Kian Hayles-Cotton

PhD topic title: Resilient Woodlands to Support Biodiversity Recovery 

PhD supervisors: Professor Jane Hill, Professor Colin Beale, Dr Mark Wilson, Dr Harriet Downey and Dr Michael Pocock 

Biography and research

My research project focuses on understanding what affects interactions between plants, insects and birds in British woodlands and how management can be tailored to increase the complexity and strength of the interaction networks. By maximising the interactions and biodiversity gains associated with existing and new woodlands we can ensure that both biodiversity value and ecosystem services are resilient to new and existing threats and thus can be secured into the future.

I have joined the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity after completing a Master’s Degree at Durham University, where I completed an assessment of the flora of the Hajar Mountains in Oman alongside the Oman Botanic Gardens. During the assessment I characterised a number of localised plant communities, spatial patterns of biodiversity, and researched how plant distributions will shift in response to climate change. Through both projects I have developed interests in understanding spatial patterns of biodiversity in ecosystems and how climate change and other anthropogenic pressures may threaten biodiversity. I am particularly passionate about using science to direct on the ground conservation action and species protection. 

Funder

Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) NERC DTP