Biodiversity
Site news
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The 2026 winners of the Natural Capital Young Leaders Prize have advocated for a view of nature and economies as deeply intertwined, encouraging people to see themselves as part of nature rather than separate from it.
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A new federal rule redefines "harm" to exclude habitat destruction under the Endangered Species Act. Stanford experts in law and biology explain why the change matters, and which species have the most to lose.
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Leaders from 32 countries convened at Stanford to unlock ways of meeting surging demand for valuing nature in decisions – and growing that demand exponentially.
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Through experiments comparing living representatives of animal groups that dominated Paleozoic oceans with those that thrive today, Stanford scientists have directly linked the disappearance of once-dominant marine groups to intolerable heat and diminished oxygen in ancient oceans.
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Environmental microbiologist Yaochun Yu studies how microbes break down pesticides, plastic additives, and other chemicals in the environment. His goal is to enable new ways to clean up pollution and design safer chemicals for the future.
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In the 14 years after a new road was paved through a previously isolated portion of the Peruvian Amazon, cases of the world’s most rapidly expanding mosquito-borne disease skyrocketed in nearby communities.
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Experts in physics, chemistry, and bioengineering discuss scientific revolutions, the importance of basic science, and new frontiers in biology and sustainability.
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A Stanford study found that mountain lion visits to Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma) triggered cascading effects on deer, smaller predators, and vegetation.
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From Ebola to hantavirus, ecological disruptions are creating the conditions for more frequent and dangerous spillover events. Researchers say interdisciplinary collaboration and investment in early surveillance is essential to prevent and respond to these threats.
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Altering livestock grazing could allow soils to store billions more tons of carbon each year, depending on the region. But net climate benefits depend heavily on where supplemental feed comes from.
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A new modeling approach applied to 146 countries shows how strategic land use can provide significant gains for climate and nature without economic losses.
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Led by Rodolfo Dirzo and students in his lab, a Stanford field course takes students into Bay Area forests for an up-close look at the lives of local birds.
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A study on species competing to consume insect larvae provides insights into “priority effects”, or how the order and timing of different species shape biological communities.
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A Stanford-led effort combines bluefin tuna tag data and historical catch records to reconstruct the evolution of the fishery in the context of extensive movement and mixing.
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The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s annual competition recognizes images capturing natural beauty, researchers in action, and important topics in sustainability research.
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For their final project in a natural capital course, students Megan Chen and Zoe Rehnborg created a “zine” on the many values of public parks.
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A new study finds old-growth forests in Sweden store far more carbon than the industrial tree plantations that are rapidly replacing them, with soil accounting for most of the difference. Protecting undisturbed areas could do more to mitigate climate change than previously thought.
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As oceans warm and ecosystems shift, Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station is helping detect trouble early – and prevent collapse before it starts.
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The Stanford ecologist traces quiet shifts in the natural world – and how they circle back to human health. PhD student Phil Roberge takes us on a tour of his lab.
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To analyze for risk of schistosomiasis, a debilitating parasitic disease, Giulio De Leo and collaborators used AI to transform local field work into satellite-powered disease mapping in Senegal.
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Jennifer Brophy uses genetic tools to help plants adapt to climate change. Lately, she has focused her efforts on improving crops to reduce the need for chemical pesticides that can contaminate air and water.
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For Earth Systems master’s student Tom Ramsay, an internship focused on assessing the natural capital of wetlands in Uruguay inspired new interests and career ambitions.
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A microbiologist discusses her research into the robust lipid membranes of ancient microbes to reveal secrets about Earth’s environmental past and future.
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Our list includes a mix of favorites, high-impact stories, and some of our most-read research coverage from the past year.
