Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the genetic variability within all animals, plants and micro-organisms on Earth, and within and between plant and animal communities and their surroundings. Biodiversity allows species, populations and communities to adapt to change in their surroundings and take advantage of new conditions.
CEH is studying the pool of genes and variability in character that enable organisms to thrive and adapt to environmental change. Potential threats to biodiversity across Europe arise from climate change, land use change, water management, loss and fragmentation of habitats, industrial activity, and pollution. There are many other factors too. CEH’s scientists are researching environmental threats to biodiversity, how to better measure and assess them, and how to moderate their effects.
We aim to:
- Measure and understand the importance of biodiversity on interactions between species.
- Improve our understanding of how population ecology, species interactions and genetic diversity influence and are influenced by ecosystem function.
- Determine the consequence of changes in biodiversity on ecosystem processes.
- Develop approaches for monitoring and reducing threats to biodiversity.