Protecting rice from climate change and invasive snails
EU-funded researchers are developing salt-tolerant rice to protect this important crop from the effects of climate change and the exotic apple snail pest.
Flagship ecosystems... serve nature 'and' people
Environmental imperatives aside, healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity are essential to human populations too! This is especially true in developing countries, where more people rely directly on 'ecosystem services' for their livelihoods. But little is known about the complex links between human well-being and the state of biodiversity and ecosystems. An EU-backed international study takes up the challenge principally in Tanzania and Kenya.
Supporting wild freshwater fish populations
An EU-funded project is investigating ways to improve wild freshwater fish stocks. Its goal is to reverse declining fish populations and improve biodiversity in Europe's rivers and lakes.
Mapping Kenya's birds with mobile technology
An EU-funded project has created an updated distribution map of Kenya's bird species. It uses the latest mobile technology to create dynamic data with input from the public and has become a valuable resource for conservationists and policymakers.
Learning from past crises to protect future biodiversity
The EU funded PRIDE project is investigating drivers of biotic turnover (the rate at which organisms die) in lakes in the Black Sea / Caspian Sea (Pontocaspian) region to understand the nature and severity of the current biodiversity crisis. Increased understanding will help the project team design conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss.
The case for a virus-resistant plum tree
A virus-resistant plum tree could save growers billions of euros from crop losses, according to EU-funded researchers who are helping the European agricultural industry reinforce defences against disease and the impact of climate change.
Water flea evolution tells a cautionary tale of lake pollution
EU-funded researchers studied genomic changes in water fleas for signs of evolutionary adaptation linked to human activities, such as phosphorous contamination in lakes. The results shed light on how species respond to environmental changes, and could feed into measures to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
New sensors paint real-time picture of ocean health
EU-funded researchers have developed new marine sensors to meet the growing need for real-time data on the state of our oceans. Such timely and accurate information will help scientists and policymakers react quickly to ecological threats and ensure that environmental policies are properly implemented.
Reshaping aquaculture with healthier, cleaner ocean farms
An innovative start-up is finalising the development of open-ocean fish farming technology that could reshape the global aquaculture industry, enabling farmers to raise larger quantities of fish in healthier, more natural conditions while minimising environmental impacts.