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Image: Lian Yi/Xinhua News Agency/picture allianceImage: Lian Yi/Xinhua News Agency/picture alliance

Biodiversity

The UN is holding a biodiversity summit known as COP 16 in Colombia. It will assess the planet's plummeting biodiversity levels and countries' commitments to protect plants, animals and habitats.

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News

UN summit ends without agreement on biodiversity funding

Hedgehogs being decimated by human behavior: report

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Reports & Analysis

A male village weaver bird builds a nest

A male village weaver bird builds a nest

The art of animal architecture

The art of animal architecture

Animals are remarkable architects. Their constructions are meticulously thought out, some even thousands of years old.

Ants carrying leaves

Ants carrying leaves

Biodiversity: The bizarre world of ants

Biodiversity: The bizarre world of ants

Ants are capable of some amazing feats. Did you know some species can carry 50 times their own weight? Or tend gardens?

Mushrooms on a bench during checking session in a forest in western Switzerland

Mushrooms on a bench during checking session in a forest in western Switzerland

Switzerland's new regulations for mushroom foragers

Switzerland's new regulations for mushroom foragers

New measures to protect biodiversity in Switzerland are restricting the country's avid mushroom foragers.

An orangutan leans against a tree branch

An orangutan leans against a tree branch

What is biodiversity and why does it matter?

What is biodiversity and why does it matter?

A diverse array of interconnected living organisms is the foundation of healthy and resilient ecosystems.

A picture split in two. One side shows the Rine widened with an sand island in the middle of it. The other shows the narrow Rhine.

A picture split in two. One side shows the Rine widened with an sand island in the middle of it. The other shows the narrow Rhine.

Alpine Rhine project aims for flood protection, biodiversity

Alpine Rhine project aims for flood protection, biodiversity

On the border of Austria and Switzerland, the Rhine River will be restored to prevent floods and support biodiversity.

A bronze-winged jacana looks for food surrounded by blooming white water lily flowers

A bronze-winged jacana looks for food surrounded by blooming white water lily flowers

UN biodiversity talks: Is the world at a tipping point?

UN biodiversity talks: Is the world at a tipping point?

Species are vanishing at an alarming rate, threatening human food supply, health and security.

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In the spotlight

A stand of dead spruce trees against a cloudy sky

A stand of dead spruce trees against a cloudy sky

Why Germany's dying forests could be good news

Germany is losing its forests because of climate change and pests. But there may be a silver lining to the losses.

A hamster peeks out of its hole in a farmer's field

A hamster peeks out of its hole in a farmer's field

Should bulldozers make way for hamsters?

Germany has strict laws when construction clashes with wildlife. But should we spend millions to protect a few animals?

Hands holding a sunscreen spray bottle

Hands holding a sunscreen spray bottle

How safe is sunscreen for people and planet?

Sunscreen is packed with unpronounceable chemicals. Here are five things to know about their safety.

Deforestation in the Brasilian Amazon

Deforestation in the Brasilian Amazon

Can Europe really preserve global forests?

A new EU deforestation law has met with resistance from the US. But could it reduce emissions and biodiversity loss?

Waterfall at tropical Rainforest of Ranomafana National Parks in Madagascar

Waterfall at tropical Rainforest of Ranomafana National Parks in Madagascar

Dramatic forest loss due to farming, climate change: report

Every day the planet loses more and more trees to deforestation. But why are forests so important for us anyway?

Underwater image of a diver among fish at the North Seymour Island dive site in the Galapagos archipelago

Underwater image of a diver among fish at the North Seymour Island dive site in the Galapagos archipelago

Greenpeace urges Galapagos high seas protected area

Greenpeace has called for increased protection of the unique underwater world around Ecuador's Galapagos Islands.

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