Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Andy Plumptre @andyplumptre.bsky.social · 1d

I just had paper published in wiley journal. Accepted in June but not informed by journal because system cannot inform lead author if many co-authors. Discovered acceptance 3 months later. Edited proofs but same changes needed in 2nd round - delayed publication past embargo time. All for $3400.

Andy Brockman @andybrockman.bsky.social · Sep 19

Everybody makes money out of academic authors except the authors...News.

Wiley is the latest academic publisher to reach a multi-million deal to allow access to its content to AI developers, with no opt out, let alone payment, for the authors who created that content.

Wiley set to earn $44m from AI rights deals, confirms “no opt-out" for authors

The US publisher is the latest to capitalise on deals to give tech firms access to its authors’ content to train their Large Language Models (LLMs).

www.thebookseller.com

Andy Plumptre @andyplumptre.bsky.social · 7d

Conservation will have its greatest impact if we target it at sites which have global significance. A study just out shows we are missing half of these sites on average in most countries. conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
All countries need to update their Key Biodiversity Area networks

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 18d

BBC News - Key oceans treaty crosses threshold to come into force
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Key oceans treaty crosses critical threshold to come into force

Sixty states have ratified a global treaty to protect the oceans - it will become law in January.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Stu Butchart @stubutchart.bsky.social · 18d

This is a game changer for marine conservation. Now we need to build on the momentum and designate high seas marine protected areas to conserve Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social

BirdLife International @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social · 18d

🌊 A historic day for our oceans! 🌍

With 60 ratifications, the High Seas Treaty will now come into force – a milestone for global ocean conservation.

Let’s keep building momentum and turn 60 into global! #60toGlobal

Discover more 👉 highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratif... @highseasalliance.bsky.social

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Wildlife Conservation Society @wcs.org · Aug 5

A rare sight from Kabobo Wildlife Reserve in DRC. This footage shows the Foa’s red colobus—the first ever of this Endangered species.

They used to be widespread in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and across the Itombwe Mountains all the way down to Kabobo, but now maybe only in Kabobo. 🌍

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Aug 4

📄 #CaseStudies | 🌿Uganda is actively using #KBAs to conserve its freshwater biodiversity by identifying, mapping, and prioritising these areas for conservation investments. 👉 For instance, the government is using KBA data for the NBSAP II.

🔗 bit.ly/4nPGfKA

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jul 29

#CaseStudies |💧The Nosivolo River is an AZE site for the CR 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘰𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴, and a global KBA for 4 freshwater fish species. 👉The Nosivolo was also recognized as a Ramsar Site in 2010 – the 1st river in Madagascar to receive this designation.

🔗 bit.ly/4nPGfKA

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jul 24

How do #KBAs link to the @ramsar.org & #KMGBF? 🌿

✅ Ramsar Sites in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) boost KMGBF goals.
✅ KBA data guides Ramsar Site designation, protection & funding.
✅ Biodiversity data from KBAs helps manage Ramsar Sites to protect vital species.

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Stu Butchart @stubutchart.bsky.social · Jun 26

New paper showing Key Biodiversity Areas are valuable in marine environments even for broadly distributed species. KBAs could be recognized for 3/4 threatened & 2/3 non-threatened restricted-range sharks using range maps conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @keybiodiversity.bsky.social

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jul 15

Tegucigalpa (June 25-27) hosted the 1st KBA National Workshop in Honduras. Led by Aves Honduras, the project will help identify key sites for biodiversity. Supported by @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social and funded by Global Affairs Canada through the Conserva Aves initiative.

Read more👉 bit.ly/4lSkgRp

Un paso clave por la biodiversidad: Honduras inicia su proceso de actualización de KBAs - Aves Honduras

El 25 de junio dio inicio oficial del proceso de actualización de las Áreas Clave para la Biodiversidad (KBAs).

bit.ly

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jul 17

In the lead-up to the #RamsarCOP15, let's reflect on all that wetlands do, from protecting biodiversity to building climate-resilient cities.

As the world prepares to come together to meet, reflect and act, let’s raise our voices and celebrate the power of wetlands.

@ramsar.org

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jul 23

💧Inland waters, including wetlands, are key to maintaining 🌎biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services. Recognition of #KBAs can ensure that inland waters of importance for biodiversity are protected for future generations.🌿

👉 Discover more bit.ly/4nPGfKA

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Andy Plumptre @andyplumptre.bsky.social · Jun 23

We are looking for a dynamic African conservationist to become Regional Focal Point for Africa and Madagascar for the KBA Secretariat. See job advert here. Closing date 20th July. birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com/jobs/6080343...

KBA Regional Focal Point (Africa and Francophone countries) - BirdLife International

We are looking for a KBA Regional Focal Point to support the formation of KBA National Coordination Groups within countries and help in the development and review of proposals for KBAs

birdlifeinternational.teamtailor.com

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Jens-Christian Svenning @jcsvenning.bsky.social · Jun 2

Decades of data show livestock intensification in the #MaasaiMara drives major wildlife declines - >70% drop in wild herbivores, #migration collapse & functional compression. See our analysis in PNAS:
🔗 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 🐘🐄🐑🐐🦓🐄 #savanna #rangeland #edgeeffects #livestock #protectedareas

Short-term study fails to capture negative impacts of livestock intensification on wildlife | PNAS

Short-term study fails to capture negative impacts of livestock intensification on wildlife

www.pnas.org

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

UN Environment Programme @unep.org · Apr 23

The High Seas Treaty, the first legally binding pact for international waters, promotes marine conservation and fair use of resources and includes protected areas and climate impact assessments.

Here’s why it matters: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...

A tiny, speckled fish with a bright green eye is nestled inside a translucent, spiral-shaped jelly-like organism, set against a pitch-black background.

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University of Oxford @ox.ac.uk · Mar 26

Learn more ⬇️

How elephants plan journeys: New study reveals energy-saving

A new study has revealed that African Elephants have an extraordinary ability to meet their colossal food requirements as efficiently as possible. Data from over 150 elephants demonstrated that these

www.ox.ac.uk

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

Franck Courchamp @franckcourchamp.bsky.social · Feb 25

France is Standing Up for Science!

March 7th the french scientific community will organize walks, rallies, conferences, presentations, etc throughout France to show our support to our scientific colleagues in the USA

We wish them (and many others in need) bon courage!
standupforscience2025.org

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Jan 31

#KBAs are vital for meeting national and international conservation goals. By identifying and protecting these sites, we safeguard healthy ecosystems and conserve globally significant species and habitats.

🌐 bit.ly/3HZgxzN

📷 Dimonika Biosphere Reserve, Congo © jbdodane

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Feb 10

Mapping Key Biodiversity Areas helps focus conservation where it’s most needed! 🌳

💡KBAs guide conservation planning, minimize biodiversity loss, and help the financial sector avoid impacting fragile natural areas.

🌎Discover more: bit.ly/4aRo7d6

#KBAs

📷 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘢 © Pedro Genaro Rodriguez

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Feb 18

🌱Some #KBAs are the last refuge for endangered species; protecting them can be the difference between survival and extinction.

📷
1. Grey Parrot (EN) © Karim Attouche
2. Albanian water frog (VU) © Guillaume Labeyrie
3. Mongoose Lemur (CR) © Frank-Roland Fließ
4. Scalloped hammerhead (CR) © ErikvanB

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Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social · Feb 24

#DYK that protecting Key Biodiversity Areas helps us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals! 🎯

From clean water to climate action, KBAs are key to a sustainable future. 🌿 🌎

#KBAs #SDGs

📷 © Gwen Weustink

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Richard Branson @richardbranson.bsky.social · Feb 20

President Zelenskyy has been one of the greatest leaders of our time, guiding Ukraine through the darkest period of its recent history, rising up to Russia’s unwarranted aggression, being an inspiration to the Ukrainian people and ensuring that Ukraine’s voice is heard on the world stage.

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William (Bill) Sutherland @billsutherland.bsky.social · Feb 10

The extinction of the huia in 1909 is well known but it's feather louse was only discovered and named 80 years after it went extinct. Such ghost extinction or dark extinction is probably the normal for species lost daily.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJx7...

Ghost extinctions: an extinction missed for 80 years

YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Andy Plumptre

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Jan 13

One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction | Nature

One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction - Nature

A global multi-taxon extinction risk assessment of freshwater fauna for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species finds one-quarter of species to be at high risk of extinction.

buff.ly

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Andy Plumptre @andyplumptre.bsky.social · Jan 9

Welcome to a saner world