City dandelions grow better in hot summers and flower better after mild winters than their rural counterparts. This is according to research by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) that compared dandelions from the centre of Amsterdam with plants outside the city. These experiments - published in the December edition of Evolution Letters - show that dandelions evolved to adapt to urban heat. Such knowledge is essential for sustainable urban planning.

Young, naïve starlings are looking for their wintering grounds independently of experienced conspecifics. Starlings are highly social birds throughout the year, but this does not mean that they copy the migration route from each other. By revisiting a classic ‘displacement’ experiment and by adding new data, a team of researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and the Swiss Ornithological Institute (Vogelwarte Sempach) have settled a long-lasting debate. Their findings are now published in the scientific journal Biology Letters.

Spring has started in the Netherlands, and that means our soil life is very active again. How much do we know of the creatures living under our feet? That is where the citizen science project of the Soil Animal Days comes in. What did the results of 2023 show us? Earthworms like wet weather and managed to retain their position in the national soil animals Top 3: they were spotted in 87% of gardens. And in Leeuwarden, people searched for soil animals with such enthusiasm and a clear focus on the importance of soil animals that the Frisian capital may proudly call itself Soil Animal City of the Year.

How much earlier can great tits lay their eggs to keep up with climate change? A team from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) took a sneak peek into the birds’ future.

An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is to search for invisible life in the Galápagos Islands.

A new study comparing 46 field experiments in 17 countries across four continents shows that areas in need of nature restoration benefit from soil transplantation. The results were collected by an international team led by Jasper Wubs (NIOO-KNAW).

An international team of scientists has examined the long-term effects of fireworks on wild birds.

‘If no action is taken to better understand and reduce the impact of climate change on insects, we will drastically limit our chances of a sustainable future with healthy ecosystems.’ This warning in a very topical paper in Ecological Monographs comes from 70 scientists from 19 countries around the world. But, they also provide ways to help insects in a warming world complete with management strategies.

Between 23 September and 5 October, we're asking you to go on a safari in your own garden, do the survey, and spread the word to as many people as possible.

Fields and meadows provide a range of key services, as long as the soil is healthy. A group of researchers and companies will study how farmlands can be returned to multifunctionality.

Dutch primary schools receive a free copy this week of the soil animal-themed new children's book by popular author Janneke Schotveld.

Climate change could result in more toxic cyanobacteria. But what determines their toxicity? Dedmer van de Waal has won a major European grant to find out.