The Political Ecology, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (PEBES) group provides a collaborative focus for the Geography Department’s work on environmental conservation, the social (re)production of nature and resource management. It builds on two traditions in the Department: one in critical political ecology and the other a more biodiversity and policy-oriented focus on natural capital and ecosystem services mapping, monitoring and modelling.
Our interests lie within and at the interface of these and in developing a more critical approach to ecosystem services and associated concepts. New areas are bound to develop, but our research is anticipated to focus on the following key themes:
- Different approaches to biodiversity conservation (e.g. ecosystem services; nature-based solutions)
- Relationship between the governance and management of environmental resources and development
- Political Ecology and the financialisaton of nature and natural capital
Activities

Are protected areas the future of conservation?
This event takes place as part of the ESRC social science festival and will highlight different issues that are too often ignored in discourse on biodiversity conservation. At the same time it will serve to present on-going research conducted by the recently established Political Ecology, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (PEBES) research group.

Site Assessment of Governance and Equity
Site-level assessment of governance and equity (SAGE) is a tool that enables better & fairer governance of conservation areas through allowing stakeholders to assess the social impacts, governance and equity of their conservation projects.
Activities

Are protected areas the future of conservation?
This event takes place as part of the ESRC social science festival and will highlight different issues that are too often ignored in discourse on biodiversity conservation. At the same time it will serve to present on-going research conducted by the recently established Political Ecology, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (PEBES) research group.

Site Assessment of Governance and Equity
Site-level assessment of governance and equity (SAGE) is a tool that enables better & fairer governance of conservation areas through allowing stakeholders to assess the social impacts, governance and equity of their conservation projects.
Our Partners
Read about site-level assessment of governance and equity (SAGE) from our partner, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).