Editorials in 2022

The delayed UN Biodiversity COP15 follows closely on the heels of the Climate COP27. We look at what comparisons can valuably be made between the two summits.

Three studies of disease-carrying mosquitoes in this issue illustrate the need for both interdisciplinary approaches and more research into fundamental biology.

Rachel Carson’s book has had lasting impacts on the global regulation of chemicals harmful to life. Six decades since its publication, however, novel threats to wildlife and human health are still emerging.

Most ecological research does not reach its full potential, for reasons that range from poor design to publication bias to insufficient reporting. There are several straightforward steps that researchers, institutions, funders and publishers can take to cut the amount of wasted research.

The recently released IPBES Values Assessment explores the myriad ways in which nature can and should be valued. Policymakers now need to diversify their view of the relationship between nature and people.

The bicentenary of the birth of Mendel is an opportunity to explore the origins of genetics and to confront some of its difficult subsequent history.

Governments around the world are too slow and too weak in their commitments to stop deforestation. And promises of restoration will not make up for the loss of old forests.

There is a range of approaches to improving peer review, and at this journal we encourage many of them.

Ecologists are embracing the use of forestry data, offering the chance to move beyond decades of division between disciplines.

Environmental scientists can find themselves exposed to a range of mental health challenges, and we all need to support each other in addressing them.

We have recently rekindled our Books & Arts coverage.

We celebrate our fifth anniversary with a look back at publications that illustrate the breadth of our scope.