Nitrogen footprint warning from European agency
Guardian Unlimited | 10 Apr 2011
New study says nitrogen pollution costs every person in Europe £650 a year in damage to water, climate, health and wildlife. Nitrogen pollution is costing every person in Europe up to £650 a year in damage to water, climate, health and wildlife, a study warns. Scientists behind the research said nitrogen was needed as fertiliser to help feed a growing world population - but suggested that eating less meat could reduce the amount of pollution caused by agriculture.
 England | Agriculture and Fisheries | Biodiversity | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Health

The 10 best woods and forests for spring flowers
Guardian Unlimited | 08 Apr 2011
A visit to Priestley Wood in spring or early summer should test even the most knowledgeable plant-identifier. Some 130 flowering plants have been recorded in the woods, which have been designated a site of special scientific interest. There are relatively large populations of the twayblade orchid, the common spotted orchid, wild garlic, broad-leaved helleborine, herb Paris, primrose and the ever-popular bluebell.
 United Kingdom | Biodiversity | Biodiversity Conservation | Environmental Awareness | Education | and Public Participation | Environmental Impacts

Biodiversity vital to streams as extinctions rise
Reuters | 06 Apr 2011
As Earth enters a period of mass extinction, a study released on Wednesday offers a new reason to preserve biodiversity: it's an effective, natural pollution scrubber in streams.
 Climate Change | Biodiversity | Climate Variability

Schoolchildren visit the Natural History Museum's butterfly exhibition - in pictures
Guardian Unlimited | 06 Apr 2011
Children from a school in Hackney are among the first visitors to the Sensational Butterflies exhibition.
 United Kingdom | Biodiversity | Biodiversity Conservation | Conservation | Environmental Awareness

Letters: Vanished landscape
Guardian Unlimited | 05 Apr 2011
Surely Jane Austen would recognise a remarkable change to the landscape of the South Downs since her time (Report, 1 April)? Natural history writers such as WH Hudson would be devastated by it. Grazing of these hills for thousands of years had produced an open landscape providing the freedom to...
 United Kingdom | Access to Information | Agriculture | Biodiversity | Biodiversity Conservation | Governance | Woodlands

Sales of organic products in UK fall by 5.9%
Guardian Unlimited | 04 Apr 2011
Sales of organic food, drink and textiles fall as producers battle against the downturn in demand, say Soil Association. Sales of organic products have fallen by 5.9% in the UK over the past year as producers continued to battle against the downturn in consumer demand and challenging trading...
 England | United Kingdom | Agriculture and Fisheries | Biodiversity | Economy

Osprey webcam thrills bird lovers as Lady of the Loch awaits mate
Guardian Unlimited | 02 Apr 2011
Thousands log on worldwide to watch oldest breeding osprey keep vigil beside Scottish loch. Inside a wooden hide at the edge of a Perthshire loch, there is a flurry of excitement and a crackling of waterproof clothing. Binoculars are raised and whispered instructions exchanged. But hopes quickly...
 England | Biodiversity | Conservation | Environmental Awareness

Small birds thriving after harsh winter
Guardian Unlimited | 31 Mar 2011
Small birds have made a comeback this year after a dramatic decline in their numbers last spring, according to findings from the wildlife survey Big Garden Birdwatch. Experts feared the worst after last year's results, which showed that the coldest winter for 30 years, in 2009- 10, had been...
 England | Biodiversity | Biodiversity Conservation | Environmental Awareness | Education | and Public Participation

Granny osprey flies back to Scotland from Africa for record 21st time
Guardian Unlimited | 29 Mar 2011
Lady, oldest osprey in the UK, is preparing to mate in Dunkeld, Scotland, after travelling thousands of miles from the GambiaOne of the world's oldest ospreys, which has already laid 58 eggs and seen 48 chicks leave her nest, has returned to her roost in the Highlands, breaking her own record for...
 Scotland | Aviation | Biodiversity | Biodiversity Conservation

Weatherwatch: why the December freeze killed so many shrubs and trees
Guardian Unlimited | 27 Mar 2011
A large number of shrubs and trees, some large and mature, appear to have died this winter. These losses are far greater than are usually seen even in Britain's coldest weather and will be a surprise to many gardeners. It seems the December cold snap is responsible. Research during the last century...
 United Kingdom | Biodiversity | Environmental Awareness | Education | and Public Participation