We prevent extinctions and increase biodiversity by using targeted research and a science-led approach to implement the recovery of threatened species.
Biodiversity loss is a global challenge, caused e.g. by habitat fragmentation, changed land management, pollution or the introduction of new diseases. Many species are now threatened and remain in few, small populations from which they are unable to expand naturally due to unsuitable surrounding habitats and often poor genetic health.
Species and habitat recovery work, such as conservation translocations and genetic rescue, is required to prevent further declines and extinctions, ultimately to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. This recovery work has common challenges, e.g. prioritising species, genetically depleted populations, horticultural challenges, seed sourcing and provenancing, identifying planting locations, managing biosecurity risks, landownership, long-term monitoring, effective community engagement, and general complexity around the practical process of conservation translocations.
Species recovery requires cohesive/integrative science and strategies to allow long-term success across a wider range of species than currently applied. To tackle this, we will combine ecological and genetic research, genetic, horticultural, and management/decision making approaches to ensure successful species recovery at scale. While the approaches of this work can be applied globally, the focus of on-the-ground restoration work is mainly on the UK, given that it is one of the world's most nature-depleted countries.
For more information contact Dr Aline Finger