Category

Biodiversity Loss

Science group

Biodiversity

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

Read more

Science group

eDNA

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...

Read more

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...

Read more

• 
  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...

21 September 2026

7 out of 9 Planetary Boundaries breached: PML joins calls for UN security briefing 

With seven out of nine Planetary Boundaries now crossed, “now is the time to act” urges PML’s Professor Helen Findlay, who today joined international scientists and organisations calling for an annual UN security briefing.

• 
  What’s in a label? New study examines whether seafood ecolabels can truly support sustainability in fishing 

  Can a seafood ecolabel really make fishing more sustainable? New research reveals what makes schemes work for fishers – and ultimately our ocean.

• 
  “Expect different” – PML’s Prof Tim Smyth on the effects of warming UK waters

  PML’s Director of Science Professor Tim Smyth featured on Channel 5 News this week, speaking to Simon Vigar about the Mediterranean octopus thriving in warmer UK waters.

• 
  Satellites are helping scientists track changes in the health of the ocean – and a new study shows their precision is growing

  Scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) have conducted the largest ever global assessment of the accuracy of

• 
  Global ocean hits highest temperature on record as El Niño grows

  The average surface temperature of the planet’s seas outside the polar regions hit 21.1C (70F) on Saturday, according to figures from the European Copernicus climate change service