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:
- Artificial Intelligence Network
- Grantham Institute
- Centre for Infrastructure Robotics Ecosystems
- Agri Futures Lab
- Earth observation network
- Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet
- Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society
- Malaria Network
- Marine and coastal environments
- Microbiome Network
- Ocean Plastic Solutions
Academic Staff in this area
Dr Cristina Banks-Leite
Dr Cristina Banks-Leite
Reader in Conservation Ecology
Professor Thomas D C Bell
Professor Thomas D C Bell
Professor of Microbial Ecology
Professor Martin I Bidartondo
Professor Martin I Bidartondo
Professor of Molecular Ecology
Dr Lauren J Cator
Dr Lauren J Cator
Reader in Vector and Transmission Ecology
Dr Emma L Cavan
Dr Emma L Cavan
Senior Lecturer
Dr Magda Charalambous
Dr Magda Charalambous
Principal Lecturer
Professor Robert M Ewers
Professor Robert M Ewers
Professor of Ecology
Dr Sevasti Filippidou
Dr Sevasti Filippidou
Teaching Fellow
Dr Audrey J Geffen
Dr Audrey J Geffen
Senior Strategic Teaching Fellow
Dr Richard J Gill
Dr Richard J Gill
Reader in Evolutionary & Experimental Ecology
Dr Peter Graystock
Dr Peter Graystock
Lecturer in Human and Animal Health
Dr Angela Meccariello
Dr Angela Meccariello
Lecturer
Professor Samraat Pawar
Professor Samraat Pawar
Professor of Theoretical Ecology
Dr Will Pearse
Dr Will Pearse
Reader in Evolutionary Ecology
Professor Colin Prentice FRS
Professor Colin Prentice FRS
Chair in Biosphere and Climate Impacts
Professor Andy Purvis
Professor Andy Purvis
Research Investigator
Professor James L Rosindell
Professor James L Rosindell
Professor of Biodiversity Theory
Professor Vincent Savolainen
Professor Vincent Savolainen
Professor of Organismic Biology
Dr Julia Schroeder
Dr Julia Schroeder
Senior Lecturer
Dr Sarab S Sethi
Dr Sarab S Sethi
Lecturer in Ecosystem Sensing
Professor Joseph A Tobias
Professor Joseph A Tobias
Professor of Biodiversity & Ecosystems
Dr Bonnie G Waring
Dr Bonnie G Waring
Reader in Ecosystems Ecology
Professor Guy Woodward
Professor Guy Woodward
Professor of Ecology
Postgraduate research
Interested in studying a PhD at the Department of Life Sciences? Find out more about postgraduate research opportunties.