Life on Earth at risk
A series of landmark reports show rapid biodiversity loss, land degradation driving species to extinction
International Biodiversity Day 2021: We are part of the solution
Let us make the International Biodiversity Day a routine action rather than a mere one-day celebration every year
How plants gauge the time of day
Light-sensitive proteins — called photoreceptors — measures time in plants and keeps them abreast of seasons, which is …
Human actions have made a huge mess of natural world
Even though this biodiversity crisis is humanity’s fault, there is still time to save the Earth if governments, companies and individuals …
Four regional biodiversity assessments released; focus is on the way we use resources
About 500,000 square kilometres of land in Africa might be degraded if the region continues to follow the same resource usage pattern
Climate change hurts: Will Gourmet ‘gur’ continue to thrive in Bengal’s Jaynagar
Destruction of date palm trees during cyclone Amphan and warming weather have resulted in a huge decline in production of West Bengal’s …
The mysterious existence of a leafless kauri stump, kept alive by its forest neighbours
Whatever happens on their journey from feeding themselves to being fed happens out of sight — likely below ground
Ensure ethical trade in wild plants, consumers urged
New report highlights how many wild plants used in everyday products are sourced without any consideration to supply sustainability
World’s smallest terrestrial fern found in Western Ghats
The newly-found fern is one cm long and has different genetic and physical characters compared to other known fern species
Invasive alien species are a serious threat to the planet: 4 key messages for Africa
Constrained financial resources and the lack of legal frameworks are largely to blame for the lack of progress in the management of invasive species
More than 90% of the world’s salt marshes may soon succumb to sea level rise: Study
In a sea level rise scenario, the only solution left with plants will be to colonise new areas or to go uphill, but this may not be possible in …
‘Biodiversity is integral to maintaining food security’
National Biodiversity Authority representative underlines importance of all food crops at Chennai meet
Plant treaty: Ways to benefit custodians of agricultural biodiversity in focus
Treaty calls on nations to protect, promote their rights to save and use traditional seeds
All about the first-ever global assessment on biodiversity
Down To Earth followed the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ from when it was a draft to …
Climate change alters how plants go about their lives; here’s how
Scientists study 212 plant species across 5 botanical gardens in Germany
Plant diversity rapidly declining in Germany
Plant diversity decreased by over 15% in over 70% of the 2,000 species examined in last 60 years
Failure to find adequate funds may hamper Kunming-Montreal biodiversity targets
The Global Environment Facility has to ensure that the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has access to at least $200 billion per year by 2030
Pune researchers discover rare low-basalt plateau with 76 plant species in Western Ghats
As they grow among rocks, the flora faces a harsher environment compared to other species growing elsewhere
Increasing human footprint cutting Antarctica wilderness: Study
Data from 2.7 million records show how human activity has risen in Antarctica over the last 200 years
Two new species of moss rose discovered in south India
Both new species of Portulaca grow in sandy soil accumulated on rocky plateaus of Badami and Guledgudda taluks. They are restricted in …
Secret lives of cougars: Pumas might be ‘gardening’ to attract prey to hunting hotspots
Study suggests prey carcasses fertilise the soil to grow nutrient-rich plants that attract large hooved mammals to hunting areas
International Biodiversity Day: It is about our relationship with nature
WATCH: Sunita Narain spells out why it is all about our choices as the world celebrates another International Biodiversity Day in the shadow of …
World Biodiversity Day 2023: Are we on track to meet targets under global framework
With just around 7 years to achieve the targets set under the Global Biodiversity Framework, the progress so far is unimpressive
Worrying dip in global biodiversity
The proportion of livestock breeds at risk of extinction is increasing and plant diversity in farmers’ fields is decreasing, says a recent …
‘Largest public collection of unique plant germplasm in the world up for private takeover’
Restructuring of CGIAR ‘represents a threat to democratic and local control of food systems’, warns United Nations Special Rapporteur …
