Resource dilution effects in beech canopies |

Jan Vigués Jorba, from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, discusses his article: Same damage, different story: Vertical decoupling of herbivore abundance and beech herbivory across forest layers Invertebrate herbivory is a key ecological process that shapes ecosystem functions, especially in forest habitats. Since forests have a complex three-dimensional structure, […]

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Suspension of auctioning of Member States Recovery and Resilience Facility allowances

The auction calendar has been adjusted following the suspension of the auctioning of the first leg of emission allowances allocated to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The auctioning of emission allowances for the RRF under the REPowerEU plan started in July 2023 with a revenue target of EUR 20 billion: EUR 12 billion from […]

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Creating small clearings helps herbivores keep trees from taking over savannas – The Applied Ecologist

In many parts of the world, grasslands and savannas are being taken over by trees. This change reduces biodiversity and alters how these ecosystems work. We wanted to test a simple, low-cost way to slow this process and help restore open grassy areas. In our study, we created small clearings (“glades”) by cutting trees in […]

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Managing mountain grasslands in a hotter world – The Applied Ecologist

Fire has shaped mountain grasslands for thousands of years and remains essential for keeping them healthy. But as the climate warms, we need to understand how rising temperatures and fire together will affect these ecosystems. In our study, we tested how warming and different fire frequencies interact in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. In […]

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Weaving knowledge to revive indigenous plants and practices in Mpondoland, South Africa – The Applied Ecologist

In our ‘Field Diaries’ series, The Applied Ecologist is sharing stories from a range of different fieldwork experiences.  About the author Mallika Sardeshpande, She/her Affiliation: Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, India During the field work: Institute of Natural Resources, South Africa Ecology interests: Agroecology, Urban ecology, Green infrastructure © Mallika Sardeshpande Overview of […]

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Electric car sales surge as high oil prices drive shift away from fossil fuels

More and more European drivers are buying fully electric cars (also called battery-electric vehicles – BEVs) and benefitting from growing cost savings. This is a welcome change as the road transport sector has been one of the most difficult sectors of our economy to decarbonise.  Soaring oil prices, fuelled by the instability in the Middle East, […]

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What drives both mean and variability in leaf damage? |

Xiaoran Wang, East China Normal University, and Jian Zhang, Sun Yat-Sen University, discuss their article: Elevation and environmental factors shape variability rather than the mean of seedling herbivory across subtropical forests In mountain forests, not all seedlings experience insect herbivory in the same way. While some individuals suffer substantial leaf damage, others are barely affected. […]

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Commission welcomes agreement on key safeguards for the new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on a key legislative proposal supporting the implementation of the EU’s 2040 climate objectives while enhancing resilience to volatility in fossil fuel imports. The agreement strengthens the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) for the new emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2), […]

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New Battery Booster set to inject €1.5 billion into the European battery industry

Today, the European Commission has formally established the new Battery Booster Facility C(2026) 3828/2. Mobilising up to €1.5 billion from EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) revenues in the Innovation Fund, the Booster will help battery cell manufacturers to ramp up production in Europe. For the first time, the Commission will provide direct support in the form […]

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