Biodiversity Stories

In this new epoch, human influence is ubiquitous in the natural world. Coverage of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in Anthropocene magazine takes a critical look at humans’ changing relationship with the natural world—and ways to promote biodiversity in the novel ecosystems we’ve created.

We’re running out of phosphorus for farming. Whales and other wildlife could build it back up

In an ambitious thought experiment, researchers show how restoring wildlife to pre-Industrial levels could achieve several billion dollars-worth of phosphorus production.

Using the carrot, not the stick, can get locals to help protect habitat

As conservationists push to save habitat from destruction, a study of Indonesian reefs finds that giving local Indigenous communities a hand in managing reserves makes for more effective protections.

The world needs a standard tool to compare species conservation efforts. An international team just built one.

The STAR metric shows how much a given action can prevent biodiversity loss. The higher the score, the higher the potential to reduce extinctions

What’s driving the remarkable decline of urban sprawl in the US?

A new study finds that a primary culprit has been rising gas prices—spurring denser development in communities across the country.

The new wildlife in town: Sharks

While many land-based predators such as wolves avoid cities, scientists tracking sharks in Florida's Biscayne Bay found the fish spent just as much time near Miami as away from it.

The residential macrosystem

Managed collectively, backyards could become more biodiverse landscapes

What will it take to shrink the carbon footprint of health care?

A small but growing group of researchers and physicians working to quantify the environmental impact of healthcare—and to reduce that impact without compromising patient care.

Protecting the beasts of the land and sea could help fight climate change

A comprehensive review of the scientific literature finds three major places where large animal conservation and climate mitigation goals intersect

Pandemic might get people to drop wild meat from the menu

A survey of thousands in Asian countries found people with a high awareness of Covid-19 were more likely to cut back on consuming wild meat. A conservation group wants to harness this to put a dent in the wildlife trade.