Bat Maria Vorontsova

@KewScience

Exciting PhD project with me and @vorontsovams.bsky.social RBG Kew on Grass Diversity, developing a phylogeny using morphology and genomics for the tropical forage grass genus Urochloa. Applications at centa.ac.uk/students... but contacts Bat or me to discuss

Florida softshell turtle we had to drive around with the Archbold Biological Station team!

500 copies of the new Madagascar grass guidebook!

2 job adverts on a NERC project w myself + @darrenobbard.bsky.social on “What determines the virome: ecology and the environment, evolution, or species history?” early 2026 in
@uniexecec.bsky.social
- Postdoc: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
- RA: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Pls share!

No one cares about the grass, but we should - The Global Plant Council Nature conservation policies are trying to safeguard forests all over the world, which is a good thing. But it seems like less-flashy ecosystems are getting left behind. Grassy ecosystems include gras...

globalplantcouncil.org/no-one-cares...

Wow. Srsly?

The new photo guide to the grasses of Madagascar is going to press!

Limited carbon sequestration potential from global ecosystem restoration - Nature Geoscience The maximum carbon sequestration potential from global terrestrial ecosystem restoration efforts until 2100 is 96.9 Gt, which is equivalent to 3.7–12.0% of anthropogenic emissions until then, accordin...

We should come to terms with the fact that forest, shrubland, grassland, and wetland ecosystems cannot offset fossil fuel CO₂ emissions.

But we should still protect and restore them for biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.

@ddavis-arch.bsky.social

A conceptual diagram titled “GRASSY BIOME FEATURES” showing different data types aligned by temporal resolution. The horizontal axis represents time, from “millennial” and “mya” (millions of years ago) on the left, to “monthly” and “annual” on the right. Various data types—such as geology, stable isotopes, DNA sequences, archaeological and social science records, modern species records, and remote sensing—are plotted along this axis based on their temporal resolution. Additional features listed include age, extent, composition, degree of modification, livelihood benefit, and maintenance processes.

What do archaeology, palaeoecology, genetics and many more have in common?

They can all be used to understand and protect our grassy landscapes! 🌾💚

Read our paper to find out how 👇
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

How to be clear when discussing grassy biomes? New paper on recommended terminology and research directions: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Phylogenomic analysis reveals five independently evolved African forage grass clades in the genus Urochloa AbstractBackground and Aims. The grass genus Urochloa (Brachiaria) sensu lato includes forage crops that are important for beef and dairy industries in tro

Interested in co designing a fully funded PhD project with ‪@vorontsovams.bsky.social‬ and me on Urochloa plant biodiversity, evolution, morphology and genomics? Please contact us. Building on exciting work on the forage grass by @LizoMasters academic.oup.com/aob/article/...

Fearless colour coordination captured by Sebastian Kettley

I’m still revealing in the joys of #UrbanPlants, especially taking photos of lovey things in grotty places. Here’s Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) by the Network Rail depot in Llandudno Junction #Wildflowerhour

Two great opportunities to gain confidence identifying Grasses and Sedges in the field with @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Grasses Id, Castle Coole, Enniskillen - 5th July
Sedges Id, Crom NT Estate, Fermanagh - 11th July
Book at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...

@ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

Grass awn adventure day with @madelaineb.bsky.social and team at @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social

Minus ten days to the Darwin zebu project final report deadline. Further empty coffee and tea cups not shown.

Grass competition update at 10 weeks! Left to right: Tesco "fast acting" perennial ryegrass, RHS lemongrass, RHS African savanna decorative Melinis nerviglumis

Reed bed in the Walthamstow Marshes in the rain, bringing a more peaceful Thursday

Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide Globally, grassy ecosystems (including grasslands, savannas, shrublands, woodlands, and tundra) cover 30 to 40% of the land and provide important benefits such as climate change mitigation and adaptat...

Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Indeed it is kind of crazy to see Brits face the brutal reality of border control for the first time

So far, the only one not cultivated for a useful purpose by humans is the slowest

Grass race between Cymbopogon, Lolium, and Melinis. Pretty close, all first germination might have been on day 4. Lolium (ryegrass) is ahead with the first green shoot over 1cm. Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is second with tiny green shoots. No vertical shoots on the Melinis nerviglumis.

Why USAID is such a critical piece of the global climate aid puzzle As development projects battle over which is the most ‘life-saving’ in order to secure the dregs of US aid funding, climate action is likely to be deemed lowest priority, writes Nick Ferris

“The consequences of this have been disastrous: funds have dried up and projects have folded."

IDS researcher Ian Scoones, on the impacts of #USAID cuts on climate finance and those bearing the brunt of #ClimateChange 👇

@the-independent.com

www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...

Sad state of nature finance fide @GCBC DEFRA by Stantec

Photo guide to Malagasy grasses almost ready @kewgardens.bsky.social @rfdealmeida.bsky.social @nantynantenaina.bsky.social @royalsociety.org

Things are worse in the US. And I don't work 7d/week any more (though I'm still recovering from the period when I did at least 6). But the themes in here resonate over here.

Creating a multi-linked dynamic dataset: a case study of plant genera named for women A discussion on social media led to the formation of a multidisciplinary group working on this project to highlight women’s contributions to science. The role of marginalised groups in science has bee...

A team of researchers, including @svmering.bsky.social , @sandyknapp.bsky.social, @siobhanleachman.bsky.social, and @vorontsovams.bsky.social created a dataset of 728 genera honouring women and female beings.

doi.org/10.3897/BDJ....