Biodiversity

The great diversity of life on Earth can become a literal support system.

Our cities are damaging our health. Here’s how plants can help us.

Did you know that there are more species of fly in the UK than there are mammals on the planet? And they perform some pretty important jobs.

New research is now mapping where these vital regions are.

As we encroach more on the natural world, new diseases are likely to become more common.

The historic loss of large mammals such as wolves and aurochs means that plants are much less able to spread their seeds to suitable climates.

Museum plant specialist Ana Claudia researches global biodiversity decline.

The WWF’s Living Planet Report comes with a stark warning that we are reaching a point of no return for nature. 

Humans are having a devastating effect on biodiversity, but the impacts might be worse than we thought.

Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.

The first State of the World’s Migratory Species report found that countries aren’t doing enough to save threatened species.

The tropical crops may face an uncertain future amid rising temperatures and habitat loss.

Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates in the world.

Wildlife in the UK has declined on average by 19% since monitoring began in 1970.

We know the problems, but we also know how to fix them. 

The days of the most distinctive bird species could be numbered as the most unusual forms bear the brunt of global extinctions.  

The UK's insect population has fallen sharply as the invertebrates are affected by rising temperatures and fragmented habitats.

Habitat loss and human persecution are the key drivers of their decline, with crocodiles and turtles most at risk.

In order to better target interventions we need to know which causes have the biggest impacts.

Food security and biodiversity are threatened by the chemicals contaminating our soils.

More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.

The North Sea’s oil and gas rigs impact more than the atmosphere.

Invasive species are a much bigger threat to nature than many people realise.

What does this term mean and how could it affect you?

A new study has looked at what is driving the biodiversity crisis. 

Scientists have called for greater protections for species which are at risk of being collected into extinction.

Another bird from the island of the dodo is in danger of becoming extinct, scientists have warned.

Populations of raptors are over 50,000 birds smaller than they would otherwise be.

Plants in the UK now flower around a month earlier than they were hundreds of years ago. 

The world’s sugar addiction is destroying tropical rainforest.

Find out the different ways scientists have of describing what species are, how they form and how many there are on Earth. 

The tropical arachnids have been named after the musician to draw attention to the threats they face. 

Over 30 potential new species, from starfish to sea cucumbers, have been discovered living at the bottom of the sea.

The world's largest waterlily has been discovered in the wetlands of northern Bolivia.

Nepenthes pudica is changing what we know about carnivorous species, but may already be Critically Endangered.

Though Gasteranthus extinctus may be Critically Endangered, there is hope it can be brought back from the brink.

The deep seafloor could be up to three times as diverse as the overlying waters, with much of this diversity yet to be discovered by science. 

Animals can be detected from hundreds of metres away, just by the presence of their DNA in the air.

Discover the importance of the oceans to life on Earth, the problems facing these waters and how to conserve them.

We’ve been underestimating the importance of partially logged forests.

Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.

Recognising the rights of the world's Indigenous Peoples could be crucial to protecting nature.

Nature faces a series of unprecedented threats in the twenty-first century - and the Convention on Biological Diversity sets the stage to help it fight back.

The mountain chicken is teetering on the brink of extinction, but we may now have a way to save them.

Find out what eDNA is and how it can be used for conservation. 

It’s possible to bring animals and plants back from the brink.

Andean bear populations are dwindling - but there is hope for the species.

The new Global Typology of Ecosystems provides an important step towards characterising the true diversity of life on Earth at its largest scale. 

For the first time the records of ancient British birds have been formally incorporated into the British List.

Frogs with less diverse microbiomes are more severely affected by chytridiomycosis than those with a greater range of microbes, suggesting possible new treatments.

A new report lays out how we can prioritise the best selection of habitats to give the UK's 24 species of bumblebee a boost.

Crowdsourced photographs are helping to demonstrate the value of nature reserves to one of the world's largest fish.

The bittern, whose call is as loud as a jet taking off, is returning to areas of the country it hasn't been seen in for centuries. 

Just 20 large mammals, including beavers, bears and bison, could bring back communities across a quarter of the planet.

By speeding up the process of describing new species, scientists can help to protect the precious places they live.

There’s increasing interest in deep-sea mining, but the impacts that this will have on the animals that live in the depths isn’t fully understood.

Plants, fertility and antifertility have been intertwined throughout time. 

Ocean temperatures are rising around the world – and marine wildlife are feeling the heat.

The Darwin Tree of Life project aims to sequence the genomes of all complex life in the UK.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted nations on Earth – and it’s about to get worse.

Twenty-four new species of crustaceans have been discovered as part of a project to name 1,000 deep-sea animals by 2030

The epic migrations made by many fishes are at risk of dying out.

A widely used agricultural weedkiller could be unintentionally helping antibiotic-resistant bacteria thrive.

Species can influence each other’s evolution – this is known as coevolution. Discover more about this phenomenon.

Rain generated by the Amazon rainforest could be worth up to £15 billion every year.

Centuries after they were wiped out, the reintroduction of beavers to the UK is gathering pace.

An international target to slash pesticide use by 2030 is unlikely to be met.

Five former Thereus butterflies from South America have been revealed as 16 different species.

In the last 12 months, we celebrated the start of our new science centre and appointed our first Director of Collections.

There’s intense interest in mining the deep sea for technology critical minerals. 

Some of the ocean’s most important habitats aren’t included in protected areas.

The lifestyle of the dingo was dramatically altered after European colonists reached Australia in 1788.

As animals and plants are removed from an ecosystem its ability to function falters.

Find out how scientists come up with a species name and what a type specimen is used for.

Antarctica is renowned for its icy landscapes – but has become one of the fastest warming places on Earth.

Museum specimens have helped scientists discover three new species of tree-dwelling toads.

The wildlife cameraman and presenter discusses how understanding nature is crucial to his work.

Tropical rainforests are bursting with unique wildlife. They’re vital to the health of the planet, yet they’re under serious threat.

One of the more unusual jobs of our scientists is to verify record-breaking catches of everything from titanic tuna to colossal cod.

Scientists are using DNA to predict how African reed frogs will be affected by environmental change.

Shifts in Earth’s climate and ecosystems will have untold consequences for billions of people across the world.

As the animals which spread their seeds go extinct, island plants are at risk of disappearing forever.

New analysis shows that the vast majority of the areas we depend on for our survival aren’t being well looked after.

DNA can tell us how species’ ranges are changing in response to environmental change.

The biggest study of starfish is challenging some long-held assumptions. 

Nations such as Morocco are fighting to become more resilient in the face of climate change.

The lynx has been absent from the UK for centuries, but its return could help to restore the country’s biodiversity.

Rhododendron ponticum is a problematic, ornamental species that has left a lasting legacy across the UK.

Scientists have tracked over 100 species of marine animals and found that plans to protect almost a third of our seas may be insufficient.

Nettles tend to have a bad reputation but they’re very important!

In order to better target interventions we need to know which causes have the biggest impacts.

Hundreds of species of fungi have now been added to the latest conservation Red List.

Find out what taxonomy means and why it’s important to classify life on Earth.

New research reveals that damage to these environments is pushing freshwater animals to the edge of extinction.

While some progress was made, crucial decisions on protecting nature will be left until next year after the meeting ran out of time.

Discover the importance of the oceans to life on Earth, the problems facing these waters and how to conserve them.

New research is now mapping where these vital regions are.

The WWF’s Living Planet Report comes with a stark warning that we are reaching a point of no return for nature. 

Find out the different ways scientists have of describing what species are, how they form and how many there are on Earth. 

Each year, 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the environment.

Food security and biodiversity are threatened by the chemicals contaminating our soils.

More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.

Humans are having a devastating effect on biodiversity, but the impacts might be worse than we thought.

Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.

Find out the facts about palm oil and its impact on the health of rainforests.

Plant infections can now be detected in our crops before they’re even visible.

Genetically removing the prickles from crops could have huge benefits for agriculture.

We’ve been underestimating the importance of partially logged forests.

The North Sea’s oil and gas rigs impact more than the atmosphere.

Find out what wildlife you can see at our ponds and how they support life in our gardens.

From hidden highlights to star sights and surprising sounds, explore 12 treasures in our new gardens.

Growing food on land can be challenging and costly for the planet. Discover how seaweed farming offers a solution.

Only 1,000 Bornean elephants are thought to be left in the wild.

Artificial hotspots might be able to help frogs fight off chytridiomycosis.

Boosting biodiversity and locking away more carbon from our atmosphere than forests, wetlands are incredible ecosystems.

Discover the extraordinary diversity of sex and sexual behaviour in nature.

One of the world’s largest migrations is made by some of its smallest inhabitants.

Uncover the past, present and future of cattle and what this means for climate change and nature.

The newly described Myloplus sauron highlights how little we know about South America’s biodiversity.

Amalophyllon miraculum reveals that the region’s biodiversity may not have suffered as badly as first feared.

By sequencing airborne eDNA, a new project hopes to find out more about the UK’s wildlife.

Increasing urbanisation is putting pressure on many birds. Here are 11 top tips for helping your local feathered friends.

Dandelions, buttercups and brambles might help to answer some of the biggest questions in botany.

Seal diversity is just a snapshot of the species that used to exist. 

Seagrass meadows store carbon, safeguard shorelines and support marine life. But they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.

Some of the UK’s most recognisable birds are vanishing before our eyes.

Looking back at the story of the Tasmanian tiger, the echoes of colonialism and its impact on Australia’s wildlife today. 

A new project to kickstart conservation for some of the world’s rarest fishes is making a splash.

Protections for the world’s oceans need strengthening, a new report suggests.

Ocean warming is threatening coral reefs but some reefs are surviving the warming waters and offer hope for these vital ecosystems.

Making our gardens earthworm friendly could help urban spaces become more resilient.

From helping us grow our food to tackling our plastic waste problem, fungi can help us achieve a more sustainable future.

For the first time in 100 years, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the upper waters of the River Derwent. 

An international team of scientists have spent the last few weeks finding out what is living 4,000 metres beneath the surface.

Learn about Barbary macaques and the challenges they face.

We now know more about the threats affecting birds than ever before.

Some of the world’s largest and most unusual fishes could be wiped out.

The orcas have learnt to catch and eat young great white sharks in less than two minutes.

As many as 100 new species of deep-sea animals may have been discovered living on undersea mountains.

Our scientists have been digging tiny holes in soil in allotments, gardens and museum lawns around the country.

They might not have legs, but snakes are outpacing their relatives in the race to evolve.

Named in honour of two dedicated conservationists, the discovery of the spiders could help to protect at-risk forests on St Helena.

Satellite images have revealed a missing 64,000 square kilometres of coral cover, an area similar to the size of Ireland.

The first State of the World’s Migratory Species report found that countries aren’t doing enough to save threatened species.

Seaweeds play a vital role in the modern world, but their existence is under threat.

The fishing of sandeels in the UK’s portion of the North Sea will be banned from April.

Invasive ants are reducing tree cover on the savannah, causing lions to hunt buffalo over zebra.

Nations around the world have agreed to protect 30% of the land and sea by the year 2030.

Variations in the skull shape of vultures have been found to coincide with the preferred method each species uses to feed on a carcass.

The same useful traits appear again and again in nature.

The Natural History Museum’s collections are helping scientists to get a handle on how evolution works.

The last remaining wildernesses on Earth could be swept away to feed humanity’s growing appetite.

The tropical crops may face an uncertain future amid rising temperatures and habitat loss.

Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates in the world.

The National Education Nature Park will create a network of green spaces right across the country.

Wildlife in the UK has declined on average by 19% since monitoring began in 1970.

Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.

Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.

The pattern of diversity in the deep sea is more complex than first thought.

Ticks are becoming increasingly common in the UK and can carry a health risk for people and pets.

A newly described palm species from Borneo has been discovered with the unusual phenomenon of producing its fruit and flowers below ground.

International scientists must overcome many obstacles to obtain research posts in the UK.

A new report offers a path to recover England's woodlands, one that could increase the country's biodiversity from the mid-2040s onwards.

The Victorian grassland earless dragon was last seen in 1969, but recent surveys of its habitat have revealed new populations of the species.

Hear stories from the front line of the planetary emergency, as well as solutions from nature, science and people power.

The oldest group of lizards has just gained their newest member.

Our South Asian scientists share their research and their favourite specimen.

An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England.

Kangaroos spring up faster when they’re living with their predators.

Our top tips for how to see nocturnal animals as they go about their busy lives after dark. 

Five species are set to receive greater legal protection under a new extension to the UK’s ivory ban.

Most of the declining species are farmland birds.

Urban soundtracks allow us to listen in to wildlife, from calling birds and shouting foxes to chirping insects and quiet worms.

While there are currently only two members of the genus Saurona, many more as-yet-undescribed species are thought to exist.

Scientists have developed an ambitious new tool which monitors the monthly changes in Wikipedia pageviews for thousands of species.

Think you know your birds from your bees? 

Thai PhD student Chawatat investigates the hidden lives of Southeast Asian bumblebees.

Traces of ice algae have been found in many animal groups revealing the critical importance of algae and the sea ice on which it grows to the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

Named after a Hindu god, it is hoped that resurrecting the species will focus conservation attention on at-risk habitats.

Bird populations in the UK continue to freefall as the government moves further away from achieving its own targets to protect nature.

A gradual decline in biodiversity may have led to a more devastating ecosystem collapse during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.

As many as 50 beavers could be living in Somerset and Wiltshire, Natural England has revealed.

Development in Key Biodiversity Areas poses a risk to the stability and survival of unique ecosystems.

22 rewilding schemes will share £850,000 to help bring back nature in the UK's capital city.

The latest climate report reveals that the world is more than capable of tackling climate change, but current action simply isn't enough.

Almost a third of Mauritius' native fruits are no longer being dispersed as no animals are big enough to swallow their seeds.

Of the almost 3,500 British plant species, non-native plants now outnumber native species by 51% to 49%.

Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world's oceans from exploitation.

While conservationists have welcomed the announcement, they've also raised concerns that the proposals aren't enough to protect vulnerable marine habitats.

Thérèse Coffey has told farmers that she does not support reintroducing wolves and lynx to the English countryside.

Natural ponds come and go. They fill up when it's wet and empty when it’s dry. Pond wildlife has learnt to live in these changeable worlds in remarkable ways.

While some argue de-extinction could help to restore damaged ecosystems, others believe it is an expensive distraction from the threats facing living species.

The UK government has released plans to restore the natural world. 

Shrubs, climbers and small trees provide important food and shelter for insects, birds and other animals.

The Yangtze finless porpoise has faced habitat loss and a reduced range as a result of sand mining, but a suspension of the practice offers hope that they could recover. 

Invasive rats are devastating tropical islands, with effects reaching far beyond the land. 

Here are just 20 of the ways humanity's efforts to help nature paid dividends in 2022.

Two Museum experts highlight the stories and science behind some of our most festive flora.  

Get the facts about sustainable energy.

Intensively used land isn't just harmful to biodiversity we can see – it's also harming the wildlife living under the ground.

Recognising the rights of the world's Indigenous Peoples could be crucial to protecting nature.

The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are closely connected but the good news is, so are the solutions.

Museum plant specialist Ana Claudia researches global biodiversity decline.

Nature faces a series of unprecedented threats in the twenty-first century - and the Convention on Biological Diversity sets the stage to help it fight back.

Native mussels in the River Thames are in decline, with some species having disappeared since a landmark study in 1964.

A new study has looked at what is driving the biodiversity crisis. 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis or the state of our planet? These techniques can help you improve your mental wellbeing.

Demands for climate action are stronger than ever as the world comes together once again to discuss the rapidly warming world.

Dam building in Australia is reducing gene flow between platypus groups, piling pressure on populations whose numbers are already falling.

Left alone over time, many graveyards have become secluded sanctuaries where plant and animal life can thrive.

A herd of bison released into woodland near Canterbury, Kent, have surprised conservationists by giving birth to a calf.

Carcinogenic fuel, explosives and chemical weapons are leaking into the seas from sunken naval vessels.

We know the problems, but we also know how to fix them. 

The new Global Typology of Ecosystems provides an important step towards characterising the true diversity of life on Earth at its largest scale.