Conservation Science

Coral reefs are one of the most threatened ecosystems world wide. This project collects critical data for the Kenya Wildlife Service to promote effective coral reef conservation and management of marine protected areas.

Using small electronic tags, Marin scientists have been able to track the surprisingly long migration of golden-crowned sparrows to Alaska and back to Point Reyes. Biologists from PRBO Conservation Science based at the Palomarin Field Station near Bolinas attached the small tags to 33 sparrows wintering in and near Point Reyes National Seashore in 2010 before they headed north on spring migration.

Current ecological thought suggests the more diverse a plant community is, the more productive it is. But scientists don’t fully understand why this is so. “We’re exploring the possibility that plant-soil feedbacks may also be a critical but underappreciated factor in plant community development,” says Andrew Kulmatiski, assistant research professor in Utah State University’s Ecology Center and Department of Plants, Soils and Climate. Read the full story

Laura Meyerson of the University of Rhode Island works at the Institute of Botany in Pruhonice on exploring genetic qualities of a very common plant phragmatis australis.This global research project can help to develop better understanding of the invasive species. Watch the video

The United States and Puerto Rico account for 80% of the total value of Peruvian timber sales, said Andrea Johnson, forest campaign director of the Environmental Investigation Agency. Read the full story

Contract signed! I am now Director of Science and Solutions at the Waitt Foundation. I could not be more thrilled about the potential this position holds for contributing to meaningful progress in ocean conservation. Read Ayana's blog post

Nutrient pollution isn't only a Gulf problem, said Glynnis Collins, the executive director of the Illinois-based Prairie Rivers Network, another group involved in the suits. She said nutrient-rich waters have led to toxic algae blooms in many places. "They can sicken people, pets and livestock," Collins said. "It's a worldwide story. We have to get a handle on it. It's crazy not to." Read the full story

Elizabeth Farnsworth is Senior Research Ecologist with the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS), and a biologist, educator, and scientific illustrator. She is also Editor-in-Chief of the botanical journal, Rhodora. She previously coordinated NEWFS planning for the conservation and management of over 100 species of rare plants. She is the principal investigator on Go Botany!, which is funded by the National Science Foundation: