Science Briefs Archive

Science Brief

Conservation Science Publishing Has a Gender Problem

The persistent gender gap in science publishing is harming conservation efforts.

Science Brief

Mammals, Wildlife Trade + the Next Global Pandemic

Scientists report a strong association between wildlife trade and zoonotic disease risk with 25% of mammal species in the trade hosting 75% of viruses known to be transmissible between animals and humans.

Science Brief

Where There’s Smoke: Wildfire, Forest Restoration and Human Health

A new paper argues forest health and human health should not be viewed as separate concerns when it comes to wildfires.

Science Brief

Earth Transformed: Mapping of Global Human Modification from 1990 to 2017

Between 1990 and 2015, humans have modified an area of land greater than the size of Russia.

turtle swimming underwater with tag on its back

Science Brief

Satellite Tracking Leads to Action for Hawksbill Sea Turtles

New science on hawksbill sea turtles in the Solomon Islands provided critical information to strengthen protection for turtles on their nesting grounds.

Brown bird with yellow and black winds and a blue bill perched on a branch

Science Brief

The Logging Industry Can Help Protect Tropical Birds

Well-managed logging concessions can play a critical role in species conservation. A new study quantifies the conservation responsibility of the tropical timber industry, finding that up to 32% of the…

Showing an electric car plugged into a charger

Science Brief

Make Lithium Extraction in the U.S. “Smart from the Start”

While the U.S. has potential to be a global lithium producer, careful planning will be required to avoid and limit damage near potential extraction sites.

Science Brief

Using Artificial Intelligence to Understand Solar Energy’s Impact in India

India has set ambitious renewable energy goals, necessary to address climate change. But given the large footprint projected to meet renewables energy targets, the potential for land use conflicts is…

Science Brief

Conservation Science Publishing Has a Gender Problem

The persistent gender gap in science publishing is harming conservation efforts.

Science Brief

Resilience and Stability on Palmyra’s Coral Reefs

In hopeful news, coral reefs at Palmyra Atoll show long-term stability, recovery and resilience, despite two bleaching events within the last decade.

Science Brief

Turning Tweets into Action?

The science of science communications: Twitter Edition. Study shows promise for accelerating public engagement and advocacy for environmental issues, including climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Science Brief

Where There’s Smoke: Wildfire, Forest Restoration and Human Health

A new paper argues forest health and human health should not be viewed as separate concerns when it comes to wildfires.

Science Brief

A New Way to Prioritize Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs

A study on coral reefs helps overcome the inherent uncertainty in modeling the future climate scenarios necessary for prioritizing conservation efforts.

picture of urban landscape, buildings, elevated roads, cars showing typical urban expansion

Science Brief

To Protect Nature, Cities Matter in the Urban Century

New science shows where science-based urban planning could save species, turn cities into biodiversity hubs, and save land for nature.

Science Brief

Planting Trees in Pasturelands Keeps Things Cool

Farmers in the tropics can harness the cooling benefits of tree cover by incorporating trees within their pasturelands.

aerial photo of half a green field and half forest

Science Brief

Tropical Deforestation May Reduce Safe Work for Millions

Deforestation reduced safe work hours for more than 4.9 million people across the tropics.

Science Brief

Can Offshore Wind Development Enhance Fish Habitat?

In addition to providing clean energy, a new report demonstrates that wind turbines can also enhance fish and marine life habitat by incorporating nature-based design principles.

Science Brief

Tracking Nature Inequity and COVID-19 Case Rates

A new study quantifies nature inequity across all urbanized areas in the United States and found that neighborhoods with less nature access had greater COVID-19 case rates.

Science Brief

For Parrotfish, One Protected Area Isn’t Enough

Research from the Solomon Islands finds that populations of bumphead parrotfish rely on larvae from other reefs, meaning they’re unlikely to rebound if the entire region is overfished.