The environmental change, adaptation and resilience challenge area seeks to reduce the vulnerability of social human infrastructure and biological systems to relatively sudden change. This requires us to understand our natural environment, anthropogenic interaction with the subsurface and environmental response, and to model associated change. To do this we will continue to research our groundwater, sea floor, coasts, soils and landscapes, and urban infrastructural interactions with the subsurface.
It is likely that climate change will continue to be a major societal problem and its effects will last many years, and adaptation will be necessary. Adaptation is especially important in developing countries since they are likely to bear the brunt of the effects of global warming. This challenge area aims to help with societal needs and protect our environment; our research is underpinned by excellent laboratories and science capabilities for the delivery of evidence-based science.
Our research
![Seafloor drilling rig](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/feature_Marine_drilling.jpg)
Sea floor: scientific ocean drilling
Since 2003, BGS have implemented several high profile expeditions for the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD).
![BGS White Ribbon boat on the Firth of Forth](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/feature_Marine.jpg)
Sea floor: marine geoscience
The marine geoscientists at BGS provide independent and expert geological advice, research and data acquisition to anyone working in the marine environment.
![Cityscape by Burst/Pexels](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/feature_urban_pexels_373893.jpg)
Urban geoscience
The BGS urban geoscience research group provides solutions for urban land-use planning and sustainable development.
![feature_artesian_groundwater_arran_scotland_OR-15-028](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/feature_artesian_groundwater_arran_scotland_OR-15-028.jpg)
Groundwater research
Our research addresses issues related to the sustainability of water resources and quality, impacts of environmental change on the water cycle, natural hazards, and human health.
![P209518_feature](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/P209518_feature.jpg)
Soils and landscapes
Increasing human populations, changing climates and the intensification in the use of our soils means that we are in danger of losing or causing irreversible damage to a resource that takes thousands of years to produce.
![Pollution_aspect_lake_feature](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pollution_aspect_lake_feature.jpg)
Geochemistry and health
We are working with Kenyan researchers to improve our understanding of the links between environment and health, strengthening our combined research.
![groundwater flowpaths](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_flowpaths.jpg)
Environmental modelling
Advancing the understanding of environmental systems through innovative modelling techniques and interdisciplinary research.
Our facilities
![stable isotope facility](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_stable_isotope_1.jpg)
Stable Isotope Facility
We are the largest UK producer of stable isotope data, particularly specialising in climate, environmental and archaeological studies
![Inorganic science facility](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/feature_IGF.jpg)
Inorganic Geochemistry Facility
The Inorganic Geochemistry Facility provides high-quality analytical expertise and specialist services for the production and geochemical interpretation of inorganic data.
![Organic geochemistry facility](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_Organic_geochemistry.jpg)
Organic Geochemistry Facility
We specialise in organic geochemical measurements at the bulk and molecular level in complex matrices, like rock, sediment, soil and water.
![Soil physics facility](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/feature_soil_facilities.jpg)
Soil Physics Facility
Our facility provides a range of soil physical measurement services as well as complementary analyses to describe the degree to which soil organic matter is decomposed.
![feature_aquifer_properties](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_aquifer_properties.jpg)
Aquifer Properties Facility
We undertake specialised core characterisation on drillcore and rock chippings from borehole samples for a wide range of hydrogeological purposes.
![feature_dissolved_gases](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_dissolved_gases.jpg)
Dissolved Gases and Tracers Facility
We are the UK’s leading organisation for groundwater dating and tracing, using a wide range of environmental agents, equipment and capabilities.
Our core challenge areas
Related news
![Scottish river in low flow. © Paul Glendell](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/scottish-river-in-low-flow.webp)
Warnings for Scottish farmers and distillers as new data indicates climate change may double number of droughts
23/07/2024
The agricultural and distilling sectors could face significant challenges after research finds the number of droughts in Scotland may double in the next 25 years.
![Coastal Erosion at Skipsea on the East Yorkshire Coast. © Matthew J Thomas / iStockphoto](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iStock-1299945115_Holderness_Coast.jpg)
Spotlight on BGS coastal erosion data
18/07/2024
BGS GeoCoast data can support researchers and practitioners facing coastal erosion adaptation challenges along our coastline.
![Pale cliffs above a flat grassy area with ivy and trees growing across some of them. There are several, large and small caves in the cliffs.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/geograph-6702517-by-Sandy-Gerrard.jpg)
Creswell Crags Museum collections offer insight into the past and future of wolves
12/07/2024
Bones found at the site are helping scientists to understand the diet of wolves and how they differ over time.
![A screenshot of the Philippine National Hydrological Model](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PNHM_feature_image.png)
Philippine National Hydrological Model
The first national-scale hydrological model of the Philippines.
![3_BGS_JEZ_EVEREST](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/3-960x497.jpg)
Glacial, periglacial and permafrost modelling
Glacier ice and permafrost have important implications for global water security and energy infrastructure
![BGWM_image](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BGWM_image-1.png)
British Groundwater Model
A unique tool for simulating groundwater resources at the national scale.
![groundwater flowpaths](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/feature_flowpaths.jpg)
Environmental modelling
Advancing the understanding of environmental systems through innovative modelling techniques and interdisciplinary research.
![Professor Jonathan Chambers. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/jonathon-chambers.webp)
New BGS Chief Scientist for multi-hazards and resilience announced
09/05/2024
Prof Jonathan Chambers has been appointed as the new BGS Chief Scientist for multi-hazards and resilience, effective from 1 June 2024.
![St Andrew's House, Edinburgh, Scotland. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/st-andrews-house-edinburgh-p1038355.webp)
BGS scientist announced as Scottish Government policy fellow
06/02/2024
BGS geohazard scientist Roxana Ciurean has been named amongst new policy fellows for the Scottish Government.
![The Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation contributes to the chemistry of overlying soils in Culver Down on the Isle of Wight. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/culver-down-p683813.webp)
How BGS is helping the farming sector of Great Britain
17/01/2024
New legislation concerning soil management and technology in modern farming has led to an increase in enquiries about BGS’s Soil Parent Material Model.
![Thousand-Island Lake in the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. The lake provides the public water supply for Taiwan’s capital city Taipei. © John Bloomfield](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/thousand-island-lake-Taiwan-feature.webp)
Groundwater in Taiwan under a changing environment
15/12/2023
BGS’s groundwater team is part of a project to develop the first groundwater forecasts for Taiwan.
![The team on the boat in the shallow waters surrounding Ascension Island. BGS © UKRI.](https://www.bgs.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/drone-boat-aig.webp)
BGS completes first mapping expedition to Ascension Island
11/12/2023
BGS marine geoscientists travelled to Ascension Island to support its government with an ongoing, conservation-driven mapping programme.