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Research

Combining approaches to restore grassland

A long-running grassland experiment initiated by Lancaster ecologist Professor Richard Bardgett shows that using several restoration techniques together can support biodiversity and farming more effectively than relying on a single measure. Published in May 2025, the study drew on an experiment established at Colt Park Meadows in the Yorkshire Dales in 1989. Researchers assessed 26 ecosystem functions, including plant diversity, pollination, hay production and soil carbon storage. Combining seed mixtures, red clover and carefully managed nutrient additions improved several benefits simultaneously, providing evidence for land managers planning grassland restoration.

Protecting soils during construction

A Local Soils Model Policy and Guide developed by Lancaster researchers with Lancaster City Council and Cornwall Council was launched in May 2025. The guidance helps planning authorities protect soil before and during construction. It recommends assessing existing soil quality, preparing a construction-phase soil management plan and monitoring soil management after development. By bringing academic soil science together with practical local government experience, the work provides councils with tools to reduce avoidable harm to soils during development and improve how land is managed afterwards.

Using environmental law to protect threatened cacti

A conservation network led by 抖阴探探App researcher Dr Jacob Phelps helped support a legal case against the illegal trade in threatened Chilean cacti. In March 2025, Lancaster reported that an Italian court had found two defendants guilty of trading more than 1,000 protected cacti taken from the Atacama Desert. The judgment also awarded €20,000 to a conservation organisation to support cactus protection, research and education. Through Conservation-Litigation.org, Dr Phelps brings legal and conservation expertise together to explore how environmental harm can be remedied.

Developing new tools to monitor soils

Two research developments in 2025 involved Lancaster in advancing soil monitoring. A November study with the University of Manchester showed that detailed airborne spectral images can help predict soil microbial diversity beneath vegetation, offering new ways to monitor soil health and biodiversity. Separately, a Lancaster-led team received more than £1.15 million from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, plus £100,000 from the University, to develop a mobile platform measuring how much carbon crops, soils and grasslands take in or release.

Teaching and learning

Studying ecology and conservation

Wildlife, habitats and the impact of people on ecosystems are central to the Ecology and Conservation route in Lancaster’s 2025-entry Biology pathway. Students explore ecological theory alongside practical fieldwork designed to develop the skills needed to investigate and protect biodiversity. The pathway covers the relationships between organisms and their environment, as well as approaches used in wildlife conservation. Its published course structure provides a route for students to study terrestrial ecosystem management and the challenges of preventing biodiversity loss.

Learning to monitor wildlife habitats

Practical training in surveying and monitoring terrestrial biodiversity is described in Lancaster’s Environmental Biology module catalogue. Ecology Field Skills introduces standard habitat survey methods and species identification, including fieldwork in natural habitats around Lancaster. The advanced Ecological Monitoring Techniques module covers identifying plants and animals, sampling populations and monitoring habitats. Students develop survey protocols for different wildlife groups and use RStudio to analyse the relationship between biodiversity and carbon storage.

Engagement and outreach

Helping families support native bumblebees

Two public events at Leighton Moss in summer 2025 helped the BeeBox team and the RSPB raise awareness of native bumblebees. Almost 60 visitors attended a BeeBox painting session on 31 July, with another 20 participating on 7 August. Families learned about threats facing bumblebees while decorating nesting boxes designed by researchers from Lancaster Environment Centre and the School of Engineering. The boxes were intended for placement within the reserve, alongside a wider study of conditions that help bumblebees establish nests.

Teaching responsible tourism and biodiversity

Responsible tourism is explored in Eco Tourism: A Comparative Study of Local, National and Global Tourist Locations, a free Morecambe Bay Curriculum resource for further education learners. Using destinations including Eden Project Morecambe, Penzance and Bwindi National Park, it examines the positive and negative environmental impacts of tourism and how tourism affects localities, non-human species and ecosystems. Learners consider strategies for managing responsible tourism destinations and whether tourism contributes to environmental degradation. The resource is one of 16 sustainability packs co-produced by local educators and 抖阴探探App academics. During 2024–25, the Morecambe Bay Curriculum promoted these materials across local schools and colleges and delivered five professional development sessions for teachers, supporting place-based sustainability education.

Volunteers help restore campus habitats

Staff and students supported practical biodiversity work on Lancaster's campus during 2025. As reported in the University's August 2025 Green Flag Award announcement, the Grounds Team planted 600 British native trees to establish new woodland and hedgerows, and developed areas of grassland into wildflower meadow. This work was supported by fortnightly conservation sessions with LUSU Green and contributions from University staff, providing opportunities for the campus community to take part in habitat conservation and restoration.

Operations

Managing campus land for biodiversity

Lancaster's Biodiversity Plan, approved in February 2025, guides the management of campus habitats. The Grounds Team monitors and maintains around 278,000 square metres of woodland alongside grassland, hedges and shrub beds, scheduling maintenance to minimise disturbance to wildlife. The plan commits the University to reviewing its management procedures annually and organising at least eight biodiversity engagement activities each academic year.

Supporting pollinators through campus habitats

Lancaster supports pollinators through habitat management and research. An October 2024 University report recorded 12 honeybee hives across the EcoHub and a new research apiary at Hazelrigg, supporting studies of bee health and hive design. The University's Biodiversity Plan also includes planting for pollinators and managing campus habitats to support wildlife.