Author: Journal of Applied Ecology

Monitoring and methods, Research summaries

Are we getting better at knowing what actually works in conservation? Insights from fifty years of conservation evidence

Biodiversity is declining fast, and with limited funding and resources in conservation, it matters that these resources go towards actions that genuinely make a difference. So how do we know which actions deliver results, and which don’t? The answer depends on the quality of evidence behind them – which is largely contingent on the study design used. New research from Staples et al (2026) in … Continue reading Are we getting better at knowing what actually works in conservation? Insights from fifty years of conservation evidence

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Human-wildlife interactions, Monitoring and methods, Research summaries

Pixelated pathologies: Camera trapping as a tool for monitoring wildlife health

In a world of emerging diseases that threaten both wildlife conservation and public health, finding innovative ways to monitor animal populations has never been more necessary. Traditional methods often involve capturing or handling animals, which is stressful, costly, and logistically challenging. But what if we could detect diseases without disturbing an animal? A promising solution for this challenge is the use of camera traps. This … Continue reading Pixelated pathologies: Camera trapping as a tool for monitoring wildlife health

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Plain language summaries, Research summaries

Can AI improve decision-making in applied ecology? Only if we guide it well

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly entering our daily lives. As the world begins to rely on it for small decisions, such as choosing which furniture suits our garden décor, scientists are witnessing a much larger shift quietly unfolding. AI is now entering ecology, and more importantly, applied ecology, a field that supports real-time high-stakes decision-making for our planet and posterity. AI-based tools can identify species … Continue reading Can AI improve decision-making in applied ecology? Only if we guide it well

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Plain language summaries, Research summaries

Vehicle lighting can reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions

Every year, vehicle collisions with deer and wild pigs cause billions of dollars in damages and injure thousands of drivers. Most collisions occur at night when the animals are more active and when it is more difficult for drivers to see. Recent research has found that illuminating the front end of the vehicle with a lightbar can reduce dangerous encounters with deer, and newer light … Continue reading Vehicle lighting can reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions

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Monitoramento de longo prazo em florestas de várzea na Amazônia com gestão de base comunitária revela algumas das maiores densidades de onças-pintadas do mundo

O monitoramento de longo prazo mostra que as florestas alagáveis amazônicas (várzea) podem sustentar altas densidades de onças-pintadas, mas a aparente estabilidade pode mascarar um declínio populacional subjacente, destacando a necessidade de esforços contínuos de conservação diante do aumento de eventos climáticos extremos. As onças-pintadas são o maior felino das Américas e desempenham um papel fundamental na manutenção do funcionamento dos ecossistemas. Em grande parte … Continue reading Monitoramento de longo prazo em florestas de várzea na Amazônia com gestão de base comunitária revela algumas das maiores densidades de onças-pintadas do mundo

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Long-term monitoring in community-managed Amazonian floodplains reveals some of the world’s highest jaguar densities

Long-term monitoring shows that Amazonian floodplain forests (várzea) can support high jaguar densities, but apparent stability may mask underlying population decline, highlighting the need for sustained conservation efforts under increasing climate extremes. Jaguars are the largest felid in the Americas and play a key role in maintaining ecosystem function. Across much of their range, populations have declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and human–wildlife conflict. … Continue reading Long-term monitoring in community-managed Amazonian floodplains reveals some of the world’s highest jaguar densities

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When fire meets warming: Managing mountain grasslands in a hotter world

Fire has shaped mountain grasslands for thousands of years and remains essential for keeping them healthy. But as the climate warms, we need to understand how rising temperatures and fire together will affect these ecosystems. In our study, we tested how warming and different fire frequencies interact in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. In 2017, we added small open top chambers to a long-running … Continue reading When fire meets warming: Managing mountain grasslands in a hotter world

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Biodiversity in soil seedbanks remains high after low-intensity fire

Prescribed burning is the act of intentionally burning an ecosystem and is used in fire-prone regions around the world to manage fuel loads or conserve biodiversity. Some ecosystems experience fires that are too hot or occur too frequently, while other areas suffer from a lack of fire. Prescribed burning at the right intensity and frequency can help minimise the risk of wildfire while also promoting … Continue reading Biodiversity in soil seedbanks remains high after low-intensity fire

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Come migliorare la stima dell’abbondanza locale dei pesci costieri del Mediterraneo

Stimare quanti pesci vivono nelle aree costiere è fondamentale per proteggere gli ecosistemi marini e gestire le risorse in modo sostenibile. In questo studio, mettiamo in evidenza che il DNA presente nell’acqua di mare può aiutare a stimare meglio l’abbondanza dei pesci. Infatti, contare i pesci non è sempre facile. I metodi tradizionali, come quelli basati su catture di pesca, possono essere costosi, distruttivi o … Continue reading Come migliorare la stima dell’abbondanza locale dei pesci costieri del Mediterraneo

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Mejorando las estimaciones de la abundancia de los peces costeros del Mediterráneo

Conocer cuántos peces hay en nuestras costas es esencial para proteger los ecosistemas marinos y asegurar una gestión sostenible de los recursos. En este estudio, demostramos que el ADN que hay en agua de mar puede ser una herramienta clave para ayudar a predecir mejor la abundancia de dichos peces. Contar peces no siempre es tarea fácil. Los métodos tradicionales, como la pesca, pueden ser … Continue reading Mejorando las estimaciones de la abundancia de los peces costeros del Mediterráneo

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