We know very little about insect evolution despite them inhabiting every kind of environment on our planet. At a time when the future of many insect species is threatened, researchers are looking to advance their knowledge of insects, by looking into their evolutionary past.  The new method for studying insect evolution utilises a technique known as X-Ray microtomography. It is a 3D imaging technique that allows researchers to see the structure of an insects wing, and their veins in particular. This technology is similar to a CT scan in a hospital, but on a much smaller scale. It can also ..read more

Carbon sinks to carbon emitters Mixotrophic microbes are organisms that can switch between photosynthesising like plants (absorbing carbon dioxide) and eating like animals (releasing carbon dioxide). They are globally abundant, commonly found in freshwater and marine environments, and estimated to make up the majority of marine plankton. By developing a computer simulation that modelled how mixotrophic microbes acquire energy in response to warming, researchers at Duke University and the University of California Santa Barbara, have found that under warming conditions, mixotrophic microbes shif ..read more

A new study, published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, reveals that bats migrate across the globe just like birds. However, their migration patterns are vastly different. Thanks to a new algorithm, now available to researchers worldwide, we can now monitor the movement of bats in the vicinity of wind turbines. In turn, this will allow for the development of new methods for protecting bats – who currently die at a rate of up to ten times that of birds due to lack of available data surrounding their flight patterns. PhD student and lead author of the study Yuval Werber explained “The u ..read more

The new ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package brings together ten different policies to invest in the UK’s life sciences sector. The BES cautions the UK Government’s focus on improving and advancing UK health sciences independently is perhaps misguided. Human health relies on the health of global ecosystems. Without sufficient funding for ecology scientific progress and the benefits it brings will be stifled.  Ecological sciences are losing out on funding compared to other sciences. The BES’s The Trends in UK Funding for Ecology report analyses changes in the amount of UKRI funding available for ..read more

At the end of 2022, the British Ecological Society journals conducted an open recruitment process for Associate Editors across all seven BES journals. This was the third time such a process has been conducted as we continue to seek ways of improving the diversity of our Editorial Boards. The process also provides an opportunity for ecologists from all over the world to become part of the decision-making process that ensures we publish robust, high quality science that advances ecological research and practice around the world. We received an extraordinary 490 applications from 68 different cou ..read more

We know that connecting with nature makes us feel better. And we know that if people spend time in nature they are more likely to value it. But we also know that our presence in wild places disturbs wildlife and damages habitat. How can we find a balance between increasing access to nature and minimising the related environmental impacts? At our English Policy Group’s inaugural People, Policy & Planet event, participants discussed the complexities of this timely topic and potential solutions. There is now a wealth of evidence about the benefits of nature for human wellbeing. The work of fo ..read more

Citizen science, also known as community science, is any activity that involves the public conducting scientific research. Citizen science holds the potential to impact society in a variety of ways. For example, bringing together scientists, policy makers and the general public, as well as enabling researchers to collect large amounts of data efficiently. For the fifth year in a row, Hungarian researchers asked the public to help map mosquito distribution across the country. The Mosquito Surveillance Hungary program utilises a citizen science approach, with mosquito reports coming from a varie ..read more

Last month, the BES  hosted its inaugural People, Policy & Planet event to discuss the topical question of how we can balance conservation and restoration of habitat with people’s need to access nature. A strong theme at the event was the wellbeing benefits that access to nature provides, so in this blog we highlight what we learnt from our speakers about how nature can improve mental health. There is now a large body of scientific literature supporting the positive effects of nature on wellbeing, from depression and anxiety to dementia. According to the People and Nature survey by Na ..read more

Salt marshes, a type of coastal wetland ecosystem regularly flooded and drained by tides, provide many important ecosystem services. Formed when mud and silt are deposited along sheltered sections of coastline, salt marshes are crucial habitats for fish, mammals, and resident and migratory birds.  One previously overlooked feature of salt marshes, however, is their capacity for flood and coastal protection.  How do salt marshes protect against floods?  RUG and NIOZ researchers found that salt marshes occurring in front of dikes (an embankment for controlling the waters of a sea ..read more

1 – Share your skills  Do you have a particular skill that others would benefit from? Sharing is caring! When planning an interactive workshop, consider what skills ecologists need that won’t be covered in posters or oral presentations. Past workshops have included creating engaging video content with just a smartphone, using COMADRE & COMPADRE databases, analysing metabarcoding data, bioacoustics monitoring, and using social media for science communication. Whether you have experience with a specific programme, working between multiple disciplines or developing fieldwork practices, t ..read more