https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/rss Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:00:53 GMT Bewick’s swans are migrating less and less far to the southwest in winter. On average, they spend the winter 118 kilometres closer to their breeding grounds for every 1 degree Celsius increase in winter temperature. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35218&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35218&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:30:00 GMT Illegal plant trade is often associated with images of tropical hardwood. But closer to home, European edible orchids are also threatened by unbridled harvest and sale of underground tubers, known as 'salep'. A new study shows that this market, concentrated in the Eastern Mediterranean, is expanding to new species and areas, with disastrous consequences for vulnerable orchid populations. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35185&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35185&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT Reef sharks are observed less frequently on Caribbean reefs with high levels of diving activity and coastal development. This is shown by research published on 5 April in the Journal of Applied Ecology. Even recreational activities, often considered low-impact, are associated with fewer sharks. Reef sharks are important for healthy reefs, they help in balancing the ecosystem. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35198&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35198&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT In 2025, volunteers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center and members of the Dutch Entomological Society discovered a species of praying mantis on Aruba. It turned out to be a previously undescribed species. The praying mantis was named Brunneria xerophila or Aruban praying mantis. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT Despite widespread concern about declines in insects globally, a dire shortage of data on species numbers over time means it will be impossible to assess our progress towards biodiversity goals – and to implement effective conservation action. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35153&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35153&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT With eDNA metabarcoding, researchers read DNA traces from soil, water, or even air as if they were barcodes. This allows them to discover which plants are or were present, even when they are invisible to the naked eye. It is a powerful technique that reveals biodiversity in remarkable detail and helps protect it. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35130&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35130&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 29 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Beavers could play a significant role in Europe’s climate mitigation efforts, by transforming suitable river corridors into long term carbon stores. Beavers are able to engineer riverbeds into promising ways to prevent carbon dioxide release into the air, according to a new international study. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35120&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35120&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 22 Mar 2026 06:15:00 GMT There are no places in the ocean completely untouched by human chemical impacts. A global analysis of more than 2,300 seawater samples, from more than 20 field studies around the globe, indicates that human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. The study, in which two NIOZ scientists were involved, was published on 16 March in Nature Geosciences. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35109&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35109&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT Coral reefs are selectively fished empty with no evidence left behind. Recent research on the international trade shows which popular aquarium species are in danger, that cultivation is increasing, and that the majority of wild-caught corals come from Australia. More monitoring and transitioning from fishing to cultivation is necessary to better protect the biodiversity of coral reefs. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35106&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35106&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT Dune restoration is becoming increasingly important due to rising sea levels and stronger storms. Paul Berghuis and colleagues from NIOZ and Utrecht University showed in the dunes of Texel that dune grass patches “cooperate” to capture sand, even when they are still meters apart. Their crucial discovery for efficient dune restoration was published on March 19 in Nature Communications. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35119&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35119&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT Birds play a larger role in the dispersal of wild cotton than previously thought. A study published in the journal Oikos shows that they collect cotton fibres as nesting material and can move seeds over distances of more than a kilometre. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35108&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35108&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT Birds that live and breed in vegetated coastal areas shape their own surroundings. This was discovered by earth scientist Floris van Rees. "Plant species that retain sand better benefit from the presence of bird excrement, which in turn is beneficial for dune formation." This is particularly important now that sea level rise and coastal erosion are putting pressure on their habitats. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35085&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35085&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 14 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT Baobabs are among the most iconic trees on Earth. They store water in their bottle-shaped trunks during the raining season. This allows them to survive long periods of drought. Many baobab species are threatened with extinction because of habitat destruction. An international research team investigated genetic diversity and reproduction and recently published the results in Annals of Botany. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35017&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35017&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT On the 29th of January, the webinar ‘Improving biodiversity with best practices and tools for area-oriented collaboration throughout the supply chain’ was organised by the Dutch Deltaplan for Biodiversity Restoration and LIFE IP All4Biodiversity. More than 120 interested people attended the webinar. Read more about the highlighted topics and watch recordings of the several sessions. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35003&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35003&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT How young animals interact with their siblings during their first months of life determines their social skills later on. This is shown by experimental research on the tropical freshwater fish Neolamprologus pulcher, published in PNAS. Not only does the number of siblings matter, but whether they can interact freely with one another does too. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35020&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35020&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:30:00 GMT New study charts how digital technologies, DNA, and coordinated governance can transform biodiversity observation across Europe and support global conservation goals. The Biodiversity Observation Network (BON), proposed by several organisations, has the potential to become a global model. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35007&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35007&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT The identity of the invasive Argent moth, earlier identified as Argyresthia reticulata or Argyresthia freyella is established as being Argyresthia sabinae from Japan and China. This emphasizes an important point about DNA-barcodes and morphology for species identification. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35000&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=35000&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT Forests and nature play an important role in achieving climate targets. But how much can forest management measures contribute to CO₂ uptake? New factsheets provide key figures to help estimate this contribution. A valuable tool for forest managers, policymakers and advisers working on climate-smart forest and nature management. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34998&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34998&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT The increasing number of westerly storms, expected as a result of climate change, will lead to a decline in the availability of food for wading birds, such as the red knot. This is shown in a study by master student Timo Keuning and colleagues at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). The results were published this month in the ornithological journal Ibis. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34978&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34978&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:45:00 GMT In the European Nature Restoration Act, the Grassland Butterfly Index (GBI) is one of three indicators that member states can use to evaluate their agricultural ecosystem policies. This GBI must increase. Butterflies have been systematically monitored in Europe for decades using standard protocols that are now applied in more than 30 countries. This index has been updated using this data. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34971&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34971&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT Research using a consumer-grade ‘fish finding’ sonar, shows that artificial tree reefs in the Wadden Sea provide habitat for up to 3.5 times more fish, including larger fish, than comparable locations without such reefs. This is shown in a recent publication by Jon Dickson and colleagues from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34959&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34959&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT In Indonesia, the dugong appears to be concentrated in specific regions, but bycatch in fishing nets is a major cause of death and few young animals are observed. This is evident from an international study towards publicly accessible information on observations of dugongs in Indonesia. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34907&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34907&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT The willow bent-wing Phyllocnistis triandricola, only described in 2023, has now also been found in the Netherlands and Belgium, but DNA research shows that the long-known Phyllocnistis saligna does not occur in the Netherlands and Belgium. The common willow bent-wing should now be named Phyllocnistis asiatica. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34891&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34891&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT Discovering a species new for science is on every researcher’s wish list. Jan Johan ter Poorten is a Dutch expert on cardiid species (family Cardiidae). Recently, he discovered three new species in the Caribbean. These were also found to occur on the ABC islands and on Sint Eustatius and Saba. There are plausible reasons why they were overlooked until now. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34869&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34869&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT The climate warmed up almost as quickly 56 million years ago as it is doing now. When a huge amount of CO2 entered the atmosphere in a short period of time, it led to large-scale forest fires and erosion. Mei Nelissen, PhD candidate at NIOZ and UU, and her colleagues were able to see this very clearly in the layers of sediment drilled off the Norwegian coast. Published in PNAS on January 19. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34874&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34874&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 19 Jan 2026 20:00:00 GMT Researchers from Hortus botanicus Leiden and Radboud University have developed a novel, non-invasive method to measure the body’s response to pollen by analyzing exhaled breath. During walks along flowering grasses, concentrations of organic compounds were measured in exhaled air of hay fever patients. In Leiden, a walk along flowering trees will be organized to apply the method to tree pollen. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34872&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34872&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 18 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT The Dutch Western Scheldt estuary has been pushed onto an unsustainable trajectory since large-scale navigation channel deepening began in the 1970s. The dramatic increase in the annual volume of dredged sediment from the navigation channel has reduced feeding grounds for birds and made the estuary more vulnerable to sea level rise, as is shown by a new NIOZ report. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34873&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34873&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 17 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT From insignificant individual cells to a rich community full of cooperation. That is how our understanding of the world of microscopic organisms has developed. This 'microbiome' has an enormous impact on the environment. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology are studying various functions, such as the 'consumption' of greenhouse gases and 'microbial friends' to endangered plants. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34855&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34855&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT A historical bee collection from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History has been newly researched and photographed. Collected by the famous British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, it includes many specimens that were once used to describe new species. The digitization of the collection increases scientific understanding of Southeast Asian bee species and aids conservation efforts. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34826&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34826&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT Fruiting plants rely on fruit-eating animals for seed dispersal. These animals have become increasingly scarce, especially the large ones. This is especially the case in areas where the balance is lost due to human interference. Large frugivores should be brought back into ecosystems where they have disappeared from. Researchers published their results last week in Ecology Letters. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34753&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34753&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT China’s intertidal shellfish mariculture provides critical food for the world’s most threatened shorebird flyway. A continental-scale, decade-long study found that intertidal shellfish farms are shaping when and where millions of shorebirds congregate. The Chinese-Dutch study was published in Nature Communications on December 9th 2025. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34756&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34756&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:00:00 GMT Great tits can't complain about a lack of attention. NIOO has hung nearly two thousand nesting boxes for this 'model species'. For seven decades researchers have been following these songbirds. This makes it the longest-running study in the world of individually recognisable animals. The results outline the development of climate change, acid rain and adaptation to a changing world. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34723&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34723&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT Edible terrestrial orchids are endangered worldwide due to overharvesting in the wild. Creating artificial hybrids from horticulture that do not occur naturally, for production of traditional beverages to meet consumer demand, could make harvesting of edible orchids more sustainable and prevent endangered species from going extinct. The study results were published in Frontiers. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34726&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34726&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:30:00 GMT A new international study, led by Wageningen Marine Research, shows that shearwaters in the Mediterranean ingest significantly more plastic than their counterparts in the Atlantic Ocean. The research, recently published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, is based on the analysis of the stomach contents of 529 birds. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34714&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34714&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Dec 2025 14:45:00 GMT Complex life began to develop almost a billion years earlier, and over a longer span of time, than previously believed. This is shown by research conducted by, among others, NIOZ researcher Anja Spang. The study challenges several long-standing scientific theories in this area. The availability of abundant oxygen, for example, does not appear to be a prerequisite for the evolution of complex life. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34715&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34715&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT An innovative alternative to concrete could enable important coastal restoration work. The material Xiriton, made with local grass species and seawater, captures CO2 instead of emitting it, as conventional concrete does. NIOZ researchers successfully tested the material for its suitability as a substrate for shell banks or salt marsh restoration. They published in Frontiers, in Marine Science. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34672&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34672&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:15:00 GMT The Netherlands can make good use of the natural dynamics in coastal areas to protect against sea level rise. A broad, natural 'cushion' can protect the hinterland, is the conclusion of the exploratory study ‘Meegroeien’ (Growing with the sea) which was presented at the Delta Conference on 13 November 2025. Coastal ecologist Jim van Belzen and hydrologist Ton Hoitink contributed to the study. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34631&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34631&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 16 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT Recognizing all Dutch species – in every conceivable way. Starting today, everyone can utilize ARISE, the research facility that makes this possible. ARISE makes biodiversity measurable on a large scale. A new tool for species specialists, ecologists, computer scientists and the like. ARISE could not have been developed without the input of many expert volunteers. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34590&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34590&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:30:00 GMT Earthworms do not stop shaping soil processes after they die. A new study shows they can still help store carbon in the soil, even after death. “This is quite surprising”, says lead author Tullia Calogiuri. “Most of our knowledge about earthworms comes from their activity while alive, such as burrowing, feeding, and producing feces. Discovering that they also play a role after death is exciting”. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34570&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34570&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:15:00 GMT A large, poisonous frog from Cuba has quietly established itself on the small Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. Researchers have found that the invasive Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is breeding in and around a resort on the island. Conservationists are now racing to eradicate the frog before it spreads further. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34569&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34569&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:00:00 GMT New research reveals how the increasingly intensive use of grasslands affects insects and other arthropods. Surprisingly, their total number remained stable when land use intensified, but species richness halved. This shows that species react in different ways. In the areas studied 85 per cent of species declined and the majority disappeared completely. A few widespread species, however, thrived. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34535&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34535&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT Turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, tranquil mangrove forests – that’s how we know Aruba. But this rich underwater world is under pressure and disappearing fast. Still, there is hope. Through the project Turning the Tide, researchers and island residents are working together to restore it. They share their story in an inspiring documentary, now coming to the big screen in Wageningen. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34512&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34512&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:15:00 GMT They are smaller than a millimeter, yet they can play an enormous role in science: tardigrades. These tough little organisms can survive extreme conditions and are found all over the world, from the Himalayas to the deep sea. Thanks to a remarkable discovery, our knowledge of Dutch tardigrades has expanded: the number of officially recorded species has grown from 14 to no less than 35. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34496&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34496&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 18 Oct 2025 08:00:00 GMT Since 2012, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has been conducting research into the effect of artificial light at night on our natural environment. For this research – Light on Nature – streetlights have been installed. These have been lit year round from sunset to sunrise. Various researchers are using these streetlights to measure the effects on different species groups. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34497&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34497&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT A new study shows that European butterflies are under increasing threat from a multitude of factors, but especially habitat loss and the warming climate. The new Red List of European butterflies, just published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), shows that the number of species threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from 37 to 65 in the past 10 years. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34482&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34482&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT Followers of posts on social media, as well as citizen scientists, are most motivated by their joint passion for nature. Both groups contribute to research and conservation of urban flora, but with very different activities. This is the conclusion of a recently published study by PhD student Nienke Beets about participants of a national survey entitled ‘Stoepplantjesonderzoek’. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34483&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34483&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 12 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT Physician and botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold brought unique Asian plant species to Leiden in the 19th century. His legacy shows which plants once played an important role in healthcare. Many of these medicinal plants can be admired in Hortus botanicus Leiden up till today. Maxim Bax, a volunteer at the Leiden Hortus, tells us more. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34444&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34444&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 05 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT Naturalis presents the first type catalogue of its mammal collection: a comprehensive overview of 405 scientific names with their official tangible type specimens. Five years of research have brought together old, often brief descriptions into a reference work for future mammal research. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34422&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34422&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 04 Oct 2025 08:00:00 GMT Man-made chemicals, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and medicines, enter the European environment. Many are classed by the EU as harmful to the environment and humans, but effects on terrestrial wildlife are little known. TerraChem, a major EU-funded project, is working to address this challenge and to develop new tools to prevent harm. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34421&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34421&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:00:00 GMT Bees, bumblebees and butterflies have too little natural habitat around them to survive. A new study, led by researchers at Wageningen University & Research and published in Science, shows that these insects need much more space to recover than is currently stipulated in EU directives. Habitat quality needs to be taken into account as well. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34405&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34405&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:15:00 GMT Foraminifera, small but incredibly important marine organisms, spend their lives together with two types of roommates: algae and bacteria. They are very picky when it comes to the algae, but open minded when it comes to the bacteria. Understanding this difference makes forams even more valuable tools for monitoring coral reefs. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34413&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34413&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT Using a unique treasure of data, marine biologist Suzanne Poiesz investigated the fish food web in the Wadden Sea between 1946 and the present day. Dissected stomach contents revealed who eats whom. The position of species in that food web has remained unchanged, but there are far fewer fish than in the past. The sea bass came, saw, and conquered. Poiesz will obtain her PhD from the RUG. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34402&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34402&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:30:00 GMT Spoonbills spend a large part of the summer outside their protected breeding grounds. After breeding, the migratory birds gather on the mudflats of Lutjewad, on the coast of Groningen. Research by BirdEyes shows the seasonal movements of spoonbills in the eastern Dutch Wadden Sea region. They move between four locations in clear and predictable phases. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34400&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34400&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT NIOZ researchers have found the Pacific barnacle in the Wadden Sea for the first time. Until now, this species was only known to exist in European waters in Belgium and on the south coast of the Western Scheldt. It probably travels in the ballast water tanks of large ships and as fouling on ship hulls and gets a foothold in the warming Wadden Sea. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34376&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34376&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT According to the IUCN Red List, over 47,000 plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. Most species, however, are at little to no risk. What makes one species much more vulnerable than another? https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34343&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34343&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:30:00 GMT As climate change drives earlier spring conditions in the Arctic, birds species that travel there to breed are under pressure to migrate faster. Despite their remarkable ability to adapt, researchers warn that speeding up spring migrations has natural limits. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34347&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34347&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:15:00 GMT The increasing amount of CO2 we are pumping into the atmosphere causes ocean acidification. That could pose a serious problem for calcifying organisms, such as shellfish and corals. And for foraminifers, but they appear to have their own solution to this problem, Lennart de Nooijer and colleagues write in Science Advances. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34328&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34328&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT Over four centuries ago, the first prefect of Hortus botanicus Leiden founded a botanical garden collection that currently encompasses over sixteen thousand plants. The current prefect hopes to create a hotspot for biodiversity here by gardening without the use of pesticides. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34315&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34315&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT In city centers, lichens are becoming heavier. Thanks to the urban heat island effect, they adapt to higher temperatures by growing thicker than their counterparts outside the city. This remarkable phenomenon shows how even the smallest organisms respond to a warming urban climate. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34276&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34276&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 31 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT For the first time worldwide, the complete DNA of all Asian elephant subspecies has been mapped. It has also been genetically confirmed that the Sumatran elephant is a distinct subspecies – a population listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List. The research was conducted by Wageningen University & Research and was recently published in Ecology and Evolution. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34283&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34283&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 26 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT In the Netherlands, the dog rose (Rosa canina) is a familiar face in hedgerows, woodland edges, and along dikes. But this wild rose’s roots run far deeper than European soil alone. With its soft blossoms and bright red rosehips, it has been entwined with nature and people for centuries. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34239&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34239&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT Each summer, a team from Naturalis Biodiversity Center travels to the United States to dig for dinosaur fossils, and this year is no different. Right now, a team of paleontologists and preparators of Naturalis’ dinosaur lab is excavating a fossil site in Wyoming that is known as the Jurassic Mile. Under the scorching heat, their efforts are already paying off. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34248&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34248&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT After centuries of hunt, habitat loss, and disruption, some sea turtle populations in the Caribbean Netherlands appear to be slowly recovering. The report State of Nature Caribbean Netherlands shows that protection works. But it also warns of ongoing threats. The future remains fragile for these ocean dwellers. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34218&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34218&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT Can animal populations adapt to climate change by becoming genetically similar to more southerly populations? That is the question posed by ecologist Natalie van Dis. This knowledge could indicate which populations are most at risk of the changing climate. Van Dis has been awarded a Veni grant from NWO to investigate this over the next three years at NIOO. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34180&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34180&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:00:00 GMT With increasing pressures on the world's biodiversity, the need for effective nature conservation plans rises. In Indonesia marine protected areas are created to protect marine ecosystems like coral reefs. However, many management plans for these areas fall short in accounting for locally specific threats. How do we make sure conservation efforts are supported by complete management plans? https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34194&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34194&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 02 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT A contribution of 1 percent of all global investments in offshore wind projects by 2050 is sufficient for large-scale restoration of marine nature. This was revealed by an international study led by The Rich North Sea program (De Rijke Noordzee) and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). The study was published in scientific journal Bioscience on 7 July 2025. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34167&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34167&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT Over the past century, the growth of tropical trees has remained minimally affected by droughts. As a result, the rate of CO2 sequestration in tropical wood has been fairly stable. These are the main findings of a global study, led by Wageningen University & Research and published in Science. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34187&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34187&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT Artificial Intelligence is rapidly advancing in its ability to identify animal sounds, proving invaluable for biodiversity monitoring. This cutting-edge technology still relies heavily on human expertise. "Volunteers remain indispensable", emphasizes researcher Burooj Ghani. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34163&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34163&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT Small aquatic organisms called rotifers have been found to also become tolerant to copper pollution after adapting to rising temperatures. Interestingly, the reverse is not true. An evolutionary experiment led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) recently showed this in the journal Global Change Biology. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34143&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34143&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:00:00 GMT For a long time, the soil was the domain of chemistry and physics. This only changed forty years ago. Today, the soil has become a large and indispensable field of research. The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has been uncovering the role of soil life for a healthy underground and aboveground ecosystem for several decades. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34039&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34039&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:00 GMT The formation of mussel and oyster beds on sandy seabeds can be stimulated by using a hard substrate. However, when NIOZ PhD candidate Sterre Witte placed shells and pebbles with a simple or smooth structure, the baby shellfish proved to be easy prey for starfish and crabs. A complex, more rough structure was the solution. Witte will defend her thesis on July 11th at the University of Groningen. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34082&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34082&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:00:00 GMT It is the height of summer in Europe, a time when many people head out into nature or to enjoy urban greenspaces . But over recent decades, people are seeing landscapes with fewer and fewer butterflies. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34063&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34063&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 GMT Ringing of wild birds has become indispensable as a research method to track individual birds. Since 1911, some 16 million birds have been fitted with a metal ring in the Netherlands. What has that brought in terms of knowledge, protection and policy? And what do new tracking techniques add? We dive into the world of meadow birds, goose visits and infectious diseases. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34029&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34029&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Guppies adapt remarkably quickly when faced with predators. In an experiment, researchers from Wageningen University & Research observed changes in reproduction and body shape within just three generations. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34032&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=34032&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:00:00 GMT Zooplankton are vital to ocean ecosystems and their diversity reflects the health of the ocean. They respond quickly to environmental changes, making them key indicators of climate change. Monitoring these shifts requires identifying species accurately and mapping their habitats. To facilitate this, researchers of Naturalis Biodiversity Center have added new DNA barcodes to a public database. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33861&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33861&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 07 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT The National Geographic Society has announced that Mirte Bosse, biologist and geneticist at Wageningen University & Research and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is among the winners of the 2025 Wayfinder Award. The official award ceremony will take place next week in Washington D.C. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33964&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33964&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:00:00 GMT Tiny organisms called foraminifera can be incredibly useful for protecting coral reefs. Promovenda Elsa B. Girard developed a method to study them more efficiently. “This way, you can act before the corals are impacted.” https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33929&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33929&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 31 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT A recent study by behavioural biologists from Wageningen University & Research and the German Primate Research Centre has uncovered a remarkable phenomenon among wild chimpanzees in West Africa: the use of stones to produce sound, presumably as a form of communication. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33910&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33910&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 27 May 2025 09:30:00 GMT Cordgrass that establishes itself on virgin soil on the coast, tries to avoid the risks of being washed away by forming small clusters of plants. That is shown by the research of coastal ecologist Clea van de Ven, described in the dissertation she will defend on May 27 at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33896&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33896&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 24 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT Worldwide, coastal areas are squeezed between a rising sea level on one end and human structures on the other. The distance between a sandy coastline and the first human structures averages less than 400 meters around the world. And the narrower a coastline is, the lower its biodiversity as well. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33886&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33886&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 19 May 2025 08:00:00 GMT A new study by Wageningen University & Research shows that offshore wind farms not only produce energy, but may also contribute to the protection of marine life. Several shark and ray species were detected in and around Dutch wind farms based on traces of DNA in the seawater. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33851&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33851&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 09 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT The less intensively you till the soil, the better the soil can function. Such as not ploughing as often or using more grass-clover mixtures as cover crops. These are the conclusions from a research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Surprisingly, it applies to both conventional and organic farming. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33813&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33813&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:45:00 GMT After a winter that was slightly drier than usual, the extremely dry spring is putting the Dutch water system under pressure. Groundwater levels have dropped significantly below the normal level for this time of year in many areas. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33767&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33767&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT Many animal species become smaller or larger in recent decades, with climate change often mentioned as a cause. Red knots, shorebirds travelling ten thousand kilometers every year between breeding grounds in Arctic Russia and wintering grounds in West Africa, are becoming smaller. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33763&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33763&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT The results of recent research reveal both the vulnerability and the surprising resilience of tropical seagrass, despite the growing threats posed by climate change. Led by Fee Smulders from Wageningen University & Research, international scientists investigated how seagrass responds to warming waters, grazing by sea turtles and fish, and nutrient pollution. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33748&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33748&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT For five years, more than 20 researchers acquired new ecological knowledge about the subtidal nature of the Wadden Sea, an often understudied but important part of this ecosystem. The projects Wadden Mosaic (Waddenmozaïek) and Swimway Wadden Sea focused specifically on this aspect of the Wadden Sea nature. The results have yielded important findings about marine life. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33732&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33732&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT Last week, 160 researchers and conservationists of European butterflies and moths met in the Netherlands to exchange latest insights on population trends and knowledge about threats and measures for protection. Although there are major concerns due to population declines of butterflies and moths, there is also hope for recovery with the introduction of the European Nature Restoration Regulation. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33731&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33731&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 11 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT Nature-based solutions are gaining ground as effective and sustainable answers to societal challenges, such as water management, biodiversity restoration, and climate adaptation. Research shows that successful implementation depends on a variety of factors: the right people and professionalism, for example, but certainly also courage to experiment. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33716&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33716&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:00 GMT The wood of every tree is different. Promovenda Vicky Beckers from Naturalis and Leiden University worked on ways to better distinguish between different wood species. This is important for our understanding of plant evolution, but customs authorities also benefit from it. "This research is crucial for identifying illegally logged wood." https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33704&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33704&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 05 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT Every summer there they are again, blue-green algae. Why are they a problem, are they getting worse with climate change and what can we do about them? These are questions that over the past few years the Netherlands Institute of Ecology has been seeking answers to. The research provided new insights leading to better assessment of risks and possible development of new control methods. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33627&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33627&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT For a long time, we didn’t know, but now they must finally show their true colors: early mammals had dark brown fur. This discovery was made by an international team of researchers, including Liliana D’alba from Naturalis Biodiversity Center. By studying six different fossils, they were able to identify the colors that mammals must have had during the age of the dinosaurs. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33644&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33644&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 22 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT The Asian clam has found its way to the Dutch Wadden Sea. This is shown by field researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). On other locations, the Asian clam has shown to be potentially highly invasive in new environments. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33632&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33632&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:00:00 GMT Divers in the Caribbean Sea are increasingly encountering coral branches with missing tips. For a long time, it was unclear who or what was responsible for this unusual phenomenon. Until now: the disappearance of the tips appears to be related to the actions of a coral cutting crab. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33594&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33594&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 15 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT Dunes are considered to be essential for coastal protection. In countries like the Netherlands, where one third of the country is below sea-level, it is crucial to understand how they grow. Sand will play a role, of course, but what about plants? A research team studied how grasses help to form new dunes. What do dune-building grasses need to establish, and are they affected by climate change? https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33587&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33587&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT Bacteria and other single-celled microorganisms in the seas around Antarctica are strongly influenced by water temperature and the amount of sea ice. This is shown by coordinated measurements taken off the coast of the west Antarctic Peninsula. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33592&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33592&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:00:00 GMT Climate change and human activities are causing wetlands to disappear at an alarming rate. But could wastewater treatment plants be the answer for birds that rely on these shrinking habitats? New research in Egypt by Wageningen University & Research sheds surprising light on the role these facilities play in nature. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33667&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33667&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 01 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT The Netherlands is a delta, a country that exists by the grace of water. Yet only in 1957 a professional ecological research institute for fresh water was established: the Hydrobiological Institute, a precursor of NIOO-KNAW. In recent decades, water has been given its own voice in nature discussions and in nature policy. For this, aquatic-ecological research contributes much-needed knowledge. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33503&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33503&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 19 Feb 2025 13:15:00 GMT With a recent publication in the journal Scientific Data, NIOZ researchers have made the data from the SIBES research programme from 2008 to 2021 available to the community. In SIBES, all tidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea are sampled annually for biomass and sediment characteristics. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33513&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33513&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT The Dutch contributing partners of the international MiningImpact3 consortium have been awarded 1.4 million euros. The money will be used to study the long-term ecological impacts of deep-sea mining, as well as the legal and technological aspects of it. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33455&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33455&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT The image of the classic nature volunteer – an older man with binoculars and a passion for nature conservation – no longer seems to hold true. A recent study by Wageningen University & Research shows that Dutch people engage with nature and green spaces much more often and in different ways than previously thought. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33348&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33348&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT Plants in the shade utilize more light for photosynthesis than previously thought. A team of researchers from Utrecht University and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) describe how, in the scientific journal Plant Cell & Environment. Their conclusions not only advance research into the functioning of photosynthesis in shady conditions, but may also benefit greenhouse horticulture. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33347&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33347&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 18 Jan 2025 17:30:00 GMT As human populations grow and climate change alters habitats, conflicts with Eurasian brown bears are on the rise. Wageningen University & Research has developed the Human-Bear Conflict Radar, an online tool that uses modelling and real-time data to predict bear movements and prevent conflicts. The prototype is now online and undergoing testing in Bulgaria. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33339&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33339&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT The extensive northern forests of Canada, Alaska and Siberia are about to fundamentally change their tree density because of climate change. According to a new study led by researchers from Wageningen University & Research, this change will increase the risk of forest fires. The research team explored twenty years of tree cover data from satellites to model future shifts. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33312&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33312&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT A recent study explored the spread of a disease affecting sea fans in the Dutch Caribbean. Known as multifocal purple spots syndrome (MFPS), this disease is caused by parasitic copepods and has significant impact on the health of the sea fan species Gorgonia ventalina. Understanding the cause of this disease helps protect these important marine habitats. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33228&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33228&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT Scientists call for immediate action to reaffirm commitment to sustainability. In light of unprecedented environmental challenges and a growing planetary crisis, scientists from across Europe have issued an urgent appeal to EU policymakers to halt the rollback of the European Green Deal and reinstate its transformative ambition. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33206&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33206&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT City dandelions grow better in hot summers and flower better after mild winters than their rural counterparts, according to research by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) that compared dandelions from the centre of Amsterdam to plants outside the city. These experiments show that dandelions evolved to adapt to urban heat. Such knowledge is essential for sustainable urban planning. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33171&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33171&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 03 Dec 2024 13:00:00 GMT New results from the Wadden Mosaic research programme show that only ten percent of the underwater nature in the Wadden Sea is effectively protected. Moreover, protective measures such as the designation of protected areas, still often appear to target the wrong places. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:30:00 GMT A new study has discovered a remarkable resilience in young corals raised through assisted sexual reproduction. This is big news, especially in a year when the Caribbean suffered one of the most intense coral bleaching events on record. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33116&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33116&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 30 Nov 2024 11:30:00 GMT From November 13 to 15, H.R.H. Princess Beatrix, Patroness of DCNA, visited Sint Maarten and Saba, shining a spotlight on the remarkable conservation and restoration work led by local organizations. This royal visit was about the importance of preserving biodiversity in the Dutch Caribbean and highlights the essential role of education and community engagement in ensuring a sustainable future. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33089&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33089&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 17 Nov 2024 14:00:00 GMT A recent study conducted in Sint Maarten’s Man of War Shoal Marine Park has provided valuable insights into the biodiversity of reef fish and the presence of endangered sharks. Using baited remote underwater video systems, researchers gathered data on marine life both inside and outside the park. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33067&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33067&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 16 Nov 2024 15:00:00 GMT Reduction of the island of Rodrigues after the last ice age caused large-scale aggression in the extinct giant solitary pigeon, researchers from the UvA and Maastricht University discovered. Due to a rapidly increasing shortage of space and food, the peaceful individuals disappeared and only the aggressive ones remained. And in nature, large-scale aggression is not a good strategy. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33059&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33059&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:30:00 GMT Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will visit Sint Maarten and Saba from November 12 to 15. As the patroness of DCNA, the Princess’s visit will highlight nature conservation and social initiatives on the islands. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, on behalf of the Saba Conservation Foundation and the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, is pleased to announce the visit. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32998&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32998&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT A birdsong recognition AI algorithm is now running live online in Xeno-canto, the world's largest open access collection of animal sounds. When 'mystery' bird recordings from anywhere in Europe are uploaded, the algorithm – developed at Naturalis – gives suggestions of which European bird it likely is. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33042&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33042&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 02 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMT Dive into the underwater world with the newly released Caribbean guilder! The redesigned currency for Curaçao and Sint Maarten features stunning marine life. With each glance at a guilder, we’re reminded of the interconnectedness of our world — of how our islands, identities, and cultures are united by the sea and the collective responsibility to protect it. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33016&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33016&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT Of all the components of dead plants, wood is the hardest to break down. Why is it that fungi know how to do this? What issues did they need to solve to achieve this? The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) tries to find answers to these questions. The discoveries could be useful for sustainable forest and nature management, sustainable agriculture, and the development of new medicines. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33003&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=33003&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 26 Oct 2024 14:00:00 GMT The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance is proud to be involved in the development of Carto, an innovative web application designed to modernize how we monitor and protect key habitats across the Dutch Caribbean. This tool, partly funded by DCNA and developed by Spheer.ai, allows users to use satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to create custom maps for monitoring and managing habitat areas. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32983&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32983&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:00:00 GMT Scientists have been studying how birds move and migrate for hundreds of years. Recently, understanding this complex phenomenon has become much more important because countries are building thousands of wind turbines in and around the North Sea, which lies on a major bird migration route. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32982&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32982&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:30:00 GMT Natural pest control in agriculture is more promising if there are sufficient other landscape elements near a field that provide additional food for predatory insects. It is also good to grow several crops side by side that differ in growth period. This was discovered by UvA researchers using a mathematical model. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32972&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32972&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT Saba has an exciting new initiative to restore its coral reefs. This new project, running from 2024 to 2026, will focus on reviving key species in the island’s underwater ecosystems. With a collaborative team from the Saba Conservation Foundation and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, the project aims to restore both corals as well as sea urchins. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32956&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32956&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT A recent pilot study shows that nests of the Lesser Antillean iguana on Sint Eustatius are used by several other plant and animal species. They use the nests at least for cooling, hunting, and reproduction. This underscores the importance of a healthy iguana population for other Caribbean species and ecosystems. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32932&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32932&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT A team of experts from CARMABI Foundation and Wageningen University have recently finalized the landscape ecological vegetation map of Aruba.  Aiming to enhance conservation efforts, this research offers a detailed look at how Aruba’s natural landscape has evolved over the past fifty years and what steps are necessary to preserve its biodiversity.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32925&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32925&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 05 Oct 2024 17:00:00 GMT Scientists from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University, Dutch National Institute of Health, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority have completed an exciting study on Bonaire, to explore where different mosquito species live. Using Ecological Niche Modeling, the team mapped mosquito habitats to improve control strategies against mosquito-borne diseases. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32900&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32900&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT A recent study explored the dispersal patterns of certain coral species found around Curaçao. These corals are critical to the Caribbean reef ecosystem. Knowing how they disperse helps to predict their ability to recover from environmental disturbances. This study provides insight into how coral populations can survive and adapt in the face of climate change and habitat degradation. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32874&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32874&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 28 Sep 2024 13:00:00 GMT MPAConnect and the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment presented their latest efforts on capacity building for coral restoration during the Reef Restoration Workshop hosted on Bonaire in June. The goal of their project is to bring together like minded organizations and to share knowledge and resources for future coral restoration initiatives.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32810&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32810&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 21 Sep 2024 09:00:00 GMT The United Nations' sustainable development goals can be achieved by relying extensively on the use of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. This was written by an international group of scientists, including Jef Huisman of the University of Amsterdam, on 19 September in the scientific journal Cell. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32866&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32866&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:00:00 GMT Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten have each taken unique and proactive measures to address the challenges facing their reefs. The restoration efforts by local nature conservation organizations were presented during the recent DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop and are critical in ensuring the health and longevity of these underwater treasures for many years to come. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32839&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32839&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 14 Sep 2024 15:00:00 GMT Animals lose dander, mucus and hair that end up in the air. Would it be possible to collect and analyse those traces to map local biodiversity? This was the main question of a Danish research team. The team placed an air sampler in a zoo: it showed that DNA of almost all animals kept in the zoo was also found in the air. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32791&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32791&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 02 Sep 2024 11:00:00 GMT Microalgae have recently emerged as a promising renewable resource due to their versatility and environmental benefits. Research from the island of Bonaire has shown that microalgae, specifically the green alga Picochlorum sp., could play a crucial role in the Dutch Caribbean’s sustainable future. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32782&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32782&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 31 Aug 2024 05:00:00 GMT The Dutch Caribbean is making significant strides in coral reef restoration through innovative approaches to restoring invertebrate herbivores. This is presented by Alwin Hylkema of Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and Wageningen University, during the DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32755&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32755&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:00:00 GMT The RoffaReefs programme of the Rotterdam Zoo, founded by Sander van Lopik, presented its groundbreaking work in reef restoration during the DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop. RoffaReefs has been developing a sustainable breeding system and comprehensive fish egg databases which will help maintain healthy coral ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32695&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32695&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 17 Aug 2024 11:00:00 GMT A recent scientific study has shed light on the remarkable and little-known ecosystems thriving in the mesophotic reefs of the Dutch Caribbean. Researchers explored these 'Twilight Zone' reefs, located at depths of 30 to 150 meters. They used advanced submersible technology to uncover the diversity and complexity of sponge-associated microbial communities. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32672&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32672&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 10 Aug 2024 11:00:00 GMT A recent study explored the settlement patterns of the Long-spined black sea urchin around the island of Saba. This research is vital for understanding how to restore coral reefs in the region, which have been significantly affected by environmental changes and a historical die-off event of this keystone species.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32628&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32628&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 05 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) showcased their groundbreaking efforts in coral restoration during the DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop held in June 2024. Led by Francesca Virdis, Managing Director of RRFB, the presentation highlighted the foundation’s versatile approach to coral restoration, which includes in-situ nursery techniques, genetic diversity enhancement, and community engagement. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32648&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32648&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT Oystercatchers will decline by 56 to 79 percent on three Wadden Islands over the next hundred years. This is according to results from James Cook University in Australia which continues on previous research by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32655&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32655&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT Understanding and advancing larval propagation techniques is vital for enhancing coral reef restoration, which in turn supports marine biodiversity, coastal protection, and sustainable tourism in the Dutch Caribbean. During the DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop, Kelly Latijnhouwers presented new strategies for coral larval propagation. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32592&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32592&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT The stunning and unique nature of the six Dutch Caribbean islands will take center stage in the cinema film WOW! Caribbean Nature Uncovered. This project brings together various partners, including WWF-Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. The aim is to inspire and motivate the public to preserve nature, while focusing on its vulnerability and resilience. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32623&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32623&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:00:00 GMT During the DCNA Reef Restoration Workshop, Dr. Jamie Craggs presented an overview of reproduction in corals, focusing on the methods and benefits of inducing coral spawning in closed system aquariums on land. His presentation explored the intricacies of both brooding and broadcast spawning species, highlighting the different reproductive strategies and their implications for restoration efforts. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32547&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32547&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT Rewilding as a strategy for nature conservation is gaining popularity. The promotion of natural processes is key. The resulting biodiversity is often limited to large mammals and birds, invertebrates are rarely taken into consideration. By linking invertebrates to natural processes, monitoring them can provide insight into the success of rewilding. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32569&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32569&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT Scientists from the University of Amsterdam and University of Groningen are going to investigate micro-algae in the sea around Antarctica and their role in global cycles of carbon and sulphur. These algae form the basis of the ocean food web and may contribute to regulating climate. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32562&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32562&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:00:00 GMT Young, naïve starlings are looking for their wintering grounds independently of experienced conspecifics. By revisiting a classic ‘displacement’ experiment and by adding new data, a team of researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and the Swiss Ornithological Institute (Vogelwarte Sempach) have settled a long-lasting debate. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32548&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32548&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT Nature is under severe pressure worldwide and recent studies project a continued loss. Despite the strong dependence and impact of our society on the many services that nature provides, the worldwide economic impact is largely unknown. To identify which countries and sectors will be most affected, economists and ecologists integrate their expertise and models in a groundbreaking project. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32516&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32516&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:00:00 GMT The heat gradient in urban areas has affected the biodiversity of plants and animals. Yet, how it affects the hidden urban biodiversity, such as bacteria in soil and lichens, is still virtually unknown. This new study shows that the urban heat gradient has different impacts on bacterial community diversity in urban soils and urban lichens. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32495&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32495&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 29 Jun 2024 05:00:00 GMT This week, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance hosted a reef restoration workshop on Bonaire, bringing together over twenty experts in coral reef restoration. The event featured both in-person and virtual presentations, attracting over 150 participants. Topics ranged from fish reproduction to coral outplanting, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration in efforts to safeguard the coral reefs. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32472&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32472&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:00:00 GMT The University of Aruba and Utrecht University recently published their 2024 collection of research papers addressing challenges faced in Aruba. One hot topic this year was presented by Shanisse Franken, concerns how urbanization and deforestation can impact the Dutch Caribbean by creating urban heat islands. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32453&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32453&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 22 Jun 2024 08:00:00 GMT The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is excited to announce the upcoming Reef Restoration Workshop, happening from June 17 to 19, at its office on Bonaire. This event will unite stakeholders, experts, and practitioners from the Dutch Caribbean and beyond to advance coral reef conservation and restoration efforts. Some sessions will be available online.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32436&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32436&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 16 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT A 3D model of imitation blood vessels will make it possible to see exactly how snake venom attacks blood vessels, without having to use laboratory animals. This new research model, called an organ-on-a-chip, was developed by a research team from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, MIMETAS and Naturalis Biodiversity Center. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32381&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32381&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 04 Jun 2024 09:00:00 GMT A fungus living in the sea can break down the plastic polyethylene, provided it has first been exposed to UV radiation from sunlight. Researchers from, among others, NIOZ published their results in the scientific journal Science of the Total Environment. They expect that many more plastic degrading fungi are living in deeper parts of the ocean. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32389&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32389&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:30:00 GMT Marine protected areas (MPAs), which legally protect important marine and coastal ecosystems, often have more reef sharks than non-protected areas. A new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution finds that conservation benefits double when MPAs are established in countries that also limit or gear restrictions. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32370&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32370&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 31 May 2024 05:00:00 GMT The world is currently experiencing a widespread coral bleaching event, the second global bleaching event of the decade, which experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) predict could be more severe than last year's event. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32350&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32350&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 25 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT 'Dust clouds' at the bottom of the deep sea, that will be created by deep-sea mining activities, descend at a short distance for the biggest part. That is shown by PhD research of NIOZ marine geologist Sabine Haalboom, on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Yet, a small portion of the stirred-up bottom material remains visible in the water at long distances. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32301&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32301&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 15 May 2024 05:00:00 GMT Recent genetic studies on the Dutch Caribbean native palm species, specifically Sabal antillensis in Curaçao and Sabal lougheediana in Bonaire, have provided crucial insights that confirm these two species are endemic for their respective islands. These palms, only described in the last decade, showcase not just the rich biodiversity of the Dutch Caribbean, but also the possibilities for recovery. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32292&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32292&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 11 May 2024 14:00:00 GMT To preserve the important intertidal areas and salt marshes off our coasts for the future, we need more turbid water. That is one of the striking conclusions from a new study conducted by a Dutch-Chinese team of researchers and published today in Nature Geoscience. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32263&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32263&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 06 May 2024 12:00:00 GMT On Arpil 22nd, the independent nature conservation organization formerly known as Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) used the occasion of global Earth Day to reveal its transformation to the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF). This transformation encompasses a new name, logo, and visual identity that aligns with the organization’s new strategic direction as a modern conservation organization. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32238&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32238&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:00:00 GMT The Saba Bank National Park was recently the focus of an innovative habitat mapping study. Mapping habitat types is key for environmental management, conservation and research efforts, as well as understanding long-term changes. By combining traditional surveys with advanced machine learning, maps were pieced together with unprecedented accuracy. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32197&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32197&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:30:00 GMT The Dutch landscape is losing plant species that rely on pollination by insects, while plants pollinated by wind are proportionally increasing. Leiden environmental scientist Kaixuan Pan demonstrates this after analysing 87 years of measurements from over 365,000 plots. The news is alarming for our biodiversity and food security. "75% of our crops and 90% of wild plants rely on insects." https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32224&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32224&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:30:00 GMT Climate change has an effect on forests and trees. They suffer from heatwaves and periods of drought. Although we see tree mortality increase as a result, much is still unknown about the underlying mechanisms. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32174&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are home to unique ecosystems that include several species of lizards not found anywhere else in the world. Among these are three endemic species: the Aruba Whiptail, the Bonaire Whiptail, and the Curaçao Whiptail. Recent studies have unveiled fascinating aspects of these lizards' behaviors, offering insights into their social interactions and survival strategies.   https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32157&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32157&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 13 Apr 2024 08:00:00 GMT Fish and invertebrate animals are far more affected by warmer and more acidic seawater than previously known. This is the conclusion of a study co-led by NIOZ marine biologist Katharina Alter, based on a new analysis method and published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32152&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32152&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT Coral ecosystems are susceptible to invasive species, that can wreak havoc on the balanced communities. Such species can be transported unintentionally by marine structures, as is demonstrated by research on a platform which was moored at Curaçao. It harboured its own coral community that contained several species that had never been seen in the Southern Caribbean. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32133&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32133&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 09 Apr 2024 05:00:00 GMT Visiting the beach and enjoying the sun and the sea. For many of us, this is an important way to relax in warm weather. However, Dutch beaches are becoming increasingly crowded. This means that it is not only difficult to find a parking spot or conquer a good stretch of beach for your towel. The crowds are also difficult for plants: how do you survive all those footsteps in the sand? https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32140&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32140&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Apr 2024 05:00:00 GMT Recent reports highlight the concerning spread of the invasive soft coral Unomia stolonifera, currently devastating Venezuela’s marine ecosystems and detected in Cuba. With the potential threat of its expansion to the (Dutch) Caribbean islands, urgent action and awareness are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity and local economies from possible catastrophic consequences. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32047&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32047&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT Over the past forty years, the Atlantic Ocean has experienced a tropicalization, with an increase of warmer-water species. The Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea, where warming has been more rapid, have seen a marked decline in cold-water organisms. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32060&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32060&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 27 Mar 2024 06:00:00 GMT As more and more nutrients from land and air enter the world’s oceans, the dead zones without oxygen in the water will increase in size and intensity. That is the warning that PhD student Zoë van Kemenade, an organic geochemist at NIOZ, draws from her analysis of drill cores from the ocean floor off the coast of California. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32095&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32095&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:00:00 GMT A large quantity of fossils from the period just before and during the last ice age have been discovered in French Guiana. The area changed from a species-rich mangrove system to a dry grassland savannah in a relatively short period of time. So writes an international group of researchers, including UvA scientists Carina Hoorn and Nina Witteveen, in the scientific journal PNAS. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32088&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32088&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 26 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT Plants are not interchangeable when it comes to forming young dunes on a beach. This is shown in the thesis of coastal ecologist Carlijn Lammers of NIOZ. She discovered that sand couch and marram grass form different types of dune. Also, sand couch can sometimes get in the way of marram grass. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32087&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32087&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT In the Dutch Caribbean, all six islands have started the spring data collection of their five-year bird monitoring project. The goal is to monitor and assess local breeding land bird populations. Last year’s first edition gave insight in the differences in distribution between habitats and islands for both rare and common species, such as the ubiquitous Bananaquit pictured above. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32011&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32011&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT The queen conch research called, 'Conquer the Future', has started in Bonaire. Thanks to joint efforts, young farmed conches were shipped by boat from Curaçao to Bonaire. These snails are released into the sea in Sorobon with the aim of strengthening the natural population of conches. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32050&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32050&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT Setting up sustainable farming systems requires policymakers and farmers to start weighing factors at different spatial scales. Alternative agricultural policies still place too much emphasis on production and too little on socio-economic or ecological factors. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge uncertainties in outcomes. Researchers from WUR and UvA conclude this in 'Nature Food'. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32039&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32039&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 16 Mar 2024 09:00:00 GMT An offshore oil spill originating off the coast of Tobago has made its unwelcome arrival on the shores of the Dutch Caribbean. Despite oil reaching Bonaire’s and Curaçao’s coast, the islands seem, fortunately, to have escaped a major disaster so far. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32030&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32030&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 GMT Iron that fertilizes the waters around Antarctica mostly comes from the deep, upwelling waters and the sediments there. That is shown by field research of NIOZ marine biogeochemist Hung-An Tian in the Amundsen Sea and the Weddell Sea. “Iron plays a pivotal role in the Antarctic ecosystem and potentially also in the climate”, Tian says. Hung-An Tian defends his PhD thesis on March 15. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32005&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=32005&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT A collaborative effort between Maynooth University, University of Portsmouth and Wageningen University & Research explored the use of satellite technology to offer a cost-effective solution for accurate mangrove mapping within Bonaire’s Lac Bay Forest. This innovative approach empowers small island states to make informed decisions for the management and protection of these vital ecosystems. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31986&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31986&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 02 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT Data gaps make it challenging to understand ecology, distribution, and conservation needs of wild bees in Europe. BeeFall compiles ecological data to map distribution, variation, trends, and interactions. It allows citizen scientists, researchers and policymakers to identify missing data and inform conservation strategies. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31987&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31987&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 02 Mar 2024 06:00:00 GMT Professor of coastal ecology and NIOZ scientist Tjisse van der Heide receives a prestigious Vici grant for his research on coastal ecosystem restoration. NWO announced today that Van der Heide will receive a grant of one and a half million euros, for which he has set up a five-year research project. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31982&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31982&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT It was Monday afternoon when we received the news that oil spills had reached the east coast of Bonaire. The first thing that comes to mind is the extent of the damage to the environment and the animals. How can WWF-NL assist the marine park authority STINAPA and the local government in minimizing the impact to avoid a natural disaster? https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31980&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31980&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:15:00 GMT Climate change may speed up the emergence of insects in northern countries at the end of winter. This may cause breeding birds, migrating from the south, to come too late to benefit from the insect peak if they do not adjust their travel schedules to the new situation. But do not to jump to conclusions too easily on possible mismatches in nature. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31934&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31934&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT Sint Eustatius’ once-thriving coral reefs are now mere survivors, facing a decline from 25 percent hard coral cover in 1999 to less than 2.5 percent in 2021. This alarming trend has prompted an urgent initiative: a seven-year project designed to revive the island's coral ecosystems and safeguard not only its marine biodiversity but also the well-being of its local residents.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31959&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31959&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 24 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT If storms become stronger in the future due to climate change, more nitrogen may be released from the bottom of coastal seas. This is shown by research of marine biogeochemist Dunia Rios-Yunes at The Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) in Yerseke. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31936&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31936&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT Particularly in spring, less and less fresh water flows from Dutch and German rivers into the Wadden Sea. This affects the life of algae and, therefore, fish and birds on the mudflats as well. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31942&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31942&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMT Tropical rainforests hold a wealth of biodiversity, but are globally approaching a critical point. The drastic decline is happening faster than expected, concludes an international research team. The team includes biologist Hans ter Steege, affiliated with Utrecht University and Naturalis Biodiversity Center. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31940&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31940&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 17 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT From April to December 2023, one hundred farmed young Queen Conchs were released into the sea of Curaçao with the aim of strengthening the natural population of those conchs. In the pilot project ‘Conquer the Future’, marine biologist Michiel van Nierop looks back on promising results from this pilot on Curaçao. This project will soon be continued on Bonaire. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31935&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31935&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMT Corals searching for food in the cold and dark waters of the deep sea are building higher and higher mountains to get closer to the source of their food. But in doing so, they may find themselves trapped when the climate changes. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31864&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31864&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMT Coral that is exposed to higher temperatures, releases more and different organic matter into the seawater. In doing so, the coral feeds unwanted bacteria as well. This is shown by research of marine biologist Milou Arts of NIOZ. "The change in the bacteria around the coral could very well have consequences for the health of the entire reef," Arts says. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31905&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31905&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT A recent study conducted by the University of Groningen investigated how three species of solar-powered sea slugs exhibit unique photoprotection strategies against excessive light. The study revealed connections between light intensity, photoprotection, and oxidative stress, and underscores the necessity of exploring aquatic photosynthesizers under natural lighting conditions.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31911&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31911&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 10 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT What started as an experiment in the Oceanium in Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam, grew into RoffaReefs on Bonaire. An organization committed to saving corals through fish farming. As a partner from the very beginning, Diergaarde Blijdorp has now permanently included RoffaReefs in its Caribbean hub. The World Wide Fund for Nature – Netherlands (WWF-NL) is very pleased with this development. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31894&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31894&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT The restoration of mussel beds in the Wadden Sea or the Delta is a lot more successful when young mussels are helped a little with low, protective fences on the bottom. That is shown by research conducted by marine biologist Jildou Schotanus at the Hogeschool Zeeland / University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen and at NIOZ in Yerseke. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31857&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31857&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT A recently published report found that the Dutch Caribbean hosts 46 species of Palaemonidae shrimp, 24 of which were recorded for the first time for one or more of the islands. These shrimp play a critical role in maintaining healthy coral reefs, making the need to deepen our understanding of these tiny inhabitants more important than ever.  https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31868&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31868&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 03 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMT An increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere 56 million years ago abruptly led to a wetter Central Asia with more plant growth. The publication in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience by an international group of scientists, among whom Carina Hoorn from the University of Amsterdam (UvA), sheds light on how our future will be shaped by global climate change. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31852&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31852&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:00:00 GMT Caribbean coral reefs suffer from algae cover, which hinders new coral growth and survival. One of the causes is the absence of herbivorous Diadema sea urchins that graze on algae, but whose populations have plummeted. On January 1st, 2024, the Diadema II projected started as a pioneering effort to restore sea urchin populations. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31834&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31834&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 27 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMT Since 2018, researchers from Wageningen University & Research have been measuring bees and flowers across the Geuldal area of South Limburg to understand how to improve habitat for bees. A recent study shows that across five years of measurements, flowers in the landscape peak in spring and decline in summer, leaving bees with little to eat when they themselves peak in numbers. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31833&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31833&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT The Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol) stands as a crucial framework dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity within the Caribbean. Recent announcements within the SPAW Protocol have extended extra protection to six species, nominated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of France, marking a significant step towards conservation efforts.   https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31819&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31819&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT In any group of red knots, respective individuals exhibit a remarkable array of distinct character types. Birds with an exploratory character are motivated to investigate their environment and readily explore unfamiliar areas. Meanwhile, birds with inactive character types are content to remain in familiar territory. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31777&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31777&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT During the relay expedition of Naturalis and STINAPA on Bonaire, the invasive New Guinea flatworm was found in two places. That’s bad news, because it has been listed among the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species by the IUCN. It is an effective predator that can pose a serious threat to native snails. Measures are therefore needed. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31813&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31813&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 20 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT Professor Jacintha Ellers, a keynote speaker at the Dutch Caribbean Nature-Based Solutions Symposium, discussed the evolving nature conservation perspective and the urgent need for eco-centric strategies amid climate challenges. Stressing ongoing investments, she outlined pillars for success: evidence-based knowledge, community focus, and robust monitoring. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31785&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31785&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) today announced the reintroduction of the locally extinct yellow-shouldered amazon, also known locally as ‘Lora’, back into Aruba’s nature. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31783&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31783&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 13 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT In the symposium on Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Restoration hosted by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba, Dr. Lawrence Jones-Walters of Wageningen University highlighted the NL 2120 initiative. This visionary approach emphasizes collaborative efforts to combat climate change, especially crucial for the vulnerable Netherlands. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31761&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31761&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT In a revelatory exploration of biodiversity, a recent study has exposed the universal principles governing the dominance and rarity of species across ecosystems. The researchers unveil that a mere few percent of all species wield the lion's share of biomass, extending from the towering trees of the Amazon to the microscopic bacteria in our guts, the mushrooms in the forest, and beyond. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31763&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31763&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMT On the mudflats along the Chinese coasts where non-desctructive forms of aquaculture are practiced, shorebirds like knots and bar-tailed godwits are doing relatively well. “The culturing of shellfish is by no means a way of nature conservation, but at least it keeps the mudflats in China and the bird food in a better condition than without this aquaculture”, He-Bo Peng says. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31767&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31767&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Tue, 09 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT During the Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Restoration Symposium, Arno Verhoeven showcased a number of flourishing Nature-Based Solutions ongoing within the Dutch Caribbean. From community-driven endeavors in St. Eustatius to strategic coral mapping in St. Maarten, the discussion provided a grounded insight into the ongoing work shaping the environmental landscape of the Dutch Caribbean. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31760&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31760&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT Scientists from CARMABI and Wageningen University and Research made a groundbreaking discovery this week: a previously unknown population of the Curaçao Kabana palm on the eastern slope of the Christoffelberg. These palms are unique to Curaçao. They are predominantly found on the hills of Knip, specifically Seru Gracia and Seru Bientu to the west of the Christoffelberg. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31752&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31752&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Sat, 06 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba recently hosted a symposium on 'Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Restoration', providing a platform for experts like Arxen Alders to share insights. Alders’ presentation shed light on the critical need for resource mobilization in the face of the biodiversity crisis. https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31732&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=31732&utm_source=rssfeed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=web-rss-nb Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT