The Kingfisher

05/04/2024

Population genomics may be the key to understanding the current insect apocalypse. While historically, in the United Kingdom insects have been rich in abundance, insects such as butterflies have declined at least 70% in the past four decades. A look back into ‘The Great Yellow Bumblebee’ exemplifies a story of the decline of British rare species.

Population genomics may be the key to understanding the current insect apocalypse. While historically, in the United Kingdom insects have been rich in abundance, insects such as butterflies have declined at least 70% in the past four decades. A look back into ‘The Great Yellow Bumblebee’ exempli...

13/03/2024

Agriculture is a major driver of land-use changes and can intensify the impacts of climate change on temperature and groundwater. The loss of riparian cover or vegetation can affect the ecosystem’s health of the Mississippi River Basin in the Midwestern US, particularly the fish population.

Agriculture is a major driver of land-use changes and can intensify the impacts of climate change on temperature and groundwater. The loss of riparian cover or vegetation can affect the ecosystem’s health of the Mississippi River Basin in the Midwestern US, particularly the fish population.

26/01/2024

Renowned for being one of the most toxic heavy metals, lead exposure can have a detrimental impact on wildlife and is contributing to the collapse of raptor populations around the world. The use of lead-based ammunition, in particular, is currently impacting one of Australia’s top avian predators.

Renowned for being one of the most toxic heavy metals, lead exposure can have a detrimental impact on wildlife and is contributing to the collapse of raptor populations around the world. The use of lead-based ammunition, in particular, is currently impacting one of Australia’s top avian predators.

10/01/2024

Asian-led research uncovered divergent adaptations in rodent species through genetic sequencing and found how they have adapted to the arid lands and extreme climate of the deserts of Inner Mongolia, China. The study showcases a path to understanding how climate change may challenge animals at a genetic level. Could this field protect species against future extinctions?

Asian-led research uncovered in rodent species through genetic sequencing and found how they have adapted to the arid lands and extreme climate of the deserts of Inner Mongolia, China. The study showcases a path to understanding how climate change may challenge animals at a genetic level. Could this...

31/12/2023

For every Shahtoosh shawl made, between three and five Tibetan antelopes get hunted. Listed as ‘Near Threatened’ under IUCN’s Red List of Species and put under Appendix 1 of CITES, the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), locally known as Chiru, has long been hunted for its underfur.

For every Shahtoosh shawl made, between three and five Tibetan antelopes get hunted. Listed as ‘Near Threatened’ under IUCN’s Red List of Species and put under Appendix 1 of CITES, the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), locally known as Chiru, has long been hunted for its underfur.

10/12/2023

A pest in Antarctica? An Indian meal moth has been captured within the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz research station on King George Island, South Shetland Islands. This report emphasizes the constant threat of anthropogenic pollution to the natural environment in all parts of the world.

A pest in Antarctica? An Indian meal moth has been captured within the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz research station on King George Island, South Shetland Islands. This report emphasises the constant threat of anthropogenic pollution to the natural environment in all parts of the world.

18/11/2023

A recent study on the status of the biodiversity of forests in southern Myanmar found that large carnivores, tigers, leopards and dholes, as well as their major prey species, are under threat. Industrial crops have fragmented forestry. The solution to maintaining land interconnectedness has not been possible due to a lack of government policies, difficulties to draw borders and disagreements between authorities and local communities.

A recent study on the status of the biodiversity of forests in southern Myanmar found that large carnivores, tigers, leopards and dholes, as well as their major prey species, are under threat. Industrial crops have fragmented forestry. The solution to maintaining land interconnectedness has not been...

09/11/2023

Coral reefs provide many essential ecosystem services, including a vital defence along coastlines: protection from wave erosion. Loss of diversity in coral reefs causes a reduction in the structural complexity of the habitat, which enables higher wave erosion of tropical coastlines, threatening communities and terrestrial habitats.

Coral reefs provide many essential ecosystem services, including a vital defence along coastlines: protection from wave erosion. Loss of diversity in coral reefs causes a reduction in the structural complexity of the habitat, which enables higher wave erosion of tropical coastlines, threatening comm...

09/11/2023

Sea levels rising due to the Arctic ice melting is having a considerable impact on marine species. New research suggests that ‘by 2050 it is predicted that at some sea turtle nesting habitats 100% will be flooded and under an extreme scenario many sea turtle rookeries could vanish.’

Sea levels rising due to the Arctic ice melting is having a considerable impact on marine species. New research suggests that ’

09/11/2023

There is increasing pressure on the search for effective mitigation strategies that may help reduce the impact that climate-induced stressors, such as marine heatwaves, have on marine ecosystems. A recent study shines a light on how Marine Protected Areas may provide a safety net for marine life in the wake of the climate crisis.

There is increasing pressure on the search for effective mitigation strategies that may help reduce the impact that climate-induced stressors, such as marine heatwaves, have on marine ecosystems. A recent study shines a light on how Marine Protected Areas may provide a safety net for marine life in....

09/11/2023

Inefficient cooking fuels can produce indoor pollution and may lead to pregnancy concerns, infertility and sterilisation for women. In South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, particularly in rural areas, this type of pollution poses a considerable threat to women's health.

24/10/2023

The University of Freiburg, Germany, is developing the Conservation of Forest Biodiversity Project focused on the reforestation of the Black Forest. A 2023 study announced that forest elements like canopy cover, structural complexity and herb cover structure are essential for bee and wasp communities.

The University of Freiburg, Germany, is developing the Conservation of Forest Biodiversity Project focused on the reforestation of the Black Forest. A 2023 study announced that forest elements like canopy cover, structural complexity and herb cover structure are essential for bee and wasp communitie...