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
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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.
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Upland
Our research in upland systems focuses on understanding the changes in bird populations and their habitats.
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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
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Dung detectives: dung, medicines, insects and birds
Blog by Dr Gillian Gilbert, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Recent media attention around the science which reviewed a massive decline in insect numbers across Europe and North America – suggests that, people do ap...
Posted 12/03/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
Wintering waterbird population estimates in Great Britain
Blog by Simon Wotton, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science A paper just published in British Birds provides updated estimates of population size for wintering waterbirds in Great Britain, since the previous assessment i...
Posted 08/03/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
Importance of coastal wetlands in a changing climate
Blog by Dr Michael MacDonald, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Today’s article about the global carbon sequestration potential of tidal marshes demonstrates how important these habitats are to us in a changing clima...
Posted 06/03/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
Threats to Egyptian Vultures in a key wintering area in Ethiopia
Blog post by Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science In October 2018, an Egyptian Vulture that had migrated from Bulgaria to winter in Ethiopia, died under unknown circumstances in Afar province, eastern Eth...
Posted 20/02/2019 by Chiara Ceci
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.