A diverse ecosystem means a productive ecosystem, as each small part that makes up the larger whole plays a vital and important part in keeping the machine functioning. With millions of species in the world, biodiversity is one of our biggest economic resources for medicine, food and natural materials.

Healthy soil could be our best hope in the face of climate change, food crisis and biodiversity loss.

I have just come home from the 16th meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, where most of the 178 member nations to CITES had once again gathered. The mood could hardly have been more different. During the meeting, parties to CITES afforded increased protection for a wide range of species in international commercial trade, mostly by consensus.

There are wider, less obvious dangers, which are threatening both the tiger and the islanders. Erosion and siltation are clogging the rivers, leading to growing salinity of the area's soils as the flow of freshwater is reduced - a problem compounded by rising sea levels as the effects of climate change kick in.

We are directly and indirectly threatening the existence of countless species through the harvesting of them and the destruction of their habitats. Among the more well-known species we have already lost are the Great Auk, Stellar's Sea Cow, the Baiji White Dolphin, and the Passenger Pigeon.

Giant pandas are charismatic, fascinating creatures. From a biological perspective, I find them so very interesting. I really like them. And yet, I think it may be the time to let them drift off into extinction or, at the very least, reconsider our approach to their conservation. I do not say this lightly.

A new species of monkey has been identified in Africa, researchers have said. The species, known locally as the lesula, was discovered after a youn...

Ron Taylor, the Australian marine conservationist who rose to fame after filming the real-life shark footage for Jaws, along with his wife Valerie, ha...

WARNING: Graphic images which some readers may find disturbing A police investigation is underway after the severed heads of two seals were fo...

Britain's butterfly numbers fell by more than a fifth across the countryside last year, a study has revealed. The 22% drop in butterflies in 2011 i...

Some private rhino owners are calling for the international trade ban... to be lifted so that the stockpiles of horn from rhinos who have died or been dehorned can be sold off.

We're ashamed to admit World Turtle Day passed us by somewhat, but this little guy most definitely caught our collective eye. Looking somewhat sta...

A pair of "gay" Gentoo penguins who have apparently yearned for parenthood for six years, are to become fathers at last after an egg was donated to th...

As the manager of a charitable fund people often comment that it must be a little like playing God. Certainly I've had responses from unsuccessful applicants telling me that my decision will result in children starving, which is not the kind of message anyone wants to see in their inbox. But how do you choose which projects to fund and who to help?

Species losing their fight for survival should be left to become extinct, if it means having resources free for other animals and plants, a survey of ...

Poaching is now threatening remaining rhino populations across their range, from Kenya and Zimbabwe to India and Nepal.

The global frog trade may not have the same notoriety as blood diamonds or illegal logging. But according to a new report, our ravenous appetite f...