UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a leading independent research institute dedicated to advancing environmental science across water, land, and air. It is a registered charity with charity number 1185618.

History and Formation

UKCEH was formally established in 1994, building on a legacy of research that spans over six decades. Its roots include predecessor institutes that have been at the forefront of environmental monitoring and modeling since the mid-20th century.

Purpose and Mission

UKCEH's mission is to understand and transform how humans interact with the natural world, fostering a world where both people and nature prosper. The institute focuses on tackling urgent environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and sustainable ecosystem management.

Research Areas and Activities

UKCEH's research covers a wide range of environmental topics, including:

• Air Pollution: Studying and mitigating the impacts of air pollution on human health and ecosystems.
• Biodiversity: Investigating biodiversity trends to support conservation efforts.
• Chemical Risks: Evaluating the environmental impact of chemicals and pollutants.
• Extreme Weather Events: Researching droughts, floods, and other extreme weather conditions to improve resilience.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Monitoring and analyzing emissions to support climate change mitigation.
• Soil Health: Improving soil quality for sustainable agriculture.
• Sustainable Ecosystems: Promoting sustainable land use practices.
• Water Quality and Resources Management: Ensuring safe and sustainable water supplies.

Monitoring and Data Management

UKCEH operates and coordinates several key monitoring sites and programs, such as:

• Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme
• Isle of May Long-Term Study
• UK National River Flow Archive
• Plynlimon catchment study
• Loch Leven and English Lake District lakes monitoring
• COSMOS-UK (Cosmic-ray Soil Moisture Monitoring Network)
• UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network
• Biological Records Centre
• UKCEH Countryside Survey
• Urban Atmospheric Pollution Observatory (at the BT Tower, London)

International Partnerships and Collaborations

UKCEH engages in international collaborations, including working with the World Meteorological Organization and European partners to establish monitoring schemes for pollinators like butterflies. It is also a member of the Partnership for European Environmental Research (PEER) and serves as a strategic delivery partner for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Locations and Structure

UKCEH has four main locations in the UK: Wallingford (headquarters), Edinburgh, Lancaster, and Bangor, with additional international operations including a presence in Ghana.

Impact and Achievements

UKCEH has been recognized for its significant contributions to environmental science, with its research informing policy, enabling new discoveries, and driving innovation. It has a strong track record of publishing impactful scientific outputs, with a high proportion of its publications in the top 10% of most cited in their field.

[1] https://www.ceh.ac.uk/about-us [2] https://www.ceh.ac.uk [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Centre_for_Ecology_&_Hydrology [4] https://wateractionhub.org/organizations/168/d/centre-for-ecology-hydrology/ [5] https://www.innovationzero.com/event-partners/uk-centre-ecology-hydrology