Ecology and Conservation news archive 2022
Biodiversity economics research programme awarded £1m
A research project that will help the UK meet its biodiversity commitments and improve understanding of the effectiveness of biodiversity policies has been awarded a £1 million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Study achieves longest continuous tracking of migrating insects
Insects are the world’s smallest flying migrants, but they can maintain perfectly straight flight paths even in unfavorable wind conditions, according to a new study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (MPI-AB) and the University of Konstanz in Germany, and the University of Exeter in the UK.
Safeguarding Indigenous Peoples’ lands could save primates
Safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' lands offers the best chance of preventing the extinction of the world's primates, researchers say.
Scientists discover key genes behind insect migrations
Scientists have identified more than 1,500 genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverflies.
Numbers and experience count in mongoose warfare
Strength in numbers and experienced individuals are both vital in mongoose warfare, new research shows.
Otters learn from each other – but solve some puzzles alone
Otters learn skills from each other – but they also solve some mysteries alone, new research shows.
Exeter doctoral student wins prestigious medal for "extraordinary" research
A prestigious medal for the UK’s best PhD thesis in biology has been awarded to Dr Timothy Lamont, for his PhD work at the University of Exeter.
AI learns coral reef "song"
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can track the health of coral reefs by learning the "song of the reef", new research shows.
British coral predicted to be resilient to climate change
An iconic coral species found in UK waters could expand its range due to climate change, new research shows.
'Fuel of evolution' more abundant than previously thought in wild animals
The raw material for evolution is much more abundant in wild animals than we previously believed, according to new research from the Australian National University (ANU).
Pioneering study identifies global dynamics of Antibiotic Resistance
Scientists have used ideas from artificial intelligence to identify patterns of antibiotic resistance around the world.
'Democracy' governs mass jackdaw take-offs
Jackdaws use a "democratic" process to decide when to leave their roosts en masse, new research shows.
'Make or break' year for protecting nature
2022 is a "make or break" year for protecting nature and tackling climate change, a leading scientist says.
Scallops swim into illuminated fishing pots
Scallops are drawn to illuminated fishing pots like moths to a flame, new research shows.
Sea turtle success stories along African east coast – but thousands still dying
Conservation of sea turtles along Africa's east coast has made good progress – but tens of thousands still die each year due to human activity, researchers say.
Peru "pinger" trial deters dolphins but not whales
A trial of underwater sound devices called pingers reduced the number of dolphins caught in fishing nets – but did not deter humpback whales.
Research ship delves into ocean history
A research ship is taking seabed samples from the North Sea and North Atlantic to find out what the oceans were like before major changes caused by humans.
UK wildlife watchers welcome "ecological refugees"
Wildlife watchers generally welcome species that have arrived in the UK due to climate change, new research suggests.
Protected areas don’t always boost biodiversity
Protected areas such as national parks have a "mixed impact" on wildlife, according to the largest ever global study of their effects.
'Whup' and 'grumble' calls reveal secrets of humpback whales
Sounds made by humpback whales – including a previously unknown call – have given researchers a glimpse of their lives in the high seas.
Selective breeding sustainably protects honey bees from Varroa mite
A new breed of honey bees provides a major advance in the global fight against the parasitic Varroa mite, new research shows.
Remote Indian Ocean reefs bounce back quickly after bleaching
Coral reefs in remote or protected areas can recover quickly after mass coral bleaching events, new research shows.
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Modern animal life could have origins in delta
The ancestors of many animal species alive today may have lived in a delta in what is now China, new research suggests.
Researchers aim to discover how viruses communicate
The different "languages" used by viruses will be investigated by a new research project at the University of Exeter.
Voles cut grass to watch flying predators
A tiny rodent trims tall grasses so it can watch the skies for flying predators, new research shows.
Half century of protection pays off for sea turtles
Green turtle numbers continue to rise on a group of islands where the species has now been protected for more than 50 years, new research shows.
LEAF status for all Exeter labs
All eligible laboratories at the University of Exeter have now achieved Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation.
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Female chimpanzees avoid humans
Female chimpanzees are less likely than males to go near villages and farmland used by humans, new research shows.
Plastic labelling needs 'sustainability scale'
Labelling of plastic products needs a drastic overhaul including a new "sustainability scale" to help consumers, researchers say.
Racing looks through eyes of horses to help deliver improved safety at all British jump courses
Racing at Stratford Upon Avon on 14 March will mark the start of a new era over jumps in Britain as obstacles begin turning white as part of a welfare-driven project to develop new ways to help make hurdle and fence design safer.
Bid to protect "blue food" revolution
Scientists have developed a new way to identify and reduce the impact of chemicals and diseases in global aquaculture (fish farming).
'Freeze or flee' reactions run in fish families
Families of fish tend to share similar reactions to stressful situations, new research shows.
UK biodiversity renewal project to revive nature and communities receives £10 million investment
Researchers at the University of Exeter have received £10 million to investigate and tackle biodiversity loss in the UK through partnerships and community action.
Three Exeter researchers win Discovery Fellowships
Three University of Exeter researchers have been awarded prestigious Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Discovery Fellowships.
Gabon provides blueprint for protecting oceans
Gabon's network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provides a blueprint that could be used in many other countries, experts say.
English Channel stops new rockpool species reaching UK
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species "making the jump" from Europe to the UK, new research shows.
Bid to understand how bacterial defences affect the spread of 'mobile genetic elements'
A major new project will investigate how bacterial defences influence the spread of segments of DNA called mobile genetic elements (MGEs) between bacteria.