News
Below you can catch up on the latest news from the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield.
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Extreme weather is turning the Arctic brown and could impact on climate change
In recent years evidence has emerged that increasing numbers of extreme events are causing dieback of Arctic plants – or ‘browning’ – across Arctic regions.
Categorised under: Research
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Researchers debunk decades old theory on house sparrows
Scientists have debunked a common belief that the size of a male house sparrow’s bib signals his ability to fight and compete with other individuals.
Categorised under: Research
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Pollution in cities damaging insects and ecosystems
High levels of pollution found in many of the world’s major cities are having negative effects on plants and insects, according to new research from the University of Sheffield.
Categorised under: Research
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Decline in shorebirds linked to climate change, experts warn
Climate change could be responsible for a substantial decline in populations of shorebirds, say researchers at the University of Sheffield, following a study published in Science analysing population data over a period of 70 years.
Categorised under: Research
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Codebreaker Turing’s theory explains how shark scales are patterned
A system proposed by world war two codebreaker Alan Turing more than 60 years ago can explain the patterning of tooth-like scales possessed by sharks, according to new research.
Categorised under: Research
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The Future of Food: Plant science approaches to the global challenge of food security
By 2050, it is expected that the world population will reach 10 billion. The amount of food necessary to feed our appetites is expected to rise by 50%, and as things stand it is impossible for our current methods of agriculture and plant production to sustain this rapid population growth. But scientists at the University of Sheffield are using their knowledge of fundamental plant processes to research new approaches to sustainable food production.
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Our quest to make the UK's most sustainable cup of coffee
By streamlining its supply chain and using its research strengths, the University of Sheffield is on a mission to provide its staff and students with the UK’s most sustainable cup of coffee.
Categorised under: Research
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University of Sheffield awarded funding to train next generation of environmental scientists
The University of Sheffield has been successful in securing a share of £100m funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to train the next generation of environmental scientists.
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Underestimating combined threats of deforestation and wildlife trade will push Southeast Asian birds to extinction
The combined impact of deforestation and wildlife exploitation on bird numbers is severely underestimated and could lead to some species becoming extinct, a joint study by the University of Sheffield and National University of Singapore has found.
Categorised under: Research
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'High-yield’ farming costs the environment less than previously thought – and could help spare habitats
New findings suggest that more intensive agriculture might be the “least bad” option for feeding the world while saving the environment – provided use of such “land-efficient” systems prevents further conversion of wilderness to farmland.
Categorised under: Research
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World-leading plant growth facility set to become more sustainable
One of the most advanced plant growth facilities in the world, which is helping scientists to enhance our understanding of how crops are being affected by climate change and disease, is set to become more sustainable thanks to new funding.
Categorised under: Research
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Scientists crack mystery behind shape of bird eggs
A centuries-old mystery behind the shape of a bird’s egg has been solved by scientists at the University of Sheffield as part of one of the longest-running scientific studies of its kind.
Categorised under: Research
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Genetic ‘toolkit’ helps periwinkles gain advantage on the seashore
Periwinkles, struggling to survive the seashore battleground, have developed a genetic ‘toolkit’ to help them adapt to different environments, a new study shows.
Categorised under: Research
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Urgent change needed to regulate the environmental impacts of chemicals
Urgent change is needed to regulate the harmful impact chemicals have on the environment, a new study has revealed.
Categorised under: Research
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Renowned zoologist reveals stories behind his award-winning teaching
One of the UK’s most renowned zoologists has revealed what inspired him to become an academic and teach the next generation of scientists as part of a public lecture.
Categorised under: Research