Our Guide to Designing a Great Scientific Field Study: An example with the landscape of fear

Why does study design matter? Science can be a powerful tool when used correctly. It allows us to better understand the world we live in or how to make the most of the resources available to us, but faulty experimental design can undermine our effort by taking us down the

Whale-come back to British waters; the return of an ocean giant

Imagine you‘re sat on the coast, several metres above the water. The strong cliff wind blows your hair in all directions, while the flight of gulls and fulmars livens up the sky. A kestrel hunts just within your field of vision, diving down towards a hidden stretch of land below

Return of the Giants: The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna’s journey back to the Channel

Just off the rugged coast of Cornwall, the sea rolls blue and glassy under a pale morning sky. A research boat rocks gently in the swell, instruments ticking softly as the team scans the horizon. Then, suddenly, the water erupts. A school of baitfish flashes to the surface in a

Furry Friends or Foe? How pet fur can harm nesting birds

You’ve just brushed your dog and collected a fluffy handful of fur. Instead of tossing it away, you leave it out for the birds, thinking you’re giving nature a helping hand. But what if that well-meaning act is actually harming the very wildlife you’re trying to help? WE ALL WANT

Beaver Achiever: the keystone species that unlocks a healthy ecosystem

Wetland ares with evidence of beaver activity. Taken from Canva THE HUMAN TOLL ON NATURE Throughout history, human activities have altered the natural world in many ways. We have transformed woodlands into farmland, wetlands into grazing pastures, and rivers into canals. And this process of land management has led to

Alpine Birds in Peril: How climate change puts our feathered friends on thin ice

Rock bunting in the mountains (photo by Canva) CLIMATE CHANGE AND ALPINE BIRDS Mountain ranges in the Middle East are not only breathtaking in their landscapes but incredibly species-rich, hosting many unique bird species found nowhere else on Earth. But as the climate gets warmer, is their survival melting away?

Invasive species and us: Not a great fit for our future

In the past few years there has been a lot of talk about invasive species, and definitely not of the good kind. We already know these species have a profound effect on native animals. The real challenge, however, is understanding how their presence affects our access to the benefits offered

Respecting Earth’s boundaries: A lesson on exploitation and inequality

There can be no doubt that the world’s coral reefs are in crisis. Degradation, warming and acidic seas and pollution have all contributed to their decline, and it now seems that they will not be able to recover or survive without human intervention. In recent times, researchers have realised how