News and Events for Policymakers

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) According to the analysis of the scientists, the orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is the only butterfly species in Europe for which a significant increase can be recorded. Photo: Ulrike Schäfer

Butterflies on the decline

Research shows that the numbers of butterflies in meadows and pastures of Europe are in a continuous decline. A new EU regulation aims to stop this trend.

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Around 258 million people across 58 countries faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2022 © Food Security Information Network

Food crises worsen in the wake of conflicts, economic shocks and weather extremes

Conflicts, economic shocks driven by COVID-19 and Russia’s war against Ukraine, and weather extremes are pushing up the number of people who suffer acute hunger and malnutrition, according to the latest edition of the Global Report on Food Crises.

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Syke Policy Brief: Preventing biodiversity loss with ecological restoration

Restoration of watersheds, wetlands, and forests is a way to compensate for the human-caused damage on biodiversity. Halting biodiversity loss is essential for safeguarding ecosystems and human well-being. In a fresh Syke Policy Brief the Finnish...

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Forest fires are one of the main causes of the decline of tree diversity. © drotik - stock.adobe.com 2023

Scientists estimate that by 2095 forest services will decrease on average by 52% in Europe’s Mediterranean area

A new study models how changing climate conditions will impact forest services such as wood for construction and paper, edible fruits, leaves, roots and other services.

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2013 flood on the Elbe near Dessau-Rosslau. 2013 flood on the Elbe near Dessau-Rosslau. Photo: André Künzelmann/UFZ

Natural flood prevention: higher trust through better communication

A UFZ study shows: If the population feels well informed, it has a more positive view towards nature-based flood prevention. In many places today, dikes are being moved back, and floodplains are being revitalised in order to give the river more...

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Study: past extreme climate warming triggered by tipping points

Can a rapid warming of Earth trigger tipping points in our climate? For decades scientists have debated if today’s warming can strongly amplify itself by triggering a catastrophic release of greenhouse gases. New research, published in Science...

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Evidence synthesis - online training course

This online course will introduce you to Evidence Synthesis, Evidence Review, rapid Evidence Assessments and Systematic Reviews.

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Melting glaciers are going to affect food security

The glaciers of the Himalayas and Alps are melting, and this has consequences for the agriculture of the future. One third of all rice is grown around the Himalayas, and countries depend on meltwater to grow this water-consuming crop. Europe is also...

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Can we manage sustainable agricultural water use at a global level?

Farmers use a lot of water to produce crops. In arid areas, this is causing a drop in groundwater levels, which has an impact on the natural environment. Hydrologist Inge de Graaf is working out how farmers could use groundwater more sustainably.

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Multi-species grassland Multi-species grassland has been shown to provide nutritional food to livestock and support biodiversity and carbon storage in the soil.

Creating resilient grasslands of the future

New research will support the potential for grasslands that are more resilient to climate extremes, hold carbon, provide pollen and support biodiversity while requiring less intensive agricultural methods.

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