New Research on Biodiversity and Nature

A round-up of recent work published in scientific journals

Hot issues for conservation. Even more bird extinctions. Declining natural capital. Can corals recall heatwaves? Uneven insect declines. Concerns over national security arguments.

Fifteen big issues facing conservation: An annual horizon-scanning exercise has identified 15 pressing issues for conservation — such as declining earthworm populations, the impacts of wildfires on climate patterns, the knock-on effects of widespread sea-urchin die-offs, and challenges arising from attempts to tackle problems such as climate change. Read the press release or the full paper in Trends in Evolution & Ecology.

Hundreds of undiscovered bird extinctions: Researchers estimate that our ancestors caused the extinction of twice as many bird species than previously thought — bringing the total to 1,300–1,500 extinctions, or more than one in nine of all bird species. Read the full paper in Nature Communications.

Climate change will reduce natural capital — inequitably: The goods and services ecosystems provide humanity will diminish as climate change takes its toll, according to this study. It estimated a decline of around nine percent in the direct value of ecosystem services by 2100. Most of the losses are set to occur in the poorest countries, whose economies rely heavily on natural resources, exacerbating global inequality. Read the press release or the full paper in Nature.

Microbial memories of marine heatwaves aid some corals: As the planet heats, increasingly frequent and intense marine heatwaves threaten coral reefs and all life that depends on them. According to this study, some coral species may be more resilient than others. The researchers suggest that microbes living within the corals provide a kind of memory of past heatwaves that may make these corals better able to survive future ones. Read the press release or the full paper in Global Change Biology.

Common insect species are declining faster than rare ones: Worldwide declines in insect populations are well documented. This research took a closer look at which species are declining most. By reviewing dozens of prior studies, it found that initially abundant insect species are declining at a greater rate than rarer species. The authors warn of the implications for food webs and ecosystem functioning. Read the full paper in Nature.

Governments compromise nature and rights in the name of national security: Governments increasingly invoke national security interests and override laws protecting nature and cultural heritage when approving infrastructure projects. This paper says this trend can compromise protected areas and cross-border conservation programs for migratory species, while impinging on human rights to a healthy environment. It warns that opponents of infrastructure projects risk being labelled as antinational and urges governments to adhere to laws and consult scientists and local people before approving projects. Read the full paper in Conservation Biology.

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