Part of Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the new centre brings together the scientists and facilities of the former Institute of Freshwater Ecology’s Laboratory at East Stoke, and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology’s Furzebrook Research Station. Staff will benefit from new specialist office, laboratory, glasshouse and computing facilities.
Research being carried out at the new centre includes studies into declining salmon populations, the conservation of birds of prey, and the impact of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Due to concern for decreasing numbers of salmon in the River Frome, CEH conservationists are researching ways in which to improve the management of the river habitat to allow greater survival of young salmon.
Restrictions on food production in UK uplands due to contamination from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster will have to remain in place for longer than originally anticipated, due to the discovery by CEH scientists that radioactivity is falling more slowly than expected.