Goal 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on land.

Research and impact

The University advances SDG 15 through long-term ecosystem experiments and practice-partnered research that inform conservation and land management (15.1, 15.3, 15.5, 15.9, 15.a). At Ness Botanic Gardens, one of Europe’s largest warming mesocosm facilities, 50 experimental ponds, is being used in a multi-year programme to test heatwave and rapid-change impacts on shallow freshwater systems, ecosystem functioning, and species adaptation (15.1, 15.5, 15.a). Ness also underpins sustainable food research via aquaponics (15.1, 15.a) and strengthens conservation baselines through its nationally significant living collections and taxonomic contributions (Betula, Sorbus, Hedera) that support accurate identification and threat assessment (15.5, 15.a). A linked climate-adaptation platform of 1,952 plant-community microcosms, derived from long-term field plots, enables replicated tests of grassland responses to drought and warming (15.3, 15.5, 15.a). The Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab remains the world’s longest-running climate-manipulation experiment, delivering multi-decadal evidence on how UK species-rich grasslands respond to drought and warming, evidence now used to guide restoration and land-degradation policy (15.3, 15.5). Through a NERC-funded CASE PhD with Cheshire Wildlife Trust, we assessed the Hatchmere beaver enclosure’s biodiversity, hydrology, and long-term sustainability (15.1, 15.5, 15.8, 15.9). Research capacity is further strengthened by new investment in environmental sciences doctoral training announced in November 2024 (first cohort October 2025) (15.9, 15.a).

Education and student experience

The University equips students to protect, restore and manage ecosystems through research-led teaching, fieldwork and co-curricular learning. At undergraduate level, modules such as Ecology and Conservation, Environmental Sustainability, and Global Environmental Crimes and Justice develop ecological literacy, conservation practice, and understanding of biodiversity-related governance (15.1, 15.5, 15.9). At postgraduate level, the MSc Global Change Ecology and Evolution builds advanced skills to analyse biodiversity responses to human pressures and to design mitigation and restoration strategies (15.5, 15.a). Students apply learning through field classes and research projects linked to real landscapes (15.1, 15.3). Ness Botanic Gardens deepens this experience via access to nationally significant living collections and applied short courses; students and the public can undertake RHS-recognised qualifications and workshops that build identification, horticulture and habitat-creation skills for nature recovery (15.5, 15.a). Beyond the curriculum, the Guild of Students’ gardening (urban food growing, permaculture, microgreens) and campus biodiversity initiatives provide regular, hands on opportunities to support nature on campus and in the community (15.1, 15.5). Together these opportunities develop graduates who can conserve biodiversity, tackle land degradation and integrate nature into decision-making, advancing (15.1), (15.3), (15.5), (15.9) and (15.a).

Sustainable campus and operations

The University enhances biodiversity across a diverse estate, urban campus, landscaped grounds, grasslands and a botanic garden, through policy, place-making and nature-positive maintenance (15.1, 15.3, 15.5, 15.9). In February 2025, we published our first Biodiversity Plan, setting out principles, commitments and actions to address biodiversity loss and the ecological crisis. To support this, we completed a comprehensive survey and mapping exercise of habitats across the University using the UK Habitat methodology, the only approach compatible with Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. This evidence base will guide future action, targeting biodiversity gains in major capital developments and informing estates regimes to protect and enhance identified priority habitats (15.1, 15.5, 15.9, 15.a). Delivery is overseen by Property & Campus Services within our ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system, embedding biodiversity into maintenance, new builds and refurbishments, from habitat creation and tree planting to biomass reuse and accessible green spaces (15.1, 15.3, 15.9). In August 2025 we opened the ADHD Foundation Garden, creating an inclusive space that strengthens nature connection (15.1, 15.5, 15.9). We also took part in No Mow May and continued relaxed mowing across grasslands to boost wildflower forage and pollinators. The University is a Gold-accredited Hedgehog Friendly Campus, and at Ness Botanic Gardens, conservation-led collections support species monitoring, engagement and collaboration (15.1, 15.5, 15.a).

Case studies

Mapping river mobility for nature-positive planning

In April 2025, University of Liverpool researchers co-authored a study published in Nature Communications that used more than 10,000 satellite images and Google Earth Engine to quantify how rivers shift their position over time. The team developed “locational probabilities”, a way to map how often a river occupies each location, across 10 catchments in the Philippines covering approximately 600 km² and spanning 1988-2019. The approach delivers a clear, updateable footprint of river movement for planners and conservationists, directly supporting ecosystem protection and restoration and the integration of nature evidence into land-use decisions (15.1, 15.9).

Liverpool scientists in the Department of Geography and Planning emphasised a whole-river view, analysing not just water, but the entire active width including unvegetated alluvial areas, revealing reach-specific hotspots of mobility and the absence of simple correlations with local factors such as channel width or confinement. This shows why place-specific, nature-positive management is essential in dynamic river landscapes (15.1, 15.9).

The project was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology PCIEERD, with partners from the University of Glasgow, Brunel University London, the University of Auckland, and the University of the Philippines Diliman. Open datasets and example code are publicly archived in the NERC Environmental Information Data Centre, strengthening scientific knowledge, research capacity and technology transfer for river-hazard mitigation and ecosystem conservation (15.a).

£16m funding boost for environmental research facility

The NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF) secured a £16 million funding boost through 2031, ensuring continued support for environmental research across the UK. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and managed by the British Geological Survey, this investment will sustain NEOF's cutting-edge capabilities in ‘omics’ technologies, which include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These technologies enable detailed analysis of biodiversity, climate change, soil health, and more. NEOF, a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool and Sheffield, provides essential support and expertise for scientists facing challenges such as high equipment costs and a skills gap in omics technologies. This facility is pivotal for understanding biodiversity and its role in ecosystem resilience amid climate change. Professor Steve Paterson of the University of Liverpool, who directs NEOF, emphasised the importance of this funding in overcoming research hurdles and advancing environmental science. NEOF's impact includes detecting SARS-CoV2 in environmental samples and enhancing research capabilities for users. The funding is part of a broader £70 million investment in seven NERC facilities, aimed at bolstering the UK’s national environmental science capabilities. NEOF's continued operation promises to drive significant advancements in understanding and addressing environmental challenges, reinforcing the UK's role in global climate science efforts.

Biodiversity in the margins: Merging farmlands affects natural pest control

A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology in 2024 reveals that consolidating farmland negatively impacts natural pest control by reducing the diversity and abundance of beneficial arthropods. Researchers from the University of Liverpool, along with colleagues from the Netherlands and China, studied 20 rice fields in China over six years to assess how changes in land use affect rice pests, their natural enemies, and rice yields. In traditional Chinese smallholder fields, hedgerows and wild grass margins support a diverse range of natural pest predators, such as spiders and beetles. However, as farmers consolidate land to improve efficiency, these habitats are removed. The study found that while traditional farmlands supported a higher abundance and diversity of pest predators compared to consolidated lands, this did not translate into significant differences in rice pests or yield. Dr. Yi Zou from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University noted that land consolidation removes crucial habitats for pest enemies. The study also tested the impact of insecticides, finding reduced diversity and abundance of both pests and their natural enemies in both land types. Yet, non-sprayed crops saw a 10.8% decrease in yield. The research highlights the benefits of agri-environmental measures (AEMs), such as reintroducing flowering plants in field margins, to boost biodiversity and counteract the negative effects of land consolidation. Dr. Jenny Hodgson from the University of Liverpool emphasised the study's importance in understanding the complex interplay between land management practices and biodiversity. The study suggests that balancing biodiversity with agricultural efficiency is essential and advocates for integrating AEMs to support ecosystem health while optimizing productivity.

Reassessing restoration practices

A study led by the University of Liverpool revealed that misguided reforestation efforts across Africa could jeopardise vast areas of tropical grasslands. Published in Science in 2024, the research highlighted that many reforestation projects, which are intended to restore forests, are targeting non-forest systems like savannas and grasslands. This misclassification threatens these ecosystems, which are distinct from forests in structure and function. The study showed that large-scale tree planting in these non-forest areas, which are vital habitats for wildlife such as rhinos and wildebeest, and crucial to local human communities, could disrupt their ecological balance. Researchers emphasised the importance of tailoring restoration efforts to the specific needs of each ecosystem. Savannas and grasslands, misclassified as needing reforestation, are at risk due to inappropriate interventions. The research highlights the rush for large-scale tree planting may lead to poorly assessed projects that offer minimal carbon sequestration benefits while potentially causing ecological and social harm. The issues raised are not limited to Africa but also affect similar non-forest areas in countries like India and Brazil. The paper, titled Conflation of reforestation with restoration is widespread, calls for a reassessment of restoration practices to avoid endangering these critical ecosystems.