Natural England's policies, practices and advice are based on sound science. Our scientific research supports our key delivery programmes on designated sites, biodiversity in the wider countryside, and our people and policy agenda. Science underpins our contribution to the Government's PSA (Public Service Agreement) targets on SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) condition and the recovery of farmland birds.

The natural environment is complex. Our approach is to try to understand ecological processes so we can conserve our native wildlife, enhance biodiversity and anticipate future opportunities, threats and changes. Clearly we cannot study everything at once so we set priorities according to national and international legislative commitments and our assessment of the relative importance of factors that impact on our wildlife and wild places.

We are both a user and commissioner of scientific research. Our partners in this work include other government agencies, voluntary conservation organisations, research institutions and universities. For example: Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB, County Wildlife Trusts and the Marine Biological Association.

The breadth of our research encompasses everything from the impact of a new superstore on an important grassland site, to predicting the long-term consequences of global climate change on wildlife.

Our Strategic Science is designed to provide a better understanding of the factors that drive ecological change. This is complemented by Tactical Science projects focusing on the impact of a range of human activities on the distribution and abundance on wildlife and natural features. Finally the priorities of our Operational Science programme are driven largely by local circumstances such as casework.