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In this issue
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E-waste: chemical processing without heat may offer efficient method of recovering metals from end-of-life products
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Waste from disposed electrical products – e-waste – is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams. Over 53 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste was generated in 2019, predicted to grow to 74 Mt in 2030. Meanwhile, new electronics include about 8% of all gold produced each year – about 250 tonnes. Current methods of recovering gold and other metals from e-waste tend to use large amounts of energy, but researchers have proposed a new chemical-processing system that can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure.
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Retaining deadwood in disturbed forests reduces changes to soil fungal communities and promotes regeneration
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Events such as storms that cause significant damage to forest trees have obvious effects above ground. What happens below ground is less apparent, and less studied. Knowledge of impacts on fungal communities and carbon stocks, however, is important for informing optimal management. In particular, the symbiotic fungi that help trees to grow can be negatively impacted by disturbance, new research shows – which could be key in natural forest regeneration.
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Shifts in distribution of bird species due to climate change may compromise ecosystem services
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As species’ ranges shift due to climate change, ecosystems will be altered and may change how they function. This study uses a large data set to model changes in the ecological roles performed by bird species in ecosystems around the world. The researchers report that forecast changes in ecological function vary across geographic areas. They suggest possible implications of these findings for future provision of ecosystem services.
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Bird conservation: protected areas are most effective when over 50 hectares in size
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Establishing protected areas (PAs) is important for the conservation of species, but more data is needed on their effectiveness. Drawing on a large data set from previous observational studies worldwide, new research indicates that protected fragments of forest can be successful for bird conservation, however, their size is the most important factor – rather than the level of protection. Additionally, protection need not be limited to pristine areas, as ‘moderate protection’ – with some human activity permitted – is also worthwhile in areas over 175 hectares.
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