Pond Ponderings from Scotland: Big Plot and Big Dreams!
Our second ‘Pond Ponderings’ blogger is Andrew Walker, a very keen wildlife fan based in Scotland. Andrew is lucky enough to have a large plot to work with and will be bringing us updates on how his wildlife pond and garden are faring 5 years on. In his first post below we join him at…
Pond Ponderings – from Avopond, a brand new pond in suburban York
Welcome along our first Pond Pondering bloggers Mollie and Lawrence from York! “Beginning a new garden is always exciting and was a brilliant opportunity to create a pond and make it a focal point of my very own mini nature reserve. With only a small garden, the challenge has been to create a pond substantial…
Distribution trends of European dragonflies under climate change
A new study by Tim Termatt et al examines shifts in dragonfly species distribution across Europe in response to a warming climate. Data from a total of 10 European regions and 99 species were studied and compared to changes in climate over recent decades. The results indicate that European dragonfly species are showing an overall…
Global collapse of insect populations
The Guardian has covered on a new data study reporting that global insect total mass declines by a staggering 2.5% a year. The study also claims that 40% of insect species are declining, and a third are categorised as endangered. All ecosystems rely on insects, the most diverse and abundant group of animals on the…
The Impact of Heatwaves
New research from the University of East Anglia provides insight into how climate change is impacting insect populations. The research team exposed Red Flour Beetles (Tribolium castaneum) to simulated heatwave conditions, in a lab, to explore the impact on male reproduction. While female fertility was unaffected, heatwaves halved the amount of offspring males could produce, and a second…
Water Soldier
The floating Water Soldier plant, with its characteristic spiky leaves and white flowers, naturally grows in the fens and broads of Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. However, its popularity as a garden pond plant has resulted in its introduction and spread outside of its original native range. In this short document we discuss the ecological benefits of Water Soldier, as…
New Dragonfly Species for Britain
New Dragonfly Species for Britain: The Yellow-spotted Emerald
British Black-winged Demoiselles – not American tourists
Ebony Jewelwing? Not on my patch! Find out more about Britain's own Demoiselles.