Our work on Goal 15: Life on Land
Learn about our recent progress and updates on how we're contributing to SDG 15: Life on Land.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states. It provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Find out more about our work across all the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Research
Beavers and tree regeneration
In 2024, the University of Stirling published a research study that offers new insights into how Eurasian beavers interact with their environment in Scotland. The study was conducted in collaboration with NatureScot and the James Hutton Institute. It focused on the ecological impact of beavers in woodlands, particularly their influence on tree regeneration and interactions with other herbivores like deer.
The research involved examining nearly 800 trees in areas inhabited by beavers in eastern Scotland. It found that approximately two-thirds of the trees felled by beavers regenerated with new shoots that were more abundant, lower to the ground, and more nutritious than those on standing trees. This regrowth mimics traditional coppicing techniques and contributes to a more diverse woodland structure, which is beneficial for biodiversity. Such habitat heterogeneity is a key component of SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
The findings have practical implications for conservation and land management in Scotland. They support the goals of Scotland’s Beaver Strategy 2022–2045 and provide evidence to inform woodland creation policies and herbivore impact monitoring. By demonstrating how beavers can act as ecosystem engineers, the study underscores their role in enhancing biodiversity and restoring degraded habitats.
Conservation of endangered monkeys
In 2024 University of Stirling researchers in collaboration with experts published the Cercocebus and Mandrillus Conservation Action Plan 2024–2028 which outlines urgent steps to protect some of Africa’s most threatened monkeys, including drills and mandrills. These species face extinction due to hunting and habitat destruction driven by road expansion, agriculture, and resource extraction. It aims to support local communities, restore habitats, and improve species protection across their range. This work directly supports SDG 15, which focuses on halting biodiversity loss and protecting life on land.
Restoring ecosystems to stop the threat of infectious diseases
A major new research project led by the University of Stirling is set to deepen our understanding of how environmental restoration can benefit both ecosystems and human health. Announced in April 2024, the initiative - called RESTOREID (Restoring Ecosystems to Stop the Threat of (Re-) Emerging Infectious Diseases) - is funded by Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship programme for research and innovation.
RESTOREID will explore how restoring degraded environments can reduce the risk of infectious diseases while enhancing biodiversity. The project brings together scientists, local communities, and policymakers to develop practical tools and guidelines that ensure restoration efforts are ecologically sound and socially inclusive. By focusing on how restoration can sometimes unintentionally increase disease risks - such as through the proliferation of ticks or rats- the team aims to create strategies that avoid these pitfalls and promote healthier landscapes.
Learning and teaching
Environmental courses at Stirling
The University of Stirling delivered a range of environment-focused courses throughout 2024; all designed to inspire and equip learners with the tools to address pressing ecological challenges. These programmes - covering topics such as biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable land use - are now open for future applications. These courses are suitable for professionals seeking to enhance expertise or those passionate about protecting the planet with Stirling offering a dynamic learning environment rooted in real-world impact.
Through its environmental education offerings, the University of Stirling actively contributes to SDG 15. These courses empower individuals to engage with critical issues such as deforestation, habitat loss, and ecosystem degradation. By fostering knowledge and practical skills in conservation and sustainable land management, Stirling is helping to build a global community of changemakers dedicated to protecting and restoring the Earth’s natural landscapes.
- BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education
- LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice
- MSc Environmental Management
- MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences
- MSc Global Environmental Sustainability
Student dissertations driving environmental insights
The University of Stirling’s campus provides a rich natural setting for students in Biological and Environmental Sciences to conduct impactful research. Over recent years, 36 undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations explored topics such as invertebrate biodiversity, camera trap monitoring, carbon stock assessments, and ecological connectivity. These studies enhanced understanding of the campus’s ecosystems and informed biodiversity and land management strategies.
Environmental Management students are also offered to complete applied dissertations, often in collaboration with external organisations. Past projects examined issues like nature-friendly farming practices with the Scottish Farming and Wildlife Advisors' Group, the ecological effects of tree planting with The Conservation Volunteers, and invasive species in the Celtic rainforest with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
In 2024, the University invited organisations to host final-year students from environmental programmes for work-based dissertation projects. This provided students with valuable real-world experience while helping partners address environmental challenges. Outcomes included tools like a carbon calculator for offshore wind planning, research on public engagement with conservation groups, and climate modelling to assess land suitability for native woodlands. This initiative is continuing in 2025 and organisations can submit expressions of interest here.
University operations
Climate adaptation and biodiversity
A key theme of the University’s Sustainability Plan 2022-28, Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity will ensure that the University takes all necessary steps to mitigate or avoid the impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the University estate and surrounding areas, to safeguard business continuity, and to enhance the University’s unique estate to further biodiversity. Projects to help facilitate this include creating habitats to promote species-rich areas on campus, such as wildflower meadows, improving the age and canopy structure of woodland which contain thousands of ancient trees, and developing the biodiversity of the University estate through protection and restoration of habitat and the control on non-native invasive species.
In 2024, the University of Stirling campus has been actively engaged in numerous biodiversity-boosting projects and initiatives. Key activities include the creation of a new wildflower meadow, extensive tree planting as part of the wider Forth Climate Forest initiative, and the annual Bioblitz event as part of Green Week 2024. integration of biodiversity estates and grounds maintenance.
The University also awarded funds in 2025 to enhance wellbeing and foster a connection with nature on campus (for both students and staff) by building bird nest boxes. The future deployment and use of the bird boxes will help protect the birds on campus, specifically passerine birds and tawny owls. the bird boxes will be used to monitor the bird population on campus by students.
Civic engagement
Forth Climate Forest
In 2024, the University of Stirling, through the Forth Climate Forest initiative, made significant strides in enhancing biodiversity and engaging communities across the Forth Valley. Over 11,000 trees were planted in Clackmannanshire towns, contributing to improved air quality, flood mitigation, and wildlife habitats. The initiative collaborated with six community groups and supported 392 volunteer planting days, including 167 involving schoolchildren.
In partnership with Forth Environment Link, the University also worked with five secondary schools to establish “Wee Forests” and green active travel routes, embedding environmental action within local education and civic life. These efforts reflect Stirling’s commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss through inclusive, place-based approaches.
Service on Environmental Standards Scotland Board
Professor Annalisa Savaresi is an expert in environmental and climate change law, with 20 years’ experience working with international and nongovernmental organisations and during 2024 served on the board of Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS). It was recently announced that this appointment would continue from 2025 to 2028. Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) contributes to SDG 15 primarily through its scrutiny of environmental law and policy, which includes biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
Working with the community at Garmorn Dam
In 2024, University of Stirling installed a data buoy at Gartmorn Dam to monitor water quality and biodiversity. This is part of the Forth Environmental Resilience Array (Forth-ERA), a digital observatory covering the Firth of Forth’s water catchment. The buoy will collect real-time environmental data to support research and inform sustainable management.
The project contributes to SDG 15 by tracking bird, bat, and mammal activity using eco-acoustic sensors, bat detectors, and wildlife cameras. These tools help protect local ecosystems and improve understanding of species around the dam.
Community groups are actively involved, alongside Clackmannanshire Council, NatureScot, and Scottish Water. They helped identify key environmental variables and will benefit from open access to the data. The initiative also supports green skills development and sustainable business opportunities in the region.
Work in Gartmorn Dam also involves the citizen Science biodiversity project which aims to create a regeneration catalyst for Gartmorn Dam that engages the community around the site and further afield within education and local economy. Stakeholder groups collaborated with Young Pathfinders spending time at Gartmorn Dam, learning about the environment and what is done to protect it, in partnership with NatureScot, Clackmannanshire Council and local community groups. The project achieved a strong and active steering group and were granted an award to create a new masterplan for the economic regeneration of Gartmorn Dam.