Goal 15: Life on land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on land.
Research and knowledge exchange
Ness Botanic Gardens supports SDG 15 through its vibrant research portfolio. The gardens, covering 64 acres, house over 10,000 plant species, with extensive collections that study the effects of climate change on wild plants. Research at Ness includes investigations into how climate warming impacts ponds and shallow lakes, as well as the use of aquaponics systems for sustainable food production. The site also supports various habitats that sustain diverse wildlife, including amphibians, birds, insects, and mammals. The Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab investigates the effects of climate change on UK grasslands, offering vital insights into plant, soil, and fauna responses. Furthermore, the Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group focuses on how animals adapt to environmental changes, supporting conservation efforts like captive breeding and invasive species.
Operations
The University’s Climate Plan outlines key principles to guide our climate response, including a commitment to enhancing campus resilience through improved biodiversity. Our estate is remarkably diverse, encompassing a wide range of habitats such as urban environments, amenity land, woodlands, pastures, agricultural land, formally landscaped areas, and a botanic garden. Ness Botanic Gardens hosts a wide variety of amphibians, birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles within a network of diverse ecological niches. Ness Gardens upholds a mission rooted in research, education, and conservation. Its extensive plant collection, which includes many endangered species, provides unique opportunities for learning and discovery. We are proud to be a gold-accredited member of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Scheme and have Bioscope NatureArks and wild pod planters installed across our Liverpool campus. These innovative habitats support a variety of wildlife, including bees and hedgehogs. We also grow food on our campus garden, and herb wall garden. To further support biodiversity, we have adopted a relaxed mowing regime for three large grassland areas, allowing meadow vegetation to flourish and creating habitats for a wider range of plant and animal species. Looking ahead, the University will publish a new Biodiversity Plan in early 2025, which will detail our principles, commitments, and actions to combat biodiversity loss, assess the impact of our activities, and enhance biodiversity both on our campuses and beyond.
Education and student experience
Life on land affects us all, and students at the University of Liverpool can explore the human impact on the environment and ways to mitigate it through a range of opportunities. Courses such as, Global Environmental Crimes and Justice, examines the role of criminology in addressing transnational crimes affecting biodiversity, focusing on state and non-state cooperation, criminal networks, and conservation strategies. Environmental Science includes modules like Environmental Sustainability, which addresses global environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, while developing strategies for sustainable solutions. There are also many opportunities for students to get involved outside of their studies, such as urban food growing, permaculture and biodiversity at the weekly gardening sessions, herb pot planting, and microgreens growing with the Guild of Students. At Ness Botanic Gardens, students have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of biodiversity through gardening courses, creative workshops, and nationally recognised RHS qualification programs.
Case studies
£16m funding boost for environmental research facility
The NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF) secured a £16 million funding boost through 2031, ensuring continued support for environmental research across the UK. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and managed by the British Geological Survey, this investment will sustain NEOF's cutting-edge capabilities in ‘omics’ technologies, which include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These technologies enable detailed analysis of biodiversity, climate change, soil health, and more. NEOF, a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool and Sheffield, provides essential support and expertise for scientists facing challenges such as high equipment costs and a skills gap in omics technologies. This facility is pivotal for understanding biodiversity and its role in ecosystem resilience amid climate change. Professor Steve Paterson of the University of Liverpool, who directs NEOF, emphasised the importance of this funding in overcoming research hurdles and advancing environmental science. NEOF's impact includes detecting SARS-CoV2 in environmental samples and enhancing research capabilities for users. The funding is part of a broader £70 million investment in seven NERC facilities, aimed at bolstering the UK’s national environmental science capabilities. NEOF's continued operation promises to drive significant advancements in understanding and addressing environmental challenges, reinforcing the UK's role in global climate science efforts.
Biodiversity in the margins: Merging farmlands affects natural pest control
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology in May 2024 reveals that consolidating farmland negatively impacts natural pest control by reducing the diversity and abundance of beneficial arthropods. Researchers from the University of Liverpool, along with colleagues from the Netherlands and China, studied 20 rice fields in China over six years to assess how changes in land use affect rice pests, their natural enemies, and rice yields. In traditional Chinese smallholder fields, hedgerows and wild grass margins support a diverse range of natural pest predators, such as spiders and beetles. However, as farmers consolidate land to improve efficiency, these habitats are removed. The study found that while traditional farmlands supported a higher abundance and diversity of pest predators compared to consolidated lands, this did not translate into significant differences in rice pests or yield. Dr. Yi Zou from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University noted that land consolidation removes crucial habitats for pest enemies. The study also tested the impact of insecticides, finding reduced diversity and abundance of both pests and their natural enemies in both land types. Yet, non-sprayed crops saw a 10.8% decrease in yield. The research highlights the benefits of agri-environmental measures (AEMs), such as reintroducing flowering plants in field margins, to boost biodiversity and counteract the negative effects of land consolidation. Dr. Jenny Hodgson from the University of Liverpool emphasised the study's importance in understanding the complex interplay between land management practices and biodiversity. The study suggests that balancing biodiversity with agricultural efficiency is essential and advocates for integrating AEMs to support ecosystem health while optimizing productivity.
Reassessing restoration practices
A study led by the University of Liverpool revealed that misguided reforestation efforts across Africa could jeopardise vast areas of tropical grasslands. Published in Science in 2024, the research highlighted that many reforestation projects, which are intended to restore forests, are targeting non-forest systems like savannas and grasslands. This misclassification threatens these ecosystems, which are distinct from forests in structure and function. The study showed that large-scale tree planting in these non-forest areas, which are vital habitats for wildlife such as rhinos and wildebeest, and crucial to local human communities, could disrupt their ecological balance. Researchers emphasised the importance of tailoring restoration efforts to the specific needs of each ecosystem. Savannas and grasslands, misclassified as needing reforestation, are at risk due to inappropriate interventions. The research highlights the rush for large-scale tree planting may lead to poorly assessed projects that offer minimal carbon sequestration benefits while potentially causing ecological and social harm. The issues raised are not limited to Africa but also affect similar non-forest areas in countries like India and Brazil. The paper, titled Conflation of reforestation with restoration is widespread, calls for a reassessment of restoration practices to avoid endangering these critical ecosystems.
Tackling the biodiversity crises
On November 1st, 2023, the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab, the world’s longest-running climate change experiment, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Established by renowned ecologist Professor Phil Grime, the unique facility had been assessing the effects of climate change on grasslands through drought, warming, and watering treatments over three decades, offering unparalleled insights into how these ecosystems might evolve under climate change. Grasslands are crucial for biodiversity, carbon storage, livestock grazing, and human wellbeing. However, the UK had lost over 95% of its native species-rich grasslands, and the remaining areas were increasingly threatened by climate change. Researchers from the University of Liverpool, who chaired the Lab’s Steering Committee, emphasised the urgency of understanding and mitigating these impacts to preserve these vital habitats. Unfortunately, long-term climate change experiments like Buxton’s received no dedicated research or government funding. To prevent losing this invaluable resource, researchers from Liverpool, Sheffield, and Lancaster launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure future funding. Support from University of Liverpool alumna and BBC presenter Megan McCubbin highlighted the campaign’s importance. McCubbin, who visited the Lab with Dr. Whitlock, emphasised the critical need for ongoing long-term research amid the escalating climate and biodiversity crises. The Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab was also featured in the YouTube series 8 Out of 10 Bats on its anniversary.