Bat Maria Vorontsova
@vorontsovams.bsky.social
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📥 79
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Grass taxonomist at Kew
https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/people/bat-vorontsova
reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Pat Heslop-Harrison
16 days ago
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
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Florida softshell turtle we had to drive around with the Archbold Biological Station team!
17 days ago
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500 copies of the new Madagascar grass guidebook!
29 days ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Ben Longdon
about 1 month ago
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!
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globalplantcouncil.org/no-one-cares...
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No one cares about the grass, but we should - The Global Plant Council
Nature conservation policies are trying to safeguard forests all over the world, which is a good thing. But it seems like less-flashy ecosystems are getting left behind. Grassy ecosystems include gras...
https://globalplantcouncil.org/no-one-cares-about-the-grass-but-we-should/
about 2 months ago
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The new photo guide to the grasses of Madagascar is going to press!
2 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
David Ho
3 months ago
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.
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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...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01742-z
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Bat Maria Vorontsova
Kew Gardens
4 months ago
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/...
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How to be clear when discussing grassy biomes? New paper on recommended terminology and research directions:
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
4 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Pat Heslop-Harrison
4 months ago
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/...
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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
https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/133/5-6/725/7608115
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Fearless colour coordination captured by Sebastian Kettley
4 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
TrevorTheBotanist
5 months ago
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
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Jen Farrar
5 months ago
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
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Grass awn adventure day with
@madelaineb.bsky.social
and team at
@cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
5 months ago
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Minus ten days to the Darwin zebu project final report deadline. Further empty coffee and tea cups not shown.
5 months ago
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Grass competition update at 10 weeks! Left to right: Tesco "fast acting" perennial ryegrass, RHS lemongrass, RHS African savanna decorative Melinis nerviglumis
5 months ago
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Reed bed in the Walthamstow Marshes in the rain, bringing a more peaceful Thursday
5 months ago
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Nature conservation policies are biased toward forests and neglect grassy ecosystems worldwide
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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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...
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx7441
6 months ago
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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.
7 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
7 months ago
“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...
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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
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/usaid-trump-climate-aid-africa-doge-musk-b2729392.html
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Sad state of nature finance fide @GCBC DEFRA by Stantec
8 months ago
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Photo guide to Malagasy grasses almost ready
@kewgardens.bsky.social
@rfdealmeida.bsky.social
@nantynantenaina.bsky.social
@royalsociety.org
8 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Simon Waldman
9 months ago
Things are worse in the US. And I don't work 7d/week any more (though I'm still recovering from the period when I did at least 6). But the themes in here resonate over here.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Biodiversity Data Journal
9 months ago
A team of researchers, including
@svmering.bsky.social
,
@sandyknapp.bsky.social
,
@siobhanleachman.bsky.social
, and
@vorontsovams.bsky.social
created a dataset of 728 genera honouring women and female beings.
doi.org/10.3897/BDJ....
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Creating a multi-linked dynamic dataset: a case study of plant genera named for women
A discussion on social media led to the formation of a multidisciplinary group working on this project to highlight women’s contributions to science. The role of marginalised groups in science has bee...
https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.11.e114408
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Clare Callow
9 months ago
Interesting short term conservation data officer vacancy with the FMH project now live:
careers.kew.org/vacancy/proj...
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Project Conservation Data Officer - Careers | Kew GardensMenuClose menu
Madagascar’s Protected Area Network has been established to protect the island’s unique and threatened habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystems, including globally important forests. The landscapes with...
https://careers.kew.org/vacancy/project-conservation-data-officer-579250.html
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Jess Rickenback
10 months ago
Published! Open letter:There are more than just trees and forests to be conserved and restored. Tropical & subtropical grasslands & savannas matter for biodiversity protection, and the future of this planet relies on these ecosystems to the same extent it relies on forests.
doi.org/10.1002/ppp3...
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Open letter: There are more than just trees and forests to be conserved and restored
Click on the article title to read more.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10635
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Zoological identification challenge time. What would you say is the species depicted?
10 months ago
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New Year, new funding round! The 2025 Botanical Research Fund call is now open. Supporting botanical research by British/Irish nationals since 1913. Awards typically up to £500. Deadline 15th March. For more information and to apply:
forms.office.com/e/Xjqh1MLgi3
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
do re-sky!
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Microsoft Forms
https://forms.office.com/e/Xjqh1MLgi3
10 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
REPAiR Project
10 months ago
"Any present-day ‘solutions’, including
#naturebasedsolutions
, must be sensitive to historical realities..." On our blog, Dr Farai Mtero explains the history - including colonial and apartheid-era policies - that has shaped rangelands in South Africa today.
repairproject.org/Blog/creatin...
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Creating equitable pathways in South African rangelands
https://repairproject.org/Blog/creating-
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
Markus Eichhorn
10 months ago
Today is not a day to work on the to-do list. Today is about finding out how long the list is, then pouring a drink.
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
REPAiR Project
11 months ago
A feature on the
@idsglobaldev.bsky.social
website about our project
www.ids.ac.uk/news/explori...
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Exploring community-led stewardship in Southern Africa’s grasslands - Institute of Development Studies
Across Southern Africa, rangelands support a large amount of small-scale, communal livestock farming. A new IDS-led project, with partners in South Africa and the UK, explores the potential and challe...
https://www.ids.ac.uk/news/exploring-community-led-stewardship-in-southern-africas-grasslands/
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Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture made a film our Productive Pasture Partnership project:
youtu.be/yTIfmv2jU9c?...
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Productive Pasture Partnership
YouTube video by GrassTube
https://youtu.be/yTIfmv2jU9c?si=E0osEN3597SGR-Em
11 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
John Jackson
11 months ago
Plant genera named for women - dataset amplifying roles in botany, over time, geographical, mythical & non-mythical work from
@sandyknapp.bsky.social
@siobhanleachman.bsky.social
@svmering.bsky.social
@vorontsovams.bsky.social
&al. 👉https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/114408/element/2/10525382
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Bat Maria Vorontsova
Susan Eshelman
11 months ago
Hi Bluesky!🦋 I’m a botanist/ecologist studying global grassland dynamics, 🌾 particularly how grass traits interact with disturbances like grazing. 🐄🦏🐑🦓 I’ve been lucky to work across Europe and Africa! 🌍 Currently doing my PhD at the University of Edinburgh 🏴 and Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh 🌱
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Most hilarious birthday present:
11 months ago
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reposted by
Bat Maria Vorontsova
REPAiR Project
11 months ago
REPAiR is a new three-year research project focusing on Southern African rangelands, communal livestock farming systems and 'nature-based solutions'. Read our overview of the research ideas and plans on our new website:
repairproject.org/Blog/introdu...
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Introducing REPAiR - REPAiR project
https://repairproject.org/Blog/introducing-repair/
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TREES PhD project available with Dr Natalia Przelomska at Uni Portsmouth: Understanding grasses to support Madagascar's livelihoods and climate transition
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/
Please Bluesky-retweet!
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Projects | UCL Trees
https://www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/
11 months ago
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Looks like grass awns are a kind of modified leaf
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Grass awns: Morphological diversity arising from developmental constraint
Grasses dominate agriculturally and ecologically. One hypothesized driver of this dominance is grasses' facility for grain dispersal and rapid seedlin…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369526624001547
11 months ago
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Hello world! Also, the new grass phylogeny is now published:
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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New grass phylogeny resolves deep evolutionary relationships and discovers C4 origins
• Grasses rank among the world’s most ecologically and economically important plants. Repeated evolution of the C4 syndrome has made photosynthesis highly efficient in many grasses, inspiring inten...
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03972.x
12 months ago
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