A new disease capable of devastating European salamander and newt populations was probably introduced via international wildlife trade, new research has found. The study shows that the disease is deadly for many European species of salamanders and its analysis of more than 5000 amphibians from across four continents suggests the pathogen spread from Asia to Europe via the pet trade.

Supplementing declining salmon populations with fish from other, genetically distinct populations may not be the best method of conservation, according to a recent study. The researchers found that for certain salmon populations in France such introductions resulted in offspring with lower body weight and length, possibly worsening their decline.

The fragmentation of brown trout (Salmo trutta) habitat indirectly affects the threatened freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), a new study has shown. Dams and weirs, which affect the migration of the fish, also have a knock-on effect on the mussels, because they rely on brown trout during the larval stage of their lives.

Among the ecological effects of climate change are changes to the timing of natural events, such as flowering. To understand why these phenological changes affect reproduction, this study manipulated conditions in a spring herb to prompt premature flowering. This exposed the flowers to frost, and resulting damage caused dramatic reductions in plant reproduction, suggesting that climate change may threaten plant survival.

Signs that the ranges of sub-mountainous forest plants in France have contracted in response to global warming have been detected in a new study. This pattern is likely to induce a splitting of these species’ ranges across Europe under future climate change, which could have serious consequences for plant genetic diversity and the capacity of plant populations to adapt to warming climates, say the researchers.

The prominent role of EU countries in the international trade of reptiles for pets, including many rare and illegally traded species, is highlighted in a recent study. The researchers call for better enforcement and tighter legislation to control the trade, which is a major threat to global biodiversity. In particular the researchers appeal for legislation to be passed for species protected in their native range countries, which can currently be freely traded in the EU if they are not subject to international trade conventions such as CITES.

Climate change is having mixed — but mostly negative — impacts on ecosystem services, suggest data analysed by a new study. The research, which brings together the findings of over 100 other studies, found that 59% of reported impacts of climate change on ecosystem services are negative, while just 13% are positive. However, the method of research was shown to strongly influence whether impacts are reported as positive or negative, with expert opinion studies far more negative than other types of study.

Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a threat to native European biodiversity and cost the EU annual damages worth EUR 12 billion as a result of IAS effects on human health, damaged infrastructure, and agricultural losses. IAS are the focus of Target 9 of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and Target 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy: ‘By 2020, IAS and their pathways are identified and prioritised… pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS.’ The EU framework for action against IAS is set out in a Regulation adopted in 2014. This provides for the adoption of a list of IAS of Union concern that will be subject to restrictions across the EU. The first step in order to consider a species for listing is to undertake a risk assessment.

Increases in woody plant and shrub cover render alpine livestock less efficient at using their landscape, finds a new study of the eastern Spanish Pyrenees. Changes in land use and climate will affect not only flora and fauna but also the futures of alpine farmers, says the study, placing them at a growing economic risk both throughout Europe and worldwide.

Leakage of radioactive material from the wreck of the nuclear submarine K-159 in the Barents Sea could increase levels of radioactivity in local populations of cod by a hundred times, new research suggests. However, this level remains well below ‘safe’ standards set by the Norwegian government.

Mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) reduce albatrosses’ chances of successfully breeding, a recent study finds. These pollutants add to the list of environmental pressures, including climate change, disease and fishery bycatch, affecting this highly threatened species.

Rodents poisoned by pest control substances may pose a threat to protected birds if the carcasses are not removed quickly enough. A new study found that dead water voles on farmland were scavenged rapidly by red kites and buzzards, suggesting that regular removal is needed to reduce poisoning risks.

A drug used to treat parasite infections at fish farms can contaminate the surrounding environment and threaten local wildlife, a new study shows. Following a week-long treatment at a Norwegian salmon farm, the authors found concentrations of an anti-sea-lice drug that were high enough to kill some crabs, shrimps and lobsters. However, they suggest the drug is not likely to pose a risk to humans.

The overall ecological impact of 10 engineered nanomaterials has been modelled for the first time using toxicity data from multiple living species. These models will allow researchers to assess the effect nanomaterials may have on both ecosystems and people.

Bangladesh’s economy is heavily dependent on ship recycling. However, the shipbreaking industry is polluting the Bay of Bengal, an area of high biodiversity. This study measured trace metals in sediments around the area, concluding that heavy metal pollution is at an alarming stage and an urgent threat to marine life.

Contamination of the aquatic environment by pharmaceutical drugs used in human and veterinary medicine is an emerging issue, as it can cause toxic effects in biological systems. This study explored how the marine organism Hediste diversicolor, a polychaete worm, responded to exposure to salicylic acid, a key component of aspirin. They found the species to adapt and respond in a way that minimised the effects of metabolising the contaminating compound, suggesting that the acid does not currently pose a threat to marine polychaetes.

It’s no longer enough to follow cybercrime trends and react to them. You need to be constantly monitoring and anticipating threats, because these days the stakes are simply too high not to.

Government assistance appears to be crucial to keeping many from falling into housing insecurity

Killer whales and other ocean predators are targeting and killing the pups of a threatened northern sea lion species at an increasingly high rate, scientists wa

While rising sea levels ultimately influence the entire planet, they pose the greatest threat to the islands sitting at sea level.

A small island in Louisiana where peppers are grown for Tabasco sauce is losing land to rising sea levels.

We know sea levels will rise, and by just looking at the Southeast region, it's easier to see how sea level rise will affect wildlife and culture.

Discussions about the Russian meteor explosion and Earth's encounter with asteroid 2012 DA14 were high on the Feb. 15 agenda of a UN meeting.

An early alert system and rapid space launches are two ways that the UN is coordinating with other agencies to deter asteroids.

Video: A Florida marine ecologist narrows down the spread of the first lobster virus.

Pete Stockton, a former Department of Energy official, says the public should be concerned but not alarmed as a wildfire inches closer to the nuclear weapons fa

A world in need of faster computers, smarter phones and more energy-efficient light bulbs threatens to strain the small supply of rare metals used by the global

Although the risk is small, tsunamis are possible on the East Coast of the United States from a variety of sources.

Scientists discover that massive volcanic landslides have caused megatsunamis to strike the coasts of Hawaii throughout history, causing widespread destruction

Manufacturer Libby is confident there will be enough pumpkin for the holidays, but you still may want to stock up early.

U.S. federal budget woes are shrinking the monitoring network that tracks greenhouse gases such as methane.

The Indian Supreme Court delivers a serious ultimatum to the government: clean up or tear down the ailing global architectural landmark.

Mountaintop removal mining has destroyed hundreds of mountain peaks and at least 1,200 miles of streams in the Appalachians, and remains a hotly contested issue

Fracking for shale gas may be dangerous, but the international agency offers a list of rules it says can make the process 'environmentally acceptable.'

In approving an offshore wind farm, the Scottish government handles Donald Trump in a manner in which everyone should handle Donald Trump: They ignore him.

New report lists the 10 places most threatened by a 100-year-old mining law. Some say it's time to update the rules.

Populations of the mosquito-like bug have exploded around India's Taj Mahal because of unchecked pollution.

Ambitious, ill-prepared petroleum industry eyes the Gulf, the Arctic, the heartland.

Fear of toxins unites Wayne County community against dumping of coal ash waste.

If fracking techniques pollute water supplies, what will happen to beer production?

The world's oceans are hurting, and we're the only ones who can do anything about it — so read up.

Mice zapped with cosmic rays can incur brain damage, suggesting that astronauts' brains could suffer over time on deep-space missions to Mars and beyond.

Oxybenzone, a common UV-filtering agent in sunscreens, linked to deformities and DNA damage in coral around the world.

With guidance from the World Wildlife Fund, Swedish retailer IKEA uses bath towels and duvet covers to spread a message of conservation.

In Florida, not even the iconic Florida panther — the endangered state animal — is safe from new development.

Birds that produce 'flight calls' during night migration may be more vulnerable to light pollution, a new study finds.

Only a few of the many threatened species and wild places on Earth ever gain any legal protections. Some of these are considered vulnerable while others are mak

Scientists hope a new vaccination campaign will give Ethiopian wolves a fighting chance at survival.

Will one conservation photographer's images be enough to save an important protected area from development?

The rise of the robots appears to be carefully timed, because it's political, not technological.