Although it has been considerably less studied than other environmental problems, salinization presents major challenges for biodiversity in freshwater and coastal areas.
Once abundant, woylies – or brush-tailed bettongs – are now critically endangered.
John Gould
To give native species their best chance of survival, we have to embrace ecosystem-based conservation – rather than trying to rescue individual species in isolation.
A native Woodland Skipper butterfly sips nectar from a non-native Bull’s Thistle flower.
Stephanie A. Rivest
Conservation practitioners and policymakers must organize and prioritize the management of habitats around whether species are more beneficial or harmful to biodiversity.
Waste on Lekki beach, Lagos.
Alucardion/Shutterstock
Neuroactive compounds in antidepressants enter our wastewater and affect how fish function. Identifying the potential damage to fish is paramount for protecting our aquatic ecosystems.
Digital technologies like drones are being heavily promoted to address the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.
(Unsplash)
Polar bears and wolves may get the glory, but small predators like weasels, foxes and their cousins play outsized ecological roles. And many of these species are declining fast.
The population of River Thames freshwater mussels has declined by almost 95% since 1964.
BadPixma/Shutterstock
A new survey has revealed an alarming deterioration in the health of the River Thames ecosystem – but some of the recorded changes may be the result of a cleaner river.
A fossilised insect wing with some of its colouration preserved is just one tiny treasure emerging from the site.
Rose Prevec
While official data is yet to be released, this year’s Mediterranean marine heatwave will likely have devastating ecological consequences.
The round goby is an invasive fish that has become established in the St. Lawrence River over the past two decades, following its introduction into the Great Lakes.
(Cristina Charette)
Wetlands can help limit the spread of the voracious round goby, an invasive species that has infiltrated the Great Lakes and has become widespread in the St. Lawrence River.
With decades of images and data from the same locations, these satellites can show changes over time, including deforestation, changes in waterways and how loss of trees corresponds to urban heat.
Liz Hanna, Australian National University and Mark Howden, Australian National University
We can no longer pretend we’re separate to nature. If ecosystems collapse, our society will be threatened too.
A study showed that an endangered population of beluga whales in the St. Lawrence River had one of the world’s highest concentrations of the flame retardant, PBDE, in their blubber.
(Shutterstock)
From discovering hidden populations of vulnerable newts to dropping “seed bombs”, two new research papers show how genomics and drones help restore threatened ecosystems.
Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University