Category: Research summaries

Careers, Forests, Plant and soil ecology, Research summaries

Lijun Chen: Integrating variation in bacterial-fungal co-occurrence network with soil carbon dynamics

Shortlisted for the 2024 Southwood Prize Lijun Chen explores how bacterial-fungal interactions mediate soil organic carbon dynamics in the context of artificial forest ecosystems. About the research Overview Eucalyptus is one of the most widely planted tree species worldwide. It has been demostrated that long-term short-rotation practices of eucalyptus induced to declining of soil organic carbon content and ecosystem services capacity. Exploring the patterns of … Continue reading Lijun Chen: Integrating variation in bacterial-fungal co-occurrence network with soil carbon dynamics

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Invasive species, Plant and soil ecology, Research summaries

Early detection for invading tree pests: Targeted surveillance and stakeholder perspectives

Vasthi Alonso Chávez discusses how early detection of the emerald ash borer, responsible for the death of millions of ash trees in the United States, Canada, Russia and Eastern Europe, is essential for effective control. The growing volume of trade and travel across continents has accelerated the movement and introduction of pests and pathogens into regions outside their native range causing unprecedented ecological and economic … Continue reading Early detection for invading tree pests: Targeted surveillance and stakeholder perspectives

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Invasive species, Plant and soil ecology, Research summaries, Translation

Detección temprana de plagas invasoras en árboles: Vigilancia optimizada y perspectivas sociológicas

Vasthi Alonso Chávez analiza cómo la detección temprana del barrenador esmeralda del fresno, responsable de la muerte de millones de fresnos en Estados Unidos, Canadá, Rusia y Europa del Este, es esencial para un control efectivo. El creciente volumen global del comercio y movimiento de árboles y sus productos, ha acelerado el transporte e introducción de plagas y enfermedades en regiones fuera de su área … Continue reading Detección temprana de plagas invasoras en árboles: Vigilancia optimizada y perspectivas sociológicas

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Plant and soil ecology, Research summaries

A stark warning for UK blanket bog

Jonny Ritson talks us through the latest modelling study, conducted alongside colleagues, aiming to determine how suitable future conditions will be for both peat accumulation and Sphagnum survival in the UK. Bioclimatic envelope models have been used as a tool to map the climate conditions under which specific habitats occur. By defining the conditions suitable for peat formation, for example, we can then use projections of future … Continue reading A stark warning for UK blanket bog

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Human-wildlife interactions, Research summaries

Human-wildlife coexistence: The need for evidence-based solutions

Chen Huang provides an overview of their investigation into human-wildlife conflict, and explains how research gaps can be turned into opportunities. Humans and wildlife share the planet, often in proximity. In many parts of the world, villagers see elephants, lions, dolphins, and seabirds as part of their daily lives—much like city dwellers spot starlings feeding in a park. While wildlife is culturally valuable and a … Continue reading Human-wildlife coexistence: The need for evidence-based solutions

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Monitoring and methods, Research summaries

AI and population monitoring; does it really make a difference?

Emily A. Jordan discusses the use of AI in population monitoring and her team’s experience using it to assess the Kapitia skink. In population monitoring, using unique markings to identify individuals is a practical solution when species are challenging to tag. We can camera trap elusive snow leopards, drone-photograph whales, and happily snap our tiniest amphibians. Yet these photographic records bring a fresh challenge. Each … Continue reading AI and population monitoring; does it really make a difference?

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Pollinators, Research summaries

Honeybees interfere with wild bees in apple pollination in China

In this blog post, Yunhui Liu and team discuss their latest research into the importance of honeybees and wild bees for apple pollination, as well as whether the contribution of wild bees is influenced by increasing numbers of honeybees. Animal pollination is crucial for sustainable crop production and food security. Although there is a growing reliance on pollinators in crop production, global reports indicate a … Continue reading Honeybees interfere with wild bees in apple pollination in China

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Coastal and marine, Human-wildlife interactions, Research summaries

Seals avoid an operating tidal turbine

Authors of a recently published study discuss how their research discovered that seals exhibit avoidance of turbines during operation. This finding is important for industry developers and regulators, as lower numbers of seals close to the turbine reduces the potential for fatal collisions and injuries. The rise of the tidal energy industry The marine renewable energy sector is growing rapidly. Offshore wind is well established, … Continue reading Seals avoid an operating tidal turbine

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Research summaries

The story behind the research: “Combining detection dogs and camera traps improves cheetah monitoring”

Tim Hofmann and Stijn Verschueren from the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Otjiwarongo, Namibia investigate how to effectively monitor cheetah populations. Cheetahs are Africa’s most endangered big cats, with fewer than 7,100 individuals left in the wild, scattered across less than 9% of their historical range. These estimates are largely based on expert opinions and few well-studied populations. In many parts of the cheetah’s range, we … Continue reading The story behind the research: “Combining detection dogs and camera traps improves cheetah monitoring”

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Human-wildlife interactions, Monitoring and methods, Research summaries

Grizzly bears and wolves avoid busy hiking trails more than previously thought

Peter Thompson explains how, alongside colleagues, the spatial distribution and interactions of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), grey wolves (Canis lupus), and humans within the central Canadian Rocky Mountains were monitored and assessed in their latest study. Human recreation and wildlife The Bow River Valley in Alberta, Canada is a global hotspot for outdoor recreation, attracting millions of visitors annually to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of … Continue reading Grizzly bears and wolves avoid busy hiking trails more than previously thought

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