Newcastle University

Postgraduate Student Profile

Caroline Rhymer

Tel: 0191 222 5952
Email: c.m.rhymer@ncl.ac.uk
Address:
School of Biology
Ridley Building 2
Newcastle University
Claremont Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU

Research Interests

I am a graduate of Newcastle University (BSc Hons Zoology). Previously, I have been involved with the analysis of home range interactions within a reintroduced population of Red Kites and the modelling of spatial and temporal trends in RAF bird strikes. Through my current research, I have developed an interest in population ecology and how climate change will alter the demographic processes that influence changing populations. I am particularly interested in the development of multi-functional farmland landscapes, which could potentially help to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change (e.g. flood control) and pollution as well as provide suitable habitats for biodiversity.

Project

The Effects of Climate Change on Bird Demographics.

My project, funded by NERC (CASE with the British Trust for Ornithology), aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of how climate change is likely to affect population dynamics of ground-probing bird species. In particular, the effect of varying soil moisture on the reproductive success of the starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

The project has a number of objectives:

(i) To quantify the relationship between soil moisture and reproductive performance in the starling. Statistical models will be used to determine the main drivers of reproductive performance by providing a quantitative description of the relationships between a range of aspects of reproductive performance and soil moisture variables.

(ii) To quantify the pattern between soil moisture and reproductive success at a national scale for starling and song thrush. This analysis will incorporate a geographical component, to enable the identification of sensitive regions in terms of variation in reproductive performance.

(iii) To conduct detailed experiments of varying soil moisture and foraging.

The findings of these experiments, main drivers of reproductive performance/success identified by models, and known demographic data will be used to describe population dynamics. The output of these models will then provide a framework for projecting future populations and determining the effects of management decisions on future population dynamics.

Publications

Rhymer, C.M., Robinson, R.A., Smart, J., Whittingham, M.J. (in press) Can ecosystem services be integrated with conservation? A case study of breeding waders on grassland.