Charles Cunningham

Postdoctoral Research Associate
charles.cunningham@york.ac.uk

Biography

I am a spatial ecologist with a focus on conservation planning and restoration. I moved to York for my PhD where I looked at how systematic conservation planning approaches can contribute to delivering conservation objectives in the UK (2017-21). As part of this I investigated protected area effectiveness and also looked at novel systematic conservation planning approaches including incorporating different viewpoints and restoration potential. Before my PhD, I developed my interests in spatial ecology and environmental policy while studying Natural Sciences at the University of Bath and working at Ethos Environmental Planning.

Research

My research background is in spatial ecology and conservation decision making, especially the intersection of the two, ie area-based conservation. I’m interested in how we choose areas to protect and restore, and ensure they effectively deliver for nature and people into the future.

I am currently working on the Connected Treescapes project investigating the importance of woodland connectivity for biodiversity in the UK. Woodland creation is an important restoration tool to deliver biodiversity and ecosystem service benefits, but needs to be targeted to maximise these gains. My research looks to help inform these decisions through better understanding when and where connectivity can best deliver biodiversity benefits. 

Publication highlights

Bowler, D. E., Cunningham, C. A., Beale, C. M., Emberson, L., Hill, J. K., Hunt, M., Maskell, L., Outhwaite, C. L., White, P. C. L., Pocock, M. J. O. (2023). Idiosyncratic trends of woodland invertebrate biodiversity in Britain over 45 years. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 16 (6). 

Cunningham, C., Crick, H., Morecroft, M.D, Thomas, C.D., Beale, C. (2022). Reconciling diverse viewpoints within systematic conservation planning. People and Nature, pp. 1-103

Bailey, J. J., Cunningham C. A., Griffin, D. C., Hoppit, G., Metcalfe C. A., Schéré C. M., Travers, T. J. P., Turner R. K., Hill J. K., Sinnadurai P., et al. (2022). Protected Areas and Nature Recovery. Achieving the goal to protect 30%of UK land and seas for nature by 2030. London, UK : British Ecological Society. 

Cunningham, C.A., Thomas, C.D., Morecroft, M.D., Crick, H.Q.P. and Beale, C.M. (2021). The effectiveness of the protected area network of Great Britain. Biological Conservation, 257, p.109146.

Cunningham, C.A., Crick, H.Q.P., Morecroft, M.D., Thomas, C.D, & Beale, C.M. (2021) Translating area-based conservation pledges into efficient biodiversity protection outcomes. Communications Biology 4, 1043

Funder

Future of UK Treescapes (NERC)