two restoration sites.
Researchers integrate AI into local monitoring sensors to track ecosystem health in near real-time, reducing delays of months to years. The project enables faster release of accessible flux data, helping scientists understand ecosystem responses to change and inform land management decisions.
Researchers have developed an interactive platform to identify future trafficking hotspots, revealing where criminal networks are most likely to strike next. The tool combines landscape ecology with criminology to identify high-risk corridors, particularly across southeastern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Researchers found that the lost species are long-lived perennials with tough leaves that help them survive stress, but are slow-growing and cannot compete in post-destruction grasslands. New plants that grow back in their place have features associated with faster growth and greater resource capture.
Researchers found that tree-layer α-diversity peaks at mid-elevation zones, while understory α-diversity shows a bimodal trend with two diversity peaks at 400-600m and 1000-1200m. Community composition differs among low-, mid- and high-elevation zones, driven by species turnover across elevational zones.
Global mangrove cover has increased by 47,720 hectares worldwide between 1985 and 2025, according to new analysis, but some key regions, such as Indonesia, have lost significant mangrove cover, highlighting uneven progress in mangrove ecosystem changes.
A new study analyzed extinction patterns among tropical forest mammals worldwide, revealing that past extinctions can provide valuable insights into species vulnerability. The research showed that traits like large body size, small brains, and slow reproduction were linked to extinction risk in the past, but these patterns are not cons...
A new study by Bournemouth University found that 'pioneering pairs' of ospreys, which nest away from others, are key to driving population recovery. These birds create separate subpopulations and increase the speed of recovery for the species through long-distance dispersal.
A GPS tracking study found that invasive barred owls consistently occupy the tallest, oldest, and most complex stands of forest, threatening spotted owls' habitats. Managing barred owl populations reopens habitat for spotted owls to reclaim, conservatively estimating over 1,800 square kilometers of restored habitat.
Researchers found that preserving native vegetation and tree cover between homes led to a wider variety of bird species remaining, particularly sensitive species like the Wilson's warbler and Swainson's thrush. This suggests that balancing human development with ecosystem health can benefit both.
Scientists are helping to safeguard UK's rarest orchard wildlife through a three-year conservation initiative focusing on four threatened species. Innovative techniques like pheromones and DNA will be used to improve monitoring of noble chafer and red-horned cardinal click beetle populations.
Research team led by University of Zurich found Arctic fires occurred 2.5 times more often in lit areas associated with human activity than in climatically similar unlit areas. Effective fire prevention and response can help reduce risks extending far beyond the Arctic.
A study found that coating developing raven eggs with non-toxic mineral oil helps protect sensitive prey populations. Raven nests treated with egg oil showed more than doubled sage-grouse nest survival and a 44% increase in relative abundances of sage-grouse.
A new synthesis paper examines how ecological structures and processes help ecosystems withstand disturbances while providing benefits. The study highlights the importance of 'portfolio effects' in maintaining ecosystem resilience.
Research team identifies best strategies for managing native cacao trees in Peru, resulting in 59% higher yields after three years. Grafting native 'Blanco de Piura' cacao varieties onto fully grown trees increases productivity levels comparable to commercial clones.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a low-cost, semi-automated camera system using AI to monitor bumblebee populations and other insects. The system recorded six species of bumblebees, closely matching those documented through traditional methods, and identified them automatically using custom-built deep learning models.
New research reveals that evidence of animal deaths after prescribed burns can disappear in under two weeks, significantly underestimating the true toll of fire on wildlife. Conducting wildlife surveys immediately after fires is essential to accurately assess the impact of prescribed burning on biodiversity and animal welfare.
Researchers argue that EU and UK wildlife protection frameworks are fragmented, selective, and exception-based, threatening biodiversity. The authors propose strengthening laws to recognize animal sentience and introducing 'ethical continuity' into the legal framework.
Reducing carbon dioxide concentration improves microbial production of biodegradable plastic, such as poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. Lower CO2 levels trigger adaptive cellular responses that enhance carbon utilization efficiency.
A new study has mapped Europe's wetlands, identifying peatlands as the most critical type to restore for climate benefits. The map provides a basis for assessing where wetland restoration could deliver benefits for climate and biodiversity.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Bottlenose dolphins spend much of their time following trawlers to scavenge for food, with up to 76% of bottom trawlers being followed. The high frequency suggests that they may be struggling to hunt normally due to the depletion of prey in the Adriatic Sea.
A new study reveals that the Honduran cottontail rabbit is the main cause of crop damage in Honduras, contrary to local assumptions. Camera traps helped researchers understand which species interact with crops and how they respond to human-made stimuli.
A new review of interspecies cooperation reveals that animals use cues and signals to work together for mutual benefit. The study found commonalities in these interactions across various species, including fish, dolphins, birds, and butterflies. Researchers highlight the importance of communication in these unique team-based behaviors.
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
A new study analyzed data from GPS tracking collars on 36 wild pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains, finding that they proactively avoid heavily trafficked trails to minimize conflicts with humans. The research suggests that more human-tolerant pumas may actually help share landscapes with people by minimizing habitat loss.