Interested in early human occupation and how people made and shared tool-making ideas in the past? ⛏️💡
Excited to share some new research on Holocene unifacial tools in Colombia's Magdalena Valley, led by Marina González‑Varas.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A collage with five images of wildlife images surrounding an orange panel with text. The panel reads, "What does the Scottish Green Manifesto mean for nature? Scotland's keystone species respond." The images depict a Eurasian lynx, a wood ant, a beaver swimming, a cluster of oysters underwater, and an Atlantic salmon.
Alt text: An illustration of five animals – a beaver, salmon, lynx, oyster and ant –beneath an orange header saying "Meet our panel." Text is set against a beige background reads: "With the election fast approaching, our panel of keystone species is asking one simple question: if a manifesto doesn’t work for nature, how can it work for us? They’re reviewing each of the main parties’ plans and assessing how well they deliver for nature. Here’s their take on the Scottish Green manifesto."
A scorecard infographic, with keystone species rating the Scottish Green manifesto based on what it delivers for nature. All five species give a rating of 4/5, accompanied by a personal remark. Beaver says: "Tree-mendous to see my role as a river restorer recognised. Plans to ‘speed up’ the reintroduction process would revitalise wetlands and boost biodiversity. 4 out of 5 trees." Salmon says: "The commitment to cooler, freer flowing rivers is fin-tastic for me. I also like the sound of The Clean Water Bill, to help tackle pollution in rivers and lochs. 4 out of 5 pebbles." Lynx says: "Great to see the mention of a managed reintroduction – where there’s community support. I could finally come back to Scotland. 4 out of 5 paws." Oyster says: "Managing seas for the benefit of you and me is a win-win. The proposed low impact fishing zones would be a sea-change – space to breathe at last! 4 out of 5 water drops." Wood ant says: "More native woods = more habitat for me. The ‘wildways’ plan – to link up Scotland’s nature protection sites – would let me branch out into new territories. 4 out of 5 aphids."
An illustration image of an ant appears next to the text "Open letter from one industrious wood ant." Below, an open letter to political candidates is written on an orange background. The letter reads: "Dear candidates, I’ve been dragging these manifestos back to the nest – mostly because they make decent insulation, but also because I wanted to see if anyone’s actually looking at what’s right beneath their feet. You may need a magnifying glass to see us, but we ants are the cleaners, soil-stirrers and security detail for the entire woodland– keeping pests in check and nutrients flowing. Here’s a tip from a hard-working ant: a forest thrives when you pull together. It’s heartening to see so many of you championing our native woodlands; that’s a massive step forward. I just hope that once the voting is over, you can stop competing and start collaborating. Back to the nest for now. Those aphids won’t milk themselves, and I’ve got a forest to manage."
With the election approaching, some often-overlooked stakeholders give us their view on the Scottish Green manifesto. If nature matters to you, ask your candidate to commit to a #RewildingNation:
✍️ rewild.scot/email-your-candidate
📷 @scotlandtbp.bsky.social
Oyster image doi.org/10.24351/48842
Always a pleasure to find you, Sporormiella 🔬🍄
A trusted indicator of large herbivore presence, but which Ice Age giant left you behind? 🦌🐘🦬
Around *1/5* of all the species that live in a natural forest need dead wood.
So no, it's not 'wasted' or 'untidy'. Even in your garden, spare a thought and leave it for them.
Positive nature news for UK wildlife. The prospect of seeing golden eagles soar through the sky across England is very exciting 🦅
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pleased to see Devon County Council recognising the importance of temperate rainforest in this lovely rainy part of the country.
From their Trees & Woods Strategy, linked to here; h/t @inkcapjournal.bsky.social -
www.devon.gov.uk/environment/...
RSPB advice for helping garden birds, including some useful information on bird feeders 🐦⬛🐣🥜
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I love all science and have been swept up in the thrill of the Artemis mission and space exploration.
But it's hard to ignore the contrast on our own planet, as species like the emperor penguin have shifted in extinction risk from Near Threatened to Endangered🐧
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Mateus Silva introduces a tool to facilitate seed provenancing for climate-smart ecosystem restoration📊🌎
Shortlisted for the 2025 Southwood Prize 🏆🧪
appliedecologistsblog.com/2026/04/05/m...
Migratory species are wild animals that need to travel regularly, often
seasonally, as part of their natural life cycles.
Next week at #CMSCOP15, parties to Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) will meet to strengthen action to protect them.
Learn more: https://www.cms.int/cop15
Elephants grazing in an African savanna with a distant snow-capped mountain. Text on the image reads: 'Rewilding Wins from around the world'. Image credit: Kyslynskyy/Getty images/Canva
Happy World Rewilding Day 🌍
All around the world, people are choosing a wilder future — and the results are breathtaking.
🧵1/7
Large herbivore rewilding across Europe is heartening, yet the UK lags due to social and political barriers. These animals aren't just charismatic. They're key for ecological functions and healthy ecosystems.
It is uplifting to hear momentum as @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social and experts explain 🫎
If interested, you can read more about the great work of @rewildingargentina.org.web.brid.gy as discussed in the podcast here: rewildingargentina.org 🐆🦦
Inspiring conversation on #rewilding, large predators and ecological functions in South America 🌎
Hopeful our work on lost ecological functions from the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions in Panama doi.org/10.1016/j.qu... and Colombia doi.org/10.1017/qua.... can help support future initiatives 🌿🦥
Good news - High Court rules parts of Dartmoor have been mismanaged!
Overgrazing has been damaging protected sites on Dartmoor.
Read the Press Release about our latest legal challenge: wildjustice.org.uk?p=52680&prev...
Two marsupials previously believed to be extinct found in New Guinea:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Just as in Europe and other continents, the human-driven extinction of megafauna like elephants had hugely negative impacts on American ecosystems.
If we want to make them function healthily once more, that factor mustn't be overlooked.
share.google/1nMLsNANDBq1...
Palaeoecology is one cog in the wheel of supporting efforts to enhance biodiversity and restore natural ecological processes. There are different options to do so, but without exploring the past it would be challenging to understand what has been lost.
Thank you for resharing, Eoghan.
Your comments about recognising how large herbivore absence has left ecological gaps in ecosystems and hopefully deciding to do something about it are spot on.
There may be a time when you are drifting off to sleep when you suddenly sit bolt upright with the realization that the missing ecological puzzle piece essential for proper global ecosystem function is elephants.
Huge thanks again to the co-authors @Felipe Franco‑Gaviria, @mfraczka.bsky.social, Gbotemi Abraham Adediran, Stephen Sitch, and Dunia H. Urrego. And to @gw4plus2025-dltp.bsky.social for supporting my PhD research! 🔬
We also discuss the possible implications of the research for future trophic #rewilding efforts in the Neotropics. If that's not enough, then read on for some insights into Prehistoric poo and dung fungal spores 🐗💩
In an interview with @uniofexeternews.bsky.social, we shared some key findings from our research. Including the three waves of megafaunal decline, and the cascading ecological impacts on vegetation, plant dispersal, and fire regimes 🦥🌿🔥.
After the recent publication of our research on the timing and ecological consequences of the Late Pleistocene megafaunal declines on the Isthmus of Panama, the official press release is now live ⏰⏰
Full press release written in Spanish and English here: news.exeter.ac.uk/global-syste...
Positive news for the reintrodution of these species in England 🦅🦫
It is just unfortuante that the justification is to win votes, not framed around their ecological importance or a reaction to their depleted numbers.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This research was undertaken at @exeter.ac.uk and funded by @gw4plus2025-dltp.bsky.social.
Implications of large herbivore extinctions! For fans of megafauna past and present 🦣🌾🍄
Megafauna loss reshaped Panama’s ecosystems. Our new study (led by @felix-pym.bsky.social) traces late Pleistocene declines on the Isthmus and highlights key lessons for trophic rewilding in the Neotropics.
Check it out!
doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...