Using butterfly survey data to model habitat associations in urban developments

This study used data from 160 urban sites in England, collected by volunteers taking part in the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, in which BTO is a partner. Butterflies were chosen as the species...

Linking climate warming and land conversion to species’ range changes across Great Britain

The most notable changes over the past 75 years have been an increase in temperature and a loss of roughly 90% of lowland meadow and pasture, mainly converted to arable farmland and improved...

The current state of nature

The UK, like most other countries worldwide, has experienced a significant loss of biodiversity. The trends in nature presented in this report cover, at most, 50 years, but these follow on from major...

Butterflies find safe haven in UK gardens

Data from 7,971 gardens between 2007 and 2020 have been used to produce garden-specific abundance trends for 22 widespread butterfly species.

The impacts of farming activities on Europe’s breeding birds

Using the most comprehensive dataset of its kind, this study explores the drivers of population change in European birds.

Using species-habitat models to predict bird counts from urban development plans

What drives stability in ecological communities?

Using data collected by volunteers participating in three national butterfly monitoring schemes - operating in Spain, the UK and Finland - this paper explores the mechanisms shaping community...

New study identifies long-term decline in earthworms

What could be a previously undetected biodiversity decline potentially represents a significant conservation and economic issue in the UK.

Inconsistent relationships between area, heterogeneity and plant species richness in temperate farmed landscapes

Using satellite data to assess spatial drivers of bird diversity

Are the declines of birds and invertebrates linked by climate change?

Many of the detected effects of climate change on biodiversity have occurred through impacts on food chains. We know that many birds are insectivorous during the breeding season, and various studies...

What does the latest Birds of Conservation Concern review mean for Welsh birds?

How much agri-environment scheme is needed to help birds?

Birdwatchers and anglers value peatlands differently to walkers and cyclists.

The numbers of threatened birds are greater on UK sites with the highest levels of protection.

While there is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that protected areas are effective at protecting natural habitats, their benefits for birds and other species have been less well-studied. This study...

Can agri-environment schemes achieve positive outcomes for nature?

Diversity of response and effect traits provides complementary information about avian community dynamics linked to ecological function

Are marine protected areas working?

Recommendations to enhance breeding bird diversity in managed plantation forests determined using LiDAR

A tale of two warblers

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) results show very different population trends for Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff - but what is driving this difference? BTO research reveals climate is key.

Bioclimatic context of species' populations determines community stability

The carbon footprint of biodiversity monitoring

Whilst it is essential that we have accurate information about how wildlife is faring in this changing world, we also need to be mindful of the carbon footprint generated by monitoring activities.