Journal of Applied Ecology

Research Highlights Editor for Journal of Applied Ecology - British Ecological Society Join the editorial board on Journal of Applied Ecology! Apply by 01 Nov 2025.

We're looking for a Research Highlights Editor!

Research Highlights are short commentary papers that contextualise the latest research within the wider field 🌍

This role could be a great fit for an ECR looking to take the next steps into editing ✍️🧪

Apply here: bit.ly/4o0bTV8

Our latest podcast series 'Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth' explores the barriers to nature inclusion for various communities and the ways in which we can overcome them 🌱

This discussion is based on four reports deposited in Applied Ecology Resources 📚

Listen here 👇
buff.ly/7BpYW1c

Applications for our 2026 Associate Editor Mentoring Scheme close TOMORROW! ⏰🌏

If you'd like to learn more about the peer review process then this voluntary two-year role could be the role for you 🌱🧪

Find out more and apply: bit.ly/47uwYlD

Machine learning for biosecurity: A probabilistic framework for invasive species management 🦒🌏

We present a novel machine learning (ML) framework to quantify species progression along the introduction–naturalization–invasion continuum 🖥️🧪

doi.org/10.1111/1365...

Wild pollinators & honeybees respond differently to landscape-scale organic farming & increase sunflower yields 🐝🌏

Provides strategies to support different groups of wild pollinators through integrative landscape & field management & strengthen pollination services 🌻🧪

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

So excited to be part of this! Looking forward to speaking with you all on the 29th 🌱

We're thrilled to announce our first-ever webinar!

@hollietree.bsky.social & @pettorelli.bsky.social will be joining us to discuss how Integrated Nature-Climate Action can strengthen policy responses to biodiversity loss & climate change 🌍🧪

Learn more & register for free here 👇
bit.ly/4mJGwx2

Our October issue is now available! 🫧🌎🧪

Features a range of topics including:
👉The case for integrated nature-climate action 🌱
👉Bird responses to the abandonment of artisanal gold mining 🐦
👉Marine constructions and substrate colour 🎨

Read more: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/13652664...

Differences between terrestrial and offshore bird migration: Implications for offshore wind energy ⚡

Comparing terrestrial and offshore movements can reveal differences in migration that help target conservation efforts offshore 🌊

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Perceived & actual ecosystem services by fruit bats, birds & primates in litchi orchards agroecosystems 🦇🧪

Found relatively low incidences of crop raiding by fruit bats, highlighting the economic benefits of biocontrol by insectivorous bats & birds 💰🌏

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

Uncertainty in blacklisting potential Pacific plant invaders using Species Distribution Models 📊🧪

Given the strong influence of thresholding on risk scores, results emphasise the need for transparent, context-specific threshold selection 💭🌏

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

A globally influential area-condition metric is a poor proxy for invertebrate biodiversity 🐛🌏

Highlights the need to incorporate factors beyond habitat type & condition into site evaluations, & to complement metric use with species-based surveys 💭🧪

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

Uncertainty in blacklisting potential Pacific plant invaders using species distribution models SDMs can provide valuable support for planning the preventive management of alien species. However, our findings show that blacklist outcomes are highly sensitive to modelling decisions. While ensemb....

How reliable are model-based blacklists of invasive plant species if occurrence & environmental data are limited & under different model choices? New paper by PhD researcher Valén Holle @jappliedecology.bsky.social #SDM #invasive #plants #Pacific besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Using total abundance as a proxy for wild bee species richness: A practical tool for non-experts 🐝🌏

Proposes that employing an effective proxy for non-experts could enhance the evaluation of many local and regional conservation initiatives 📑🧪

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

Did you know that our blog series with @aer-ese-bes.bsky.social, Field Diaries, is looking for new participants? 💭🧪

We've already shared a range of brilliant stories spanning waterfowl research to considering the sustainability of homestead farming! 🦆🌏

Find out more & get involved: bit.ly/4n8pyJ4

Satellite images & GPS tracking reveal critically important but unprotected agricultural habitats for Arctic migratory waterfowl in Eurasian drylands 🛰️🐦

Suggests that targeted management is needed to preserve these habitats, & may benefit agriculture too 🌏🧪

🔗

Experimental evidence from NZ rainforests: Selective control of invasive rats or possums triggered competitor release, with impacts on native seedfall 🐀🌏

Integrated management strategies are critical for positive conservation outcomes 📊🧪

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...

🌎 “The global polycrisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification cannot be tackled independently” …but Integrated Nature-Climate Action could provide a structure for transformative change, argue authors in this @jappliedecology.bsky.social paper 🧵

Dutch solar parks approach pollinator & plant biodiversity levels of extensive grasslands, but only on the surface not covered by panels. Soil-emergent arthropods and butterflies lack behind. Proud of Timea for leading besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@jappliedecology.bsky.social

There are just two weeks left to apply for our 2026 Associate Editor Mentoring Scheme! ⏰🌏

If you're based in the Global South and interested in learning about the peer review process through hands-on experience then learn more below 🧪👇

bit.ly/47uwYlD

🚨New paper alert! @jappliedecology.bsky.social
We developed a ML framework that predicts the invasion risk of non-native species
🌱 >90% accuracy in forecasting invasion success
⚠️ Flags high-risk species
📊 Quantifies uncertainty for better decisions
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

With #PeerReviewWeek coming to an end, we’re highlighting our previous blog post about collaborative peer review 👥

We believe collaborative #PeerReview can be fantastic training for Early Career Researchers and encourage it across the BES journals! 👇

https://f.mtr.cool/xlrelhgxnq

As we near the end of #PeerReviewWeek, we'd like to say a massive thank you to everybody who has taken the time to review for us over the past year ✨🌏

Your efforts are crucial in helping us to continue to publish high quality research 📚🧪

Full list here: bit.ly/4m3WW2I

Did you know that all of our journals offer authors the chance to improve their manuscript's clarity for free? ✍️

This #PeerReviewWeek check out our post which explains why we made the decision to offer the Writefull service to all 👇

https://f.mtr.cool/rooofhshdm

🚨 Don't forget to sign up to our MEE live! next week 🚨

In this free online workshop, Ata Kalirad joins us to talk about their recent paper on Ecological Graph Theory, a method to simulate competition in structured populations 🌍 🧪

Find out more about the workshop and register 👇
buff.ly/o6opuoG

The Evolution and Diversity of Peer Review Post provided by Lydia Morley Today, peer review is a foundation of academic publishing. It serves as a checks and balances system to ensure that researchers present work of high quality, novelty, …

As part of peer review week, we want to highlight our blog post on the evolution and diversity of peer review. The post gives a great overview on double-anonymous and transparent peer review processes 📰

Read the post here 👉 buff.ly/s2gGIR7

#PeerReviewWeek #PRW2025

This year's winners have been announced for our ECR Reviewer Prize! 🏆🌎🧪

This #PeerReviewWeek, we're highlighting the vital role that many #ECRs play in #PeerReview. Find out more below 👇

appliedecologistsblog.com/2025/09/16/w...

📣 Sign up to our free online workshop!

Explore the evolving landscape of biodiversity and nature reporting, and the challenges of applying these within complex international supply chains with Dr. Tara Garraty, Tunley Environmental, and Benedicta Bakpa, Bespak 🌎💡

Register here: buff.ly/o0GFgVZ

Did you know that it's officially #PeerReviewWeek? 📑💭

Whether you're looking to learn more about #PeerReview for the first time or want to brush up on some best practice tips, check out our free guide below 👇

https://f.mtr.cool/eoffzyiudg

Water-saving strategies in rice farming entail cascading effects in prey–predator interactions across ecosystem boundaries 🌾🌏

Highlights need to account for potential trophic cascading effects when designing climate change mitigation strategies in agriculture 💭🧪

🔗 doi.org/10.1111/1365...