Ecosystems

Spanning the natural and social sciences, our research increases understanding of the complex human-climate-ecosystem interactions.

Our work explores how ecosystems function and respond to contemporary environmental challenges, from climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. We examine the social, cultural and political impact of these interactions, and advise how to manage and respond to the changes.

The Ecosystems Lab seeks to understand how contemporary ecosystems are affected by direct human pressures and global atmospheric change. Our Biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate adaptation group is at the forefront of mapping, assessing and valuing the effects of environmental change on species, ecosystems and the services they provide. 

Biodiversity, ecosystem services & climate adaptation

We explore effective policies for managing our natural capital, while improving techniques for observing and projecting the effects of environmental change. Our work also investigates adaptation options for biodiversity, and the potential impacts of other sector mitigation and adaptation measures on biodiversity.

Natural capital – the stock of the world’s natural resources – and the services it provides are under threat from human impacts such as climate change. New approaches to conservation are needed, approaches which recognise the inextricable links between nature and people.

Ecosystems Lab research

Led by Prof. Yadvinder Malhi, our Ecosystems Laboratory seeks to understand how contemporary ecosystems function and how they may be affected by direct human pressures and global atmospheric change.

Our interests are global, but we have a particular interest in tropical forests and savannas around the world, and our local field site at Wytham Woods.