
Many challenges facing human populations depend on the interaction between ecological systems, the environment and human wellbeing. Yet our current understanding of these complex systems is mostly insufficient for science-based intervention. The Ecosystems and Environment Research Theme is developing basic science and designing innovative solutions to address key global environmental challenges. This includes managing ecosystem processes and biodiversity within the wider context of maintaining sustainable landscapes and generating sustainable supplies of food and water; managing focal species in complex systems, including beneficial insects like pollinators and harmful insects like disease vectors; and continuously searching for new ways to monitor, predict and mitigate environmental and biodiversity change across the living planet.
Institutes, centres and initiatives
This Research Theme is associated to the following institutes, centres and initiatives:
- Centre for Infrastructure Robotics Ecosystems
- Agri Futures Lab
- Earth observation network
- Malaria Network
- Marine and coastal environments
- Microbiome Network
- Ocean Plastic Solutions
Academic Staff in this area
Professor Cristina Banks-Leite
Professor Thomas D C Bell
Professor Martin I Bidartondo
Dr Lauren J Cator
Dr Emma L Cavan
Dr Magda Charalambous
Professor Robert M Ewers
Dr Sevasti Filippidou
Dr Audrey J Geffen
Dr Richard J Gill
Dr Peter Graystock
Dr Josh A Hodge
Dr Angela Meccariello
Professor Samraat Pawar
Dr Will Pearse
Professor Colin Prentice FRS
Professor Andy Purvis
Professor James L Rosindell
Professor Vincent Savolainen
Dr Julia Schroeder
Dr Sarab S Sethi
Professor Joseph A Tobias
Dr Bonnie G Waring
Professor Guy Woodward
Postgraduate research
Interested in studying a PhD at the Department of Life Sciences? Find out more about postgraduate research opportunties.