Conservation Science Group

Illustration of bird and forest

As conservation scientists, we apply scientific methods to the challenge of maintaining and restoring global biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Image of agriculture and food production

We aim to understand patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem change, and the pressures that are driving loss or degradation.

We also research what the most effective and efficient responses are, at every scale from local land management to international convention.

Along with staff from the Departments of Plant Sciences, Geography and Land Economy, we are members of the Conservation Research Institute.

And with many international Non-Governmental Organisations, we are part of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative.

The group is co-led by Prof Andrew Balmford, Prof Rob Fletcher and Prof Bill Sutherland.

Group Members
Group Publications
Former Group Members

Current research topics

  • Conservation Evidence: summarising evidence from the scientific literature about the effects of conservation actions to support decisions about how to maintain and restore global biodiversity.
  • Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits: creating a trusted marketplace for carbon credits, with an emphasis on scaling up the supply of deforestation avoidance carbon credits in order to halt tropical deforestation.
  • Global Coastal Wetlands Lab: undertaking research to further biodiversity conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands.
  • Centre for Landscape Regeneration: providing knowledge and tools to regenerate British countryside using cost-effective nature-based solutions.
  • Mandala: Transforming Urban Food Systems. Compiling data and evidence on the environmental impacts of food consumed in UK cities.

The Student Conference on Conservation Science

Group photo from SCCS 2026

The group runs the truly international Student Conference on Conservation Science.  

SCCS enables the next generation of conservation scientists to meet and exchange ideas with their peers, and get feedback on their research from leading conservation professionals.

Probably the most constructive and joyful conference I have ever attended.

Student delegate at SCCS 2026

Key Publications 

Balmford, A. 2021. Concentrating vs spreading our footprint: how to meet humanity’s needs at least cost to nature. J. Zoology 315: 79-109. DOI:10.1111/jzo.12920

Christie, A.P., Amano, T., Martin, P.A., Petrovan, S.O., Shackelford, G.E., Simmons, B.I., Smith, R.K., Williams, D.R., Wordley, C.F.R. and Sutherland, W.J. 2021. The challenge of biased evidence in conservation. Conservation Biology35(1): 249-262.https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13577

Sutherland, W.J., Brotherton, P., Davies, Z., Ockendon, N., Pettorelli, N., & Vickery, J. (Eds.). (2020). Conservation Research, Policy and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108638210

Phalan, B., Green, R.E., Dicks, L.V., Dotta, G., Feniuk, C., Lamb, A., Strassburg, B.B.N., Williams, D.R., zu Ermgassen, E.K.H.J. & Balmford, A. 2016. How can higher-yielding farming help to spare nature? Science 351: 450–451.

Cuthbert, R.J., Taggart, M.A., Mohini, S., Sharma, A., Das, A., Kulkarni, M.D., Deori, P., Ranade, S., Shringarpure, R.N., Galligan, T.H. & Green, R.E. 2016. Continuing mortality of vultures in India associated with illegal veterinary use of diclofenac and a potential threat from nimesulide. Oryx50: 104–112.

Pearce-Higgins, J.W. & Green, R.E. 2014. Birds and Climate Change: Impacts and Conservation Responses. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Balmford, A. 2012. Wild Hope: on the Frontlines of Conservation Success. University of Chicago Press.

Full publication list