Wildlife management
Wildlife management
Our wildlife management research investigates the consequences of human actions on wildlife and their habitats.
Our research includes wildlife disease ecology, population modelling, conflict management and the ecology and management of invasive non-native species.
Our interests span novel research, the production of evidence to support actions, and its use in policy at a national and international level.
Costs and feasibility of managing invasive alien species
We're engaged in a suite of activities to generate evidence and processes to support the evidence based prioritisation and management of alien invasive species.
These include method development, meta-analysis of published materials, expert elicitation and policy advice.
We have collaborative and funding links with the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, IUCN and the European Commission.
People
- Pete Robertson
- Aileen Mill
- Olaf Booy
Teaching
Our research informs the postgraduate module BIO8063: Invasive Species.
More information
Invasive Asian hornets
The Asian or yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is a voracious predator of many pollinating insects, including honey bees.
We have been involved in several projects to help manage incursions of this invasive Asian hornet.
We have used data on Asian hornet from France to model the spread of the hornet in the UK.
We have developed novel method to estimate the number of nests in an area by analysing microsatellite marker data using a fuzzy clustering algorithm.
We have also created risk maps showing likely nest location using vector field analysis on the return hornet trajectories as a tool for field operatives to locate nests.
People
Population ecology of rats, small mammals and birds in agricultural contexts
This project is investigating the behaviour of behaviour of small mammals, especially brown rats, in agricultural systems.
Fieldwork is being undertaken at Nafferton Farm in Northumberland, which has been managed as a split organic and conventional farm.
Tracking plates can be used to estimate rat activity at different parts of the farm, in conjunction with camera traps. Measurements are being taken near feeders for game birds, and at random points across the farm.
Additional data analysis and modelling is based on studies done by Fera on other farms in England, where control measures have been implemented to try and reduce rat population sizes.
People
- Siti Binti-Saad
- Roy Sanderson
- Pete Robertson
Red Squirrels United
Red Squirrels United is a collaboration between academics and conservation partners to develop invasive species management for the protection of red squirrels.
Red Squirrels United is receiving €1.6 million of funding from EU LIFE and The Heritage Lottery Fund.
It unites more than 30 different organisations and is supported by UK Government nature conservation agencies.
Newcastle University are modelling the impact of the project and evaluating the local community-based conservation actions across the project to develop, share and promote best practise for invasive species management.
People
- Aileen Mill
- Zelda van der Waal
- Simone Caruso
Teaching
This research helps inform undergraduate module BIO3039: Biodiversity Science and Management and postgraduate module BIO8063: Invasive Species.
Beaver reintroduction
This Scottish National Heritage-funded project looked at the potential for the colonisation of Eurasian beaver in Scotland following a proposed reintroduction.
It used data from the literature to simulate the outcome of the Scottish Beaver Trial in Knapdale, and then extrapolated these results into the future and in other locations such as Tayside.
The data from the Scottish Beaver Trial fell within the prediction envelope of the simulation model.
People
Teaching
This research helps inform postgraduate modules BIO8064: Wildlife Conflicts and Management and NES8008: Data Analysis and Modelling.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership decision support tools for deer management
This is a collaboration led by Alastair Ward of the University of Hull and The Deer Initiative to develop decision support tools for wild deer management in Great Britian.
People
Room to roam and hotspots of conservation conflicts - lions, ungulates and people in the matrix
This research aims to determine the viability of the landscape matrix for free-roaming lions in East Africa. Anthropogenic pressures, primarily loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans, have led to precipitous declines in lion numbers and range over the past century.
Although protected areas are key to lion survival, much of their range lies outside these areas in community land where they must co-exist with pastoralist communities and their livestock.
This project assesses current and future viability of the landscape for lions using remote sensing data on habitat and land use. In addition, the project will map hotspots of human-lion conflict and their likely outcomes through collaboration with partners in East Africa, including the Ruaha Carnivore Project.
Working in Tanzania, the impact of various mitigation schemes on conflict levels and community attitudes will be examined. The findings of this study will have implications for management and policy aimed at reversing lion declines.
This project is funded through a NERC IAPETUS DTP and runs in collaboration with:
- Dr Amy Dickman (Oxford University & Ruaha Carnivore Conservation Project)
- Prof Nils Bunnefeld (University of Stirling)
- Mr Nicolas Deere (University of Kent)
- Dr Phil Platts (University of York)
- Dr Oliver Wearn (ZSL)
People
Teaching
This research informs undergraduate module BIO3039: Biodiversity Science and Management.