Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate

Written in the media

Image of the day by NASA shows Phytoplankton Diversity

4 October 2016

NASA's Image of the day shows rare cloud free conditions above Greenland and blooms of phytoplankton in the Disko Bay. Erik Mousing from CMEC explains why these tiny organisms are important to the area and the marine food web as a whole.

B10K - The world’s largest genome project

16 August 2016

Carsten Rahbek and Jon Fjeldså explain, to ScienceNordic, the potential of the Bird10K project - mapping the genome of every bird on the planet.

Citizen science is a great success among Danish nature enthusiasts

17 July 2016

Carsten Rahbek and Jacob Heilmann-Clausen explains to the Danish newspaper Jyllandsposten about the use and potential of Citizen Science projects, like Biodiversitet Nu (Biodiversity Now) og Svampeatlas.dk (Danish Fungi Atlas).

Humans drive artificial evolution

29 June 2016

Joseph Bull was interviewed by The Washington Post following the release of his paper about How humans drive speciation as well as extinction.

Coral Spawning gives hope for endangered reefs

20 June 2016

Assistant Professor Sally A. Keith explains to The New York Times about the present knowledge on coral spawning.

Flawed wolf findings withdrawn

8 June 2016

The number of Danish wolfs have been adjusted downwards from the initial proclamation of 40 individuals to less than a handful. Carsten Rahbek has spoken out against the high number all along.

Biodiversity in Danish forests

1 June 2016

In a special edition of Kaskelot Carsten Rahbek, Anders Højgaard Pedersen, Hans Henrik Bruun and Jacob Heilmann-Clausen contribute with two articles on the dynamics of biodiversity in Danish forests.

Now, wild elephants can be a reality in Denmark

19 May 2016

David Bravo Nogues remains critic to the topic of wild elephants in Danish nature, all though Danish as well as foreign researchers argues to Kristeligt dagblad, that wild elephants can be a reality. The article is written in Ekstra Bladet.

The corals in the Great Barrier Reef bleaches tremendously

17 May 2016

Sally Keith from CMEC expresses her concerns about the dying Great Barrier Reef to Politikken, and highlights the importance to find a way to protect the corals.

Biodiversity without Morten Korch

13 May 2016

Associate professor Hans Henrik Bruun from CMEC has written an article in Weekendavisen, in where he examines and explains various botanical changes based on an old manuscript form 1836.

Do we get fewer species in Danish nature?

11 May 2016

Anders Tøttrup, Hans Henrik Bruun and Anders Højgaard all provide their professional inputs to DR Detecter, DR News in order to clarify the argued fact, that we get fewer species in Denmark.

Birds were given life from the death of the dinosaurs

9 May 2016

Birds originate from dinosaurs, but only after the dinosaurs became extinct, did the birds' development history start for real, explains Carsten Rahbek to DR Viden.

Researcher: Agriculture and forestry must make room for nature

2 May 2016

Hans Henrik Bruun challenges “Naturpakken” on its ambitions to give nature first priority in a debate piece published on Altinget.dk

Big gaps in data on threats against biodiversity

25 April 2016

A team of international researchers has recently investigated the usefulness of our data sets regarding threats to biodiversity. Jonas Geldman, who was on the team, comments on the discouraging result to Videnskab.dk.

Biologists fear uncritical biodiversity research

25 April 2016

Videnskab.dk brings an article about the importance of biodiversity for maintaining ecosystems that can provide prosperity and material benefits for people. Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Katherine Richardson and Hans Henrik Bruun share their opinion at videnskab.dk.

Young Danish golden eagle returns home after visit in Germany

25 April 2016

One of the three Danish-born golden eagles, which researchers have followed since they left the nests last fall, is returning to his birthplace after a winter stay south of the border. Associate Professor Anders Tøttrup from the Centre for Macro Ecology, Evolution and Climate tells about the eagles to DR Viden.

To the rescue for vulnerable Danish nature

20 April 2016

Carsten Rahbek is somewhat sceptical of a new plan, which aims to improve the conditions for open nature habitats. The article is brought in Jyllandsposten.

Research results of the year 2015

14 March 2016

Thomas P. Gilbert, Carsten Rahbek, Jon Fjeldsa, Ludovic Orlando, Eske Willerslev, and others from the Danish National History Museum are nominated by Videnskab.dk for the reasearch result of the year 2015 with the story: "Birds secrets revealed".

Megafaunal extinction

2 March 2016

Are humans responsible for Australian mega faunal extinctions? The Guardian explores the case base on a newly published article with David Nogués-Bravo as co-author.

Global sustainability after COP 21

20 February 2016

Professor and researcher in marine biology Katherine Richardson visits the studio on DK4 to give further details on the results from the global climate conference COP 21 in Paris.

The sumatran rhino has a chance to survive

15 February 2016

Rasmus Gren Havmøller happily informs dr.dk/viden of a forthcoming newborn from the otherwise endangered sumatran rhino species.

Iberian lynx beats extinction as cats are released to the wild

10 February 2016

David Nogués-Bravo comments on the lynx reintroduction programme in New Scientist, based on his recently published a paper which urges caution with rewilding projects.

How to create untouched forest

25 January 2016

Biologist Hans Henrik Bruun gives his opinion on how to create untpuched forest in the best way.

Earth has entered a new geological epoch

11 January 2016

A number of geologists states in a research article, just published in the journal Science that the Earth has entered a new geological epoch.

Three scientific breakthroughs to look forward to in 2016

11 January 2016

The scientific journal Science has once again made predictions about the scientific breakthroughs we can look forward to in 2016.

There is surprisingly little nature in Denmark

9 January 2016

Europe turns into forest at a pace that is only seen twice before in the last 10,000 years -
except in Denmark, which has European record for the least wild nature. Everywhere, the great wild animals are on their way back, and nature divides opinions: Does it provide new life and new opportunities in depopulated areas, or does it threaten our existence?
Biologist Hans Henrik Bruun comments on that in an article brought in Information.
Read the article here

Mites in your face reveals where you come from

4 January 2016

Facial mites has been a part of all human history. A new study indicates that they reveal who we are and where we come from.

Rare fungus mentioned in the media

4 December 2015

The discovery of the rare fungus, Entoloma pluteisimilis, by Jacob Heilmann-Clausen is mentioned in several medias.

Cuckoo research in the media

25 November 2015

Mikkel Willemoes tells dr.dk and videnskab.dk about a new study on migration of Cuckoos.

Large animals remove 80% of the forest

16 November 2015

Jonas Geldmann comments in Videnskab.dk on a new Danish study on how large herbivores impact forests

Norwegian forests respond to climate change

4 November 2015

Chealsea Chisholm from CMEC reports to BBC on how trees have responded to the climate change in the past, and how they will respond in the future.

Insect research coverage in medias

2 November 2015

Here is a selection of medias that brought the story of climate research based of 18 years collection of insects from the roof of the Zoological Museum with Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.

Conducting an ecological choir

14 October 2015

Underground biodiversity has been found to be important in hoe ecology responds to climate change. An article in The statesman describes the reseach, which Aimee T. Classen and Nathan J. Sanders are part of.

Response In Science

25 September 2015

Jon Fjeldså and Carsten Rahbek from CMEC respond in Science to comment on “Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds”.

Oceans have lost 49 per cent of marine life since 1970

23 September 2015

Overfishing and climate change are the culprits, and a top UCPH ecologist explains why to the University Post.

The forgotten primeval forest in Tanzania hide unknown species

23 September 2015

Nikolaj Scharff tells about the forgotten primeval forest in Tanzania through a photo exhibition, a photobook and an interview in “Natursyn” on P1.

Severe changes in plant growth on one of the world's highest mountains

16 September 2015

The plants on Ecuador's highest mountain grows further up than expected.

Extinct rhino attracts publicity in the press

28 August 2015

A number of Danish and international media have brought the story on the sumatran rhino, which recently is declared extinct in Malaysia.

The green transition is not a 'nice to have'

22 May 2015

The green transition is not a 'nice to have', but a 'need to have', professor Katherine Richardson says in an article on Altinget.dk.

Katherine Richardson in new climate panel

13 May 2015

Professor Katherine Richardson is a member of the new climate panel of the City of Copenhagen.

More dead wood in Danish forests - fact or wishful thinking?

20 March 2015

Several CMEC researchers are behind an article in 'Skoven' that comments on a report on dead wood from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management.

Cracking the Butterfly Code

19 March 2015

A computer model could be the key to rescuing Hawaii’s disappearing butterfly writes Backchannel. Associate professor David Nogues-Bravo from CMEC comments on the methods.

Saving the world's most threatened species from extinction

18 March 2015

An international research team has calculated the yearly conservation cost for saving 841 of the most threatened species. Post doc Jonas Geldmann from CMEC comments on the the study in Videnskab.dk.

Highly questionable report on dead wood

4 March 2015

Several CMEC senior scientists has brought a critical analysis of a recent report on dead wood provided by the University of Copenhagen to the Nature Agency.

Scientists ask the Danish citizens for help

4 February 2015

Biodiversitet Nu (Biodiversity Now) is the largest citizen science project in Denmark so far. The concept is to let ordinary people with an interest in nature contribute to the investigation of the state of the Danish nature.

Silo mentality prevents us from finding sustainable solutions

4 February 2015

Politicians, economists and scientists must establish a much more holistic view on the global environmental challenges, according to professor Katherine Richardson in an interview with Danish newspaper Mandag Morgen.

Washington Post on Planetary Boundaries

22 January 2015

The Washington Post has published an article on the update of planetary boundaries. The renowned newspaper has interviewed Professor Katherine Richardson from CMEC and Sustainability Science Centre at UCPH.

BBC radio on bird evolution

2 January 2015

BBC Radio Science in Action spoke with professor Jon Fjeldså from CMEC and Dr Erich Jarvis, at Duke University Medical Centre and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Groundbreaking discoveries on the evolution of birds

19 December 2014

With Danish scientists in front, an international research project involving more than 200 researchers has mapped the evolution of birds by analysing the genomes of no less than 48 species.

On the Danish Government's plan for nature conservation

20 November 2014

In an interview with Danish newspaper Politiken, CMEC Center Director Carsten Rahbek discusses the government's new nature conservation plan, Naturplan Danmark, and highligts problematic parts of the plan. These include the strong focus on green corridors and voluntary actions.

European salamanders threatened by deadly fungus

10 November 2014

To Danish newspaper Politiken, Jos Kielgast, PhD student at Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, explains the danger of the fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, which threatens the European salamanders right now.

More investment needed to reach international biodiversity targets by 2020

3 October 2014

Neil Burgess from the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate talks to the Danish press (DR.dk and Information) about the study published in Science, on the progress towards reaching the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

The small nature spots are vital for plants and animals

2 October 2014

In an article in Jyllands Posten, Carsten Rahbek, Head of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, explains why the small nature spots, the so-called §3-areas, are so vital for many plant and animal species.

The sixth mass extinction is a reality

18 September 2014

Human actions cause the extinction of species to happen at a much greater speed than the natural pace. What are the consequences? Carsten Rahbek (CMEC) comments on the new research in an interview by videnskab.dk

New science project relies on citizens' contributions

18 September 2014

Researchers from CMEC need help from the Danish citizens to record changes in the Danish nature. The purpose of the new method is to ensure a far larger amount of data.

Millions wasted on invasive species

19 August 2014

The current fight versus invasive species in Denmark is both expensive and inefficient. A reason why Carsten Rahbek, among others, wants it made more efficient.This will be achieved by the efforts prioteres and admininsteres from the national level.

Evidence based research put nature on the political agenda

31 July 2014

Nature and biodiversity is suffering. But a light shines ahead, as the politicians have finally started managing nature on a scientific basis. Carsten Rahbek elaborates in this article by Videnskab.dk.

Russian rocket blasts wildlife tracker into orbit

30 June 2014

A recently launched wildlife tracker will help us solve the mysteries of migrations by monitoring tiny tags on birds. The research project is a collaboration between CMEC and DTU. Sciencemag.org brings the story.

Hypoxia reduced in Danish waters

3 June 2014

We're starting to see the positive effects of reduced nitrogen load in Danish waters. However, it remains hard to tell how long it will be before everything is back to normal conditions. Maren Lyngsgaard from CMEC is interviewed by Videnskab.dk on her PhD thesis.

Global warming will attract new species to Denmark

2 May 2014

In an interview with Danish newspaper Politiken, director of CMEC Carsten Rahbek explains which species we can expect to find in Denmark in the future.

The most profound consequences of climate change are found in the tropics

2 May 2014

Although the polar bear has become a symbol of climate change, the consequences for tropical species will be just as severe. Director of CMEC Carsten Rahbek elaborates on this point in an interview with Danish newspaper Politiken.

Art can convey as well as challenge science

2 May 2014

Spanish artist Mauricio Antón uses the arts to convey knowledge about prehistorical species. Danish newspaper Weekendavisen covered his visit at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. In the article, researcher David Nogués-Bravo of CMEC explains how he believes art can contribute to science.

Is captive breeding the right way to save endangered species?

27 April 2014

In Danish newspaper Politiken, the implications of captive breeding as a means to save endangered species is discussed. Which species should we save? What is even possible? Director of CMEC Carsten Rahbek points out that captive breeding is an expensive and ineffective tool when it comes to preserving the biodiversity of the Earth. Still, zoos have an important role to play, eg. by drawing the attention of its audience to the problems we face.

Not enough food for the Danish Little Owl

11 April 2014

Kasper Thorup of CMEC took part in researching the food habits of the Danish Little Owl. The research shows us that various human activities makes it harder for the owl to feed its baby birds, which causes the population to decrease every year. In the Danish newspaper Nordjyske Stiftstidende, the scientists explain that the decreasing population of the Little Owl is a sign of too little life in the open country.

The photo hunt for leopards

11 March 2014

In the latest issue of Aktuel Naturvidenskab, Rasmus Gren Havmøller, a PhD student at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, and the Centre for GeoGenetics at the University talks about his project on Udzungwas leopards in Tanzania.

Forest and biodiversity

5 March 2014

VILLUM FOUNDATION granted in 2012 5.700.000 DKK for the research project "Biodiversity and socioeconomic values in Danish forests. Optimization of various goals of the forest ecosystem services".

What determines the distribution of life on Earth?

4 March 2014

Carsten Rahbek, professor at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, and director of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) wants to help answer this question.

Is it worth it?

25 February 2014

Martin Reinhardt Nielsen has tracked down 325 African poachers and exposed them to a choice experiment, borrowed from economists and advertisers. He explains to National Geographic and Weekendavisen about his trips to Africa and why many of our attempts to protect Africa's wildlife miss the mark.

Jobs for pennies can stop poaching

25 February 2014

Martin Reinhardt Nielsen of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at University of Copenhagen is the first in a scientific context to identify, visit, and question the poachers directly about what it takes to get them to change their way of life. To Verdensnyt.dk he tells how one day's pay of 15 kr (approximately 3 USD) is more effective at getting the African poachers out of their illegal occupation than increased patrols and higher fines.

The forgotten desert

22 January 2014

The world's green attention is biased towards rainforests and coral reefs. Far from those Sahara's wildlife is under pressure from war, conflicts and local poverty. Carsten Rahbek is interviewed by Weekendavisen.

Let nature be nature

5 December 2013

Anders Tøttrup on future nature management in light of climate change. Article brought by DR.dk

New Species of Spiny Rat Found in Indonesia

27 September 2013

In the remote mountain forests of Halmahera, the largest island of the Maluku archipelago in Indonesia lurks the newest member of the rodent family sporting spiky brown fur and a stubby tail. National Geographic and BBC Science has interviewed former CMEC Postdoc Pierre-Henri Fabre.

Ecologists' network to boost careers

6 September 2013

Young scientists are often still outsiders, with few contacts in their own field. But in the field of ecology, young researchers can now meet up thanks to an initiative by CMEC PhD student Peter Søgård Jørgensen. University Post brings the article.

Butterfly can provide answers to climate issues

6 August 2013

Andreas Kelager is studying Alcon blue which is dependent on ants and one particular plant species to survive. It can provide answers on how animals respond to a changing environment, says Andreas Kelager to the paper Kristeligt Dagblad.

Astray rare birds are 'normal'

1 August 2013

Often we tend to believe it is due to climate change, but astray birds can also be the result of a wrong coding in the birds 'GPS' or bad weather, explains Anders Tøttrup to DR.dk/Viden.

Politicians do not appreciate our biodiversity

5 July 2013

In 2014, all EU countries should have started evaluating the value of their local ecosystems. Parts of the British evaluations have just been published and a number of other countries are also in progress. However, not a whole lot has taken place in Denmark. Carsten Rahbek is interviewed in Videnskab.dk

Nature should get first priority

25 June 2013

72 percent of Danish species are in decline. The figure speaks for itself. If biodiversity is to prevail, we need a comprehensive plan that provides first priority to natural areas, says specialist consultant Anders Højgård Petersen to 'Natur og Miljø'.

Nature restoration - also in the marine, please

13 June 2013

Our ancestors "borrowed" large natural areas to develop community value. Now is the time to repay the loan of marine natural areas by restoring the coastal, shallow areas that have a particular significance for the nature of the sea, writes Professor Katherine Richardson in Altinget.

Nature's counter-measures

27 May 2013

Peter Søgaard Jørgensen (CMEC) explores the intersection of nature and encroachment of man in the latest issue of University Post

Chasing the smallest arctic algea

14 May 2013

CMEC PhD students Erik Askov Mousing and Nikolaj Sørensen reports on their marine field expedition to Greenland in the magazine 'Aktuel Naturvidenskab'. During the trip they sampled and studied picoplankton and their importance to the oceanic carbon cycle.

Tough criticism of efforts for the aquatic environment

13 March 2013

The Danish government and the opposition are heading in the wrong direction when it comes to the aquatic environment and nature, criticise a number of leading experts including Professor Carsten Rahbek from CMEC.

Incredible bacterial diversity found in belly buttons

26 November 2012

1,458 new species of bacteria have been discovered in belly buttons with a diversification pattern resembling tropical rainforest species. Carsten Rahbek shares his comments on diversity of life in the article.

Ash dieback has the potential to benefit biodiversity

16 November 2012

Many are concerned with the million of ash trees that are affected by ash dieback caused by a fungal disease. Hans Henrik Bruun and Jacob Heilmann-Clausen delivers a new perspective on the matter in an article brought by Weekendavisen.

Cod and mackerel are fleeing Danish waters

13 November 2012

Climate change is causing cod and mackerel to leave their Danish territories, CMEC Professor Brian MacKenzie explains in an interview to Ingeniøren.

Struggle to finance biodiversity at top meeting

11 October 2012

The 11th COP meeting on biological diversity is taking place in India these days. Altinget.dk brings a story on the expectations from the Danish delegation commented by associate professor Hans Henrik Bruun.

Forest cover falls 9% in East Africa in 9 years

8 August 2012

Forest cover in East Africa has dropped by 9.3 percent from 2001-2009. Neil Burgess is one of the researchers behind the study.

Bird migrants arrive three weeks earlier

19 June 2012

A study based on an 80 year long dataseries shows that earlier arrival of bird migrants is related to recent climate variation. CMEC associate professor Anders Tøttrup is among the researchers behind the study.

Tipping point for the Earth's ecosystem

18 June 2012

The Earth's ecosystem is worse off than 20 years ago, but our knowledge about it is greater than ever. Katherine Richardson is interviewed by P1 Morgen, few days before she sets off towards Rio+20.

Velvet Spiders Emerge from Underground

29 May 2012

A new elaborate image library documenting the anatomy of all the major kinds of velvet spider has been assembled by an international team of researchers including professor Nikolaj Sharff from CMEC. ScienceDaily brings the story.

Statistics makes journalists exaggerate

11 May 2012

Research and journalists' mediation of research does not always match up. Michael Krabbe Borregaard gives his view on the problem in an interview by Videnskab.dk.

Biology towards 2112: Dealing with the unknown

12 April 2012

We are masters of our own fate, says Carsten Rahbek. Read the full interview by House of Futures.

Why use nature money on afforestation?

26 March 2012

In an open letter to Jyllandsposten, four researchers from CMEC question the new afforestation scheme announced by The Danish Ministry of Environment.

Continuous interst for biodiversity in the media

26 March 2012

Carsten Rahbek interviewed in Radio 24syv on the importance of biodiversity. Several of CMEC's latest activities in this topic has created a continuous interest in the media for biodiversity, it's importance for human wellfare and it's link to economy.

Here we can ensure the Danish nature better

15 March 2012

The economic "Wisemen" and Carsten Rahbek, CMEC, shows in analysis where the Danish biodiversity benefits most from conservation efforts. Article in Politiken 14th of March 2012

Wise men: More wild forest

29 February 2012

Denmark will get most biodiversity for least money by making the forests more wild. Anders Højgård Petersen and Carsten Rahbek explains the findings of the recently published report 'Conservation of the Biodiversity in Denmark -An Analysis of Effort and Costs