The body snatchers
Read this fascinating post in Scottish Pollinators (1 June 2023). This links stories of family feuds among the Egyptian Gods with the complex ‘arm’s race’ relationships between parasitic invertebrates and their host species. Read on to discover how parasites can manipulate their host’s behaviour to their advantage.
Marine habitats and working partnerships
This post in Scotland’s Nature by NatureScot (6 June 2023) explores A new approach to studying our marine habitats. This includes the special biodiversity of marine habitats and the concept of functional diversity. Suitable for more advanced students, including tertiary level.
Maths in Ecology – a skills guide for biologists
The British Ecological Society (BES) offer Maths skills for biologists. This is a 12 page guide developed with the Field Studies Council aimed at students and teachers of 16-19 Biology. The resource covers areas including mathematical and statistical skills, planning field investigations, specific statistical tests and data presentation. This guide can also [...]
What is biological recording? A handy guidance note.
This free Biological Recording Guidance note, shared by the Field Studies Council, explains what biological recording is and why it is important. This may be particularly useful for secondary students and teachers and to support Citizen Science activities.
Why we should all learn to love stinging nettles
This article in the Conversation (January 9, 2023) explores the virtues of this stinging plant. Check out the nettle’s wildlife friendly role, and how it can support human and animal health and textile technology.
Curious Kids: what do plants do all day?
This article in The Conversation (2 February 2022) provides a great synopsis of plant biology.
Curious Kids: what is snail slime – and why is it shiny?
Snails are often an exciting discovery for children exploring outdoors. This article in The Conversation (22 October 2022) provides some fascinating insights into snail slime, and on the function of mucus in snails and humans in general. It includes a great time-lapse video of snails in action.
Botanists are disappearing – just when the world needs them most
This article in The Conversation (13 July 2022) describes how botany is disappearing from university modules in the UK. The author describes the consequences of less teaching about plants, including ‘plant blindness’ in the wider population. The article notes that the ‘ Scottish government has highlighted the lack of a skilled workforce [...]
