Biodiversity

We're improving biodiversity on each University campus, and beyond, and you can get involved.

Biodiversity means the variety of life on earth including different species of plants, fungi, animals, bacteria, the differences within species and different ecosystems such as marine, freshwater, grassland and forest.

We want our campus greenspaces to be biodiverse not only for the species that call them home but for the benefit of humans too.

Biodiverse green spaces are great for our health & wellbeing, and also help us adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The University will protect existing biodiversity on campuses and enhance opportunities for biodiversity by taking a holistic approach that prioritises our interactions with wider communities of organisms, including humans, and dynamic landscapes.

University of Edinburgh vision for biodiversity

What can you do?

Projects that contribute to the University's vision for biodiversity include focused work on mapping species, such as hedgehogs, and wider initiatives looking at geodiversity and conservation, and biophilia and placemaking.

Hedgehog friendly campus

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme has been running at the University since 2019. The project has provided a platform for staff and students to drive all sorts of biodiversity benefits.

Nature-friendly food growing on campus

Kings Buildings Permaculture Garden - planting spinach seeds

The University of Edinburgh has several food growing projects led by staff and students, including the Kings Buildings Permaculture Garden student society.

Fauna campus mapping: bioblitz

Bioblitz Birch Shieldbug at King's Buildings campus

Each spring, staff and students are invited to help map fauna on campus, including insects, birds and mammals. You can contribute data at any time with the iNaturalist app.