Centre for Conservation Science
We do this by identifying the most important problems, discovering their possible causes, testing potential solutions to those causes and ensuring that they work when implemented. We work both throughout the UK and overseas alongside a wide range of funders and partners.
What we do
Featured research
-
UK Species
We identify species of greatest conservation concern from surveys and monitoring. Subsequent research often aims to identify causes of population declines and test potential solutions.
-
Upland
Our research in upland systems focuses on understanding the changes in bird populations and their habitats.
-
Agriculture
To address continuing agricultural change and the pressures it places on wildlife, we operate a large and varied research and monitoring programme across all types of UK farmland.
Meet the team
Using science to find practical solutions to the most pressing conservation problems
Working with us
Publications
Conservation Science Awards
The RSPBs three annual awards to recognise and celebrate excellence in conservation science.
The State of the UK's Birds
Latest blog posts
-
Searching for the critically endangered Liben lark
Blog post by Simon Wotton, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science I'm just back from the Liben plains in southern Ethiopia, where I joined a survey looking for Liben larks, Heteromirafra archeri. Why are we surveying Libe...
Posted 19/07/2018 by Kevin Middleton -
It's not all doom and gloom: the recovery of the UK crane population
Blog post by Andrew Stanbury, Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. All too often in nature conservation, stories are full of doom and gloom; highlighting species in steep decline. It is always great to get the opportunity to ...
Posted 17/07/2018 by Kevin Middleton -
Monitoring the recovery of Manx shearwaters on Lundy
In this guest blog, Laura Bambini, the RSPB’s seabird recovery officer recounts a recent close encounter with a Manx shearwater colony on Lundy Island in north Devon. Seabirds are wonderfully elegant and enigmatic – we still know so little about thei...
Posted 10/07/2018 by Andre Farrar -
The science behind measuring the State of Nature
Blog post by Mark Eaton, Principal Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre of Conservation Science. The State of Nature reports Since 2012, scientists from the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science have played a key role in assessing the state of our wild...
Posted 06/07/2018 by Kevin Middleton
Downloads
The State of Nature in the UK and its Overseas Territories. PDF, 8.3Mb
State of Nature 2016The SUKB report, is a one-stop shop for all the latest results from annual, periodic and one-off surveys and monitoring programmes. PDF, 2.5Mb
State of the UK's birds 2016The annual report of the Wetland Bird Survey. PDF, 5Mb
Waterbirds in the UK 2014-2015This case study focuses on the evidence available in support of the RSPB's position on renewables. PDF, 542Kb
Case study no 15: Renewable energy and conservation sciencePart of a collection that aims to highlight RSPB science from the last decade. PDF, 389Kb
Case study no 16: Climate change researchUnderstanding woodland bird declines. PDF, 392Kb
Case Study No. 17: Can not see the wood for the trees!The UK's leading bird conservation organisations have worked together to review the status of birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. PDF, 1.7Mb
Bird of conservation concern 4
How are we doing?
We've been making changes and we'd love to know what you think.