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

• Space Lab

Academic Staff in this area