Oliver L. Phillips

ForestPlots

@forestplots.bsky.social

980 followers 1.5K following 140 posts

Tropical forests in our time - people, trees and climate. Posts by Oliver Phillips.

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Oliver Lawrence Phillips is a British ecologist who specializes in tropical forests and is currently Professor of Tropical Ecology in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds. He is noted for his work coordinating large-scale, collaborative research projects that study how humans have changed the world's tropical forests, and the implications for climate change. .. more

Environmental science 64%

Geography 16%

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ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Oct 30

Forest measurements are more important than ever.

“Dedicated teams working in the field to collect vital ground-truth data are essential to the success of our missions” - Simonetta Cheli #ESA Director of Earth Observation. Find out more in our latest newsletter.
sway.cloud.microsoft/pdXbVpmWR2Io...

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · 1d

environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/news...

Our new paper uses the Power of Plots to reveal how tropical forests are changing: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Forty years of tracking trees reveals changes in Amazon and Andean Forest diversity

New research reveals significant recent shifts in tree diversity among the tropical forests of the Andes and Amazon, driven by global change.

environment.leeds.ac.uk

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Pierre-Michel Forget @pmforget.bsky.social · 4d

On commence déjà à percevoir les effets de + 1,0 oC. Pas besoin d’attendre d’être à +1,5 oC en moyenne (dépassé en 2024) pour agir.

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · 5d

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The results highlight the many ways that Amazon–Andes forests are changing and why large-scale ecosystem integrity is essential to maintain diversity. Northern Andean forests, if protected, could serve as a vital refuge for species displaced by climate change.

Tree diversity is changing across tropical Andean and Amazonian forests in response to global change - Nature Ecology & Evolution

This study examines long-term changes in species richness across tropical forests in the Andes and Amazon. Hotter, drier and more seasonal forests in the eastern and southern Amazon are losing species...

www.nature.com

Reposted by Brian J. Enquist, Mathias Disney, Pieter A. Zuidema , and 7 more Brian J. Enquist, Mathias Disney, Pieter A. Zuidema, Jonathan A. Myers, Tommaso Jucker, Emilio Vilanova, Andrew Hacket‐Pain, Martin Ehbrecht, Julen Astigarraga, Belén Fadrique

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · 5d

Tree diversity is changing in the Amazon and Andes.

Belen Fadrique leads our analysis in @natecoevo.nature.com w/ 400 plots + 40 years of RAINFOR records.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Hot, drier, more fragmented forests are losing species. Many in the Andes + western Amazon are gaining them.

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Belen Fadrique @belenfadrique.bsky.social · 5d

New deadline: February 4th
Still time to apply!
www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/expl...

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips, Simon L. Lewis, Jonathan Lenoir , and 7 more Oliver L. Phillips, Simon L. Lewis, Jonathan Lenoir, Pieter De Frenne, Mathias Disney, Jonathan A. Myers, Christine N. Meynard, Tommaso Jucker, Emilio Vilanova, Andrew Hacket‐Pain

Belen Fadrique @belenfadrique.bsky.social · 5d

Very happy to share this new article on Andes-Amazon tree diversity change. We found that over the last 4 decades, tree richness changed differently across the Andes-Amazon regions. Thanks to the many researchers across the world who made this possible!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Keep reading!

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Nature Portfolio @natureportfolio.nature.com · 12d

Forest biodiversity experiments test how species diversity affects forest ecosystem functioning. A Review in Nature Reviews Biodiversity discusses key findings from these experiments and puts them into context with observational studies from forests. go.nature.com/4sEQkfZ 🔒

This is figure 1, which shows the locations and types of 45 forest biodiversity experiments covering 72 sites globally.

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Priestley Centre for Climate Futures @priestleycentre.bsky.social · 13d

🌳 Tropical forests can recover twice as quickly after deforestation if they have adequate soil nitrogen, according to new research led by the Uni of Leeds and Priestley members
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/nitroge...

Recovering tropical forests grow back nearly twice as fast with nitrogen, new research shows

“Our study is exciting because it suggests there are ways we can boost the capture and storage of greenhouse gases through reforestation by managing the nutrients available to trees.”
- Priestley member Wenguang Tang, PhD researcher

Reposted by Julen Astigarraga

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · 16d

Forest Diversity, Biodemography and Global Change post-doc opportunity, ERC project led by Lalasia Bialic-Murphy apply.refline.ch/273855/1824/...
Individuals with skills in demographic or species distribution modeling, large language models or functional trait interpolation are encouraged to apply.

apply.refline.ch

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips, Mathias Disney, Kevin J. Anchukaitis , and 3 more Oliver L. Phillips, Mathias Disney, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Elena Litchman, Jesse R. Lasky, Jacob I. Levine

Brian J. Enquist @bjenquist.bsky.social · Dec 19

New postdoctoral fellowship opportunity! Please pass along. Excited to announce the launch of the Tom Lovejoy Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona for innovative research to protect species, sustain ecosystems, and promote a thriving planet lovejoycenter.arizona.edu/lovejoy-fell... 🧪🌐🌾

Application Process

Image
Woman behind a podium presenting.
Jessie Golding, BBCS postdoc, presenting at ICCB 2025.

Apply to become a Lovejoy Fellow by submitting your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references through the University of Arizona Talent Portal (link upcoming) by the first review date of January 30, 2026.

Your cover letter should:

Identify 1-2 Lovejoy BBCS faculty you would be interested in working with and explain the primary research directions you would want to pursue in collaboration with this faculty member. You are strongly encouraged to reach out to faculty before submitting your application.
Describe your experience with or interest in inter- or transdisciplinary research.
Explain how this experience will positively impact your career trajectory.

Reposted by Richard S.J. Tol, Oliver L. Phillips, A. E. Dessler , and 3 more Richard S.J. Tol, Oliver L. Phillips, A. E. Dessler, Mónica Medina, Gernot Wagner, Vincent Noël

Gavin Schmidt @climateofgavin.bsky.social · Dec 19

Scientists are supposed to be happy when their predictions are skillful, right?

Why do I not feel happy?

Time series of global temperature anomalies from 1980 to present with predictions for 2025 (made in Dec 2024), and 2026, along with the YTD estimate for the 2025 (with only one month to go).

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Global Ecology 🌐 @global-ecology.bsky.social · Dec 19

🌐 Global Ecology feed Digest #44 Dec 15-19, 21 posts!

✨For the lazy (yes we are!) & friends who don't like social media but might benefit from this feed, here’s a DIGEST crafted with 💚 for you to share

👉 globalecologybs.github.io/feeddigest.g...

DM if you want to receive the link weekly

🌍🦤🦑🪴🍁🧪

bluesky Global Ecology Feed Digest #44

Curated digest of the bluesky Global Ecology feed on biodiversity, ecosystems & conservation at large scales. Terrestrial, freswater & marine realms.

globalecologybs.github.io

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Dec 17

2025 has the been the third warmest on record - behind 2023 and 2024.

Extreme Temperatures Around the World @extremetemps.bsky.social · Dec 16

November 2025 Globally,according to JMA -Japanese Meteorological Agency- had a temperature anomaly of +0.50C vs 1991/2020 norm and was the 3rd warmest on record behind 2023 and 2024.

Year-to-date 2025 is being reached these days by 2023 with the two years ending tied behind 2024

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Tim Baker @kofitim.bsky.social · Dec 17

Our research with the SECO project to understand the trajectory of the dry tropics depends on a team of wonderful people across the world, working in Peru, Brazil and beyond, in fieldwork, data management and lab analysis. Here are some of their stories:

www.leeds.ac.uk/directory-re...

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

cronicadelespacio.bsky.social @cronicadelespacio.bsky.social · Dec 16

A Subtle Return of La Niña
science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-...

A Subtle Return of La Niña - NASA Science

A weak La Niña emerged in the equatorial Pacific in late 2025, and scientists are watching how it may help shape weather and climate in the months ahead.

science.nasa.gov

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Extreme Temperatures Around the World @extremetemps.bsky.social · Dec 16

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Rainforest @pitbullmtkerr.bsky.social · Dec 14

Improve soil health

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Put your rake down! Fallen leaves are healthy for soil and wildlife

Scientists say leaving autumn leaves on the ground can add important nutrients to the soil and create needed habitat for insects.

www.mprnews.org

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Dec 12

GEO-TREES is pleased to announce the call for proposals for 2026 GEO-TREES Postdoctoral Fellowships.

This is an opportunity for recent PhD graduates to conduct research at GEO-TREES sites in collaboration with site PIs and others.

Closing date Jan 20 2026

Info ->
geo-trees.org/downloads/GE...

geo-trees.org

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips, Tommaso Jucker, Pierre Mariotte

Journal of Ecology @journalofecology.bsky.social · Dec 11

🏆We are pleased to announce that our Eminent Ecologist for 2025 is Angela Moles!

✨Angela has collected a few of her favourite Journal of Ecology papers together here: buff.ly/86uQ6v5

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Dec 9

The past and future of known biodiversity.

Species discovery is taxonomist-limited (!)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

InfoAmazonia @infoamazonia.org · Dec 8

Estado mais agrícola da região Norte, o Pará registra recordes de intoxicação por pesticidas; indígenas e trabalhadores rurais denunciam avanço da soja em áreas de moradia e contaminação de rios e igarapés

Intoxicações por agrotóxicos crescem 545% em área de soja e milho no Pará

infoamazonia.org

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

The Royal Society @royalsociety.org · Dec 5

President of the Royal Society Sir Paul Nurse has spoken out on the challenges currently facing science, criticising those who put ideology ahead of evidence and called for smarter funding of UK science: royalsociety.org/news/2025/12...

New President speaks out on challenges to science | Royal Society

Paul Nurse, the new President of the Royal Society has criticised those who put ideology ahead of evidence and called for smarter funding of UK science.

royalsociety.org

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Dec 4

🚨Paper Alert: Pan-Amazon Technical Insight
The new article “Are tropical forest science and policy disconnected?” examines how “timber species” are (mis-)understood by scientists, national forest administrations, and international organizations across Amazonia.
Ximena Herrera-Alvarez et al.

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Flight Free UK @flightfreeuk.bsky.social · Dec 3

Interesting new study on public support for 'degrowth' policies shows that reducing consumption might not be as unpopular as you think! Are we ready to confront the elephant in the room: our addiction to flying?

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Assessing public support for degrowth: survey-based experimental and predictive studies

Contrary to concerns from politicians and commentators that degrowth is broadly unpopular, the core degrowth proposal received substantial support from UK and US participants in this study, regardless...

www.thelancet.com

Reposted by Mathias Disney

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Dec 1

Important paper showing the dearth of plant taxonomists in the tropical countries that need them most

www.cell.com/trends/plant...

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips, Rosaleen Duffy, Sofía Campana

Kew Gardens @rbgkew.bsky.social · Dec 1

Plant taxonomy is disappearing - and so is our ability to protect species 🍂

Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.

Read the study’s key findings and what we're doing about it 👇
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa

Illustration showing a person examining a plant with text about the scarcity of plant taxonomists worldwide.

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Mathias Disney , and 1 more Oliver L. Phillips, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Mathias Disney, Martin Ehbrecht

Tommaso Jucker @tommaso-jucker.bsky.social · Nov 26

🚨Paper alert🚨

Check out Beibei Zhang's latest work out today @royalsocietypublishing.org where we track the 3D structural recovery of Australia's Great Western Woodlands following wildfires over a chronosequence spanning half a millenia!🌳🛰️🔥🧪

royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

Reposted by Oliver L. Phillips

Pierre Friedlingstein @pfriedling.bsky.social · Nov 25

For once, some good news about the Amazon tropical forest 🌳

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Increasing tree size across Amazonia - Nature Plants

A global research network monitoring the Amazon for 30 years reports in this study that tree size increased by 3% each decade.

www.nature.com

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Nov 25

Here are two beautiful Lauraceae trees from the wet forest remnants of Colombia's Magdalena Medio.

How many more species remain unknown to science in what remains of the Andean forests?
abm.ojs.inecol.mx/index.php/ab...

ForestPlots @forestplots.bsky.social · Nov 24

RIP Jimmy

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Nov 24

Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican reggae singer who helped popularize the genre with songs like “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “The Harder They Come,” died at 81 of pneumonia, his wife said. Read more about his life and legacy: nyti.ms/4pxqKao

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