Ennia Bosshard

I am a PhD researcher focusing on the socio-ecological aspects of forest landscape restoration. My doctoral research is centred around nature-based solutions, exploring the trade-offs involved in forest conservation and agroforestry in tropical smallholder farming landscapes, particularly in the context of biodiversity conservation, food production, and climate change mitigation. To address these intertwined challenges, I combine meta-analytical approaches, ecological field studies and social science methods. Using plant-pollinator interactions as a case study, I investigate how proximity to natural habitats and on-farm tree diversity affect pollinator communities, food production, livelihoods, and carbon storage in a smallholder farming landscape in Western Kenya. Further, my research aims to better understand the decision-making processes of smallholders in diversifying trees and shrubs on their farms.

Beyond my work in tropical forest landscapes, I am also passionate about the restoration of temperate rainforests—some of the UK’s most rare and valuable habitats. As Research Co-Director at the Thousand Year Trust in Cornwall, I am facilitating ground-breaking research to protect, restore, and expand temperate rainforest landscapes. Our work focuses on enhancing biodiversity, combating climate change, and improving human well-being through a combination of innovative research, practical conservation strategies, and impactful science outreach.