We are interested in how to effectively integrate overlooked biodiversity into global and national conservation agendas. We quantify and predict the impact of global change on Earth’s most irreplaceable diversity, identifying priority species and regions for conservation action. We develop approaches and tools to quantify and monitor extinction risk across the Tree of Life. Alongside this, we explore a variety of research topics, from human-snakebite risk to vulture conservation.
Research Themes
Species on the EDGE
Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species have few or no close relatives on the Tree of Life and are threatened with extinction. Our work builds on decades of advances to identify priority species and regions to effectively safeguard the Tree of Life. Evolutionarily distinct species often contribute irreplaceable functions to ecosystems and benefits to people. We explore the impacts of losing EDGE species and the societal benefits to preserving the Tree of Life.
Indicators to monitor the Tree of Life
As part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Phylogenetic Diversity Specialist Group, we led on the development of two phylogenetic-based indicators now adopted in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: The EDGE Index and the Phylogenetic Diversity Indicator.
Our lab leads the production of these indicators at the global scale, and support countries with national implementation. The Specialist Group provides tools, data and guidance to produce these indicators at the global, national, and regional scales.
Integrating functional diversity into the global conservation agenda
The diversity of form and function across species is integral to ecosystem processes and services, but this diversity is under increasing pressure. Our work aims to understand how the functional diversity across species can be effectively included in conservation planning and policy. We are developing novel methods to quantify the erosion of functional diversity and prioritise species and regions to avert the greatest impending losses.
Snake diversity, conservation and coexistence
Snakes are amongst the most feared and least understood vertebrate groups. Despite comprising more than 4,000 species worldwide, little is known about the drivers of global snake diversity, nor the conservation status and needs of many species. We aim to bridge knowledge and conservation gaps to improve snake conservation globally. Given the immense scale of human-snake conflict, we are also developing ecologically-driven approaches to predict the future of human and snake coexistence in a changing world.
Supporting future conservation leaders
We have the privilege of supporting amazing early-career researchers from around the world. ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme supports, trains, mentors and funds future leaders to deliver projects on overlooked and understudied EDGE species. We provide opportunities to train and mentor EDGE Fellows during their time with the programme, and engage with other capacity sharing initiatives at ZSL.
The Gumbs Lab 