Category Archives: Ecology (political)

JUSTIFIED OR TOO SENSATIONALIST?

This video from campaigning group Plane Stupid has just been released in UK cinemas. Grim viewing, which younger children might find upsetting, even if you tell them it’s all done on computers. I’m not letting my 11 year old see … Continue reading

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Filed under Climate change, Ecology (political), Videos

TO CULL OR NOT TO CULL?

October 2007 The government’s chief scientist has suggested that a cull of all badgers in the South East of England would be a good idea. Many conservationists think this is daft, and that the rate of bovine TB would plummet if farmers stopped … Continue reading

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Filed under Diseases, Ecology (political), Mammals

AND FAREWELL TO THE BLUEFIN TUNA?

October 2007 Depressing BBC article about the threats of bluefin tuna stocks. The story, as ever, is one of over-fishing – even the Spanish Fisheries Ministry admits as much.

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political), Fish

WHAT SHOULD WE CONSERVE WHERE?

September 2007 Open access article from PLoS Biology looking at the harsh choices conservation policy makers have to make, and try to compare the different approaches. They conclude “We discover that one could protect many more plant and vertebrate species by investing in … Continue reading

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political)

ECUADOR

September 2007 The Yasuni national park in Ecuador is threatened by oil prospection. This article outlines the issues. Our 2nd Year field course to Ecuador helps provide an alternative income source for the local people. For an MEN article about the course, go … Continue reading

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political), Manchester

ARE POLITICS AND CONSERVATION CONTRADICTORY?

September 2007 Excellent think-piece from Richard Leakey, Kenyan palaeontologist and wild-life expert.

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political)

THE COMPLICATED STORY OF CONSERVATION IN AFRICA

September 2007 Excellent magazine article in Nature about the problems facing conservationists in Africa – because there are too many elephants. Depressing BBC summary of African Journal of Ecology article about how Africa’s national parks are failing in their mission. (You or your institution … Continue reading

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political)

BAD NEWS FROM MALTA

May 2007 Somewhat distressing piece about the annual blast-em-up fest for hunters on Malta, who seem to take great delight in firing away at anything in the sky.

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Filed under Birds, Ecology (political)

RE-WILDING?

April 2007 Very useful review article from TREE about key arguments in interventionist conservation strategies, in particular around the concept of “re-wilding” - introducing species in order to recreate pre-human Pleistocene environments. You or your institution will need a subscription to get … Continue reading

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Filed under Conservation, Ecology (political)

PRIMATE RIGHTS?

April 2007 Interesting magazine article from the BBC website outlining the arguments for primates having rights. Or not.

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Filed under Ecology (political), Mammals, Primates