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The Centre for Research in Ecology focuses on the ecology, biology and physiology of plants and animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates). In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise 95% of our work was regarded as nationally or internationally recognised or internationally excellent and we are continuing to develop our research programme and postgraduate training. The latter is achieved through PhD students and also at Masters level through our MRes Animal Ecology

Our research is organised around a number of themes.

Theme 1 The behaviour, physiology and ecology of vertebrates.
This theme integrates behaviour, physiology and ecology to study a variety of vertebrates, to answer a range of ecological-based questions. Of particular interest is the variability in behavioural and physiological adaptations of animals to their environments. Energy is a key currency when measuring investment and we focus on including measures of the allocation of energy to specific activities when investigating adaptive variability.

Theme 2 The ecology of invertebrates in surface waters, the hyporheos and groundwaters.
This theme focuses on the ecology of aquatic invertebrates, particularly the meiofauna. Of particular interest is determining the abiotic and biotic drivers of distribution and abundance of these organisms and the extent to which they impact ecosystem functioning through, for example, bioturbation and grazing.

Theme 3 Invertebrate communities in terrestrial ecosystems
This theme focuses on the biodiversity and assemblage composition of invertebrates in forests and disturbed habitats and their role in ecosystem functioning. There is a particular emphasis on canopy arthropods and soil invertebrates.