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
-
![RSPB Nene Washes Nature Reserve, reintroducing the Corncrake Crex crex to the reserve, Cambridgeshire]()
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.
-
![Male Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.]()
Upland
Our research in upland systems focuses on understanding the changes in bird populations and their habitats.
-
![RSPB's Hope farm, at the time of the wheat harvest, Knapwell, Cambridgeshire]()
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
-
Science at the heart of the RSPB at a pivotal time for biodiversity
In today’s blog, Head of Monitoring Conservation Science, Professor Richard Gregory talks about the essential work of the Conservation Science Centre, and its scientists, in supporting biodiversity conservation at a highly critical time. From its roo...
Posted 08/01/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
Linking food security and rainforest conservation (and a bit of adventure) in Sierra Leone
RSPB Scientists, Juliet Vickery, Fiona Sanderson and Richard Bradbury reflect on a recent trip to the Gola Rainforest Project In a tiny, remote village buried within an impenetrable landscape of tropical forest and subsistence farmland, a young woman...
Posted 11/12/2019 by martinfowlie -
What does a revised taxonomy mean for conservation?
In a new blog, Graeme Buchanan describes some details of a new study from University of East Anglia and BirdLife International on the conservation impacts of revised species taxonomy Species are generally used as the basic unit of conservation. Conse...
Posted 04/12/2019 by martinfowlie -
How to work out where to focus species conservation
Blog post by Malcolm Burgess, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Conservation resources are limited and need to be used ef...
Posted 15/11/2019 by martinfowlie
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