I am interested in the effects of land use on biodiversity, with my research focusing on the responses of biodiversity, and the complex ecological processes underlying them, to land management interventions and land use change at different spatial scales, and across taxonomic groups. In my current work I am using national butterfly recording scheme data and land use data to explore the value of trees and hedgerows for promoting biodiversity in farm landscapes.
Past projects have included long-term studies on the effects of arable field margin management on wildlife, landscape-scale studies of the impacts of agricultural and woodland management on butterflies and moths, and multi-site projects investigating effects of organic farming and set-aside on biodiversity. I was also involved with developing protocols for the ecological monitoring of the Scottish beaver trial release, have worked on the ecology and conservation of rare freshwater invertebrates, and have led a review of threats to the welfare of wild UK vertebrates.
I am also interested in issues relating to sport hunting, land use and wildlife conservation. In recent work we have used spatial analysis and risk assessment to identify and prioritise where land use alternatives to trophy hunting could be most effective in protecting lions.
