Papers

Papers

BTO publishes peer-reviewed papers in a wide range of scientific journals, both independently and with our partners. If you are unable to access a scientific paper by a BTO author, please contact us.

Search settings

Order by
Partners
Region
Science topic

Nine changes needed to deliver a radical transformation in biodiversity measurement

Author:

Published: 2026

Biodiversity scientists are on the cusp of a transformative flood of new data, due to the combination of increasing demands for ecological information, more comprehensive and sophisticated analyses, and astonishing technological developments. This perspective paper identifies a set of recommendations to make the most of these opportunities while addressing the challenges.

04.03.26

Papers

View on journal website

From data to decisions: Toward a Biodiversity Monitoring Standards Framework

Author:

Published: 2026

The pressing need to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, as articulated by the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, demands a commensurate improvement in how we monitor, report, and act upon changes in the state of nature. This perspectives paper proposes a Biodiversity Monitoring Standards Framework, offering a structured pathway to address the longstanding challenges of fragmentation and inconsistency in biodiversity monitoring.

04.03.26

Papers

View on journal website

Ecological barrier crossing strategies in small migratory birds depend on wing morphology and plumage color

Author:

Published: 2026

Data from 17 small migratory bird species tracked on passage between Europe and Africa show they shift altitude markedly when crossing deserts and marine barriers. Birds were found to fly higher over the Sahara than over marine areas, especially during daytime. Wing traits and plumage color influence how birds cross ecological barriers, with darker plumage and shorter wing bones relating to higher Sahara flight in daytime.

20.02.26

Papers

View on journal website

Role of freshwater availability and terrestrial land-cover change in the distribution of a declining, terrestrial, insectivorous bird

Author:

Published: 2026

The density of rivers is strongly associated with the persistence of the Spotted Flycatcher, a Red-listed migratory species in sharp decline in the UK. Protection and improvement of riverine habitats and understanding their benefits for terrestrial species should be a priority for conservation management.

14.01.26

Papers

View on journal website

Global population status of the migratory Holarctic species Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus

Author:

Published: 2026

BTO-led research estimates a minimum Arctic Skua breeding population of 185,131–395,315 pairs across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Europe combined, but highlights a data gap for Asian Russia, where an additional 40,000–600,000 pairs could be present. Given this uncertainty, the Arctic Skua should perhaps be reclassified as ‘Data Deficient’ rather than ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List at a global scale.

12.01.26

Papers

View on journal website