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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![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.
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![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.
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![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
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GB Red Lists: Regional IUCN Assessments of Extinction Risk
Blog by Dr Andrew Brown, Principal Specialist - Species, at Natural England Our State of Nature Report makes much use of the results of recent GB Red-listing exercises. These are assessments of the current risk of individual species becoming extinct...
Posted 09/10/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
The making of State of Nature 2019
Blog by Dr Daniel Hayhow, Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, lead author of State of Nature 2019 report. From the start-up meeting for the third State of Nature report in July 2018 with Partners, new and old, through to the...
Posted 08/10/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
New authorship guideline for the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science
Blog by Dr Juliet Vickery, Head of International Conservation Science, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science "Publish or perish" - A phrase coined to describe the pressure in academia to rapidly and continually publish academic work to sustain or fur...
Posted 25/09/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
RSPB Bempton Cliffs: Puffin Panorama
Guest blog by Ali Barrat, Puffineer volunteer, Project Puffin UK At the height of the breeding season, the towering chalk cliffs of the Yorkshire Coast are transformed into a seabird city with nearly half a million seabirds, of which, less than 1% ar...
Posted 23/09/2019 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