Frank Ashwood
@frankashwood.bsky.social
Soil ecologist & macrophotographer | Author-in-progress | He/Him | www.frankashwood.com
Pinned
The cover art is finished for my new book and I LOVE IT!
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
🚨 Do you have a manuscript to submit? Please let us know by Nov 30.
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
November 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
🚨 Do you have a manuscript to submit? Please let us know by Nov 30.
The cover art is finished for my new book and I LOVE IT!
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The cover art is finished for my new book and I LOVE IT!
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
This safari tour of the life in soil and what is means to us, is now available for pre-order as ebook, soft and hardcover in the UK and Commonwealth. Published in August next year (US date soon), I hope it'll entice everyone to love soil! 🧪🪱
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
Love soil? Great with communications? Join us as a communications representative - apply by 17 Nov!
The Soil Ecology Group seeks a volunteer communications representative.
As part of the role, you will
- develop a communication strategy,
- manage social media, handle quarterly newsletters,
- and participate in monthly meetings.
As part of the role, you will
- develop a communication strategy,
- manage social media, handle quarterly newsletters,
- and participate in monthly meetings.
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Love soil? Great with communications? Join us as a communications representative - apply by 17 Nov!
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
We are happy to introduce the Soil Ecology SIG @britishecologicalsociety.org! Our aim is to connect soil ecology researchers across career stages, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration. Check out www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/plan... and feel free to get in touch!
Soil Ecology Group - British Ecological Society
Understanding the vital ecosystem services provided by soil
www.britishecologicalsociety.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM
We are happy to introduce the Soil Ecology SIG @britishecologicalsociety.org! Our aim is to connect soil ecology researchers across career stages, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration. Check out www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/plan... and feel free to get in touch!
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 AM
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
Today, I had a lot of fun at my daugther's elementary school, where I talked about the importance of healthy soils and the beauty of soil organisms (which is easy if one has the fantastic photos of @frankashwood.bsky.social). Next generation of soil scientists is secured I hope 👨🔬👩🔬
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today, I had a lot of fun at my daugther's elementary school, where I talked about the importance of healthy soils and the beauty of soil organisms (which is easy if one has the fantastic photos of @frankashwood.bsky.social). Next generation of soil scientists is secured I hope 👨🔬👩🔬
🎉 EXCITING BABY NEWS 🎉
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
October 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
🎉 EXCITING BABY NEWS 🎉
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
Pleased to be part of this important letter led by @cmarin.bsky.social @thegsbi.bsky.social, calling for greater global action to protect soil biodiversity! A timely publication also because today is #WorldEarthwormDay 🌍🪱
[email protected] and 127 co-authors present a global call to strengthen national #SoilBiodiversity action, in an #OpenLetter to policymakers at 27th meeting of the @unbiodiversity.bsky.social SBSTTA taking place in Panamá City this week.
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#SBSTTA27
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#SBSTTA27
October 21, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Pleased to be part of this important letter led by @cmarin.bsky.social @thegsbi.bsky.social, calling for greater global action to protect soil biodiversity! A timely publication also because today is #WorldEarthwormDay 🌍🪱
This tiny jumping spider refused to surrender its hard-earned meal when faced with a camera lens, impressive!
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
October 16, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This tiny jumping spider refused to surrender its hard-earned meal when faced with a camera lens, impressive!
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
My (slightly late) offering for day ten of #invertober (common earthworm) 🪱
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
October 12, 2025 at 12:40 AM
My (slightly late) offering for day ten of #invertober (common earthworm) 🪱
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
October 11, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
October 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
A new special issue on soil & litter invertebrates is calling for submissions at NZ J Zool under this fabulous editorial team. See below for details!
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
September 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A new special issue on soil & litter invertebrates is calling for submissions at NZ J Zool under this fabulous editorial team. See below for details!
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
September 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
📢 New publication out today in NZJE!
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
newzealandecology.org
September 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
📢 New publication out today in NZJE!
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
I've been largely absent from social media lately, as I've got lot on at the moment... a draft book manuscript due in 2 weeks (Eeek!), and research work to complete before a brand new baby Ashwood arrives in 5 weeks (even more Eeek)!
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
September 14, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I've been largely absent from social media lately, as I've got lot on at the moment... a draft book manuscript due in 2 weeks (Eeek!), and research work to complete before a brand new baby Ashwood arrives in 5 weeks (even more Eeek)!
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
An alien creature traversing a distant world, or baby mite navigating the micro-fungi strewn surface of a decaying log? Arguably it's both!
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
July 29, 2025 at 5:28 AM
An alien creature traversing a distant world, or baby mite navigating the micro-fungi strewn surface of a decaying log? Arguably it's both!
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
They vary widely
July 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
They vary widely
These are the beautiful spore-producing structures of plasmodial slime molds. Which is your favourite colour?
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
These are the beautiful spore-producing structures of plasmodial slime molds. Which is your favourite colour?
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
This festival of waxy lumps is a baby biting midge, AKA a Forcipomyia larvae. Before they grow into bloodsuckers, they're surprisingly cute.
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 15, 2025 at 4:28 AM
This festival of waxy lumps is a baby biting midge, AKA a Forcipomyia larvae. Before they grow into bloodsuckers, they're surprisingly cute.
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
Send me records: I am excited to be taking on the role of national springtail recorder. I have huge shoes to fill, but I hope to continue the progress Peter Shaw made in understanding the taxonomy and biology of the UK's #springtails.
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
January 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Send me records: I am excited to be taking on the role of national springtail recorder. I have huge shoes to fill, but I hope to continue the progress Peter Shaw made in understanding the taxonomy and biology of the UK's #springtails.
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
This coming Tuesday lunchtime!
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
🔬 Coming soon: British Springtails – How Many Species Are There?
Join @jamesimcc.bsky.social to explore how genomes & citizen science are reshaping UK biodiversity.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1359900281...
@royentsoc.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @nbntrust.bsky.social @britentsoc.bsky.social
Join @jamesimcc.bsky.social to explore how genomes & citizen science are reshaping UK biodiversity.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1359900281...
@royentsoc.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @nbntrust.bsky.social @britentsoc.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
This coming Tuesday lunchtime!
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
Yesterday we had earthworm cocoons, today I bring you springtail spermatophores!
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 10, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Yesterday we had earthworm cocoons, today I bring you springtail spermatophores!
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Did someone bury a tiny lemon? Nope, this is an earthworm cocoon!
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
July 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Did someone bury a tiny lemon? Nope, this is an earthworm cocoon!
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Predatory flatworms are found in damp habitats, such as under logs. They have eversible tube-like throats, which externally digest their prey alive!
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
July 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Predatory flatworms are found in damp habitats, such as under logs. They have eversible tube-like throats, which externally digest their prey alive!
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪