Biodiversity – Science & research news

A dog’s life: James A Serpell and his investigation into the origin story of mankind’s best friend

June 24, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Prof James Serpell, University of Pennsylvania Prof James A Serpell, University of Pennsylvania. Image: University of Pennsylvania Two [...]

97% of Earth’s land area may no longer be ecologically intact

April 15, 2021

Only between 2% and 3% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface can be considered ecologically intact, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

eDNA expands species surveys to capture a more complete picture

January 14, 2020

Casting a genetic net identifies more marine vertebrates than traditional surveys but has limits: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Spot the difference: Two identical-looking bird species with very different genes

November 26, 2019

Similar birds actually diverged 500,000 years ago: Frontiers in Genetics [...]

Wolf-dog ‘swarms’ threaten Europe’s wolves

September 5, 2019

A new study reveals that scientists are divided on issues such as how to remove hybrids and free-roaming dogs, and whether they should be kept captive, sterilised and released or killed; Frontiers in Ecology in Evolution [...]

Study documents impacts of selective logging on Congo’s intact forest landscapes

August 27, 2019

Logging in the timber-rich forests of northern Congo is a major driver of the region's economic development -- and its ecological impoverishment; Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Marine Protected Areas overlook a large fraction of biodiversity hotspots

December 18, 2018

Image of Finland coast. New assessment finds lack of knowledge when designating MPAs lets important species and biodiversity slip through the net- and that small, targeted changes can have big effects on protected area efficiency: Frontiers in Marine Science

Lack of knowledge when designating MPAs lets ecologically important species slip through the net, but small, targeted changes can have big effects on protected area efficiency: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Researchers use ‘environmental DNA’ to identify killer whales

May 3, 2018

Frontiers in Marine Science: Groundbreaking non-invasive technique uses DNA to detect killer whales (orcas) in the ocean

A groundbreaking new non-invasive technique may help scientists locate rare whale species in the ocean: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Modern man vs. giant animals

February 12, 2018

Megafauna extinction mammoth woolly rhinoceros giant sloth

Extinct herbivorous megafauna -- like woolly rhinos, giant sloths and mammoths -- were displaced by humans who partly took their place in the ecosystem: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Wild grape yeast could be more effective than pesticides in preventing grape molds

November 7, 2017

Wild grapes contain a huge variety of yeasts that can inhibit grape molds, and offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

A wild yeast described in Frontiers in Microbiology could be an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. [...]

Waterside lighting drastically disrupts wildlife in the surrounding ecosystem

October 24, 2017

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Streetlights affect insects and spiders living beneath the lights, finds a study in Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

DNA in albatross feces reveals diet of fishery discards

October 9, 2017

Marine-fisheries-conservation-albatross-diet

A new, non-intrusive way to assess seabird diet described in Frontiers in Marine Science could help improve fisheries management and monitor marine biodiversity. [...]

Horizon Scan 2018: Emerging Issues in Marine Science

August 9, 2017

Frontiers in Marine Science is proud to launch the second edition of our annual Research Topic: Horizon Scan 2018: Emerging Issues in Marine Science. [...]

Frontiers for Young Minds is delighted to announce our newest section – Understanding Biodiversity

October 11, 2016

Frontiers for Young Minds is proud and excited to announce the launch of its newest specialty section, Understanding Biodiversity. This new specialty will be led by the [...]

Butterflies use differences in leaf shape to distinguish between plants

August 5, 2016

The preference of Heliconius butterflies for certain leaf shapes is innate, but can be reversed through learning, says a study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. These [...]