Prof. Jeff Ollerton
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jeffollerton.bsky.social
Prof. Jeff Ollerton
@jeffollerton.bsky.social
Biodiversity scientist, focused mainly on pollinators and their interactions with plants. Author of 'Pollinators & Pollination: Nature and Society' (Pelagic 2021) and 'Birds & Flowers: An Intimate 50 Million Year Relationship' (Pelagic 2024).
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Here's a sneak preview of the latest Pollinator Project! It's going to be something special. Welcome ProPollSoil on board!
November 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Insect poop is key for soil health. Much more key than mammalian poop. Insects are now declining much faster than human children can grow up and develop. Massive extinction debt. When we lose biomass faster than species - it's worse than the other way around. Ecological worst case.
November 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
🌱 Meet us at European Mission Soil Week 2025!

Join SoilWise on Day 1 of the Mission Soil Project Trail 🌍

🔎 Data users: explore FAIR soil data for better decisions.
📊 Data providers: make your data discoverable!

#EMSW2025 #MissionSoil #SoilWiseProject #SoilData #FAIRdata #SoilHealth #HorizonEurope
November 3, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The #ProPollSoil project has officially got underway, coming together to explore two big questions: How does the health of our soils shape the fate of #pollinators? And how do pollinators influence #soil health?

Read more here: jeffollerton.co.uk/2025/11/21/c...

#bees #biodiversity #MissionSoil
Connecting soils and pollinators: the ProPollSoil project kicks off in Germany!
The ProPollSoil project officially got underway on 1st October, and this week (16th–20th November) our consortium gathered in Freising, Germany, for the kick-off meeting hosted by the Technical Uni…
jeffollerton.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
🌿 Wildlife Gardening Virtual Symposium 2026 🌿

Join leading researchers sharing evidence-based insights on ponds, pollinators, fungi and urban mammals. Coming up on 14th Jan.

More details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1419239717...

@jeffollerton.bsky.social @jassydrak.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I sometimes worry that Bluesky is going to go the way of Twitter and be taken over by anonymous, hateful trolls who don't know how to discuss, only insult.
"I am a biodiversity prof, I know ethics better, I should lead the discourse of environmental conversations with Chinese government, disregarding the fact that they have a long history of censoring public opinions on env conversation"
UN says no, you clown🤡.
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
"I am a biodiversity prof, I know ethics better, I should lead the discourse of environmental conversations with Chinese government, disregarding the fact that they have a long history of censoring public opinions on env conversation"
UN says no, you clown🤡.
November 16, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I'm actually a Professor of Biodiversity, and if #biodiversity is not a political subject, I don't know what is....
My point is that
1. Professor of biology should not make commentary about politics, because it is naive and unprofessional. You are not even an environment scientist which have more interdisciplinary exposure to geopolitics and international law about environmental protection.
November 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Recently I've been carrying out more complex statistical analyses & understanding those tests on a much deeper level than before. Why the over night change? What does this have to do with a legendary #blues musician? Read on:

jeffollerton.co.uk/2025/11/11/a...

#ChatGPT #AI #ecology #biodiversity
AI at the crossroads: can ChatGPT turn you into a statistical Robert Johnson?
When is comes to the statistical analysis of data, I know my limits. Maths was never my strong point at school or university, and my approach has always been to keep analyses as simple and straight…
jeffollerton.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Another superb example of #biomimicry reinforcing the intrinsic significance of protecting all biodiversity including the newts, bats & invertebrates demonised as barriers to development by Rachel Reeves

As this study demonstrates one day they may literally save your life.

phys.org/news/2025-10...
Smart cutting system used by female sawflies could transform surgery and reduce patient harm
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have unlocked the secret behind how female sawflies make specific cuts to plants—a discovery that could revolutionize surgical instruments and dramatically reduce ...
phys.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews.
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#InsectBookClub

@jeffollerton.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Utterly thrilled with Jeff Ollerton's review of Urban Plants: "So do yourself a favour and take a walk with Trevor through the complex ecology and botany of built-up British landscapes. I learned a lot from Urban Plants and I highly recommend it as an addition to anyone’s Christmas list."
October 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Review of "Urban Plants" by Trevor Dines, the latest addition to Bloomsbury's British Wildlife Collection.

What did I think of the book? Find out here: jeffollerton.co.uk/2025/10/16/b... #ecology #biodiversity #botany #wildlife #plants #NatureWriting
Book review: “Urban Plants” by Trevor Dines
Earlier this year I received an unexpected invitation from Bloomsbury Publishing to attend a book launch at Philip Mould’s gallery in London. Looking at the details I immediately said yes, be…
jeffollerton.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The Golden Lotus is one of China’s most iconic plants — a striking member of the banana family with a connection to #Buddhism.

Despite its fame, a mystery remains: what actually pollinates it? A new study implicates #birds as the #pollinators - read more here:

jeffollerton.co.uk/2025/10/14/d...
Do birds pollinate the iconic Golden Lotus? A new study suggests that they do!
The Golden Lotus (Musella lasiocarpa) is one of China’s most iconic plants — a striking member of the banana family (Musaceae) that seems to bloom forever. Its brilliant yellow, lotus-like bracts h…
jeffollerton.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
It worked in SW France conditions, thanks Jeff !
October 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Frank Abernathy's waited a long time for food.

From "Radio Go!" - listen now at radiogo.show
September 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
Producer Tom's booking practices are... questionable.

From "Radio Go!" - listen now at radiogo.show
September 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Prof. Jeff Ollerton
A medium by the name of Crystal Peaks (@marvelousmrsyardy.bsky.social) lets Riley in on the secrets of the afterlife, but a supernatural disaster brings an unexpected visitor. Plus, Tom calls in a favour.

Listen now at radiogo.show or on your podcast player!
September 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
It's been a great year for sloes, the hedgerows are packed with them. But you can make so much more than sloe gin with these wild fruit!

Just opened my first batch of salt-fermented sloes for this year. Follow this link for the #recipe: jeffollerton.co.uk/2020/10/03/r...?
#wildfood #foraging
October 4, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I've had inquiries about this evening's "Surveying for Pollinators" webinar, from people who can't make the live event. If you register you'll have access to the recording & reading list after it finishes. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surveying-...
#bees #pollinators #ecology #biodiversity
Surveying For Pollinators
Learn how to survey and monitor pollinators in this webinar — tools, tips, and techniques for all skill levels.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
To mark the 200th anniversary of the first passenger rail trip yesterday, the BBCR4 series Rare Earth looked at #sustainability of #rail travel. It was great to hear my #SYMBIOSIS project collaborator Neil Strong discussing #biodiversity on the Network Rail estate!

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Rare Earth, Trains on Trial
Is train travel part of a green future, not just our industrial past?
www.bbc.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 10:46 AM