Quantifying the hidden biodiversity conservation value and effectiveness of fine sediment detention ponds in agri-environment schemes.
Supervisors: Dr Kate Mathers and Professor Paul Wood
Ponds and wetlands are vital for the biodiversity and conservation value within the UK. However, anthropogenic changes such as agricultural has seen a reduction in ponds and biodiversity over time. The reduction in ponds leads to higher quantities of fine sediments entering watercourses as ponds typically act as sediment buffers.
Charlie’s PhD aims to quantify how recent policy in relation to building artificial detention ponds are affecting levels of biodiversity and conversation within ponds and connecting it to impacts on a wider catchment scale.
Body size affects the vertical movement of benthic amphipods through subsurface sediments in response to drying - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-020-04500-x
Substrate mediated predator–prey interactions between invasive crayfish and indigenous and non-native amphipods - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-020-02292-8
Response of freshwater snails to invasive crayfish varies with physiochemical exposure cues and predator experience- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/fwb.13855