A deep dive into conservation and ecological challenges

The world is at a critical juncture in its relationship with the natural environment, and the recent British Ecological Society (BES) conference, which took place in Liverpool in December, shed light on the latest efforts, challenges, and solutions in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration.

Over the course of two days, experts from across the globe convened to explore new ideas, share research, and deliberate on the future of our planet’s ecosystems.

Here, this analysis, by Thames21’s Aidan Hubbard, provides an overview of the discussions, focusing on key themes such as nature-based solutions, biodiversity restoration, and the challenges posed by invasive species, among others.

Day 1: A call for action and reflection on ecological progress

The conference began with an insightful opening speech by Nathalie Seddon (Professor of Biodiversity in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford). Seddon emphasised the growing need for a more inclusive and nature-centric approach to environmental decision-making. She highlighted that despite the immense potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address the climate crisis, the amount of money spent on nature protection sits around $200 billion, but remains dwarfed by the more than $1.7 trillion allocated to environmentally damaging industries. Nature-based interventions, Seddon argued, are essential not only for biodiversity conservation, but also for long-term climate resilience and the well-being of local communities.

Seddon’s speech underscored the importance of creating place-based partnerships that integrate the knowledge and livelihoods of local populations. She also pointed to the efforts made at COP16, where a new UN subsidiary was established to ensure Indigenous people have a direct voice in conservation efforts. This subsidiary is accompanied by the Cali Fund, a financial mechanism established by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 summit to share benefits from Digital Sequence Information (DSI) with developing countries and local communities.

This initiative allocates 50% of all funds raised from research to Indigenous communities as reparations for past exploitation but also as a recognition of their invaluable knowledge in the protection of ecosystems and species, making them indispensable allies in the fight for conservation.

Session 1: The UK’s biodiversity crisis and policy solutions
The first official session of the conference provided a sobering look at the current state of biodiversity in the UK. The country, once considered a biodiversity hotspot, has seen a staggering decline in species due to habitat loss, hunting, and other forms of environmental degradation. The statistics presented by Abbie Brown, Hanna Hoskins, and Emma Jardine were eye-opening: around 69% of species in the UK have experienced population declines, and many habitats, such as saltmarshes (85% lost), lowland heathlands (80% lost), and wetlands (90% lost), are on the brink of collapse.

The team from Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) discussed the UK government’s legally binding biodiversity targets, which include halting species decline by 2030 and restoring 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected areas by 2042.

They outlined several ongoing projects aimed at achieving these targets, including habitat restoration efforts, the implementation of agri-environment schemes, and the expansion of woodland and tree canopy coverage. A key initiative, the Species Survival Fund, was launched in February 2024, with £25 million allocated to help restore threatened species and their habitats.

Despite these positive steps, significant challenges remain. Issues such as emerging contaminants in freshwater systems, the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS), and the effects of nitrogen deposition on species recovery continue to threaten biodiversity. One of the most pressing challenges identified during the session was the knowledge gap regarding the protection and restoration of threatened species, especially those for which effective management plans have not yet been developed.

Session 2: Ecologists’ roles in the Anthropocene
In the second session of the day, participants engaged in a workshop that focused on the roles of ecologists in the Anthropocene – an epoch defined by human influence on the Earth’s ecosystems. The session encouraged professionals, students, and academics to reflect on their core values and how they can integrate these values into their work and daily lives. The discussions were enlightening, offering a chance for attendees to reassess their responsibilities and deepen their commitment to ecological conservation.

Session 3: Restoration, Rewilding, and Reintroductions
As the conference progressed, the focus shifted to restoration and rewilding projects. A series of presentations highlighted the growing body of research on native species restoration and the complexities of reintroductions. One talk explored the role of native seeds in increasing diversity and resilience in restoration projects, particularly in the context of the changing climate. The research showed that testing a range of seed species under varying environmental conditions is essential to ensure the success of rewilding efforts.

During another talk on a case study based in Cornwall, a local nature recovery strategy was presented alongside actions that can help increase habitat area and species biodiversity wherein it became clear that the long-term sustainability of habitats requires careful consideration of the specific needs of each species, as there are few species threatened that are generalist species capable of thriving in multiple environments.

Another noteworthy presentation focused on the reintroduction of pine martens in England and Wales, building on a successful rewilding project in Scotland. This project has demonstrated the potential of reintroducing apex predators to restore ecological balance, which has far-reaching benefits for biodiversity.

Session 4: Tackling invasive species
The last session of the day addressed one of the most pressing issues facing global biodiversity—invasive species. A series of talks shed light on the methods used to monitor, control, and eradicate invasive species, with a focus on the challenges posed by the introduction of non-native species into new environments.

One talk highlighted the threat posed by the greater white-toothed shrew in the UK, which has caused the extinction of native species like the pygmy shrew in Ireland. Efforts are underway to map the spread of this invasive species and prevent further damage to local ecosystems in England and Wales as sightings of the individuals have become more common. Another presentation focused on the use of biocontrol methods for invasive plants, examining the ecological paradox of plant growth and how biocontrol can be used to balance plant populations without causing further harm to native species.

A final presentation discussed the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, specifically focusing on the effect of rising sea temperatures on microbial diversity and seagrass in the Mediterranean. As ocean temperatures rise, many marine species face significant threats, and this research is crucial for understanding how to mitigate these effects and protect marine biodiversity.

Day 2: Challenges in Invasion Science and the Role of Technology

Session 1: Novel Tools and Technologies to Tackle INNS
The first session of the second day following from the Annual General Meeting focused on tools and technologies in invasion science, with several talks discussing how early detection and monitoring of invasive species can be enhanced using artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge software systems.

Another presentation focused on an assessment for policy makers summarising how to control INNS as more than 37,000 species have now been recorded globally with over 200 being added to the list each year. Islands feel the threat of INNS the most due to their isolation and endemic populations are usually specialised for the climate and environment, wherein INNS can adapt to wider range of environments and more easily outcompete these populations. Most islands also don’t have access to the technology or knowledge that can be used to deal with the problems INNS cause before it is too late.

The final presentation centred around the partnership between citizen science and new technologies for INNS research and management and the vast potential for this partnership within environmental science as we move forward.

Session 2: Nature and humans
The second session of day two then explored the complex relationship between land use, management, and communities.
A particularly thought-provoking talk explored the impact of livestock grazing on saltmarsh ecosystems in New Zealand and its effect on fish abundance and diet.

The second presentation of this session discussed the role of whales in nutrient transport within coastal ecosystems, highlighting the long-term impacts of declining whale populations on freshwater systems and local biodiversity.

The final talk was on seabirds and how native forests enhance island coral reef energetics and increase atoll resilience to climate change through nitrogen. This input has been found to enhance coral production and resilience, especially when it comes to bouncing back from coral bleaching events. It’s important to make sure that island populations are protected from any threats to seabird invasive rats and other INNS.

Session 3: Navigating the Uncertainty of Future Biodiversity
Later in the day, attendees participated in a workshop titled “Prediction is Impossible”, which aimed to navigate the deep uncertainties surrounding future biodiversity trends. The session underscored the need for adaptive management strategies, as predicting ecological outcomes with certainty is increasingly difficult in a rapidly changing world.

Session 4: Ecological Time Lags and the Implications for NBS and Policy
The final session of the day focused on ecological time lags and the challenges associated with restoring ecosystems after extreme events.
The first presentation included an analysis of extinction debts—where species continue to decline even after environmental conditions have improved—and the importance of measuring conservation actions to ensure that strategies are having the desired effect.

The second presentation was on global shortfalls in documented actions to conserve biodiversity as it has been predicted that more than 1,000,000 species have gone extinct across all taxa and there are no real changes in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed species and their removal from the red list status. Conservation efforts going forward therefore need to be measured and their outcomes quantified to determine whether strategies have had the desired effects.

The final presentation was on herbivory and why some flora shift habitat in the presence of climate change and alternating environmental conditions.

Conclusion: Reflecting on a successful event
The final session of the day and end to the two-day conference included the presentation of remaining projects in the exhibition hall and this is where I was able to present the Plastic Free Mersey project and its data, which sparked interest among attendees and provided a fitting conclusion to the event.

The discussions and presentations over the two days were a powerful reminder of the complex challenges facing biodiversity conservation, as well as the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and long-term commitment in addressing these challenges.

Overall, the BES conference provided valuable insights into the current state of ecological science, policy, and practice. It was clear that, while significant progress has been made, much work remains to be done. From restoring degraded habitats to managing invasive species and reintroducing lost species, the road ahead will require continued collaboration between scientists, policymakers, Indigenous communities, and the public. With the right partnerships, investments, and strategies, there is hope for a future where nature and humanity thrive together.