Mission: Manage, conserve, and restore ecosystems through innovative research, valuing ecosystems and their services.

Aims:

1. Assess degradation and loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, incl. forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other critical habitats;

2. Develop and implement conservation and restoration strategies, incl. nature-based solutions, afforestation, habitat restoration, and species recovery;

3. Investigate ecological processes and interactions within ecosystems, to understand their functioning and resilience;

4. Evaluate effectiveness of conservation and restoration measures and protected areas to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services;

5. Assess socio-economic benefits of ecosystem conservation and restoration, incl. sustainable livelihoods and climate change mitigation;

6. Facilitate collaborative ecosystem management.

The research within the Ecosystem Management and Conservation research group (RG4) aligns with the need to protect biodiversity, halt ecosystem loss, and achieve key environmental targets. It directly supports initiatives like the UN SDGs, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Missions ‘Ocean and Waters’ and ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, and IPCC assessments.  Our research on ecosystem function directly supports targets within SDGs 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land), while our assessments of ecosystem services and restoration solutions contribute to climate action under SDG 13.

RG4 directly supports:

TL3 – Socio-Ecological Systems and Resources: RG4 investigates the nexus between ecosystem health, sustainable resource management, and societal well-being, aiding informed decision-making, and promotes just transitions in the face of climate change.

TL1 – Climate Change, Adaptation, and Mitigation: RG4 research on ecosystem function, resilience, and responses to global change underpins biodiversity conservation, adaptation strategies, and climate mitigation efforts.