Articles by Alex Taylor - Page 2

  • Sea Star Joins Critically Endangered List

    The iconic sunflower sea star has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature following a groundbreaking population study led by Oregon State University and The Nature Conservancy.

    By Alex Taylor on 29th June 2021
  • Insights from Humpback Whale Songs

    Humpback whales are charismatic and iconic animals, and an especially significant one in Hawaiian culture. Their songs have been studied following reports of unusually low numbers of whales in the archipelago, which will enable scientists to keep a close eye on their numbers.

    By Alex Taylor on 28th June 2021
  • Pandas Not Protecting Neighbours

    The long-held hope that conservation protections granted to pandas will extend to other threatened species in the same habitat has been called into question. New research calls for wider protection for animal communities and ecosystems.

    By Alex Taylor on 27th June 2021
  • Isolated Tigers May Need Genetic Rescue

    A number of threats such as habitat destruction and poaching have caused tiger populations to plummet. As they do so, their genetic diversity drops too. A new study has demonstrated what conservation can learn from study subspecies of tigers at the genetic level.

    By Alex Taylor on 25th June 2021
  • Conservationists May Spread Pathogens

    A common conservation strategy is to move individual animals from one location to another to boost population numbers and restore ecosystems. However, a new study shows that the dangers of this may, in fact, outweigh the risks.

    By Alex Taylor on 24th June 2021
  • Narwhal Tusks Reveal Pollution Threat

    Scientists have been studying the tusks of narwhals in the Arctic. They reveal that their exposure to toxic pollutants like mercury has increased since the 1960s due to sea-ice decline and human-caused carbon emissions.

    By Alex Taylor on 23rd June 2021
  • Primate Protected by Speedbumps

    Cars are a significant threat to many species throughout the world, killing animals indiscriminately. Yet new research involving the Zanzibar red colobus shows that the installation of speedbumps on roads significantly reduces mortality levels.

    By Alex Taylor on 22nd June 2021
  • Climate Change Threat from Coastal Lupine

    Research on an endangered coastal lupine plant shows that it is threatened specifically by climate change. Only four species from more extreme habitats have climate change listed as their main threat, however this study shows that even species from milder, temperate areas are at risk.

    By Alex Taylor on 21st June 2021
  • Starvation Threat for Orangutans

    Orangutans are facing threats from habitat destruction and climate change. A new study has shown that, because orangutans lose muscle mass when less fruit is available to them, it is vital to protect their habitats to ensure their survival.

    By Alex Taylor on 20th June 2021
  • Intensive Agriculture Causes Pollinator Declines

    Research has found that intensive croplands in tropical regions are driving declines of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Sustainable practices in both urban and agricultural areas are essential if we are to prevent these losses and protect our food crops.

    By Alex Taylor on 18th June 2021