Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour

We study the biology of animals, plant and microbes, from the individual to the population-level, to understand the processes driving the natural world.

We are learning how the current climate and ecological crises affect natural ecosystems, so that we can predict and mitigate these effects.  Our health and prosperity rely on healthy ecosystems, which is why understanding them is so important.

Watch our videos to learn more about our research.

Staff in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour

Our challenges

Adaptation to Environmental Change

We are discovering how species are changing during the climate emergency to understand the long-term consequences of this on the natural environment.

Ecology and Evolution of Host-Microbe Interactions

We study how symbionts, pathogens and parasites evolve and the ecological consequences of these evolutionary changes.

Evolutionary Genomics

We use state-of-the-art genomics methods to discover how species evolve.

Social Behaviour

Our work is studying the mechanisms and consequences of how members of species interact.

Case studies

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/infection-veterinary-and-ecological-sciences/about/evolution-ecology-and-behaviour/impact/mousehandling/

Changing the practice of handling mice

We have developed new methods for handling mice that improves animal welfare.

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/infection-veterinary-and-ecological-sciences/about/evolution-ecology-and-behaviour/impact/condatis/

Habitat planning for biodiversity resilience

We have developed software that can be used to quantify the effect that habitat restoration will have on long-distance, multi-generational movement of species.

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/infection-veterinary-and-ecological-sciences/about/evolution-ecology-and-behaviour/impact/brazil-slums/

Reducing disease in Brazilian slums

We are improving the health and life prospects of people in slum communities across Brazil and elsewhere in the world, by studying animal reservoirs of disease, and empowering local communities to effect positive change.

Facilities

Brian Moss Aquatic Mesocosm Facility

This experimental facility allows us to investigate environmental impacts on freshwater systems, currently studying the effect of environmental warming. It is one of the largest and most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in Europe.

Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab

This facility is one of the longest running climate change experiments in the world, focussed on understanding how future climate change will affect grassland ecosystems.

Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution

This custom-built facility allows the study of rodents in naturalistic, but controlled, settings and is the only facility of its kind in the UK.

Centre for Genomic Research

One of the largest facilities of its kind in the UK, the facility provides state-of-the-art next generation sequencing technologies and extensive analysis by a team of bioinformatics experts.

Accreditations

Athena SWAN Silver Award

We're proud to hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.