We study the terrestrial carbon and water cycles, trace gas emissions, biogeochemistry and hydrogeochemistry, ecosystem processes, vegetation dynamics, palaeoecology, plant ecophysiology, and land-atmosphere interactions.

In a recent assessment by the Times Higher Education Supplement, THES, the University of Edinburgh was rated first in Europe and 6th globally in citations of papers on ecology and environment. The Biosphere Programme includes the majority of contributing researchers in this field at the University.

We have projects operating throughout the UK, across four continents, and spanning ecosystems from arctic tundra to tropical rainforest.

Research themes

• Airborne GeoSciences: Study of atmospheric biospheric interaction through meteorological methods and boundary layer research.
• Forest Ecosystem Physiology: Study of trees, forests and their environment; scaling and allometry; water and sugar movement in trees; plant-soil interactions; ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycles; trace gas emissions; ecosystem significance of management.
• Global Ecology:Understanding and predicting ecosystem processes.
• Hydrology and biogeochemical cycling in rural and urban catchments
• Micrometeorology:Understanding the lower atmosphere and its interactions with the land surface.
• Quaternary Palaeoecology:
• Quaternary Entomology:Use of insect remains for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
• Remote Sensing: Studying terrestrial ecosystems and their interactions with the atmosphere using multi-scale remote sensing, modelling, and advanced analytical techniques.

Current research projects

• Biospheric sources and sinks of CO₂ and other trace gases
• Carbon and water fluxes in Mediterranean, temperate and tropical forests, savannas and tundras
• Ecosystem dynamics
• Forest ecosystem physiology and forest management
• Global change and ecosystem function
• Modelling ecosystem processes
• Restoration and ecosystem functions in African Mangroves
• Sustainable forest management and silviculture