At ARU, research is helping to advance SDG 14 through projects in our Applied Ecology Research Group and Global Sustainability Institute.
Researchers cover a variety of topics, including marine pollution, freshwater security, coastal and aquatic ecosystems, climate resilience and environmental conservation. Our partnership working approach means that we have collaborated directly with policy makers and practitioners to monitor the health of aquatic systems, put in place good stewardship practices, and raise public understanding of the importance of aquatic stewardship.
Reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats facing aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Single-use plastics account for 50-70% of the plastic litter in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Microplastics (pieces under 5mm in size) are the most abundant solid waste on Earth.
Pioneering research led by Professor Dannielle Green and Dr Bas Boots at our Applied Ecology Research Group has demonstrated how microplastics affect entire ecological communities and ecosystem functioning, rather than individual species alone. Using marine mesocosm experiments containing flowing seawater and intact sediment communities, the team showed that microplastics change the way nutrients are cycled and change the species composition of marine ecosystems. The research has had significant policy impact; it has informed UK and international policy on plastics, contributed evidence to the United Nations Environment Programme's work on marine litter, informed discussions leading to the Global Plastics Treaty, which is now supported by over 170 countries.
Research on the combined risks of droughts and floods in transboundary watersheds
Water security is one of the defining environmental challenges of the 21st century. Through the Connect4 Water Resilience project, which ran from 2018 to 2022, ARU researchers collaborated with a number of academic organisations as well as civil society partners in four southern African countries to examine the connections between water resources, governance and community resilience across the Limpopo Basin. The project investigated how communities respond to environmental change, water scarcity and climate pressures while maintaining secure access to water resources. By improving understanding of the links between social systems and aquatic environments, the research helps inform strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems while strengthening resilience among vulnerable populations. The project fed into a number of policy initiatives, including the newly-formed Groundwater Committee of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) and provided input into Red Cross Drought forecast-based financing and early action Guidance Notes.
Building awareness of water systems resilience in the UK, India and Brazil
Research led by Dr Maryam Astaraie-Imami has addressed the growing risks to urban water systems posed by flooding, urbanisation and climate change. Using engineering and systems approaches, the team has been able have been able to develop evaluation, assessment and interactive tools that can be used by relevant end users. They have also engaged with wider practitioner communities in the UK, Brazil and India. The research has created an evidence base to support the business case for improved resilience of interdependent critical infrastructure to climate change, and delivery of continuing professional development training for resilience-informed interventions for water systems management.
Understanding how climate-driven ecological change is reshaping Arctic freshwater systems
Climate change is transforming aquatic ecosystems across the Arctic, creating new environmental challenges for biodiversity and local communities. ARU researchers are investigating these impacts through work on the rapid northward expansion of beavers into Arctic regions. Recent research found that beavers have spread into tundra environments that were previously too cold to support them, creating thousands of new ponds and altering freshwater habitats across large areas. These changes affect water storage, stream flows, wetland ecosystems and the availability of aquatic habitats for other species. The team’s findings show how beavers act as ecosystem engineers, dramatically reshaping freshwater systems, creating both opportunities and challenges for biodiversity, water quality and carbon cycling.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.