QUARTILES research spans five broad and inter-connected themes. We have identified target areas of research from across both the NERC Science remit and the BBSRC Science remit. All projects will fall into at least one of these themes, and many will intersect several themes.
1. Biotechnology for Environmental Innovation
Biotechnology for Environmental Innovation: Development and deployment of bio-based tools and processes for clean growth, pollution control and resource recovery.
Remit links: BBSRC – Renewable resources & clean growth; NERC – Responsible innovation
Keywords:
- synthetic & engineering biology
- bioremediation
- bioenergy & biofuels
- waste valorisation
- environmental microbiomes
- metagenomics & bioinformatics
- bioaugmentation and biological control
- biogeochemistry
2. Ecosystem Services, Conservation and Restoration
Ecosystem Services, Conservation and Restoration: Understanding and managing biodiversity and habitats to sustain ecosystem functions and support human well-being.
Remit links: NERC – Green growth; Environmental security; BBSRC – Integrated understanding of health (via biodiversity–disease links);
Keywords:
- habitat management, restoration and creation
- species conservation
- measuring ecosystem services
- pollination & food webs
- invasive species control
- biodiversity monitoring
- metagenomics & bioinformatics
- nature-based solutions
- palaeoenvironment-informed baselines
- human-environment relations
- wildlife disease ecology
- host–parasite interactions
- physiological adaptation in wild animals
- climate-sensitive species
3. Sustainable and Resilient Food-Systems
Sustainable and Resilient Food-Systems: Bringing together soil, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and socio-ecological research to enhance productivity, stability and circularity across terrestrial and aquatic food systems.
Remit links: BBSRC – Sustainable agricultural systems; NERC – Green growth; Environmental security
Keywords:
- sustainable food systems (agriculture and aquaculture)
- soil health, nutrient cycling & microbiome dynamics
- system resilience
- food security
- circular bioeconomy
- zoonotic & plant pathogens
- antimicrobial resistance
- invasive species
- learning from the past that includes perspectives on: wildlife/ population/ physiological responses to climate change
4. Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Carbon Cycling
Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Carbon Cycling: Mechanisms, modelling and interventions for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and enhancing system resilience. This applies to terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Remit links: NERC – Tackle climate change; Green growth; BBSRC – Sustainable food systems and carbon sequestration
Keywords:
- carbon sequestration
- greenhouse-gas fluxes
- climate modelling
- land-use change
- adaptation strategies
- blue carbon
- coastal erosion or flood risk management
- energy transition: nature-based solutions
- past climate change
5. Environmental Informatics and Earth Observation
Environmental Informatics and Earth Observation: Data analytics, advanced sensing and modelling to monitor and improve understanding of, past, present and future environments for furthering effective management under climate change.
Remit links: NERC – Increase predictive power; Responsible innovation; BBSRC – Precision agriculture & smart technologies
Keywords:
- remote sensing & GIS
- environmental big data
- AI & machine learning
- sensor networks
- near-real-time monitoring
- decision-support tools
- genomic surveillance
- ecological genomics
- wildlife health monitoring
- integrative omics
