At a time when global wildlife populations are collapsing and seven planetary boundaries have been crossed, UCL's work tracking the health of nature and mapping pathways to a safer future has never been more important.
Research spotlight
New UNESCO report highlights accelerating climate risks to global biodiversity sites
Research led by Professor Alex Pigot (UCL Biosciences) informs a UNESCO report, showing rising temperatures threaten biodiversity across 2,000+ global sites, with risks accelerating as warming increases.
Find out moreDiscover our biodiversity research and teaching
What is biodiversity and why does it matter?
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. UCL's research highlights the services biodiversity provides which are essential for us and our economies.
Tracking biodiversity gain and loss and their consequences
How do we know what biodiversity exists in any given area and what we’re gaining and losing? And how do we measure the impacts of ecological hazards like climate change on biodiversity?
Moving towards a healthier future
UCL has been researching ways to improve the wellbeing of our societies and the resilience of the ecosystems and their biodiversity on which we depend.
How can I help biodiversity?
1. Eat more plants and less meat
2. Avoid single-use plastics
3. Support political action committed to protecting biodiversity
4. Choose sustainable and ethical banking and pensions
5. Reduce waste by recycling and composting
6. Join or fund a rewilding initiative
7. Grow native plants and mow less
8. Add water sources to gardens and build habitats such as bird and bat houses
Biodiversity-related research departments and groups
Find out about the UCL departments and groups whose research incorporates biodiversity.
Biodiversity and graduate degrees
Learn more about some of our graduate taught degree programmes (Master’s and MRes) that address biodiversity.
Biodiversity on campus
UCL has been driving forward sustainability practices for over a decade. We are ranked 1st in the UK and 3rd globally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.
- Science Fair - Saturday 13 June 2026, 12-5pm
- A future we can get to safely: why and how does biodiversity matter? - Livestreamed lecture by Professor Jon Bridle
- Bats v Flies featuring Professor Kate Jones
- FLOPCAST: Professor Helen Chatterjee on biodiversity loss
- Generation One - Biodiversity: Can local conservation efforts grow into global impact?
- Illusions of Green Capitalism - Adrienne Buller
- More land or higher yields? Comparing paths to more food - Dr Silvia Ceausu
- UCL Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research YouTube channel
- Unlocking the SDGs: A Blueprint for the Future
- Blakeney Point - field station for studying coastal habitats
- Flourishing Diversity - supports people in protecting and connecting with the environment
- Generation One - turning science and ideas into climate action
- Grant Museum of Zoology - last remaining university natural history museum in London
- iNaturalist - invites people to document plant and animal species in their area
- Land Body Ecologies - global transdisciplinary network exploring the interconnections of mental and ecosystem health
- London Natural History Museum (NHM) - home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 80 million items
- UCL Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research (CBER) - research centre in ecology and biodiversity science
- Zoological Society of London (ZSL) - global science-led conservation organisation
Images
Credit: Barbara Fasulo and James Tye