Alex McKay
@alexmckay.bsky.social
Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Biodiversity
(@natrevbiodiv.bsky.social). Based in Brooklyn, NY.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4663-7862
(@natrevbiodiv.bsky.social). Based in Brooklyn, NY.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4663-7862
Reposted by Alex McKay
So, I hate to be this guy, but as the director of Yale’s new program on attribution science (!?), uh, most of the commentary on Bluesky about Hurricane Melissa and climate change has been… not quite right
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 AM
So, I hate to be this guy, but as the director of Yale’s new program on attribution science (!?), uh, most of the commentary on Bluesky about Hurricane Melissa and climate change has been… not quite right
Many points here apply to several wicked problems in conservation and sustainability beyond aquaculture. What is needed is not simply "better data" but "constructing a path" to get there. Great line from the authors: "The path for data improvement, once again, runs through governance." 👏
A recent Science Advances special issue focused on #aquaculture, but seemed to have missed the mark in a multitude of ways. My incredible colleagues and I wrote this sweeping Open Access opinion article (with 80 citations!) in response. Hope it's useful! 🐟 🦐 🎣 doi.org/10.1111/raq....
No Free Lunch: Sustainable Aquaculture Requires Recognizing Past Science, Improvements, and Comparative Assessment
Aquaculture has become an established and important part of the global food system. Several critiques of aquaculture continue to resurface, seemingly ignoring past research and improvements of (1) aq....
doi.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Many points here apply to several wicked problems in conservation and sustainability beyond aquaculture. What is needed is not simply "better data" but "constructing a path" to get there. Great line from the authors: "The path for data improvement, once again, runs through governance." 👏
Reposted by Alex McKay
Our October Issue is out today: www.nature.com/nrbd/volumes...
Content in this issue looks to the past (historical ecology and herbaria) and to related social science disciplines (anthropology and political ecology) to gain insights about biodiversity science and conservation.
🧪🌎
Content in this issue looks to the past (historical ecology and herbaria) and to related social science disciplines (anthropology and political ecology) to gain insights about biodiversity science and conservation.
🧪🌎
October 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Our October Issue is out today: www.nature.com/nrbd/volumes...
Content in this issue looks to the past (historical ecology and herbaria) and to related social science disciplines (anthropology and political ecology) to gain insights about biodiversity science and conservation.
🧪🌎
Content in this issue looks to the past (historical ecology and herbaria) and to related social science disciplines (anthropology and political ecology) to gain insights about biodiversity science and conservation.
🧪🌎
A truly devastating loss.
The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.
October 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
A truly devastating loss.
Reposted by Alex McKay
All content from this special issue is temporarily free to access. Four more days to download!
Our September issue is out today and it's a big one! We're focusing this month on biodiversity and the renewable energy transition. 🌎🧪This collection includes the Focus issue articles plus relevant content from other Nature journals: www.nature.com/collections/...
Biodiversity and the energy transition
A transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is required to reduce global carbon emissions, one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss.
www.nature.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
All content from this special issue is temporarily free to access. Four more days to download!
Reposted by Alex McKay
Finally - all content from this issue has been made free to access until September 29. Download now, read later! www.nature.com/nrbd/volumes...
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - Volume 1 Issue 9, September 2025
Strategic placement of infrastructure associated with renewable energy can minimize harm to biodiversity; inspired by content in this Focus issue
www.nature.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Finally - all content from this issue has been made free to access until September 29. Download now, read later! www.nature.com/nrbd/volumes...
I'm very proud of this Focus issue that we've pulled together on #biodiversity and the renewable energy transition. As a board game lover I'm especially excited about our cover art which highlights the idea that strategic 'siting' of new infrastructure is a key step to mitigate biodiversity impacts.
Our September issue is out today and it's a big one! We're focusing this month on biodiversity and the renewable energy transition. 🌎🧪This collection includes the Focus issue articles plus relevant content from other Nature journals: www.nature.com/collections/...
Biodiversity and the energy transition
A transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is required to reduce global carbon emissions, one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss.
www.nature.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I'm very proud of this Focus issue that we've pulled together on #biodiversity and the renewable energy transition. As a board game lover I'm especially excited about our cover art which highlights the idea that strategic 'siting' of new infrastructure is a key step to mitigate biodiversity impacts.
The IUCN Red List threat status categories use a color palette that is inaccessible in terms of red-green colorblindness. Question for the #biodiversity #conservation crowd about data visualization and accessibility 👇
September 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The IUCN Red List threat status categories use a color palette that is inaccessible in terms of red-green colorblindness. Question for the #biodiversity #conservation crowd about data visualization and accessibility 👇
Reposted by Alex McKay
sanctions hurt people and the planet
New online! Challenges and opportunities for biodiversity governance in Iran
Challenges and opportunities for biodiversity governance in Iran
Nature Reviews Biodiversity, Published online: 01 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s44358-025-00089-yBiodiversity conservation efforts in Iran are affected by economic sanctions. Masoud Yousefi, at the University of Tehran, highlights the effects of sanctions and calls for international support, alongside internal involvement of rural societies and Indigenous communities in conservation programmes, to preserve Iran’s biodiversity and help to address global biodiversity loss.
bit.ly
September 1, 2025 at 9:26 PM
sanctions hurt people and the planet
Reposted by Alex McKay
Our July issue is now live! go.nature.com/4lw9mkB
Review and Perspective topics this month include:
📈Conserving critically endangered species
🦜The avian radiation
🌡️Marine heatwaves
🕸️ Interaction networks
🧪🌎
Review and Perspective topics this month include:
📈Conserving critically endangered species
🦜The avian radiation
🌡️Marine heatwaves
🕸️ Interaction networks
🧪🌎
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - Volume 1 Issue 7, July 2025
Stemming the loss of Critically Endangered species; inspired by the Review from Lacher et al.
go.nature.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Our July issue is now live! go.nature.com/4lw9mkB
Review and Perspective topics this month include:
📈Conserving critically endangered species
🦜The avian radiation
🌡️Marine heatwaves
🕸️ Interaction networks
🧪🌎
Review and Perspective topics this month include:
📈Conserving critically endangered species
🦜The avian radiation
🌡️Marine heatwaves
🕸️ Interaction networks
🧪🌎
Reposted by Alex McKay
Our June issue is now live! Review and Perspective topics this month include:
🐒 Primate genomic adaptation
🧊 Deglaciation
🌱 Seed disperser decline
🦟 Parasitism driving host diversification
🐒 Primate genomic adaptation
🧊 Deglaciation
🌱 Seed disperser decline
🦟 Parasitism driving host diversification
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - Volume 1 Issue 6, June 2025
Non-human-primate diversity and adaptation; see Review from Roos et al.
bit.ly
June 18, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Our June issue is now live! Review and Perspective topics this month include:
🐒 Primate genomic adaptation
🧊 Deglaciation
🌱 Seed disperser decline
🦟 Parasitism driving host diversification
🐒 Primate genomic adaptation
🧊 Deglaciation
🌱 Seed disperser decline
🦟 Parasitism driving host diversification
Hi #ATBC2025! I’m here representing Nature Reviews Biodiversity (@natrevbiodiv.nature.com). Happy to chat if you’ve got an exciting idea for a review or an opinion piece. You can reach out by DM.
June 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Hi #ATBC2025! I’m here representing Nature Reviews Biodiversity (@natrevbiodiv.nature.com). Happy to chat if you’ve got an exciting idea for a review or an opinion piece. You can reach out by DM.
This 👇 I can normally brush off cover letters beginning "Dear Sir" but lately it's sending me over the edge.
The combination of world goings-on that is simultaneously resulting in:
-More people doing slightly annoying shit
And
-Me being more annoyed than usual by people doing slightly annoying shit
Is perhaps not great for my mood
-More people doing slightly annoying shit
And
-Me being more annoyed than usual by people doing slightly annoying shit
Is perhaps not great for my mood
May 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This 👇 I can normally brush off cover letters beginning "Dear Sir" but lately it's sending me over the edge.
Reposted by Alex McKay
Glad to share this new publication on the role of scientific diasporas in facilitating global biodiversity research and conservation goals rdcu.be/elSmJ. The result of the Colombian diaspora organizing during COP16 2024 in Cali, Colombia. @juliprieto.bsky.social @birdmapper.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Glad to share this new publication on the role of scientific diasporas in facilitating global biodiversity research and conservation goals rdcu.be/elSmJ. The result of the Colombian diaspora organizing during COP16 2024 in Cali, Colombia. @juliprieto.bsky.social @birdmapper.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex McKay
🌊🧬Revolutionizing Biodiversity Monitoring?🧪
Could aquatic #eDNA be a game-changer for tracking biodiversity loss? From detecting invasive species to restoring ecosystems...🌍
Study by Altermatt, F., Couton, M., Carraro, L. et al.: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Could aquatic #eDNA be a game-changer for tracking biodiversity loss? From detecting invasive species to restoring ecosystems...🌍
Study by Altermatt, F., Couton, M., Carraro, L. et al.: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Utilizing aquatic environmental DNA to address global biodiversity targets - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Aquatic eDNA-based technologies offer the potential for universal and standardized biodiversity monitoring. In this Perspective, Altermatt et al. discuss how these technologies can help to achiev...
www.nature.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🌊🧬Revolutionizing Biodiversity Monitoring?🧪
Could aquatic #eDNA be a game-changer for tracking biodiversity loss? From detecting invasive species to restoring ecosystems...🌍
Study by Altermatt, F., Couton, M., Carraro, L. et al.: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Could aquatic #eDNA be a game-changer for tracking biodiversity loss? From detecting invasive species to restoring ecosystems...🌍
Study by Altermatt, F., Couton, M., Carraro, L. et al.: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Alex McKay
Check out our new paper 'Moving biodiversity from an afterthought to a key outcome of forest restoration', where we review current practice and knowledge gaps and set out how to achieve effective, long-lasting positive effects for biodiversity. doi.org/10.1038/s443... @rbgkew.bsky.social
Moving biodiversity from an afterthought to a key outcome of forest restoration - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Forest restoration has the potential to result in substantial biodiversity gains alongside climate and human well-being benefits; however, biodiversity has historically been neglected in restoration e...
doi.org
March 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Check out our new paper 'Moving biodiversity from an afterthought to a key outcome of forest restoration', where we review current practice and knowledge gaps and set out how to achieve effective, long-lasting positive effects for biodiversity. doi.org/10.1038/s443... @rbgkew.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex McKay
New Review: Conserving seagrass ecosystems to meet global biodiversity and climate goals 🌎🧪
From @carlosduartephd.bsky.social and colleagues.
Web: go.nature.com/4khmf1N PDF:
rdcu.be/ebI5F
From @carlosduartephd.bsky.social and colleagues.
Web: go.nature.com/4khmf1N PDF:
rdcu.be/ebI5F
Conserving seagrass ecosystems to meet global biodiversity and climate goals - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Seagrass ecosystems are increasingly recognized for their importance to biodiversity and marine ecosystem function, but they face many threats. This Review summarizes the contributions of seagrass eco...
go.nature.com
February 28, 2025 at 7:17 PM
New Review: Conserving seagrass ecosystems to meet global biodiversity and climate goals 🌎🧪
From @carlosduartephd.bsky.social and colleagues.
Web: go.nature.com/4khmf1N PDF:
rdcu.be/ebI5F
From @carlosduartephd.bsky.social and colleagues.
Web: go.nature.com/4khmf1N PDF:
rdcu.be/ebI5F
✋Radicalized by Fern Gully at an early age.
Those formative, animated movies of my youth also just happened to be about scrappy alliances of everyday folks standing up to authoritarnianism, so, make of that what you will.
February 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
✋Radicalized by Fern Gully at an early age.
Really interesting to read about alternatives to coffee, cocoa, and palm oil that are already commercially available and could come at a much lower environmental cost: rdcu.be/d8tS4
Emerging alternatives to coffee, cocoa and palm oil deserve a spot on the research agenda - Nature Food
Despite increasing interest in cellular agriculture, coffee, cocoa and palm oil produced using these techniques have received limited scientific attention. Emerging alternatives could mitigate negativ...
www.nature.com
February 3, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Really interesting to read about alternatives to coffee, cocoa, and palm oil that are already commercially available and could come at a much lower environmental cost: rdcu.be/d8tS4
Reposted by Alex McKay
Global bioacoustics dataset ! 🎶🦜
WABAD, the World Annotated Bird Acoustic Dataset
5,044 min of annotated bird vocalizations, 1,147 species, 70 sites 🌍 across 27 countries & 13 biomes
Open-access for AI training & conservation research
👉 by C. Pérez-Granados et al.
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
🌐🧪🌍🦤🪶
WABAD, the World Annotated Bird Acoustic Dataset
5,044 min of annotated bird vocalizations, 1,147 species, 70 sites 🌍 across 27 countries & 13 biomes
Open-access for AI training & conservation research
👉 by C. Pérez-Granados et al.
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
🌐🧪🌍🦤🪶
January 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Global bioacoustics dataset ! 🎶🦜
WABAD, the World Annotated Bird Acoustic Dataset
5,044 min of annotated bird vocalizations, 1,147 species, 70 sites 🌍 across 27 countries & 13 biomes
Open-access for AI training & conservation research
👉 by C. Pérez-Granados et al.
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
🌐🧪🌍🦤🪶
WABAD, the World Annotated Bird Acoustic Dataset
5,044 min of annotated bird vocalizations, 1,147 species, 70 sites 🌍 across 27 countries & 13 biomes
Open-access for AI training & conservation research
👉 by C. Pérez-Granados et al.
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
🌐🧪🌍🦤🪶
Reposted by Alex McKay
Somewhere in the U.S., there’s a scientist staring at their NSF/NIH grant application wondering why they bother. This post is for you. Science and society both need you. Hang in there and know there is a whole community supporting you.
January 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Somewhere in the U.S., there’s a scientist staring at their NSF/NIH grant application wondering why they bother. This post is for you. Science and society both need you. Hang in there and know there is a whole community supporting you.
Reposted by Alex McKay
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
www.kcur.org
January 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Reposted by Alex McKay
In light of the Government's push to get a 'return on investment' (ROI) from research funding, perhaps it is as good a time as any to talk about just how hard it is to measure this supposed ROI for research in general. Let's take a trip into the weeds! ⬇️
December 5, 2024 at 3:41 AM
In light of the Government's push to get a 'return on investment' (ROI) from research funding, perhaps it is as good a time as any to talk about just how hard it is to measure this supposed ROI for research in general. Let's take a trip into the weeds! ⬇️
Reposted by Alex McKay
Reposted by Alex McKay
Our January issue is now live! www.nature.com/natecolevol/...
Feat. two studies on lemur evolution and diversity, research on prehistoric cattle husbandry, zoonotic disease transmission, plus our annual Year in Review highlights
Cover image from van Elst et al. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Feat. two studies on lemur evolution and diversity, research on prehistoric cattle husbandry, zoonotic disease transmission, plus our annual Year in Review highlights
Cover image from van Elst et al. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Our January issue is now live! www.nature.com/natecolevol/...
Feat. two studies on lemur evolution and diversity, research on prehistoric cattle husbandry, zoonotic disease transmission, plus our annual Year in Review highlights
Cover image from van Elst et al. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Feat. two studies on lemur evolution and diversity, research on prehistoric cattle husbandry, zoonotic disease transmission, plus our annual Year in Review highlights
Cover image from van Elst et al. www.nature.com/articles/s41...