PhD in Environmental Change and Sustainability - Informing Policy and Practice in Belfield Ireland | University College Dublin

Human actions are profoundly affecting freshwater, marine, and land-based ecosystems across the globe, with significant implications for the ongoing provision of essential ecosystem services we rely on from nature. Studies within this theme aim to deepen our comprehension of ecological processes and the biodiversity that supports ecosystem sustainability and resilience, enhancing how we manage natural resources and species while considering socio-economic factors. Focus areas include evaluating how environmental shifts—particularly habitat alteration, climate change, invasive species, and pollution—affect species and ecosystems, as well as promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, hunting, fisheries, recreation, and conservation. The School leverages its diverse expertise to tackle these research questions holistically, spanning topics from insect-plant relationships to the ecology and behavior of large mammals, and from pollution and climate effects on aquatic life to species dispersal and invasion patterns. Researchers in this theme actively engage with policymakers, resource managers, and industry stakeholders to ensure their discoveries inform decision-making and practical applications.