Applied ecology with real-world impact
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: People's Trust for Endangered Species / Mammals
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Professor Kirsty Park
Professor
Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
About me
DPhil - University of Bristol (1998)
BSc - University of Leeds (1994)
My research is broadly concerned with the effects of anthropogenic change on biodiversity and developing solutions to mitigate the impacts of humans on wildlife. Much of this addresses questions relating to animal ecology and conservation in managed environments (e.g. urban, agricultural, forestry). To get a copy of any of my publications please email me or find me on ResearchGate.
Research
Vacancies: In addition to this webpage I typically advertise funded PhD studentships on findaphd.com and postdoctoral researchers on jobs.ac.uk. However, I am happy to discuss possibilities for joining my group at any time including potential grants, and support for studentships and fellowships.
Questions currently being asked within my research group include:
1. What measures can we use to improve agricultural landscapes for wildlife?
Agricultural intensification and expansion are regarded as major causes of worldwide declines in biodiversity during the last century. There are a number of measures that includes lower intensity agricultural systems and agri-environment schemes that may support viable wildlife populations alongside food production, and we have a several projects on-going in this area. For example:
a) Do agri-environment schemes work?
Agri-environment schemes are financial incentives paid by Governments for farmers to adopt environmentally-sensitive agricultural practices on their land aim to counteract the negative effects of intensive agriculture on biodiversity. However, most agri-environment schemes (AES) are largely designed for birds, some invertebrates and floral species, and there is little information on the contribution that current AES prescriptions make for other taxa. We have been working to assess the benefits provided by AES to bats (and their insect prey), moths and bumblebees.
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Photo: Plecotus auritus [photo credit John Altringham]
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b) Improving upland grassland systems for breeding waders
Until relatively recently, the breeding wader community of marginal, upland farmland was thought to have escaped the losses witnessed in lowland England and Wales, and Scotland is now critically important in supporting UK populations of breeding waders. However, more recent declines in such marginal upland areas have been identified, with, for example, losses of 48% of Lapwings and 55% of Curlews. Although there is evidence that agri-environment scheme (AES) management directed at waders can reverse population declines at field and farm scales in Scotland, implementation has been far too limited to stem ongoing declines nationally. In light of such severe declines, observations of unusually high lapwing densities on a livestock farm near Stirling has led to a collaborative project between Stirling and RSPB Scotland to determine the environmental drivers behind these localised high densities and how these are influenced by farm management. Management involves a combination of different activities, including planting of a fodder crop and liming, and is undertaken as part of the core farm business rather than under agri-environment support, and the farmer at this site won an RSPB Nature of Scotland award (2012) for his work.
A follow up project is now examining how the benefits of such management can be most effectively applied at other sites, funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland and University of Stirling.
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c) How do we prioritise conservation efforts to restore functioning ecological networks?
In this long-term project we are using woodland creation in the UK over the past 150 years as a natural experiment to address questions about the relative impact of local (e.g. increasing patch size & quality) versus landscape scale actions (e.g. improving connectivity) on wildlife. Woodlands provide essential ecosystem services and in the UK they support more wildlife species than any other habitat. Historic deforestation has drastically reduced our woodland cover and much of it now consists of non-native plantations or small, isolated and degraded patches immersed in an agricultural matrix that dominates the landscape. Recent woodland creation schemes were introduced over 25 years ago and are contributing to the slow return of wooded landscapes within the UK but we currently have little information on how these schemes are performing – as part of Woodland Creation and Ecological Networks (WrEN) we are addressing questions about how to prioritise efforts for conservation given limited resources For more details go to: www.wren-project.com
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Photo: Surveying woodlands for the WrEN project [photo credit: Kevin Watts]
2. How can we make plantation forests work for timber and wildlife?
Currently approximately 70% of woodland in the UK consists of forestry plantations, much of which is intensively managed, using a limited number of exotic fast-growing conifers and employing a variety of silvicultural practices to prepare sites for planting (e.g. ploughing, use of herbicides), thinning and clear-cut harvesting. A common perception of plantation forests is that they are ecological deserts and there is a long standing debate about the potential, and realised, role of plantation forestry in biodiversity conservation. There is now a body of evidence from numerous countries, however, to suggest plantation forests can provide habitat for a wide range of native forest plants, animals, and fungi. In the UK there have been fundamental changes to silvicultural practices over last 30 years as a result of policy changes which have placed a greater emphasis on maximising biodiversity benefits of plantations. There are several projects on-going at Stirling which aim to address ecological and applied conservation questions about the use of plantation forestry by wildlife species including pine marten, bats and other UKBAP priority species. Much of this work is carried out in collaboration with, and funded by, Forest Research and the Forestry Commission.
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Photo: Fiona Caryl working on pine marten ecology in coniferous plantations
3. How does wildlife respond to urbanisation?
Urbanisation is a major driver of the global loss of biodiversity the rate of urban expansion continues to accelerate. Green spaces within urban areas (e.g. parks, gardens) can hold relatively rich wildlife communities but are often threatened by development. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanisation it is essential to understand what drives species’ patterns of habitat use within the urban matrix and what mitigation may promote population persistence. Projects on urban ecology and conservation at Stirling have used a range of wildlife taxa which with to address these broad questions, including bats, bumblebees and moths.
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Photo: Using GIS to classify habitat around urban woodland in central Scotland
4. What effects do small wind turbines have on bats and birds?
The wind energy sector is growing worldwide and large scale wind farms have been shown, in some situations, to have significant adverse effects on wildlife. There has been little work, however, on the rapidly growing sector of small wind turbines. Research is underway at University of Stirling to better understand the effects that small wind turbines have on birds and bats, and how they may be mitigated. To achieve these aims, we use a multidisciplinary approach including field studies, experiments, questionnaires of owners and planning officers, and public attitude surveys using choice experiments.
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Other activities and research
I also have research interests in several other areas including the effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals on wildlife, impacts and control of non-native invasive species and human-wildlife conflicts. I am a trustee for the Bat Conservation Trust, the UK's only dedicated charity for bat conservation, Chair of the Board for Bats without Borders, a charity working across southern Africa to conserve bat populations, and a member of the Mammal Society's Scientific Advisory Committee.
Research group members
Current
• Alice Broome (PhD student, part-time) "Research response to the conservation needs of UKBAP Priority and protected woodland species in Britain"
• Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor (Past PhD student and current University Research Fellow) "Woodland Creation and Ecological Networks”
• Matt Guy (PhD student) "Seabird-mediated impacts of marine environment changes on agri-ecosystem productivity"
• Eilidh McNab (PhD student) "How does large scale native woodland restoration affect biodiversity?"
• Emma Sheard (PhD student) “Translating small scale ecological studies to large scale agricultural practices: breeding waders and grassland management”
• Helen Taylor (PhD student) "Bat populations in anthropogenic landscapes in Zambia"
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I also co-supervise John Wilson (Determining the impact of future tourism scenarios on sustainable use of mountains for Norway’s wild reindeer).
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Past
• Alice Helyar (PhD student, 2011-2005) "The ecology of American mink (Mustela vison): response to control". Now a Senior Ecologist at Bowland Ecology, Lancashire.
• Fiona Caryl (PhD student, 2004-2008) "Pine marten diet and habitat use within a managed coniferous forest". Now a PDRA at the University of Glasgow.
• Rachael Cooper-Bohannon (Past PhD student and current visiting Researcher) "The distribution and conservation of cave-dwelling bats in southern Africa". Now Principal Officer at Bats without Borders, Malawi.
• Lauren Fuller (Post-doctoral Research Associate) "Woodland Creation and Ecological Networks”. Now a Data Scientist at Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
• Heather McCallum (PhD student, 2008-2012) "Identifying and implementing key habitat features for breeding waders in upland grassland systems: ecology and economics". Now a reserves ecologist at RSPB Scotland.
• Jeroen Minderman (Research Fellow, 2012-14) "Assessing the effects of micro-turbines on wildlife". Now a PDRA at University of Stirling.
• Luci Kirkpatrick (PhD student) "How do silvicultural practices influence bat populations in commercial coniferous plantations?". Now a PDRA at the University of Antwerp.
• Laura Kubasiewicz (PhD student, 2010- 2014) "Ecology and conservation management of pine martens in fragmented landscapes". Now a Researcher at the Donkey Sanctuary.
• Paul Lintott (PhD student, 2010-2015) "Ecology and conservation of urban bats". Now Lecturer at University of West England.
• Orly Razgour (Research Fellow, 2013-2015) “Bats as indicators of species response to environmental change“. Now a Lecturer at University of Southampton.
• Cerian Tatchley (PhD student, 2011-2015) "Wildlife impacts and public attitudes to small scale turbines". Now a Programmes & Policy manager at the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquarium.
• Robbie Whytock (PhD student, 2014-2018) “Assessing the effects of landscape structure on woodland birds”. Now a PDRA based at University of Stirling.
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I also co-supervised the following students who have now successfully completed their PhDs: Gillian Lye (Factors affecting nest site choice and colony success in bumblebees, 2009), Lynne Osgathorpe (Reconciling ecology and economics to conserve bumblebees, 2010), Steph O’Connor (The nesting ecology of bumblebees, 2013), Nicola Redpath (Restoration and management of wildflower-rich machair for the conservation of bumblebees, 2010), Ciaran Ellis (Biodiversity and risk management for sustainable pollination services, 2015), Hannah Feltham (Factors influencing pollination limitation and yield, 2015).
Projects
Desk-based review of the methods used to assess the effects of Windfarms on different Bird Species
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Scottish Windfarm Bird Steering Group
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The Influence of farming practices on bat populations within agricultural Landscapes
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: The Carnegie Trust
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Development of a landscape model for the control of Rhododendron ponticum
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: The Carnegie Trust
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Analysis of Past woodland change using historical land cover maps
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Forest Research, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage
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Woodland fragments and bat populations within agricultural landscapes
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Glasgow Natural History Society
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Woodland creation and Ecological Networks (WrEN): using historic woodland creation to evaluate the ecological network concept
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Larfarge Tarmac
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Woodland Creation and Ecological networks (WrEN)
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Forestry Commission (Scotland)
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Woodland Creation and Ecological Networks
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
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Understanding Predation
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Scottish Natural Heritage
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Assessing the effectiveness of farm woodland creation schemes for bats
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: People's Trust for Endangered Species / Mammals
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The Influence of farming practices on bat populations within agricultural landscapes
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: People's Trust for Endangered Species / Mammals
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The use of coniferous plantations by bats
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Forestry Commission (Scotland)
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Scoping a systematic survey of high risk bat species across Southern Scotland
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Scottish Natural Heritage
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Identifying and implementing key habitat features for breeding waders in upland grassland systems: ecology and economics
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Scotland)
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Outputs
Article
Ecological time lags and the journey towards conservation success
Watts K, Whytock RC, Park KJ, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor NA, Duffield S & McGowan PJK (2020) Ecological time lags and the journey towards conservation success. Nature Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-1087-8
Article
Whytock RC, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Call E, Mann JA & Park KJ (2020) Regional land-use and local management create scale-dependent ‘landscapes of fear’ for a common woodland bird. Landscape Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00965-x
Article
McNab E, Summers R, Harrison G & Park KJ (2019) How important are different non-native conifers in Britain to Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra curvirostra?. Bird Study, 66 (1), pp. 64-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2019.1614143
Article
Woodland restoration on agricultural land: long-term impacts on soil quality
Ashwood F, Watts K, Park K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Benham S & Vanguelova EI (2019) Woodland restoration on agricultural land: long-term impacts on soil quality. Restoration Ecology, 27 (6), pp. 1381-1392. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13003
Article
Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Ferryman M, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Hambly N, Brennan S, Coxon R, Langridge H & Park KJ (2019) Small mammal responses to long-term large-scale woodland creation: the influence of local and landscape-level attributes. Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2028
Article
Broome A, Bellamy C, Rattey A, Ray D, Quine CP & Park KJ (2019) Niches for Species, a multi-species model to guide woodland management: An example based on Scotland's native woodlands. Ecological Indicators, 103, pp. 410-424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.04.021
Article
Kirkpatrick L, Mitchell S & Park K (2018) The metric matters when assessing diversity: Assessing lepidopteran species richness and diversity in two habitats under different disturbance regimes. Ecology and Evolution, 8 (22), pp. 11134-11142. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4581
Article
McCallum HM, Wilson JD, O'Brien MG, Beaumont D, Sheldon R & Park KJ (2018) Fodder crop management benefits Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) outside agri-environment schemes. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 265, pp. 470-475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.06.027
Article
Flexible foraging strategies in Pipistrellus pygmaeus in response to abundant but ephemeral prey
Kirkpatrick L, Graham J, McGregor S, Munro L, Scoarize M & Park K (2018) Flexible foraging strategies in Pipistrellus pygmaeus in response to abundant but ephemeral prey. PLOS ONE, 13 (10), Art. No.: e0204511. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204511
Article
Context-dependent colonization of terrestrial habitat 'islands' by a long-distance migrant bird
Whytock RC, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Williams L & Park KJ (2018) Context-dependent colonization of terrestrial habitat 'islands' by a long-distance migrant bird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1885), p. 20181490. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1490
Article
Local-scale attributes determine the suitability of woodland creation sites for Diptera
Fuller L, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Bitenc K & Park KJ (2018) Local-scale attributes determine the suitability of woodland creation sites for Diptera. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55 (3), pp. 1173-1184. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13035
Article
Bird-community responses to habitat creation in a long-term, large-scale natural experiment
Whytock R, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, De Andrade PB, Whytock R, French P, Macgregor N & Park K (2018) Bird-community responses to habitat creation in a long-term, large-scale natural experiment. Conservation Biology, 32 (2), pp. 345-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12983
Article
The impacts of predators and parasites on wild bumblebee colonies
Goulson D, O'Connor S & Park K (2018) The impacts of predators and parasites on wild bumblebee colonies. Ecological Entomology, 43 (2), pp. 168-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12482
Article
Causes of colony mortality in bumblebees
Goulson D, O'Connor S & Park K (2018) Causes of colony mortality in bumblebees. Animal Conservation, 21 (1), pp. 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12363
Article
An integrated framework to identify wildlife populations under threat from climate change
Razgour O, Taggart J, Manel S, Juste J, Ibanez C, Rebelo H, Alberdi A, Jones G & Park K (2018) An integrated framework to identify wildlife populations under threat from climate change. Molecular Ecology Resources, 18 (1), pp. 18-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.12694
Article
Kubasiewicz LM, Quine CP, Summers RW, Coope R, Cottrell JE, A'Hara SW & Park K (2017) Non-invasive genotyping and spatial mark-recapture methods to estimate European pine marten density in forested landscapes. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 28 (2), pp. 265-271. https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00007-2017
Article
Location of bumblebee nests is predicted by counts of nest-searching queens
O'Connor S, Park K & Goulson D (2017) Location of bumblebee nests is predicted by counts of nest-searching queens. Ecological Entomology, 42 (6), pp. 731-736. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12440
Article
Kirkpatrick L, Bailey S & Park K (2017) Negative impacts of felling in exotic spruce plantations on moth diversity mitigated by remnants of deciduous tree cover. Forest Ecology and Management, 404, pp. 306-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.09.010
Article
Landscape-scale effects of single- and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity
Minderman J, Gillis M, Daly H & Park K (2017) Landscape-scale effects of single- and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity. Animal Conservation, 20 (5), pp. 455-462. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12331
Article
Broome A, Long D, Ward L & Park K (2017) Promoting natural regeneration of Juniperus communis: a synthesis of knowledge and evidence for conservation practitioners. Applied Vegetation Science, 20 (3), pp. 397-409. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12303
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor N, Lopez Z & Park K (2017) Species mobility and landscape context determine the importance of local and landscape-level attributes. Ecological Applications, 27 (5), pp. 1541-1554. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1546
Article
Kirkpatrick L, Oldfield IF & Park K (2017) Responses of bats to clear fell harvesting in Sitka Spruce plantations, and implications for wind turbine installation. Forest Ecology and Management, 395, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.03.033
Article
Seasonal complementary in pollinators of soft-fruit crops
Ellis C, Feltham H, Park K, Hanley N & Goulson D (2017) Seasonal complementary in pollinators of soft-fruit crops. Basic and Applied Ecology, 19, pp. 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2016.11.007
Article
Kirkpatrick L, Maher SJ, Lopez Z, Lintott PR, Bailey S, Dent D & Park K (2017) Bat use of commercial coniferous plantations at multiple spatial scales: Management and conservation implications. Biological Conservation, 206, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.11.018
Article
Ellis C, Park K, Whitehorn PR, David A & Goulson D (2017) The neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid impacts upon bumblebee colony development under field conditions. Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (3), pp. 1727-1732. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04791
Article
Predicting bat distributions and diversity hotspots in Southern Africa
Cooper-Bohannon R, Rebelo H, Jones G, Cotterill F, Monadjem A, Schoeman MC, Taylor P & Park K (2016) Predicting bat distributions and diversity hotspots in Southern Africa. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 27 (1). https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-27.1-11722
Newspaper Article
Planet Earth II: why most animals can’t hack city living
Park K (2016) Planet Earth II: why most animals can’t hack city living. The Conversation. 09.12.2016. https://theconversation.com/planet-earth-ii-why-most-animals-cant-hack-city-living-69957
Article
Fur and faeces: an experimental assessment of non-invasive DNA sampling for the European pine marten
Kubasiewicz LM, Minderman J, Woodall L, Quine CP, Coope R & Park K (2016) Fur and faeces: an experimental assessment of non-invasive DNA sampling for the European pine marten. Mammal Research, 61 (4), pp. 299-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-016-0276-y
Article
Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N, Peredo-Alvarez V, Ferryman M, Bellamy C, Brown N & Park K (2016) Using historical woodland creation to construct a long-term, large-scale natural experiment: The WrEN project. Ecology and Evolution, 6 (9), pp. 312-3025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2066
Article
McCallum HM, Wilson J, Beaumont D, Sheldon R, O'Brien MG & Park K (2016) A role for liming as a conservation intervention? Earthworm abundance is associated with higher soil pH and foraging activity of a threatened shorebird in upland grasslands. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 223, pp. 182-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.03.005
Article
Differential responses of cryptic bat species to the urban landscape
Lintott P, Barlow K, Bunnefeld N, Briggs P, Gajas Roig C & Park K (2016) Differential responses of cryptic bat species to the urban landscape. Ecology and Evolution, 6 (7), pp. 2044-2052. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1996
Article
Drivers of Public Attitudes towards Small Wind Turbines in the UK
Tatchley C, Paton H, Robertson E, Minderman J, Hanley N & Park K (2016) Drivers of Public Attitudes towards Small Wind Turbines in the UK. PLoS ONE, 11 (3), Art. No.: e0152033. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152033
Article
Diversionary feeding: an effective management strategy for conservation conflict?
Kubasiewicz LM, Bunnefeld N, Tulloch AIT, Quine CP & Park K (2016) Diversionary feeding: an effective management strategy for conservation conflict?. Biodiversity and Conservation, 25 (1), pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-1026-1
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Peredo-Alvarez V, Watts K & Park K (2015) Are woodland creation schemes providing suitable resources for biodiversity? Woodland moths as a case study. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24 (12), pp. 3049-3070. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-0997-2
Article
Opportunities for improving the foraging potential of urban waterways for bats
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N & Park K (2015) Opportunities for improving the foraging potential of urban waterways for bats. Biological Conservation, 191, pp. 224-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.06.036
Article
McCallum HM, Park K, O'Brien MG, Gimona A, Poggio L & Wilson J (2015) Soil pH and organic matter content add explanatory power to Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus distribution models and suggest soil amendment as a conservation measure on upland farmland. Ibis, 157 (4), pp. 677-687. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12286
Article
Experimental evidence that wildflower strips increase pollinator visits to crops
Feltham H, Park K, Minderman J & Goulson D (2015) Experimental evidence that wildflower strips increase pollinator visits to crops. Ecology and Evolution, 5 (16), pp. 3523-3530. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1444
Article
Park K (2015) Mitigating the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity: bats and their potential role as bioindicators. Mammalian Biology, 80 (3), pp. 191-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.10.004
Article
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Minderman J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Mayhew RJ, Olley L & Park K (2015) Differential responses to woodland character and landscape context by cryptic bats in urban environments. PLoS ONE, 10 (5), Art. No.: e0126850. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126850
Article
Estimates and correlates of bird and bat mortality at small wind turbine sites
Minderman J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Pearce-Higgins JW, Pendlebury C & Park K (2015) Estimates and correlates of bird and bat mortality at small wind turbine sites. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24 (3), pp. 467-482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0826-z
Article
Humphrey J, Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N, Peace AJ & Park K (2015) What can studies of woodland fragmentation and creation tell us about ecological networks? A literature review and synthesis. Landscape Ecology, 30 (1), pp. 21-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-014-0107-y
Article
City life makes females fussy: sex differences in habitat use of temperate bats in urban areas
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Minderman J, Mayhew RJ, Olley L & Park K (2014) City life makes females fussy: sex differences in habitat use of temperate bats in urban areas. Royal Society Open Science, 1 (3), Art. No.: 140200. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140200
Article
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Minderman J, Blackmore LM, Goulson D & Park K (2014) Moth species richness, abundance and diversity in fragmented urban woodlands: implications for conservation and management strategies. Biodiversity and Conservation, 23 (11), pp. 2875-2901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0753-z
Article
Field realistic doses of pesticide imidacloprid reduce bumblebee pollen foraging efficiency
Feltham H, Park K & Goulson D (2014) Field realistic doses of pesticide imidacloprid reduce bumblebee pollen foraging efficiency. Ecotoxicology, 23 (3), pp. 317-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-014-1189-7
Article
Lintott P, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2013) Testing the effectiveness of surveying techniques in determining bat community composition within woodland. Wildlife Research, 40 (8), pp. 675-684. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR13153
Research Report
Humphrey J, Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N & Park K (2013) The evidence base for ecological networks: lessons from studies of woodland fragmentation and creation. Report from the WrEn Project, Forest Research, Farnham, Surrey. The Research Agency of the Forestry Commission. http://www.stir.ac.uk/media/schools/naturalscience/bes/images/WrEN_FR_report_2013.pdf
Article
Social learning drives handedness in nectar-robbing bumblebees
Goulson D, Park K, Tinsley MC, Bussiere L & Vallejo-Marin M (2013) Social learning drives handedness in nectar-robbing bumblebees. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67 (7), pp. 1141-1150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-013-1539-0
Article
Restoration and management of machair grassland for the conservation of bumblebees
Redpath-Downing NA, Beaumont D, Park K & Goulson D (2013) Restoration and management of machair grassland for the conservation of bumblebees. Journal of Insect Conservation, 17 (3), pp. 491-502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-012-9532-x
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D, Cavin L, Wallace JM & Park K (2013) Fragmented woodlands in agricultural landscapes: The influence of woodland character and landscape context on bats and their insect prey. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 172, pp. 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2013.03.019
Article
Worker drift and egg dumping by queens in wild Bombus terrestris colonies
O'Connor S, Park K & Goulson D (2013) Worker drift and egg dumping by queens in wild Bombus terrestris colonies. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67 (4), pp. 621-627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-013-1481-1
Article
Park K, Turner A & Minderman J (2013) Integrating applied ecology and planning policy: The case of micro-turbines and wildlife conservation. Journal of Applied Ecology, 50 (1), pp. 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpe.12005
Article
The seasonal diet of British pine marten determined from genetically identified scats
Caryl FM, Raynor R, Quine CP & Park K (2012) The seasonal diet of British pine marten determined from genetically identified scats. Journal of Zoology, 288 (4), pp. 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2012.00951.x
Article
Lye G, Osborne JL, Park K & Goulson D (2012) Using citizen science to monitor Bombus populations in the UK: nesting ecology and relative abundance in the urban environment. Journal of Insect Conservation, 16 (5), pp. 697-707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-011-9450-3
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2012) Factors influencing moth assemblages in woodland fragments on farmland: implications for woodland management and creation schemes. Biological Conservation, 153, pp. 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.04.019
Article
Minderman J, Pendlebury C, Pearce-Higgins JW & Park K (2012) Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird and Bat Activity. PLoS ONE, 7 (7), Art. No.: e41177. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0041177
Article
Caryl FM, Quine CP & Park K (2012) Martens in the matrix: the importance of nonforested habitats for forest carnivores in fragmented landscapes. Journal of Mammalogy, 93 (2), pp. 464-474. https://doi.org/10.1644/11-MAMM-A-149.1
Article
Humans versus dogs; a comparison of methods for the detection of bumble bee nests
O'Connor S, Park K & Goulson D (2012) Humans versus dogs; a comparison of methods for the detection of bumble bee nests. Journal of Apicultural Research, 51 (2), pp. 204-211. https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.51.2.09
Article
Osgathorpe LM, Park K & Goulson D (2012) The use of off-farm habitats by foraging bumblebees in agricultural landscapes: Implications for conservation management. Apidologie, 43 (2), pp. 113-127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0083-z
Article
Travis JM, Harris C, Park K & Bullock JM (2011) Improving prediction and management of range expansions by combining analytical and individual-based modelling approaches. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2 (5), pp. 477-488. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2011.00104.x
Article
Harris C, Stanford HL, Edwards C, Travis JM & Park K (2011) Integrating demographic data and a mechanistic dispersal model to predict invasion spread of Rhododendron ponticum in different habitats. Ecological Informatics, 6 (41002), pp. 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2011.03.004
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2011) Pipistrelle bats and their prey do not benefit from four widely applied agri-environment management prescriptions. Biological Conservation, 144 (9), pp. 2233-2246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.05.015
Article
Assessing the efficacy of artificial domiciles for bumblebees
Lye G, Park K, Holland J & Goulson D (2011) Assessing the efficacy of artificial domiciles for bumblebees. Journal for Nature Conservation, 19 (3), pp. 154-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2010.11.001
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2011) The effectiveness of agri-environment schemes for the conservation of farmland moths: assessing the importance of a landscape-scale management approach. Journal of Applied Ecology, 48 (3), pp. 532-542. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01927.x
Article
Osgathorpe L, Park K, Goulson D, Acs S & Hanley N (2011) The trade-off between agriculture and biodiversity in marginal areas: Can crofting and bumblebee conservation be reconciled?. Ecological Economics, 70 (6), pp. 1162-1169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.01.010
Article
Testing a detection dog to locate bumblebee colonies and estimate nest density
Waters J, O'Connor S, Park K & Goulson D (2011) Testing a detection dog to locate bumblebee colonies and estimate nest density. Apidologie, 42 (2), pp. 200-205. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido/2010056
Article
Lye G, Kaden JC, Park K & Goulson D (2010) Forage use and niche partitioning by non-native bumblebees in New Zealand: Implications for the conservation of their populations of origin. Journal of Insect Conservation, 14 (6), pp. 607-615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-010-9287-1
Article
Redpath N, Osgathorpe L, Park K & Goulson D (2010) Crofting and bumblebee conservation: the impact of land management practices on bumblebee populations in northwest Scotland. Biological Conservation, 143 (2), pp. 492-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.11.019
Article
Detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals in aerial invertebrates at sewage treatment works
Park K, Muller CT, Markman S, Swinscow-Hall O, Pascoe D & Buchanan KL (2009) Detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals in aerial invertebrates at sewage treatment works. Chemosphere, 77 (11), pp. 1459-1464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.08.063
Article
Lye G, Park K, Osborne JL, Holland J & Goulson D (2009) Assessing the value of Rural Stewardship schemes for providing foraging resources and nesting habitat for bumblebee queens (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Biological Conservation, 142 (10), pp. 2023-2032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.03.032
Article
Harris C, Park K, Atkinson R, Edwards C & Travis JM (2009) Invasive species control: incorporating demographic data and seed dispersal into a management model for Rhododendron ponticum. Ecological Informatics, 4 (4), pp. 226-233. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15749541; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2009.07.005
Article
Goulson D, McGuire K, Munro EE, Adamson S, Colliar L, Park K, Tinsley MC & Gilburn A (2009) Functional significance of the dark central floret of Daucus carota (Apiaceae) L.; is it an insect mimic?. Plant Species Biology, 24 (2), pp. 77-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-1984.2009.00240.x
Article
Impacts of piscivorous birds on salmonid populations and game fisheries in Scotland: a review
Harris C, Calladine JR, Wernham C & Park K (2008) Impacts of piscivorous birds on salmonid populations and game fisheries in Scotland: a review. Wildlife Biology, 14 (4), pp. 395-411. http://www.wildlifebiology.com/Volumes/2008+-+volume+14/4/738/En/; https://doi.org/10.2981/0909-6396-14.4.395
Article
Impacts of birds of prey on gamebirds in the UK: a review
Park K, Graham K, Calladine JR & Wernham C (2008) Impacts of birds of prey on gamebirds in the UK: a review. Ibis, 150 (Supplement 1), pp. 9-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2008.00847.x
Book Chapter
The Exposition of Fuzzy Decision trees and their Application in Biology
Beynon MJ & Park K (2008) The Exposition of Fuzzy Decision trees and their Application in Biology. In: Porto PA, Pazos SA & Buno BW (eds.) Advancing Artificial Intelligence through Biological Process Applications. London: Information Science Reference, pp. 375-394. http://www.igi-global.com/chapter/advancing-artificial-intelligence-through-biological/4988
Article
Public attitudes to the management of invasive non-native species in Scotland
Bremner A & Park K (2007) Public attitudes to the management of invasive non-native species in Scotland. Biological Conservation, 139 (41002), pp. 306-314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2007.07.005
Article
Testing mechanistic models of seed dispersal for the invasive Rhododendron ponticum (L.)
Stephenson CM, Kohn D, Park K, Atkinson R, Edwards C & Travis JM (2007) Testing mechanistic models of seed dispersal for the invasive Rhododendron ponticum (L.). Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 9 (1), pp. 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2007.07.004
Article
Goulson D, Cruise JL, Sparrow KR, Harris AJ, Park K, Tinsley MC & Gilburn A (2007) Choosing rewarding flowers; perceptual limitations and innate preferences influence decision making in bumblebees and honeybees. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61 (10), pp. 1523-1529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-007-0384-4
Article
The use of sewage treatment works as foraging sites by insectivorous bats
Park K & Cristinacce A (2006) The use of sewage treatment works as foraging sites by insectivorous bats. Animal Conservation, 9 (3), pp. 259-268. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00031.x
Research Report
Review of Urban Gulls and their Management in Scotland
Calladine JR, Park K, Thompson KJ & Wernham C (2006) Review of Urban Gulls and their Management in Scotland. Scottish Executive. Natural Scotland. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/18113519/0
Research Report
Park K, Calladine JR, Graham K, Stephenson CM & Wernham C (2005) The Impacts of Predatory Birds on Waders, Songbirds, Gamebirds and Fisheries Interests: A report to Scotland’s Moorland Forum. Scotland's Moorland Forum. University of Stirling. http://www.jottercms.com/files/moorland/03102008143856_predatory_birds.pdf
Article
Assessment and management of invasive alien predators
Park K (2004) Assessment and management of invasive alien predators. Ecology and Society, 9 (2), Art. No.: 12. http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss2/art12/print.pdf
Article
Spatial structure and the control of invasive alien species
Travis JM & Park K (2004) Spatial structure and the control of invasive alien species. Animal Conservation, 7 (3), pp. 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1367943004001507
Research Report
Travis JM, Park K, Harwood J, Buckland ST & Thirgood S (2002) The use of modelling techniques to predict the response of the introduced hedgehog population in the Western Isles to a range of potential control options. Scottish Natural Heritage. Scottish Natural Heritage.
Article
How do birds' tails work? Delta-wing theory fails to predict tail shape during flight
Evans M, Rosen M, Park K & Hedenstrom A (2002) How do birds' tails work? Delta-wing theory fails to predict tail shape during flight. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 269 (1495), pp. 1053-1057. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2001.1901
Article
Territorial status and survival in red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus: hope for the doomed surplus?
Park K, Hurley MM & Hudson PJ (2002) Territorial status and survival in red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus: hope for the doomed surplus?. Journal of Avian Biology, 33 (1), pp. 56-62. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-048X.2002.330109.x
Article
Breeding losses of red grouse in Glen Esk (NE Scotland): Comparative studies, 30 years on
Park K, Booth F, Newborn D & Hudson PJ (2002) Breeding losses of red grouse in Glen Esk (NE Scotland): Comparative studies, 30 years on. Annales Zoologici Fennici, 39 (1), pp. 21-28. http://www.sekj.org/anz/anz391.htm
Article
Loss of heather moorland in the Scottish uplands: the role of red grouse management
Robertson PA, Park K & Barton A (2001) Loss of heather moorland in the Scottish uplands: the role of red grouse management. Wildlife Biology, 7 (1), pp. 37-42. http://www.wildlifebiology.com/Volumes/2001+-+Volume+7/1/Articles.aspx
Article
Flight kinematics of the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) over a wide range of speeds in a windtunnel
Park K, Rosen M & Hedenstrom A (2001) Flight kinematics of the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) over a wide range of speeds in a windtunnel. Journal of Experimental Biology, 204 (15), pp. 2741-2750. http://jeb.biologists.org/
Article
Park K, Robertson PA, Campbell ST, Foster R, Russell ZM, Newborn D & Hudson PJ (2001) The role of invertebrates in the diet, growth and survival of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) chicks. Journal of Zoology, 254 (2), pp. 137-145. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836901000644
Article
Park K, Buchanan KL & Evans M (2001) Sexy streamers? The role of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of hirundine tail streamers. Evolution, 55 (2), pp. 445-446. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb01307.x
Article
Park K, Evans M & Buchanan KL (2000) Assessing the aerodynamic effects of tail elongations in the house martin (Delichon urbica): Implications for the initial selection pressures in hirundines. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 48 (5), pp. 364-372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000250
Article
Torpor, arousal and activity of hibernating greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)
Park K, Jones G & Ransome RD (2000) Torpor, arousal and activity of hibernating greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Functional Ecology, 14 (5), pp. 580-588. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2435.2000.t01-1-00460.x
Article
Winter activity of a population of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)
Park K, Jones G & Ransome RD (1999) Winter activity of a population of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Journal of Zoology, 248 (4), pp. 419-427. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1999.tb01041.x
Article
Social structure of three sympatric bat species (Vespertilionidae)
Park K, Masters E & Altringham JD (1998) Social structure of three sympatric bat species (Vespertilionidae). Journal of Zoology, 244 (3), pp. 379-389. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00043.x
Article
Assortative roosting in the two phonic types of Pipistrellus pipistrellus during the mating season
Park K, Altringham JD & Jones G (1996) Assortative roosting in the two phonic types of Pipistrellus pipistrellus during the mating season. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 263 (1376), pp. 1495-1499. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1996.0218
Teaching
I am the co-ordinator of the Conservation Biology & Management degree and a number of modules on biological diversity and conservation (undergraduate and Masters level), I also teach on an undergraduate field course in France, on vertebrate diversity and a course on advanced analytical techniques.