Within the context of a university or college, biodiversity can make the world of difference to the environment in which we teach, learn and work. There are the obvious health benefits and often psychological benefits. It may also be a determining factor in the retention of staff and recruitment for students. Biodiversity, meaning biological diversity, encompasses the variation of life on earth and in its simplest form, it is measured by the number and variety of species in an area.
On a world scale the rate of loss is now recognised to be a cause for serious concern, requiring concerted international action to prevent continued loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity may appear an abstract term but it has an effect on us in many ways and on a variety of levels. Biodiversity can contribute to many aspects of human wellbeing, from providing us with raw materials to contributing to our health.
If you would like to learn more about managing biodiversity at your institution then why not view our Biodiversity Guide. This practical guide is supported by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES).
If you would like to connect with other EAUC members interested in biodiversity, join the EAUC's Biodiversity Community of Practice. This group is for EAUC members only. Find out more.
Abstract This study is concerned with the analyses of the quality of water in terms of its physical, chemical and biological characteristics; the aquatic resources in terms...
Fiji National University (FNU), Nature Trust of Fiji and Nature Fiji have discussed a project which would see rainforest being protected in the area comprising the Garrick...
University of Wollongong (UOW) has successfully trialled a new method of planting wetland plants in the university pond network. Establishment of plants on pond embankments and...
Professor Mohamed Tahiri I started in 2007 with a Switzerland NGO that specialised in the environment and I worked with a local team for at least one year in an application...
Being still within the UN-decade of biodiversity and still being far from reaching the goals in biodiversity conservation at the same time, the consequences of degrading...
The Lisandro Alvarado University has an Agroecológicas Technology Demonstration Centre (CenecoAgro) for combating desertification. Species have been added to the...
Sarah Roberts, Sustainable Projects Officer, University of Leicester emailed the Biodiversity Community of Practice with the following request which prompted many responses from...
Loughborough University has begun the development of a Science & Enterprise Park to the west of the main campus. This area of campus and the adjoining habitats are the most...
The vision of Fruit Routes is to plant fruit and nut trees along cycle paths and footpaths planted by people who live, work and pass through these places. The project focuses on...
This autumn, two groups of architecture students created Bug Hotels for Headington Hill Hall Gardens and Harcourt Hill arboretum. The bug hotels provide nesting areas for...
Oxford Brookes University Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation has developed an iPad Toolkit, which enables users to efficiently conduct Phase One ecological...
As part of our commitment to sustainability, our university has committed to increasing the land used on campus for growing food and biodiversity. With this in mind, we...
Over the course of the year, a number of community and environmental projects have come to fruition at Birley Campus. A joint Insect hotel project is well underway between...
This year 20 varieties of apple, plum, cherry and pear trees were planted at our recently opened Birley Campus. With the help of Hulme Community Garden Centre who for the...
A large proportion of the development comprises of grass covered surfaces, including natural sports pitches, parkland grassland, amenity grassland and reinforced grass...
The creation of a fresh water pond and swale, with a variety of planting communities including fringe/edge planting, wetland/grassland planting and shallow and deep water...
A mixed native wildflower meadow was planted to encourage a diverse range of flora and fauna. Mixed mass bulb planting provides a colourful display which blooms from spring...
The wide variety of trees and plant species on campus are an important factor in enhancing and preserving a high level of biodiversity. A large proportion of trees on campus are...
The biodiversity value of the campus is considered a priority by the University, so conservation is of the upmost importance and all development projects carried out on campus...
The Biodiversity Index is an interactive web-based tool that enables people with little knowledge of ecology to do a rapid but scientific assessment of the level of plant...