NC-UK News and Activities

The National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) returned to the EICC in Edinburgh, bringing together around 183 people from across the UK. This year’s focus was on building a more coordinated national monitoring community and turning insight into action so that environmental data genuinely informs policy and management.

Speakers from organisations including BGS, Defra, the Environment Agency, JNCC, Forest Research, the Met Office, Natural England, the National Trust, UKCEH and several universities shared updates, challenges and opportunities, creating a strong sense of collaboration and momentum. The atmosphere was positive and forward‑looking, with attendees keen to work toward a more joined‑up approach.

Early Career Researchers were also strongly supported, with steering committee representation, dedicated funding and active roles in sessions and discussions.

Key themes included:
• Growing commitment to a coordinated national monitoring vision
• Using data more effectively to support decisions
• Strengthening cross‑sector collaboration
• Investing in the tools and systems needed for practical delivery

This event is organised by the British Ecological Society (BES), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and the UK Environmental Observation Framework (UKEOF).

Environmental monitoring is rapidly shifting toward digital, automated, and AI‑enabled approaches that improve how data is captured, processed, discovered, and shared. These advances form a growing Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) that supports faster insights and more integrated environmental science.

At National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) 2025, UKCEH highlighted its latest DRI work across major National Capability programmes, focusing on three areas: streaming monitoring data, applying data science and AI, and improving data discoverability and access. Attendees contributed ideas throughout the session, helping shape future directions in digital environmental monitoring.

Find out more by clicking on the report below.

A multi-organisation talk at NEMC: The Evolution and Integration of Monitoring Networks for Quantifying Hydrological Variability - A Foundation for Fostering Resilience to Climate Change

Monitoring of the water cycle from the sky to the ground is essential for understanding the processes generating floods and droughts, for investigating the impacts of climate change, and for managing local human influences.  Rainfall, river flows, soil moisture and groundwater level are all monitored with the aim of providing the long datasets, high data quality and national coverage that are needed to underpin scientific research and operational decisions, alike.  A Network Appraisal workshop was held in March 2025 that aimed to share best practice and foster integration in monitoring across the water cycle, with 15 organisations represented.  

A collaborative talk at the National Environmental Monitoring Conference in Edinburgh in December 2025 followed the workshop, with contributions from Karl Shepherdson of the Met Office, Jon Evans of COSMOS-UK at UKCEH, Catherine Sefton of the National River Flow Archive at UKCEH, and Chelsea Bambrick of the National Groundwater Level Archive at the British Geological Survey. 

UKCEH is strengthening environmental monitoring with smarter, joined-up observation of land, freshwater, and air across the UK. Using advanced sensors, AI, and adaptive sampling, we aim to support science, policy, and industry.

We’re working with the community to make environmental data more accessible and useful - helping researchers, policymakers, businesses and practitioners respond to today’s challenges.

Underpinned by our Digital Research Infrastructure and our vision for an Integrated Environmental Monitoring Network, our work will bring together science and technology to better understand the UK environment.

Help Shape the Future of Environmental Monitoring and take our short survey to share your views:

•    What data or tools would be most helpful to you?
•    How can access to environmental data be improved?
•    What do you see as the main benefits of an integrated monitoring network?
•    What are the main challenges you face in relation to environmental data?

The Biological Records Centre (BRC) works in partnership with a wide range of UK recording schemes to help mobilise occurrence records for many different groups of organisms. Alongside this, our team develops tools such as Record Cleaner and occAssess, which support users in checking and exploring biodiversity data. Most of these data are made available through the NBN Atlas and GBIF, ensuring broad access for researchers and practitioners.

As part of our work to support UK research for NC‑UK, we are currently identifying priority areas for improving access to, and use of, species occurrence records. To do this effectively, we want to hear directly from data users about their experiences—whether using these records for research, policy development or planning decisions.

If you would like to take part, please answer the questions below based on the most recent project in which you used UK species occurrence records.

UKCEH had a great week at BES 2025. We hosted an exhibition stand funded by NC-UK where we invited conference attendees to help shape the future of environmental monitoring. These conversations form part of a wider ambition to build a vision for an Integrated Environmental Monitoring Network (IEMN) that supports science, policy and community action, and connects environmental data across the UK..

UKCEH scientists showcased innovations like LepiSense for automated moth monitoring and hosted several workshops, talks and posters.

Highlights from BES included:
•    Demonstrations of LepiSense on the UKCEH exhibition stand by Tom August, Helen Roy and Rob Cooke, showing how AI and low-cost sensors can enhance insect monitoring
•    An insights workshop hosted by Francesca Mancini, exploring perspectives on building a UK Biodiversity Observation Network (UK-BON) that links data across species, habitats and ecosystems
•    An interactive engagement activity capturing views on community monitoring, including a short survey and a live map showing where and what is being monitored across the UK
•    Open discussions with the ecological and monitoring community on developing an IEMN that is collaborative, scalable and aligned with user needs.

At UKCEH, we look after environmental data so it can keep working hard for everyone who needs it. Our science infrastructures and long-term monitoring programmes under National Capability for UK Challenges, and resulting data, tools and models enable researchers across the UK to understand and predict environmental processes and change.

We are committed to managing these datasets for the long term, so they can easily be accessed by all and used to inform environmental research, policy, innovation and conservation efforts around the world.

A Community Conversation about Enhancing Discoverability & Access to Environmental Exposure Data and Methods 

Our most recent National Capability engagement activity in December 2025 highlighted progress towards developing a UK Environmental Exposure hub (EEX), a community resource that brings together pollution data with a wide range of other environmental measures.  

Understanding human and environmental exposure is essential because it forms the foundation for assessing risks to health and ecosystems. To manage risk and protect biodiversity, we need to connect a wide range of information including environmental pressures, habitat and ecosystem data, species population metrics, and human activity and socioeconomic data such as conservation measures and economic drivers. There’s also a need to connect with dynamic and evolving data often with real-time updates. 

This results in data integration challenges including format heterogeneity (spreadsheets, map layers and sensor outputs), varied scales - spatial (local vs global), temporal (daily vs decadal), and taxonomic (species vs ecosystems), the use of different versions, terminologies and standards, inconsistent quality, completeness, metadata, units, documentation, and prohibitive data sharing restrictions. In addition, interoperability issues arise from differing systems and software, and integrating large datasets requires advanced tools and storage.  

Traditionally, each project manages its own data collation and integration activity. This can lead to multiple similar copies of data resulting in out-of-date unsustainable storage and wastes valuable project time. The EEX project is doing this differently by collaborating with the UKCEH Digital Research group and the wider science community to co-create re-usable, useful methods and tools to connect to and analyse data at source, enabling real-time analysis and visualisation, reducing data downloads and providing access to metadata. 

Community Conversations allow us to gather insights. This time we focused on ‘discovery and access’ to exposure data and methods, including sharing three integrative data science methods available on the Environmental Data Science Toolbox. We are in year two of this ambitious project that takes advantage of the latest data science expertise, and will soon share the resulting report from the Community Conversation. Please watch this space! 

Reports from previous Community Conversations include the Spatial Data Explorer and the Data Science Toolbox. 

The UK biodiversity monitoring landscape is fragmented: there are many schemes operating in isolation from one another, creating the potential for redundancy and duplication. There is also a disconnect between data providers, end-users and stakeholders. Although the UK is currently the best-monitored nation on earth, our monitoring networks are the result of haphazard evolution. Many nations that lack the UK's historical advantages have begun designing monitoring systems with integration at the core. Moreover, the emergence of new technologies is allowing other nations to build monitoring networks rapidly and catch up. If the UK does not act swiftly, we risk losing our position as the best monitored nation on earth. 

To address this, we need a more integrated approach to biodiversity monitoring. The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) is a blueprint for integrated monitoring and reporting of biodiversity data across the world and is underpinned by national Biodiversity Observation Networks (BONs). 
We want to create a UK BON, a community of practice to: 
1) bring together users and providers of biodiversity monitoring data, 
2) coordinate biodiversity monitoring to support policy and conservation action and 
3) produce and share knowledge about best practices in biodiversity monitoring.  

If you want to learn more or would like to get involved please get in touch with Francesca Mancini at framan@ceh.ac.uk

A new study of 1960s maps, many of which were created by young people, has provided important fresh evidence of the timing and extent of habitat losses caused by agricultural intensification and urban growth in England and Wales. 

In 2025, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of long-term monitoring in the Cumbrian Lakes, at our 10th annual Cumbrian Lakes Research Forum. This data has yielded evidence that these iconic lakes have been impacted by climate change, changes in nutrient inputs from multiple sources, and non-native species, and have been used in global research collaborations. The Forum brings together stakeholders from multiple sectors (academia, industry, regulation, conservation, charity and voluntary) to share knowledge on the current state of the Cumbrian lakes, and on relevant developments in wider research and practice. This event provides an opportunity to identify shared priorities for research and freshwater management and restoration. 

Soils are one of the planet’s largest carbon stores, playing a vital role in tackling climate change. But not all soils store carbon in the same way. This research looked at nearly 10,000 soil samples from Europe and beyond to understand how carbon is held in soil organic matter across different habitats—from croplands and woodlands to grasslands and even seagrass beds. 

NC-UK discovered a strong link between soils and vegetation, and the way carbon is stored. By identifying a simple indicator—the fraction of carbon in soil organic matter—we can predict how much carbon soils can hold and how stable it is. This matters because carbon locked in soils helps regulated greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. 

Healthy soils don’t just grow food—they store carbon, protect biodiversity, and make landscapes more resilient. Understanding soil carbon is a big step toward smarter land use and stronger climate action. 

The datasets: https://zenodo.org/records/17305831 and https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/documents/29cd5386-bc2e-4d70-a6a5-0d7dc7513dc6  

The blog post: https://ai4soilhealth.eu/providing-a-novel-indicator-to-understand-soils-potential-to-mitigate-climate-change/  

Wild seabirds more likely to split in windy weather
A new study led by Edinburgh Napier University, with UKCEH and BioSS, shows that wild seabirds are more likely to ‘divorce’ and change partners in windier pre-breeding seasons. Analysing 20 years of data on European shags from the Isle of May, researchers found that wind speed had the strongest influence on mate faithfulness, with birds that stayed together tending to breed earlier and more successfully. The findings highlight how climate change could disrupt social behaviours in wildlife.

Seabird breeding success varies across oceans
Separate research involving UKCEH and led by the Farallon Institute reveals that seabird breeding success is declining in the Arctic, Northern European Seas and Northwest Atlantic, but remains more stable in the Pacific and Hawaiian regions. The study, which includes 30 years of UKCEH data on six seabird species, is supported by an interactive tool exploring global seabird-climate dynamics.
 

The sixth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) for the Global Plastics Treaty took place from 5 - 14 August 2025 in Geneva. The goal was a legally binding global agreement to end plastic pollution. With negotiations at a critical stage, UKCEH and NC-UK scientists attended as official observers to ensure science and evidence guide decision-making.

Find out more.

New findings from the UKCEH Countryside Survey reveal the first national-scale evidence of recovering soil organic carbon in British croplands, reversing decades of decline. After losing around 11% of topsoil carbon between 1978 and 2007, cropland soils have shown significant recovery from 2007 to 2020.

This turnaround is linked to shifts in land management practices, such as reduced tillage and straw removal, and marks a hopeful step toward restoring soil health and resilience at scale 2.

Read more via the British Society of Soil Science or access the full study in the European Journal of Soil Science.

Auchencorth Moss hosted two large international site visits.  A Finnish delegation of 28 peatland and forestry experts, spanning interests from peatland restoration, greenhouse gases, policy and ecology, and a second visit of 38 Hydrogen specialists from across Europe – co-hosted with Edinburgh University.  

The visits allowed us to showcase our long-term monitoring and the international impact of the research at the site.  It also gave PhD students the opportunity to present their field work which has resulted in us setting up instruments to measure hydrogen flux at Auchencorth Moss in 2026. 

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology supported by NC-UK has just launched a comprehensive Ladybird Traits Database, offering an exciting new resource for researchers, conservationists, and citizen scientists across the UK.
Thanks to this publication, detailed trait data for all known UK species is available in one place covering aspects such as diet, habitat, lifecycle, colour patterns, and ecological roles.

The database supports efforts to improve understanding on species distributions, monitor biodiversity changes, and assess the impacts of climate change and invasive species. It also helps inform conservation strategies and policy decisions by providing accessible, structured data for over 40 native and non-native species.

Dr Helen Roy, a leading entomologist at UKCEH, said:
"Ladybirds are not just beautiful beetles—like all insects they provide essential ecosystem functions including controlling pest insects. This database brings together decades of research and recording effort to help us track how these species are responding to environmental pressures."

The Ladybird Traits Database is part of UKCEH’s broader commitment to open science and biodiversity monitoring. It complements existing resources like the UK Ladybird Survey and supports data sharing through platforms like the NBN Atlas and iRecord.

Researchers, educators, and wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the database and contribute to ongoing monitoring efforts.

UKCEH has been working to integrate the Thames Initiative into a major European research infrastructure since 2016. This long‑term effort has now developed into the DANUBIUS European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) — an ambitious programme designed to bring together world‑leading river, estuarine, and coastal research across Europe.

DANUBIUS ERIC connects research platforms located along major European river systems, including the upper, middle and lower Danube, the Rhine, Ebro, Po and the Venice Lagoon, and the River Forth in Scotland (as part of DANUBIUS‑IP). Together, these sites form an integrated network for scientists to study the pressures, processes, and management of river–sea systems at a continental scale.

UKCEH’s contribution to this international collaboration is delivered through the Thames Initiative and FDRI. These platforms will collectively form the Thames Supersite within DANUBIUS ERIC, creating new opportunities for shared learning, innovation, and scientific exchange. As part of the Supersite, UKCEH will:

• Share data, facilities, and expertise with partners across Europe
• Host visiting international researchers who wish to conduct studies using the Thames monitoring platforms
• Contribute long‑term environmental data that supports cross‑European comparisons
• Apply Thames‑based models and knowledge to other major European catchments

This collaboration brings a significant new dimension to NC‑UK and UKCEH research, allowing UK scientists to work more closely with European partners while opening up the potential for larger, more impactful international projects. By linking the Thames to major river–sea systems across Europe, UKCEH is helping to build a deeper understanding of freshwater and estuarine environments and supporting the development of sustainable solutions to environmental challenges that are shared across borders. 

With the world’s oceans under increasing pressure from climate change and other human impacts, understanding ecosystem resilience is vital. Seabirds are excellent indicators of marine ecosystem health. Protecting the diverse food webs that support seabirds is critical for preserving marine biodiversity and society that depends on healthy marine ecosystems for food, inspiration, and cultural well-being. However, many seabird populations have shown declines in recent decades in association with warming sea temperatures. UKCEH’s long term study of seabirds on the Isle of May, supported by NERC National Capability funding, contributed to a meta-analysis of climate change impacts on seabird breeding success across the Northern Hemisphere, published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment. The team analysed 138 long-term datasets spanning over five decades across seven marine ecosystems. The study revealed chronic declines in productivity in the region where the Isle of May is located (Northern European Seas), as well as in the Arctic and Northwest Atlantic. In contrast, populations in the Northeast Pacific, Northwest Pacific and Hawaiian regions were more stable. Regions with more diverse prey in the diet were buffered from ocean warming, reflecting a “portfolio effect” that promotes higher productivity under changing conditions. However, species in other regions including Northern European Seas had lower diet diversity and are potentially less resilient to environmental change. These findings emphasise the importance of ecosystem processes and structure in determining the vulnerability of marine predators to climate change. The paper shows the power of large-scale data sharing and is complemented by an interactive web platform allowing users to explore the patterns in seabird productivity.

The study is part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science Global Integration of Seabird Time Series project (https://oceandecade.org/actions/global-integration-of-seabird-time-series/). 

UKCEH aims to co-produce, with the nature recovery practice community, a free to use data and knowledge hub.  The platform will meet the needs and requirements of different stakeholders through activities such as digitising and mapping restoration and rewilding activities and providing data on what is being monitored; species, habitats of interest, extent, wellbeing etc. 

The latest UKCEH Land Cover Map now includes easy-to-access statistics showing how habitats vary across UK counties and nations. Using high-resolution satellite data, the map reveals the distribution of broad habitats—from woodland to urban areas—down to 10-metre detail.

For the first time, users can view land cover statistics without specialist software, making insights more accessible for policymakers, NGOs, water companies and land managers. The data is available in hectares and percentages, and can be explored interactively via our new spatial explorer tool.

Maps and data are free for academic and non-commercial use via the Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC).

The development of the new dataset and the spatial explorer tool was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council through the National Capability for UK challenges (NC-UK) programme. 
 

The Bloomin' Algae app allows anyone with a smartphone to report suspected blue-green algal blooms across the UK, helping to speed up public health warnings about harmful algal blooms and can help teach you how to recognise the risks to you, children and animals. UKCEH freshwater ecologist Dr Linda May spoke to the Countryside Jobs Service about blue-green algal blooms to help raise awareness of the dangers and spread the word about the app. 

Download Bloomin’ Algae today and be part of the effort to keep your community safe!

The recently published 2024 annual report marks the tenth year of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS), which since its first full season in 2015 has grown to cover over 5,000 plots surveyed by more than 1,000 volunteers, yielding upwards of 250,000 botanical records that feed into the UK Biodiversity Indicators. 

This UK-wide citizen science scheme aims to survey plant species across different habitats in the UK. The data collected from the survey allow us to look at the abundance and diversity of plants and help us to understand the health of different habitats. The survey was designed and developed by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, UKCEH, Plantlife and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

UKCEH’s contribution to the National Plant Monitoring Scheme is funded by the National Capability for UK Challenges (NC-UK) programme.