Science and conservation news
Keep up to date with the latest science and conservation news and blogs from Kew. Here you will find all the latest articles about our work in the UK and around the world. Research news of interest to specialists is reported in our specialist science news page and our newsletter Kew Scientist.
Specialist science news | Go behind the scenes with Kew blogs
Germination of alpines
22 Mar 2013
Climate change could shift the timing of seed germination in alpine plants
3 likes0 comments
Celebrating David Livingstone's Bicentenary
by: Lorna Cahill, Library, Art and Archives blog19 Mar 2013
To celebrate the bicentenary of African explorer David Livingstone, the Archives team reveal his connection to Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and how you can see more of his letters online.
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Your iPad as a window on Kew
by: Christina Harrison, Kew magazine blog15 Mar 2013
Our spring issue of Kew magazine is out now, and it’s not on its own due to the magazine going all appy on iTunes.
- 15 likes
- 3 comments
Updating classifications to reflect monophyly
07 Mar 2013
The move from a “traditional” to a “phylogenetic” classification of grasses (Poaceae) has resulted in 10% of species having their scientific name changed.
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Tracking black rhinos in Zambia
by: Paul Smith, Millennium Seed Bank blog06 Mar 2013
Critically endangered black rhino have recently been reintroduced to the North Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Paul Smith, an expert in the vegetation of the area, is helping to identify the plant species that Rhinos rely on for their survival.
- 18 likes
- 2 comments
Herbal medicine through an evolutionary lens
05 Mar 2013
A phylogenetic study has shown that related plants are used traditionally in three disparate regions to treat similar medical conditions.
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Ants, constipation, murder and the seeds of Ricinus communis
by: Wolfgang Stuppy, Millennium Seed Bank blog04 Mar 2013
Revolving around a humble seed, this month's blog covers nearly everything from seed morphology and digestive problems to the beautiful smell of racing car engines and James Bond-style murder. Discover the useful, funny and lethal sides of one of the most notorious seeds on Earth!
- 23 likes
- 3 comments
Mapping tools for botanists, part one: SimpleMappr
by: Steven Bachman, GIS team blog27 Feb 2013
The first in a series of reviews by Kew’s Geographic Information Science (GIS) Unit of online mapping tools: this time we look at an online tool for distribution mapping called SimpleMappr
- 10 likes
- 1 comment
The 'Orchid King' and his army
by: Elisabeth Thurlow, Library, Art and Archives blog25 Feb 2013
Read about the dangers of orchid collecting as Kew's graduate trainee repackages a collection of letters held in the Kew Gardens' Archives.
- 29 likes
- 1 comment
Restoring habitats in the Falkland Islands, one seed at a time
by: Alicky Davey and Tom Heller, UK Overseas Territories team blog22 Feb 2013
Alicky Davey from Falklands Conservation and Tom Heller from Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank explain how collecting wild plant seed can help restore eroded habitats and pastures in the Falkland Islands.
- 13 likes
- 2 comments
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Specialist science news
What are hard seeds for?
14 May 2013
A new hypothesis has been proposed on why some seeds are hard.
Caffeine enhances bee memory
10 May 2013
Caffeine in the nectar of coffee and citrus flowers manipulates the memory of pollinating bees.
Is our daily cup of coffee under threat?
08 Nov 2012
A new study from Kew suggests that Arabica coffee could be extinct in the wild within 70 years.
Director (CEO and Chief Scientist) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to return to Australia
14 Sep 2011
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew announced today that Director (CEO and Chief Scientist), Professor Stephen Hopper FLS will step down in autumn 2012 after six years in the job.
