Posts in tag

Biodiversity


Image copyright Getty Images Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the extinction of animal and plant species at an alarming rate. Now, world leaders are promising action to tackle the problem. But will it be enough? What is biodiversity and why does it matter? Biodiversity is the variety of all living things …

The UN has launched an online platform to promote science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. 2030 Connect seeks to provide policy makers, practitioners, students, members of civil society, and other stakeholders with a one-stop-shop for identifying expertise and networks of the UN system and its partners. The platform provides a cross-platform search function and feature …

Biodiversity is critically important to human health, economies and livelihoods. Humans have caused the loss of 83% of all wild animals and half of all plants. To mark the International Day for Biodiversity, here are five reasons why biodiversity matters to humans – and why we need to protect it. Biodiversity is critically important – …

Corals compete for space, creating habitat for fishes. Photo credit: Damaris Torres-Pulliza. Time is running out to envision how climate change will impact biodiversity and the functioning of the biosphere. To make predictions, researchers need to rapidly accelerate understanding the planet’s diverse forms of life. A new global network of international researchers, including University of …

Image copyright RHS/Paul Debois Image caption A harvestman scurries across seedheads in research beds at Wisley Garden You can do your bit for insects by growing lots of foliage in your garden, a study has found. Ground-dwelling insects, such as beetles, generally benefit from dense vegetation, including evergreens. Spiders, however, prefer a bit of bare …

Visitors will soon have to pay to enjoy one of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches as local authorities try to mitigate the damage done by overcrowding. La Pelosa, a white sandy beach in Stintino, north-west Sardinia, has been described as a slice of heaven, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. However, environmental studies have warned that …

An area of forest the size of the UK is being lost every year around the world, the vast majority of it tropical rainforest, with dire effects on the climate emergency and wildlife. The rate of loss has reached 26m hectares (64m acres) a year, a report has found, having grown rapidly in the past …