Key Biodiversity Areas are among the most important sites for nature globally. Our new paper reviews their history, describes the current network of >16500 sites and summarises their growing use by policymakers, governments and businesses onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
For years, experts have warned that nature loss would become a security threat.
Now a national security assessment confirms it: biodiversity collapse risks food shortages, economic instability and global disorder.
Nature underpins our global safety. So why is UK Government failing to protect it?
🚨We're seeking information on Globally Threatened Birds!🚨
We collate up-to-date information used to evaluate the classification of each bird species on the IUCN Red List.🦜
Our team have opened discussions for 90 species until 25 January.🗺️
Contribute here👉 forums.birdlife.org/red-list-cha...
New paper out! 🐦📊
We realease AVONICHE, a global dataset with detailed information on the proportional use of 32 foraging niches, combining dietary categories with the behaviours and substrates used to access resources.
Openly access the paper and data in GEB: doi.org/10.1111/geb....
Hi Matt, I’m an ECR in biogeography and related fields. Could you please add me? Thanks!
Book cover for Reproducible Code guide. The cover has a red background with a large yellow-bodied black-headed stag beetle.
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
Advert for my talk titled “The effectiveness of Key Biodiversity Areas in representing global biodiversity.” The talk is 16:45-17:00 on Wednesday 17th. Tom Lansley.
I’m excited for #BES2025 in Edinburgh next week. My talk on @keybiodiversity.bsky.social is on Wednesday. Come and say hi if you want to discuss birds, research, or what I should do when I finish my PhD at @sheffielduni.bsky.social in a few months!
🦜 New PhD project with @ACCE_DTP and project partners Macaw Recovery Network and Longleat — using bioacoustics data to help conserve one of the Neotropics’ most charismatic parrots, the Critically Endangered Great Green Macaw.
Find out more about ACCE+ DLA and how to apply 👉 accedtp.ac.uk
🚨The European Parliament just rejected the #Forest Monitoring Law 🚨
The proposal was a much-needed piece of legislation, essential to better understanding the state of Europe’s forests and how best to tackle their current breakdown.
Our reaction 👇
Check out the new Key Biodiversity Areas website at www.keybiodiversityareas.org. Helpful guidance on what KBAs are, how they are being used by governments & other end-users, how to get involved, unprecedented access to the full dataset etc. @keybiodiversity.bsky.social @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
New on global conservation science:
Most bird species overlap with Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), yet gaps remain, especially for northern and temperate species. Expanding KBA coverage could better safeguard global avian diversity.
Lansley et al. in Conservation Biology doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
This complete shambles is a useful reminder of why companies who say "Don't worry about the carbon, we're planting trees for that" should be treated with scepticism.
Celebrating the life of a conservation legend. 🕊️
Today, we reflect on the extraordinary life of Dame Jane Goodall (1934 - 2025). Jane was a world-renowned expert on chimpanzees and a passionate advocate for community-led conservation action. 🌿
Read more here: www.birdlife.org/news/2025/10...
Conservation will have its greatest impact if we target it at sites which have global significance. A study just out shows we are missing half of these sites on average in most countries. conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
All countries need to update their Key Biodiversity Area networks
Celebrating #WorldRiversDay !💧
Rivers not only provide fresh water but also serve as rich habitats for countless species and sustain the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.🦆
Read more about river @keybiodiversity.bsky.social in our article here👉 www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
This is a game changer for marine conservation. Now we need to build on the momentum and designate high seas marine protected areas to conserve Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social
Long-term changes in the abundance levels of terrestrial bird populations attributable to climate change and human pressure.
Heterogenous and persistent impacts of hot temperature extremes on the interannual growth rate of terrestrial bird population abundance.
As humans face record-breaking heatwaves, our new research led by Max Kotz shows intensified heat extremes caused a 25–38% decline in the level of abundance of
tropical birds since 1950. These impacts often exceed those of average temperature rise and direct human pressures.
rdcu.be/eAlQh
@society4conbio.bsky.social @keybiodiversity.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
Southern cassowary
Me presenting my research
Laughing kookaburra
View over the forest at Lamington National Park
I had a great time in Brisbane at @iccb2025.bsky.social presenting my first and second PhD chapters. I was even a finalist for best presentation at the conference!
I saw so many old friends, met great new people, and heard so much cool science.
#ICCB2025
Here's a short video (in English) all about my two years of research on wild pollinators in France's newest national park!
We're talking protected areas, forest networks, roadsides and legislation. Hope you enjoy! 🐝
In most of the world day-to-day weather variations are still much larger than long-term global warming.
As a result, both daily record highs and daily record lows remain common.
However as the world warms, new daily record highs consistently far outnumber new daily record lows.
🧪
Flamingos actively generate miniature underwater whirlpools to trap and capture live prey, according to new research:
New paper reviewing the world's 10,443 Critically Endangered species: their status, distribution threats and the actions needed for their recovery
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
We've just launched AviList! - the new unified global taxonomic checklist for the world's birds, developed through the Working Group on Avian Classification, including BirdLife, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, IOC and others @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social www.avilist.org
I'm really excited for #ICCB2025
I am presenting a talk: 'How effectively do Key Biodiversity Areas represent global avian diversity?'
Monday 16th, 11:45, Mezzanine Level Meeting Room M2.
Also presenting a poster tropical moist forests in KBAs.
Wednesday 18th, 16:15, Great Hall.
See you there!
Having had time to digest the new BNG consultation, I am *astounded* at the proposed changes to the small sites metric (SSM). If the changes are implemented, the SSM could apply to developments up to 49 dwellings/1ha - affecting a lot of developments! 1/ consult.defra.gov.uk/defra-biodiv...
The KBA identification process is highly inclusive, consultative, and nationally driven. National Coordination Groups, and anyone with appropriate data, may propose a site as a KBA.
Discover more about the proposing process here 🌐 bit.ly/4dhash3
