Latest Biodiversity News

Italian museum recreates Tanzanian butterfly forest to raise awareness on biodiversity research

May. 22, 2024 22:13 PM EDT

TRENTO, Italy (AP) — In a lush greenhouse high in the Alps, butterflies of various species and colors flutter freely while butterfly pupae are suspended in a structure as they grow into adult insects. This is the Butterfly Forest in the tropical mountain greenhouse in Trento,...

Native seeds could soon be fueling new growth on burned out acreage across Hawaii

May. 22, 2024 15:05 PM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — The federal government is funneling millions of dollars to a University of Hawaii initiative aimed at increasing the number of seeds for hardy native and non-invasive plants that can compete against the dominant invasive grasses that fuel wildfires. The U.S. Forest...

Botanists are scouring the US-Mexico border to document a forgotten ecosystem split by a giant wall

May. 19, 2024 01:45 AM EDT

JACUMÉ, México (AP) — Near the towering border wall flanked by a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle, botanist Sula Vanderplank heard a quail in the scrub yelp “chi-ca-go,” a sound the birds use to signal they are separated from a mate or group. Then silence. A quail on...

Greece plans 2 marine protected areas. But rival Turkey and environmental groups aren't impressed

Apr. 16, 2024 11:34 AM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece aims to create two large marine parks as part of a 780-million-euro ($830 million) program to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems that includes banning bottom trawling and tackling plastic and microplastic pollution, the prime minister announced during an...

France's Macron tells Brazilian execs that prospective Mercosur-EU deal is 'terrible' and outdated

Mar. 27, 2024 19:38 PM EDT

SAO PAULO (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron told Brazilian executives on Wednesday that a proposed deal between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur is bad for both parties. Speaking at a forum in Sao Paulo, Macron said the Mercosur-EU deal is...

Chinese coast guard ships attempt to block Philippine vessels carrying scientists in South China Sea

Mar. 22, 2024 06:51 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese coast guard ships backed by a military helicopter attempted unsuccessfully to block two Philippine government vessels carrying scientists from reaching two sandbars in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine officials said Friday. Chinese coast...

EU poised to OK major plan to meet climate goals and better protect nature despite farmer protests

Feb. 28, 2024 00:54 AM EST

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — The European Union is on the brink of approving a major plan to fight climate change and better protect nature in the 27-nation bloc after protests from farmers and opposition from the biggest party in parliament led it to be diluted. The plan is a key...