Supporting ecology and conservation

Supporting ecology and conservation

The Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) is conducting cutting-edge research into the processes that shape life on Earth.

Biodiversity is the key to our continued existence on this planet. The Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus is conducting cutting-edge research into the processes that shape life on Earth, building a better understanding of how we can deal with the pressures that an increasing human population place on the natural world.

The Behaviour Group investigates how animals (including humans) cooperate and perceive their world; how cultures and technologies develop; ageing; parental care and how conditions during development influence life as an adult; animal mimicry and camouflage.

The Ecology and Conservation Group investigates the impacts of renewable energy generation; interactions between wildlife, and fisheries/agriculture such as TB in badgers and cattle; new technology for monitoring the movement and physiology of free-living animals; over-harvesting of natural resources and the impacts of climate change.

The Evolution Group uses evolutionary studies of microbes and insects in the lab and field to understand how we can use bacteria to detoxify the environment; ways of overcoming antimicrobial resistance; how insects become resistant to pesticides; the diseases of wildlife (e.g pollinators) and humans; the evolution of parasites and their hosts, how new species form.

Endangered sea turtle populations boosted thanks to Exeter research

Research on the status, distribution and ecology of sea turtles has driven national and international conservation policy, engaged millions of people worldwide and raised substantial funding for conservation. Governments including the UK, Cayman Islands, Cyprus and Gabon have used this research in making legislation and multi-million pound management decisions.

Will you help us to understand and protect life on earth?