Prof Benton added that evolutionary change added an additional pressure to population management schemes, namely that it was much more difficult to reverse than ecological change.

BBC: Environmental change 'triggers rapid evolution'

One example of continuous observation of ecological change is provided by the Nenets in Northwest Russia, who report increases in the height of willow and alder shrubs in the tundra zone.

UNESCO: EDUCATION

Researchers at the University of Texas are warning that the invasive species from South America has the potential to change the ecological balance in the southeastern United States, largely because the ants can wipe out colonies of what's been widely considered the insect villain of the region, the fire ant.

CNN: 'Crazy ants' a threat in southern U.S.

Individual country trends: Algeria experienced the largest change in national ecological assets balance, moving from a large reserve in 1961 to a large ecological deficit in 2008.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN VENICE

Prof Benton said that the findings also showed that people involved in population management schemes, such as conserving endangered species etc, would have to take into account evolutionary factors, as well as ecological ones, as the result of environmental change.

BBC: Environmental change 'triggers rapid evolution'

In his new book, Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything, psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman argues that comprehensive, targeted and organized environmental data can trigger real market shifts among consumers.

FORBES: Can Behavioral Economics Jump-start Green Leadership?

If anything, countries like India and China will have to expend greater effort to create a consensus regarding the need to tackle climate change, as it is often assumed, incorrectly, that growth and ecological responsibility cannot go together.

CNN: Highlights from the world's press