Special Report: Conservation & Biodiversity

Uni of Pretoria
How the rhino’s ‘third eyelid’ can boost anti-poaching drive in South Africa
Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) have made a significant breakthrough in wildlife veterinary care, discovering an optimum way
The team trained computers to recognize herd behavior based on data points for species classification and perform count. Credit: Tinao Petso
Drones and AI Revolutionize Wildlife Conservation in Botswana
Researchers at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking approach to wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching
Dr Laura Cinti next to the E. woodii at Kew Gardens
AI Joins Hunt for ‘World’s Loneliest Plant’ Partner in South Africa
In the Ngoye Forest of South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province, a botanical love story is unfolding with the help of
A Mythical giant Snake Is Helping Raise Climate Awareness In Malawi
In March earlier this year, Mary Phiri, 40, was at her home in Chilobwe, southern Malawi, when she heard a peculiar
This African Nation Has Named Its First Chief Heat Officer. Here’s What It Means
Eugenia Kargbo has been appointed as Africa's first chief heat officer in Sierra Leone, to shield her city from the
From Cardamom to Carbon: Bold New Tanzanian Project Is Regrowing A Rainforest
Farmers in eastern Tanzania are regrowing rainforest trees on part of their land. The farmers receive payments from the sale
Where Are the Giraffes Hiding? Predictive Tracking Tech Points the Way
Researchers have combined tagging technology, satellite data and machine learning to create a model that predicts the potential locations of
How to Grow Rhinos In A Lab: the Science that Could Save An Endangered Species
There are several parallel projects running across the world to save the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), one of
Technology Can Boost Farming In Africa, But It Can Also Threaten Biodiversity – How to Balance the Two
Cultivating one hectare of maize used to be an arduous task for Precious Banda, a farmer in Zambia. It would
The fossil deposits at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles have well-preserved remains of many prehistoric animals that got stuck in natural asphalt seeps over the past 60,000 years. Cullen Townsend, courtesy of NHMLAC
A Changing Climate, Growing Human Populations, and Widespread Fires Contributed to the Last Major Extinction Event − Can We Prevent...
In a new study, published in August 2023, we sought to understand changes that were happening in California during the
Africa Must Own the Idea of the “Just transition”
There’s no one-size-fits-all with sustainable economies. A just transition on the continent will look very different to one in the
How to grow rhinos in a lab: the science that could save an endangered species
There are several parallel projects running across the world to save the northern white rhinoceros, one of Africa’s captivating and
Exploring The Role of Plants In Artistic Expressions Towards Healing
NWU collaborates with Standard Bank Gallery to present IYeza presented at NWU Main Gallery, a solo exhibition of recent work
Literature From the Congo Basin Offers Ways to Address the Climate Crisis
The African continent is responsible for only 2–3% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industrial sources. But
Conservation Costs Are Rarely Reported, Making It Difficult to Prioritize Funding
The costs of conservation actions are rarely reported, making it difficult to decide on the best ways to protect and
Wildlife Don’t Recognize Borders, Nor Does Climate Change. Conservation Should Keep Up
A set of studies focused on the China-Vietnam border demonstrates that the impacts of climate change will make transboundary conservation
Climate May Not Directly Drive Conflict But It’s Critical For Building Peace
Climate change isn’t a direct driver of conflict. Most scientists agree on this and it’s reflected in the Intergovernmental Panel
Traditional Land Burning Is Declining – Here’s Why That’s A Problem
Greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb, and so you might expect more of Earth’s surface to be engulfed by fires
Climate Change Report: What We Must Do To Avert the Looming Crisis
Climate change is a threat to all aspects of our lives. Every degree of global warming is likely to increase
Mistletoes, Locust Bean Trees And Birds Work Together In Nigeria’s Forest Ecology
In West Africa, mistletoes are found on many indigenous trees and several tree crops of economic importance. These hosts include
Clearing Alien Trees Can Help Reduce Climate Change Impact On Cape Town’s Water Supply
Petra Holden, University of Cape Town; Alanna Rebelo, Agricultural Research Council; Joyce Kimutai, University of Cape Town; Kamoru Abiodun Lawal,
South African Media Treat Fire As Foe – Its Ecosystem Benefits Get lost In the Blaze
Scientists’ involvement in media reporting on fire leads to more nuanced and balanced messages. It can reduce fear and create
Why Education Systems Should Build Environmental Ethics Into Every Subject
It is not enough to tell people what to do in order to preserve the environment. Children must understand the
High CO₂ Can Upset the Balance of Trees and Grass In Savannas – What Can Be Done About It
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an important resource needed for photosynthesis. Its low availability in the atmosphere has been a limiting
175 Nations to Agree on ‘Historic’ Plastic Pollution Treaty
The vast majority of the world's countries agreed Wednesday to forge a legally-binding global treaty restricting plastic pollution, in a move
The Need for Climate Reparations Is Now Undeniable
The latest UN climate report highlights how communities that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most.
Petition Calls on Biden to Go Beyond Reversing Trump Policies to ‘Save Life on Earth’
The Center for Biological Diversity on Tuesday laid out a comprehensive case for the Biden administration to go far beyond simply
Repeat Photos Show Change In Southern African Landscapes: A Citizen Science Project
Historical landscape photographs have been matched with modern images and used to analyse changes in alpine glaciers, hydrology and soil
New Tech Fights Fall Armyworm By Letting Offspring Die
Scientists have developed a new technology that could control the devastating fall armyworm crop pest by releasing genetically-controlled males that suppress
Greek conservationists collaborate to protect endemic species in face of climate change
Across Greece, conservation NGOs are working in close collaboration to study and save numerous endemic species found nowhere else. Often