Bat Maria Vorontsova
@vorontsovams.bsky.social
Grass taxonomist at Kew https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/people/bat-vorontsova
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
"Bond’s work leaves behind an inconvenient lesson for an era of climate urgency: that speed is not a substitute for understanding, and that good intentions, applied without care, can erase ancient worlds as efficiently as neglect." A beautiful tribute to William Bond. Forever missed by many.
William Bond, defender of grasslands
In recent years, one of the loudest ideas in environmental policy has been that trees are the planet’s universal remedy. Plant enough of them, in enough places, and carbon will be soaked up, water wil...
www.butlernature.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:31 AM
"Bond’s work leaves behind an inconvenient lesson for an era of climate urgency: that speed is not a substitute for understanding, and that good intentions, applied without care, can erase ancient worlds as efficiently as neglect." A beautiful tribute to William Bond. Forever missed by many.
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
Thanks everyone that came to chat to me about my poster on grass communities in savannas in Thailand & Cambodia yesterday at the @britishecologicalsociety.org annual meeting in Edinburgh. So many grass and savanna fans out there! And such a great conference.
#grass #ecology #diversity #savanna 🌏🌐
#grass #ecology #diversity #savanna 🌏🌐
December 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Thanks everyone that came to chat to me about my poster on grass communities in savannas in Thailand & Cambodia yesterday at the @britishecologicalsociety.org annual meeting in Edinburgh. So many grass and savanna fans out there! And such a great conference.
#grass #ecology #diversity #savanna 🌏🌐
#grass #ecology #diversity #savanna 🌏🌐
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
More than 2/3 of environmental professionals feel that working class individuals are underrepresented in their organisation.
🎧Check out the latest episode of the @endsreport.com report podcast featuring @drciaradwyer.bsky.social, Co-Chair of our Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity (SEED) Network
🎧Check out the latest episode of the @endsreport.com report podcast featuring @drciaradwyer.bsky.social, Co-Chair of our Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity (SEED) Network
Our latest podcast on being working class in the environment sector is live⚡️ with -
🐦⬛ RAVEN networks' Nadia Shaikh
🏗️ ISEP's chief Sarah Mukherjee
𖣘 WCCA founder Emma River-Roberts and
🍃 @britishecologicalsociety.org 's SEED co-lead Dr Ciara Dwyer
🎧 Listen now pod.fo/e/368517
🐦⬛ RAVEN networks' Nadia Shaikh
🏗️ ISEP's chief Sarah Mukherjee
𖣘 WCCA founder Emma River-Roberts and
🍃 @britishecologicalsociety.org 's SEED co-lead Dr Ciara Dwyer
🎧 Listen now pod.fo/e/368517
Eco Chamber: Access Denied: Does the environment sector have a problem with class?
In this episode, we investigate the representation of working class voices in the UK’s environment sector, reveal exclusive ENDS analysis on the industry’s make-up and hear from those trying to...
pod.fo
December 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
More than 2/3 of environmental professionals feel that working class individuals are underrepresented in their organisation.
🎧Check out the latest episode of the @endsreport.com report podcast featuring @drciaradwyer.bsky.social, Co-Chair of our Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity (SEED) Network
🎧Check out the latest episode of the @endsreport.com report podcast featuring @drciaradwyer.bsky.social, Co-Chair of our Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity (SEED) Network
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
Come join us in beautiful Western Norway! Ping co-supervisor team: @janhackel.bsky.social @vorontsovams.bsky.social
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
PhD position in systematics and evolution of Malagasy heathers (Erica; Ericaceae) (289897) | University of Bergen
Job title: PhD position in systematics and evolution of Malagasy heathers (Erica; Ericaceae) (289897), Employer: University of Bergen, Deadline: Sunday, January 4, 2026
www.jobbnorge.no
November 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Come join us in beautiful Western Norway! Ping co-supervisor team: @janhackel.bsky.social @vorontsovams.bsky.social
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
Exciting PhD project with me and @vorontsovams.bsky.social RBG Kew on Grass Diversity, developing a phylogeny using morphology and genomics for the tropical forage grass genus Urochloa. Applications at centa.ac.uk/students... but contacts Bat or me to discuss
October 23, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Exciting PhD project with me and @vorontsovams.bsky.social RBG Kew on Grass Diversity, developing a phylogeny using morphology and genomics for the tropical forage grass genus Urochloa. Applications at centa.ac.uk/students... but contacts Bat or me to discuss
Florida softshell turtle we had to drive around with the Archbold Biological Station team!
October 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Florida softshell turtle we had to drive around with the Archbold Biological Station team!
500 copies of the new Madagascar grass guidebook!
October 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
500 copies of the new Madagascar grass guidebook!
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
2 job adverts on a NERC project w myself + @darrenobbard.bsky.social on “What determines the virome: ecology and the environment, evolution, or species history?” early 2026 in
@uniexecec.bsky.social
- Postdoc: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
- RA: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Pls share!
@uniexecec.bsky.social
- Postdoc: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
- RA: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Pls share!
September 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
2 job adverts on a NERC project w myself + @darrenobbard.bsky.social on “What determines the virome: ecology and the environment, evolution, or species history?” early 2026 in
@uniexecec.bsky.social
- Postdoc: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
- RA: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Pls share!
@uniexecec.bsky.social
- Postdoc: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
- RA: jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Pls share!
The new photo guide to the grasses of Madagascar is going to press!
August 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The new photo guide to the grasses of Madagascar is going to press!
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
We should come to terms with the fact that forest, shrubland, grassland, and wetland ecosystems cannot offset fossil fuel CO₂ emissions.
But we should still protect and restore them for biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.
But we should still protect and restore them for biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.
Limited carbon sequestration potential from global ecosystem restoration - Nature Geoscience
The maximum carbon sequestration potential from global terrestrial ecosystem restoration efforts until 2100 is 96.9 Gt, which is equivalent to 3.7–12.0% of anthropogenic emissions until then, accordin...
www.nature.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
We should come to terms with the fact that forest, shrubland, grassland, and wetland ecosystems cannot offset fossil fuel CO₂ emissions.
But we should still protect and restore them for biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.
But we should still protect and restore them for biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
What do archaeology, palaeoecology, genetics and many more have in common?
They can all be used to understand and protect our grassy landscapes! 🌾💚
Read our paper to find out how 👇
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
They can all be used to understand and protect our grassy landscapes! 🌾💚
Read our paper to find out how 👇
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
July 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
What do archaeology, palaeoecology, genetics and many more have in common?
They can all be used to understand and protect our grassy landscapes! 🌾💚
Read our paper to find out how 👇
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
They can all be used to understand and protect our grassy landscapes! 🌾💚
Read our paper to find out how 👇
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
How to be clear when discussing grassy biomes? New paper on recommended terminology and research directions: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
July 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM
How to be clear when discussing grassy biomes? New paper on recommended terminology and research directions: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
Interested in co designing a fully funded PhD project with @vorontsovams.bsky.social and me on Urochloa plant biodiversity, evolution, morphology and genomics? Please contact us. Building on exciting work on the forage grass by @LizoMasters academic.oup.com/aob/article/...
Phylogenomic analysis reveals five independently evolved African forage grass clades in the genus Urochloa
AbstractBackground and Aims. The grass genus Urochloa (Brachiaria) sensu lato includes forage crops that are important for beef and dairy industries in tro
academic.oup.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Interested in co designing a fully funded PhD project with @vorontsovams.bsky.social and me on Urochloa plant biodiversity, evolution, morphology and genomics? Please contact us. Building on exciting work on the forage grass by @LizoMasters academic.oup.com/aob/article/...
Fearless colour coordination captured by Sebastian Kettley
July 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Fearless colour coordination captured by Sebastian Kettley
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
I’m still revealing in the joys of #UrbanPlants, especially taking photos of lovey things in grotty places. Here’s Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) by the Network Rail depot in Llandudno Junction #Wildflowerhour
June 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I’m still revealing in the joys of #UrbanPlants, especially taking photos of lovey things in grotty places. Here’s Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) by the Network Rail depot in Llandudno Junction #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
Two great opportunities to gain confidence identifying Grasses and Sedges in the field with @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Grasses Id, Castle Coole, Enniskillen - 5th July
Sedges Id, Crom NT Estate, Fermanagh - 11th July
Book at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
@ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk
Grasses Id, Castle Coole, Enniskillen - 5th July
Sedges Id, Crom NT Estate, Fermanagh - 11th July
Book at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
@ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk
June 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Two great opportunities to gain confidence identifying Grasses and Sedges in the field with @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Grasses Id, Castle Coole, Enniskillen - 5th July
Sedges Id, Crom NT Estate, Fermanagh - 11th July
Book at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
@ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk
Grasses Id, Castle Coole, Enniskillen - 5th July
Sedges Id, Crom NT Estate, Fermanagh - 11th July
Book at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
@ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk
Grass awn adventure day with @madelaineb.bsky.social and team at @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Grass awn adventure day with @madelaineb.bsky.social and team at @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
Minus ten days to the Darwin zebu project final report deadline. Further empty coffee and tea cups not shown.
June 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Minus ten days to the Darwin zebu project final report deadline. Further empty coffee and tea cups not shown.
Grass competition update at 10 weeks! Left to right: Tesco "fast acting" perennial ryegrass, RHS lemongrass, RHS African savanna decorative Melinis nerviglumis
June 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Grass competition update at 10 weeks! Left to right: Tesco "fast acting" perennial ryegrass, RHS lemongrass, RHS African savanna decorative Melinis nerviglumis
Reed bed in the Walthamstow Marshes in the rain, bringing a more peaceful Thursday
June 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Reed bed in the Walthamstow Marshes in the rain, bringing a more peaceful Thursday
Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide
Globally, grassy ecosystems (including grasslands, savannas, shrublands, woodlands, and tundra) cover 30 to 40% of the land and provide important benefits such as climate change mitigation and adaptat...
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Grass race between Cymbopogon, Lolium, and Melinis. Pretty close, all first germination might have been on day 4. Lolium (ryegrass) is ahead with the first green shoot over 1cm. Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is second with tiny green shoots. No vertical shoots on the Melinis nerviglumis.
April 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Grass race between Cymbopogon, Lolium, and Melinis. Pretty close, all first germination might have been on day 4. Lolium (ryegrass) is ahead with the first green shoot over 1cm. Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is second with tiny green shoots. No vertical shoots on the Melinis nerviglumis.
Reposted by Bat Maria Vorontsova
“The consequences of this have been disastrous: funds have dried up and projects have folded."
IDS researcher Ian Scoones, on the impacts of #USAID cuts on climate finance and those bearing the brunt of #ClimateChange 👇
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
IDS researcher Ian Scoones, on the impacts of #USAID cuts on climate finance and those bearing the brunt of #ClimateChange 👇
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
Why USAID is such a critical piece of the global climate aid puzzle
As development projects battle over which is the most ‘life-saving’ in order to secure the dregs of US aid funding, climate action is likely to be deemed lowest priority, writes Nick Ferris
www.independent.co.uk
April 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
“The consequences of this have been disastrous: funds have dried up and projects have folded."
IDS researcher Ian Scoones, on the impacts of #USAID cuts on climate finance and those bearing the brunt of #ClimateChange 👇
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
IDS researcher Ian Scoones, on the impacts of #USAID cuts on climate finance and those bearing the brunt of #ClimateChange 👇
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
Sad state of nature finance fide @GCBC DEFRA by Stantec
March 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Sad state of nature finance fide @GCBC DEFRA by Stantec