News archive 2020
University of Exeter hosts GIS Day mapping challenge
The University of Exeter once again celebrated GIS (geographical information system) Day, this year with a 48-hour mapping challenge.
University of Exeter responds to climate crisis
The University of Exeter has created a comprehensive plan to cut carbon emissions and improve the environment on its campuses and beyond.
Peatland preservation vital to climate
Preserving the world's peatlands – and the vast carbon stores they contain – is vital to limiting climate change, researchers say.
Innovative virtual field trips secure award in ‘Oscars of Higher Education’
Inspirational and innovative software that provides virtual field trips to almost anywhere in the world, developed by academics at the University of Exeter, has won a prestigious national award.
New guide on using drones for conservation
Drones are a powerful tool for conservation – but they should only be used after careful consideration and planning, according to a new report.
Scientists unravel how and why Amazon trees die
A huge new study has unravelled what factors control tree mortality rates in Amazon forests and helps to explain why tree mortality is increasing across the Amazon basin.
New research identifies ‘triple trouble’ for mangrove coasts
Some of the world’s most valuable ecosystems are facing a "triple threat" to their long-term durability and survival, new research shows.
'Remarkable' project wins Newton Prize award
A "remarkable" project that aims to bring safe and reliable energy to informal settlements in South Africa has won the Chair's Prize in the 2020 Newton Fund awards.
Sea-level rise will have complex consequences
Rising sea levels will affect coasts and human societies in complex and unpredictable ways, according to a new study that examined 12,000 years in which a large island became a cluster of smaller ones.
COVID sparks volunteering boost
Researchers working on a project across four European countries have seen a "significant rise" in volunteering and community action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exeter scientists support council action on low-carbon travel
Climate experts from the University of Exeter have written to Devon County Council in support of action to encourage low-carbon travel.
Exeter researchers awarded prestigious fellowships to tackle issues from food insecurity to autism
Five researchers at the University of Exeter have been awarded prestigious fellowships to tackle key issues from food and housing insecurities to autism diagnosis.
New research strengthens evidence for climate change increasing risk of wildfires
New scientific publications reviewed since January 2020 strengthen the evidence that climate change increases the frequency and/or severity of fire weather in many regions of the world.
Climate pledges ‘like tackling COVID-19 without social distancing’
Current global pledges to tackle climate change are the equivalent of declaring a pandemic without a plan for social distancing, researchers say.
University of Exeter nominated for four “Oscars of higher education”
The University of Exeter has been nominated for four “Oscars of higher education” which honour the best teaching and research in the country.
£1.2 million grant for researchers tackling flood and landslide hazards
A project to reduce risks related to landslides and floods has received £1.2m funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Ocean carbon uptake widely underestimated
The world's oceans soak up more carbon than most scientific models suggest, according to new research.
Glacial lakes 50 per cent bigger since 1990
The amount of water in glacial lakes worldwide has risen by about 50 per cent since 1990, researchers say.
Little Miss Homeless out to raise awareness
A book about Little Miss Homeless has been created to raise awareness of women's homelessness.
Software firm highlights Exeter 'success story'
The University of Exeter has been chosen as a "customer success story" by a global software company for inventive use of technology called GIS (geographical information system).
New research highlights ‘challenging nature’ of vested interests in the energy transition
Pioneering new research has highlighted some of the political difficulties with the UK’s energy transition, in particular around vested fossil fuel interests.
Exeter project on Newton Prize shortlist
A project jointly led by the University of Exeter has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize worth up to £500,000.
Government says beavers can stay in their Devon home
After years of uncertainty, England’s first wild breeding population of beavers for 400 years has been given the permanent right to remain in their East Devon river home.
Small trees offer hope for rainforests
Small trees that grow up in drought conditions could form the basis of more drought-resistant rainforests, new research suggests.
How governments actively resist a World Heritage ‘In Danger’ listing
A study published today finds that governments worldwide have repeatedly resisted the placement of 41 UNESCO World Heritage sites on a list of “World Heritage In Danger”.
Waste industry under pressure during COVID-19 outbreak
The impact of COVID-19 on the UK waste sector will be investigated in a new project led by the University of Exeter.
Palm trees most abundant in tropical forests in the Americas
Palm trees are more than five times more numerous in tropical forests in the Americas than in comparable Asian and African forests, a new study shows.
Exeter in global top five for research on green space and public health
The University of Exeter has leapt into the top five institutions in the world for research output on the links between green space and public health.
‘Gatekeepers’ of biodiversity hotspots facing COVID crisis
Impoverished communities and diverse ecosystems in Colombia are under threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say.
Awards for Exeter climate scientists
Two Exeter climate scientists have received prestigious awards from the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS).
Innovation by ancient farmers adds to biodiversity of the Amazon, study shows
Innovation by ancient farmers to improve soil fertility continues to have an impact on the biodiversity of the Amazon, a major new study shows.
Less than a quarter of Cornwall’s voluntary sector operating as usual amid COVID-19 crisis
Cornwall’s voluntary organisations have been adapting services to support more vulnerable people for longer during the Covid-19 crisis.
Story explores complex tale of Colombian forests
The impact of social and political systems on Colombian forests is explored through a short story from a collaboration between Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Hay Festival.
Warm springs increase risk of severe summer droughts
Warm and sunny springs – like the one just seen in the UK – can create conditions that pave the way for severe summer droughts, a new study has shown.
Rivers help lock carbon from fires into oceans for thousands of years
The extent to which rivers transport burned carbon to oceans – where it can be stored for tens of millennia – is revealed in new research.
Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes
Climate change could cause abrupt shifts in the amount of vegetation growing in parts of Great Britain, new research shows.
Tropical forests can handle the heat, up to a point
Tropical forests face an uncertain future under climate change, but new research published in Science suggests they can continue to store large amounts of carbon in a warmer world, if countries limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Chemical composition of bedrock limits vegetation growth in karst regions, research shows
Scientists have revealed the critical role that the chemical composition of bedrock plays in limiting vegetation growth in some of the world’s most barren and rocky terrains.
Look beyond rainforests to protect trees, scientists say
Temperate and tropical dry forests – not just rainforests – are home to thousands of unique tree species, a new study reveals.
‘Near-unlivable’ heat for one-third of humans within 50 years if greenhouse gas emissions are not cut
Areas of the planet home to one-third of humans will become as hot as the hottest parts of the Sahara within 50 years, unless greenhouse gas emissions fall, according to research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Unsustainable soil erosion in parts of UK
New research demonstrates unsustainable levels of soil erosion in the UK.
‘Uplifting’ project nourishing Amazon people and soil
Thousands of trees have been planted in former rainforest land in the Amazon, nourishing the soil and providing impoverished Brazilians with food and increased incomes.
Plant root hairs ‘unrecognized heroes’ that hold the soil together, research shows.
The tiny hairs found on plant roots play a pivotal role in helping reduce soil erosion, a new study has found.
Electric cars better for climate in 95% of the world
Fears that electric cars could actually increase carbon emissions are unfounded in almost all parts of the world, new research shows.
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Tropical forests’ carbon sink is already rapidly weakening
The ability of the world’s tropical forests to remove carbon from the atmosphere is decreasing, according to a study tracking 300,000 trees over 30 years, published today in Nature.
Ocean changes almost starved life of oxygen
Chemical changes in the oceans more than 800 million years ago almost destroyed the oxygen-rich atmosphere that paved the way for complex life on Earth, new research suggests.
Nine new staff join Global Systems Institute
A University of Exeter research institute has been boosted by the arrival of nine new staff.
Trial finds benefits to people and wildlife from beavers living wild in English countryside
A major five-year study into the impacts of beavers on the English countryside has concluded that the water-living mammals can bring measurable benefits to people and wildlife.
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Power of older people could save villages
Older people could hold the key to revitalising rural communities, researchers say.
People power key to new wildlife havens
People power will be the driving force behind new wildlife havens in three Cornish towns.
Climate scientist receives prestigious ERC funding award
One of the University of Exeter’s most talented climate researchers has received a significant funding boost from the European Research Council (ERC), it has been announced.
Arctic sea ice can’t ‘bounce back’
Arctic sea ice cannot “quickly bounce back” if climate change causes it to melt, new research suggests.
Atlantic circulation collapse could cut British crop farming
Crop production in Britain will fall dramatically if climate change causes the collapse of a vital pattern of ocean currents, new research suggests.
Plant life expanding in the Everest region
Plant life is expanding in the area around Mount Everest, and across the Himalayan region, new research shows.