Paul Dolman
@pauldolman.bsky.social
Collaborative biodiversity conservation. Professor of Conservation Ecology at UEA (personal account). Father, optimist. Pronouns: he/him
Pinned
Paul Dolman
@pauldolman.bsky.social
· Jan 20
The Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network is a farmer-led group. We came together 12 years ago to collaborate on creating a landscape scale wildlife network in the Brecks. We're very proud to now have 58 members and cover over 50,000ha.
Visit brecklandfarmlerswildlifenetwork.org.uk to find out more
Visit brecklandfarmlerswildlifenetwork.org.uk to find out more
Working with this amazing Farmer-led Landscape Recovery collaboration of so many individual farmers with a vision to deliver evidence-based habitats at landscape-scale has been uplifting & gives me optimism for a better future 🌍 #Biodiversity
Reposted by Paul Dolman
HM Government. 'Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security. A national security assessment'. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
Some people claim this is scaremongering or (worse) pure misinformation - a special place in Tartarus is reserved for them. 🧵
Some people claim this is scaremongering or (worse) pure misinformation - a special place in Tartarus is reserved for them. 🧵
January 26, 2026 at 9:16 PM
HM Government. 'Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security. A national security assessment'. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
Some people claim this is scaremongering or (worse) pure misinformation - a special place in Tartarus is reserved for them. 🧵
Some people claim this is scaremongering or (worse) pure misinformation - a special place in Tartarus is reserved for them. 🧵
Reposted by Paul Dolman
... including agricultural production, food processing, distribution and consumption. The UK does not have enough land to feed its population and rear livestock: a wholesale change in consumer diets would be required.>
January 26, 2026 at 9:16 PM
... including agricultural production, food processing, distribution and consumption. The UK does not have enough land to feed its population and rear livestock: a wholesale change in consumer diets would be required.>
Reposted by Paul Dolman
<The UK is unable to be food self-sufficient at present, based on current diets and prices. Full self sufficiency
would require very substantial price increases for consumers, as well as improvements in efficiency, waste
reduction and resilience across the food system, ...
would require very substantial price increases for consumers, as well as improvements in efficiency, waste
reduction and resilience across the food system, ...
January 26, 2026 at 9:16 PM
<The UK is unable to be food self-sufficient at present, based on current diets and prices. Full self sufficiency
would require very substantial price increases for consumers, as well as improvements in efficiency, waste
reduction and resilience across the food system, ...
would require very substantial price increases for consumers, as well as improvements in efficiency, waste
reduction and resilience across the food system, ...
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Very pleased to share #OpenAccess paper, which we think is important to understand woodland bird declines and impact of forestry on native ancient woodland in Britain.
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #ornithology @ukceh.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @mizpas.bsky.social
🧵1/n
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #ornithology @ukceh.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @mizpas.bsky.social
🧵1/n
January 23, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Very pleased to share #OpenAccess paper, which we think is important to understand woodland bird declines and impact of forestry on native ancient woodland in Britain.
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #ornithology @ukceh.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @mizpas.bsky.social
🧵1/n
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #ornithology @ukceh.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @mizpas.bsky.social
🧵1/n
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Shocking to see that 52% of habitats are in unfavourable bad condition. These are our top sites and should be the Crown Jewels, but are sadly deteriorating. I hope NE can get stuck in to turning this around
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Shocking to see that 52% of habitats are in unfavourable bad condition. These are our top sites and should be the Crown Jewels, but are sadly deteriorating. I hope NE can get stuck in to turning this around
Reposted by Paul Dolman
When normalised by population size, the death toll of US troops in Afghanistan is broadly similar to that of four other countries, including the UK... and Denmark. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaliti...
January 22, 2026 at 6:37 PM
When normalised by population size, the death toll of US troops in Afghanistan is broadly similar to that of four other countries, including the UK... and Denmark. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaliti...
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Where are the trees?
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
January 17, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Where are the trees?
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow.
She uses the bristled end of a deck brush on her back and hindquarters, using repeated place-and-pull motions. For more sensitive areas such as the belly flap, udder, and anal region, she switches to the stick end, using careful, repeated poke-and-lift movements. See video link: youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
YouTube video by Antonio Jose Osuna Mascaró
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow.
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Super new #OA meta-analysis, led by the terrific Grace Skinner and Joe Millard of @glitrs.bsky.social and out today in @natcomms.nature.com: effects of invasive alien species in insects doi.org/10.1038/s414...
January 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Super new #OA meta-analysis, led by the terrific Grace Skinner and Joe Millard of @glitrs.bsky.social and out today in @natcomms.nature.com: effects of invasive alien species in insects doi.org/10.1038/s414...
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Thank you to all who sent in polecat sightings during our fourth National Polecat Survey 2024-2025! Also a huge thank you to vols who collected samples from dead animals for use in genetic and dietary research. Any polecat sightings from 2024 or 2025 can still be sent in arcg.is/1TXqHC
January 9, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Thank you to all who sent in polecat sightings during our fourth National Polecat Survey 2024-2025! Also a huge thank you to vols who collected samples from dead animals for use in genetic and dietary research. Any polecat sightings from 2024 or 2025 can still be sent in arcg.is/1TXqHC
More reasons to entirely boycott MDPI journals
We've got ISSUES. Literally.
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
January 15, 2026 at 8:14 AM
More reasons to entirely boycott MDPI journals
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Moorland association stating conclusions not from the paper. Study found Water Extractable Organic Material concentrations consistent across wildfires of different intensity and prescribed burns. Where is the evidence that regular controlled burns produce less ash overall than occasional wildfires?
January 13, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Moorland association stating conclusions not from the paper. Study found Water Extractable Organic Material concentrations consistent across wildfires of different intensity and prescribed burns. Where is the evidence that regular controlled burns produce less ash overall than occasional wildfires?
Reposted by Paul Dolman
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, in a Wakefield prison at the weekend and says ‘her body is shutting down’
*
UK politics live – latest updates
A prisoner linked to Palestine Action who is on day 71 of a hunger strike has told a friend: “I’m dying.”
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, at HMP New Hall, in Wakefield, on Saturday for the first time since the protest began and said she was taken aback by her friend’s appearance. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
Moorland association stating conclusions not from the paper. Study found Water Extractable Organic Material concentrations consistent across wildfires of different intensity and prescribed burns. Where is the evidence that regular controlled burns produce less ash overall than occasional wildfires?
January 13, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Moorland association stating conclusions not from the paper. Study found Water Extractable Organic Material concentrations consistent across wildfires of different intensity and prescribed burns. Where is the evidence that regular controlled burns produce less ash overall than occasional wildfires?
Reposted by Paul Dolman
🦋🌿Hiring 12 x Botanists or Entomologists for 2026 field surveys in England!
4-month, full-time roles from late April to early September.
Field sites in Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent/Sussex, Lincolnshire/Cambridge, Essex/Suffolk.
Apply now: ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CEH_Ca... 🧪
4-month, full-time roles from late April to early September.
Field sites in Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent/Sussex, Lincolnshire/Cambridge, Essex/Suffolk.
Apply now: ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CEH_Ca... 🧪
January 9, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🦋🌿Hiring 12 x Botanists or Entomologists for 2026 field surveys in England!
4-month, full-time roles from late April to early September.
Field sites in Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent/Sussex, Lincolnshire/Cambridge, Essex/Suffolk.
Apply now: ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CEH_Ca... 🧪
4-month, full-time roles from late April to early September.
Field sites in Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent/Sussex, Lincolnshire/Cambridge, Essex/Suffolk.
Apply now: ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CEH_Ca... 🧪
Fascinating blog - a Spanish montane localised endemic butterfly losing habitat to climate change and land use change - both abandonment and grazing intensification.
We have a new blog on our efforts to save one of Europe's most threatened butterflies: the Nevada Grayling (Pseudochazara williamsi), found in just a few locations in southern Spain.
www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Fascinating blog - a Spanish montane localised endemic butterfly losing habitat to climate change and land use change - both abandonment and grazing intensification.
Reposted by Paul Dolman
More reintroduction or introductions (depending on how you rate the sparse archaeological evidence) in the guise of ‘Rewilding’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Three frogs to be reintroduced to West Acre 'pingos'
The money will be spent on breeding thousands of frogs and managing their release in 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM
More reintroduction or introductions (depending on how you rate the sparse archaeological evidence) in the guise of ‘Rewilding’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Ring-necked Parakeets spreading fast in UK. Risk assessment by Defra 2011: “the potential for impact on economic activities, (agriculture) and native fauna is high” Back then the population was 5,000, do nothing, take no action, population now 30,000
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rapid expansion of ring-necked parakeets in UK sparks concern
Bird organisations say more research on the species needed to control impact on other wildlife
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Ring-necked Parakeets spreading fast in UK. Risk assessment by Defra 2011: “the potential for impact on economic activities, (agriculture) and native fauna is high” Back then the population was 5,000, do nothing, take no action, population now 30,000
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More reintroduction or introductions (depending on how you rate the sparse archaeological evidence) in the guise of ‘Rewilding’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Three frogs to be reintroduced to West Acre 'pingos'
The money will be spent on breeding thousands of frogs and managing their release in 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM
More reintroduction or introductions (depending on how you rate the sparse archaeological evidence) in the guise of ‘Rewilding’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ring-necked Parakeets spreading fast in UK. Risk assessment by Defra 2011: “the potential for impact on economic activities, (agriculture) and native fauna is high” Back then the population was 5,000, do nothing, take no action, population now 30,000
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rapid expansion of ring-necked parakeets in UK sparks concern
Bird organisations say more research on the species needed to control impact on other wildlife
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Ring-necked Parakeets spreading fast in UK. Risk assessment by Defra 2011: “the potential for impact on economic activities, (agriculture) and native fauna is high” Back then the population was 5,000, do nothing, take no action, population now 30,000
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The ‘Countryside Alliance’ clearly does not represent the views of rural Britain
Britons living in rural areas support banning trail hunting by 50% to 35%
Most rural Britons say hunting has little to no importance to rural communities socially (51%) or economically (58%)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Most rural Britons say hunting has little to no importance to rural communities socially (51%) or economically (58%)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 29, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The ‘Countryside Alliance’ clearly does not represent the views of rural Britain
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Hunger Strike: Day 50
These are the largest collective hunger strikes in Britain since the Irish republican strikes of the 1980s. Then, Martin Hurson died after 46 days on strike. Bobby Sands was elected an MP from prison; he died after 66 days.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
These are the largest collective hunger strikes in Britain since the Irish republican strikes of the 1980s. Then, Martin Hurson died after 46 days on strike. Bobby Sands was elected an MP from prison; he died after 66 days.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Inside the Palestine hunger strike
Across the UK, six prisoners are refusing food and contemplating martyrdom
www.newstatesman.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hunger Strike: Day 50
These are the largest collective hunger strikes in Britain since the Irish republican strikes of the 1980s. Then, Martin Hurson died after 46 days on strike. Bobby Sands was elected an MP from prison; he died after 66 days.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
These are the largest collective hunger strikes in Britain since the Irish republican strikes of the 1980s. Then, Martin Hurson died after 46 days on strike. Bobby Sands was elected an MP from prison; he died after 66 days.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
So often, radical land-use change and dietary shifts could counterbalance climate impacts. But are opposed by vested money interests that have more power than humanity or people’s wellbeing.
Here's a study - and a graph that illustrates the findings (on that graph, read "cattle" for "livestock: it's almost all cows and their feed.)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(and www.nytimes.com/interactive/...)
h/t @unpopularscience.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(and www.nytimes.com/interactive/...)
h/t @unpopularscience.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
So often, radical land-use change and dietary shifts could counterbalance climate impacts. But are opposed by vested money interests that have more power than humanity or people’s wellbeing.
Reposted by Paul Dolman
Let's get one thing straight.
What's REALLY putting jobs at risk is owners of the big fishing boats insisting on being allowed to continue hoovering up tons of wild animals way faster than they can reproduce, using ecosystem-killing methods.
*Nobody* else is to blame.
share.google/CCiKK8WnQTCz...
What's REALLY putting jobs at risk is owners of the big fishing boats insisting on being allowed to continue hoovering up tons of wild animals way faster than they can reproduce, using ecosystem-killing methods.
*Nobody* else is to blame.
share.google/CCiKK8WnQTCz...
EU quota deal putting 2,300 jobs at risk - fishing groups
Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley has said that the outcome of an EU fishing quota agreement for next year will present a "very real challenge" for fishermen as fishing organisations say th...
share.google
December 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Let's get one thing straight.
What's REALLY putting jobs at risk is owners of the big fishing boats insisting on being allowed to continue hoovering up tons of wild animals way faster than they can reproduce, using ecosystem-killing methods.
*Nobody* else is to blame.
share.google/CCiKK8WnQTCz...
What's REALLY putting jobs at risk is owners of the big fishing boats insisting on being allowed to continue hoovering up tons of wild animals way faster than they can reproduce, using ecosystem-killing methods.
*Nobody* else is to blame.
share.google/CCiKK8WnQTCz...
Reposted by Paul Dolman
This willow grove, arose from a single tree toppled by the October 1987 storm - 38 yrs on 13 trunks from distal branches form a grove c20 m across. The 2-3 m high stump we sat on then, to watch the sunset, has disappeared. Ecology is dynamic, life is change.
December 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This willow grove, arose from a single tree toppled by the October 1987 storm - 38 yrs on 13 trunks from distal branches form a grove c20 m across. The 2-3 m high stump we sat on then, to watch the sunset, has disappeared. Ecology is dynamic, life is change.