This theme is being renamed Resilient Socio-ecological Systems with recruitment underway for new theme co-leads (see job advert)

Globally, most species and their natural habitats are declining. The rate of loss does not seem to be slowing, generating a biodiversity crisis. This widespread loss of biodiversity threatens our economies and society but most crucially the ecological system that supports all life on land and below water. Discovering ways to increase resilience of ecosystems is of key importance for the future of people and nature.

Several sustainable development goals are underpinned by resilient ecosystems and the Convention on Biological Diversity calls for a reduction in biodiversity loss this decade. YESI is bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to address the development and design of new policies and interventions for reversing nature loss and biodiversity decline.

Researchers at York study the drivers of biodiversity declines including climate change, degradation of natural habitats and agricultural intensification, and their underlying socio-economic drivers. They also study the solutions, from releasing green finance for biodiversity conservation through nature based solutions and practical management options in the field.

Research theme aims 

  • Understanding the interactions and feedbacks among species, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services.
  • Investigating feedbacks between human behaviour and ecological dynamics, and what this means for the resilience and sustainability of coupled ecological-economic systems.
  • Identifying and evaluating practical, effective, and equitable solutions to deliver resilient ecosystems for the future.

Key focus areas

  • Biodiversity conservation – analysing the factors affecting species responses to habitat change, the ecological, social, political and economic impacts of biodiversity loss, and using this knowledge to develop conservation interventions that reorientate activities that are harmful to nature and biodiversity towards those which promote biodiversity. 
  • Ecosystem services – assessing human impacts on essential ecosystem services and informing decision-making about the risks and opportunities that emerge from our dependence on biodiversity. 
  • Climate change – understanding the impacts of climate change on socio-ecological systems to predict future changes, that support the development of achievable mitigation and adaptation strategies at a  range of temporal and spatial scales.

YESI Objectives

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Related links

Dr Colin Beale holding a bird

Research Theme Co-Lead
Prof Colin Beale

Dr Julia Touza

Research Theme Co-Lead

Dr Julia Touza

Projects at York

Past Projects

Related links

Dr Colin Beale holding a bird

Research Theme Co-Lead
Prof Colin Beale

Dr Julia Touza

Research Theme Co-Lead

Dr Julia Touza