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BulletinYOUR MAGAZINE FROM THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY BES Bulletin VOLin 44:4focus / December 2013 Photo: Danielle Green Danielle’s photo of Mark Browne apparently ‘taking a closer look’ at the mud of County Donegal appealed to the judging panel for the BES photocompetition. There are more images from the competition on p37 onwards.

2 Contents December 2014

Officers and Council for the year 2012-3 Regulars President: Bill Sutherland Welcome / Alan Crowden 4 Past-President: Georgina Mace Vice-Presidents: Richard Bardgett, President’s Piece / W. J. Sutherland 5 Mick Crawley Honorary Treasurer: Drew Purves Ecology Education and Careers / Karen Devine and Christina Ravinet 25 Council Secretary: Dave Hodgson Honorary Chairpersons: Science Policy Andrew Beckerman (Meetings) Holyrood Batman! – The BES’s day in the Scottish Parliament / Rob Brooker 24 Alan Gray (Publications) Lesley Batty (Education, Training Society News 34 and Careers) Juliet Vickery (Public and Policy) Special Interest Group News 41 Richard Bardgett (Grants)

Ordinary Members Letters to the Editor 50 of Council: Retiring Of Interest to Members 51 Emma Goldberg, 2014 William Gosling, Ruth Mitchell The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management / Sally Hayns 72 Julia Blanchard, 2015 Greg Hurst, Paul Raven Publishing News: BES Publications Data Archiving Policy / Liz Baker 74 Emma Sayer, Owen Lewis, 2016 Matt O’Callaghan Book Reviews 81 Diana Gilbert, Jane Hill, 2017 Diary 92 Joanna Randall

Bulletin Editor: Alan Crowden 48 Thornton Close, Girton, features Cambridge CB3 0NG Tel: 07801 068458 Centenary Celebrations: a Calendar of Events 7 Email: [email protected] The BES Awards Ceremony at Intecol 9

Associate Editor: Emma Sayer Intecol 2013 Student Prize Winners 13 Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems, The Open University, That’s All Folks / Emma Sayer interviews Julie Hodgkinson 15 Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Email: [email protected] The Long and Winding Road / The BES Roadies 16 Book Reviews Editor: Peter Thomas School of Life Sciences, Huxley Festival Prize Draw 20 Building, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5B The BES of the Future / Emma Sayer and BES members 21 Tel: 01782 733497 Email: [email protected] UK Biodiversity Science Committee – Whatever For? / Sandy Knapp 29 Publishing in BES in the Media: Today on Radio 4 / George Peterken 31 the BES Bulletin The Bulletin is published four times BES Photographic Competition 2013 36 a year in March, June, August and December. Contributions of all types The Science behind the Schemes / Beth Brockett 48 are welcomed, but if you are planning to write we recommend you contact one of the editorial team in advance Can we value landscapes by combining natural and cultural heritage? / James Speed, to discuss your plans (Bulletin@ Gunnar Austrheim, John Birks and Des Thompson 52 BritishEcologicalSociety.org).

Material should be sent to the editor by Why SavingSpecies? / Stuart Pimm 56 email or on a disk in Word or rtf format. Pictures should be sent as jpeg or TIFF Digitizing the Elton archive / Caroline M. Pond 58 (*tif) files suitable for printing at 300dpi. What’s wrong with the older literature? / Andrew Clarke 62 Books to be considered for review should be sent directly to the Book Reviews Editor Peter Thomas. What Use is Small Data in a Big Data World? / John Wiens 64

Cover: Black-browed albatross Lose the Beards! / Will Ingram 66 (Thalassarche melanophrys) in the winning entry for the BES Photo Rant and Reason: Leave it Alone! Markus Eichhorn and Keith Kirby 68 Competition 2013. The photograph is by Zoe Davies of the University of Kent. The Slow Pace of Change in Ecology / Steve Cousins 70 For more information see p36. Minutes of the 33rd BES Annual General Meeting 79 Design: Neo (weareneo.com) Print Management: H2 Associates (Cambridge) Ltd.

3 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 welcome

The British Ecological Society is the oldest ecological society 2013 and all that in the world, having been established in 1913. Since 1980 it has been a Registered Charity It has been a big year for the Society, though I suspect rather limited by guarantee. Membership is open to all who are genuinely few members realise quite how much work has gone into the interested in ecology, whether in planning and preparation of centenary events, and how far the British Isles or abroad, and membership currently stands at ahead the planning began. about 3700, about half of whom are based outside the UK.

The International Congress of Ecology did not The Special Interest Groups are becoming an The Society holds a variety of arrive in London in our centenary year by happy increasingly effective way of bringing together meetings each year. The Annual accident; a bid was put in at least 5 years ago, ecologists at all stages of their career, so it is Meeting attracts a wide range and even before the previous Intecol Congress exciting to see the re-launch of the aquatic of papers, often by research in Brisbane in 2009 Hazel Norman and ecology group (p41) and the creation of a students, and includes a series colleagues were already engaged in planning new Citizen Science SIG (p43). of informal specialist group discussions; whereas the Annual for our event. The Festival of Ecology was also There is a varied batch of general interest Symposium and many other the culmination of many months of detailed smaller meetings are usually preparation. Yet there was also some nimble- articles beginning with George Peterken’s more specialised and include footed work to add exciting innovations to the account of his experience of suddenly being in invited speakers from around programme for the year. Ken Thompson played demand from the BBC (p31), some thoughts the world. a big role in getting the BES to participate in on valuing landscapes from James Speed and the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time; colleagues (p52), and Stuart Pimm’s account Proceedings of some of these meetings are published by Emma Sayer’s idea that the BES should put of efforts to put carbon offsetting funds to best possible use (p56). Past and present ebb and the Society in its Ecological on a road show at summer pop festivals was Reviews book series. The Society rapidly supported by Meetings Committee but flow in the next few articles. Caroline Pond’s distributes free to all members, required a frenetic burst of energy from Emma account of making Charles Elton’s notebooks four times a year, the Bulletin and her supporters to get the show on the accessible to a wider audience (p58) followed which contains news and views, road. I’m not going to be able to acknowledge by Andy Clarke’s reminder of the value of older meeting announcements, a everyone who contributed time, energy and literature (p62) remind us that looking back comprehensive diary and many ideas to making the centenary year the success can offer valuable insights; John Wiens looks other features. In addition the Society produces five scientific it undoubtedly was, but if like me you’ve forward to an era of Big Data in ecology while warning that we mustn’t lose sight of the value journals. The Journal of Ecology, benefited from attending a succession of well Journal of Animal Ecology, planned, well organised and superbly executed of detailed studies of particular systems. Journal of Applied Ecology and events, you’ll recognise that 2013 has been an Functional Ecology are sold at At the BES/YESI symposium in York last April I exceptional year for the Society reflecting a lot a discounted rate to members. met Will Ingram, a chemistry undergraduate of hard work by staff and members. Methods in Ecology and Evolution and joint editor-in-chief of Spark, the excellent is free to BES members. The This issue of the Bulletin reflects some of the University of York Student Science magazine. Society also supports research excitement of the year with a mostly pictorial I gave Will carte blanche to write about his and ecological education with calendar of events (p7), an interview with magazine and his impressions of the BES grant aid. Further details about the Society and membership Festival Manager Julie as her time at the BES meeting. His view on beards is his own and does not represent the views of the Bulletin. can be obtained from the drew to a close (p15) and a report from the BES Executive Director (address inside Roadies on the magical mystery tour that was I suppose with so much to be cheerful about back cover). Sex & Bugs & Rock ‘n Roll (p16). Karen Devine it is unsurprising that this is the biggest-ever organised a series of competitions for schools in The Bulletin circulates exclusively Bulletin issue. I hope you find time and peace our centenary year and there is a report on the to members of the British to read it over the holiday season. awards ceremony on p25. Ecological Society. It carries information on meetings and While it was hugely enjoyable to celebrate other activities, comment and other topical items. this important year in some style, the Society Unsigned commentaries are the needs to build on the legacy of the first 100 responsibility of the Editor and years to make sure we continue to support do not necessarily represent the the development of our discipline. On page views of the Society. 21-24 we shift the focus with a series of short ‘interviews’ with some of those scientists who A limited company, registered will help shape the development of ecology in England No. 1522897 and a Alan Crowden / Editor Registered Charity No. 2812134. into the future. The ‘official’ part of the Bulletin [email protected] Registered Office: Charles Darwin continues with some introductions for new staff House,12 Roger Street, London members and an update on progress of the WC1N 2JU membership drive (p34-5).

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PRESIDENT’S PIECE Challenges & opportunities

William J Sutherland / President of the British Ecological Society

The new President of the BES reflects on a successful centenary year and looks forward to an exciting future for our Society.

I look forward to my term as the President was the joint BES/Intecol meeting with In this rapidly changing world there of the British Ecological Society. When over two thousand global ecologists are serious challenges to our traditional invited to stand for election I was told gathered in a small corner of the means of working: open access publishing being President would be very little cavernous Excel Centre. For me it was challenges the long-established business work.... I have gained an enormous scientifically exciting, generated new model for our journals; massive online amount from the BES and am delighted ideas and collaborations and the party open courses could question the need to pay back in return. I still recall was great. We are currently looking at for some higher education; the financial the excitement of attending my first the lessons learnt from the centenary crisis and political changes may reduce annual meeting as a naïve enthusiastic and considering options for the future. expenditure on environmental issues; undergraduate and the thrill of becoming anti environmental movements may a member; in the intervening years the As vice president one of my reduce our influence; funding models BES has been a key component of many responsibilities was to chair the are changing with the traditional single aspects of my career and generated many membership committee. We faced a postdoc plus expenses grant becoming good friendships. gradually declining membership but scarcer; and the nature of environmental set ourselves the challenge of gaining problems is changing. The BES is in extremely good shape and I another thousand members by the end thank Georgina Mace for providing such of the year. Writing in October it looks However this change provides a range of capable stewardship. We have flourishing as if we may achieve that target. The exciting opportunities: open access makes journals and meetings, we have an membership is thus at the highest ever it more likely that practitioners and policy efficient and effective team ranging from (there are also a further 903 members makers can apply our research; there the permanent staff in Charles Darwin who joined when they registered for are a range of new means of identifying House to the large community who Intecol). A large membership has a variety species and storing the records (hence ensure the success of journals, meetings of benefits: ensuring we participate in the our support for ispot); the demand for and the running of the Society, we are lives of a wide community, enhancing evidence to underpin decisions seems to currently in a healthy financial position, our credibility to the outside world and be increasing; while there are a range of we play active roles in education and having a larger base (perhaps including opportunities for ecologists to participate policy and Charles Darwin House provides other naïve enthusiastic undergraduates) in large interdisciplinary projects. a professional and effective home. from which to generate active participants in the Society. There are still a few weeks We need to be nimble to survive and Our centenary celebrations are now left for our bargain of the century: sign flourish within this world. I believe it over. 2013 has been an exciting year. up a new member and your names go needs us to be continually seeking to As described on page 7 the centenary into a lottery – the winning pair both identify the environmental issues and was a huge success, with considerable get free lifetime membership including policy changes on the horizon, ensure public involvement. In one action- all the journals that you subscribe to. we collaborate with policy makers and packed year the BES held events at the Furthermore, sign up two members and practitioners from an early stage, ensure Palace of Westminster, the Scottish you get a £20 voucher for nhbs.com. we have the capacity to work within Parliament, RHS Chelsea Flower Show large interdisciplinary teams, ensure and many music festivals as well as It is clearly essential to ensure that the the environment is taken seriously, 160 community activities across the BES is relevant to society. This will be ensure there is a wide knowledge of country. My favourite was the Sex & achieved mainly if we generate relevant ecological issues at all levels from young Bugs & Rock ‘n Roll extravaganza, which high quality research and ensure that it schoolchildren to policy makers, ensure achieved that elusive combination of is available to those who would find it evidence is used appropriately and make being enjoyable whilst being genuinely useful. However, at the same time it is sure our science is suitable for dealing educational (both Georgina and myself essential that we retain the core of world with future problems. I think that the BES learnt some new ecology whilst trying class fundamental science, both as it is in a healthy state and well capable of to link ‘poo’ to animal photos!). Who may underpin future applied research responding to these challenges. would have guessed that the BES would and that it is simply exciting. This range be swabbing a policeman’s truncheon for makes our annual conference stimulating microorganisms? At the other extreme to a wide audience.

5 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

2013: A Centenary year to remember

Georgina Mace / President of the British Ecological Society

The Centenary was celebrated with a wide range of events intended to pursue the Society goals of Advancing Ecology and Making it Count. We planned scientific meetings to advance the science by traditional means, but there was also a significant effort put in to engaging with a wider audience via the Festival of Ecology. There were lots of Festival events across the country and we hope you managed to attend one or two. As our centenary year draws to a close we thought we’d share with you some of the photos that show what a great year we’ve all had.

It has been a great privilege and a Your Society faces many challenges; pleasure for me to have been President of changes in the financial models of the BES in its centenary year. This year’s academic publishing, funding difficulties events are the culmination of a great deal in Higher Education, the evolution of of planning and work by many people academic communication, the need to at the BES; trustees, staff, editors, special remain relevant to younger generations interest groups and other volunteers. and changes in the way that academics Everyone can be justifiably proud of identify with subject areas. We continually what that team has achieved. The wide review what we do and we are actively range of events targeted several different working to turn each of these challenges audiences; the scientific community, into an opportunity. Most important schools, the general public and policy though, with a vibrant and engaged makers, and we organised activities for membership, and the outstanding each of these as well as being careful to support from our staff, we are confident both celebrate our history as well as to that the Society will continue to grow and look forward to the next 100 years. develop. In 100 years’ time we expect to still be around and able to support We have directly engaged with over whatever the ecological community 80,000 people during our summer then looks like. Festival of Ecology and delivered 30,000 schools posters into the hands of people Thanks to everyone who has been who requested them. We identified the involved in any way. It has been a 100 key ecological research questions wonderful year with many exceptional and highlighted the most influential events. I recommend being 100 years old! 100 papers published in our Journals during the century that we have been disseminating ecological research. We have reached out to related scientific fields through a series of interdisciplinary meetings and invited the world’s ecologists to celebrate our birthday with us at the INTECOL Congress in London. We have put together some images from 2013 to remind you of what we have achieved.

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Centenary celebrations: A calendar of events

January 8-9 April 12 April 4 May Publication of Identification Global change and biosphere British Ecological Society First outing of the Sex & of 100 fundamental interactions conference, birthday party Bugs & Rock n Roll ecological ecological questions in the University of York roadshow to music festivals Journal of Ecology

27 March Marine Ecology Centenary Symposium, Edinburgh

7 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The Conservation Volunteers Citizen Science day at Ochilfest Menstrie Clackmannanshire

17 May 15 June – 4 August 25 June Evolutionary ecology Festival of Ecology Parliamentary launch of The of infectious diseases impact of extreme events on conference, London Right image: Festival of Ecology freshwater ecosystems, a new a pop exhibition; the school students Ecological Issue who curated the exhibition 21- 25 May Chelsea Flower Show

Launch of 100 Influential papers published in 100 years of the British Ecological Society journals

Above: Festival of nature at Manx Wildlife Trust, 15 June 2013 Below: Get wild in Waterloo; at Waterloo Millenium Green London, learning how to identify wildflowers 23 July 2013

18 -23 August INTECOL

26 September Educational wall chart competition award ceremony See Ecology Education and Careers p25

8 britishecologicalsociety.org INTECOL 2013

The BES Awards Ceremony at intecol

The gathering of 2000 ecologists in London provided a bigger stage than usual for the presentation of the BES awards for 2013. The session began with Georgina Mace delivering a talk that doubled as an INTECOL plenary and her BES Presidential Address. After delivering a challenging and inspiring look forward to biodiversity conservation in the 21st century, and answering questions, Georgina then resumed her role as BES President and read citations for every award winner and presented their awards: the text of each citation follows.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP In this crowded research area, Flowers of Britain and Ireland her particular contribution (written with his father Honorary membership of the has been the recognition Richard, and Marjorie Blamey) BES is the highest honour that defining diversity in is widely regarded as the best that the Society gives. The terms of functional traits book of its kind for any region primary criterion for honorary provides both a practical of the world. He has had membership is a lifetime’s and efficient means to leadership roles in NERC and achievement in the science understand the consequences the University of York and is a of ecology or its application. of environmental change FRS. I am delighted to award Other criteria, such as service for biodiversity and the Professor Alastair Fitter, honorary membership of the to the BES, may be brought into consequences of biodiversity University of York BES to Alastair. play but would not normally change for ecosystem Alastair Fitter has merit the award without at functions. She has developed made ground-breaking least a very strong scientific a large and influential contributions on the role of record. The number of Honorary research agenda around mycorrhizal fungae in plant Members at any one time is plant functional traits, and ecology, using pioneering limited to approximately 1% pioneered collaborative field and laboratory of the total membership of the data gathering, theory and experiments. His early work Society. This year, to mark the field based experiments on bluebells demonstrated centenary, we are awarding six and analyses in this area.. for the first time that uptake honorary memberships. At the same time she has of phosphorus in the field Professor Ilkka Hanski, played a very influential was entirely dependent on University of Helsinki role in international projects mycorrhizae. He also showed Ilkka Hanski has transformed including the Millennium that mycorrhizae are much ecologists’ understanding of Ecosystem Assessment, the more species-specific in meta-population dynamics, IPCC 4th assessment report their plant-associations than in a series of pioneering and DIVERSITAS. She advises previously thought playing theoretical studies and the World Bank’s Global multiple roles, including exquisite long-term field Environment Facility and is pathogen resistance in their work on the Glanville fritillary a member of the Science host-plant. More generally, butterfly (Checkerspots). Professor Sandra Diaz, committee for the new ICSU Alastair has promoted Among his many contributions Córdoba National University Future Earth initiative. For this work on the ecology and he has shown how two Sandra Diaz is internationally breadth and excellence of biodiversity of soil organisms, apparently unrelated recognised for her important work she is a worthy person particularly using modern ecological phenomena (meta- and original work on to be an honorary member of molecular techniques. Alastair population dynamics and the ecosystem functions and their the BES is also well-known for his range-abundance correlation) relationships to biodiversity. outstanding identification are manifestations of the books on the UK flora. Wild

9 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

same underlying processes. to the fate of six million Other scientific highlights, tagged trees being followed combining both theoretical and subsequent expansion and empirical insights, into monitoring temperate include the demonstration plots. In 1988 he set up and of extinction thresholds ran what eventually became for long-term persistence the National Council for in meta-populations, Science and the Environment multiple equilibria in spatial whose stated mission is “to Professor David Tilman, dynamics, the evolution of improve the scientific basis PRESIDENT’S MEDAL dispersal rates, the role of of environmental decision- University of Minnesota & inbreeding depression in making.” This remarkable University of California The Society’s President awards population extinction, and organisation has over ten David Tilman is one of this prestigious honour at how molecular-level variation thousand members and our most respected plant the end of each term of office affects population growth- its annual meetings are an population ecologists, whose (every two years). This prize rates. He has gone on to use astonishing mix of science, work has played a major role was established in 1987 and these powerful insights to power and influence. We in explaining how apparently is the personal gift of the promote effective conservation are delighted to award similar species coexist and President measures for species in Stephen Hubbell honorary which has considerable Professor Dave Raffaelli, fragmented landscapes. He membership of the BES. implications for a range of University of York is an international leader in current societal challenges. ecology and we are proud Professor Pamela Matson, His early studies involved I am delighted to give this to to award him honorary Stanford University resource competition in Dave Raffaelli in recognition of the very broad and deep membership of the BES. (Professor Matson was unable algal communities, and he contribution that he has to attend to receive the award showed how he could explain made to ecology, especially in person) patterns of diversity in terms of resource-based competition in the UK. As well as playing Professor Pamela Matson is an theory. Following a move to his part in the BES on several outstanding environmental the University of Minnesota his occasions, Dave has been scientist. After research research shifted to examining a leader, facilitator and training in forest ecology, the causes of diversity of the convenor of many significant she joined NASA and led Minnesota’s prairies, and research projects. His own exceptionally fine research especially in establishing a work on estuary communities on the atmosphere above the now classic series of long term remains an outstanding Professor Stephen Hubbell, Amazon rain forest, studying experiments at Cedar Creek community case study, University of California particularly trace gases. She Ecosystem Science Reserve. but he has done also done Stephen Hubbell is best studies fluxes of elements His work has involved the much to influence the field known for his development through the biogeosphere, interplay of experiments generally, supporting the of the neutral theory and cooperates with and theory, as illustrated by careers of many younger of biodiversity and hydrologists, agronomists and his comment “I rarely do ecologists in particular. He biogeography. This economists to determine the an experiment that is not has been especially influential fundamental contribution, drivers and environmental inspired by theory and rarely in bridging disciplines in based on substantial consequences of decisions develop theory that is not ecology between marine and ecological insights, has over land use and resource inspired by an experiment”. terrestrial ecology, and from provoked much discussion use. She is the Founding As one of the most highly- ecology to social science. For and prompted new and Editor-in-Chief of the Annual cited ecologists, with his skills this wide range of excellent revealing approaches to Review of Environment and of combining elegant theory work and his influence on the ecological, evolutionary and Resources, a Past President and penetrating experiments, field I am pleased to award biogeographical analysis. of the Ecological Society of he is a leading exemplar of the President’s medal to He has made many other America, is a Trustee of the how theory and experiment David Raffaelli. important contributions. He World Wildlife Fund, and can help understand co-led the establishment of has received many honours, environmental problems, and the classic 50 hectare forest notably Membership of the we are pleased to award David plot on Barro Colorado National Academy of Sciences Tilman honorary membership Island, in Panama, in 1980, and an Einstein Professorship and subsequently the of the Chinese Academy of establishment of additional 40 Sciences. plots in 22 countries leading

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BES AWARD of the science of ecology or administered by the British its application. The Award is Ecological Society. It is The BES Award is made in an honorarium of £1,000 plus awarded for an outstanding recognition of exceptional a certificate and is open to contribution to climate change service to the Society ecologists from anywhere in research. The Award is an the world. honorarium of £1,000 plus a certificate and is open to ecologists from anywhere in the world. Professor Simon Potts, University of Reading Simon Potts is one of the top pollination ecologists in the UK and he is well Dr Libby John, known for his research on the University of Lincoln conservation of pollinators Professor Kevin Gaston, Libby is an outstanding in natural and agricultural University of Exeter plant ecologist with an habitats. He is also one of Professor Kevin Gaston, exceptional commitment to the most prominent public Professor of Biodiversity and Professor Johan Rockström, supporting and inspiring the advocates for the importance Conservation at the University Stockholm Resilience next generation of ecological of pollination, both nationally of Exeter, is one of the most Centre/ Stockholm researchers. She served on and internationally. This prolific and highly cited Environment Institute the BES Council 2002-2005 aspect of ecology is hard ecologists world-wide. He Johan Rockström is before taking up the chair of work, often an uphill struggle, is particularly well-known internationally renowned the Education, Training and and until fairly recently for his pioneering work in Climate Change research Careers committee between unrewarded in academic on macroecology, spatial and policy, through his 2009-2012. At a time when circles, but of paramount patterns in abundance and leadership of the Stockholm UK education is facing some important if science is going the underlying causes of Environment Institute from of its most rapid change, her to make a practical difference rarity, and more recently for 2004-12, and currently as leadership of our education outside of the ivory tower. his work on urban ecosystems director of the Stockholm activities has seen the Society Simon frequently engages and issues associated with Resilience Centre. He has make significant impacts on with the media on television, these, such the impacts of published many papers, national education policy, radio and in national light pollution. This novel amongst which are his implement ever-expanding newspaper articles. In the UK interdisciplinary research is innovative ideas surrounding programmes of support for he advises government panels continuing following Kevin’s the Planetary Boundaries undergraduates and increase such as the Office of Science appointment as Director framework for human the support the Society is able and Technology and Defra of a new multi-disciplinary development in the face of to offer to PhD students here and internationally he advises centre at the University of rapid global change. In 2009, in the UK and further afield. It the Convention on Biological Exeter, the Environment and he was named “Swede of the is therefore highly appropriate Diversity, the European Sustainability Institute which Year” by Fokus magazine for for the British Ecological Environment Agency and is pioneering research into “engaging and exciting work Society to recognise and the US National Academy of improving the relationships in sustainable development”, thank Libby’s contribution Sciences. For his contribution between people and their and in 2010, he was ranked with this award. to both the science of environment. Through the most influential person pollination and for his public his exceptional publishing in Sweden on environmental ECOLOGICAL engagement work, it is both record, his contribution to issues. Johan is also vice-chair timely and very appropriate ENGAGEMENT AWARD the development of these of the Scientific Advisory that the British Ecological The Ecological Engagement new research areas and his Board of the Potsdam Society recognize Simon’s Award is an annual award international standing, Kevin Institute for Climate Impact achievements with this award. to recognise an exceptional is thoroughly deserving of the Research and co-chaired contribution to facilitating MARSH AWARD Marsh Award for Ecology. the visioning process on the use and understanding global environmental FOR ECOLOGY of ecology. The Award is an MARSH AWARD FOR change of ICSU, the Future honorarium of £1,000 plus a The Marsh Award for Ecology CLIMATE CHANGE Earth transition team. certificate. is awarded annually. It is RESEARCH For his contributions to supported by the Marsh Climate Change research Christian Trust and awarded The Marsh Award for and policy, it is appropriate for an outstanding recent Climate Change Research is for the British Ecological discovery or development normally awarded annually. Society to recognise Johan’s which has had a significant It is supported by the achievements with this award. impact on the development Marsh Christian Trust and

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THE MARSH BOOK OF professionals who have come JOURNAL OF ANIMAL Lampe, U., Schmoll, T., THE YEAR AWARD under his influence, but also ECOLOGY ELTON PRIZE Franzke, A., Reinhold, K. to a much wider audience (2012), Staying tuned: Books can have a major impact through his writing and grasshoppers from in ecology but academic public lectures. noisy roadside habitats publishing of books brings produce courtship signals relatively little financial reward Liberation Ecology – this with elevated frequency to authors. This award aims year’s Marsh Book of the components. Functional to recognise the contribution Year is a further attempt to Ecology, 26: 1348–1354. authors make to the science of get ecology across in simple ecology. language. It is a book about METHODS IN ECOLOGY The Marsh Book of the Year “everything ecological” and Dr Sonya Auer, University of AND EVOLUTION ROBERT Award acknowledges the uses everything but scientific Massachusetts-Amherst M MAY PRIZE jargon involving music, the important role that books Auer, S. K., Lopez-Sepulcre, have in ecology and its arts, religion, the Archers, literature and his mother-in- A., Heatherly, T., Kohler, T. development. This prize is J., Bassar, R. D., Thomas, funded by the Marsh Christian law’s washing line. For all of this it is a pleasure to award S. A. and Reznick, D. N. Trust. It is awarded to the (2012), Life histories have book published in the last two the Marsh Book of the Year award to Brian Moss. a history: effects of past years that has had the greatest and present conditions on influence on the science of BEST PAPER BY A adult somatic growth rates ecology or its application. in wild Trinidadian guppies. YOUNG AUTHOR The prize is an honorarium of Journal of Animal Ecology, 81: Sarah Papworth, National £1,000 plus a certificate and The BES awards an annual 818–826. University of Singapore is open to books published prize for the best paper by a Papworth, S. K., Bunnefeld, anywhere in the world. young author in each of the JOURNAL OF APPLIED N., Slocombe, K. and Society’s journals. The prizes ECOLOGY SOUTHWOOD Milner-Gulland, E. J. (2012), are targeted at people at the PRIZE Movement ecology of start of their research career. human resource users: using The awards are named after net squared displacement, an eminent ecologist whose biased random bridges and research reflects the interests resource utilization functions of the journals. to quantify hunter and gatherer behaviour. Methods JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY in Ecology and Evolution, Professor Brian Moss HARPER PRIZE 3: 584–594. (University of Liverpool) for the book published by Dr Andrew Olds, Griffith ERNST HAECKEL PRIZE the International Ecology University The European Ecological Institute: Liberation Olds, A. D., Pitt, K. A., Federation also awarded ecology: the reconciliation Maxwell, P. S., Connolly, R. the Ernst Haeckel Prize to of natural and human M. (2012), Synergistic effects Professor Dr. Ernst-Detlef cultures of reserves and connectivity Schulze. Emeritus Professor Brian on ecological resilience. Moss has been one of the Dr Simon Doxford, Journal of Applied Ecology, most influential freshwater University of Sheffield 49: 1195–1203. ecologists in Europe during the past three decades and Doxford, S. W. and FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY without doubt the world’s Freckleton, R. P. (2012), HALDANE PRIZE leading scientist on shallow- Changes in the large-scale lake ecology. Much of distribution of plants: his research extends well extinction, colonisation and beyond lakes, for example his the effects of climate. Journal Ernst-Detlef Schulze (r) received his identification of alternative of Ecology, 100: 519–529. award from the European Ecological stable states, studies on Federation as part of the awards trophic dynamics, and his ceremony during INTECOL work on climatic effects on lake ecology. As a teacher, he has been inspirational Ulrike Lampe, Bielefeld not only to his students University and the very many fellow

12 britishecologicalsociety.org INTECOL 2013 intecol 2013 student prize winners

While it was not possible to announce all the student prizes during the Closing Ceremony at INTECOL, we are pleased now to announce the following awards:

With over 250 talks and The Anne Keymer Prize (Nian Wang, Queen Mary 250 posters to judge, the for Best Student Oral University of London; competition was tight this Presentation Richard Buggs, Queen Mary year for the British Ecological University of London) Society’s Anne Keymer Prize This prize is named in the for best oral presentation and memory of Anne Keymer S33: Conservation Ecology; Best Student Poster Prize at and awarded for the best Wednesday, 16:00 INTECOL 2013. Congratulations oral presentation by a to all this year’s winners for postgraduate student. Anne RUNNERS UP their exceptional presentations herself was one of the first Anna Riach and thank you to our judges winners of this previously (University of York) whose time and efforts made unnamed prize, in 1981. She this possible. went on to a career of great Relationships between distinction, before dying of insects and their host-plants Those eligible to enter must cancer in 1993, at the age viewed through metabolomic present a paper at the meeting of 36. Anne was a member fingerprints and should be a current of the Editorial Board of the graduate student, or one who Journal of Animal Ecology, (Venura Perera, University has recently graduated and and more generally was an of Exeter; Hannah Florance, Hannah Markham is presenting work that was exemplary scholar, teacher University of Exeter; Steven (University of Queensland) completed when they were and citizen of her discipline. Penfield, University of Exeter; still a student. If presenting a In naming this prize after A Centennial-Scale Jane Hill, University of York) poster, entrants must be the Anne, the BES is recognising Palaeoecological Study to S12: Herbivore Plant first author of the poster and a younger ecologist who Disentangle the Effects of Interactions; Tuesday 16:00 have undertaken the majority embodied, to a remarkable Chronic Anthropogenic of the work being presented. degree, the qualities and Pressure on the Wet Tropics values we stand for. Region of the Inshore Great HIGHLY COMMENDED The winner’s prize in each case Barrier Reef since European Ofir Katz (Ben-Gurion is an honorarium of £250, with WINNER Colonisation. University of the Negev) runners up receiving £100. Due Environmental conditions to the number of high standard (George Roff, University of and silicification in Asteraceae presentations at this year’s Queensland; Jian-xin Zhao, species meeting we are also pleased to University of Queensland; select five highly commended John Pandolfi, University of (Simcha Lev-Yadun, University individuals within each award. Queensland) of Haifa – Oranim; Pua S25: Marine Ecology; Bar (Kutiel), Ben-Gurion Wednesday 09:00 University of the Negev) S12: Herbivore Plant James Borrell (Queen Mary Interactions; Tuesday 11:00 University of London) Gene flow between birch species of differing ploidy levels in the UK: Implications for conservation of dwarf birch

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Ulrike Lampe (Mark Vanderwel, University (Saskia Van Manen, Open William Hentley (Centre for (Bielefeld University) of Florida; David Coomes, University; Micheal Gillman, Ecology and Hydrology) Staying tuned: Developmental University of Cambridge; Open University; Hilary B3.9: The impact of plasticity contributes John Caspersen, University of Erenler, University of elevated CO2 on tri-trophic to grasshopper signal Toronto) Northampton; Hazel Rymer, interactions. adjustment in response to Open University; Steve Blake, S32: Forest Ecology; road noise Open University; Vincent (Rosemary Hails, Centre for Wednesday 15:30 Gauci, Open University Ecology and Hydrology; (Tim Schmoll, Bielefeld Scott Johnson, University Best Student University; Klaus Reinhold, HIGHLY COMMENDED of Western Sydney; T. Hefin Poster Prize Bielefeld University) Alice Balmer Jones, Cardiff University; The Society awards a prize for (University of Zurich) Adam Vanbergen, Centre for S23: Evolutionary Ecology; the best poster by a research Ecology and Hydrology) Tuesday 15:45 student at the Annual A9.20: Fast food for animals: Meeting and this year at A comprehensive ecological Joseph Hick Frazer Matthews-Bird INTECOL 2013. pollination study of non-flying (University of Leeds) (The Open University) mammal pollinated proteas B8.3: Habitat loss affects WINNER Understanding the (Dennis Hansen, Institute parasitism, but not disease modern distributions of Evolutionary Biology prevalence or host density and ecological tolerances and Environmental Studies in a host-natural enemy of the Neotropical non- University of Zurich; Sandy- community biting midge (Chironomid) Lynn Steenhuisen, Biological fauna. The potential as a Sciences Department (Rosie Hails, Centre for palaeoecological proxy University of Cape Town; Ecology and Hydrology; Steven Johnson, School Steven Sait, University of (William Gosling, The Open of Life Sciences University Leeds) University; Stephen Brooks, of KwaZulu-Natal; Jeremy The Natural History Museum; Tasha Shelby Midgley, Biological Sciences Angela Coe, The Open Héléne Prouillet-Leplat, (Lincoln University) Department University of University) EMG Umeå University Cape Town) A9.1: Ditched baggage? A1.15: Plant 15N signatures Lack of root flavonoids in S16: Biogeography & integrate herbivory effect on André Frainer alien plants suggests chemical Ecology; Tuesday 16:00 nutrient cycling (Umeå University) profiles may shift in the Tim Rademacher (Johan Olofsson, EMG Umeå B3.29: Shifts in ecosystem naturalised range (University of Cambridge) functioning due to imbalances University; Sari Stark, Arctic (Kevin McGinn, Bio-Protection between resource and Saturation of the land carbon Centre University of Lapland) Research Centre Lincoln consumer stoichiometry sink at 4°C land temperature University; Philip Hulme, Bio- change as mean prediction of RUNNER UP (Jérémy Jabiol, Université de Protection Research Centre an ensemble of seven Global Toulouse CNRS EcoLab; Mark Lincoln University; Richard Vegetation Models indicates Gessner, Leibniz Institute Duncan, Bio-Protection tipping point of the global of Freshwater Ecology and Research Centre Lincoln carbon cycle Inland Fisheries (IGB) Berlin University) Institute of Technology; (Andrew Friend, University of Cambridge) Andreas Bruder, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science S43: Forest Ecology; and Technology (EAWAG) Thursday 17:30 University of Otago; Eric Bethan Burson Chauvet, Université de Rebecca Spriggs (Open University) Toulouse CNRS EcoLab; (University of Cambridge) B6.15: Response of plant Brendan McKie, Swedish Inferring forest stand communities to volcanic University of Agricultural structure from LiDAR degassing at Masaya, Sciences (SLU)) remote sensing data Nicaragua

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THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

Julie Hodgkinson & Emma Sayer

At the end of the Centenary year Julie Hodgkinson, Festival of Ecology Manager, talks to Emma Sayer about the Festival, and INTECOL

We’ve heard a lot about the Festival of Sounds like it really was a disastrous – one of them we knew about Ecology and INTECOL, but what about big success… the week before, so we had time to sort the person responsible for keeping Yes, we’ve had quite a lot of news something out, and David Tilman was track of everything that was going on, coverage as well. National newspapers happy to step in at short notice for the dealing with last-minute hiccups, and (one of which was the Daily Mail). other. In general, INTECOL was really making sure everything ran smoothly? Some TV coverage at the regional level. well received and we had some good I met Festival of Ecology Manager Julie Some of the regional newspapers were feedback – especially about the party. Hodgkinson for a coffee to get her take great because they put in double-page Did INTECOL break even? on the BES Centenary events. spreads. Yes, it did. We needed 1800 delegates How did the Festival of Ecology go? What was your favourite event and got 2195 in the end – from 67 I think it has had a lot of impact and has or the one you think was most countries, which I’m very proud of. been very successful, I’m still waiting worthwhile? for a few places to get back to me with Any particular comments on your There was one in Birmingham, with time at the BES? numbers but in total around 81,600 the ThinkTank Science Museum, where people attended the events [slightly a group of kids curated an exhibition It has been really great working with all stunned exclamation from Emma]. We had about the ecology of Birmingham and the members. So many members have around 160 separate events around the toured lots of sites around the city. That got involved and been very supportive country with 60 partners. We had a lot was a really good example because they of all the events. I went to some events of exhibitions, so a lot of the attendees engaged with different communities and met BES members there who were because people were visiting the and it reached so many people. The kids had got involved without us knowing exhibitions over the summer. Quite a few were from all over Birmingham, mostly about it, which was great. It’s actually things are carrying on too, so Chelsea, students. They had groups who were really important that scientists do these for example, is keeping the BES exhibit keen on a particular subject and got kinds of events because they have the garden. them to curate an exhibition on that knowledge to answer people’s questions subject, so one group was doing river about ecology, whereas the organisers I was actually surprised by how many don’t necessarily know much about it. people there were in total. I think partly ecology, one was doing something about gardens, ecology of buildings, that sort this was because a lot of the events were What’s next for a conference of thing. They wrote up the exhibition outdoors and we had such nice weather organiser once her contract ends? this year, so they attracted quite large with scientists from the university and I’m going to take a break! Do a little bit audiences. One of the good things about then went along to deliver the events. of travelling. I’m not actually looking for going to non-science events is that you They also developed different fun a job at the moment. There are quite get people who don’t realize that they’re activities. a lot of things I haven’t had time to do interested in ecology. So at the Chelsea One of the most worthwhile things over the last 6-9 months that I would like Flower Show we talked to a lot of people we did was the Chelsea Flower Show, to do. Then next year, I’ll probably look about the ecology of gardens and they because it attracts so many visitors from for a job doing something similar. really liked it. all over the world. Oh, and the Roadies’ Famous last words? How influential was the BES in festival events, of course! I think the BES should take advantage of creating the Festival? Any behind the scenes disasters at the Festival of Ecology and combine the Out of 160, about 150 wouldn’t have INTECOL that we never noticed? events legacy with the Roadies’ legacy taken place without the BES. The few (Failure of two plenary speakers and do more of this kind of thing in where they do an annual event and we to show must have been a bit of a future. It just needs members to come funded them to do something extra, challenge...) forward with ideas and get involved. they would still have held the event but It all actually all went quite smoothly. they wouldn’t have had the ecology part The missing speakers weren’t too of it.

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The long & winding road

A look back on an exciting and successful festival season with Sex & Bugs & Rock ‘n Roll. The stars of Larmer Tree

Here, There and Everywhere Wychwood Festival is a family-friendly grass was soft under foot, no crowds at festival held in early May on Cheltenham the main stage, no lines for the port- Helen Featherstone Race Course. Our visitors came to the a-loos and no mud; all in all not your What a year it’s been! I’ve had the joy of tent with their own nature stories to average festival. Oh and Van Morrison!!! working alongside the Sex and Bugs and tell – from the little girl who’s loved Rock n’ Roll project right from the very woodlice since she was old enough to The ‘Sex & Bugs’ team was here for beginning. I’ve seen new ideas emerge, spot them, to young adults deciding nearly 7 days and it took some getting existing ideas get refined, skills being to take degrees in marine biology, and used to. At most of our other festivals honed and festival-goers absolutely amateur ecologists who could identify the activities were the stars of the show, loving the opportunity to chat with every species they encountered. For return custom for the poo game was research scientists. those who were less inclined towards not uncommon. This wasn’t happening nature and ecology the activities and at Larmer Tree, it felt like a very slow I joined the team at Imperial Festival, enthusiasm of the team hooked them in start and we couldn’t work out what Wychwood and Green Man. Imperial with many people returning several times we were doing wrong. The poo game Festival is a one-day festival at Imperial over the weekend to repeat activities or was tried and tested by this point and College, London. While we were to “complete the set”. it worked a treat. But Larmer Tree was upstaged by our next-door neighbour a different, perhaps older, crowd. It ‘Impfest’ was a taster of things to come. At Green Man we were in Einstein’s took us a few days to realise that the We were swamped with enthusiastic Garden, an area of the festival dedicated main attraction wasn’t the activities festival-goers some of whom were to celebrating science in creative ways. – it was us, The Roadies. People were Imperial College alumni, many of whom We were right by the entrance with a genuinely interested in us as scientist were families from the area or who great view of the Main Stage so we had a and researchers. They wanted to know travelled into the city for the day. We steady stream of people visiting the stall. the specifics of our work and they had met a range of people from those who’d The mostly adult audience (young and some tricky science questions that, even never seen a rabbit to others who were young at heart) enjoyed talking with the as a team, we couldn’t answer. This was passionate beekeepers. Our activities team, seeing what was growing on their a festival where our exhibits and the were thoroughly tested – a few tweaks festival kit and finding out what species Bumblebees were the bigger hit. The big and the team were ready for the future. they were. People stayed, chatted and blue tent was now more like an expert came back for more with one festival- museum, a bit like the genius counter goer telling us “You’re the best bit of the in an Apple Store. There was a constant festival – there’s so much to see and do buzz of conversation and debate and the in one little tent!” Roadies were rushed off their feet.

It’s been really inspiring to see the team Larmer Tree showed us how versatile and develop the project: ensuring its quality adaptable ‘Sex & Bugs’ is. Our message and rigour whilst also making it a lot is always the same but the way we of fun for the team and for the public deliver the science and engagement is they’ve been interacting with. always changing, a bit like cutting edge science itself. Larmer Tree proved to me I am the Walrus that everyone loves science but they love Frazer Bird it in different ways and we have to be aware of that as scientists. After a long Larmer Tree Festival is held every year in week in the gardens the roadies had The Larmer Tree Gardens of Rushmore shown that scientists themselves are an Estates near Salisbury. It has to be the Our handsome next-door neighbour at Imperial attraction, all in all 1622 people popped most idyllic location for a festival; it’s a Festival in for a chat. Garden of Eden for music lovers. The

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Magical Mystery Tour Tom dressed up as a cockroach, which provoked much chasing and stabbing Kate Salmon from children with small sticks and as “I find you really sexy when you’re Ian discovered, even worked as a pick-up talking about poo”, said a young woman outfit. to Will, whilst he was giving clues in “Whose Poos?” A speechless Will pauses Hannah and I were so engrossed in in astonishment, “No, please don’t working that we missed our idol Caitlin stop…” Moran walking past the stall. Ian’s talent for celebrity-spotting meant we quickly This is just a sample of the hilarity of tracked her down again and waited in Green Man. A relaxed, family-friendly the shadows trying desperately hard atmosphere, Green Man was the perfect not to look star struck. She signed a BES festival to tour the BES Roadshow. Four T-shirt and we got a photo with her, we glorious days (of people, not weather), left in a dreamy daze. A ‘swab plate’ with some lovely fungal growth our stall was located in the beautiful Einstein’s Garden overlooking the main Overall, Green Man was brilliant fun stage so we didn’t even have to leave the and a great success for the BES. Lots of stall to see the action. people were confused as to why they hadn’t heard of the BES considering Team Open University, made up of Will, that we were celebrating the 100th Kate and Leanne suffered a minor hiccup anniversary. I hope we managed to when Leanne thought she had tonsillitis change that perception and that we will but luckily it was nothing that a few see them on the 101st anniversary too. ibuprofen didn’t fix. We were joined at the festival by Hannah, Tom, Ian and Tell Me Why Catherine from Lancaster, Holly from Hannah Griffiths London and Helen from Exeter. Going to music festivals in the name of The BES Roadie veterans (aka Will, Helen, ecology? It seems a little too good to Hannah) were pretty slick at setting up be true, doesn’t it? If you like festivals the stall so we were ready to go in no and you like talking, I can’t see why time. The slow trickle of people on the you wouldn’t want to get involved. The first day became more of a torrent by opportunity to chat to non-ecologists the end and we were glad we had extra about the importance, delights, and people to help out. The bees proved annoyances of ecological research in a popular attraction to young and a relaxed and fun environment was old alike, and many people expressed amazing. And don’t forget about the Tom the Cockroach delights visitors at concern and interest about their future. advantages of the setting – when we Green Man Festival. One person in particular went into were finished working, we were free to detail about her very own bee army. She join the festival-goers for the evening’s and her friend collected dead bees and entertainment. dressed them up in little capes, giving them “weapons” to fight each other. As a young scientist, I think being Does anyone else feel a Tate Modern involved in activities like this is piece coming on? really worthwhile, as the more you communicate science with a variety Friends and families competed against of different audiences, the easier and each other at the swabbing station where more effective you’ll become at doing socks, armpits, hat rims, watch straps, so. I certainly feel that being a Roadie old toys and spectacles were sampled for has boosted my confidence in talking their diversity of microbes. We got some about my research. Also, when my PhD beautiful cob-webby moulds by the end comes to an end, I hope my involvement of the festival. The poo and mushroom will stand out to potential employers as smelling games proved so popular that something different from, but relevant Kate and Hannah with Caitlin children dragged their parents and to, my academic work, demonstrating Moran and autographed T-shirt friends back to play again and again. that I can do more than just research.

18 The Roadies at Green Man, on a Sunny Afternoon BES Presidents present and past try their luck at the Roadie games

Finally, in addition to the chance to than 8500 people have visited our blog attend festivals, the Roadies put on two and, in addition to the invitations we’ve workshops in science communication had to turn down this year, we already and public engagement. These were have a long list of invitations to events in informative and useful and something I 2014. would have attended even without the chance of a festival ticket at the end! So many, many thanks to everyone who has supported us* and for all the positive So in summary, being a BES Roadie feedback we’ve received from INTECOL provided training, was fun, professionally delegates, BES members, festival-goers valuable, and really rewarding! I would and event organisers. encourage anyone to do it next time! I suspect (I know) it won’t be the last you With a Little Help from hear from the ‘BES Roadies’. In fact, why not come along and help us celebrate My Friends another anniversary next year? We’ll be Emma Sayer back at the lovely Wychwood Festival We’ve come really long way from the from 31st May to 1st June 2014 to wish initial pint-fueled brainwave in the pub them a very happy 10th birthday. and we’re very fortunate to be part of a *Acknowledgments: Georgina Mace, learned society that will take a chance Julie Hodgkinson, Amy Everard, Hazel on a crazy idea to see what happens. Norman, Richard English, Bill Bewes, All the ‘Roadies’ sacrificed a lot of their Alan Crowden, Andrew Beckerman, spare time to make this work and I think Tom Ezard, David Price and science we can safely say that Sex & Bugs & Rock made simple. ‘n Roll been a resounding success: we’ve talked to over 5000 festival-goers, more

19 ival Festprize draw

Win your registration fee for the annual meeting 2014 in Lille!

You may be aware that we’ve been touring music festivals this summer to celebrate the centenary of the BES by engaging festival- goers with ecology. We have a blog about our experiences http://www.besfest.org and in keeping with the spirit of things, every blog post title since February 2013 is also the title of a rock-, pop-, or folk song.

To enter our prize draw, just list the titles of 10 blog posts with the corresponding bands and you could win your registration fee to the 2014 BES/SEF meeting in Lille or 1 year’s free membership of the BES.

For a chance to win a Roadie T-shirt, include the name of the only band from which we’ve borrowed two song titles.

Email your entry by 31st January 2014 to [email protected] with the subject line: Festival prize-draw

The competition is open to all current BES members and staff. britishecologicalsociety.org

As the Centenary year draws to a close, The BES Emma Sayer asks young of the ecologists to look forward… future

During the centenary Dom Andradi-Brown with answering fundamental Favourite insect… I’m ecological questions about going to reinforce the fears year, we’ve spent lots University of Oxford how it functions. of many ecologists that of time looking back at @dandradibrown the achievements of BES basic taxonomy isn’t being I think a key members, influential papers The future is… taught anymore and pick question in conservation a crustacean (kinda insects from BES journals, and the exemplified by coral reefs is progress in Ecology over of the sea....). I love mantis what are natural ecosystems shrimps – it’s the bright the last 100 years. We’ve under global change? And colours, funky eyes and also heard a lot about where how should we protect them dancing! we might be heading in to ensure their resilience? the future – but who are Some recent studies suggest Frazer Bird the ecologists who will be that some moderately The Open University shaping the BES over the I got into ecology because… impacted reefs have greater @Frazer_Bird next 40-50 years? I’ve always been fascinated resilience than some low by nature, particularly marine impacted reefs. Applying We sent a ‘speed interview’ life. I learnt to dive during knowledge of ecological questionnaire to early-career a family holiday when I was community changes expected BES members, asking them 14 and have been hooked under predicted future to send short responses to since! This led to a natural impacts I believe will become the following questions: combination of both these increasingly important passions guiding me through in conservation decision- • How or why did you get my undergraduate and making. into ecology? masters degrees and into a I BES because… The support I got into ecology because… • What is your area of PhD in coral reef ecology. and mentoring I received as I always wanted a job research and why do you My research area… It’s often an undergraduate through the that got me outside and find it fascinating? stated but coral reefs really BES Undergraduate Fellowship allowed me to travel. I didn’t are the rainforests of the Scheme was great, initially • What direction do you choose ecology specifically sea, I find the sheer diversity engaging me with the BES and think your subject area will – I actually did physical and abundance of marine helping me get through my Geography at uni; it gave take in the next 20-50 years life on coral reefs incredible. first big ecological conference! me a broad view of the (and where do you want In particular I’m looking at (Don’t underestimate how environment that has just to take it)? coral reef fish biomass and scary it is as a student to become ever more focused • What do you like most population connectivity on be in a room surrounded as I progressed through by the people who wrote about being a member mesophotic coral reefs (30- academia (Undergrad to 140m depth). These reefs the textbooks and many of the BES? Masters to PhD). have been rarely studied of the papers you’ve been • Finally, what is your and yet may act as a depth reading!) Since then the BES My research area… I am favourite insect (and why)? refuge against many of the network has led to many great actually not a true ecologist, anthropogenic impacts conversations (over even more I am a Palaeoecologist; I So without further ado, affecting shallow reefs. I love glasses of wine) including me reconstruct past environments please allow us to introduce the excitement that comes getting involved in the Aquatic and study how they change the BES of the future from combining exploration Ecology SIG. on longer timescales, 100- (in alphabetical order)... of a rarely-studied habitat 1000’s of years. I just love

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getting out into the field and Lydia Cole Hannah Griffiths Fevziye Hasan hunting for new sites that University of Oxford Lancaster University University of Hull might be that bit older than @lydcole @fezidae the last one. It’s the closest thing right now we have to time travel!!

The future is… I think palaeoecology will become ever more important in our understanding of current ecological issues. I’d like to see palaeoecologists and ecologists collaborating I got into ecology because… I got into ecology because… I got into ecology because… more. We have the long-term I grew up on a farm, playing I’ve been obsessed with the When I was younger every studies and they have the with animals and in the natural world (especially summer my parents would need for the data, we just surrounding forest, and have tropical rainforests) for as send my older sister and I to have to learn what we want always wanted to save the long as I can remember. Turkey to my uncle who took from each other. rainforest! Studying ecology allows me us camping along the coast. to spend time in amazing This was definitely the time I I BES because… It’s a very My research area… environments, learning a little became interested in natural welcoming society, even for Tropical peatland ecology about how they work and history. When you grow an ecological imposter like and palaeoecology, and having adventures up in a flat in east London me. It feels very encouraging environmental management – seeing nature like that is quite and supportive to its younger broadly tropical peat swamp My research area… astonishing, so I was greatly members. I have never felt forest conservation. It’s such Biodiversity-ecosystem influenced! inadequate or intimidated an important and threatened functioning relationships, which sometimes can be ecosystem, and thinking specifically those mediated by My research area… the case at big prestigious about how to manage it non producer organisms. In Entomology. I got interested societies. sustainably brings in all sorts order to fully appreciate the in termites (Isoptera) from of disciplines and issues, and impact of human activities on South-East Asia after working Favourite insect… It has to people. natural systems, we first need at the Natural History be Chironomids or midges. to understand how plants and Museum. They are the main Not very glamorous but The future is… For as long animals interact to maintain decomposers in the tropics they are excellent climatic as the tropical peatlands the processes that sustain and I find it fascinating that indicators and an increasingly exist (maybe another 20 ecosystems. such small creatures can important tool for us years!), I think the research play incredibly vital roles in palaeoecologists. I am biased associated with it will be quite The future is… I would like ecosystems! however; they are my current interdisciplinary and become to continue to study how research interest. increasingly political. I think organisms and their traits The future is… Conservation I’ll embrace advocacy, but shape biophysical processes biology. I think it is important need to figure out a route and provide the services we to study, understand and “It’s a very to being an expert that isn’t reply on. I hope that the more document insect biodiversity down the slightly dodgy Jack- we know about the role of and ecosystem functions as welcoming of-all-trades path. biodiversity, the more reason much as possible to help society, even for we’ll have to maintain it. conservation efforts around I BES because… It’s a great the world. an ecological community of all sorts of I BES because… The nature enthusiasts, and they opportunity to get involved I BES because… The imposter like throw AMAZING parties. in a diverse suite of activities Undergraduate Fellowship me. It feels very from conferences to festivals – Scheme; I have been able Favourite insect… Probably being one of the Roadies this to attend INTECOL and encouraging a shield bug – beautiful and year was amazing! meet a number of influential unpretentiously harmless. ecologists. Everyone is super and supportive Favourite insect… It has to friendly and so helpful! be the lovely Stag beetle. to its younger I LOVE them, so big and Favourite insect… Fungus- members.” beautiful. I am always amazed growing termites because and excited that we have they are like mini farmers! such an impressive insect in The Coleoptera are my first the UK. love though, especially the metallic scarabs, they’re so pretty!

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Alice C Hughes I BES because… I like the My research area… I study Dara Stanley structure, and special interest greenhouse gas emissions Xishuangbanna Tropical Royal Holloway University groups – so everyone can find from wetland trees (tropical, Botanical Garden of London their niche and get the most temperate and boreal @AliceCHughes @darastanley out of it! systems). Not only do I get to work in some of the world’s Favourite insect… Tough most amazing ecosystems one, but I think it would have (Amazonian rain forests!), to be moths! They are such my work contributes to a diverse group, so subtly understanding a new methane beautiful, yet still so well emission pathway that we adapted (and many can hear know very little about. All in all and respond to bats). Yet a very thrilling and rewarding I got into ecology because… like so many species they are experience. I got into ecology because… often completely overlooked I’ve always been interested in Nature and the outdoors, I grew up in the countryside, and dubbed “dull”, when The future is… New forms and always knew I wanted they are not at all. I’ve long of knowledge base including and in university loved to research wildlife in their felt that rather than moths both disciplinary and learning about ecology and natural habitats, and try to being “the butterflies of the interdisciplinary approaches how things work…and it just best protect biodiversity from night”, it would be a little will be essential to understand snowballed from there. the myriad of pressures that more accurate to say that the complex scientific and threaten natural habitats. My research area… I butterflies are the “moths of social issues of global change. work with bees and other the day”! The next 20-50 years will most I pollinating insects, how they My research area… likely see many disciplines look at the diversity and interact with plants, and Sunitha Pangala working together. My research distribution of species across the pressures and stresses area is no exception. Southeast Asia and use a The Open University they face. At the moment I’m looking at the impacts variety of approaches to I BES because… It is a try to understand these really cool society! One that of pesticides on bees and patterns and what effect provides an excellent platform their behavior. I find this environmental change to nurture early career area fascinating as it links may have, so that we can members, such as myself, in a something very tangible – tailor conservation plans very relaxed environment. food production – with a accordingly. I do it because it set of tiny organisms that matters, and because it can Favourite insect… I have a provide the ecosystem service make a genuine difference to long list as they are all pretty. of pollination. Although it the future of these species, I got into ecology because… Although Dragonflies are my is a very topical area at the many of which have not even Growing up in the Western most favourite. The Common moment, there is so much been scientifically described Ghats of India, nature was Picture Wing and Ground to learn about and we are yet (i.e. 50% of Southeast always close to my heart. Skimmer in particular, as I discovering new things all Asian bat species). I see Whether it was sighting a grew up seeing them in my the time. interesting places, encounter plant or animal species for garden. interesting species, work the first time or trying to with interesting people and understand the intricate actually have the ability to interactions that shape the make a difference. natural world, I found ecology fascinating. It was no surprise The future is… The same sort that I chose to study ecology. of thing-but a lot better, as there are so many things that with time we should really be able to improve!

23 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The future is… This question would like to see more people I BES because… It’s a I BES because… I really is sort of like letting a kid appreciate these services, but really great community of like the annual conference into a sweet shop – there also appreciate that nature ecologists from all walks held by the BES – it brings are so many things to do or and biodiversity are worth of life -- students, senior together great people, held directions to follow! For me, I protecting simply because it scientists, industry folks -- and at wonderful venues, and like doing something that has would be sad if it was lost. everyone’s welcome! has great parties! Though, an obvious application be it there are NUMEROUS perks in policy, conservation or in I BES because… I have Favourite insect… Bees. I to being a member, which I management. realised that there are lots of love honey! don’t have space here to list people like me! It is a great them all! I BES because… It is inspiration to meet people Gavin Williams wonderful to have a society interested in the same things Favourite insect… Must I that provides a forum for as me. University of Birmingham really pick only one! I love ecologists to meet and @drought_impacts insects!! Caddis flies and interact, but also provides Favourite insect… Not @DriStream their larvae are awesome and support in a number of very original, but probably though this may sound geeky, different ways. It helps you bumblebees. They are great I just love the challenge of realize you are part of a looking, important, and you identifying them all! But, larger and long-standing can meet them often! dragonflies win here, adults community. are so bright and amazing, Alexandra Sutton and the larvae are incredible Favourite insect… Very hard Duke University predators – awesome! to pick only one! I love some @aesutz solitary bees – Megachile are pretty amazing! But I got into ecology because… “I really like my favourite bumblebee is My early childhood was spent Bombus lapidaries. in a city, and I loved more the annual than anything escaping it and conference Hanna Stostad visiting the countryside. I was, and still am, fascinated by held by the University of York wildlife. I guess Environmental @hannastostad Science at sixth-form college BES – it brings really encouraged my passion together great I got into ecology because… for ecology and fed my desire I have loved wild animals ever to study it further. people, held since my parents bought me a book on tigers when I was My research area… I am a at wonderful four years old. doctoral researcher studying the impact of drought on venues, and has I look My research area… stream ecology. In particular, for solutions to human- great parties!” I am investigating how predator conflict problems I got into ecology because… drought stressors affect in East Africa. It’s awesome Despite spending lots of stream functions. I have, for -- not only because I get to time outdoors growing up in as long as I remember, always hang around with the Maasai Norway, I never realised there been fascinated by rivers and and chase lions all day, but was a whole science about the critters within them! how it all fit together. When also because I can use my I found that I could actually science to provide a tangible The future is… I think my study Ecology, that was it! benefit that saves wildlife and area of research will grow improves people’s lives. and expand as climate My research area… Trophic change impacts increase in I’d like to get cascades in terrestrial ecology, The future is… both frequency and severity a little more big-picture with especially animal habitats and across the globe. I think my applied ecology work, interactions with disturbed the methods in assessing and start focusing more on areas. That said, I might drought impacts will change science policy & philanthropy. change paths later seeing as I as drought becomes an I’m interested in how we, as have just started... increasing phenomenon a global society, legislate and within the UK. I hope that I think that fund scientific innovation The future is… even more disturbance Ecology will probably focus and environmental problem ecology studies will begin increasingly on ecosystem solving -- and I’d like to be a integrating multiple climate services, as these will be driver in bringing that to the change stressors. under increasing threat. I forefront of scientific culture.

24 britishecologicalsociety.org ECOLOGY EDUCATION AND CAREERS

Ecology Education and Careers

In2Science Centenary award ceremony In2Science is a scheme that aims support those students from low income backgrounds and often those who might be the first in their family to consider higher education. In the summer of 2013, the BES Karen Devine / BES Education Officer funded 5 placements for gifted @YoungEcoBES A-level students wishing to gain a taste of life at University, each student was supported for On 26th September the BES celebrated the two weeks at the universities of Bath and Oxford and University achievements of students from across the UK College London. For the next 12 months they will receive who had contributed to the BES Centenary further support from the staff at In2Science as they finish their schools competitions. A-levels and begin the process of applying for university. Whilst Niamh, Grace and Amy the national average or students presenting lunch for the day from low income families to attend university is as low as 16%, the In2Science scheme will The award ceremony was held at the Think Winning scripts had been converted into eventually see around 80% of Tank museum in central Birmingham for radio broadcasts by Funkids radio and are their students successfully make around 60 guests, many of them young now available for all to hear at http://www. applications to Russell group people who had entered the competition. funkidslive.com/blog/my-broadcast-from- universities. space-winners/ The event kicked off with an introduction to The BES will be funding further the importance of food security, young people Alexa Newman and Flora Loveday of placements in 2014, applications were asked to devise a menu that could be Shrewsbury High school won the secondary for which will open early in the served up for 200 people. All ingredients need category, whilst Ryan Smith, Holly Wilkinson new year. If you are interested in hosting a student or would to be sourced from within a 50 mile radius of and Siobhan Campbell of Kirn Primary school like to know more about the the school. Niamh Broad, Grace Milner and travelled 24 hours from Scotland to claim the scheme please feel free to get in Amy Stainer of Sandbach High School were primary prize. touch in the In2Science founder the competition’s clear winners with a detailed Rebecca Mckelvey r.mckelvey@ explanation of the local food sources and an in2scienceuk.org or the Education innovative menu. Their menu was served to all team at the BES. guests at the award ceremony. All three girls were delighted and surprised to see their own menus served to them on the day.

• Honey Glazed Baked Apple with hazelnut, goats cheese and rocket salad

• Pan fried duck with forest fruits compote reduction, seasonal green vegetables and roasted charlotte potatoes

• Poached Pear in red wine, homemade honeycomb, cinnamon ice cream, dark chocolate ganache.

After lunch, 7 year old Ruby Nunns read her specially commended Haiku poem Hedgehog, before all winning entries presented their Alexa, Flora (Winners) and Emma poetry and artwork. These are all collected (Runner up) with Hannah Garrett into volume of poems that celebrates the from the UK space Agency and favourite wildlife of children across the UK and Greg Watson of Funkids Radio is available from the BES office. Sam Watson of Bradford Grammar reading his poem “Bats”, praised The final section of the award ceremony Top image: Hannah Cooke with not just for his use of language but Prof Jane Memmot celebrated the imagination of students in also his dramatic artwork the search for life on other worlds with Bottom image: Bethany Jordan with Dr Alessandro Dupont reference to extremophile examples on earth.

25 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Imbalance at INTECOL

Christina Ravinet / BES Education Intern @C_Ravinet

Why this year’s event illustrates the need for BES Membership inclusiveness in ecology. At the time of writing, the BES had 5251 members. Gender information has been captured for 4539 members. For members With around 2000 ecologists travelling progression is inclusive are fully of known gender: from far and wide to come to the understood. In guidelines set out by • 39.9% of members are female, 60.1% 1 world’s largest ecological conference, WISE (formerly the UKRC), maximising are male. INTECOL 2013 provided an ideal place talent is cited as the first reason for to gain some insight into the diversity learned societies needing to show an 1970 members of known gender are of ecologists in the wider ecological interest in gender equality2. This reason in academia (undergraduate to staff/ community. Following the event, a can be applied to any diversity issue, not faculty). Of these members: diversity survey, forming part of the just gender equality. For ecology and the • 49.8% are female, 50.2% are male. INTECOL feedback survey, was carried out BES, having as many talented ecologists in the broader context of a BES project as possible with a breadth of diversity • Undergraduates: 57.3% are female, to look at barriers to ecological career will strengthen and grow the science. 42.7% are male. progression Other benefits of diversity include greater • Postgraduates: 59.8% are female, 40.2% productivity2 and a more varied and, are male. The results of the diversity section of therefore, open-minded workforce3. The the INTECOL survey showed that, BES is currently looking at how more • Post-Docs: 46.4% are female, 53.6% are overall, slightly more women responded people can be encouraged to take up male. to the survey than men, but women ecological science and how to help those • Staff/faculty: 32.95% are female, are underrepresented at more senior already engaged in ecological fields to 67.05% are male. academic positions (see Box 1). This progress to the next stage of their career. drop-off in the proportion of women can also be seen in the BES membership The reasons for increasing diversity profile. Whilst female members are are often collectively referred to as the INTECOL 2013 Feedback Survey overrepresented at undergraduate and ‘business case’. The use of this term Response rate to the survey was 13.7% postgraduate level, there are more male suggests that diversity is a commodity (267/1948). Diversity questions were post-doc and staff/faculty members than which that can be capitalised on for optional; the response rate to these female (see Box 2). profit. It is crucial that this perception of questions was 11.6% (225/1948). diversity does not mask the true value Questions covered academic career stage, Gender imbalance in science is already of, and moral reason for, inclusiveness. gender, ethnicity and disability. well evidenced. Addressing only gender Ecology needs to be free from barriers barriers, however, is not the whole and accessible to all simply because there • 52.9% were female, 44.4% were male picture as underrepresentation occurs in is no reason for it not to be. and 2.7% preferred not to say. other groups too. The INTECOL survey • PhD students: 66.7% were female, data suggest that ethnic minorities, A curiosity in ecology should be 30.6% were male. particularly black ethnic minorities, are celebrated and nurtured no matter underrepresented amongst ecologists where it comes from. • Post-Docs: 53.6% were female, 46.4% in the UK. It is likely that barriers in were male. ecological careers and education are faced References 1WISE – www.wisecampaign.org.uk • Professor/Chair: 31.9% were female, by many people and other characteristics 63.8% were male. to consider include socio-economic 2UKRC-WISE. Engaging in Gender Equality: background, disability, sexuality, religion Lessons learned from our work with professional • 77.3% were of a White ethnicity, 6.7% and age. The list could go on. bodies and learned societies. Available at www. were of an Asian ethnicity, 3.6% were of wisecampaign.org.uk a Mixed ethnicity, 2.2% were of another Learned societies have a significant 3Campaign for Science & Engineering in the ethnicity, 0.4% were of a Black ethnicity contribution to make in supporting UK, 2008. Delivering Diversity: Making Science and 9.8% preferred not to say. career progression but it is important & Engineering Accessible to All. Available at that the reasons for ensuring this http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/ • 7.1% declared that they had a disability.

26 britishecologicalsociety.org SCIENCE POLICY

Science Policy Holyrood Batman! The BES’s day in the Scottish Parliament

Rob Brooker / James Hutton Institute and member of the BES Public and Policy Committee

With a year to go until the independence referendum, the Scottish Parliament is clearly the place to be.

Juliet Vickery (Chair of the BES Public and Policy Committee), Mary Scanlon MSP who hosted the BES event and Rob Brooker

The BES has managed to get in on the act with a visit by the Scottish Policy Group (SPG) to Parliament. The SPG floated the idea of a visit in the spring, and with the help of the office of Mary Scanlon MSP, it was surprisingly straightforward to get the arrangements in place for a BES event. So on Thursday 19th September there we were, standing in the drizzle trying not to get our smart clothes wet as we waited for Martin (our very patient BES Policy Manager) to tell us what to do. Juliet Vickery plugs 100 Influential Papers overall theme is of a tree branch, some After the tour we took our seats in the Once we’d negotiated the huge queue of it is a mystery. Interestingly this means public gallery of the debating chamber of folk waiting to see the Great Tapestry that, although only occupied since 2004, ready for First Minister’s Questions. This of Scotland (far more impressive the building is starting to build up a was a feisty event, especially so because than you might imagine), our day mythology of its own. We managed to the previous day had marked the point started with a mid-morning tour of get a full tour of the building, including of there being one year left until the the Parliament buildings. For those of a visit to the debating chamber, and independence referendum. As you you not familiar with the history of the a trip down those steps at the bottom might expect, and as will be the case for Scottish Parliament, the construction of of which so many people seem to get the coming year, nearly all debate was the new buildings was a hotly debated interviewed by the press. Personally I dominated by or gravitated back to the topic. It was designed by the Spanish was very surprised by how much I was issue of independence. It was however architect Enric Miralles who died prior to impressed by and liked the buildings – I really remarkable to sit in and watch how its completion. Consequently, although certainly like the insides much more than FMQs operated. This particular FMQs some of the thinking behind the the outsides and this seemed to be a included discussion of re-nationalisation buildings is known, for example that the common theme within the SPG. of the Royal Mail, a debate which made

27 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The Scottish executive summary provides specific examples of how extreme events are managed in Scotland. Natural Flood Management (NFM) has been taking place in the internationally important Insh marshes where the RSPB now manage the site for the benefit of biodiversity and protection of the downstream communities from flooding. The reserve adds to the local economy through tourism, while the construction of similarly effective flood defences was estimated at around £1.3M. In Dunfirmline, considerable industrial and commercial development is underway at a site known as the Eastern Expansion. In an attempt to protect downstream water quality and increase pollution retention onsite, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have been put in place to reduce runoff and increase ground water recharge. This has included a network of retention basins, swales, detention ponds and wetlands. This site has enabled much research to take place Rob Brooker looks very grown up against the subtle backdrop of a huge BES poster surrounding SuDS and their potential uses. the headlines during the evening news So, that’s a run-down of the day. Was Another case study focuses on the and in the following day’s papers, and it it worthwhile? The feedback I received, freshwater pearl mussel. It is one of was exciting to have felt – if only in some from both the SPG and those that the longest lived invertebrates known, small way – in the centre of these things attended the lunchtime event, indicates but due to exacting requirements in Scotland. that it certainly was. We promoted throughout its complicated life-cycle the Society, made some contacts that it is highly sensitive to the effects The tour was then followed by a will hopefully stand us in good stead of extreme events. Severe floods lunchtime reception hosted by Mary for continued and possibly increasing can remove mussels from their beds Scanlon. When mulling over the involvement in the future, and learnt and increase build-up of sediments possibility of an event at the Parliament, a lot about how things work in the and pollution, while droughts can we’d contacted Mary Scanlon because Scottish Parliament. One very notable concentrate pollution, reduce oxygen she is the Parliament’s champion for impression is that of openness. From the availability and potentially leave freshwater pearl mussels (as she pointed debating chamber with its curved form, mussels stranded. The principles of out, she was quite pleased not to get large public gallery and motifs intended Natural Flood Management and SuDS the narrow headed wood ant). This to remind MSPs that the electorate (slow water down, encourage infiltration link chimed well with our aim of basing is watching, to the ease of arranging and encourage natural processes) are the lunchtime reception around the our tour and lunchtime reception, the therefore likely to benefit freshwater BES’s recently-released Ecological Issues overall impression is of openness and pearl mussels. on The Impact of Extreme Events on accessibility and this is certainly good Greg Counsell, BES Policy Intern Freshwater Ecosystems. The Policy team, news for a learned society like the BES. in conjunction with the report’s authors, had done a great job in producing a Finally the SPG would like to express summary of the document focussed on once again its thanks to Mary Scanlon case studies from Scotland, which was and her staff for hosting us so well during really helpful in terms of making the the lunchtime reception, to the BES for information relevant to a Scottish policy its continued support for the group, and audience. The lunchtime event allowed to the Society’s Policy team for all of their us to promote the Society by flagging work in the run up to, and during, the up the Centenary, the Ecological Issues event. publication, and the existence of the SPG. Juliet Vickery and myself did our Georgina-and-Bill double act, and tried to seem grown up. We think we got away with it.

28 britishecologicalsociety.org SCIENCE POLICY

UK Biodiversity Science Committee – whatever for?

Sandy Knapp / UK BSC chairperson

A UK DIVERSITAS Committee has been constituted and invites active input from the scientific community

Although the UK has an incredibly The UK BSC met for the first time in science content of the emerging strong and vibrant community September 2012, and will meet twice a Research Framework “Future Earth – doing the science that underpins year in person at the Royal Society, but Research for Global Sustainability”, global environmental sustainability more often virtually. as individual Global Environmental – biodiversity science – it has been Change (GEC) Programmes such as perceived that our voice was not heard Biodiversity science almost defies DIVERSITAS and the World Climate as loudly as it should be in international definition – but in discussing how the UK Research Programme (WCRP) are initiatives such as DIVERSITAS. In late BSC could help UK scientists we felt we amalgamated into Future Earth (http:// 2011 the BES hosted a town hall meeting needed to be as inclusive as possible. So www.icsu.org/future-earth), a ten-year at the Society of Biology to discuss for us, biodiversity science is that needed ICSU (the International Council for whether or not the UK needed a national to support the CBD vision of “Living in Science) initiative that aims to bring committee in the DIVERSITAS framework Harmony with Nature” where “By 2050, together research to understand global (http://www.diversitas-international. biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored environmental change and sustainability. org/). The UK had long been represented and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem These are challenging tasks, and we are in DIVERSITAS by individual scientists, services, sustaining a healthy plant and only finding our feet and beginning to including Professor Georgina Mace delivering benefits essential for all people.”, get to work. Input from the community who is the chair of the DIVERSITAS and the mission of the new CBD strategic is crucial to the success of the endeavour Science Committee. The consensus of plan to “take effective and urgent action to make us more than the sum of our the meeting was to constitute a UK to halt the loss of biodiversity in order parts – so please get in touch! DIVERSITAS Committee, whose role to ensure that by 2020 ecosystems are would be to help the UK community resilient and continue to provide essential We will be establishing a website have a more prominent international services, thereby securing the planet’s (http://www.ukbsc.info) in addition profile. Applications were invited, variety of life, and contributing to human to our presence as part of the Royal and 15 members were elected from well-being, and poverty eradication”. The Society (http://royalsociety.org/ 51 applications, representing a broad science underpinning these ambitious about-us/governance/committees/ cross-section of biodiversity scientists in goals will i) be integrative and link ukbsc/) – where we will post news of the UK. The aim was to have a group biological, ecological, and social funding opportunities and meetings; that was small enough to work well, disciplines; ii) take place at local to global suggestions for additional content and but large enough to be diverse – not an scales, and between scales, iii) consider functionality welcome. Various members easy task! The UK Biodiversity Science diversity at all levels of biological of the Committee tweet as Biodiversity Committee (UK BSC) was therefore organisation from genes to species, Science (@BiodivSci), most recently established in summer 2012 to represent landscapes and biomes, and iv) involve from INTECOL in London and the the UK biodiversity science community observations and experiments, as well as BiodiversityKnowledge conference in and to serve as a constituted advisory modelling and prediction. We hope the Berlin. Follow us and join in! committee for The Royal Society Global work of the UK BSC can help to bring Sandy Knapp, is Head of Plants Division, Environmental Research Committee the strength of integrative and insightful Department of Life Sciences, at the Natural (GERC, http://royalsociety.org/about-us/ science done by UK biodiversity scientists History Museum in London governance/committees/gerc/). The together to make an international two previous DIVERSITAS representatives impact. on GERC will be substituted by a Among the first tasks of the UK BSC is to representative of UK BSC (normally the engage with the UK science community Chairperson). Individual members will to advance the promotion of biodiversity serve 3 year terms, and new members science as a contribution to both national will be selected through an application and international science programmes. and election process that will attempt to We will also scrutinise the biodiversity maintain the diversity of the Committee.

29 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Lords and ladies (Arum maculatum), near Wittersham, Kent

English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) Ditch at edge of Wicken Fen, Yellow pitcher plants (Sarracenia lutea) in the dominate the understory in early spring; Cambridgeshire, England Green Swamp, North Carolina, USA. College Wood, near Wittersham, Kent

UK BSC Membership (2012-2015)

Gary Carvalho, Bangor University John Hopkins, Independent (ex-Natural Paul Somerfield, Plymouth Marine Terry Dawson, University of Dundee England) Laboratory Peter Dennis, Aberystwyth University Richard Gregory, Royal Society for the Andy Stott, Defra (Secretary) Protection of Birds Ruth Waters, Natural England Keith Hamer, University of Leeds Sandy Knapp, Natural History Museum Allan Watt, NERC Centre for Ecology (Chairperson) Mike Hassell, Imperial College and Hydrology Anne Magurran, University of St Andrews Alison Hester, James Hutton Institute Jonathan Silvertown, Open University

30 britishecologicalsociety.org

BES in the media Today on Radio 4

George Peterken

The BES publicity machine (aka Becky Allen) constantly strives to gain media attention for research published in Society journals. Much of the effort falls on stony ground, but what happens when a story gets picked up for national news programmes? Here are George Peterken’s recollections written shortly after his 2 or 3 minutes of fame:

While I can remember the details, here is on TV (7.20 and 8.20) and one on Radio my recollection of being on Today and BBC 4 (7.40-7.45). I think their idea of what “I think their Breakfast TV early on 24 July 2013... to transmit/broadcast developed as we talked, because my prospective role idea of what to Early afternoon, 23 July 2013. I was changed from ‘I’ll show up’ to ‘we want minding my own business at home, to interview you on Today’. The latter transmit/broadcast when I had a call from Liam Cavin, who was discussed with Alistair Jump, Liam’s has completed his studies of beech and supervisor in Sterling, who was also to developed as we oak growth in Lady Park Wood. A paper be interviewed, and we agreed that it talked, because had been accepted for publication in one would be best it I went first and he came of the British Ecological Society’s journals second with an account of the research my prospective role and the BES publicity people had issued and its significance. Envisaging a joust a press release, along with PR’s on other with John Humphreys, I was relieved to changed from ‘I’ll papers that they thought might attract hear that the interviewer would be Sian wider interest. The BBC wanted to do a Lloyd, who would be on site. show up’ to ‘we feature on BBC1 Breakfast time TV. This all seemed fine and reasonable until want to interview In summary, Liam had used our long- the last call, which said that I would be you on Today” term records at Lady Park Wood and wanted at the Saracen’s Head, Symonds tree-ring analyses from his own cores to Yat East at 5 am. I think this came about study the impact of the 1976 drought. partly because I had warned them that Those beech that had not died had been the Wye Gorge might be a difficult stopped in their tracks and had never location. Getting into Lady Park Wood recovered their previous growth rates, would be a stiff climb; their mobile whereas the oaks slowed their growth studio might not get up the narrow lane only slightly in 1976 and had actually at Symonds Yat; and mobile phones grown faster thereafter, released as don’t work in the gorge. I envisaged they had been from competition from a horse-box-sized studio stuck below beech. The outcome was a switch from Symonds Yat or in a rut on a forest road. accelerating beech dominance to a That or a 10 mile drive via Monmouth to mixed woodland in which oak and other travel half a mile to location in the gorge, species were holding their own. This and then find they could not contact was just one example of a short-term their studio when they got there. event having a long-term impact on the character of a near-natural wood. There On Wednesday morning Susan prodded are also implications for the impact of me awake at 4 am (which turned out climate change and the prospects for to be before dawn). I took time for tea, growing beech for timber. then got engrossed in a Sudoku, so I left in a rush and was actually 10 minutes A rapid succession of calls from Jack Gill late at the Saracens Head, having passed (Today, Radio 4, London) and James through St Briavels, Coleford and Berry O’Hara (BBC1 Breakfast Time, Salford) Hill without seeing another human eventually established, via several being. The party was already waiting changes, that they would want two slots – Sian Lloyd the interviewer, a chief

31 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The old-growth stand in Lady Park Wood that has been largely untouched since 1870, merely receiving light thinning in 1902 and about 1930.

Photograph George Peterken

technician and a cameraman, together drive to get there, and eventually Sian This left about 20 minutes before I was with Liam Cavin (who had actually done agreed to move. So we retreated up to due on R4’s Today programme. We first the research) and Rob Wolstenholme Berry Hill, drove round to Staunton and selected a patch beside the ride where (who is the Natural England man-in- took to the forest roads again, this time twigs and leaves on the ground could charge of the man-in-charge of the Lady arriving at the top of Lady Park Wood. I be scuffed for sound effects. Then I went Park reserve). I discovered later that Sian wanted to drive them on to the edge of over with Sian what I might say, and had come from Cardiff, the technician the clearing, but had not realised that we at least rehearsed the first question. and cameraman from Birmingham, the last bit of the ride was overhung All this was done against a background Rob from Gloucester that morning, all with low leafy branches, no problem for of exchanges between Sian and the having got up at 3 am. Liam had stayed a car, but difficult for the aerial and dish Today studio concerning the time we overnight in the Saracens Head. None of mounted on the roof of the BBC’s mobile would have on air (constantly changing us had had breakfast, a small irony, given studio van. Basically, we crashed our between 2 and 4 minutes), what form that this was for Breakfast TV. way through, wrenching branches off or the lead-in would take, and how to aside while the studio van passed, and manage the pay-off (or hand back?). It had already been decided that we eventually got clear with the gear on the Suddenly, we were warned to be ready would go to the Biblins bridge to roof festooned in leafy branches, looking and then off. I talked on autopilot in broadcast, so we drove off in convoy. like the army on manoeuvres. bullet points and just hoped it sounded The BBC’s mobile transmission van coherent, completely oblivious of time (roughly Ford Transit size) could hardly Fortunately, the location was technically passing. Soon I had the horizontal hand take the gradient up to Symonds Yat OK. While the BBC studio made satellite wave from Sian, which was the signal Rock. It was W-reg, rusty round the contact, I took the cameraman to film to conclude, and we signed off, leaving edges of the doors, and running-in a the dying beech tree (for inserts into the Alistair Jump in Edinburgh to follow up new engine. By the time we reached interview). By then people were smiling with a studio interview. the top, Rob was out of sight, so the again, but it was only 20 minutes to BBC mistakenly turned into the Rock car transmission on BBC1, the studio editors We then had 45 minutes down time, park. Fortunately, I was in the rear and had already been contacting Sian for 10 at which point the BBC people realised could rescue them: we regrouped and minutes seeking a link, and nobody had that neither breakfast nor loos were drove uneventfully on to the Kells Road discussed what would be said on screen. within reach. Within 15 minutes we had entrance and down the forest roads to feedback (via earpiece, text messages the Biblins Bridge. This, however, was While the dying beech shots were sent and email) from the Today editors that where troubles became serious, for to Salford by satellite, Sian started to they were very pleased with the item, the technician could not find a signal, rehearse Liam, Rob and the cameraman and likewise from the British Ecological wherever he tried – there were too many for BBC1, all the time with messages Society’s publicists, so by then we were trees in the way – and I explained, no coming in from the TV studio via relaxed and enjoying ourselves – and doubt irritatingly, that I’d mentioned this Sian’s earpiece. Eventually it was the sun was coming up! There were also potential difficulty to the editorial people choreographed enough for a 3 minute messages that Radio 5live might want the previous afternoon. slot to satisfy everyone, and at close to to bring us in, and likewise BBC 24 hour 7.20 Sian put on her smile, walked to News, even the World at One, perhaps. What they wanted was a clear view to camera and I watched while the others In fact, the whole business seemed to be the south and a dead beech tree, so I played out their charade to camera. The getting right out of hand. said they would find both at the top BBC people seemed pleased afterwards of the wood, pointing to the sky. Faces and congratulations quickly came back fell, but I assured them that it would from the editors in the studio. work, though it would be a 25 minute

32 britishecologicalsociety.org

Eventually, we regrouped for the second from all the BBC people. The mobile BBC1 transmission at 8.40ish. Initially, studio had been used elsewhere until 11 “It had already been we were told we would have 4 minutes, the previous evening, which was why they so we rehearsed a different routine could not drive down the evening before decided that we involving me, Liam and Rob in that and reccy the ground. Given the rust and order. Just before transmission, the studio the W-registration, it looks like the on-the- would go to the cut the time to 3 minutes, so Rob got ground staff is paddling hard so that the the push and we rehearsed a revised management can sail serenely on. Biblins bridge to routine. Then it was go, smiles and walk broadcast, so we to camera time again, but I was cut short I did wonder what would have happened and so was Liam. Blinking afterwards, if the branches had damaged the drove off in convoy. Sian told us that she had had a message transmission equipment. Presumably we as she started that we would have only would have packed, gone home and the The BBC’s mobile 2 minutes, because an earlier item had studio editors would have scrambled for over-run. Nevertheless, it was deemed their back-up items. transmission van OK, and we immediately had to do it Publicity is extremely capricious. Good again for BBC News. (roughly Ford though Liam’s research is, it was picked Transit size) could At that point we had no idea whether it up partly because we had just enjoyed was all over, or not. Rob and Liam said two weeks of hot, sunny weather. An hardly take the they had to get away soonish, but I said item on the long-lasting impacts of I could be available for World at One, drought would have had little credibility gradient up to provided I could go home for breakfast if the country had been under floods like in the meantime. However, we soon last summer. Symonds Yat Rock” heard that neither R5live or World-at- Whilst it was good to attract some One would take it up, so we packed up, attention to Lady Park Wood, I doubt drove out of the wood and went our that many listeners would remember separate ways. when ‘Today’ becomes ‘Yesterday’. On Impressions? the other hand, publicity for woodland research, climate impacts and research I was impressed that Sian Lloyd stayed reserves must leave some kind of mark calm and helpful to us amateurs on the public mind, even if the individual throughout. All this down-to-the-wire item is forgotten. A stream of such items stuff would have flattened me. Live news advertises our presence and activities. programmes change constantly and staff Meanwhile, those involved had their 15 must live by their wits. minutes of fame. I was surprised that the BBC’s equipment looked so down-at heel. When I commented and joked that they must spend all their cash on senior staff layoffs, there was just a world-weary response

33 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

SOCIETY NEWS Welcome to our newest staff members!

We’re here to help, so do get in touch and say hello.

Kate Harrison Amy Everard, to encourage more members to take a I’m Kate, a new Grants & Events more active role in policy, whether that Assistant Editor on the Officer be through our events or engaging them publications team. Many of you may in more of our responses to government Unlike all the other already be familiar with consultations. newbies here, I am my name popping [email protected] completely new to up in your inboxes the BES! I graduated a few years back over the past eight months, as I worked Cheryl Pilbeam, with an history of art degree and have with Andrew Beckerman (Meetings Acting Policy Manager since worked for two publishers on Committee Chair) to put together the As many of you will engineering and medical journals. My INTECOL 2013 programme which, with realise, I’m not new role here will be working across all five over 1,600 presentations, was no mean to the BES, but am BES journals, coordinating marketing feat! I started at the BES in January this now working in a new initiatives and reporting on journal year as the Festival of Ecology Assistant, capacity as Acting performance, as well as supporting Liz working on a variety of events organised Policy Manager until the beginning of and Andrea with various projects whilst for our centenary celebrations. I am April, when Ceri Margerison returns Catherine is on maternity leave. I am also now pleased to be taking on the role of from maternity leave. I’ve been at managing the books series, Ecological Grants & Events Officer at the Society, the BES since January, starting as a Reviews, so if you have any ideas for where I will be overlooking the grants Policy Intern. I enjoyed it so much, future volumes, let me know! It’s an portfolio and working alongside Amelia that I applied for the role of Policy and exciting time to be working in academic on upcoming events including the BES Education Assistant, and was delighted publishing and I can’t wait to get stuck in Annual Meeting. So, if you have any to become a permanent member of the at the BES! queries regarding grants and events, do External Affairs Team. By background, [email protected] get in touch! I am an ecologist – I have a Master’s in [email protected] Conservation and Forest Protection from Amelia Simpson, Imperial College London, and I studied Events Manager Katherine Maltby, biology at Oxford as an undergraduate. I’m Amelia and the Policy and Education I hope to build on the successes of the new Events manager Assistant centenary year in my new role, and at the BES. I previously Hello, I’m Katherine! continue to draw together science to worked in the I recently graduated inform policy and decision making. conference centre at from the University [email protected] Charles Darwin House so have been lucky of Sheffield where @BESpolicy enough to already have been involved I studied Biology with Conservation with many BES events! I haven’t always and Biodiversity and now I’m the new worked in events – for 8 years I was an Policy and Education Assistant. I’m really entertainment manager for Thomas Cook interested in marine ecology and fisheries all over Spain, Canaries, Balearics and science, and I like trying to relate this Cyprus. I’m very excited about the role to current policy issues. This summer I and working very closely with Amy and was the policy intern at the BES where the Special Interest Groups regarding I was lucky enough to go to places events, outreach and, of course, the such as Westminster and INTECOL! I’m Annual Meeting! Please don’t hesitate to really happy to be staying on with the get in touch if you have a question BES and hope to get more ecological about events or our SIGs! science recognised in policy and decision [email protected] making. During my time here I hope

34 britishecologicalsociety.org SOCIETY NEWS

Update on the 2013 Membership Drive

Bill Bewes / BES Membership Officer [email protected]

This year has been an exciting year We are not resting on our laurels for the membership team with the however; next year should prove just centenary celebrations, the INTECOL as exciting. We have our first Annual meeting and the membership drive. Meeting outside of the UK, with our joint Annual Meeting in Lille, France with I’m delighted to announce that we have the SFE. Keep checking the website and achieved our target with 4510 members eBulletin to find out about all other events at time of writing. We have given a and activities from across the BES team. further 903 complimentary memberships to delegates who paid the non-member The new membership database has been rate at the INTECOL meeting. The installed and we hope to have the web Society will start 2014 with over 5000 portals online by the end of the year. members for the first time in our history. BES members will be able to check their membership status online and amend I’d like to say a big thank you to all their contact details as well as renewing members who have helped us reach subscriptions and booking BES events. our target. We are very grateful to all We also hope to allow access to BES members who have recommended journal content and back issues of the membership to friends and colleagues. Bulletin via the members’ area. Some of you have reached double figures with the number of new See you in 2014! members you have brought to the Society; a fantastic effort.

We have over 350 members in the prize draw to win lifetime membership. The draw will take place early in January 2014. If you are still waiting for your vouchers for the fantastic NHBS website, they will be winging their way to you shortly. Thanks again to everyone involved.

35 THE BES PHOTO COMPETITION 2013 1

Each year the British Ecological Society welcomes members to enter our popular photographic competition. We have five standard categories; Ecosystems and Communities, Whole Organisms and Populations, Ecology and Society, Ecology in Action and the Student Category. In addition this year we included the category ‘Celebrating Ecology’ to recognise the Society’s 100th Birthday.

The overall winner receives £750, the Zoe Davies is a Senior Lecturer in overall runner-up receives £250 and the Biodiversity Conservation at the Durrell student award winner receives £100. Institute of Conservation and Ecology We would also like to thank the Oxford (DICE), University of Kent. Her research University Press for kindly sponsoring £40 interests all centre on addressing worth of book vouchers to the winner of questions of importance to conservation/ each category that does not receive the environmental management and overall, overall runner-up or student prize policy. Recently, with the support of UK this year. government Darwin Initiative funding, Zoe has been working with various Our judges had a tough task with a organisations in the Falklands to help diverse selection of stunning shots develop aspects of their protected area covering all aspects of ecology, but we strategy. Zoe says of the photograph were pleased to announce the below “The Falklands are a fantastic place award winners and runners up at to visit. They are characterised by a INTECOL 2013. Congratulations to all rugged (and very windswept!) beauty our winners and many thanks to our and unrivalled opportunities to observe judges. wildlife in solitude. It is really easy for a whole day to slip past, while you sit at The deadline for the 2014 Photographic the edge of a gentoo penguin colony, Competition will be Monday 11 August. or on a sandy beach full of elephant Details can be found on the BES website seals. The black-browed albatross is under Grants & Awards. one of my favourite species found on the archipelago – the adults are huge Overall Winner and winner 1 but beautifully elegant birds, and a real of the ‘Whole Organisms pleasure watch as they soar past on the and Populations’ category: wing or preen each other whilst sitting Zoe Davies on their nests.”

The photo is of a pair of black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) greeting one another on the cliff tops of Saunders Island, Falkland Islands. These charismatic birds are an ‘endangered’ species on the IUCN Red List, with their decline attributed primarily to incidental mortality in trawl and longline fisheries. The good news is that recent surveys have shown that the number of individuals is increasing – hopefully their status will be downgraded soon. The Falklands are the stronghold of the black- browed albatross, supporting about 70% of the global breeding population. 2

3 4

Overall Runner up and 2 Winner of the 3 Runner-up in the 4 winner of the ‘Ecology ‘Celebrating Ecology’ ‘Celebrating Ecology’ in Action’ category: category: Category: Christopher Beirne Benjamin Magana-Rodriguez Dannielle Green Whilst a local herdsman drives his flock The Mexican government and local Diving in headfirst! Ecologist uses his to fresh pasture, Professor Stuart Bearhop communities are working together head to search for cryptic infauna on gets animated explaining the wonders to conserve and educate about the intertidal mud-flats. of migration to his flock of 2nd students. importance of cenotes (sinkholes) in the Northern Cyprus is an ideal location Mayan region. Through conservation Dannielle is a postdoctoral researcher at for students to observe human-wildlife projects on rural areas, the funds granted Trinity College Dublin and her research conflict in action within a hotspot of are invested in infrastructure (stairs, focuses on assessing human impacts on biodiversity and endemism. information signs, gravel roads, rubbish marine ecosystems. She took this photo containers) and hiring keepers from the whilst on fieldwork during her PhD in the Chris Beirne works at the Centre for local community. most beautiful part of Ireland, County Ecology and Conservation, Penryn Donegal, where she studied the impacts Campus, University of Exeter where he of non-native oysters on biodiversity uses molecular techniques to study how and ecosystem functioning (www.ucd. and why individuals in wild populations ie/marbee/dannielle_green). The work age. Looking at natural populations (in focused on what was happening in the this case European badgers) can give us mud and when one of her friends, Mark clues as to why variation in ageing rates Browne, decided to take a closer look she occur. couldn’t resist taking this picture!

38 5 4 6 7

Winner of the ‘Ecosystems 5 Winner of the ‘Ecology 7 in a deserted olive orchard. These fields and Communities’ category: and Society’ category: are a paradise for wild plant lovers in the Mediterranean spring, and are also full of Gavin Ballantyne Carsten Meyer pollinating insects. Rhododendron ponticum is normally Carcasses of de-finned sharks washed pollinated by bees, but visits to flowers up on the Pacific shore of Mexico (near Hans De Kroon is a professor of plant can be perilous for bees at this site near Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur), ecology at the University of Nijmegen, Wareham in Dorset. Here you can see some twelve thousand kilometers away in the east part of the Netherlands. His a female Misumena vatia crab spider from shark fin consumers. research focusses on mechanisms by holding her front legs wide in a threat which plant biodiversity is sustained. posture when faced with a macro lens. Runner-up in the 8 He is fascinated in his work in how ‘Whole Organisms and this beauty is regulated, and in his Populations’ category: photography in the beauty itself. It is Runner-up in the 6 also important to Hans to share that ‘Ecosystems and Hans De Kroon fascination with a bigger public: he is Communities’ category: Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum) in the involved in an initiative to stimulate the Daniel Metcalfe wild (Lefkas, Greece) interest of a wider audience for the wild flora. What is new is that he makes short A fallen pink bloodwood (Corymbia Tassel Hyacinth is not uncommon in the videos of plant species to drag people intermedia) and blady grass (Imperata Southern part of Europe and is a very into the wild plant world and which cylindrica) re-sprout, reinvigorated, photogenic species. Hans found it early makes it easier to identify species. See: two weeks after a dry season forest fire May on the island of Lefkas, Greece. It www.floravannederland.nl. cleared the system of the wet season’s was growing amidst a field of wildflowers accumulation of vines, litter and cyclone debris.

39 9 11

10 12

Runner-Up in the’ Ecology and 9 Winner of the ‘Student’ category: 11 Society’ category: Elli Tzirkalli Silviu Petrovan A flagship species of Cyprus the Levantine Leopard (Apharitis Long tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are relaxing at the acamas) butterfly resting (location: Vretsia, Pafos district) Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali. Runner-up in the ‘Student’ category: 12 Runner-up in the ‘Ecology in 10 Jacob Bishop Action’ category: A jumping spider (Salticidae) wrestles with an impressive catch Anna Carter (Apis mellifera) Female tuatara being tracked to and from her nesting rookery with a spool of cotton attached to her tail.

40 britishecologicalsociety.org

Special Interest Group news

BES Aquatic Ecology Guy is a Reader in Ecology at Imperial She is particularly keen to address the College London and the Series Editor loss of fundamental skills, such as those Special Interest Group of Advances in Ecological Research. in taxonomy, through publications and Rebooted His main research interests are training, and sees the Aquatic Ecology The need for both scientific and political focused on quantifying the impacts of SIG, in collaboration with other BES SIGs, focus on aquatic resources is stronger stressors (climate change, acidification, as the ideal forum to address skill deficits than ever, and issues such as climate eutrophication, species invasions and (through workshops and other activities), change and extreme events (such as habitat alteration) on the structure and as well as promoting links between flooding and drought), the contribution functioning of aquatic ecosystems. He is individuals with different interests in of aquatic ecosystem services and currently collaborating with a range of aquatic ecology. invasive species are impinging on both experts from different disciplines in order Nessa is a lecturer science and politics. In addition, in to understand the links between patterns in Marine Biology financially challenging times, when and processes in natural systems, and at Queen’s all sectors are feeling the pinch, the to develop conceptual frameworks University Belfast, government is moving environmental within which to advance ecological and a community responsibility away from the statutory theory – and to apply it to real-world ecologist with an agencies towards the third sector. This is problems. He is particularly interested emphasis on coastal a good time to engage with a specialist in how stressors affect multiple levels of ecosystems. She is primarily interested group that has the potential to bring biological organisation, from molecules, in understanding relationships between together aquatic-minded individuals to individuals, to entire ecosystems. As biodiversity and ecosystem functioning from all sectors to exchange skills, co-Secretary of the BES Aquatic Group, and stability. Her research has focused knowledge and ideas. he is keen to integrate pure and applied marine and freshwater ecology, and on the consequences of species loss We will be rebooting the Aquatic Ecology to initiate a range of new workshops, and tests for generalities so that we can SIG this year, with a new set of meetings symposia and other activities that will predict the effects of loss of biodiversity and workshops, which started with an help foster interactions within the group under changing environmental initial gathering at the joint BES – Intecol – as well as strengthening ties to other conditions. Her current research aims 2013 meeting (18-23 August in London). BES Special Interest Groups. to disentangle the combined effects of The event was very well attended (and multiple stressors (e.g., climate change, not just because of the free wine!) by a Melanie is involved in invasive species, pollution etc.) on how mixed and enthusiastic crowd interested science, publications ecosystems function and for provisioning in all aspects of aquatic ecology, and and training at the of the services they provide. Nessa there was lively debate about ideas Freshwater Biological particularly likes working on rocky shores for future meetings, workshops and Association (FBA), an to learn about their community dynamics symposia (please see below for further independent scientific but also because they are highly details of the first proposed meeting). charity of long- tractable model systems for testing basic standing. The Aquatic ecological theory, understanding the The new team Ecology SIG complements the existing consequences of species loss and for includes Guy work of the FBA, and opportunities examining predicted climate change Woodward, co- to work together for mutual benefit scenarios. She is also interested in secretary of the will be explored. As it is, many FBA applied ecology and conservation and group along with members will also be BES members. developing tools to assist with marine Melanie Fletcher; Melanie is particularly interested in the resource management. Nessa O’Connor ecology of freshwater invertebrates who will represent as well as interdisciplinary working in Dominic’s main marine interests; Dominic Andradi- the application of science to practical, interest is in coral Brown, Jennifer Cooper and Gavin contemporary issues in freshwater reef ecology and Williams as student representatives; ecology. As with the FBA as a whole, conservation, and and Mark Ledger, Honorary Treasurer. Melanie works on various projects with he has led the Ronni Edmonds-Brown, a stalwart of a diverse range of partners including Operation Wallacea the group, has generously offered to statutory agencies, government Coral Reef Monitoring continue running the Aquatic Ecology science bodies, academic institutions, programme in Indonesia for the past mailing list to which many of you consultants, water companies, NGOs, few summers. In October he will begin undoubtedly subscribe. We would like biological recorders and enthusiasts. a PhD on mesophotic coral reef fish to take this opportunity to thank Anne ecology at Oxford University. During Robertson, the previous Secretary, for her his undergraduate degree he was a BES endeavours and for initiating us into the Undergraduate Fellow, and continues to ways of Group organisation. be actively involved in many of the

41 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

BES student led activities such as the Mark is a Senior upcoming careers day and student Lecturer in Ecology symposium at Charles Darwin House in within the School of November. In the Aquatic Ecology SIG he Geography, Earth and is keen to provide a link with the growing Environmental Sciences student support provided by the BES to at the University of make sure it meets the needs of student Birmingham. His marine and freshwater ecologists. In research interests particular he thinks it would be good to in freshwaters focus on ecological get some skills-focused workshops on responses to global change, and survey and data analysis techniques for encompass disturbance ecology, food students working with the BES student webs, and environmental stressor group and other SIGs. effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Current projects use Jen is interested in mesocosm experiments to explore the the impacts of climate impacts of extreme climatic events, change and other especially severe droughts, on ecological human activities networks in streams. Mark was one of on the marine the local organisers for the BES meeting environment. She in Birmingham last year, and is keen recently started a to widen the activities of the Aquatic PhD at the University Ecology Special Interest Group. of Sheffield looking at the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems. Ronni is a Senior One of her main areas of focus will Lecturer at the University be to improve how climate effects of Hertfordshire and is are incorporated into current marine also the Chair of the ecosystem models and how model Hertfordshire Natural type and structure effect projections. History Society. Her She is interested in how the results interests include might influence fisheries and ecosystem taxonomy and conservation and she management. Her work draws on is currently running a captive rearing interdisciplinary links and involves programme for native White-clawed working with fisheries scientists at Crayfish – whose populations have Cefas and physical climate scientists been devastated in recent decades by at Exeter University. In addition to her invasions of American Signal Crayfish and academic work, Jen is interested in public the spread of crayfish plague across UK awareness, perception and relationship freshwaters. with the marine environment. She has organised several outreach events and An introductory meeting is planned aims to continue this work whilst at for next year (date to be confirmed), Sheffield. As a former BES undergraduate and the current idea is to have a two- fellow Jen is keen to continue her day event, one day being dedicated to involvement with the BES. She hopes training for Early Career Researchers, that the Aquatic Ecology SIG will increase and the other comprising a mini- the representation of marine and fresh conference with plenary speakers from water ecologists within the BES, and is both the marine and freshwater worlds, excited to be a part of the team. discussions about the role of the Aquatic Ecology SIG, including ways to get Gavin is a freshwater involved, and breakout groups on various ecologist and topics including the future direction of is currently a aquatic ecology. doctoral researcher at the University We are keen to involve you and hear your of Birmingham views about what would be useful to you investigating the as an aquatic researcher, practitioner or functional impacts of enthusiast. Get in touch via e-mail (for drought on chalk streams. Gavin is keen now please use our institutional email to help as many early career ecologists addresses [[email protected]; as possible with an aquatic interest [email protected]] until we set up a discover and get involved in the dedicated address with which all the team Aquatic Ecology SIG. will interact), or Twitter (@BES_AquaEco). We look forward to hearing from you!

42 britishecologicalsociety.org

Citizen Science: The new BES special interest group

Helen Roy and Michael Pocock / Joint Secretaries [email protected]

Citizen science is creating excitement • To develop links with relevant initiatives flock of nine cranes, which have arrived throughout the ecological world (and across disciplines and breed in the area even without any beyond). The opportunities presented introduction programme. by citizen science, a methodological • To foster collaborations on citizen approach involving volunteers in science globally The annual Sphagnum and Waxcap scientific studies, are being recognised identification days have booked up • To provide a network for students and by many people representing a range of completely and that is encouraging for volunteers who want to support citizen perspectives. From research ecologists us as organisers. science projects and develop their own and conservation practitioners to Next year promises to be even more policy-makers and most importantly To encourage networking and sharing eventful with our ‘In The Bog’ conference the volunteers themselves – there of expertise amongst people interested in September which will look at all is incredible enthusiasm for getting in citizen science including volunteers, aspects of the ecology, heritage, history involved in advancing ecology. researchers and policy-makers and archaeology of peat bogs and Citizen science is not new. It has a long peatlands. There will be more workshops history but the past decade has seen a PEATLAND RESEARCH on Sphagnum, including a visit to rapid increase in the number of citizen- Ian Rotherham Thorne Moors, and there will be a 2-day science initiatives across the world. [email protected] symposium on issues to do with Waxcap Citizen science provides an indispensable Fungi as indicators of conservation value means of combining primary ecological This has been an exciting period for of grasslands and wood pastures. In research with environmental education what used to be the Mires Research May we have a 2-day event in Sheffield and public engagement. The wealth Group, with a very international feel to with the first part of ‘Wilder By Design’ of technology available to support the War & Peat Conference in September, to consider issues of wilding, re-wilding, and inspire citizen science is rapidly from St Helena to the Falklands, and eco-cultural landscapes, and cultural expanding. Citizen science has become from Holland to Finland. With the severance. This promises to be cutting global in scale, long-term in ambition International Peat Society, we battled –edge, informative, and probably and engages hundreds of thousands for access to the moors, considered controversial. Part 2 will be a 3-day of volunteers in an amazing range of heathland airfields, and discussed flying conference in September 2015. More scientific pursuits. fortresses in Kinder Scout’s boglands. Did information will be in the Peatland SIG you know for example, that the Scottish Newsletter and is also downloadable The new Citizen Science special interest troops plucked a catastrophic defeat with booking details etc, from www. group will provide a forum for sharing from near victory at the battle of Flodden ukeconet.org . For enquiries or offers of experience and expertise. Additionally because their uniform marching with support or of presentations and posters, the group will foster and support pikes in German order caused them to please email [email protected]. creativity and innovation in research sink into a mire? The proceedings will be through citizen science. We invite you to published shortly. We are also excited to announce that join us in shaping this new BES Special Rachael Maskill of the Moors for the Interest Group. The field visit, now an annual part of Future Project and the Peak National our programme, was to Thorne and Park, has joined the team as our publicity Objectives Hatfield Moors near Doncaster, to look officer. • To promote the value of citizen science at major restoration works. This was a fascinating day and a chance to examine • To provide a forum for sharing details in detail the issues of a major wetland of current citizen science in ecology, and peatland ‘restoration’. Hosted by and as a community to foster and JBA Consulting Ltd and the Thorne & support creativity and innovation in Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum, we research via citizen science were even treated to the spectacle of a

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• Challenges and opportunities for The conference was attended by effective linkage of biodiversity the Director General of the National conservation research with policy and Museums of Kenya (NMK) on behalf of practice in Africa. the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts. Sponsors that made TAAG requested funding from the BES the conference a success include the TBA Tropical Ecology Group to help support as the principal sponsor; other sponsors this meeting. The BES-TEG committee include the British Ecological Society was particularly keen to provide support Tropical Ecology Group (BES-TEG), British for students to attend the meeting to Ecological Society Outreach Grants, The facilitate networking and transfer ideas. World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and BES-TEG hopes this sets a precedent for The NMK. TROPICAL ECOLOGY GROUP future collaborations. There was diversity in scale and skill in Lindsay Banin the 24 oral and 6 poster presentations [email protected] and it was a wonderful learning experience for everyone! Prizes were THE TROPICAL BIOLOGY awarded to the best oral, speed talk and ASSOCIATION AFRICAN poster presenters. Participants found the opportunity to network with peers and ALUMNI GROUP (TAAG) mentors useful and awe-inspiring. The Inaugural meeting conference received extremely positive 2nd-4th July 2013, Nairobi, Kenya feedback from the participants and 95% said they would like to see another TAAG Report contributed by Titus Adhola, conference in the near future. 93% of the Research Scientist, Zoology Department, delegates reported that the conference National Museums of Kenya had met their expectations. Amidst the Keynotes and student presentations four Last July, TAAG held their first conference parallel workshops were convened on in Nairobi. The theme of the conference the 1st day and a panel discussion on was Biodiversity in Africa – present the future of TAAG convened on the final state, challenges and prospects for its TAAG conference in summary afternoon of conference. conservation. The initial aims were to: TAAG is an umbrella association of the 1. share knowledge from research and Tropical Biology Association (TBA) alumni This resulted in very exciting ideas work experience and build capacity in from all over Africa that is promoting that will form a blueprint for growing conservation challenges for the next the conservation of Africa’s threatened and expanding TAAG with the aim generation, 2. generate a synergy of biodiversity through sharing knowledge of building the capacity of the next ideas, networks, opportunities and and developing careers. TAAG’s generation of conservationists in Africa proactive action to solve real world membership includes TBA’s national and beyond. conservation challenges in Africa and alumni groups in 13 African countries. 3. serve as a voice for conservation Through the student conference, TAAG EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER biologists in Africa, shaping policy and is serving as a unique voice for young trailblazing the frontiers of research for African conservation biologists who want MEETING SPRING 2014 the benefit of biodiversity and humanity. to make a real impact in conservation in Back by popular demand, BES-TEG is their own countries and in Africa at large. planning an early career researcher The meeting covered topics meeting for next Spring. Keep your eyes including: The Conference became a melting on our webpage, Facebook group and • Biodiversity loss and challenges of pot of 178 participants drawn from Twitter (@BES_Tropical) for updates. conservation in African context 13 countries and over 50 institutions. The aims of the meeting are to provide Students, conservation biologists a friendly forum for communication • Climate change and other threats and practitioners, policy makers, and amongst tropical ecologists, give the to biodiversity conservation government agencies had the rare opportunity for researchers to develop opportunity of participating in plenary skills in communicating their science, • Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning sessions; presenting and listening to networking and other invaluable skills. and services case studies from many countries and engaging in working group discussions. As ever, please do keep in touch with • Capacity building for biodiversity Five renowned global conservation your ideas for future BES-TEG supported conservation in Africa leaders gave keynote addresses; they events, as well as news items for our highlighted their conservation and • Social aspects for biodiversity newsletter. If you wish to subscribe to research experiences and offered possible conservation our newsletter, contact us via e-mail at solutions to some of the challenges faced [email protected] in conserving biodiversity in Africa.

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As usual, you can stay up to date with then please email either Dr Tracy Lawson all of our activities by signing up to our ([email protected]) or Dr Matt Davey mailing list (BESMACROECOLOGY on ([email protected]). JISCMail’s Listserve), following us on Twitter (@besmacro), or checking our 3rd Annual PEPG symposium – Facebook group (BES Macroecology Spring 2014 – Sheffield and the SIG). Peak District Next year’s symposium will be slightly PLANT ENVIRONMENTAL different…the first day will be spent PHYSIOLOGY GROUP networking and walking in the Peak district (Edale, Castleton area) with local 2nd Annual BES – PEPG mini guides who will talk about the history, symposium MACROECOLOGY flora and ecology of the area. We plan to Manchester 9-10th September 2013 stay the night in a local hostel and the Macroecology was well represented following day will be spent having the PEPG’s mini-Symposium took place in at Intecol in London (although we more formal symposium research-led a sunny (for at least two hours of the suspect that some of those responsible talks. for downing all the free wine at our symposium) Manchester on the 9th evening mixer in record time were not, September. There was an excellent array Joint SIG mini-symposium with the Plant, in fact, card-carrying macroecologists…) of talks and a BBQ social to top it off! Soil and Ecosystem SIG Our scientific presence was very Monday began with Professor Hendrik visible, most obviously in the session Poorter, from the Research Centre “C cycling – from plants to ecosystems” Reinventing macroecology with process- Jülich talking about the need to look at Autumn 2014, location TBA. based approaches organised by Sal Keith the bigger picture in research and not and featuring an excellent, thought- just focusing on one aspect. Using the May we also take this opportunity to provoking keynote from Brian McGill; analogy of looking at the whole elephant remind you to promote the PEP group and in John Harte’s well-received not just focusing on the trunk or the with academic colleagues, postdocs and workshop on MaxEnt. But macroecology ears, but pulling the tail as well. I think PhD/MSc students etc whether starting crept into the #INT13 twitter feed this is what he meant, but the elephant this year, or by now well established. from all over the conference centre, did remain somewhat an enigma for the Encourage them to visit the website and confirming our view that macroecology remainder of the symposium! Following sign up to the jiscmail email forum or is an ecological force to be reckoned this we heard some fabulous talks from Facebook page above. with. around the world including, improving green roof boxes, looking at drought Matt Davey – [email protected] Largely this is due to our members, tolerance, and amazing root images Colin Osborne – and we have worked hard this year from Dr Saoirse Tracy, University of [email protected] to give ownership of SIG activities Nottingham. Another outstanding talk to the membership, mainly through came from Lorna McAusland of the Howard Griffiths – [email protected] discussions at meetings and over the University of Essex, who showed the first internet. As a result, our 2014 activities ever photograph of water use efficiency Lucy Rowland – Postdoc rep lucy. are being organized by five separate and won the price for best early career [email protected]. non-committee members, with the scientist presentation. committee acting primarily as facilitators. Zoe Harris – Postgraduate rep These activities will hopefully include a Things to look out for in 2014… [email protected] small workshop to polish the ‘manifesto International Workshop on Plant Marjorie Lundgren – for macroecology’ that emerged from Environmental Physiology techniques, [email protected] our Sheffield meeting into a tangible September 2014 output, a meeting at the Natural History Richard Webster – [email protected] Museum on Scaling the Time Barrier, Last year saw the reintroduction of to break down the barriers between the international workshop on Plant Carla Turner – communications neontological and palaeontological Environmental Physiology techniques in officer –please contact Carla with research agendas, a Software Carpentry Lisbon, Portugal. It was a huge success news and events you would like Bootcamp (in partnership with the with nearly 100 people being involved advertising on our website, email Computational Ecology SIG), and a during the week. Due to the high global list, Facebook page and twitter workshop to address the ‘data deficit’ demand for places on this workshop @pepg_sig [email protected] by uniting macroecologists, citizen we are going to repeat the workshop scientists, and third sector organisations. in September 2014 – we want to make Finally, building on the great success this THE International workshop to of our meeting in Sheffield this July, attend if you study plant environmental our 2014 annual meeting will be at the physiology. If you are interested in being University of Nottingham. involved in organising or sponsoring the workshop, or have any suggestions

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on the effects of land-use change and soil microbial communities and carbon climate change on soil biodiversity, stocks, and as drivers of ecosystem highlighting the challenges of function and responses to climate understanding the mechanisms through change. He suggested one big challenge which change affects soil communities now is to determine the relative role and their functioning. of the different routes by which plant composition can influence soil properties The great attendance numbers of the under climate change, and particularly symposium – over 300 for the entire the need for better understanding of root day – confirm that interest in this area is traits and root exudates. increasing, not just within the field of soil ecology and plant-soil interactions, but also from other research areas, policy- makers, and stakeholders. There couldn’t PLANTS, SOILS, ECOSYSTEMS be a better time for our special interest group, and this was illustrated by the AT INTECOL great turn up at the drinks reception Franciska de Vries afterwards – over a hundred people! [email protected] The reception facilitated interaction @BESPlantSoilEco between people interested in plant- soil interactions, soil ecology, and Because our Special Interest Group only ecosystem ecology, and increased the saw the (official) light in December visibility of the Plants, Soils, Ecosystems last year, we were far too late to put in SIG. The success of the symposium and a symposium proposal for INTECOL. the reception was further confirmed So, we decided to link up with Richard in the month after INTECOL, when Bardgett and Wim van der Putten, the our membership rose from 90 to 150 Posters remain an important focal point of organisers of the INTECOL symposium members! A great result, and a fantastic ecology meetings ‘Soil biodiversity and ecosystem reward for all our efforts to start up the function: recent advancements and special interest group! The rest of the session included new challenges’ on Tuesday the 20th interesting talks showing that nitrogen of August – obviously a topic very close Meeting report: addition increases soil carbon stocks, tillage systems can alter soil microbial to our combined hearts. We sponsored Digging Deeper: Research communities, home-field advantage their symposium and organised a drinks Challenges in Plant-Soil for litter decomposition may not be reception straight after, for people Interactions interested in our group, and for speakers as straightforward as we thought, and attendees of the symposium. Charles Darwin House, 2-3 October 2013 ‘priming’ effects could be included in This provided an ideal opportunity to global carbon models, and litter inputs On 2-3 October, 40 delegates from 11 promote the group, and advertise our affect soil and microbial carbon stocks countries descended on Charles Darwin first meeting ‘Digging deeper: research in consistent ways across ecosystems. House for the first meeting of the BES challenges in plant-soil interactions, The discussion session that followed Plants-Soils-Ecosystems special interest which, as I am writing this, has just been emphasized the need for large-scale group. Organised by Franciska de Vries, held (a meeting report by Sarah Pierce observational studies as well small-scale Emma Sayer and myself, the meeting follows). mechanistic studies, and the necessity to consisted of three sessions plus posters find ways to integrate these. By creating The symposium ran for the entire addressing current research and future a strong community and discussing day, and included a range of speakers challenges to understanding plant- research plans frequently we’re more and talks, covering all aspects of soil soil interactions and their influence on likely to find ways forward with this, and biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. ecosystem functioning. The meeting was meetings like this one can only help! The morning session started with kicked-off with a welcome by Plants- an overview of the field by keynote Soils-Ecosystems Secretary, Franciska de Talks for the day were rounded-off with speaker Wim van der Putten, followed Vries, who reminded us that the group the Speed Poster Presentations, where by talks focusing on links between soil was only conceived one year ago at the poster presenters had 1 minute to entice biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, BES/SEB/BS joint symposium, also at other delegates to visit their poster and ranging from carbon cycling, plant Charles Darwin House. How far we’ve find out more. The subsequent poster community composition, and ecosystem come in a year, with 155 members session and wine reception provided services. In the afternoon, Louise Jackson already! ample opportunity for exploring gave a keynote lecture on how research the posters, discussing the talks and The first session focused on carbon by soil ecologists can meet the needs networking. This was followed by a cycling and was headed by a keynote of society and human well-being, and conference dinner and visit to a local pub from BES Vice President, Richard illustrated this with an example of a where discussions continued into the Bardgett (University of Manchester). successful project in California. Her talk evening. He highlighted the importance of was followed by presentations focusing plant traits in explaining variation in

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Session 3 focussed on communities and collaborate, (2) create detailed methods biodiversity. Jennifer Rowntree (University and stick to them – if you can send of Manchester) provided a stimulating out sampling packs to ensure the same keynote address that highlighted the samples are collected in the same way importance of plant genotypic diversity while making it easy for collaborators to for host-parasite interactions and for do so, that’s even better, and (3) think feedbacks between plants and soils. about your dataset and how you will She proposed that the challenge is now handle it before you start collecting data. to relate biodiversity both within and among species to large-scale ecosystem The meeting was wrapped-up as it processes. Further talks in the session began, by Franciska de Vries. The student revealed that increased plant diversity talk prize was awarded to Ellen Latz can enhance beneficial bacteria, and that (Georg-August University Gottingen) and soil CO2 concentration at natural CO2 I was honoured to receive the student springs alters fungi, bacteria and archaea poster prize. Franciska encouraged community structure. There were also a members of the group to get involved, number of talks focusing on arbuscular let us know what they would like from mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We learned the group and any ideas for future that plant sex-specific interactions with meetings. Thanks were given to meeting AMF are due to differences in resource sponsors: Wiley, Oxford University Press, use patterns between sexes, that tillage the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, Discussions in the pub. Also an important focal affects AMF communities but effects the Society for Experimental Biology, point of ecology meetings depend on soil depth, and that AMF the British Society of Soil Science and, range may be limited by soil and climatic of course, the British Ecological Society. Day 2 started with the nutrient cycling properties rather than host plants. It was a great meeting and we look session. The keynote address by David forward to many more in the future! Johnson (University of Aberdeen) The session was concluded with an highlighted the importance of diversity enlightening talk by Dote Stone about Sarah Pierce to nutrient cycling. He discussed not methods for obtaining large-scale Imperial College London just species richness, but intraspecific datasets when budgets are tight. Her top PSE Student Representative diversity, and how this can regulate three tips were (1) talk to people and nutrient cycling. He also drew attention to the diversity of chemical compounds in the soil and that neglecting this diversity hampers our understanding of nutrient cycling. He concluded that we still need multiple reductionist approaches to identify the most important drivers of nutrient cycles.

The nutrient session continued with talks addressing how C and N labelling in food web studies can give us insight into the relationships and functions of different components, how plant functional traits can help us to understand ecosystem process rates, especially if we tailor plant trait groups for our specific questions, and how root exudates can inhibit nitrification and this correlates with changes in microbial community structure. In the resulting discussion, chair Dario Fornara noted how frequently the word ‘complicated’ kept coming up and that highlighted how much more work there is to do. There is a need to scale up from mesocosms, and it was suggested that working in simplified field systems, such as some agricultural systems, might provide a way forward. Ideas for new studies, collaborations and much more continued to flow during the networking lunch that followed. Sarah Pierce with her poster

47 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The science behind the schemes

Beth Brockett / PhD student at Lancaster Environment Centre [email protected]

During preparations for my PhD fieldwork it became apparent that farmers and scientists don’t often get together to discuss the science behind ecologically-sensitive land management.

I was having a cup of tea with upland sheep farmer Will Rawling in his farmhouse kitchen and explaining to him how I would estimate soil carbon storage and nitrogen retention across his farmland when he commented that, although he had attended many events about the importance of carbon storage, no one had ever explained the science behind the process. I did my best to explain and in return Will talked me through silage fermentation. We agreed that it was a shame farmers and scientists didn’t share ideas and information more often and some months later, with sponsorship from the Agricultural Ecology Group of the British Ecological Society and the Ecosystems Knowledge Network, twelve farmers, ten farm environment advisors and nine academics met at Will’s farm to discuss a range of scientific topics pertinent to livestock farming in Northwest England.

The event started outside with three different activities. In one part of a field, Professor John Quinton (Lancaster University) gathered participants around a soil pit to discuss his work on soil compaction in the Eden Valley, and how, when combined with intense rainfall, compaction can lead to flooding – a familiar problem for many farmers in the area. The group discussed how reducing stocking levels and farm traffic could help prevent this and John described recent research into how species-rich swards can improve soil structure.

Dr Franciska de Vries (University of Manchester) then talked about her work as a soil ecologist. She demonstrated how hammering a length of drainpipe into the ground lets researchers “take Participants discussed the problems associated with soil compaction

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the field into the lab” to measure “This kind of event enables the nitrogen which leaches from the scientists to understand soil during rainfall and how these measurements relate to the soil biota how scientific outputs are and grassland productivity. Asked about interpreted on-the-ground climate change Franciska explained and stimulates ideas and her interest in investigating soil system collaborations” said Catherine resilience in the face of drought conditions and how the characteristics of Baxendale from Lancaster the soil microbial community are key to University. understanding this. Demonstrating the Infra-Red Gas Analyser ”It is really important that farmers have a better Over the course of the event the flow of knowledge travelled both ways; with understanding of how soils one farmer describing an experiment and everything that is stored he is running on his dairy farm which in them work”, according compares how quickly silage fields and to host Will Rawling, who is sheep pasture absorb water. Over in currently Chair of the Cumbrian the farm yard, local farmers Duncan Ellwood and Sam Rawling introduced the Farmer Network. “Much of monitoring scheme on nearby Kinnerside what was discussed at the Common. A collaboration between the meeting was actually about commoners and Natural England, it good farming practice and if it aims to increase vegetation diversity on the common. The farmers are trained helps to reduce damage to the in plant identification and surveying planet then we all win. I think “with the aid of a GPS, good eyes and more events focusing on how a handbook” and paid for submitting Fran de Vries explains the use of soil cores sustainable food production in helping to understand the soil microbial information regularly. can work alongside genuine community Back in the farm workshop after coffee environmental management Nearby, Professor Richard Bardgett Dr Alan Blackburn and I explained our systems, would be well received (University of Manchester), Dr Sue Ward research which looks at the potential and valued by everyone, it gets and Catherine Baxendale (both Lancaster for using satellite images to analyse us working together and sharing University) gathered farmers and advisors vegetation and estimate below-ground around what looked like an astronaut’s processes. Lively discussions continued knowledge.” helmet (and was in fact an Infra-Red over lunch, and after the event 94 per Gas Analyser) to explain the basics of cent of attendees thought the event “Thoroughly enjoyed today”, soil photosynthesis and respiration, and had been worthwhile, with a number commented farmer Glenis how carbon and nitrogen emissions of farmers and advisors subsequently are measured in the field. After a brief contacting me for further information Postlethwaite. explanation Sue set the Analyser going to about the research discussed. measure the amount of photosynthesis “Personally, I would like a whole With reform of the EU Common occurring under the grey conditions. The day on each topic.” academics then described new research Agricultural Policy and changes to the into how plant traits, such as root length UK’s agri-environment schemes likely and leaf size, affect carbon and nitrogen to consider managing farmland to retention underground and how this links deliver ecosystem services like absorbing to the activities of soil microbes. Both greenhouse gases, these conversations More information: farmers and advisors were astonished benefit all parties. Beth Brockett is a PhD candidate at Lancaster to learn there are more bacterial cells in Environment Centre. Her PhD project is Feedback from farmers indicates it takes a handful of soil than there are people interdisciplinary – looking into the social and too long for scientific understanding to environmental implications of using satellite on Earth. When Richard was asked filter through to them, and many rely on imagery to manage land for ecosystem services which plants were best at encouraging advisors, who also feel they have limited including carbon storage, nitrogen retention carbon storage in a grassland system access to appropriate science. So this and food production http://tinyurl.com/lfwvv4q he explained that often lower-yielding kind of event is very valuable to them; Email: [email protected] species were better, but that research was many are even interested in getting The event was sponsored by the Agricultural on-going to discover which vegetation involved with scientific research, and Ecology Group of the British Ecological Society mixtures optimise food production believe stronger bonds between farmers, and the Ecosystems Knowledge Network alongside other priority ecosystem advisors, scientists and policy makers and was supported by the Cumbrian Farmer services, such as carbon storage. Network, NERC, Lancaster University and could only be a good thing. University of Manchester.

49 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Letters to the Editor

FROM DAVE ROBERTS FROM R. F. PARSONS FROM CLIVE SPINAGE Department of Life Sciences, Department of Botany, “Knowledgeable naturalist” The Natural History Museum, London La Trobe University The draft calls for Horizon 2020 (The The important controversy around the Keith Kirby discusses the definition of European grant and subsidy framework death of botany raised in the June 2013 ecology and the meanings which have been for innovation and R&D) are expected Bulletin (pp 54 – 57) becomes too bogged put upon it in the popular mind (Bulletin soon, with the first actual calls expected in down by the trivial terminological issue – June 2013). I have always considered a December. In the first week of September i.e. botany versus plant science. What we suitable meaning of ecology to be scientific 17 current EU projects held a joint meeting really need to know is the answer to this natural history. It surely stems from that. (Biodiversity Informatics Horizons 2013; question – are there enough universities In a review of my recent book African http://conference.lifewatch.unisalento.it/ in the United Kingdom currently offering Ecology – Benchmarks and Historical index.php/EBIC/BIH2013) in Rome that high quality advanced undergraduate Perspectives, in what is otherwise a very agreed a common goal, sine qua non, of courses in mainstream botany subjects complimentary review, your reviewer refers predictive modelling of the biosphere. This like plant systematics and plant anatomy to me as a “knowledgeable naturalist”. This is a massive challenge, more complicated / morphology which lead on to properly could be high praise indeed, but I am unable than climate modelling, that will be decades supervised post-graduate research work? to decide whether or not he meant this in in the realisation. In the short term, though, Information on this would let us judge to a pejorative sense in that my work lacked we need to work out what steps can be what extent botany has declined in the UK. scientific rigour. So I don’t know whether taken in the H2020 funding period. The to be flattered or not. I know I began in my European Commission have let it be known In my own (Australian ) university schoolboy days as a naturalist, and perhaps that they would prefer to see consortia botany department , the time spent by I have now ended as one having passed formed in the open leading to broad, but undergraduates on plant systematics, plant through the doors of academia on the way. focussed, collaborative proposals rather anatomy / morphology and any studies of Along with other persons from all walks of than the competitive bids that were usual in plant groups other than angiosperms has life I expect to be contributing to the great previous Framework rounds. It is also clear declined markedly at the expense of plant annual butterfly count, the results of which that we need to build better links between molecular biology. An obvious problem will no doubt be analysed by an ecologist. the various disciplines that can contribute, has been that we did not replace our (now Was Charles Elton first and foremost a including ecology, molecular biology, retired) plant anatomist at exactly the time naturalist and secondly an ecologist? microbiology, agriculture, socioeconomics, when our large research group working taxonomy, remote sensing and, of course, on the developmental molecular biology References computing. We have set up a web site of Arabidopsis badly needed training in Grime, J.P. (1979) Plant Strategies and (http://h2020.myspecies.info) where those advanced anatomical techniques. Decline Vegetation Processes. Wiley, Chichester. interested in joining consortia can register in botany core subjects has similar serious Grime, J.P., Hodgson, J.G. and Hunt, R. (1988) their interest and suggest projects that can implications for the training of plant Comparative Plant Ecology. Unwin Hyman, lead to consortium bids. We hope that some ecologists too of course. London. BES members will sign up and help with this Hill, M.O., Bunce, R.G.H. and Shaw, M.W. (1975) challenge. FROM TOM la dell Indicator species analysis: a divisive polythetic Landscape Architect method of classification and its application to a Alex Hardisty & Dave Roberts (on behalf The Natural History Museum, London survey of native pinewoods in Scotland. Journal of the BIH 2013 programme committee: of Ecology, 63, 597-613. Eva Alonso LifeWatch Italy; Christos Marcus Eichhorn is right about Hill, M.O. (1979a ) DECORANA – A FORTRAN Arvanitidis LifeWatch Greece; Rosa M Badia communicating so that a publication is Program for Detrended Correspondence Analysis EUBrazilOpenBio; Alberto Basset LifeWatch comprehensible to as wide a readership and Reciprocal Averaging. Ithaca, NY: Ecology Italy; Palma Blonda BIO_SOS; Donatella as possible (Bulletin August 2013 p46). and Systematics, Cornell University. Castelli iMarine; Alastair Culham i4Life; It reminds me of my time at the London Hill, M.O. (1979b) TWINSPAN – A FORTRAN Frank Oliver Glöckner MicroB3; Gregor Borough of Lambeth in 1970 when public Program for arranging Multivariate Data In an Hagedorn pro-iBiosphere; Alex Hardisty consultation in Planning Policy was just Ordered Two-way Table by Classification of the BioVeL; Jörg Holetschek OpenUp!; Yde de starting. A first draft was circulated to Individuals and Attributes. Ithaca, NY: Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University. Jong PESI; Jacco Konijn CReATIVE-B; Wouter the whole department for contributions Los ENVRI; Nikos Manouselis agINFRA; and comments. One paragraph read “I Matthias Obst BioVeL; Dave Roberts think that the public will have difficulty in ViBRANT; Soraya Sierra pro-iBiosphere; Aaike understanding some of these concepts”. De Wever BioFresh; Anna-Maria Wremp In the margin was written “That may well LifeWatch Sweden) be true but they will not have half as much trouble understanding them as you have Purves, D., Scharlemann, J. P. W., Harfoot, expressing them”. M., Newbold, T., Tittensor, D. P., Hutton, J. & Emmott, S. (2013). Ecosystems: Time to I have tried to write clearly ever since. model all life on Earth. Nature 493, 295–297.

50 britishecologicalsociety.org of interest to members

GORDON CONFERENCE ON lead to new synergies and new avenues Keynote speakers include: PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS of research. Professor Chris Thomas The following announcement arrived We have put together an exceptional (York University, UK) just as the August Bulletin had gone to roster of international speakers, and Professor Christer Wiklund print and I was unable to include it in each talk will be followed by intense (Stockholm University, Sweden) that issue. Most members will see this discussion led by top researchers. Our Dr Tom Brereton announcement after the December conference will provide junior scientists th (Butterfly Conservation, UK) 8 application deadline, for which and graduate students the opportunity I apologise: but it looks a brilliant to meet and discuss their work with Dr Bob Pyle meeting. Gordon Research Conferences the leaders in their field, and all will (Naturalist and writer, USA), are an excellent forum and let’s hope the participate in discussing critical issues trend towards including ecological topics Dr Thomas Merckx concerning predator-prey interactions. (Lisbon University, Portugal). more often will continue. We are encouraging all attendees at this Alan Crowden conference to contribute a poster to The proceedings will be published as ensure that absolutely everybody has the a special issue of the Journal of Insect The first ever Gordon Research opportunity to tell us about their newest Conservation, deadline for paper Conference on Predator-Prey Interactions research on predator-prey interactions. submission will be Friday 2nd May 2014). will be held 5-10 January 2014 at Ventura, California. Gordon Research The conference webpage is: Nigel Bourn Conferences are recognized as the http://www.grc.org/programs. Director of Conservation “world’s premier scientific meetings”, aspx?year=2014&program=predator [email protected] where 150-200 leading investigators www.bigbutterflycount.org from around the globe meet biennially Liana Zanette for a full week of intense discussion Conference Chair Another correction to the June of the frontier research in their field. Associate Professor,Western University, back cover caption The GRC Organization is a non-profit London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada The June 2013 back cover featured a trust that presently organizes about photograph of BES Presidents past and 250 conferences a year (www.grc.org). Butterfly Conservation: present, which I foolishly claimed to These meetings are considered highly Seventh International represent, with three named exceptions, prestigious and as an ecologist I find all Presidents still living at the time it very encouraging that the number Symposium: Southampton of the BES 75th Jubilee meeting. In of GRCs on subjects based in ecology, University, 4-6th April 2014 the Editorial to the August issue I had such as Predator-Prey Interactions, is I am pleased to announce that our to own up that we had omitted to increasing, as the traditional focus has Seventh International Symposium will mention Roy Clapham. Now my friend been on biomedical research. be held at Southampton on the theme: Peter Grubb has noticed that we also The ecology and conservation of omitted Professor N. A. Burges CBE, an butterflies and moths Australian botanist who became the first We are inviting offers of papers or posters Vice-Chancellor of the New University on relevant topics. On-line registration of Ulster in Coleraine, Northern Ireland and abstract submission, (deadline 6th and who served as BES President from December 2013) and further information, 1958-9. The omission is particularly can be found on www.butterfly- heinous as I knew Alan as a co-editor of conservation.org/symposium the Flora Europaea volumes published by Cambridge University Press, a role The Symposium will include the latest that he conducted with considerable Predator- interactions have shaped science of butterflies and moths and expertise and huge charm. Alan died in all life on earth and this underlying how science can help to reverse the 2002 and is greatly missed. commonality helps explain the recent decline of butterflies and moths, and their development of parallel independent habitats. The programme also provides research paths in many diverse fields. opportunities for Butterfly Conservation The theme of our conference is “From members and others to present papers genes to ecosystems to human mental or posters on practical conservation work health” and our goal is to bring together and contributions will be welcomed. The a diverse range of researchers who would Symposium will end with a forward look not normally interact, and have them of future challenges, including the impact discuss how each addresses the same of climate change. phenomenon, which will undoubtedly

51 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Can we value landscapes by combining natural and cultural heritage?

Budalen valley in Norway – a landscape featuring both natural and cultural heritage. Photo Kari Dahl

52 Of course we can! That’s the simple James Speed, answer to the question. Take anyone Gunnar Austrheim, into a Scots pine wood, onto a raised John Birks and Des Thompson bog, or through a hay meadow, and hopefully pretty soon you will see, hear, and maybe even feel its value. But what is ‘it’ that you value?

53 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Depending on your particular interests and background, Then, we set about dissecting the various pressures on these it might be the diversity of flowers, insects, or birds (the seven landscapes – land-use and other factors – at different ecologists’ view), the history and management of the land periods over several millennia, and attributing these to which has produced what you see (perhaps the geographers’ influencing cultural and/or natural heritage features. In this view), or quite simply the beauty or your own special compilation and evaluation (Speed et al. 2013) we were greatly experience of the place (any of us!). At one level, we simply helped by ‘expert opinion’ from colleagues in Norway and chime with some spots better than others – we favour some Britain. Finally, we arrived at our conceptual model of how over others, and sometimes we can describe why this is so. cultural and natural heritage values vary with land-use intensity But often, we cannot say why – which of course is one of the in protected areas in our mountain areas. beguiling things about nature. Heritage The trouble is though that, as ecologists, we have not been Natural very good at trying to tease out why we value some areas more highly than others, except in terms of a whole range of metrics Cultural used to quantify species richness, diversity and abundance, and all manner of descriptors of habitats and ecosystems. So, many of our protected areas are founded on these principles – thus we have European and national conservation sites for birds, other animals, plants, habitats and geology, and in Britain, UK at least, ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’ – which are just Norway that. But we also have National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, and other designations which are more about amenity, beauty, Land-use intensity and landscape values – the so-called cultural heritage. Surely as people who predominantly enjoy nature, we actually need The conceptual model of natural and cultural heritage shown along a gradient of land-use intensity to find ways of bridging the gap between cultural and natural heritage values? There must be a way of drawing the two Our model tries to contrast the natural and cultural heritage facets together into one which describes the wider and more ‘values’ of our three areas in the UK and our four areas in wholesome importance and value of a place, particularly as Norway along a major axis of land-use intensity. Three things cultural activities have played a major role in influencing nearly emerged from this. First, whilst the natural heritage ‘value’ all landscapes in, for example, Europe (Birks et al. 1986). increases a little and then declines with land-use intensity, the cultural value increases markedly and then drops off at a Well, we thought so, and through a collaborative project higher level of land-use. Second, the level of land-use intensity (DYLAN: Dynamic Landscapes: long-term ecology of upland is far greater in the UK, but the trend in Norway is greater cultural landscapes) led by Norway and involving colleagues over recent years (with wide-scale abandonment of traditional there and in the UK, we went about trying to draw together mountain pastures grazed by livestock). Third, at the point the threads of the different interests in managed mountain where the sum of the natural and cultural heritage values is landscapes. greatest (x*), we have the land-use intensity that maximises natural and cultural heritage. So, what did we do? Taking four protected mountain areas in Norway (Landscape Conservation Areas) and three in Britain (National Parks), we first described their natural and cultural Dividalen heritage elements. Natural heritage elements include, for example, pristine habitats with relatively long continuity, the diversity of habitats and species, and successional dynamics under conditions of different levels of land-use intensity. Cultural heritage elements include hunting traps, modified trees and coppice woods, fences and corrals, and shielings (huts). Budalen Grimsdalen

Sunndalen

Caimgorms

Lake District

Snowdonia

The seven protected mountain areas in the UK and Norway

54 britishecologicalsociety.org

So, where does this take us? Well, you probably think that it Finally, we talked with the local group of farmers and other is self-evident that the natural heritage and cultural heritage land-users including reindeer herders and hunters to try vary in the ways we have described. Well, yes, but nowhere and understand what was important to them in this – their in the literature have we found such simple comparisons. And – changing landscape, and we challenged the different more importantly, nowhere do we find a systematic means of management institutions and ourselves to think keenly about evaluation of such landscapes. Ironically, the closest and best the nature of past and present change, and what might be best articulation of these criteria is given by Derek Ratcliffe (1977) for the landscape now and in the future. in the foundation stone of the selection of sites for nature conservation in Britain, with ‘fragility’, ‘naturalness’, ‘recorded We are still hard at it – thinking, talking, and trying to assimilate history’, and ‘intrinsic appeal’ considered alongside ‘rarity’, what we are learning so that we can answer our headline ‘diversity’, and ‘size’ in judging the merits of sites. So why is it question. We sense we are getting a bit closer to the answer, that we have not even attempted to integrate values across the but like children trying to tickle trout, we often fail to grasp our spectrum of cultural and natural elements of nature? And how quarry! can we judge what is good or bad for a particular place if we Acknowledgements have no systematic means of doing this? We thank co-workers who have worked with us on this topic: Sally Johnson, Well, we are back, where we started, not in a wood, bog, or Anders Kirchhefer, Mons Kvamme, Laszlo Nagy, Per Sjögren, Birgitte Skar, Duncan Stone, and Eva Svensson. field, but on a Norwegian mountain flank, just above the forest with near-derelict summer dwellings and trees encroaching The Authors once-lush, summer-grazed pastures. We ask ourselves if the James Speed and Gunnar Austrheim are ecologists at the Museum of changes we see around us are ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and then we Natural History and Archaeology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, John Birks is a palaeoecologist at the Department of talk about sampling regimes for measuring floristic diversity Biology, University of Bergen, and Des Thompson is an ecologist with Scottish and richness, and we may consider putting out some moth Natural Heritage. traps. We could have stopped at that, and done our bit for ‘ecology’. But we did not – we cored the nearest mire and used References a multidisciplinary approach with palaeoecology, archaeology Birks, H.H., Birks, H.J.B., Kaland, P.E., and Moe, D. (eds.) (1988) The and history to unravel the local land-use history and landscape Cultural Landscape Past, Present and Future. Cambridge University Press, dynamics. This long-term approach allows us to see the impact Cambridge, 521 pp. of human activities on landscapes and ecological dynamics over Ratcliffe, D.A. (ed.) (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. Vol. 1. Cambridge time. As an example, in our northernmost site in Dividalen, we University Press, Cambridge. see strong human influence from Sami reindeer herders from Sjögren P, Kirchhefer AJ (2012) Historical legacy of the old-growth pine the 17th to 19th centuries in the forms of dung fungal spores, forest in Dividalen, northern Scandes. International Journal of Biodiversity human modifications to trees, and shifts in local vegetation Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 8, 338-350. composition between pine forest and open grassland areas. Speed, J.D.M., Austrheim, G., Birks, H.J.B., Johnson, S., Kvamme, M., Nagy, L., Today’s landscape is used differently, and with fewer semi- Sjögren, P., Skar, B., Stone, D., Svenson, E. & Thompson. D.B.A. (2012) Natural domestic reindeer, so without this long-term perspective we and cultural heritage in mountain landscapes: Towards an integrated would have missed how the rich cultural history has influenced, valuation. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 8, 313-320. and become a part of this important landscape. The DYLAN project http://www.vm.ntnu.no/dylan/index.php/english/ The long-term ecological and cultural history of Dividalen in The ManEco project (Managing Ecosystem services in low-alpine cultural northern Norway (one of the seven protected mountain areas). landscapes through sheep grazing) follows up on this work, inviting Modified from Sjøgren & Kirchhefer 2012. This diagram shows the input from an even wider range of stakeholders, and examining that Sami reindeer pastoralism has affected the vegetation land-use change in an ecosystem services context. http://www.ntnu.no/ composition from early 17th to the 19th century. vitenskapsmuseet/maneco

The long-term ecological and cultural history of Dividalen in northern Norway (one of the seven protected mountain areas). Modified from Sjøgren & Kirchhefer 2012. This diagram shows that Sami reindeer pastoralism has affected the vegetation composition from early 17th to the 19th century.

55 BES Bulletin Stuart Pimm and Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela. VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Photograph by Gilberto Collazos.

Why SavingSpecies?

Stuart Pimm / Chair of SavingSpecies and Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University savingspecies.org

As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to go. Turning off the busy coastal road east of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil onto dirt took me a few kilometres northwards. I drove past thin cattle: dozens of black vultures stood on the ground waiting for them to die. Only sparse grass covered the poor laterite soil. On either side, farther from the road was lush tropical forest that soon closed the cattle pasture to a narrow gap.

This is the Mata Atlântica — the coastal course. I would add it to my life list. This substantial fractions of the bird species humid forests of Brazil. They once didn’t happen often enough, so with initially present in the forest went extinct covered a million square kilometres — other twitchers I’d count the common within a decade or two in fragments four times the size of Great Britain. An species, and especially those that bred smaller than 10 km2. exceptional number of endemic plants there. We had to be counting something. and animals live here. Sadly, extinction In time, annual bird observatory reports We understood the larger issues too. The threatens more of them than anywhere would print the data and the reports familiar species-area relationship makes else in the Americas. That’s because only would gather in the archives of the British strikingly good predictions of how many about 7% of the forest remains, most Trust for Ornithology. My colleagues and species will go extinct eventually from the of it in tiny fragments. To my right was I published results from this massively known extent of deforestation (Brooks et one of the largest: the Reserva Biológica crowd-sourced activity that spanned al. 1999b). Globally, tropical deforestation Unãio. The narrow strip of cattle pasture dozens of islands and many decades is the major threat to species. We’d through which I travelled made Unãio an (Russell et al. 1995, 2006). Breeding mapped out the greatest concentrations ‘island’, imprisoning the species within populations on islands go extinct. Those of species at risk (Manne et al. 1999). it, the isolation dooming many of them with the largest populations, last longest. All this told me that this damnable cattle to extinction. That narrow strip was what pasture might eventually be responsible had to go. The same applies to forest ‘islands’ — remnant patches surrounded by a for more extinctions than any other scar Half a lifetime earlier, I became passionate ‘sea’ of former forest cleared for cattle in the Americas. http://www.youtube. about real islands: wet, windy places, grazing. We’d analysed data from the com/watch?v=R3zjeJW2NVk&feature=pl such as Inner Farne, Hilbre in the Dee project established by Tom Lovejoy in ayer_embedded Our colleagues worked estuary, and St. Agnes in the Scilly Isles. the Amazon (Ferraz et al. 2003) and from on golden lion tamarins. They told us There, given rotten weather, some hapless forest patches in Kenya (Brooks et al. these charismatic monkeys needed to bird would end up, blown far off 1999a). Following forest clearing, escape their forest island prison to go forth and multiply. We knew the isolation of Unãio wasn’t just about birds.

So, I founded a non-profit and called it SavingSpecies (http://www. savingspecies.org). I rounded up a science board — Tom Lovejoy of the Heinz Center, Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanic Garden, E.O. Wilson of Harvard, and Patricia Wright, of SUNY Stony Brook — all colleagues familiar with endangered species on damaged landscapes. The mission was to raise the $300,000 to help our Brazilian friends, Reserva Biológica Unãio was as an isolated patch of forest, separated from forests to the east by a cattle pasture along a north-to-south road. This is an old image. The Associação Mico-Leão Dourado, the Associação Mico-Leão Dourado has planted forest and encouraged natural regeneration to restore habitat connections. Image (http://www.micoleao.org.br) buy the courtesy of Google Earth. cattle pasture and restore it.

56 Stuart Pimm and Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela. Photograph by Gilberto Collazos.

The numbers of bird species threatened with extinction peak at 23 (very dark red) in the coastal forests of Brazil east of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The second major concentration is the in the western Andes of Colombia. Image courtesy of Clinton Jenkins and Felix Pharand-Deschenes of Globaia http://www.globaia.org

The first year, I raised $300 and felt Other species are moving back into carbon indulgences. We restore land that exceedingly stupid. I got over it the Unãio, too. On a very good day, I learned then soaks up 5 to 10 tons of carbon next year, when we raised two-thirds students had found puma scat in the per hectare from the atmosphere each of the money and partnered with the restored forest. “How can you get so year. It’s very beautiful carbon, of course, Small Grants for the Purchase of Nature excited about puma poop?” my wife and the science behind it came from programme of the IUCN Netherlands for asked. Pumas rule. Without them, a the journals we all read and, indeed, the remainder http://www.iucn.nl/en/ smaller predator, the tayra, had become of this society. We invite you to share themes/restoring_and_conserving_nature/ more common and it killed tamarins, our indignation about the scars that spn/. Our Brazilian colleagues bought the causing their decline in Unãio. With fragment our Earth and to join with us to land, transferring its title to the Instituto the connection restored, the pumas make them go away. Chico Mendes de Conservação da were back. I imagine the tayras feeling Biodiversidade, a Brazilian governmental nervous. http://www.youtube.com/ References organisation. watch?v=yybIhS23XlQ&feature=play Brooks, T. M., S. L. Pimm, and J. O. Oyugi. er_embedded 1999. Time Lag between Deforestation and After that, things just got better. Local Bird Extinction in Tropical Forest Fragments. school children helped plant native trees, So what next? The majority of globally Conservation Biology 13: 1140-1150. which grew quickly in this warm, humid threatened species are struggling to Brooks, T. M., S. L. Pimm, V. Kapos and C. climate. Last year, the forest was tall survive on fragmented landscapes. Ravilious 1999. Threat from deforestation to enough that tamarins were escaping from Much science tells us that reconnecting montane and lowland birds and mammals Unãio into the forests to which it now fragments is likely to be a very cost- in insular Southeast Asia. Journal of Animal connects. The authorities are now trying effective way of preventing extinctions. Ecology 68: 1061-1078 to combine Unãio, the former cattle Moreover, we have a very good Ferraz, G. J. Russell, P C. Stouffer, R. O. pasture, and those other forests to which idea where to look for projects from Bierregaard, S. L. Pimm, and T. E. Lovejoy. they now connect, into a conservation increasingly good species maps available 2003. Rates of species loss from Amazonian unit that will protect 8,000 hectares. It will online from the IUCN Red List, Birdlife forest fragments. Proceedings of the National be one of the largest patches of lowland International (Jenkins et al. 2013), Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) 100: 14069- 14073. Mata Atlântica. The forest restoration is and for plants, the World Checklist of obvious from space — one can see the Selected Plant Families, compiled at the Jenkins, C. N., S. L. Pimm, and L. N. Joppa forest coming back on Google Earth, by Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (Joppa et (2013). Global patterns of terrestrial vertebrate comparing the historical images. al. 2013). diversity and conservation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) (online, Our next project was in Colombia, where June 26th 2013). a large patch of cloud forest was about Joppa, L.N., P. Visconti, C. N. Jenkins, and to be snipped off from the main chain S.L. Pimm (2013). Achieving the Convention of the western Andes by deforestation. on Biological Diversity’s goals for plant conservation. Science 341, 1100-1103 We funded the Colombian non-profit, Fundación Colibrí, to acquire, protect, Manne, L. L, T. M. Brooks and S. L. Pimm. 1999. and restore land to prevent this. Along Relative risk of extinction of passerine birds on the way, our Colombian colleagues continents and islands. Nature 399: 258-261. have discovered a dozen or so species Russell, G. J., J. R. Diamond, S. L. Pimm and T. M. of amphibians and reptiles, previously Reed. 1995. A century of turnover: community unknown to science. dynamics at three time scales. Journal of Animal Ecology 64:628–641. Yes, we’re looking for projects globally. Russell, G.J., J. Diamond, T.M. Reed, and S. L. http://savingspecies.org/projects/submit- Pimm. 2006. Breeding birds on small islands: project/ island biogeography or optimal foraging? Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 324-339. Our business model is simple. You and your university (or other employers) are living in sin — and SavingSpecies A baby golden lion tamarin drapes over its can absolve you of some of it. We sell mother’s back and eyes fruit hungrily.

57 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Digitizing the Elton archive

Caroline M. Pond / emerita Professor at the Open University [email protected]

Seventy years after they were begun, Charles Elton’s Field Notes from Wytham Wood and surrounding areas are being transcribed into digital form suitable for dissemination on the internet.

Charles Elton (r) with Thomas Park in the 1950’s. Photograph by E.W (‘Bill’) Fager, courtesy of Robert Elton

58 An Elton original page with its electronic transcript

59 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Charles S. Elton, FRS (1900-1991) is teaching exercises. Tightly reasoned, Dorn, Evenlode and Kennet. Some revered as a founding father of field often lengthy, arguments identify notebooks record the more urban wildlife ecology and population dynamics. In unfamiliar species. he encountered in the University Parks, the 1930s, he established and directed around the Science Area, the Botanic the Bureau of Animal Populations Although later appointed Reader in Gardens, the attic flat at 98c Banbury (Department of Zoological Field Studies) Animal Ecology, and best known for Road that he shared with his wife and in Oxford and became founding editor contributions to entomology and young family, St Hugh’s College, the of Journal of Animal Ecology. Starting in mammalogy, Elton had a deep interest home of the BAP between 1947-1952, 1942, he studied Wytham Woods near in, and extensive knowledge of, Corpus Christi College, where he Oxford and the surrounding farmland. geology, botany, mycology, ornithology, was a research fellow and the houses Literally hundreds of D.Phil. theses limnology, forestry and agriculture. and gardens of his many friends and and papers have developed seminal He studied economic uses of the land collaborators, including the geologist, hypotheses and reported observations as well as its natural fauna and flora, Donald Baden-Powell. and experiments in the wake of Elton’s often reporting observations and ideas work, making Wytham the most arising from conversations with farmers, Agriculture and gardening changed intensively studied semi-natural area in gamekeepers, landowners and ordinary greatly to support the war effort: southern Britain. locals. Dozens of springs, streams and large areas of former parkland were marshes are carefully mapped and their dug, ploughed or grazed for food Elton is best remembered for his books; condition and inhabitants recorded many production. But for much in the 1940s, by modern standards, he published very times over the years. there was insufficient machinery, fuel little in journals. ISI finds only twelve and manpower to mow verges or trim papers between 1922-1975, of which From September 1939, Elton and many hedges, and many private gardens were only two have attracted more than 100 other Bureau of Animal Populations (BAP) neglected. Elton’s account of the wildlife citations and only one substantial work staff were deployed in rodent control for of these areas recorded many species of is about Wytham (though he wrote the war effort. These duties often took plants, butterflies and birds that are now several reports and ‘notes’ for specialist him to London and elsewhere, but Elton rare or absent from southern Britain. His publications like Entomologist’s Monthly also found time for long walks, bicycle understanding of their relevance to the Magazine). The primary observations rides, journeys on trains and buses to productivity of contiguous agriculture upon which his books, and his reputation, farms and villages in and around Oxford is remarkably prescient of modern ‘set rest consist of over 60 unpublished and Wytham, the Cotswolds, Wittenham aside’ and wildlife corridors, as advocated manuscripts (at least half a million words) and the Rivers Thames, Cherwell, Glyme, by the EU’s CAP.Mosquitoes were a entitled ‘General Field Notes’ that for many years have languished unstudied in locked cupboards in the upper gallery of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Even Elton’s scientific obituary in Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, written by Richard (T.R.E.) Southwood and John R. Clarke in 1999, fails to mention their existence. As well as owning the copyright, the Museum manages the thousands of specimens whose collection is described in the Notes and Elton’s own meticulous labels, displaying a few as the ‘Wytham Collection’.

These notebooks started in 1942. Every page is headed with a date and location, often the weather conditions and time of day as well, carefully noting when GMT, single or double summer time were in force. The texts include extensive, sometimes poetic (his wife Joy was a poet), descriptions of landscape and vegetation, detailed lists of organisms seen, heard or collected (many with the original taxonomist and the source of full details), thousands of specimen numbers, and thoughts about hypotheses, experiments, museum displays and

Elton illustrated his notes with many drawings and maps.

60 special interest: he documented and Ian Clunies Ross of CSIRO Australia, recognition. I use voice-activated software tried to collect every mosquito that whose visit coincided with the heatwave to dictate as much as possible and edit entered his flat. Fire-watching duty at the of August 1947, inspired these patriotic in type-face styles, specimen numbers University Museum created opportunities thoughts: and corrections by hand. Like many for nocturnal observing of mosquitoes people educated before photography and the bats preying on them. A striking ‘The farm country panorama seen from became easy, Elton could draw well and feature of these Notes is Elton’s delightful, Rough Common was lit up with the did so frequently. The text incorporates now sadly outmoded, ‘work-life balance’. numerous sketch maps and drawings of tawny wheat fields, and floated in the Household pests including flies, mice insects, shells and plants, which I scanned and clothes moths are described as grilling sun and faint haze like tulips at and insert as .jpg images. thoroughly as the wild fauna. Some dusk: a vast patch of small patterns... collecting forays were solitary but his Counterpoint to its dense peacefulness History may explain the notebooks’ neglect: John Pringle accepted the Linacre wife, later his children and a variety of and ancient settlement was the friends often accompanied him. Professorship of Zoology in 1963 on the Australian tale of wild, hot, arid wastes, condition that the semi-independent The 416 hectares of Wytham Woods and swamps tenanted by feral water biological fiefdoms, Animal Behaviour, and its adjoining lands passed to the buffaloes, and racing herds of kangaroos Edward Grey Institute of Ornithology University from the donor, Colonel on the plains, vast droughts and famines and the BAP amalgamated into a united Raymond ffennell, in stages during the Department in a new, purpose-built, for the sheep, and strange reproductive 1940s. Much was rented to farmers who building. Elton and his colleagues, grazed sheep and ploughed even quite dislocations in millions of sheep caused who had long enjoyed autonomy and small areas for sparse crops. The Ministry by a new clover.’ classical elegance in the former Botany of Supply took large quantities of timber School building overlooking the Botanic and firewood, their lorries and equipment Elton’s commitment to undergraduate Gardens, did not welcome such modern damaging tracks and paths. The locals teaching is evident from the start. His management policies – or architecture. fished in the Thames and its tributaries, notebooks discuss sites in Wytham and Elton felt undervalued and excluded shot or trapped rabbits, and collected elsewhere that could serve for student from decisions concerning the BAP and wild birds’ eggs, where they could. field trips and schemes for ecological ecological research in general. Pringle projects. Examining the ‘railway’ ponds even suggested that Elton’s specimens Research students began work in at Wolvercote in 1944, he notes their and these notebooks were of so little Wytham from 1943; those in the first suitability for class study, not least value to modern biology that they should decade included Aubrey Manning, because: ‘This little depth would lower be destroyed! Fortunately Elton retired Monica Shorten, Peter Larkin, Dennis any drowning danger for students.’ before the new Zoology building was Chitty, Peter Hartley, Francis Ratcliffe, The Wytham Ecology Course started in completed in 1970 so he never actually Amyan Macfadyen, C. Overgaard September 1948 with 17 undergraduates worked there. Nielsen, Richard Miller, Valerie Todd & from University College, London and Kitty Paviour-Smith from New Zealand. became an annual event. The students Elton’s nemesis was also my D.Phil. Elton valued the collaboration with were evidently working hard in the field supervisor: I was JWSP’s only female other Oxford researchers, including and back in the laboratory. Their findings research student – at least the only one to biologists H.N. (Mick) Southern, Mary were catalogued in separate documents survive the ordeal. Elton would probably Laurie, David Lack, George Varley, B.M. to which Elton’s notebooks refer. turn in his grave if he knew that someone Hobby, P.H. (George) Leslie, E.B. Ford, indelibly associated with his tormentor is E.F. Warburg, A.R. Clapham, N.V. Polunin Not before time, Oxford University has enjoying such intimacy with his precious and Ashmolean archaeologists. O.W. decided to make its vast archive available notebooks. However, it may be of some Richards was a frequent correspondent on the Internet to scholars elsewhere comfort that throughout the late 1960s, on taxonomic entomology. Early in 1945, in the world by digitising as much as Pringle was fully occupied with the many W.H. Thorpe came from Cambridge to possible. The Elton Archive will obviously titanic battles over the creation of the search for an obscure river bug and the be valuable to biologists, climatologists, physical fabric and forcibly-assembled broadcaster and author, James Fisher, agriculturalists, local historians and many personnel of the new Zoology and drove Elton in his car (a rare luxury!) to others, so Wytham’s current custodian, Psychology Departments, and the count rooks’ nests in Blenheim Park. Nigel Fisher, called for a suitable Honour School of Human Sciences, so he volunteer. and I, like he and Elton, very seldom met. Overseas researchers and administrators visited from shortly after the end of World Elton typed his Notes with a cloth- Caroline Pond is emerita Professor of War II. Elton took Professor and Mrs. G.P. ribboned manual typewriter on both sides Comparative Anatomy, The Open University Baerends from Gröningen for a walk in of greyish quarto paper, with many hand- and Honorary Senior Research Associate in Wytham Wood on 24 June 1948, and written additions, underlining, alterations, Zoology, Oxford University. She attended Thomas Park a few days later, followed symbols, abbreviations and numerous Elton’s undergraduate lectures in the mid- by Monte Lloyd, Eugene Odum, Frank geographical, geological, taxonomic, 1960s and hopes to complete this ‘job’ by Pitelka, Robert MacArthur and other anatomical and personal names that the end of 2014. eminent Americans. Conversations with baffle electronic optical character

61 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

So what’s wrong with the older literature?

Andrew Clarke / formerly British Antarctic Survey [email protected]

Call me old-fashioned, but I am a sucker for second-hand bookshops.

Many years ago I was casting my eye along a row of dusty tomes in Ely and my attention was caught by the name Seasonal activity in Coccinella Clarke on an ecology text1. My interest piqued, I picked it up and came across a wonderful little diagram showing the latitudinal variation in the annual pattern of activity in the widely distributed ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata. What attracted me was the way the author had summarised a large amount of ecological information simply and directly. Science is a powerful way of understanding the world around us, but even the deepest understanding is of no value if it cannot be communicated to others. And so I find myself drawn to authors who can express complex ideas in clear and simple language2, and those who can present their data with a lucid and uncomplicated visual style.

Several years later I was asked to write a chapter for an edited book, and assigned the topic of the influence of climate change on animal distribution. Here was an ideal opportunity to use the diagram I had found, to illustrate a point I wished to make about climate and seasonal activity. So I redrew the diagram and included it in the submitted paper. The paper duly went The offending diagram, showing latitudinal variation in the seasonal patterns out for review and alongside the usual mix of valuable critique of activity in the 7-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata. The different and helpful error correction came a stridently negative review. colours in each bar show the periods when adult ladybirds are overwintering The centrepiece of this diatribe (we’ve all had them) was (white), fully active in summer (green shades) or undergoing summer reference to this diagram, with the referee suggesting that I aestivation (grey). The switch from red to pink marks the approximate timing of generations. Note how the period of summer activity increases from north was lost in the Dark Ages and needed to read some up-to-date to south, and that in regions where summer temperatures can get very high, literature if the best I could come up with was a diagram from summer activity is interrupted by a period of aestivation. This diagram was the 1930s. redrawn from figure 5.7 in Clarke (1954)1, though the original, cited by Clarke, comes from Bodenheimer (1938)5.

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The editor accepted my suggestion that it was unlikely that in the early 1930s). I just hadn’t realised it because so few of the this particular species had evolved an entirely new physiology currently fashionable papers in the major journals cited his work. in the space of a few decades, and hence the diagram was still This was an important lesson in the need to explore the older ecologically relevant. Not only that, it was such a neat diagram literature in order to see how a field has developed intellectually, that it was worth using again. In the end the diagram did not and thus provide a context for more recent work. make it into the final version of the paper, but the comment from the referee did make me think. Why was he or she so It is, of course, possible to go too far. Ecology is a relatively antagonistic to the older literature? Granted, some literature young science and it is rarely necessary to go further back than does go out of date as a field moves on, and some ideas Darwin or Wallace in a modern biology paper. Galileo did lay the prove to be wrong. But much of the work of earlier scientists foundations of scaling theory, and I recently found an excuse to remains accurate, relevant and worth reading. Reading the quote from the Natural History of Pliny the Elder3, but a recent older literature is not only important to establish the historical citation to Aristophanes’ satirical play The Frogs in an article on and intellectual context for modern work, but it also a salutary bird plumage colouration is maybe pushing things a bit far. An reminder that the early pioneers of ecology were smart; they honourable exception here is a quotation from Aristotle that is had often identified the key problems even though they were both relevant and appropriate, used by Paul Harvey and Mark not always able to solve them. Pagel to introduce a chapter in their book on the comparative method4. The Danish marine biologist Gunnar Thorson (1906 – 1971) who undertook fundamental So how can we encourage the practice of consulting the older work on the reproductive biology of marine literature to students? When devising a final year course on invertebrates, both in Greenland and in European marine macroecology a while back, a colleague and I decided to waters. He overwintered in Greenland in the build each lecture around a key paper for the topic of the lecture, early 1930s as part of the Danish Three-year and to ensure that a good proportion of these were selected Expedition to Greenland, during which he undertook the first ever year-round sampling of deliberately from the older literature. This was not just because any polar marine system, and established the they were then unavailable on-line, and hence necessitated the basic conceptual framework for reproduction use of the library as more than just a convenient place to sit or in marine invertebrates that we still use today. write, but also because they might just go some way to prevent Photo courtesy Danish Marine Biological the question asked of another biological colleague recently: so Station, Helsingør. who was this guy Elton?

I have personal experience of the importance of reading the Footnotes older literature. As a graduate student working in polar regions, 1 C larke, G.L. (1954). Elements of Ecology. London, Chapman & Hall. I became interested in why so many of the local marine 2 organisms tended to produce such large eggs. I pondered on We all have our own favourites; mine is John Maynard Smith, whose popular introduction to the theory of evolution remains a classic. this frequently whilst wintering over at South Georgia, and formulated a few ideas. On my return to UK I started to read 3 Pliny noted the existence of ‘green plants’ growing in hot springs near around the topic, and eventually came across the work of the Padua. These were probably the cyanobacterial mats that grow there today, great Danish marine biologist Gunnar Thorson. I found his key and Pliny was thus probably the first person to document the existence of hyperthermophiles. papers in obscure volumes that had clearly not been off the 4 library shelf in years, and read through these with increasing Harvey, P & Pagel, M. (1981). The Comparative Method in Evolutionary dismay. All of those clever ideas and insights I had developed Biology. Oxford, Oxford University Press. For those at home in the blogosphere, see also Simon Leather’s piece on appropriate citation at: during my own fieldwork, destined for the triumphant last http://simonleather.wordpress.com/2013/03/ chapter of my PhD thesis, were not so original after all. Gradually 5 I realised that this deep-thinking ecologist had formulated the Bodenheimer, F.S. (1938). Problems of Animal Ecology. Oxford, Oxford important questions in the field long ago (and I like to think this University Press. was during the long nights whilst wintering over in Greenland

63 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

What use is small data IN A BIG DATA WORLD?

John Wiens / Point Blue Conservation Science [email protected]

Shortly after writing my previous essay, on how ecologists detect and interpret patterns in data, I happened upon an article in Foreign Affairs by Cukier and Mayer-Schoenberger (2013) dealing with the rise of ‘Big Data’. Their arguments led me to wonder how Big Data might change the way we do ecology, and in particular about the role of ‘Small Data’ that have traditionally been the bread and butter of ecology. Let me explain.

‘Big Data’ is all the rage. In areas as the Entangled Bank1, the Australian analyses of large data sets; decades ago, diverse as medicine, marketing, particle Ecological Knowledge Observation some worried about being swept out physics, bird watching, astronomy, crime System (AEKOS)2, the National to sea in a deluge of data. At that time, prevention, genome sequencing, English Phenological Network in the United the concerns were with how to manage, Premier League football, transportation, States3 or the Avian Knowledge Network access, and analyze all those data. This social networking, weather and climate (AKN)4; eBird5 (a component of AKN), is no longer an issue—Bayesian statistics, forecasting, or national security, massive for example, contains several hundred GIS, spatial modeling, radio-tracking, amounts of data are being turned million observations of bird occurrences, information-theoretic analyses, satellite every which way to reveal unexpected most submitted by bird-watchers. My imagery, and other tools and methods patterns – the tiny needles in gigantic colleague Grant Ballard tells me that have eased the data-management haystacks. The explosive rise of Big a time-depth recorder on one of the challenge and sharpened the resolution Data has been fueled by advances in penguins he studies generates a record and rigor of Small-Data studies. But computational technology, informatics, of depth, temperature, light intensity, some reluctance to embrace Big Data in and cloud computing that have made conductivity, and changes in speed ecology remains, for two reasons. it possible to assemble, explore, and every second, producing ~200,000 visualize data at magnitudes previously observations during a single foraging First, data gathered for particular studies only imagined in science fiction (recall trip. Arrays of wireless sensors are being carry with them the idiosyncrasies of Hari Seldon’s “psychohistory” in Isaac deployed in both terrestrial6 and oceanic7 assumptions, methods, study design, Asimov’s Foundation series). Search environments to gather terabytes of time and place, scale of investigation, engines like Google can be used to track environmental data. and other factors, all of which are the preferences of individual consumers manifestations of the questions asked and target advertising, and smart phones So ‘think big’ may be the new mantra and who asks them. Combining can feed information about personal of ecology. Given the rising tide of Big many such studies to make Big Data locations and movements into data Data everywhere, one might ask what encapsulates and magnifies this banks that absorb tens of millions of value remains for ‘Small Data’. Small heterogeneity, blurring the sources of records on a daily basis. Big Data, or Data come from specific studies, usually variation and obscuring the underlying ‘data-intensive science’, has been called conducted over a short time or in a few assumptions. It may be, as some Big Data the “Fourth Paradigm,” following the locations. For nearly a century, these proponents argue, that the inaccuracies earlier experimental, theoretical, and studies have been conducted to support of heterogeneous and messy data are computational paradigms of how science (or, less often, to refute) concepts or overwhelmed by the vast quantity. is done (Hey et al. 2009). theories in vogue at the time. Such One can’t help but feel, however, that Small-Data studies are the building something important has been lost. Big Data may not yet be as widely blocks of modern ecology: observations embraced in ecology as in some and data have enriched theory, Second, many Big Data arrays in ecology other fields, but it is growing rapidly. generating in turn new questions to be rely on the contributions of individuals Data from multiple sources are being addressed by more Small-Data studies. or Small-Data projects to a shared data gathered in digital libraries such as In fact, many ecologists have distrusted pool. Yet many investigators have felt

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a hesitancy to share their hard-won in introductory statistics will become data, even beyond the point where irrelevant. The implications of this shift “So ‘think big’ may all options for publication have been are profound. In science, the detection be the new mantra exhausted. Nonetheless, making data of a pattern, whether through a few available through repositories or ‘data observations or mining of large amounts of ecology. Given commons’, with standardized metadata of data, has long been just the first step. to guide users, is clearly on the rise, and The underlying processes or mechanisms the rising tide of Big is now mandated for projects funded by that cause the pattern must also be the National Science Foundation in the determined if we are to have robust Data everywhere, United States. Hampton et al. (2013) knowledge and understanding and a have suggested that those who do not reliable foundation for applications of the one might ask what participate in data-sharing may “run the science, such as predicting the effects of value remains for risk of becoming scientifically irrelevant.” natural-resource management. In this view, data that are not shared ‘Small Data” might just as well not exist. Don’t get me wrong. Big Data will enable us to uncover patterns we have Big Data, however, is about more scarcely imagined. The development than assembling massive data banks of digital libraries and data commons or data sharing. Big Data portends will foster a welcome openness among a fundamental change in the way scientists. Advances in informatics and science is done, perhaps especially in computational capacity will transform ecology. For the past half-century or ecology. It’s an exciting time. But Small more, ecology has been in a deductive Data still has an important role to play. phase, testing hypotheses or addressing Mining massive data may yield bountiful questions prompted by concepts and correlations, some of which are spurious, theories. Big Data instead advocates a some nonsensical, and some revealing largely inductive approach, in which of Nature’s well-kept secrets. The ability the data collection is not directed by to distinguish among these—to separate particular questions or theories. Using the wheat from the chaff—is honed an expanding array of analytic and through immersion in detailed studies visualization tools, massive data sets can and observations of particular systems. be mined for unexpected patterns or So long as we continue to seek causal anomalies. One does not need to know explanations of what we uncover, asking beforehand how the data are to be used, ‘why’ as well as ‘what’, the patterns that and sampling—the underpinning of a emerge from Big Data will prompt new, good deal of modern ecology—becomes fine questions that have not been asked unnecessary. It’s not quite aimless mining before. Interpreting those patterns will (after all, early gold prospectors didn’t depend on the insight, intuition, and dig just anywhere, but had a pretty good understanding gained from Small Data. idea of where to look), but neither is it constrained by particular questions or References theories or by the persuasive power of Borgman, C.L., J.C. Wallis, and N. Enyedy. 2007. preconceptions, which can lead one to Little Science confronts the data deluge: Habitat see what one wants to see in the data. ecology, embedded sensor networks, and digital libraries. International Journal on Digital The real paradigm shift, however, Libraries 7:17-30. may have to do with causation. The Cukier, K., and V. Mayer-Schoenberger. 2013. search for patterns in massive data The rise of Big Data: How it’s changing the way sets emphasizes correlations. Some we think about the world. Foreign Affairs 92(3): proponents of Big Data argue that the 28-40. Footnotes huge amount of data should inspire Hampton, S.E., C.A. Strasser, J.J. Tweksbury, 1 sufficient confidence in the correlations W.K. Gram, A.E. Budden, A.I. Batcheller, C.S. http://www.entangled-bank.org.uk/doc/ to allow conclusions to be drawn and Duke, and J.H. Porter. 2013. Big data and the about.php actions to be undertaken without future of ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and the 2 http://www.aekos.org.au/ Environment 11: 156-162. understanding the underlying causes. As 3 http://www.usanpn.org Cukier and Mayer-Schoenberger put it in Hey, T., S. Tansley, and K. Tolle. 2009. The Fourth 4 http://www.avianknowledge.net/content/ Paradigm. Data-intensive Scientific Discovery. their Foreign Affairs article, “we will need about/; see Kelling et al. (2009) to give up on our quest to discover the Microsoft Research, Richmond, WA, USA. 5 http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ cause of things, in return for accepting Kelling, S., W.M. Hochachka, D. Fink, M. correlations.” If this is so, the adage that Riedewald, R. Caruana, G. Ballard, and G. Hooker. 6 http://www.cens.ucla.edu/; see Borgman et al. ‘correlation does not imply causation’ 2009. Data-intensive science: A new paradigm (2007) that has been drilled into every student for biodiversity studies. BioScience 59: 613-620. 7 http://www.oceanobservatories.org/

65 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Lose – the – beards! Will Ingram 3rd Year undergraduate, University of York / Editor of Spark Magazine www.yorkspark.co.uk

“So, what is Ecology?” I ask the handful of friends that sit with me in a central London pub, clutching the one drink that we undergraduates can afford. “And, why is it important?” This’ll stump them, I think. History, English, Classics, PPE students don’t know about this sort of thing, I think.

As we sit as far from nature as you It is baffling why this group of bright The Solution, in Part can get in England, they lend their things can talk comprehensively on party So what is to be done about it? This is a metropolitan thoughts, and I prepare politics, Kafka and football, but only difficult question that hasn’t really had some passionate hand gestures. one friend seems concerned about how a good answer yet. There are, however, humanity lives on this planet as well. I was warmly surprised. Despite the small ways in which to tilt the balance towards a safer level, chipping away at toe-curling ‘something to do with The Problem being Green’ and ‘it’s about birds and this wall of misunderstanding. One such This is a small sample of intelligent flowers’ there is generally an okay level method is to demonstrate to people the students but it’s pretty representative of comprehension. Words like ‘webs’ importance of science through television, of those studying at universities, and is and ‘networks’ are bandied about. The radio and magazines. enough to make the point that ecology classicist says something pretentious is not high on the list of concerns of the While it’s impossible to engage the about ancient Greek houses. “Beauty… future leaders of the land, and not a uninterested, it is possible to interest the fragility…endangered”. All nice stuff and national priority. unengaged. Look at the wonders that I swig my pint happily, waiting for more. Brian Cox’s television shows have done And as we continually see in the news – But only one friend goes beyond the to the Physics undergraduate uptake. and crusaders such as Ben Goldacre and romantically idealised vernacular that And while that’s due to the ‘cool’ factor Mark Henderson are starting to swing we learn as apostles of Wordsworth and (these sixth formers aren’t signing up the spotlight on this – this dismissal Constable. “Understanding ecology because the feel physics is important to of engagement is mirrored in broader means understanding our environment the world), it shows how powerful mass environmental issues, and indeed and how to live sustainably within it”. media can be. throughout the whole of science. He has the inkling that it’s about more Such media can be used cleverly. than preserving nature for moral and This is surprising considering that science Directed points are more effective; spiritual reasons; that, because of the is the foundation rock for everything a farmer is more likely to become notions of systems and relationships, else that teeters on top of it, yet public interested and concerned by the the economy, society, health and understanding doesn’t balance this notion of ecosystem services when she wellbeing are all underpinned by out. Science remains in the domain of understands that there’s money involved, this abstract thing ecology. scientists, and this is a dangerous game.

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“While it’s impossible to engage the uninterested, it is possible to interest the unengaged”

and so wouldn’t featuring biodiversity newspapers are often little more than Despite our best intentions, most science on Radio 4’s Farming Today a voice-piece for nutters, with student students try to be cool. While being be good? An investment banker is journos enjoying notoriety as opinionated seen reading a science magazine more likely to want to protect the and ill-informed spouters of fatuous wouldn’t faze them, having a magazine coffee plantations he invested in if babble. Most sensible students cringe that’s overtly uncool and enthusiastically he knew it would get him more when reading some 18 year olds’ take anoraky won’t help boost readership money; why not have agronomy on the crisis in Syria, especially when either. This is a serious consideration; I in the Financial Times? professionals are paid to do a proper hate to say it, but someone who doesn’t job at such things. This is slightly unfair wear walking boots indoors, a woolly Student Grounding to those who report on real issues, such hat in summer and an unkempt beard This directed approach is what was as nightclub closures and kebab van is going to have more success engaging in mind when a friend and I set up scandals; proper student journalism. with the non-scientific community than a popular science magazine at our one who falls into such an eyebrow- However, science is different. It’s difficult university. The University of York’s raising stereotype. to have an opinion over sub-atomic Spark Magazine is written by students, particles, and when it’s a case of giving We’re back in the pub. This time we’re read by students, and aims to engage science publicity, then more is better. in rural Oxfordshire, with the whir of the whole student body with what Even with contentious issues such as combines outside bringing in the last students are interested in. Nestled GM crops and the nuclear debate, this of the harvest; one step closer to that alongside the standard pop-science presentation to the student populace abstract notion of nature that my friends articles in the magazine, we try to outweighs potential biases, and allows tackled with so valiantly. Here, I feel, is include pieces on science-in-politics the reader to go further with it in The safe territory in which to reveal to you for the politicos, science-economics Economist, New Scientist and other that I’m not an ecologist but a chemist. for the economists, science-history, ‘serious’ publications. Yet the same issues and same importance science-art and healthy doses of runs throughout all of science. science-booze, sex, and clubbing. We try to report on local and university science stories as much as possible, in I think of asking my friends again why For instance, we recently included a an effort to engage further with those ecology is important, but this is a waste feature on campus birds (no, not those around us, and as one of the UK’s of breath. Instead, they need to be kind). The University of York has the six designated science cities there is informed of its relevance to their field; largest plastic bottomed lake in Europe certainly a lot to cover. One example is they need to relate to it. They’ll relate to and has a suitably large population of our featuring of the opening of the York things they’re interested in, they’ll relate waterfowl that go with it. In with the Environment Sustainability Institute this to fun, and they’ll relate to sharp dressed interesting facts about the creatures spring, which was jointly hosted with ecologists. And while my fashion sense that peck at our ankles we could slip in the BES. Bringing such an event to the is questionable at best, I might take the important information on the low soil student attention adds to the Institute’s liberty of ending on a sartorial note: and water quality that result from the gravitas, and builds the potential for links Ecologists, lose the beards. tonnage of excrement each year. Student with undergraduate studies and activities.

67 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Rant Leave it alone! Reason&

A rant by Markus Eichhorn Dr Markus Eichhorn / School of Biology, University of Nottingham [email protected] / @BESForests

The ancient beech forests cast a deep shade as we wandered through piles of litter and the husks of last year’s mast. With evident pride, the manager of this German reserve gave his guests a backstage tour, glad to share his observations with fellow spirits, all of us endlessly fascinated by the business of trees.

At one point he paused to point out, on This contrast struck home in a similar are justified with the excuse that it’s the opposite ridge, a patch of planted situation a few years later, when a British for the benefit of ‘biodiversity’, a word conifers, which had succumbed to warden informed me that he saw his job which once invoked so often discredits disease and were now in the process of as being a light manager, supporting the argument it supports. The old joke gentle degradation (decay class three, for advance regeneration by preventing holds true that the best way to improve the connoisseurs). What, someone asked, the canopy trees from closing in. My the biodiversity of your forest is to was he planning to do with that area? He suggestion that it might be easier to chop half of it down. The intermediate looked faintly bemused by the question. leave the trees to it – after all, they had disturbance hypothesis tells us as much; What was there to do? The trees would coped perfectly well before humans we are simply welcoming in ruderal eventually fall down, then rot, then they turned up – was summarily dismissed. species that were artificially abundant in would see what came next. It would be Natural processes couldn’t be relied upon recent history. interesting. to produce the type of natural woodland he was interested in. He would have Personally I gain no pleasure from Imagine, if you will, having the same been appalled by our Teutonic beech walking in the Lake District. I feel conversation in the UK. Those dead trees forests. So little understorey! Scarcely a nauseated by the eroded terrain of would have to be felled, removed, tidied seedling in sight! barren, denuded hills, maintained by up. They were, after all, an introduced perpetual grazing. Other people seem species, and it would be abhorrent to As an undergraduate I had the privilege to enjoy it though. I have no objection allow them to remain. New seedlings of being taught by Oliver Rackham, in to maintaining cultural landscapes, so would have to be planted, locally- rambling lectures that soon diverged long as this is recognised for what it sourced native stock of course, none from the class notes into speculative is – gardening. When we encourage of that frightful sycamore or sweet digressions, drifting far beyond the the species and structures we prefer, chestnut. And were that not reason allotted time. Hugely enlightening but a and discourage those we don’t, it is enough to rev up the Stihl, there’s always nightmare for revision. Rackham’s ‘The no different in principle to keeping the health and safety – what if the trees History of the Countryside’ contains bindweed off our rambling roses. When were to fall on someone? The laissez- one of the most influential arguments we create new habitats to draw in our faire, wait-and-see attitude towards in popular ecology, leading to now favourite species, it is not conservation, management would be anathema. The widespread recognition that our British nor even restoration. A value judgement forest must be returned to nature, by landscapes are a palimpsest of ever- is being placed on which are the ‘right’ force if necessary. changing management over thousands species, and nature is not allowed a place of years, making everything we see the at the negotiating table. product of human intervention. Nothing remains that is truly wild, and many of Returning to those prolonged classes in the habitats we cherish exist only because the stuffy room behind the botany library, our actions have kept them that way. one of Rackham’s maxims stuck with me. Whatever the starting conditions, There has, however, been a flip side to ‘natural’ is what takes place in between this realigned view of British nature, human interventions. Conservation is which is the belief that managed inherently conservative, whereas nature systems should be maintained for their releases an unbounded liberal spirit. own sake, often over and above other Sometimes I wish we could learn to walk considerations. Frequently interventions away, and watch from a distance.

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Rant Where to draw the line on intervention? A response from Keith Kirby Keith Kirby [email protected]

Most conservation in Britain is about active land management. We live in a cultural landscape that has been highly managed for centuries if not several millennia: much of what the conservation sector values is the result of that intervention.

One particular consequence of the Management is usually just a substitute We cannot assume species will survive intensification of farming and forestry disturbance measure. The small size because ‘they coped perfectly well before practices over the last seventy years is of most conservation areas in lowland humans turned up’: we have changed that many species and assemblages are Britain makes it more risky to rely on the area they have available to them now confined to small isolated patches of natural processes to send a storm, and the environment in which they live. countryside. disease outbreak, windstorm, herd Maybe Markus’s forests only really got of bison through the site sufficiently going when our ancestors helped to Sites will change whatever we do. How frequently to create a disturbance eliminate the mega-herbivores – a pretty they change depends on our land-use somewhere, compared to the situation big intervention if that were the case! choices, including the option, in places, on the Continent or in North America. of leaving sites alone. We may try to However, the conservation sector has Meanwhile, despite the efforts of the slow that change; try to maintain the been considering whether some large Forestry Commission, Wildlife Trusts species that we have inherited, whether sites, existing or newly-created, might and Conservation Agencies, there may in meadows, coppices or heaths, be managed using a less interventionist be more broadleaved high forest in because people do value such things. approach. This has attracted the name Britain which is not subject to active We may try to do this by mimicking ‘rewilding’ and it will be interesting to intervention across the country than at past management practices; or we may see how areas where it is being explored, any time over the last six hundred years. do new things like deliberately create such as in Ennerdale in the Lake District, reed-beds to boost bittern numbers. We develop. decide what we want and try to keep it. There will always be debates about the We should also explore the consequences limits to a desire for less intervention – of not intervening so much. Almost do they include allowing bogs to be filled certainly there will be species losses up with rhododendron; or woodland as conditions change. These might understories to be eaten out by deer be temporary – in a former coppice whose populations may be maintained woodland left alone gaps may eventually at high levels through feeding on re-appear creating conditions for the adjacent farmland. We can push back open phase butterflies or plants to come the boundaries of what we accept before back. However given the small size and we intervene, but perhaps not go to isolation of many woods now the species complete non-intervention. might not make it. Similarly some of the species that might be expected to benefit from unmanaged high forest (dead wood beasties for example) are pretty poor colonists as well. We could end up with more natural but much poorer systems than at present: which is fine as long we are happy with that outcome, for that site. BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 Rant The slow pace of Reason change in ecology &

A rant by Steve Cousins Steve Cousins [email protected]

Ecologists, and policemen, seem to be getting younger. The vitality of the INNGE group (International Network of Next Generation Ecologists pronounced in-jee) at the INTECOL 2013 London Congress confirmed this.

The excitement that their sessions to establish a wide range of scientists’ generated was stimulating for all ages. views including maverick views of the For me it recalled the vitality of the problem and their potential solutions and first INTECOL Congress in 1974 held then move on to analyse the proposals. in The Hague. That Congress sought It would be good to see us put this into to build a very big picture of how the practice in our own discipline. world’s ecosystems work (van Dobben et al. 1975). This was to be achieved by Why don’t our textbooks take this integrating the findings of the 10-year approach and include a section towards long International Biological Programme the end of each chapter, which seeks and (IBP) where compatible measurements lays bare disagreements over concepts, terms and approaches? In this way the and analysis had been applied to all “we seem to have moved from ….ecology as a next generation of ecologists will at least the world’s major ecosystem types. Just cabinet of curiosities to a new …. cabinet of about all the big names of the subject dynamic curiosities” open their minds to new starting points presented at the Congress (the brothers for solutions more quickly. Odum, Margalef, Patten, etc.) and the Well, very busy, we seem to have moved But can Ecology as a discipline take accumulated effect was overwhelming to from Bob May’s reflection on early criticism? When in New Scientist I a then young ecologist such as myself. ecology as a cabinet of curiosities to a published (Cousins 1985) a critique Yet all was not well at the end of IBP. new or contemporary cabinet of dynamic of IBP’s trophic level approach and The big picture proved elusive and the curiosities in which different modules proposed a return to body size analysis reaction of research ecologists (and of few species are more elegantly of whole food chains I received a stern funding) was to move away from full understood, while the bigger picture rebuke from Frank Golley, President of ecosystem scale and concentrate again sought at the first INTECOL Congress the Ecological Society of America saying: on smaller scale studies with few species; still evades us. We have progressed but “don’t rock the boat”. Closer to home topological food-web properties rather are we progressing fast enough given when A Critique for Ecology (Peters 1991) than energetics. the challenges of demands on ecosystem services, of climate change and the dark was published, John Lawton’s review of So how does Ecology look seen through forces of pathogens and parasites? the book in Nature reprimanded those the eyes of the London INTECOL who had sanctioned its publication; Congress some 40 years later? So that’s my Beef, my Rant – ecology is I am proud to say I reviewed the not moving forward fast enough to meet manuscript for CUP’s editor Alan its big challenges. Crowden, now of the BES Bulletin, and strongly recommended publication. We How do we speed up? Ironically the need to try to learn from informed and fascinating plenary session on political constructive critics such as Rob Peters, engagement provided one model from which is why I have nominated him for the Office of the Chief Scientist (Bob the ‘Rant’ picture here. Sadly he died in again) where it was said that their Model 1996 aged just 49. for problem assessment was to be careful

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Rant

catchments of solar energy that pass References assimilated energy through the food Blanchard J.L. (2011) Body size and ecosystem web to the local top predator; they dynamics. Oikos 120, 481-482. then have Size (measured area/volume), Cousins S.H. (1985) Ecologists build pyramids biodiversity of the area and can integrate again. New Scientist 107 (1463), 50-54. the dynamic curiosities found there. Cousins S.H. (1990) Countable ecosystems In one of the Congress coffee breaks I deriving from a new food web entity. Oikos 57, discussed the pace of change in Ecology 270-275. with BES President’s Medal winner 2013 Cousins S.H., K.V. Bracewell & K. Attree (2005) (!) Dave Raffaelli who made the insightful Measuring the ability of food to fuel work in remark that it is the lens through which ecosystems. In: Dynamic Food Webs eds. P. de Ruiter, V. Wolters & J. Moore, Academic Press, you view ecology that determines how London, pp. 248- 257. you make progress in the subject. My ego was stroked to find that Dave had Ghiselin M.T. (1987) Hierarchies and their recently cited my own attempt (Cousins components. Paleobiology 13, 108-111. Professor Robert Henry Peters (1946-1996) et al. 2005) to change the lens on Lindeman R.L. (1942) The trophic-dynamic aspect of ecology. Ecology 23, 399-418. Now here is some real criticism. I am how trophic interactions are measured reminded of Michael Ghiselin (1987) and modelled in order to resolve the Peters R.H. (1991) A Critique for Ecology. who said ‘ecologists are unclear about failure of trophic-level based ecosystem Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. the nature of their fundamental units and dynamics. From The Hague in 1974 it W. H. van Dobben and R. H. Lowe-McConnell about what such units do’. That’s pretty has taken me 30 years to get to that (editors): Unifying concepts in ecology. serious and the statement remains deeply point for terrestrial ecosystems. While Report of the plenary sessions of the first challenging. at sea, Julia Blanchard’s paper to the international congress of ecology, The Hague, Congress integrating body size structures The Netherlands, September 8-14, 1974. Junk BV publishers The Hague. For starters I will throw in the terms of fish species in the North Sea showed ‘ecosystem’ and ‘trophic level’ both just what the IBP folk were trying to of which have important definitions in achieve even if it took 40 years to deliver young Lindeman’s 1942 paper that was it. Blanchard’s was a spectacular piece the basis for IBP and both, in my view, of work. Rob Peters would certainly are worthy candidates as dysfunctional have applauded it. So we are making terms if we take Ghiselin’s statement progress, we just need to speed up and to heart. ‘System’ is a weasel-word full see well-informed criticism as a useful of subjectivity, such that we can set motor for faster change. system boundaries with abandon and still sound scientific. But this is at the cost of actual science and assessing repeatable properties wherever we view eco‘systems’. I know what a human object is, e.g. the human being, but a human ‘system’ can be pretty much anything, so it is with ecology, but we lack the ecological object. In that spirit what we think of as ecosystems are perhaps ‘Photonsheds’ (Cousins 1990)

71 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Sally Hayns MCIEEM / Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management T: 01962 868626 / Enquiries @ ieem.net / www.ieem.net

FIRST ACCREDITED DEGREES The following degree pathways Further details and entry forms can be ANNOUNCED have been approved by the downloaded from the CIEEM website at Governing Board for accreditation: www.cieem.net/awards CIEEM was delighted to announce its first Manchester Metropolitan University accredited degree and degree pathways REGISTER OF CHARTERED in July of this year. The accreditation BSc(Hons) Environmental Science ECOLOGISTS process was developed by the Training, Education and Careers Development BSc(Hons) Environmental Management The new Register of Chartered Ecologists Committee as a tool to recognise those and Sustainability has been launched and the first 18 undergraduate and taught Masters Chartered Ecologists were announced on The next group of accredited degree/ degree programmes that provide the 24th October. This group can now degree pathway applicants are currently students with the knowledge and put the designatory letters ‘CEcol’ after under assessment and those that are skills that employers in our profession their names. successful will be announced in January. are generally looking for in graduate Those that have been through the applicants. It was influenced significantly Further details of the accreditation assessment process describe it as ‘robust, by feedback from employers and from scheme and the closing date for the ‘tough’, ‘daunting’ and ‘fair’. However early career practitioners working in next round can be found on the CIEEM the registrants have agreed that it needs applied roles. website at www.cieem.net/accreditation to be if it is going to be effective in promoting high standards of professional Students following an accredited degree BEST STUDENT PROJECT AWARD will cover all of the required content practice. and quantity of practical work required CIEEM has expanded its annual awards by the scheme. For a degree pathway and introduced, for the first time, two The assessment is a two-stage process it is only the required combination Best Student Project Awards. Generously centred around CIEEM’s Competency or combinations of core and optional sponsored by The Environment Framework. The first stage is a desk- modules that are accredited. Partnership (TEP), two prizes of £250 based assessment of a comprehensive each will be awarded to the best application form in order to determine The following degrees have been undergraduate and best postgraduate whether an applicant is likely to have approved by the Governing Board (Masters level) dissertation that is judged reached the standard and merits a for accreditation: to have the most impact on professional Professional Review Interview (PRI). The practice in our sector. PRI is the second stage of the assessment University of Greenwich and is a face-to-face interview with MSc Environmental Conservation Entries must be submitted by a CIEEM questioning by two senior professionals. Student Member or Graduate Member Harper Adams University supported by the department/course So far all of the applicants have been BSc(Hons) Countryside and programme leader. Dissertations must CIEEM members but the Register is open Environmental Management have been submitted during the 2012/13 to anyone who meets the eligibility Manchester Metropolitan University academic year and should be free of any criteria and is a member of a professional BSc(Hons) Ecology and Conservation marks or tutor/assessor comments. body ‘licensed’ by CIEEM to put forward potential registrants. Nottingham Trent University The closing date is Friday 14th February. BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences (Ecology Shortlisted authors will be invited Further details of the Register are and Environmental Management) to attend the Awards event at the available on the CIEEM website Birmingham Botanic Gardens in June www.cieem.net/chartered-ecologist 2014.

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BIODIVERSITY OFFSETTING accomplished and authoritative) with, for example, Full member applicants being Like BES and many other organisations required to demonstrate competence at CIEEM has been spending quite a bit of the Accomplished level in the required time responding to the UK Government’s number of skills areas which are consultation on Biodiversity Offsetting themselves divided into sub-themes. in England. Having attended numerous meetings at Defra it is clear that a The technical and transferable scheme in one form or another is likely to skills areas are: be announced shortly. Technical Transferable The practical application of biodiversity offsetting as planning tool is not, of Surveying Professional conduct course, new in that off-site compensation Environmental Business management is already used in some development management projects. However it is the introduction of the active promotion of such an Environmental Project management approach, the creation of an offset assessment ‘market’ and the use of recognised metrics that creates opportunities for a Environmental Information step change in addressing some of these governance, management development tensions but also provides legislation and challenges for the profession to resolve. policy

A fundamental principle is that offsetting Scientific People management must be underpinned by good science method and there is still much we do not know. A commitment to gathering robust Facilitation, Self management evidence of what works and what consultation, doesn’t work should surely be a pre- stakeholder requisite for any scheme. There is a engagement vital role for the scientific community in planning research strategies to answer Public Health and safety the many questions that will arise. awareness and education Biodiversity offsetting is often presented in quite simplistic terms that are relatively There is a also a new route for those easy to understand by a range of individuals who do not have a relevant stakeholders. However that must not be degree but are working in a relevant role allowed to cloud the fact that ecological and can demonstrate, as a result of a functionality is complex and uncertain. minimum number of years of experience, Successful habitat creation over the long the required level of competence. term is not as easy as some politicians seem to think! SUPPORTING MEMBER NETWORKING CIEEM’s Geographic Sections are very CHANGES TO CIEEM MEMBERSHIP important in providing members with CRITERIA networking opportunities, CPD events and discussion meetings. In order to Next month will see a significant strengthen and support our Sections change in CIEEM’s membership we have recently appointed a full-time criteria. Membership grades will no Co-ordinator, Vicky Bowskill and a part- longer be based on a relevant degree time Support Officer for the Irish Section, qualification and the number of years Mairead Stack. of relevant experience but on what an individual is able to demonstrate If any BES members would like to that they know/understand and are organise joint meetings/events with the able to do competently. The criteria CIEEM Geographic Sections you are very combine a relevant degree qualification welcome to contact Vicky or Mairead together with evidence of competence through [email protected] in a minimum number of technical and transferable skills areas identified FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE in CIEEM’s Competency Framework. Membership grades will be based on the Biodiversity Offsetting In Practice levels of competence (basic, capable, March 2013, Birmingham

73 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

Publishing News BES Publications Data Archiving Policy

Liz Baker / Deputy Head of Publications [email protected]

Over the past couple of years the Society has been mindful of the scientific community’s drive for increased openness of research. Two aspects that have particularly attracted attention are the need for easier access to data that support the conclusions in published papers and the long-term preservation of those research data.

One of the main functions of peer- January 2014, the journals will mandate data described in the results will be made reviewed journals is to provide readers the archiving of data for all papers publicly accessible by deposition in a with published articles that have been published in the Society’s five journals. data repository that guarantees public through a rigorous evaluation process by access and permanent storage. Upon experts and that have, as a result, been The BES journals’ revised JDAP acceptance authors will be required to given a scientific ‘stamp of approval’. The statement will be as follows: deposit sufficient data to allow each only way to truly verify the results of a Data are important products of the result in the published paper to be research paper is to analyse the original scientific enterprise, and they should be re-created and the analyses reported in data or replicate the study. However, preserved and usable for decades in the the paper to be replicated to support without access to the original data, results future. The British Ecological Society thus the conclusions made. When data are cannot be verified through reanalysis. requires that all data (or, for theoretical deposited it will also be important that In addition to allowing verification of papers, mathematical and computer authors ensure that adequate meta-data study results, sharing data has other models) supporting the results in papers accompanies their paper so that a third benefits to the scientific community. In published in its journals will be archived party can reasonably interpret those data particular, it allows data to be used for in an appropriate public archive, such correctly. new purposes, including reanalysis using as Dryad, TreeBASE, NERC data centre, new statistical techniques or to address GenBank, figshare or another archive of the To facilitate the deposition of ecological new questions, inclusion of data in meta- author’s choice that provides comparable data, all of the BES journals have analyses, and use in teaching. Thus, calls access and guarantee of preservation. integrated with the Dryad data have been made for authors to provide Authors may elect to have the data made repository. The Society is sponsoring access to their data in publicly accessible publicly available at time of first online deposits made in this archive. However, repositories that ensure long-term publication or, if the technology of the there is no requirement that authors use preservation of the data. archive allows, may opt to embargo access this specific repository for their data. to the data for a period of up to a year Authors should pick the repository that In 2010 a number of high profile after publication. Exceptions, including is best suited to their type of data and is evolution journals approved a ‘Joint longer embargoes or an exemption from most useful to the ecological community Data Archiving Policy’ (JDAP) (Whitlock the requirement, may be granted at the likely to access their data. A list of the et al, 2010) and moved to mandate the discretion of the editor, especially for most commonly used repositories archiving of data associated with work sensitive information such as confidential for ecological data will be available published in their journals. In 2012, the social data or the location of endangered to authors from the journals’ author BES Publications Committee agreed that species. guidelines and on their ScholarOne the BES should join these journals and Manuscripts websites. adopt a similar policy. A JDAP statement Thus, starting with manuscripts encouraging the archiving of data was submitted in January 2014, all articles Authors will be able to request that published on all of the BES journal accepted for publication will be their data be embargoed for up to 12 websites during 2013 and, beginning in published with the expectation that the months following publication of their

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article. Longer embargo periods can BES Publications team be granted at the editors’ discretion. The current BES Publications team are These embargoes will provide protection pictured below. Catherine Hill is currently of data which, if placed in the public on maternity leave. domain, may jeopardise further publications. For sensitive data relating to endangered species or protected locations, authors can transform locality Andrea Baier, details. In rare situations where authors Deputy Head of have limited rights to use of data (e.g., Publications proprietary data), or when data access is politically or cultural-sensitive, editors can waive the archiving requirement.

In each paper published a ‘Data accessibility’ section will be included so Liz Baker, that data associated with the articles are Deputy Head easily found. The location of the data of Publications will also be included in the reference list, with DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, making access to the data easy, and future citation of the data trackable via the Data Citation Index. Peter Livermore, Assistant Editor, Journal In announcing this mandate the Society of Animal Ecology remains aware of a range of issues that continue to concern the community. There are currently limitations in making the many forms of ecological data searchable and retrievable. It is hoped Erika Newton, that community standards will emerge to Assistant Editor, facilitate the sharing of ecological data, Journal of Applied including the development of standards Ecology for data re-use and citation. The quality of data deposited and, in particular, the metadata accompanying it, need to improve for the true value of data to be Jennifer Meyer, appreciated. Finally, it will be important Assistant Editor, for researchers to trust that the people Functional Ecology accessing their data will treat it with respect and adhere to ethical guidelines and community expectations.

The Society’s aim is to ‘Advance ecology and make it count’. This new data Samantha Ponton, archiving policy will promote greater Assistant Editor, Methods in Ecology openness within ecological research and and Evolution will strive to encourage more research on data that has already been collected, and in doing so advance the field for future generations. Lauren Sandhu, Whitlock, M. C., McPeek M. A., Rausher M. D., Assistant Editor, Rieseberg L. & Moore A. J. (2010) Data archiving. Journal of Ecology American Naturalist 175, 145–146.

Kate Harrison, Assistant Editor

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Publishing News Journals Update

to reveal ecosystem carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles as well as their couplings in response and feedback to global www.functionalecology.org change. She also uses data mining www.journalofecology.org @FunEcology approaches to synthesize regional and @JEcology A successful INTECOL included our global patterns of ecosystem properties Issue 101:5 of Journal of Ecology was journal-sponsored symposium on and their responses to environmental published in September. A particularly Mechanisms of Plant Competition. For changes. We are also joined by Julia exciting Editor’s Choice paper from this anyone that missed the symposium, Koricheva, from Royal Holloway, issue is “Scale-dependent relationships Liesje Mommer’s keynote talk on plant University of London, England. Julia’s between tree species richness and facilitation is available from the BES research focuses on the ecology and ecosystem function in forests” by Soundcloud page (https://soundcloud. evolution of plant-herbivore interactions, Chisholm et al. There’s also a spirited com/besjournals/sets/intecol), along with particularly the mechanisms of plant Forum discussion on an Australian dune talks from the other journal symposia and resistance to herbivores, relationship chronosequence between Uren and workshops. between plant diversity and ecosystem Parsons and Laliberté et al. in this issue. functioning, and methods and Steve Ellner’s review ‘Rapid evolution: applications of meta-analysis and Additionally, Jairo Patiño the first author from genes to communities, and back research synthesis in ecology. She works on “Baker’s law and the island syndromes again?’, based on his Tansley Lecture primarily in boreal and temperate forest in bryophytes” was interviewed by the given at the BES 2012 Annual Meeting, ecosystems. Los Angeles Times about his paper, which was published in Functional Ecology in also features in this issue. October. Early in 2014 we will also welcome a third new Associate Editor, Joe Bailey. Joe Virtual Issues Our December issue features a new has been a guest editor for Functional Journal of Ecology has published two Perspective from Wilco C.E.P. Verberk Ecology, working on our next Special Virtual Issues over the past month. The and David Atkinson on “Why polar Feature: Climate change and species first honours our former Executive Editor gigantism and Palaeozoic gigantism range shifts (to be published in Issue Michael Hutchings who retired from the are not equivalent: effects of oxygen 1, 2014). Predicting the community role at the end of 2012. Mike has worked and temperature on the body size of and ecosystem consequences of global on the Journal in an Editorial capacity ectotherms”. In this paper, Verberk and climate change is among the most for nearly 30 years. In addition, Journal Atkinson offer a novel explanation for challenging and pressing of problems of Ecology has always been Mike’s first gigantism in icy, polar waters, giving a confronting modern evolutionary choice for his own first-authored work. possible explanation for why patterns in ecologists. This special feature addresses A commentary on the Virtual Issue by body size across gradients in temperature key issues linking global climate change Associate Editor Richard Shefferson are stronger in organisms that breathe to shifting species distributions with is available on the Journal of Ecology under water than in airbreathers. This an emphasis on understanding the homepage. issue also includes Cavin et al’s paper impacts on functional plant traits and the “Extreme drought alters competitive ecological interactions they mediate. It In early September we also published a dominance within and between tree spans a broad range of theoretical and Virtual Issue on facilitation and scaling, species in a mixed forest stand,” which empirical issues, dealing with genetic to coincide with the Ecological Society was featured on the Today programme, divergence in plants along elevation and of Germany, Austria and Switzerland’s BBC News online, Good Morning latitudinal gradients and its impact on Annual Meeting. Earlier this year Scotland and BBC Radio Wales. plant functional traits, interactions with Santiago Soliveres wrote a piece on the other species, and potential ecosystem Journal of Ecology blog regarding the We welcome two new members to the consequences. current facilitation debate. Santiago and Associate Editorial Board: Shuli Niu is his colleagues organised a session at the based at the Institute of Geographic Jennifer Meyer Annual Meeting in Germany and our Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Assistant Editor publication of this Virtual Issue coincides Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, ([email protected]) with their session. where her research focuses on terrestrial ecosystem responses to climate change and human disturbance. Shuli uses global change manipulative experiments

76 britishecologicalsociety.org Publishing News

All of the papers in both Virtual Issues are of Diversification and Trait Evolution’, McMahon from the Smithsonian free to access and if you would like to with guest editors Luke Harmon and Tropical Research Institute USA, Doug write an opinion piece for the Journal of Graham Slater, which attempts to initiate Yu from the University of East Anglia Ecology blog please contact the Editorial an integration of paleontological and UK and the Kunming Institute of Office with your proposal via admin@ neontological data. It includes 5 papers Zoology in China, Ryan Chisholm journalofecology.org. by paleobiologists whose research uses from the National University of phylogenies of fossil taxa to answer Singapore, and Patricia Backwell from New Associate Editors diverse macroevolutionary questions, the Australian National University We would like to offer a warm welcome from time scaling phylogenies, to (methodsinecologyandevolution.org/ to five new Associate Editors joining our inferring modes of phenotypic and EditorialBoard). Editorial Board: Ellen Damschen, Jennifer lineage diversification. All issues also Remember, as a member of the BES, you Lau, Frida Piper, Nicole Rafferty and contain a number of freely available have free access to Methods! Melinda Smith. application papers: citable descriptions of new methods and techniques. Samantha Ponton Online Features INTECOL this year was a great success. Assistant Editor Finally Journal of Ecology now has an Over the course of the conference, one (coordinator@ app which is available to download for of our Associate Editors, Barb Anderson, methodsinecologyandevolution.org) free from the iTunes store. The Journal interviewed a number of delegates about continues to post audio interviews on our the oldest methods that they still use blog and there are lots of posts about the today, the newest methods that they summer conference season (including currently use, and if they could invent a As we approach the end of the year ESA and INTECOL) from members of our method what would it be? Look out for we are pleased to reflect on another Editorial Board. As always, you can get in everyone’s answers on the Methods blog good year for JAE. The journal is now contact with us via Facebook and Twitter podcasts (methodsblog.wordpress.com). successfully integrated with Dryad and is (@JEcology). Also on the blog, our Editor, Bob O’Hara, effectively participating in the Manuscript wrote an interesting piece about the use Transfer Program with the open access Lauren Sandhu of Twitter at INTECOL, and recorded journal Ecology and Evolution. Assistant Editor a couple of short podcasts giving an ([email protected]) overview of the journal and the blog, In terms of content, we published seven review papers, including Charles We’ve added a new video to our Godfray’s presidential address on YouTube channel, in which David Warton ‘Mosquito ecology and control of www.methodsinecolodyand interviews Trevor Hastie, Professor malaria’ (Issue 1) and an instructional evolution.org of Statistics at Stanford University; paper on ‘Quantifying individual @MethodsEcolEvol Trevor talks about his recent paper variation in behaviour: using mixed-effect ‘Inference from presence-only data; modelling approaches’ by Dingemanse the ongoing controversy’ published and Dochtermann (also Issue 1). in Ecography, which is a response to Excitingly, we also published our first Royle et al’s ‘Likelihood analysis of Synthesis paper entitled ‘Insights into species occurrence probability from population ecology from long-term presence-only data for modelling species studies of red grouse Lagopus lagopus distributions’ in Methods (youtube.com/ scoticus’ by Martínez-Padilla et al., which MethodsEcolEvol). reviews the trajectory and impact of red grouse studies in population ecology. The We’re always keen to try out new online authors attempt to synthesise the various features, and have recently added a explanations for population regulation tag-cloud to our Wiley Online Library and cyclic patterns, and conclude site, which contains popular keywords by highlighting the need to consider that readers can click on to view more multiple, interacting mechanisms. This Methods papers in that area. We’ve also is the first of a new type of JAE paper added a geosearch map, where readers that we will be publishing. The Editors can click on a country to view any papers felt there was a gap in the literature for that mention that country. In addition, balanced, comprehensive and concise a new journal App has been launched overviews of well-established field or for readers to access Methods papers via laboratory study systems, targeted their iPads. at a broad ecological audience, and Issues 4.8, 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 have all hence the idea of synthesis papers was Last but not least, we’re pleased to been published online since the last born. We welcome suggestions for new welcome on board 5 new Associate Bulletin was circulated. Issue 4.8 contains synthesis papers – please just email your Editors: Tom Gilbert from the Natural a Special Feature on ‘Unifying Fossils and proposal to the Editor. History Museum of Denmark, Sean Phylogenies for Comparative Analyses

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Published papers have been well received Salvador Herrando-Perez (The University Kona, Hawaii in 2011. The idea of the outside the field as well. The study of Adelaide, Australia) discusses the Special Feature is to compare methods ‘Migration phenology and seasonal implications of a modelling paper by that have been developed for modelling fidelity of an Arctic marine predator in Amarasekare and Coutinho entitled the geographical distribution of species relation to sea ice dynamics’ by Cherry et ‘The intrinsic growth rate as a predictor (with location only data) and methods al. (Issue 4) was featured in The Guardian of population viability under climate that have been developed for modelling and The Independent. The research warming’. The authors challenge recent habitat selection by animals (with use- demonstrated, using 10 years’ data on studies on the effects of climate warming availability data). The Special Feature polar bears in western Hudson Bay, how on the population viability of ectotherms contains seven thought provoking papers sea ice conditions drive the bears’ annual and provide some important caveats that in synthesis show that the modelling migration on and off the ice. More and considerations for such studies. of the geographical distribution of recently, BBC News, The Independent, Following this is our first ever Special species and the modelling of habitat Reuters, Los Angeles Times picked up a Feature entitled ‘Location-only and selection by animals are essentially the paper by Ripple et al. entitled ‘Trophic use-availability data: analysis methods same problem in terms of analysing the cascades from wolves to grizzly bears in converge’ edited by our Associate Editor data. We hope that the Special Feature Yellowstone’ found that a knock-on effect Bryan Manly (WEST Inc, USA) with his will be of great interest to those involved of Yellowstone wolf introduction is that colleagues Lyman McDonald (WEST in analysing animal distributions and grizzly bears consumed more berries, Inc, USA), Wayne Thogmartin (United resource use. available from the increased shrubbery States Geological Survey, USA) and resulting from the reduction in herbivory Falk Huettmann (University of Alaska, Peter Livermore of elk lessened by wolves. Fairbanks, USA). The initial idea for this Assistant Editor Special Feature arose from a session on [email protected] Our latest issue – the December issue this topic that took place at a meeting of (82:6) – rounds off the year nicely. It the Wildlife Society in opens with an In Focus paper in which

78 britishecologicalsociety.org

BES 33rd Annual General Meeting Minutes

The AGM was held on Thursday 22th August 2013 in the Capital Suite Room 10, The International Conference Centre, Excel London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock,London,E16 1XL, United Kingdom. 84 members were in attendance.

1. Minutes of the 32st AGM outstanding resource which highlighted 3. The Accounts for the year the contribution of past ecological The minutes of the 32nd AGM held on ended 31 December 2012 research to current thinking. Third, three 19th December 2012 in the Great Hall, The Accounts for the year ended 31 interdisciplinary meetings were organised University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, December 2012 were published in the for early 2013 which highlighted the Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom August 2013 Bulletin and summarized in interface between ecology and related and published in the August 2013 the Annual Report. disciplines and all these meetings had Bulletin 44:3 were presented to the been well attended. Fourth, in a new membership. The motion to approve the accounts and departure for the BES, we joined the the reports of the Treasurer and Auditors P. Grubb questioned why the awarding Royal Horticultural Society in celebrating was proposed by D. Hodgson, seconded of Honorary Membership to Professor 100 years of the Chelsea Flower Show by by A. Beckerman and carried by a Hassell in 2012 had not been recorded putting on a display which demonstrated majority with no votes against. in the minutes of the AGM. G. Mace the impact of changing gardening habits noted that the Awards Ceremony, which on the ecology of gardens. The stand 4. The reports of the Treasurer normally happened directly after the BES was visited by several thousand people and the Auditors, AGM, was documented in the Bulletin during the Show week. Subsequently, The Honorary Secretary presented the and that awards had not been recorded in July and August 140 public events accounts on behalf of the Treasurer. in the AGM minutes for a number of had taken place during the BES Festival of Ecology, running across the UK in years. She agreed that BES Council would He noted that in the Society’s 100th partnership with local museums, galleries consider adding details of BES awards to year, the finances were in better shape and community groups. Included in this the AGM minutes. than ever. The current year was rather outreach work was the ‘Sex, Bugs and different because of spending on The motion to approve the minutes was Rock’n Roll’ Roadshow, put together the various and wonderful centenary proposed by R. Berry, seconded by R. by a team lead by Dr Sayer, promoting activities. However, the centenary Mitchell and carried by a majority with ecology at a wide range of public events expenditure was saved up for in advance one abstention and no votes against. including music festivals. The final event over the last five years, and so has had in the programme was the INTECOL a surprisingly small effect on this year’s 2. Centenary celebrations Congress itself which had been very finances – so the Society would still successful in bringing the international The Executive Director presented an make a small surplus. Second, working community of ecologists to the UK to update on the delivery of BES centenary with our partner societies at Charles celebrate the Society’s birthday. She activities. One of the first activities to be Darwin House, we had just bought a new thanked the BES Festival of Ecology completed was the publication of a paper building, currently known as ‘Charles Manager, Julie Hodgkinson, other BES on the 100 most important questions Darwin House II’. This exciting new staff and the countless volunteers who for ecological research in the Journal building was very near our current HQ. had worked tirelessly over many months of Ecology, a project led by Professor The Society bought it for three reasons: and even years in helping to ensure the Sutherland. A series of innovative posters it will enable us to expand the hub of BES celebrated its centenary in a most on key ecological topics was produced scientific societies; we will have extra fitting style. She also noted that there for schools and accompanied by space for holding larger meetings split would be a formal evaluation of all the competitions and online resources. Over between CDH and CDHII; and in the centenary activities so that BES Council 30,000 copies of the posters had been longer terms we considered it a prudent could learn from new activities for the distributed directly to schools. Second, way to invest some of our reserve. Third, BES, and consider which kinds of projects Professor Grubb and Professor Whittaker because our publication income has might be futher developed or continued had compiled a booklet discussing the increased (as explained at last year’s in future. 100 most influential papers published meeting), our longer term financial in the BES Journals. This represents an modelling shows that we can expect

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to build the buffer we need, even if we Publications – the Society’s stable of 9. The appointment of the increase our expenditure somewhat, not journals continued to be very successful Auditors for 2013 and 10. least because we are no longer setting with 3 million full text downloads of Auditor’s remuneration money aside for the centenary. For this BES journal articles demonstrating the reason, the BES Council have already influence and impact of the research it The AGM agreed to delegate authority increased budgets for grant giving. A published. to BES Council for the appointment of current exercise aims to identify new the auditors and their remuneration. projects for future development, learning Membership – currently the BES had The motion to accept this was proposed from the centenary activities as well as 4,213 paying memberships and 995 by J. Lee, seconded by A. Beckerman looking at areas in which the BES might complimentary ones with the aim to and carried by a majority with no votes try to grow influence or activity, using increase paying memberships to 4,500 against and one abstention. available financial resource in accordance by the end of the year. He urged all with our charitable objectives. Finally, he members to encourage their colleagues 11. Any other business. thanked Hazel Norman, Olivia Hunter, to join the BES. No formal AOB had been submitted but and the other BES staff members for their the President asked if there were any hard work to keep the finances in shape; 7. To elect Officers of Council questions from the floor. and he thanked the Finance Board and of the Society J. Cowie asked if the views of the Management Board members for their Professor Sutherland was Council’s membership would be sought on the time. nomination for the post of President INTECOL Congress and on the future and Professor Mace for the post direction of the BES. The Executive 5. The reports of the Council of Past President. Dr Hodgson was Director informed the AGM that all Secretary and the Hon. standing for re-election to the post INTECOL delegates would be asked Chairpersons of the Committees of Council Secretary, Dr Purves for for feedback and there was a feedback the post of Honorary Treasurer, Dr and 6. The reports of the section on the Congress app. The Beckerman for chair of the Meetings Editors President said that the membership Committee, Professor Gray for chair The Honorary Secretary presented the would be consulted on the Society’s of the Publications Committee and Dr reports. direction in due course. Vickery for chair of the Public and Policy He noted that the BES was a modern, Committee. The President thanked everyone for dynamic society with an active attending the AGM and the meeting was The motion to accept these changes to governance structure which was closed. the Officers of the Society was proposed achieving its mission of advancing by T.H. Jones, seconded by C. Thomas ecology and making it count. He and carried by a majority with one vote highlighted a number of activities; against. Education – the BES was actively working with other organisations to 8. To elect Ordinary Members of promote the teaching and learning of Council ecology through the development of the Three members of Council were retiring National Curriculum , as well as building and the Society thanked Dr Coomes, on the legacy of the Festival of Ecology Professor Hails and Dr Ezard (Council’s programme Early Career Representative) for their hard work and commitment while in Grants – a Peer Review College had been post. There were two nominees for established to help with grant reviewing election to the two Ordinary Member and match funding of the James Parkyn of Council places and the proposal to legacy had provided £64k to support elect Dr D. Gilbert and Dr J. Hill to these students from 37 countries to attend the two posts was made by D. Hodgson, INTECOL Congress. seconded by J. Vickery and carried by a majority with no votes against. There Meetings – INTECOL had been the were four nominees for the post of focus of much work but it had also been Early Career Representative so a ballot agreed to hold the 2014 Annual Meeting was held. Tellers were appointed. The jointly with the French Ecological Society candidate who gained the most votes in Lille, France. was Ms J Randall who was duly elected as Policy – the Ecological Issues series had Early Career Representative on Council. been re-launched at a reception in the House of Commons and work with the National Capital Initiative had continued to develop.

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Book Reviews The book reviews are organised and edited by Peter Thomas

country to have a sustainable The authors conclude that future. And it is very upbeat. progress has been mixed with Solar powered desalination positive features being greater plants and water pumps would environmental awareness by solve the water problem and the public, the use of some solar power itself would solve valuation tools for ecosystem many of the country’s power services and price incentives problems and leave enough to manage activities, the over for sustainable export. acceptance of the importance There is also a long chapter on of sustainable energy, and ecotourism, extolling Libya’s the establishment of global virtues including one of the best financing facilities for funding collections of archaeological ecosystem conservation. But sites in the world (if they escape the negative features they bulldozing). From a visit there document deal with water just before the 2011 uprising, quality and supply not keeping Libya: The Urgent I can attest to the incredible pace with population increase, Transition to friendliness of the people and CO₂ continuing to increase, Environmental the beauty of the landscape A New Blueprint for a biodiversity and habitat loss Sustainability but it will be a while before Green Economy increasing, energy companies ecotourism starts earning fighting emission controls, Robert Goodland (2013) foreign currency. The book Edward B. Barbier & Anil perverse subsidies skewing Environmental General paints a potentially rosy future Markandya (2013) Earthscan national accounting, and Authority, Tripoli, Libya. if the recommendations are from Routledge, Abingdon. political and institutional inertia ISBN 978‐0‐9792179‐0‐6 followed and if one ignores the £19.99 (pbk) supported by self-interested E-book pdf is available from political problems. The upbeat ISBN 978-1-84971-353-5 lobbying. So progress globally [email protected] message is perhaps inevitable must be seen as poor. In that or from the website www. given the involvement of the Originally published in 1989 respect this is overwhelmingly Goodlandrobert.com. government in the book’s with David Pearce as the lead a depressing read despite the production, but the scientific author, the first version of attempts by the authors to see As if Libya does not have and social arguments are still this book had a major impact the upside. enough problems following the sound. As a vision for the future worldwide. Its origin lay in a overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, for a country it is heartening. As report commissioned by the They do provide some very this book points out that Libya a detailed case study of how a Department of the Environment useful tabulated data such as is running out of water and whole economy could be turned in the UK to help them respond indicators of environmental oil. There are no year-round around, this is exemplary and to the 1987 Brundtland Report performance, and taxes and flowing rivers in Libya and 96% would be a wonderful example on sustainable development. user charges by country, of freshwater used is from the to use in many environmental The terms of reference were which highlight very clearly huge fossil water reserves stored courses. to consider the links between both progressive countries and those for whom the under the Sahara. Of this, 75% Peter Thomas sustainable development, of the water is moved to the national accounting and environment is apparently still northern coastline where most resource accounting, and of little consequence. And they people live along the Great Man- the authors’ response made provide interesting examples Made River (a huge pipeline and very clear just how great a from around the world of small associated reservoirs) which is change was needed in policies scale successes. This ‘green designed to deliver 5M m3 of to address this. Sadly Pearce economics’ approach is even water per day! Realistic figures died suddenly in 2005 but more urgent today, but having suggest the huge reserves will his co-authors have taken the squandered the opportunities be economically exhausted in opportunity to examine progress for change in the good times 40-50 years. On the oil front, over the last 20 years. Its the politicians are now saying and leaving aside the current principal theme was and is that it is too expensive in the problems over ownership, the by valuing the environment and current recession that they oil and gas reserves currently including it in national resource have created. If we continue provide 72% of the GDP, and accounting there would exist a to progress at this rate future are also likely to run out in financial framework to manage generations will have little green 40-50 years. So the remit of exploitation more scientifically left to account for. this book is to provide detailed and encourage improved David Walton recommendations, backed environmental management. up with evidence, to allow the

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This is an easy book to read I take to heart their quote from Innovation and Science could with very pertinent cartoons Buckminster Fuller “You never scarcely object to the central introducing each chapter and change things by fighting the proposal here that innovation some very useful figures and existing reality. To change can and should be taught to tables. The strong critique of something, build a new model everyone. I cannot dispute that the monetary system and its that makes the existing model it is a good idea to be creative, uncontrolled debts, the focus on obsolete”. These authors are to innovate and to discover new GDP as an indicator of wealth trying to do just that with some facts and new understandings. but not of social well-being, sensible ideas based on strong It is just that the approach the lack of any consideration arguments and data. In many here – “breaking the frames of steady state options in ways the book is an inspiring that restrain us, upsetting the economics teaching show just read for those who have already paradigms that anchor us, some of the serious obstacles to concluded enough is enough looking outside the box” – are all developing a public action for and want some suggestions on redolent of management speak a sustainable approach. They what they should do. You should and seem to fit very poorly do not avoid the contentious read it. with the real current recession question of population control David Walton and the complex bureaucratic but, whilst eschewing the systems that limit both money, Enough is Enough: coercive methods tried in opportunity and management Building a Sustainable China and India and proposing in science. Getting a really new Economy in a World of education and empowerment idea through peer review in a Finite Resources of women, they fail to address reactionary system is still a the serious impediments daunting task. She stresses the Rob Dietz & Dan O’Neill (2013) to contraception caused by importance of looking for the Earthscan from Routledge, religion. They have some useful unexpected, asking the right Abingdon. (2013) £12.99 (pbk) polling data on what people say questions (with its own acronym ISBN 978-0-415-82095-0 they would like – consume less PIG IN MUD), using analogies, food and energy, save water, the value of teams, and the Our media are currently filled protect biodiversity – and, other expected approaches. She with economists and pundits although these are supported by questions the current emphasis proclaiming that they know some small scale examples in on success metrics and asks how to fix our current global various countries, where is the if thought content (ideas) recession and make a bright evidence that the Word Bank, would not be more useful than and prosperous future. The the World Trade Organisation, products (e.g. published papers) present disaster, resulting the OECD countries allow any of but without telling us how we from uncontrolled greed and this to affect policy? could make this assessment. astonishing political naivety, Innovation Generation: She even suggests that science is based on a paradigm of Their proposals for creating full How to Produce Creative administrators should be trained continual growth totally at employment by using reduced and Useful Scientific Ideas in innovative thinking – perhaps odds with the objective of work time and guaranteed the greatest heresy in the book! Roberta B. Ness (2012) Oxford sustainability and a world jobs both resemble previous The text is easy to read, full of University Press, Oxford. £19.99 of finite resource. Sadly, experiments in centralised a wide range of examples and (hbk) the political establishment economies (like East Germany) might even help those, whose worldwide, driven by the finance that failed, but on the positive ISBN 978-0-19-989259-4 initiative has been destroyed community, has still not seen side they give some interesting by the system, remember again fit to examine alternatives. This examples of other business To those who have had what creative thinking was like. book comes out of a conference models. Dismissing GDP as the ‘pleasure’ of attending As Susan Sonntag apparently organised in Leeds in 2010 that misleading they examine other management training courses said “The only interesting assumed that sustainability measures of progress like the this book will engender answers are those which destroy rather than growth should be Happy Planet Index (in which serious flashbacks. It does, the questions”. If this quote the ultimate test for long-term Costa Rica comes top and however, fit in very well with rings a bell with you then so will survival and that different the USA 114th), and the new the current government this book! economic models, measures ISO standards for companies emphasis at universities and objectives can provide that determine environmental and research councils that David Walton both employment and, most performance and corporate science is principally an importantly, improved well- social responsibility. activity undertaken to develop being without destroying our life the economy rather than support systems as is currently pursue better understanding happening. of the world around us. The Department of Business,

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redistribution of power and specific examples, the first of resources, something normally which is from viticulture and only achieved by war and shows how pest and disease conquest. Their solution is to control can be incorporated propose different business into the system. Interesting, models where the primary but not revolutionary in view of concept is lease rather than (for example) the large volume sale, service and support for of work on controlling maize long-lasting equipment rather pests and pathogens in Africa. than throw-away products, and The final chapter of this group a recycle and re-use philosophy discusses urban landscapes, at the end. This they call the using specific examples from “circular economy” with what different parts of Europe. This they believe will be significant chapter has a high level of reductions in energy and raw scientific rigour and its content material consumption, as well is widely applicable. as increased employment. The final group of chapters looks Bankrupting Nature: The chapter devoted to Ecosystem Services in at scale-dependent aspects denying our planetary Planetary Boundaries tries Agricultural and Urban of ecosystem services using to show how the application a variety of case studies. One boundaries Landscapes of limits in seven key areas of the most interesting is that Anders Wijkman & Johan will provide enough “working Edited by Steve Wratten, of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, Rockström (2013) Earthscan space” to work for a sustainable Harpinder Sandhu, Ross Cullen which can be considered at from Routledge, Abingdon. solution. Their key areas & Robert Costanza (2013) a wide variety of scales from £24.99 are freshwater, chemical Wiley-Blackwell Chichester. local to global. The opening up £55.00 (hbk) ISBN 978-0-415-53969-2 pollution, agricultural land of the region to both tourists use, biodiversity loss, ocean ISBN 978-1-4051-7008-6 (quantified) and mining As the authors say on the first acidification, atmospheric companies (not mentioned) is line “This book is not about aerosol load, ozone depletion, This volume is partly a leading to a loss of biodiversity climate change” but about climate change and phosphorus follow-up to the Millennium and to soil erosion, but this is the failures of our economic, and nitrogen flows. Whilst Assessment and brings together not spelled out. At the other end political, religious and social not all of these are equally 27 researchers from around of the scale is an interesting systems to recognise that, important – nor indeed do the world, but mainly from account of the efforts of a wool without radical changes, we are we know enough about all of Australasia. In an interesting yarn manufacturing company running out of options for our them to set safe boundaries – Foreword an Indian MP points (abbreviated to WYM, one of future. Yet again the authors they are all inter-related and out that women in the state the numerous rather irritating attack the growth agenda which subject to a bewildering range of Tamil Nadu used ecological bits of jargon that pervade the underlies all the meetings of of unsystematic controls and principles in cultivating the book) to incorporate ecosystem the G8 and the G20, rail against monitoring, suggesting progress land of five ecological zones services into his production the continued use of GDP as the at best will be slow. Perhaps more than 10 000 years ago! system. key indicator of progress and the most interesting chapter Each chapter is self-contained remind the reader that continual is by Wijkman on his attempts and starts with an abstract and This book tackles a very growth is neither intellectually to change things through (usually) ends with a conclusion. important topic. It is not possible nor practically sensible. the Swedish and European Thus, cross-referencing between possible in 200 pages (including They are brave enough to raise parliamentary systems and the chapters is minimal. Data are references and an index) for it the problems of population problems he encountered with given mainly in the form of to be comprehensive. However, but, given the outspoken “political parties stuck in the tables, with few diagrams and it includes some interesting suggestions for other changes logic of the industrial society”. photos. material, but which needs to in social habits, one might have For him present political be treated with caution when The first section (three chapters) expected them to make more systems are not relevant to considering the topic as a whole. on scene setting includes a large of the education of women, present problems and show no Janet Sprent table giving commonly used the provision of adequate inclination to adapt. Plus ça methods for calculating the contraception in solving change! monetary value of ecosystem our demographic problems. David Walton services and another looking They recognise that the most at the functions and value of difficult change will be the wetlands. This is followed by

83 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013

produced more recently, these of ladybirds, their natural have not really improved on enemies, variation, population Macan’s guide but have just and evolutionary biology, tried to fill the void left whilst it distribution, identification and has been out of print. I still use study techniques. The coloured my old heavily repaired copy of plates and identification the original for preference, when keys have been modified to dealing with my freshwater accommodate new species samples! including the Harlequin and the Bryony Ladybirds. The Now it is back. The authors rise of the Harlequin, and the have used many of the original consequences for other species, illustrations and have kept is covered thoroughly and there the general organisation of is a map documenting its spread the guide, but have added across the country. new line drawings where these are needed and have I recently came across a Kidney- revised the keys and added Ladybirds (2nd ed.) spot Ladybird and turned to Guide to Freshwater extra identification tips where this book for information. Helen E. Roy, Peter M.J. Brown, Invertebrates appropriate. They also reflect Everything I wanted to know Richard F. Comont & Remy some taxonomic changes, was there but was spread across Michael Dobson, Simon Pawley, L. Poland & John J. Sloggett although these are mercifully numerous pages. I think a brief Melanie Fletcher & Anne Powell (2013) Naturalists’ Handbook few. The result is a very familiar paragraph on each of the 26 (2012) Scientific Publication No. 10, Pelagic Publishing, little book, still very easy to use commoner species summarising No. 68, Freshwater Biological Exeter. £19.99. (pbk) Association, Ambleside. £33.00 and even more comprehensive distribution, food plant etc (hbk) than its predecessor and with ISBN 978-1-907807-07-7 would be useful. Nevertheless, a tough and water-repellent this is a wonderful book and ISBN 978 0 900386 80 0 cover, to allow use in the field. The name Mike Majerus will be deserves a place on any The authors are apparently very forever linked with ladybirds naturalist’s bookshelf. Generations of freshwater anxious about whether this will and his first edition of this ecologists have cut their David Emley still prove to be a useful and book published with Peter teeth using T. T. Macan’s popular guide but I have no Kearns in 1989 was the catalyst classic Guide to Freshwater such doubts. Even though I may for a surge of interest in this Invertebrates, for many years be biased by my life-long use of well-known family of beetles. the very best identification the original, I think that it is an He sadly died in 2009 but his guide for freshwater animals. excellent guide and that the new enthusiasm spurred his co- The excellent and simple material and revised structure workers to produce this second illustrations, plus the generally make it even better. In almost edition. easy-to-use keys, helped every respect I thoroughly students to sort their catches, Much additional information recommend it. My only in most cases to family or has been learned about reservation is the cost, which genus and occasionally even ladybirds in the past 24 years may well deter purchasers to species. This was originally – 39 pages worth in the case of and this is a great shame. It produced in 1959 and was this book. In keeping with other deserves to be in the anorak then revised and re-issued a Naturalist’s Handbooks this pocket of every freshwater number of times, but always one gives a comprehensive and ecologist, whether they are remaining familiar and readable account of ladybird beginners or experts! essentially unchanged. It biology aimed at the both the Mark Young acted as a lead-in to the more professional and knowledgeable Landslide Ecology detailed species keys for the amateur as well as at students major groups of invertebrates, in both schools and universities. Lawrence R. Walker & Aaron also produced by the Freshwater The authors give ideas for B. Shiels (2012) Cambridge Biological Association, and further research, show how University Press, Cambridge. together they allowed more- readers can get involved £75.00 (hbk) or-less every freshwater in recording and studying ISBN 978-0-521-19052-7 organism to be identified ladybirds, as well as pointing £35.00 (pbk) reliably. In consequence British out the gaps in our knowledge. freshwater ecologists have been ISBN 978-0-521-17840-2 able to study their favourite The book covers the 47 ecosystems, without worrying species of the Coccinelidae What’s so special about unduly about identification resident in Britain but focuses landslides that they deserve problems. Although other in detail on the 26 species their own book? The authors general keys have been most regularly encountered. work hard to convince the Chapters cover the life history reader that they are ecologically

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important in their own right; for inspiring, thought provoking, is only the best of them who in knowledge on wildlife and example as large-scale movers critically needed treatment are more than bricklayers, who conservation biology. of plant nutrients, for their of how to use our power of laboriously get together bricks unusual spatial heterogeneity, observation to expand ecological out of which other men must My only gripe is that the and because of the number knowledge and provide practical build houses; when they think comprehensive table detailing of trees around the world environmental solutions... a they are architects they are ‘some pivotal dates in the that depend on landslides highly innovative manifesto simply a nuisance”. No wonder development of conservation’ for establishment. But it also on the importance of clever he switched from biology to (Table 1.1 in Hambler 2004) comes down to the devastating observations for solving politics. has been omitted from the impacts that landslides have fundamental problems in second edition. Given the on us humans and how we can ecology and environmental Like so many books from Island many recent developments in manage the risk. There is a lot to management...” Well, I Press, this is an acquired taste. conservation biology it would be gleaned from this book on the persevered. There are some interesting have been nice to see this time physics of landslides and their ideas here and there, and the line extended (hint to authors triggers, what we know about What is it about? The Foreword, challenging nature of the book for third edition). Chapter their colonization, how poor by Paul Dayton, provides an is good. 9 on Environmental policy management contributes to answer. The book is really Des Thompson (Environmental economics, law landslide risk and how that risk about understanding nature’s and education in Hambler 2004) can be managed (by vegetation processes – making observations, has undergone substantial manipulation and physical defining hypotheses, testing revisions and expansions, intervention) based on an them through a variety of and does an excellent job understanding of how landslides means, and possibly even taking highlighting the human-nature work. A useful book that has a steps to help nature. It is as relationship. The chapter place in all ecological libraries. much about understanding includes an assessment of major environmental issues, the new fascinating discipline Peter Thomas such as climate change and of conservation psychology, overfishing, as developing new which aims to understand how techniques for coping with people value and act towards these. Divided into four parts, their environment. It is critical and with ‘text boxes’ contributed that conservation includes by eighteen ecologists, humans as, like it or not, we conservationists or writers, it is are part of the system, and certainly fresh on ideas. Conservation (2nd ed.) conservation programmes that fail to engage with society There are groups of chapters Clive Hambler & Susan M. are less likely to succeed. The on The role of observation in Canney (2013) Cambridge book concludes with a case ecology; Using observation in University Press, Cambridge. study of the Mali elephants, ecology; The challenges posed £27.99 (pbk) which asks the million dollar by an observation approach; and ISBN 978-0-521-18168-6 question: how do you conserve Beyond academia: the power elephants in a remote area of observational approaches. I’ve been reviewing various suffering from poverty and Then we have the concluding conservation related texts in my resource degradation? This chapter, which has a real pop quest to develop a new module Observation and Ecology. case study demonstrates that at the more formal academic on Conservation Biology. I collaborative engagement Broadening the Scope of approach to ecology. It begins selected this book as my core with local stakeholders is Science to Understand a thus “Science is often portrayed text as it is newly updated and key, rather than imposing a Complex World as an incremental process of revised, competitively priced, ‘fortress conservation model’ Rafe Sagarin & Anibal building an edifice of knowledge, nicely structured, includes on to the local populace, as Pauchard (2012) Island Press, brick by brick...”, and goes on to colour diagrams and makes discussed by Andersson et al. Washington, DC. £18.99 (pbk) take us through the shortcuts good use of case studies. (2013) for South Africa (see we can take to develop and test Need I say more? This text review below). So to conclude, ISBN 978-1-59726-826-4 concepts. It’s a bit thin on detail, is an expanded version of this comprehensive text will but strong on narrative. I liked This is a rather unusual book – Hambler (2004) and follows be an important companion the examples of E.O. Wilson’s one that you spend five minutes much the same section and for undergraduates and and Rachel Carson’s work, and looking at before deciding chapter headings with a few postgraduates studying President Teddy Rooseveldt’s what it is about! The back page tweaks here and there, and conservation biology, and quoted derision of scientists blurb had me stumbling a covers a wide range of topics, anyone working in conservation was amusing: “I know these bit – three quotes, mentioning including threats to biodiversity, or land resource management. scientists pretty well and their that the book “...demonstrates environmental impact limitations are extraordinary, Hambler, C. (2004) Conservation. how and why direct sensory assessment and restoration and especially when they get talking Cambridge University Press, awareness of our natural offsetting. At 416 pages long, of science with a capital S. They Cambridge. world is a bridge to deeper it is 48 pages longer than its do good work, but after all, it ecological understanding... is predecessor, reflecting advances

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Sarah Taylor threaten survival, these peoples conservation relevance of now find themselves residing genetics is mainly explored in in the newly designated TFCAs a third section which covers that are meant to bring peace, topics such as identifying units unity and opportunities for eco- of conservation, hybridization, tourism. The TFCAs are seen as conservation breeding, a way of joining up core reserves climate change and genetic to permit the free movement monitoring. Case studies in of wild animals along ancient guest authored text boxes are migratory trails. excellently chosen to illustrate key concepts in each chapter. This book examines the various From a conservation perspective land management initiatives there is a lot of scene-setting that have taken place in South before getting to the meat of the Africa (Fortress Conservation, topic. This is perhaps what one Community-Based Natural might expect from a text book Reserve Management, Conservation and the and fine from didactic point of Transfrontier Conservation Genetics of Populations view. The book is less useful as Areas), the socio-economic (2nd ed.) training about practical decision and ecological factors that Transfrontier Conservation Fred W. Allendorf, Gordon making. I have a quibble that impact upon them, and the in most chapters only common Areas: People Living on the Luikart & Sally N. Aitken (2013) opportunities and conditions animal and plant names are Edge needed for implementation Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. £95.00 (hbk) used. Scientific names are given Jens A. Andersson, Michel de of TFCAs. This review of the for most taxa in the index, but I Garine-Wichatitsky, David H.M. perspectives of ‘people living ISBN 978-0-470-67146-7 don’t think this is good practice. Cumming, Vupenyu Dzingirai & on the edge’ is very timely as £39.95 (pbk) Ken E. Giller (2013) Earthscan TFCAs are largely a politically Anyone teaching a course ISBN 978-0-470-67145-0 from Routledge, Abingdon. driven process and ecological to undergraduate and post- considerations often ignore graduate students should £60.00 (hbk) In my experience, conservation development value for those consider using this book as their decision makers do not often ISBN 978-1-84971-208-8 living within the boundaries. standard text and I am sure I consider genetic factors Consulting and involving will be using it to look things up. Firstly, so we all know what we systematically. As a result local communities in land are talking about, I’d better some, perhaps many, decisions John Hopkins management plans is key to define what a Transfrontier will not give the desired long the successful marriage of Conservation Area (TFCA) is! term result. Many are aware development and conservation. According to the South African that genetic data is ever more There are 24 contributing Development Community readily and cheaply available authors from a wide range of a TFCA refers to “areas or and understand concepts such disciplines (e.g., agronomists, components of a large ecoregion as inbreeding depression. To anthropologists, ecologists, that straddles the boundaries translate genetic data into sociologists, veterinarians, of two or more countries, information which supports etc.), giving this text a truly encompassing one or more decisions also requires an multidisciplinary flavour and protected areas as well as understanding of concepts such making it accessible to social multiple resource use areas”. as effective population size scientists and ecologists alike. Rather tediously, this definition and outbreeding depression A fascinating book that will be is buried in an end note at the which are not so familiar. The of interest to anyone involved in end of the introductory chapter second edition of this text conservation and land resource rather than being declared book has been extensively use, especially where conflicts in the main text. The book updated and will be valuable to of interest arise. centres on the ‘forgotten people’ ensure the next generation of Conservation of Wildlife affected by protected wildlife Sarah Taylor conservationists are thoroughly Populations: Demography, areas. Many of these peoples educated in conservation Genetics and Management were displaced in the 1960s genetics. and 1970s by the creation of (2nd ed.) national parks, and were legally The title Genetics of Populations L. Scott Mills (2013) Wiley- denied access to land and and Conservation might have Blackwell, Malden MA. £95.00 resources (‘fortress conservation’ been more apposite. The first (hbk) model). Living on the edge of half of the book is largely ISBN 978-0-470-67150-4 protected areas, in marginal given over to an introduction lands where erratic rainfall, crop to genetics and chapters on £39.95 (pbk) raiding and illegal activities evolutionary processes. The ISBN 978-0-470-67149-8

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I reviewed the first edition of The New Synthesis brings this book back in 2007. At the together the efforts of 62 time, I noted that it focused, in scientists from 12 countries, particular, on the application in a volume stretching to of basic population ecology almost 500 pages of review to conservation problems. In material focused on the genus that sense, it was enjoyably Martes. It is arranged in five written, highly readable, and sections, covering evolution likely to appeal to anyone and biogeography; biology and interested in how theoretical management; ecology and population ecology could make habitat management; research a difference in real management techniques; and conservation. It scenarios. The second edition will, unquestionably, represent a retains the readable style of fantastic resource for biologists the first, which stood out for focused on the genus and Mills’ ability to render complex managers whose remit includes theoretical concepts into simple Biology and Conservation any of the focal species. Historical Environmental prose. The references have been of Martens, Sables and Moreover, this detailed review Variation in Conservation augmented and updated and Fishers: a New Synthesis of existing information will and Natural Resource some effort has been made to Edited by Keith B. Aubry, be of use to macroecologists, Management reduce the North American bias theoreticians and data miners, William J. Zielinski, Martin John A. Wiens, Gregory D. in the examples used. Several allowing them easy access G. Raphael, Gilbert Proulx & Hayward, Hugh D. Safford & sections have been expanded to data that would often take Steven W. Buskirk (2012) Cornell Catherine M. Giffen (2012) or rearranged to provide better months to collect (see, for University Press, Ithaca. $75.00 Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. coverage of concepts that were example, the 5 page table of (hbk) £95.00 (hbk) formerly a little brief. demographic rates in Chapter 5, ISBN 978-0-8014-5088-4 the 5 page table of information ISBN 978-1-4443-3792-1 There is much involved in on intentional releases in In 1994, Steve Buskirk and £40.00 (pbk) conserving populations that is Chapter 6, or the 23 page table colleagues published Martens, not covered here: this is not a on documented parasites and ISBN 978-1-4443-3793-8 Sables and Fishers: Biology book about conservation biology pathogens of the genus in and Conservation, a synthesis Historical range of variation in its wider, interdisciplinary Chapter 7). sense. Likewise, this is not of knowledge on the genus (HRV) is the “variation of an exhaustive introduction Martes emerging from the The New Synthesis also ecological characteristics and to theoretical population first international Martes highlights areas that should processes over scales of time ecology. Instead, Mills’ book is symposium, held 3 years be the focus of research in and space that are appropriate explicitly aimed at exploring earlier. Almost 20 years later coming years. Among the areas for a given management the basics of the interface this new volume has been of ignorance that it identifies, application” (Chapter 1, p5). This between population ecology and produced based on invited remain 3 species of Martes requires a specification of an conservation. In that context, it syntheses presented at the fifth from south and southeast Asia appropriate time period, which remains an excellent overview international Martes symposium for which reliable scientific in the USA (the principal focus) and should appeal particularly in 2009. The New Synthesis is information remain scarce. With usually equates to the period to those who want a patient not simply an updated version an increasing focus among immediately prior to European and gentle introduction to of the earlier book. Instead, funding bodies on supporting colonisation. At the heart of get started on some of the it reflects huge advances in only economically productive this book is whether taking weightier theoretical concepts. science – from more routine research, it remains to be seen such a historical approach is A North American bias remains, genetic analyses to finer-scale whether these knowledge gaps appropriate given the level of providing an opportunity for remote monitoring, as well as can be filled in time for the anthropogenic transformation readers from elsewhere to significant changes in the focus even-newer synthesis. of habitats and the impact of familiarise themselves with of management concerns – future climate change, which that continent’s wealth of from global warming to habitat Phil Stephens predicts the emergence of novel conservation and management restoration. ecosystems with no modern-day experience. It should appeal to analogs. The authors lay out a aspiring conservation biologists very persuasive argument that from undergraduate level there is a continued role for HRV upwards. to help to identify ecological conditions that will restore Phil Stephens ecological resilience in the face of climate change, and that this needs to go hand in hand with consideration of social range of variation that is acceptable by society.

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The edited collection is divided The aim of this series is to a useful descriptive summary ‘biological species as a gene- into six sections which together synthesise conservation actions of conservation actions for birds flow community’ and cladistics, assess whether HRV is still used worldwide to provide an but requires the reader to draw with current hot topics such as appropriate for the management evidence base to help scientists, the threads together. bar coding being considered of forests. The section on global policy makers and especially Anne Goodenough en route. Most examples perspectives expands the practitioners to design and used are from animals, with a remit beyond North America’s implement maximally effective bias towards birds, and each forests, with case studies conservation. This volume is well explained by simple from the African savannah, focuses on bird conservation diagrams. Non-plant and animal Australian wet eucalypt forest, and lists 322 conservation eukaryotes do not feature, which English lowland woodland and interventions ranging from is unfortunate, particularly Fennoscandian taiga. So there habitat management and in the case of fungi. We are truly is something for everyone. minimising pollution threats to currently surrounded by species While it may no longer be the providing supplementary food. (???) of Phytophthora that case that those who ignore The book is logically structured, have caused major problems history are doomed to repeat it, grouped either according to such as the potato famine in I quite agree with Stafford et al. intervention type (e.g. habitat Ireland and the devastation (Chapter 24) that by studying restoration creation; education of Jarrah dieback in Australia, historical variation in response and raising awareness; captive with new problems in Britain to past climate change we can breeding) or threat (e.g. non- and elsewhere killing many better understand changes that native species; urbanisation; woody species. There is also are likely to occur in our forests agriculture). It is easy to find a limited coverage of bacteria, an in the future. With contributions specific interaction thanks to area where arguments about from 54 scientists and a comprehensive and well laid the species concept have been practitioners, including a look out table of contents, while the Do Species Exist? raging for decades. Lateral at Wytham Woods by our very index allows all information for a Principles of Taxonomic transfer is briefly mentioned, own Keith Kirby, this fascinating specific species to be located. Classification but the important dual nature of and well-written book will be the DNA complement of many of interest to anyone involved For each intervention, the Werner Kunz (2012). Wiley- parasitic and symbiotic bacteria with conservation and land authors outline the main results Blackwell , Chichester. £65.00 is not clearly spelled out. management. from key scientific studies on (hbk) a one-study-per-paragraph ISBN 978-3-527-33207-6 I will certainly return to this Sarah Taylor basis. This means the book book, because I am sure it feels rather like a series of This volume was first published can help me understand the notes, rather than being a true in German in 2012 with the philosophical aspects of one synthesis. At the start of each English translation a year later. of our most commonly used section, the ‘headline’ findings The author admits to incubating terms. I think, as suggested in are given using bullet points. much of the material for about this book and elsewhere, there This is helpful for the longer 20 years as he gradually moved will be a move away from using sections but rather pointless from being a straight geneticist species as the main taxonomic for very short sections where to a scientist embracing tool in future decades, but there is a lot of similarity philosophy. Following this coming up with a robust between the bullet point(s) and fascinating progression through alternative system will take the detailed account. My main this book is, for me at least, a time. gripe with the book is that, major exercise and one that Janet Sprent other than in the bullet points, I regret that I have not fully there is very little synthesis of completed by the time this key themes and key findings. review was due. Like most Bird Conservation: Global This means that it is rather practicing biologists I use Evidence for the Effects of hard to get an overall picture species as a tool almost every Interventions of the effect of a conservation day, even though I understand intervention – the evidence the concept’s limitations. David R. Williams, Robert G. is laid out for the reader, and However, I had not realised Pople, David A. Showler, Lynn very clearly at that, but it is quite how human-centric it is, V. Dicks, Matthew F. Child, (largely) up to the reader to nor, I regret to say did I realise Erasmus K.H.J. zu Ermgassen & analyse and evaluate that that Darwin did not believe in William J. SutherlandEd (2013) evidence. No recommendations species. Synopses of Conservation are given; again, the reader Evidence, Vol. 2. Pelagic needs to formulate their own This book is divided into Publishing, Exeter. £34.99 (pbk) recommendations based on eight chapters. Each covers ISBN 978-1-907807-19-0 the descriptive accounts of a particular theme such as relevant studies. Overall, this is ‘what are traits in taxonomy?’

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composition. The concept can consists of population ecology, are covered, from the historical even be applied to the evolution including density dependence, debates about the nature of of microbial mutualisms. A predator-prey, competition vegetation and phytosociology, final section examines the models, and mutualism. The through to current questions application of these ideas component parts are then concerning the impact of in such areas as biological assembled as he looks at food climate change on vegetation. pest control and agriculture, webs, metapopulations and Vegetation classification may plus the possible impact of species coexistence models. seem somewhat static and environmental change, such The inclusion of neutral descriptive to the experimental as climatic shifts, upon these theory here is a creditable ecologist, but it is often basic interactions. There is material feature. Finally, the author to the understanding and here that will prove of interest looks at evolutionary effects, communication of site features to population ecologists and to especially the possibility of and is therefore valuable for those involved in community rapid evolutionary development field studies. Three chapters and ecosystem studies. The within communities. The cover such work, including book provides an approach to text is attractively set out, topics such as discontinuity Trait-Mediated Indirect understanding community including clear graphics, and in vegetation, and the issue relationships that involve a sensitive approach to the of dynamic change. More Interactions more than simple two-species use of mathematical models specific subjects then take Edited by Takayuki Ohgushi, interactions. which should introduce the over, including clonality and Oswald Schmitz and Robert Peter Moore student to this important modularity, assembly rules in D. Holt (2012) Cambridge aspect of the subject without vegetation, species interaction University Press, Cambridge. scaring them away. The book (including allelopathy), and £70.00 (hbk) will undoubtedly be adopted for the role of herbivores in the ISBN 978-1-107-00183-1 many undergraduate courses in establishment of vegetation community ecology. structure and composition. £40.00 (pbk) Peter Moore Soils receive surprisingly little ISBN 978-0-521-17313-1 attention apart from a mention in a chapter on vegetation and The complexity of interactions ecosystems, when considering between species in ecosystems biogeochemical cycling, and is a fundamental concept a more detailed coverage in community ecology. The of soil-dwelling organisms, term ‘trait-mediated indirect with especial reference to interaction’ refers to the way in rhizosphere and mycorrhizal which the relationship between studies. A chapter is devoted two species in a system can to diversity and its relationship be influenced by the presence to stability in vegetation, and of a third (or more) species. All Community Ecology the subject of plant strategies communities of three or more Gary G. Mittelbach (2012) and functional types is also species are likely to exhibit Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, given its own chapter. The final such interactions, and their MA. £48.99 (pbk) section of the book is given study can be of considerable over to more applied aspects ISBN 978-0-87893-509-3 value in management, both of vegetation science, such for conservation purposes and As the author points out, as invasion (and invasibility), in fields such as agriculture, the problem with writing an Vegetation Ecology conservation and restoration, forestry and pest management. introductory text on community (Second Edition) and the approach to vegetation This volume contains an ecology is what topics to mapping at different scales. This extensive variety of examples Edited by Eddy van der Maarel include, and what emphasis last subject is an essential basis of these interactions in & Janet Franklin (2013) Wiley- to place upon each of them. for the monitoring required if both marine and terrestrial Blackwell, Chichester. £90.00 Mittelbach chooses to start with the impact of climate change environments. They cover (hbk) the big picture and to examine is to be understood. This is a such topics as host-parasitoid global patterns of biodiversity, ISBN 978-1-4443-3888-1 great book that has something interactions among insects, including latitudinal gradients, £45.00 (pbk) of interest for all ecologists plant-herbivore systems, and from which he works down with a botanical bent. Only one predator-prey relationships. ISBN 978-1-4443-3889-8 into local landscape patterns. thing is absent throughout, that Some contributors investigate The movement from there is any reference to the work of the involvement of such Many ecologists will be into ecosystem functioning Tansley! Perhaps his influence interactions in the process delighted to learn that the is not entirely seamless, is so profound that it no longer of coevolution and the study of vegetation did not but does share issues of requires mention, rather like development of mutualism, end with the death of Tansley! biodiversity significance. Newton in physics. while others document their In this edited volume, many The bulk of the book then Peter Moore involvement in food web aspects of vegetation science

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their use in medicines and as form of the landscape, and then animal fodder and fertilizer. moving on to the various life forms that colonised the newly With the many popular TV exposed land and then how man cooking shows currently modified these over the ages. By on offer, you might, at first the end of the book you will be dip, see this book as a bit of equipped with the various tools showmanship, cashing in on to unlock the hidden messages fashion. But it includes a sound that have been written in the appreciation of the applied palimpsest that is the Irish ecology of seaweeds and landscape. I was particularly sits at the junction between captivated by Connor Meade’s science and social science. We search for life in Ireland during accept this in conservation the Ice Age, which utilises new science so why not with innovative genetic techniques seaweed aquaculture? Look to demonstrate that Ireland Flora of Birmingham and Seaweeds: Edible, at it yourselves and enjoy the was not just a mass of ice and the Black Country Available, and Sustainable science as well as the recipes. rock, but actually supported Ian Trueman, Mike Poulton & Ole G. Mouritsen (2013) Peter Thomas living organisms, such as the Paul Reade. Pisces Publications, University of Chicago Press, Arctic sandwort . Interspersed Newbury. £38.00 (hbk) Chicago. £24.50 (hbk) throughout the book are historical photographs and short ISBN 978-1-874357-55-1 ISBN 978-0-226-04436-1 blurbs about the life and works of Praeger. For example, Colin Another in the series of Kelleher recounts Praeger’s 1913 excellent ‘county’ floras. This Is this the first ecological seed buoyancy experiment that one stands out for two main cookbook? There are plenty aimed to test whether plants reasons. Firstly, an earlier of recipes from the familiar could float in from neighbouring chapter gives 12 botanical sushi to the use of seaweed in lands and provided evidence walks, each with instructions on soups, salads, main courses for the land bridge theory of the route and what should be and deserts, including bullwhip Secrets of the Irish post-glacial colonisation. This seen at each stop. Secondly, it kelp coated with chocolate landscape: The story of book is a fascinating and well includes checklists of not just (surely worth trying just for the the Irish Landscape is the written account of scientific vascular plants but also fungi, name!), and putting a piece Story of Ireland endeavour that is accessible to lichens and bryophytes. This of dried Chondrus crispus into Edited by Matthew Jebb & Colm the general public and academic stretches the definition of ‘flora’ champagne to watch it unfold Crowley (2013) Cork University alike and embellished with a little but is so useful. The lists like a flower “while it dances Press, Cork. €29.00 (hbk) beautiful colour illustrations for lichens and bryophytes on the bubbles”. Wooing with and photographs. If you are give notes on habitat while for seaweed? But these culinary ISBN 978-1782050100 interested in finding out more vascular plants there are fuller delights take up under a third This is a lovely coffee table on Praeger check out his 1937 ecological descriptions and of the book, the rest being book that accompanies an book. many have distribution maps. concerned with past and future RTE television series aired in There are also good sections uses of this often ignored group. May 2013 that was inspired Reference of the physical make-up of The first and longest part of by the work of Robert Lloyd the area and social history the book is on the role that Robert Lloyd Praeger (1937) Praeger (1865-1953). Praeger pertaining to plants. This is seaweeds have played in our The way that I went. The Collins has been described as an Irish beautifully printed with many history, providing foods and Press Facsimile edition was Naturalist Optimus Omnium, high quality photos of plants elements in our diet such as published in 1998 since his extensive botanical and people. A benchmark local salt. This even goes so far as Sarah Taylor surveys, which includes a ecological flora. to suggest that the evolution 5-year “one-man census of the of the human brain was down Peter Thomas entire Irish flora”, gave him to seaweed supplying various an intimate knowledge of the micronutrients such as iodine Irish flora and its context in the that would have been difficult landscape, people and places. to get elsewhere. Inevitably, the The book is edited by Matthew discussion of food includes a Jebb, Director of the National lot of description of the taste of Botanic Garden, and Colm different seaweeds, their calorie Crowley, producer/director of content and health benefits, the RTE programme. The book including their potential as anti- is divided into 24 chapters and cancer agents. The last section broadly follows a chronological of the book is on industrial uses sequence, starting with the of seaweed: extracting alginates, glacial processes that define the

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of ice cores. A notable absence of sustainability are addressed is a discussion of amino acid in the final chapter. This book racemisation, an innovation provides a reasonable synopsis developed in the last 30 of the material available on years, to date fossil biological climatic change and is thus a materials such as bone or shell. useful addition to the literature. The graphs, diagrams, etc. are Cowie chooses 1600AD as the informative as are the reference beginning of modern times. lists at the end of each chapter. There is a case for this: it was It would have been more the beginning of significant convincing if Cowie had avoided scientific research endeavour the awful and indefinable ‘we’ and, not least, the start of which always fails to impress, meteorological records. It was especially in a book with a also, as I have pointed out serious scientific message. At (Mannion 2006), one of several £34.99 this is a reasonable price carbon thresholds; in this case for a good-sized text. Climate Change: Biological it was the expansion of Europe and Human Aspects (2nd that led to a major shift in Reference ed.) carbon capture by humans. Mannion, A.M. (2006) Carbon Chapter five documents climatic Jonathan Cowie (2012) and Its Domestication. Springer, change and its biological impact Cambridge University Press, Dordrecht. since 1600AD. Of especial New York. £34.99 (pbk) Antoinette Mannion importance are records of ISBN 978-1-107-60356-1 atmospheric carbon dioxide and As the Bulletin goes to press other gases in polar ice cores The role of climate/weather Cambridge University Press which show huge increases in is offering a 20% discount in relation to society, greenhouse gas concentrations; agriculture (food provision), on Jonathan Cowie’s book. why do sceptics believe that this Go to www.cambridge.org/ energy production and use, is insignificant! human health, etc. cannot be climatechange2 underestimated, which is why What is happening today is climate change has become a the focus of chapter six. Few mainstream political issue. Its areas of the world are devoid significance is also reflected of evidence for climatic in the numerous books which change, or indeed other types have recently been produced of change. Ocean biota and which deal with climate, its chemistry are altering, declining real and potential changes, and and acidifying respectively. possible impacts. This book Terrestrial floras and faunas comprises eight chapters which and their productivity at low divide equally between the and high altitudes are altering record of past climatic change, in composition (Tansley would and changes and impacts post be enthralled!), flowering/ 1600AD (the Little Ice Age), fruiting/hibernating dates are including human responses. altering; sea levels are rising, ice caps and glaciers are melting, The introductory chapters temperatures are rising and the considers various components incidence of extreme weather of global climate (e.g. the events is increasing. Case greenhouse effect, carbon cycle studies from diverse regions and hydrological cycle), and illustrate these changes. how they are interact. Then the all-important techniques Population growth and of climate reconstruction are technological development are, described. Biotic indicators as is examined in chapter seven, including pollen analysis the basic causes of climatic and dendroecology are used, change though the relationship though there is no mention is complex. of beetles or snails, alkenes and 18O isotopes. Examples of What, if any, should the abiotic indicators are isotopes responses of governments be to of water and carbon content these issues? These questions

91 BES Bulletin VOL 44:4 / December 2013 diary

The Society’s Meetings May 14-16 AUG 3-8 Networks of Power and Influence: ecology 9th European Conference on Ecological 2014 and evolution of symbioses between Restoration, Oulu, Finland. Further details: Jan 22-24 plants and mycorrhizal fungi – 33rd New http://chapter.ser.org/europe/upcoming- The Impact of Pesticides on Bee Health Phytologist Symposium. Zurich, Switzerland. events/conferences-workshops/. – Joint British Ecological Society, Society Website: http://www.newphytologist.org/ of Experimental Biology and Biochemical symposiums/view/4 AUG 10-15 Society. Charles Darwin House, London, UK. From Oceans to Mountains: It’s all Ecology Further details: http://www.jointbessebbs. JUN 14-17 – 2014 Annual Meeting. Sacramento, USA. org/2014/Home.aspx Evolutionary Biology of Caenorhabditis and Website: http://esa.org/am/. other Nematodes. Cambridge, UK. Details: Dec 9-12 https://registration.hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk/ AUG 25-30 Joint Annual Meeting British Ecological display_info.asp?id=390 Combining experimental and theoretical Society and Société Française d’Ecologie. approaches to understand biogeochemical Grand Palais, Lille, France. Details: http:// JUN 18-20 interfaces in soil at the Goldschmidt www.britishecologicalsociety.org/events/ Climatic Uncertainty – It’s Impact on Conference. Florence, Italy. Details from: current_future_meetings/2014-annual- Agronomic Decision Making. Leeds, UK. http://goldschmidt.info/2013/ meeting/ Website: http://www.aab.org.uk/ SEP 25-26 Other Meetings 2014 JUL 1-4 Are There Limits to Evolution? Cambridge, Society of Experimental Biology Annual UK. Website: http://www.nature.com/ 2013 Meeting. Manchester UK. Details from: http:// natureevents/science/events/20748-Are_ JAN 8-10 www.sebiology.org/meetings/Manchester/ There_Limits_To_Evolution International Advances in Pesticide Manchester.html Application 2014. Oxford, UK. Details Training Workshops JUL 13-17 from: http://www.aab.org.uk FEB 4-7 BIOGEOMON 2014. 8th International Modelling Dynamics In Biology: Symposium on Ecosystem Behaviour. JAN 13-17 From History To Practical Examples. Bayreuth, Germany. Website: http://www. The 9th International Conference on Barcelona, Spain. Further details: bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/biogeomon2014/. Dendrochronology, Melbourne, Australia. http://www.transmittingscience.org/courses/ Details from: http://dendro2014.com/ JUL 13-18 syst-bio/intro-system-bio/ The 27th Congress for the International JAN 19-24 May 26-30 Union for the Study of Social Insects. Cairns, International Symposium on Foraminifera. Introduction to Individual based models Australia. Website: http://www.iussi2014. Concepcion, Chile. Website: http://www2. in Ecology using NetLogo. Barcelona, com/. udec.cl/forams2014/. Spain. Further details: http://www. transmittingscience.org/courses/eco/ MAR 6-9 JUL 14-17 system-bio-ecology/ SSSA Ecosystem Services Conference. Soil’s 2nd Annual International Conference on Ecology, Ecosystems and Climate Role in Restoring Ecosystem Services. The Chartered Institute for Ecology and Change, Athens, Greece. Further details: Sacramento, CA, USA. Website: https:// Environmental Management runs a wide http://www.atiner.gr/ecology.htm www.soils.org/files/meetings/specialized/ variety of workshops for professional ecosystem-services/ecosystem-flyer.pdf JUL 15-18 development. For further information and availability see www.cieem.net or e-mail APR 4-6 Systems biology and ecology of CAM plants. [email protected]. Butterfly Conservation’s 7th International Lake Tahoe, CA, USA. Details: http://www. newphytologist.org/symposiums/view/5 Symposium – The ecology and conservation The Centre for Research into Ecological and of butterflies and moths. Southampton, AUG 3-8 Environmental Modelling runs a variety of UK. Website: http://butterfly-conservation. workshops on a regular basis. For further org/4218/symposium-2014.html 10th European Congress of Entomology. York, UK. Details from: http://www.royensoc. information and availability see www.creem. st-and.ac.uk/conferences.php MAY 7-8 co.uk/meetings/20140803_ece2014.htm. Sustainable Agriculture – Annals of Applied University of Oxford Field Techniques for Biology Centenary Conference. Rothamsted AUG 3-8 9th IsoEcol Conference. The University Surveying Mammals & Reptiles. Online Research, Harpenden, Herts. Website: http:// course that can be taken for academic credit www.aab.org.uk/contentok.php?id=168&bas of Western Australia, Perth. Details http://www.isoecol2014.org/. (10 CATS points at QCF Level 7) or not for ket=wwsshowconfdets credits. Details from http://www.conted.ox.ac. uk/ftsmr02.

92 Contact details

Officers: Methods in Ecology and Evolution: Edited by Rob Aquatic Ecology: Mel Fletcher and Guy Woodward, Freckleton (Executive Editor) and Bob O’Hara with Freshwater Biological association, The Ferry Landing, President: W J Sutherland, Department of Samantha Ponton (Journal Coordinator). Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0LP Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Email: [email protected] and Editorial office: Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Cambridge CB2 2EJ ([email protected]) [email protected] British Ecological Society, Charles Darwin House, Vice-Presidents: Richard Bardgett, Soil and 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU. Ecosystem Ecology, Lancaster University, Lancaster Administrative Office: LA1 4YQ ([email protected]) Email: [email protected] The British Ecological Society, Charles Darwin House, Mick Crawley, Division of Ecology and Evolution, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU. Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Biological Flora: Tel: 0207 685 2500. Fax: 0207 685 2501. Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY Anthony Davy, University of East Anglia, Norwich General email: [email protected] ([email protected]) ([email protected]). www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org Honorary Treasurer: Drew Purves, CEES, Microsoft The Bulletin: @BritishEcolSoc, www.Facebook.com/BritishEcolSoc Research Centre, Roger Needham Building, Edited by Alan Crowden 7 J J Thompson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0FB Editorial Office: 48 Thornton Close, Girton, BES staff: ([email protected]) Cambridge CB3 0NG Executive Director: Hazel Norman Honorary Secretary: Dave Hodgson, Daphne du Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Maurier School of Biosciences, University of Exeter Book Reviews Editor: Peter Thomas Membership Officer: Bill Bewes Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] ([email protected]) Secretaries of Special Interest Groups: Communications Manager: Richard English Honorary Chairpersons: Agricultural Ecology: Barbara Smith, Game Email: [email protected] Public and Policy: Juliet Vickery, RSPB, The Lodge, and Wildlife Conservancy Trust, Burgate Manor, Education Manager: Karen Devine Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF Email: [email protected] ([email protected]) ([email protected]). Policy Manager Acting Head of Policy: Meetings: Andrew Beckerman, Department of Computational Ecology: Matthew Smith, Cheryl Pilbeam Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Microsoft Research Centre, Roger Needham Building, Email: [email protected] Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN 7 J J Thompson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0FB ([email protected]) ([email protected]). Events Manager: Amelia Simpson Email: [email protected] Publications: Alan Gray, Charles Darwin House, Conservation Ecology: Tim Graham, The Barn, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU ([email protected]) Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire Grants and Events Officer: Amy Everard PR5 6BY ([email protected]). Email: [email protected] Education, Training and Careers: Lesley Batty, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Ecological Genetics: Paul Ashton, Department of Head of Publications: Catherine Hill Sciences, University of Birmingham, Natural, Geographical and Applied Sciences, (currently on maternity leave) Birmingham B15 2TT ([email protected]) Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Email: [email protected] Lancashire L39 4QP ([email protected]). Deputy Head of Publications: Andrea Baier Editors: Forest Ecology: Dan Bebber, Biosciences, College of Email: [email protected] Journal of Ecology: Edited by David Gibson Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Deputy Head of Publications: Liz Baker (Executive Editor), Richard Bardgett, Mark Rees and Exeter EX4 4QD ([email protected]). Email: [email protected] Amy Austin, with Andrea Baier and Lauren Sandhu. Invasive Species: Helen Bayliss, Centre for Editorial office: Journal of Ecology, British Ecological Environmental Policy, Imperial College, London Assistant Editor, Journal of Animal Ecology: Society, Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, ([email protected]). Peter Livermore London WC1N 2JU. Email: [email protected] Macroecology: Nick Isaac, Centre for Ecology Email: [email protected] and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Assistant Editor, Journal of Applied Ecology: Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire Erika Newton Journal of Animal Ecology: Edited by Tim Coulson OX10 8BB ([email protected]). Email: [email protected] (Executive Editor), Graeme Hays, Mike Boots and Ken Wilson, with Liz Baker and Peter Livermore. Parasite and Pathogen Ecology and Evolution: Assistant Editor, Functional Ecology: Jennifer Meyer Jo Lello, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Biomedical Email: [email protected] Editorial office: Journal of Animal Ecology, Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Assistant Editor, Methods in Ecology and British Ecological Society, Charles Darwin House, Cardiff CF10 3AX ([email protected]). Evolution: Samantha Ponton 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU. Peatland Research: Ian Rotherham, Sheffield Hallam Email: [email protected] Email: admin@journalofanimalecology University, Faculty of Development and Society, Assistant Editor, Journal of Ecology: Lauren Sandhu City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB Journal of Applied Ecology: Edited by E. J. Milner- Email: [email protected] ([email protected]). Gulland (Executive Editor), Clerical Assistant: Debra Grinham Phil Hulme, Marc Cadotte, Mark Whittingham and Plant Environmental Physiology: Matt Davey, Email: [email protected] Jos Barlow, with Andrea Baier and Erika Newton. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Editorial office: Journal of Applied Ecology, Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA Policy and Education Assistant: Katherine Maltby British Ecological Society, Charles Darwin House, ([email protected]). Email: [email protected] 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU. Plants, Soils, Ecosystems: Franciska de Vries, Assistant Editor: Kate Harrison Email: admin@journalofappliedecology Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester Email: [email protected] M13 9PT ([email protected]) Functional Ecology: Edited by Edited by Charles Fox Press Contact: Becky Allen (Executive Editor), Duncan Irschick, Ken Thompson Tel: 01223 570016 Tropical Ecology: Lindsay Banin and Daisy Dent. and Alan Knapp. with Liz Baker and Jennifer Meyer. Email: [email protected] ([email protected]) Editorial office: Functional Ecology, British Ecological Society, Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, Citizen Science: Helen Roy, NERC Centre for Ecology London WC1N 2JU. & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB Email: [email protected] infocus Photo: Hans De Kroon Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum) in the wild (Lefkas, Greece) Tassel Hyacinth is not uncommon in the Southern part of Europe and is a very photogenic species. Hans found it early May on the island of Lefkas, Greece.

BES Bulletin VOLLooking 44:4 / Decemberbac 2013k to the future

So, we’ve come to the end of the last Bulletin of the BES centenary year. We’ve tried hard to capture some of the fun and excitement of the last 12 months as well as reflecting the serious scientific events of the year. We’ve included reports on cutting edge symposia, noted the multifarious activities of our Special Interest Groups, recorded the success of the Sex & Bugs & Rock ‘n Roll roadshow in taking ecology to the music-loving public, pictured some of the 80,000 people that turned up to enjoy Festival of Ecology activities, and tried to give a flavour of a hugely successful International Congress of Ecology. We have used previous back covers to illustrate scenes from the archives, and the natural temptation was to honour another of the founder members or other key figures of ecology. But we hope you’ll have noticed that the Bulletin likes to raise a smile every now and then, and we could not resist this image sent in by Michal Knapp and Jana Knappova of their younger daughter Sarka, who is clearly an avid fan. An eater if not yet a reader.

With the surge in life expectancy Sarka might just be around to see the 200th anniversary of the British Ecological Society. If so, may she be living in a happy and prosperous world that lives in harmony with the natural environment; and may there still be a community keen to advance ecology and make it count.