Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 11d

Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in areas where Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus are released, according to new research.

Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content

3 30 53

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · 20d

The tour continues...what a busy & chatty morning we had at West Cumbria Volunteering Fair. Jack's addition of a microscope to examine lichens was a winner. We nearly ran out of leaflets! @reachvolunteering.org.uk @cumbriacvs.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social @forestryengland.bsky.social

4 10

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Woodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social · 9d

Last week we celebrated 10 Years of #TheGreatTrossachsForest National Nature Reserve with partners at #GlenFinglas. It's 20 years since the partnership began. We've achieved ✅Over 3,000 hectares of new woodland created ✅432 hectares of peatland restored ✅70% increase in black grouse lekking 1/4...

A group of 24 people standing in a line in a woodland smiling at the camera. All are wearing outdoor clothing. Credit TGTF

1 2 13

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · 12d

An exotic location. Did you explore the Dark Arches?

1

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Cat Scott @catzigle.bsky.social · 23d

It was an honour to be at the launch of the Ingleborough NNR into the King's Series of NNRs earlier this month - check out the blog below for more on what the #WildIngleborough partnership has achieved since forming in 2021 🌳🦋🐦

A sign in the foreground indicates that Ingleborough National Nature Reserve became part of the King's Series of NNRs in September 2025. The peak of Ingleborough mountain is visible in the background.

2 8

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · 22d

The Amazon forest plays a critical role in the water cycle. A new study shows recent deforestation has caused reduced dry season rainfall across the southern Amazon. New story from @mongabay.com

news.mongabay.com/2025/09/more...

More deforestation leads to a drier dry season, Amazon study finds

In Brazil’s southern Amazonian region, where the notorious “arc of deforestation” has been expanding since the 1970s, forest loss is reshaping the region’s atmospheric water cycle. As the Amazon Rainf...

news.mongabay.com

1 5

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · 22d

As usual all our volunteer days filled up quickly, but a space has just opened up for this one. We can make another space available if anyone wants to bring a friend along. Please share.
@envleeds.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social @cumbriacvs.bsky.social

www.trybooking.com/uk/FDWV

Restoring Hardknott Forest Volunteer Day: 21st October, 2025

Join us on a volunteer day to help maintain & remove tree tubes, remove non-native conifers, plant trees and wildflowers and allow the natural...

www.trybooking.com

3 6

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · 23d

Find us, and loads of other groups advertising volunteering opportunities in Whitehaven on Thursday. @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social #whitehaven @cumbriacvs.bsky.social

2 4

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · 26d

Our volunteering restarts on Sunday. As well as the essential job of removing non-native trees, we've loads of wildflowers & native trees to plant. Top vol Ade has been growing aspen, birch & oak for us & we have 1000's of wildflowers from
@wildhaweswater.bsky.social @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social

1 1 7

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 29d

GOOD NEWS: the peat burning ban is being extended in the English uplands. 👏

Peatlands lock up carbon, protect water & support rare wildlife.

We hope today's announcement signals a move to end this damaging practice for good, and thank our supporters for helping make it happen.

A Golden Plover stands alert among the reddish-brown heather and grasses of upland peatland. Its mottled gold and black plumage blends with the landscape, a reminder that these precious habitats are home to rare and remarkable wildlife.

1 65 340

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · 29d

Ingleborough National Nature Reserve expanded - great news for the UK's best limestone habitats and wildlife. Research and monitoring by
@universityofleeds.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ingleborough National Nature Reserve to be extended

The extension will offer greater protection to the rare species found in the Dales upland landscape.

www.bbc.co.uk

3 8

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Carly Reddington @drcarlyreddington.bsky.social · Sep 8

🌍 Our new study in @natclimate.nature.com shows tropical #deforestation may cause ~28,000 heat-related deaths/year.
🌳🌡️💻🛰️ Using satellite data & mortality models we quantified the impact of deforestation-driven local warming on human health in the tropics.
 🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s415...
🔗 rdcu.be/eEUbI

Deforestation in a SE Asian tropical forest. Photo credit: Carly Reddington

2 4 12

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · Aug 29

New study led by @drcarlyreddington.bsky.social tracks climate heating and human health impacts of tropical deforestation @universityofleeds.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social

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

Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality - Nature Climate Change

The authors assess the impacts of tropical deforestation and its subsequent local warming on human heat-related mortality. They estimate that deforestation-related warming (+0.27 °C) is associated wit...

www.nature.com

3 8

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · Aug 29

Tropical deforestation is a major public health issue. New study led by @drcarlyreddington.bsky.social, story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds

Localised rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find

www.theguardian.com

2 2

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · Aug 27

Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds

#climatecrisis
Story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds

Localised rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find

www.theguardian.com

1 42 59

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · Aug 21

Brazil authorities suspend key Amazon rainforest protection measure

- Suspension of soy moratorium could open up area of rainforest the size of Portugal to destruction

Story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Brazil authorities suspend key Amazon rainforest protection measure

Suspension of Soy moratorium could open up area of rainforest the size of Portugal to destruction

www.theguardian.com

1 32 29

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · Aug 20

As seen at Gosforth Show last weekend, come & find our very educational & slightly interactive stall at the #krankenhaus festival this weekend. Difficult questions welcome! @showcasecumbria.bsky.social @forestryengland.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

1 4

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · Jun 19

Great to host the #CSSPBrazil meeting at the @universityofleeds.bsky.social Celebrating 10 years of Brazil - UK collaboration on climate science. #WCSSP #ISPF @metoffice.gov.uk @richardabetts.bsky.social

3

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds @envleeds.bsky.social · Apr 29

Research led by Dr Lawrence Jackson and Professor Cathryn Birch in collaboration with @ukceh.bsky.social reveals potential for improved humid heat early warning systems to help vulnerable people prepare for dangerous humid heatwaves.

environment.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

Rainfall triggers extreme humid heat in tropics and subtropics

Scientists believe they have found a way to improve warning systems for vulnerable communities threatened by humid heatwaves, which are on the rise due to climate change and can damage human health.

environment.leeds.ac.uk

5 7

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · Apr 26

As annoying as it was to find an abandoned camp site & litter at Hardknott, it's worth contrasting it with how quickly our dedicated volunteers & staff got rid of it. We're now back to finding only vintage litter, such as this rusting beer can & stubby beer bottle. @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social

2 1 9

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

World Land Trust @worldlandtrust.org · Mar 19

Our spring appeal is here!

We urgently need your help to save one of the world’s most threatened cloud forests.

www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2025/03... 🔗

5 8

Dom Spracklen @domspracklen.bsky.social · Apr 19

Support @worldlandtrust.org protect cloud forests in Honduras, crucial for amazing wildlife and clean water for surrounding communities:
www.worldlandtrust.org/appeals/save...

Save The Cloud Forests of Honduras

WLT need your help to raise £443,540 - Donations will help our partner AESMO save 225 acres of precious cloud forest before it is too late...

www.worldlandtrust.org

1

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Woodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social · Apr 19

Walking this weekend? Our recently revamped Visitor Gateway at #GlenFinglas in the #Trossachs is now open 10am to 4pm, every day. There's plenty of parking, 10 waymarked trails, friendly volunteers to give advice & a loo with a spectacular view 😆!
Visit Glen Finglas 👉 buff.ly/oX68lRm

A round building with a sloped roof and narrow windows, clad with wood and painted sage green. Exterior signage reads, 'Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway'. Credit WTML

The curved wall of a toilet is covered in photo wallpaper depicting a birch woodland in summer, with a path leading into the distance. There is a door in the wall and a window; free sanitary products are available on the window ledge. Credit WTML.

Seven people dressed in rain jackets, inside a colourfully decorated building with mountains painted on the wall. There are images and photos of Glen Finglas lining the curved walls. Credit WTML

A reservoir (Glen Finglas) in the middle of a glen, with a small island in the centre covered in trees. Mountains in the distance, a track on the right-hand side and native woodland in the foreground. everything is very green. Credit WTML

3 10

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Restoring Hardknott Forest 🌎 @hardknottforest.bsky.social · Apr 15

We're so close to our £1000 target to start funding the tools and equipment we need for our new #tree nursery. Donations and shares gratefully received. Many thanks.
@envleeds.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social @domspracklen.bsky.social

gofund.me/ddccc2ea

Donate to Support our wildflower and tree nursery in the Duddon Valley, organised by Restoring Hardknott Forest

Can you help us build a community nursery to grow rare wildfl… Restoring Hardknott Forest needs your support for Support our wildflower and tree nursery in the Duddon Valley

gofund.me

5 5

Reposted by Dom Spracklen

Evan Frost @wildwoods.bsky.social · Apr 10

"Protecting mature & old-growth forests from commercial timber harvest, while allowing mature forests to grow into old-growth, could increase accumulated forest carbon stocks by 10.8B Mg this century, comparable to 8 yrs of fossil fuel emissions in the US." 🌏 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

How much more carbon could be protected in mature and old-growth forests of the United States?

Mature and old-growth (MOG) forests are superior to younger forests for mitigating the climate and biodiversity crises. MOG forests store far more car…

www.sciencedirect.com

1 24 56