Developing next generation leaders in environmental science
Weather patterns are changing across the globe, and these changes may affect populations of animals. For coastal seabirds, it seems likely that associated changes in precipitation levels and wind characteristics could impact their ability to find and locate prey, and therefore feed themselves and chicks. For example, variations in precipitation change levels of freshwater input, […]
The Benguela upwelling system supports fisheries that are key marine resources of the developing nations of South Africa and Namibia. Benguela fisheries yield has experienced large fluctuations over the last few decades as a result of fishing and ocean dynamics. In particular, recent results from satellite data and ocean models suggest that the vigorous eddy […]
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMR) amongst pathogenic microorganisms is one of the greatest health issues of this century. Over-use of antibiotics in treating humans and livestock are both well established as sources of AMR but a third source of AMR comes from the natural environment. In particular, it has been found […]
Tropical reef-building corals are vulnerable to breakage by waves and some corals also asexually reproduce via fragmentation. Early descriptions of coral reefs noted the ability of these coral fragments to form expansive rubble beds, but their functional role as a habitat within the broader reef-scape has been largely ignored. We know very little about the […]
Successful invasive species often escape top-down pressure in the early stages of invasion. However, emerging evidence suggests that over time local animal consumers can adapt to control and moderate non-natives by incorporating invading species into their diets. These adaptations by local consumers are likely to be mediated by mutualistic intestinal microbes. Seagrasses of the Zostera […]
PhD: Altered states: Will forest-agriculture mosaic landscapes allow the long-term survival of a forest-specialist primate? Location: Bangor University Email Harry Skinner Twitter For my undergraduate degree, I studied Zoology with Conservation at Bangor University. Through my dissertation I had the opportunity to research in Madagascar for 2 months. During this time, I became fascinated in […]
Climate change, urbanisation and exploitation of natural resources increasingly alter the environment, posing significant challenges for plants and animals. We have a poor understanding of how organisms will adapt to such rapid and widespread disruption, particularly in terms of their evolutionary responses. For species to adapt to such fast paced change, they will either need […]
Animals face many challenges as increased urbanization impacts their ability to survive and reproduce. Nowhere is this more evident than in migratory birds. Throughout Europe evidence indicates that populations of migratory birds are declining. Many anthropogenic influences are implicated, such as land use and climate change. However, recently, a new and surprising potential hazard to […]