Biodiversity Loss

Science topics & groups

Science group

Biodiversity

Our vision is for the restoration of diverse and productive ecosystems that are maintained and managed sustainably.

Science group

Investigating community dynamics and ecosystem function in unprecedented detail and exploring to what extent environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches can be used as a measure of biodiversity. Our eDNA research and data contributes towards improved environmental and risk management, such as in relation to...

Microscopic image of a copepod on a black background

Science group

Plankton

Plankton support the majority of marine ecosystems and the human communities that depend on these ecosystems. Through primary production, phytoplankton fix carbon to provide food, and generate oxygen, for higher trophic levels. Plankton both affect our climate and are affected by it. Understanding t...

Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity (AquaPLAN)
AquaPLAN is a four-year EU Horizon Europe project quantifying the combined impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) and anthropogenic noise on aquatic biodiversity across Europe’s freshwater, estuarine, coastal and offshore environments. PML contributes expertise in physical and social mari...
PlanktoSpace
The PlanktoSpace project is an ESA‑supported initiative that aims to transform our ability to monitor ocean life from space by linking satellite observations with detailed measurements of plankton biodiversity.
Phytoplankton biomass and diversity Climate Change Initiative (PHYTO-CCI)
The PHYTO‑CCI (Phytoplankton Biomass and Diversity Climate Change Initiative) project is part of the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative (CCI) and focuses on advancing our understanding of the ocean’s biological carbon cycle using satellite observations.
Phytodiverse: Advancing Ocean Biodiversity Science from Space
Phytodiverse will advance the science of phytoplankton diversity algorithms for Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) and derived indicators from space. The project develop innovative techniques to combine ESA satellites (Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3) with hyperspectral data from PACE to create enhanc...
Fronts for Marine Wildlife Assessment for Renewable Developments (FRONTWARD)
Fronts for Marine Wildlife Assessment for Renewable Developments (FRONTWARD) aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between ocean fronts and biodiversity hotspots, and to evaluate how these data can be applied in the future planning of marine sectors, such as offshore renewables.
Tipping Points and Abrupt Changes in Marine Ecosystems (TIME)
The Tipping points and abrupt changes In the Marine Ecosystem (TIME) project is developing new ways to identify early warning signs of major changes in marine ecosystems. By combining satellite observations, in situ measurements, and ecosystem models, TIME aims to improve our understanding of how ma...

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Related News

20 July 2026

State of the South-West’s Seas 2025 report highlights warming waters and octopus boom

Marine heatwaves, rising sea temperatures and a boom in Common Octopus populations are among the standout findings in the newly published State of the South-West’s Seas 2025 report. Produced by the South-West Marine Ecosystems (SWME) programme, with key contributions from PML scientists, the annual report provides a comprehensive assessment of the region’s marine environment.