Jonathan is a computational ecologist interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying complex community-level patterns in ecology. He builds mathematical models of plant interactions and uses these to test hypotheses about ecosystem responses to global change, including the impacts of invasive non-native species. He also has interests in how human intervention in ecological systems can be planned to improve outcomes for the welfare of wild animals.

Research

Thesis title: 'Extending coexistence theory to predict impact of plant invasions on biodiversity'.

Biodiversity is important for human flourishing, and declining worldwide. Invasions by non-native plant species as a result of human activity represent a threat to ecosystems around the world. The mechanisms of invasions are complex, and methods to predict the outcomes and trajectories of invasions are important and lacking. It is recognised that factors such as niche preemption, changes to disturbance regimes, and competitive tradeoffs are important in determining the success of invasions and should be included in models. My research aims to build on existing models of plant invasions, incorporating advances from theoretical community and population ecology, to improve predictions of the dynamics and impacts of future invasions.

PhD supervision

• Principal supervisor: Jane Catford
• Secondary supervisor: Vincent Jansen (RHUL)

Further details

See Jonathan's research profile