Discovery and the natural world

We look to study, conserve and optimise the environment around us, from understanding the evolution and structure of ecosystems, to exploring unknown parts of the universe; from reducing the negative impact of climate change to influencing policy on the future of food production and travel. Find out more below from the case studies below:

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Industrial chimney spouting plumes of thick smoke

Mitigating climate change

In the context of climate change, mitigation refers to actions or policies that either reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, or that enhance the climate system’s capacity to absorb such gases from the atmosphere (e.g. reforestation).

Atmosphere between the planet Earth and space

Understanding our universe

Members of Imperial's Space and Atmospheric group are working to understand the complex processes which drive the upper atmospheres of planets, the boundary layer between a planet's atmosphere and outer Space.

Insect

Protecting the world's endangered species

Understanding biodiversity is crucial in helping us deal effectively with related issues such as species extinction, habitat change, invasive species and the consequences of the loss of biodiversity on agriculture and human health.
Photo: Chien C. Lee.

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Saiga antelopes running in the wild

Conservation of the Saiga Antelope

Saigas are one of the most threatened species on the planet. Their numbers declined by 95% in just 15 years but Imperial research has contributed to a great increase in their population.

Find out more about Ecosystems and the Environment's research to protect the Saiga Antelope

DNA

DNA Barcoding

Taxonomy (the science of classification) can be an essential, yet overwhelmingly challenging task; innovative solutions are essential. 'DNA Barcoding', is one such solution at the forefront of this field.

Find out more about The Savolainen Lab's research into DNA barcoding

Image of a rainforest

Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE)

The SAFE study is designed to understand how forest ecosystems are affected by human pressure, examining what happens when a forest is logged and then fragmented.

Find out more about the Department of Life Sciences research to understand forest ecosystems