Six new species of tiny frog discovered in Mexico
27 Apr 2022The size of a thumbnail, they don't have a tadpole stage and live in a 'secret world' on the forest floor
News from the Department of Zoology.
Scientists crack egg forging evolutionary puzzle
12 Apr 2022A genetic study of Zambian cuckoo finches has solved one of nature’s biggest criminal cases, an egg forgery scandal two million years in the making. Its findings suggest that the victims of this fraud may now be gaining the upper hand.
Lack of transparency over cost of conservation projects hampers ability to prioritise funds for nature protection
23 Mar 2022A new study has found that costs of conservation projects are rarely reported, making it difficult for others to make decisions on the most cost-effective interventions at a time when funding for biodiversity conservation is severely limited.
Forest restoration: trade-offs between environmental and wood production goals
17 Mar 2022Forest restoration schemes should prioritise restoring native forests for greatest climate and environmental benefits, but these benefits incur a trade-off with wood production in comparison with tree plantations.
Birds of prey populations suppressed by lead poisoning from gun ammo
16 Mar 2022New study uses data on lead levels in the livers of thousands of dead raptors to calculate the impact of lead poisoning on population size.
Relocating farmland could turn back clock twenty years on carbon emissions
10 Mar 2022Scientists have produced a map showing where the world’s major food crops should be grown to maximise yield and minimise environmental impact. This would capture large amounts of carbon, increase biodiversity, and cut agricultural use of freshwater to zero.
Climate change threat to seabirds must be properly considered for their conservation to be effective
09 Mar 2022A new study shows how knowledge of climate change threats could be better connected with conservation efforts to help protect seabirds and other at-risk species.
Nutritious fish stocks are being squandered by salmon farming, say scientists
01 Mar 2022Eating wild-caught fish instead of using it as feed in salmon farming would allow nearly four million tonnes of fish to be left in the sea, while providing an extra six million tonnes of seafood for human consumption, a study finds.
UK plants flowering a month earlier due to climate change
02 Feb 2022Climate change is causing plants in the UK to flower a month earlier on average, which could have profound consequences for wildlife, agriculture and gardeners.
Invasive species ‘hitchhiking’ on ships threaten Antarctica’s ecosystems
10 Jan 2022Marine life hitching a ride on ocean-crossing ships poses a threat to Antarctica’s pristine ecosystems, with the potential for invasive species to arrive from almost anywhere across the globe.
