Author: Journal of Applied Ecology

Agriculture, Editor's Choice

Editor’s Choice 57:04 – Enhancing biodiversity through more heterogeneous field designs

In Journal of Applied Ecology’s April Editor’s Choice, Alignier et al. present a way of promoting farmland biodiversity without sacrificing land needed for agricultural production. Associate Editor, Pieter De Frenne (Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, Belgium), introduces their exciting research. Researchers and policymakers are constantly testing, assessing and implementing different techniques to reduce the negative impacts of current agricultural practices on biodiversity. This is … Continue reading Editor’s Choice 57:04 – Enhancing biodiversity through more heterogeneous field designs

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Monitoring and methods, Research summaries, Video

Camera traps reveal hidden treasures of the rainforest

In their new research, Mattia Bessone and colleagues demonstrate how camera trap distance sampling can be used to develop conservation strategies and protect threatened species. The impact humans are exerting on the planet is accelerating the loss of biodiversity, with animal species disappearing at such unprecedented rate that scientists have labelled the current era ‘Earth’s sixth mass extinction’. To preserve the remnants of wildlife we … Continue reading Camera traps reveal hidden treasures of the rainforest

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Monitoring and methods, Research summaries

Fishing for mammals: using environmental DNA from rivers to monitor mammals on land

New research by Sales and colleagues looks at the monitoring of terrestrial mammal communities and compares the efficacy of landscape-level monitoring using environmental DNA (eDNA) to that of conventional methods. Here the authors summarise their findings. Accurately and effectively monitoring biodiversity is a key consideration in this rapidly changing world. Consistent and regular monitoring of species communities is pivotal for ongoing management, conservation and policy … Continue reading Fishing for mammals: using environmental DNA from rivers to monitor mammals on land

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Research summaries, Urban ecosystems

Urban wetland conservation may unintentionally benefit mosquitoes

As urban wetlands become more prevalent, Jayne Hanford and colleagues look into how other species, not just those of conservation focus, might benefit from our management efforts. What happens when those additional species could be problematic for nearby human populations? Wetlands are one of the world’s most valuable but also most threatened ecosystems. The services they provide include biodiversity conservation, flood mitigation, water purification, and … Continue reading Urban wetland conservation may unintentionally benefit mosquitoes

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Careers, The Applied Ecologist community

The bumpy road to success in academia: a personal account of deviating from the straight path and succeeding anyway 

Considering International Women’s Day (Sunday 08 March 2020) and #EachforEqual, Associate Editor Mentee, Maria Paniw shares her story in academia, and why we shouldn’t fear the road less travelled in our careers. Anyone who has recently opened Twitter or read the news may well conclude that the academic job market is broken and dire, especially for women. I certainly get my daily dose of gloom reading … Continue reading The bumpy road to success in academia: a personal account of deviating from the straight path and succeeding anyway 

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Agriculture, Editor's Choice, Journal covers, Pollinators

Editor’s Choice 57:03 – The economic implications of pollination by bats

For our March Editor’s Choice, Michael Pocock (Associate Editor) highlights the importance of recent research by Tremlett et al into pollination by bats and the value this brings to communities in Mexico. The slideshow above of images by César Guzmánr shows the journey of the pitaya fruit, for which bats are of key importance, from growth to market. One of the reoccurring themes in applied … Continue reading Editor’s Choice 57:03 – The economic implications of pollination by bats

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Careers, Journal news

Welcome to our new mentees 2020

We’re pleased to welcome nine new Associate Editor Mentees to the Journal of Applied Ecology Editorial Board. Get to know the newest members of our journal team. Maxime Damien, Manitoba University, Canada Maxime researches plant-insect interactions, from individual insect life history to community ecology, in a way that looks at how plants influence several aspects of arthropod biology, including evolutional trajectories, population dynamics and community … Continue reading Welcome to our new mentees 2020

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Journal news, Policy, Practitioners, The Applied Ecologist community

Expanding communication and inclusion in applied ecology: lessons from the past and the path ahead

Journal of Applied Ecology’s outgoing and incoming Executive Editors, Marc Cadotte and Jos Barlow, take stock of the growth of the journal and how applied ecology has developed as a discipline in the past decade. They also look forward to innovative new projects and publications aiming to further support ecological researchers and practitioners.  Applied ecological research has never before been more germane to the management … Continue reading Expanding communication and inclusion in applied ecology: lessons from the past and the path ahead

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Careers, Journal news, The Applied Ecologist community

Shortlist announced for Southwood Prize early career researcher award

Each year Journal of Applied Ecology awards the Southwood Prize to the best paper in the journal by an author at the start of their career. Today we present the shortlisted papers for this year’s award, based on the previous (56th) volume of the journal. The winner will be selected in the coming weeks so watch this space for future announcements. This year’s shortlisted candidates … Continue reading Shortlist announced for Southwood Prize early career researcher award

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Agriculture, Forests, Research summaries

Improving soil fertility in cocoa agroforests using the most suitable shade tree species

Can leaf quality explain the influence of shade tree species on the fertility of cocoa farms? Marie Sauvadet and colleagues summarise their recent research. Cocoa, a major commodity worldwide, is largely produced by smallholder farms in developing countries. With limited access to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, smallhold farmers traditionally lean on cocoa ecology to ensure their harvest thorough the years. Cocoa naturally grows under the … Continue reading Improving soil fertility in cocoa agroforests using the most suitable shade tree species

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