A study led by ecologists at UC Berkeley has found significant flaws in the research used to challenge the U.S. Forest Service plan to restore Sierra Nevada forests to less dense, and less fire-prone, environments.
Mary Firestone elected to National Academy of Sciences
Firestone’s research involves the fundamental understanding of soil microbial ecology, and its applications to problems such as global change, sustainability, and biodegradation.
Student Spotlight: Brooke Maushund
In the first of our series of interviews with students in the College of Natural Resources, Brooke Maushund tells us about her once-in-a-lifetime experiences at the COP22 Conference in Morocco, the Cal ski team, and why you shouldn't always follow the rules.
Predicting Pesticide Impact on River Diversity
A new model developed by members of the Resh Lab can assist researchers in studying how future climate change and pesticide runoff could together impact macroinvertebrate diversity in rivers, which could in turn affect the health of surrounding ecosystems.
Berkeley Blog: Why We Should March for Science
Professor Ron Amundson encourages scientists around the world to join the March for Science on April 22, to publicly acknowledge the role of science in society, and to highlight the frequency and nature of political attacks on science.
When human illness rises, the environment suffers, too
Research from the Brashares lab shows that in a fishing community with high rates of disease and declining fish stocks around Kenya’s Lake Victoria, human illness exacerbates unsustainable fishing practices.
Adina Merenlender Elected President of Society for Conservation Biology
ESPM cooperative extension specialist Adina Merenlender has been elected the next president of the Society for Conservation Biology.
Climate change has the potential to alter natural selection, study finds
Changing rainfall and drought patterns likely play a key role in shaping natural selection among plants and animals in the wild, according to a study co-authored by associate professor Stephanie Carlson.
Professor Banfield Chosen as Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator
Professor Jill Banfield is among thirteen UC Berkeley faculty chosen by the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub to receive up to $1.5 million each over the next five years for biomedical research.
Professor Miguel Altieri Honored for Leadership in Agroecology
Chile’s University of La Frontera has named ESPM Professor Miguel Altieri an honorary professor of agricultural and forest sciences.
Scott Stephens Speaks at California Forest Management Hearing
Professor Scott Stephens delivered the opening remarks at the Little Hoover Commission's public hearing in response to California's growing tree mortality crisis.
CRISPR research institute expands into agriculture, microbiology
The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) will expand efforts to explore the potential of gene editing in the areas of agriculture and microbiology. ESPM professor Jill Banfield will lead the microbiology group.
UC Research Forest Lands Expand with Donation
The first of three large land donations from PG&E to the University of California has been officially transferred, expanding UC’s research forest lands by 1,459 acres.
Climate change could kill off parasites, destabilizing ecosystems
A new review led by UC Berkeley suggests that climate change threatens parasites with extinction, which could have big consequences for ecosystems.
Compact CRISPR systems found in some of world’s smallest microbes
Berkeley researchers found two compact CRISPR systems, CasX and CasY, nearly doubling the potential tools like CRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing.
Drones help monitor health of giant sequoias
Professor Todd Dawson tests drone-based research tools as a way to monitor the Sierra Nevada’s giant sequoias and predict how they will deal with climate change and drought.
Study finds wide exposure to environmental toxics in cohort of pregnant women
A new study measures exposure to 59 toxic chemicals in pregnant women and their newborns, and finds that the pollutants show up in higher levels in the newborns.
Dale McCullough Receives Aldo Leopold Memorial Award
Bestowed in recognition of an individual's distinguished service to wildlife conservation, the award is the highest honor given by The Wildlife Society.
SAF Announces York as a Recipient of 2016 Presidential Field Forester Award
ESPM assistant adjunct professor Robert York has been awarded the Presidential Field Forester Award by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Wildfire management vs. suppression benefits forest and watershed
An unprecedented 40-year experiment in a 40,000-acre valley of Yosemite National Park strongly supports the idea that managing fire, rather than suppressing it, makes wilderness areas more resilient to fire.