Eradicating fire ants is still possible, but we have to choose now

Dec 16, 2016 02:25 am UTC| Nature

Australia needs to spend millions of dollars more to eradicate one of the nations worst invasive species, the fire ant, according to recent reports. Fire ants, first detected in Brisbane in 2001, pose a major health and...

Getting smarter about city lights is good for us and nature too

Dec 16, 2016 02:15 am UTC| Technology Nature

Ideas to enhance the liveability and sustainability of our cities have attracted a lot of interest recently. Examples include establishing or enhancing urban forests, or bringing back nature into cities to support animals...

Space Science Series

Ice ages have been linked to the Earth's wobbly orbit - but when is the next one?

Dec 10, 2016 07:00 am UTC| Nature

Over the last two and a half million years the Earth has undergone more than 50 major ice ages, each having a profound effect on our planets climate. But what causes them and how do we predict when the next big ice age...

Planet Earth II: why most animals can't hack city living

Dec 10, 2016 02:48 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

The grand finale of the BBCs Planet Earth II showcased the ingenious strategies that some animals use to thrive in urban environments. Though impressive, these species are in the minority. As the number of people living in...

Pavlov's plants: new study shows plants can learn from experience

Dec 08, 2016 10:30 am UTC| Nature

The first time I met the Australian evolutionary ecologist Monica Gagliano, she was wearing colourful paisley trousers and was giving an animated talk at a 2014 environmental humanities conference in Canberra. Despite...

New Study Could Lead To Drought-Resistant Crops, Christmas Trees Die Due To Dry Spell

Dec 06, 2016 07:58 am UTC| Nature

Scientists managed to find genetic properties of plants that can allow them to resist extreme drought and provide food even with limited water. This is an extremely important development amid increasingly devastating...

Climate Change Series

Nitrogen pollution: the forgotten element of climate change

Dec 04, 2016 19:21 pm UTC| Nature

While carbon pollution gets all the headlines for its role in climate change, nitrogen pollution is arguably a more challenging problem. Somehow we need to grow more food to feed an expanding population while minimising...