the bulletin special interest groups Contents October 2016 Our friendly, volunteer groups provide focused activity in specific areas of ecology and hold events to network, raise Officers and Council for the year 2015-16 Regulars awareness and offer career support. Get involved! President: Sue Hartley Welcome | Alan Crowden...... 4 Past President: William Sutherland Vice-President: Rosie Hails President’s Piece | Sue Hartley...... 5 Vice-President: Andrew Pullin People, Politics and the Planet: Any Questions? Honorary Treasurer: Drew Purves Council Secretary: Adam Vanbergen Ed Maltby, Ben Connor and Chris Mahon...... 7 Honorary Chairpersons: Equality and Diversity in the British Ecological Society Zoe Davies (Meetings) Alan Gray (Publications) Hazel Norman and Sue Hartley...... 9 Will Gosling (Education, Training and Careers) What changes are taking place in Higher Education policy? Juliet Vickery (Public and Policy) Camilla Morrison-Bell...... 12 Barbara Smith Nessa O’Connor and Lee Brown Helen Roy and Michael Pocock Rosie Hails (Grants) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ordinary Members @BES_aeg @BES_aquaeco of Council Retiring Emma Sayer, Owen Lewis, 2016 Matt O’Callaghan Diana Gilbert, Jane Hill, 2017 The RHS Chelsea Flower Show | Jessica Bays...... 14 Iain Stott ...... Dawn Scott, Markus Eichhorn, 2018 The Ecological Continuity Trust | Jessica Bays 16 Lindsay Turnbull Public Engagement Training and Wychwood! Peter Brotherton, 2019 Yvonne Buckley, Claudia Harflett and Rebecca Senior...... 18 Nina Hautekeete Mike Morecroft Nathalie Pettorelli Paul Ashton Special Interest Group News...... 22 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bulletin Editor: Alan Crowden Ecology in Ireland and the Irish Ecological Association Initiative @BESClimate @BESConservation @BES_EGG 48 Thornton Close, Girton, Cambridge CB3 0NG Ian Montgomery...... 28 Email: [email protected] Of Interest to Members: A new UK Charter for Trees, Woods and People Valentine Seymour...... 32 Associate Editor: Lauren Ratcliffe Email: The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management [email protected] Sally Hayns...... 40 Book Reviews Editor: Sarah Taylor School of Life Sciences, Huxley Journals News...... 47 Building, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG Book Reviews...... 54 Alan Jones Rich Grenyer Rachael Antwis and Xavier Harrison Sarah is currently on leave of absence. All enquiries relating to book reviews Diary...... 60 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] to the Bulletin Editor. @BES_Forests @BESMacroEcol @BES_Microbial Annual Report and Accounts...... 61 Publishing in the BES Bulletin The Bulletin is published four times a year in March, June, August and December. Contributions of all types are welcomed, but if you are planning to write we recommend you contact one of the editorial team in advance to discuss your plans (Bulletin@ BritishEcologicalSociety.org). features Jo Lello Ian Rotherham Matt Davey and Colin Osborne Material should be sent to the editor Obituary: Brian Moss | Rob Marrs...... 34 by email or on a disk in Word or rtf [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] format. Pictures should be sent as jpeg Unlocking Africa’s potential for Citizen Science | Rosie Trevelyan, @BES_Peat @BESPlantSoilEco or TIFF (*tif) files suitable for printing Anthony Kuria, Paul Mugo, Tom August, Michael Pocock and Helen Roy...... 36 at 300dpi.

Books to be considered for review From Our Southern Correspondent | Richard Hobbs...... 41 should be sent directly to the Bulletin Editor. Ecology and the Two Cultures | John Wiens...... 44

Cover photo: The cover photograph of a beetle in UV powder was taken by Lara Bates-Prior and was the winning entry in the Student category of the 2015 BES photocompetition

Ellen Fry Nick Golding Lindsay Banin Design: madenoise.com Print Management: [email protected] quantitative@britishecologicalsociety [email protected] H2 Associates (Cambridge) Ltd. @BES_QE_SIG @BES_Tropical BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

The British Ecological Society is the oldest ecological society WELCOME in the world, having been PRESIDENT’S PIECE established in 1913. Since 1980 it has been a Registered Charity limited by guarantee. Membership is open to all who are genuinely interested Changing times in ecology, whether in the In praise of British Isles or abroad, and membership currently stands at about 5000, about half of whom are based outside Interdisciplinarity the UK.

The Society holds a variety of meetings each year. The Annual Meeting attracts a wide range of papers, often by research students, and includes a series of informal Alan Crowden | Editor | [email protected] specialist group discussions; Sue Hartley | [email protected] whereas the Annual Symposium and many other smaller meetings are usually It’s been an eventful few months hasn’t it? the latest development under the SIG more specialised and include Whatever the outcome of future negotiations banner, supporting the creation of a new invited speakers from around I think it’s fair to say that a lot has changed to disengage some or all of the UK from the Irish Ecological Association. Ian provides a the world. European Union, the message for ecologists fascinating insight into the different ways since I wrote about the benefits of international is that we need to continue to work across in which ecological ideas have developed in Proceedings of some of these meetings are published by all sorts of borders, whether between Ireland (p28). Another exciting example of the Society in its Ecological collaboration in my last President’s Piece! nations, or disciplines, or any other barriers the potential outreach of the SIGs is reported Reviews book series. The to the free exchange of people and ideas. by Rosie Trevelyan and colleagues; the Society distributes free to Tropical Biology Association and the BES co- all members, four times a Sue Hartley sets the tone with her opening year, the Bulletin which sponsored a symposium in Nairobi on citizen The landscape looks rather different database of experts (yes we DO still tolerant millet instead. Consternation piece on interdisciplinarity (p5); we need contains news and views, science in Africa which generated great meeting announcements, now Britain has voted to leave the need experts despite some politician’s amongst the farmers greeted that to cooperate across traditional disciplinary excitement and interest (p36). a comprehensive diary and EU and we wait to see what changes opinions during the referendum suggestion! “But”, they exclaimed ‘borders’ if we are to make any progress in many other features. In “Brexit” will bring. But some things campaign!) and get involved. There’s in horror, “Dr Sue, we can’t, we are fostering good environmental management Richard Hobbs, newly installed as an addition the Society produces won’t change - the BES remains never been a better time for ecologists married to maize”! Hopelessly naïve, I and inspiring, informing and influencing Honorary Member of the Ecological Society five scientific journals. The an inclusive, internationally-facing to speak out! had neglected the wider cultural and decision makers. The theme continues in of America, combines statistics and ecology Journal of Ecology, Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Society, committed to supporting and socioeconomic context; I’d focussed the report by Ed Maltby and colleagues in one essay in a far more entertaining of Applied Ecology and engaging with its members wherever But if ecology is to have an effective on the physiology of the plants, my on the excellent People, Politics and the manner than most of us could achieve, while Functional Ecology are they live. So it is perhaps particularly voice in policy arenas, we can’t do it discipline, and not on the sociology Planet session organized by the Society in John Wiens has a happy knack of plucking sold at a discounted rate timely that our 2017 annual meeting is alone. We need to work with other of farmer behaviour, someone else’s collaboration with the Royal Geographical subjects out of the air which combine well to members. Methods in in Ghent, jointly organised with two of disciplines, because of course it isn’t discipline. The value of those other Society and the Sibthorp Trust (p7). with other themes in the same issue; this Ecology and Evolution is free to BES members. The Society our European sister societies! It is also only ecological evidence that plays into disciplines was brought home to me time he revisits ‘the Two Cultures’, the also supports research and policy decisions. So that’s my “i-word” The British Ecological Society seeks to an important time for the BES to take very clearly, and is something my apparent disconnection between literary ecological education with grant for this month – interdisciplinarity. I advance the field of ecology in all sorts of a lead: the voice of ecologists is more research is continuing to benefit from. and scientific intellectuals that C P Snow aid. Further details about the want to focus on what value it adds, ways and the only way we will maximize Society and membership critical than ever if we are to ensure I’m now involved in another project spoke and wrote about more than 50 years and why it is particularly important our impact is by utilizing all the talent can be obtained from the that any Brexit-induced changes to on developing crops more resilient to ago. Snow wrote about barriers and borders right now. I also want to emphasize available to us regardless of background Executive Director (address current EU legislation protecting the climate change, one which combines between disciplines, and the dangers this inside back cover). the value of interdisciplinarity to and beliefs; Hazel Norman and Sue Hartley environment are informed by the best the expertise of: rice geneticists, to presented to good decision-making. Towards policy implementation – we can have on p9 set out what the BES is doing to make evidence. produce novel rice varieties capable of the end of the 1964 edition of his book he The Bulletin circulates the most robust ecological evidence sure we are an open, encouraging and exclusively to members of maintaining yield under unpredictable opines “Changes in education will not, by The BES is well placed to provide and the best conservation strategies supportive Society to all ecologists. The the British Ecological Society. rainfall; climate modellers, to predict themselves solve our problems; but without such evidence-informed solutions, underpinning policy, but if we can’t previous sentence should probably omit the It carries information on the areas which will be most prone to these changes we shan’t even realise what meetings and other activities, with our excellent policy team of Ben, get those policies implemented final ‘ecologists’; we want to be open to drought under future climate change the problems are.” We could do with a few comment and other topical Camilla and Rebecca (check them because we don’t see, or don’t all, and the public engagement programme scenarios and hence where the new more decision makers around the world who items. Unsigned commentaries out on the BES website; http://www. understand, the bigger picture, then being developed by Jessica Bays (superbly are the responsibility of the varieties will be most needed; and do realise what the problems are. britishecologicalsociety.org/about/ we won’t move forward. supported by members) helps take ecology Editor and do not necessarily social scientists who can engage represent the views of the people/), our specialist policy groups, with farmers, understand their to a wider group. There are three reports on Alert readers will notice we have refreshed Other disciplines can help us get Society. and our policy-focussed events, requirements and ensure their needs recent events/activities on pp14-19. the typeface and layout of the Bulletin to that wider perspective, which is vital such as our recent “People, Politics are built into our programme from match the wonderful reworking of the BES A limited company, registered to making a difference. I learnt that The Special Interest Groups (SIGs) continue and the Planet” debate (See http:// the start, so ensuring our research website and marketing materials; thanks in England No. 1522897 and lesson early on in my career. Working to thrive, and while many of their activities a Registered Charity No. www.britishecologicalsociety.org/ delivers the most public good. Crucial to Matt Wood and colleagues for all the in Malawi on a Christian Aid funded are reported on their individual webpages 2812134. Registered Office: discussions-people-politics-planet- to the success of this research hard work. project on improving crop resilience to we encourage all of them to report back Charles Darwin House,12 Roger questions-event/). Most importantly programme is the concept of co-design Street, London WC1N 2JU drought, I thought I had the answer: to the wider membership, since your of all of course is the expertise of – involving all the disciplines in the farmers should stop growing maize subscriptions help towards supporting the our membership – our voice is your design of the research programme and grow the much more drought SIG events (p22). Ian Montgomery describes voice, so make sure you sign up to our from the beginning. This ensures

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all participants can contribute in where early publications are an solution to everything. Much research PEOPLE, POLITICS AND THE PLANET: a meaningful way, and produces urgent requirement for the career requires single disciplinary depth innovative ideas which are a better progression of the researcher. Perhaps where interdisciplinarity would not match to end-user needs. there is something here for the BES add value; in fact, it would detract to think about – how can the Society from the research effort. ANY QUESTIONS? The co-designed rice project nicely support early career researchers who illustrates the benefits, and challenges, have completed their PhD and would So why make the effort, and why of interdisciplinary research. Bringing now like to engage more widely make it now? Well one very practical What does ‘Brexit’ mean for the future of the UK’s environment? together a diverse set of expertise with other disciplines to address reason: research funders are and skill sets allows us to address current environmental challenges? A recognising that addressing the key complex societal challenges – so called workshop on interdisciplinary working global environmental challenges that “wicked” problems in the current we face, whether it’s the impacts methods at the annual meeting might Ed Maltby | Sibthorp Trust jargon. These are multi-faceted issues of climate change, the protection of be a useful start. Do get in touch if you Ben Connor | British Ecological Society resistant to resolution, which require think this would be of interest, and biodiversity, securing our food supply, integrated whole system thinking send us your own ideas! or dealing with the environmental Chris Mahon | Sibthorp Trust to solve. Dealing with them is going consequences of rapid urbanisation, Ceri Margerison | Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) need the sort of innovative “left-field” Genuine interdisciplinarity does not will require interdisciplinary research approaches which can emerge when require ecologists to abandon their collaborations. This is why we are The British Ecological Society and people from different disciplines ecological expertise or somehow seeing increasing numbers of RCUK the Royal Geographical Society (with The opening salvo: greener interact. As ecologists, many of us “water down” their scientific calls which span more than one IBG) partnered with the Sibthorp are well-used to complexity and to excellence. You need that disciplinary research council, and many more in or more effective out? Trust – a small charity aiming to keep systems thinking, so I think we are research excellence to bring funding calls specifically demanding the environment on the public agenda The strength of support from a particularly well-placed to contribute something to the interdisciplinary a multi-disciplinary approach. One and question conventional thinking - 28-strong European Union was the to solving these sort of environmental table. But it does require respect such example is the Government’s to promote a lively public debate on basis of the argument for ensuring challenges. for other ways of doing things, a new Global Challenges Research 21 July 2016. Chaired by broadcaster that environmental matters were recognition that research approaches Fund, a new 5-year £ 1.5 Billion (no taken more seriously within Generating the evidence base for Jonathan Dimbleby, the panel for may be unfamiliar, and perhaps less that’s not a misprint!) funding stream member states and was what sustainable solutions to environmental People, Politics and the Planet: Any “quantitative” than is comfortable, but with a focus on deploying the UK’s underpinned more effective and change will need a combination of Questions? comprised George Eustice they are just as valuable and effective world-class research capability to coherent international actions and ecological research and effective MP (Conservative, Minister of State as those from our own discipline. address the challenges faced by the representation. Natalie Bennett interdisciplinary partnerships, such for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), may actually mean for our natural One ecologist I spoke to recently, global south. This is the biggest thing strongly endorsed that position, as those facilitated by the York Kerry McCarthy MP (Labour, former environment. There is a growing following their participation in a to hit UK research funding in a long emphasising the importance of the Environmental Sustainability Institute, Shadow Secretary of State for the recognition that the environment is social science-led event was clearly time and it’s vital that ecologists environment in dealing with many the interdisciplinary research institute Environment), Baroness Kate Parminter not just a place for nature - its wildlife struggling. “It’s all so vague – where play a leading role – we have a lot to of the current social and economic that I direct at the University of York. (Liberal Democrats, Environment and habitats - but that it underpins are the numbers?” they wailed. My contribute to the environmental and crises. Kerry McCarthy regretted From the start I was convinced that Spokesperson), Natalie Bennett (Green the sustainability and health of our early forays into interdisciplinary human well-being that is a key part that the environment had not been the most effective way to encourage Party, Leader), Stuart Agnew MEP economy, contributes to all aspects of research teams hit similar buffers of the programme. Second in the list sufficiently discussed during the dialogue across disciplines, and (UKIP, Agriculture Spokesperson) and human wellbeing, and provides the – what, I wondered, was meant of objectives for GCRF is “promote Brexit debate and was sceptical develop the most exciting collaborative Martin Nesbit (Senior Fellow, Institute resilience to combat global threats such by “political ecology”? How did multi-disciplinary approaches in whether the government could deliver research, was to promote an equal for European Environmental Policy). as climate change and food insecurity. politics inform the study of species addressing global challenges”. So improved environmental policy. partnership between physical, natural abundance and distribution?! It takes I encourage BES members to think This was the second year of the Any There is still a long way to go if we are Baroness Parminter was concerned and social sciences. I wanted to avoid time (and practise!) to move to an about how they can contribute, in Questions panel debate. While the to better link the environment with that the boundary between the UK a “hierarchy” of disciplines where, as interdisciplinary way of thinking, terms of both their ecological research 2015 event challenged politicians on other policy areas of government and and the rest of the EU would raise often seems to be the case, natural or and to develop the communication expertise and their input to challenge- their environmental priorities if elected, some may feel that this holds back the unanticipated problems and that as physical science is seen as the focus of skills necessary to support it, but it’s led interdisciplinary teams. Go on this year the focus was clearly on the prioritisation of the environment in so many environmental questions projects and social science is brought essential to get the real benefits from – talk to a social scientist! They don’t implications of ‘Brexit’. An audience decision-making. Our links to European are global they need the combined in, almost as an afterthought, because collaborations. bite (they are well-trained in human of over 400 included members of Directives have been a strong power of the EU to tackle them. The the research call requires it. The interactions!!) and you’ll need to if you both Societies as well as the general driver of UK environmental policy collaborative strength of the EU was opposite approach to co-design! Unsurprisingly many hard-pressed are to successfully apply for funding, public, and included a live link to the and natural resource management cited as an exemplar for the rest of the academics struggle to find the but, much more importantly, it will be BES Undergraduate Summer School in recent decades. How might this world of how cooperation could work Diverse disciplines can only work space to engage in this way. One a lot of fun and you’ll learn lots! at Malham Tarn, ensuring strong now change? Our management to implement climate policy. Martin together as effective partners in of the reviewers of the rice project I student participation. Held in the of the environment is necessarily Nesbit argued that the EU had been an atmosphere of trust and mutual mentioned above was enthusiastic The UN secretary general, Ban Ki Ondaatje Theatre at the RGS-IBG, determined by political decisions and a positive force for environmental respect, something which takes about the molecular biology part of Moon, wrote in 2010 that “Now, more where so many research expeditions priorities but government’s use of policy and that there were significant time and effort to develop, as well as the proposal but commented “what than ever, we need to connect the were planned and reported on, it was best available scientific evidence and risks from an exit without very careful commitment and the appropriate skills is the point of all that useless social dots between climate, poverty, energy, perhaps fitting that no less a step into other knowledge has sometimes been contingency planning. He gave the to foster. But I’m not sure ecologists science” – someone not well-suited to food and water – these issues cannot the unknown was being discussed. lacking. example of the designation of Marine can easily gain access to those skills, interdisciplinary working I suspect! be addressed in isolation”. That’s certainly not early in their careers. Conservation Areas which might not And, of course, many people are not even more true today. Ecologists can Just 28 days after the EU Referendum A full recording of the event can The training of ecology PhD students have been implemented without the suited to it – they have neither the help join those dots and be at heart of this was the first opportunity to ask be found at https://youtu.be/ is usually focussed quite narrowly, European push. interest nor the skills to get outside making a difference locally, regionally some of our politicians and an expert P4HEWYQPoDw but here we probably the best approach in a their “disciplinary comfort zone”. and globally. So gear up for impact – from the Institute for European summarise some key aspects of the Contrary to these positions, George time-limited research programme Nor, clearly, is interdisciplinarity the the next-i-word! Environmental Policy what ‘Brexit’ issues raised. Eustice indicated that there was

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genuine excitement in Defra about the retention seems well established in EU there was too much emphasis on new opportunities that Brexit would the political mindset. The immense spatial designation of conservation provide for policy innovation rather scientific effort that went into the UK areas particularly in the case of marine Equality and Diversity than simply following the Brussels National Ecosystem Assessment can areas where highly mobile species lead. In particular it was argued that play a vital role in reinforcing this were a key object of protection. He ‘Brexit’ would put the UK back on policy development. advocated more emphasis on process the world environment stage with and management strategies supported its own voice as opposed to being Importance of science and an for example by by-laws. in the buried in (and sometimes at odds with) the EU collective. Examples of evidence-informed approach Looking ahead to the animal welfare and fishing rules were cited in illustration. The Minister Acknowledgement of the need for post-Brexit landscape dismissed concerns over the future sound science and other appropriate British Ecological Society of important Directives such as the evidence must be music to the ears of There is clearly still much uncertainty Birds and Habitats Directive, citing the membership of the BES and RGS- regarding how the environmental as an example our commitment to the IBG. It was highlighted with specific balance sheet might look after Hazel Norman and Sue Hartley | [email protected] Bern Convention which would allow reference to the debate on pesticides, Article 50 is triggered and Brexit government to adapt legislation more with George Eustice stating that subsequently takes place. One specifically suited to the UK. Stuart even outside of the EU “we’ll follow of the positive themes emerging Agnew was particularly pleased at the science as we always do”. While from the debate is that politicians the prospects of the UK being able the Minister quoted research from across different persuasions appear to take control of its fishing industry the NERC-funded Centre for Ecology increasingly aware of the artificiality and management as well as farming and Hydrology, much scientific of any separation between our policy and climate control measures. Of research and conservation action is for food and farming as against overriding significance was the supported by the EU, and concerns biodiversity and the need to see difficulty in achieving coherent over loss of funding and access to ecology and economics as part of the policy, especially in agriculture, networks of collaboration must be same coherent framework. Yet along among 28 member states with very assuaged. George Eustice suggested with the opportunities for innovation different socio-cultural and economic that that new funding might proceed and fresh thinking that Brexit may conditions. more efficiently without the complex offer, it also poses a great number of bureaucracy often attached by the environmental risks as established European Commission- avoiding what legislative frameworks are changed. It What do we want from was described as some “dead-weight” is essential that future environmental the environment? costs associated with certain projects. standards are at least as good, if not better, than those that currently exist In a future outside of the Common Achieving greater coherence within the European Union. Agricultural Policy, which has shaped the management of much of our and implementation of It is hoped that the partnership countryside, there is a pressing need between the Sibthorp Trust, the BES for greater public debate on what we desired environmental and the RGS with IBG can continue actually want from our land (together policy objectives and actions to encourage informed debate with its water and living resources). that might just yield post-Brexit Implicitly reminiscent of the first Much discussion revolved around environmental benefits. principle of the Ecosystem Approach, the potential benefits of retrieving as adopted by the Convention on competence over the environment Biological Diversity and underpinning from Brussels and legal jeopardies much of Defra’s stated policy preventing discretionary actions in objectives, the debate recognised exceptional cases of individual or fully the wider ecosystem services community wellbeing. The importance beyond food production. For example, of risk management tools to assist Baroness Parminter suggested the farmers and the incorporation of need for a “common landscape new support for ecosystem service policy”, and Kerry McCarthy endorsed provision were aspects of the desire the idea of a holistic approach to for more coherence across sectoral land management. There are already policies. There was recognition of examples of businesses and their the value of the experiences from the customers, especially the water CAP and Stuart Agnew expressed companies, contributing costs to the view that the general support to environmental improvements resulting farmers from the taxpayer in terms of in public benefits, and the notion of single farm payments was a fair and paying farmers and landowners for the effective way of reducing food prices. delivery of services such as floodwater George Eustice felt that under the

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The BES strives to be an open and welcoming Society, where have now introduced a rule that prize short lists must have all ecologists feel comfortable as part of a diverse community. an equal gender balance. This does not mean that the award However, despite this aspiration and our commitment box 1 winners must have that balance – we are aiming for equality box 2 to these values, it is clear that parts of our community of opportunity not outcome! are disadvantaged and there are unconscious barriers to Diversity and the BES BES Equality and Diversity Champion progression. For example, until 2012 the Society had never Last year we began systematically collecting equality The British Ecological Society (BES) values the This annual award recognises an individual or group had a female President and only 4 BES Journal Editors out of and diversity data on our members and those who use our diversity and wide range of perspectives that people who have campaigned to highlight the importance a total of 24 are women. Of course we recognise that equality services. This data includes information on age, disability, from different backgrounds bring to their work and of equality and diversity and worked to make a and diversity goes far beyond gender issues, but these basic ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and is now sufficient to to ecology. It is the BES’s policy to ensure that no difference or served as an inspiration to others. facts illustrate the difficulties that certain groups experience become useful in understanding where bias is present and member, volunteer, potential author, award or grant It honours and celebrates those who have made in reaching senior positions in ecology. challenging it. For example, from next year people proposing applicant or recipient, job applicant or employee, thematic sessions at our Annual Meeting will be given significant, innovative and cumulatively outstanding The BES gave a commitment to increase the diversity visitor or event participant is disadvantaged or equality and diversity data on our membership and asked to contributions to enhancing the practice of equality of those doing ecology in our 2015-2019 Strategic Plan receives less favourable treatment because of reflect that diversity within the invited speakers they propose. and diversity in the ecological community. The (available on our website) and this article explains some of factors including but not limited to: age; physical Award is an honorarium of £1,000 and is open to the initiatives and activities we are undertaking to meet that & mental disability; physical appearance; gender Our meetings and conferences are a vital service for the ecologists from anywhere in the world. commitment. As a first step, in 2015 a group of volunteers identity; marriage or civil partnership; pregnancy, ecological community and it is really important that everyone The following criteria will be used when considering from the membership came together with BES staff to maternity or paternity; race, nationality, religion & feels welcome and safe in that environment. We have nominations: form the Equality and Diversity Task and Finish Group, to belief; gender; sexual orientation or socio-economic introduced a code of conduct for all our symposia and Annual develop a set of recommendations to BES Council aimed at background. Everyone at the BES has a role to play Meetings, to be printed in the programmes, which clearly • Acting as a role model in championing equality increasing inclusiveness within the Society. One of those in ensuring that individuals are valued, treated with articulates what we consider acceptable behaviour, as well as and diversity issues; dignity and respect and that discrimination does providing a secure way for people to raise concerns if they do recommendations was to set up an Equality and Diversity • Creating an inclusive culture by challenging not occur. Every member of staff and the Board of have them. Working Group, chaired by the BES President, to drive this inequalities, barriers and bias; important work forward; you may have seen the call for Trustees are responsible for implementing relevant Mentoring can be an empowering way of helping people find volunteers via the eBulletin and social media. That Group is policies, objectives and working practices linked to • Leading positive actions or interventions to enable their own place within a community and the BES is working now up and running and has an action plan for delivery in equality and diversity to ensure equal opportunity talented people from all backgrounds to realise hard to extend our successful ‘Women in Ecology’ mentoring 2016, as well as further work in development for 2017+. at all stages of engagement with the BES. The their full potential; scheme so that it is more inclusive and can benefit anyone BES will identify, and invest in tackling, barriers to • Influencing the attitudes and behaviours of the from the ecological community. You’ll be hearing more about We have developed an equality and diversity statement for our participation and create a culture in which equal ecological community; website (see box 1 for the statement) which clearly states our opportunities and equal treatment are a priority our new mentoring initiatives shortly. commitment to an inclusive and open ecological community, for all members, staff, volunteers and others who • Evidence of the impact they have had in the One area of equality and diversity that receives less and we have instilled those principles in the way in which we engage with the BES. support of equality and diversity in ecology both emphasis than gender, but is very important for us to address recruit both volunteers and staff. within their own organisation and in the wider We will proactively promote a culture of equality, is the difficulties faced by ecologists from lower income ecological community. diversity and inclusion within our discipline by: backgrounds. The BES has been working with In2Science (in2scienceuk.org) over a number of years to support The winners will be invited to give a presentation Barriers to progression in ecology • Using our Equality and Diversity Working Group their work in helping school students from disadvantaged at the BES Annual Meeting, and write an article on (EDWG) to develop and oversee the delivery of the backgrounds become inspired about a career in ecology, and equality and diversity for the Bulletin and a blog can be complex, multifaceted and deep Society’s equality and diversity work. Equality and we are delighted that 10 of these students had the opportunity post for the BES website. diversity is something that should be embedded to spend a week with some of the UK’s best ecology rooted. The BES alone is not able to into every operation of the BES and the EDWG is undergraduates at the BES Summer School in July 2016. We Closing date for applications 7 October. Please responsible for ensuring that happens. tackle all of them, but we can make a will be looking at how we can expand initiatives like this see the BES website (Membership & Community • Planning and implementing a SMART programme and help spread the message that an ecological career can be section) for the nomination form and further details. real difference in our own community. of work to embed the principles of equality, accessible to everyone. Celebrating and recognising those who have campaigned to diversity and inclusion into our current We are also looking at how we ensure all of the BES’s services highlight diversity, worked to make a difference in this area, organisational policies, practices and behaviours, and processes are accessible, open and transparent. Part or served as an inspiration to others within the ecological and enhance the equality of opportunity in our of that is making sure the people involved in running the community is important, and we are delighted to announce activities as an employer and as a learned society. Society’s activities are fully aware of any unconscious bias the establishment of an annual award to do just that – the • Assessing and reflecting on our progress annually that they may have so we are going to provide training in this BES Equality and Diversity Champion (see box 2 for the award and developing new programmes of activity to area to all our staff and volunteers in 2016. details). We strongly encourage the whole community to think promote equality and diversity. about those people who are making a real impact on equality Barriers to progression in ecology can be complex, We will report on the work of the EDWG and these and diversity in ecology and to submit a nomination by the multifaceted and deep rooted. The BES alone is not able to reports will be made available on the BES website. deadline of 7 October 2016. tackle all of them, but we can make a real difference in our own community. We see our current work in equality and The prizes that we give send a powerful message to our If you have any queries or points you wish to raise diversity very much as a starting point on a long journey, but community about what we value and the people who win about diversity and the BES please contact the we are committed to having a real impact and making sure them are role models. We are committed to awarding prizes Executive Director, Hazel Norman, that anyone who shares our passion for ecology feels welcome, on merit alone, but it is important we take action to ensure [email protected] whatever their background or circumstance. that the people we consider for awards are drawn from the whole ecological community and good candidates are not We would love to hear your views about how the BES can overlooked because they are not the ones who come instantly make a real difference to inclusiveness in ecology, so do get in to mind. To try and counter that sort of unconscious bias, we touch with your ideas.

10 11 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 policy Higher Education and Research Bill • provide a quality assurance system level, which would be of most use and explicitly identifies the individual through a clear set of outcome- interest to students. There is still a Councils to be retained, it also gives focused criteria and metrics lot about the metrics that needs to be What changes are the Secretary of State power to change • drive UK productivity by ensuring worked out and improved. Through or remove these Councils (with the a better match of graduate skills the RSB’s consultation response we exception of Innovate UK and the with the needs of employers and the have called for the implementation of newly created Research England) economy the TEF to be slowed while the details taking place in Higher without the need for an Act of are trialled and adjusted. Parliament. • ensure better outcomes for all students, including those from Interestingly, higher education Key to the new system will be the disadvantaged backgrounds’. institutions are being encouraged Education policy? relationship between the new board to enter into the TEF before all the of UKRI and the Executive Chairs and As mentioned above, the technical metrics have even been trialled, the Councils for each research discipline. consultation for the TEF was incentive being that it will allow Camilla Morrison-Bell | Senior Policy Officer, British Ecological Society Each Research Council will continue published on the 16th May. The the institution to increase fees in [email protected] to set strategic delivery plans, majority of this consultation focused line with inflation. The timeframe prioritise their assigned budget and on the contentious issue of what and details of how the fees will be liaise with their community. However, metrics will be used to measure aligned with the teaching awards of each Council’s strategic plan must be teaching excellence as well as setting ‘Meets Expectations’, ‘Excellent’ or In November 2015, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) approved by the UKRI board, which out the assessment process. ‘Outstanding’ are set out in further will include research and business detail on our blog. We raised our At the time of writing, the metrics published a Higher Education Green Paper, setting out initial proposals for representation, and will provide concerns, in the response to the Green will be measured against three core advice to the Secretary of State on the Paper, that having a tiered fee system criteria: teaching quality; learning balance of funding across research could have a detrimental impact on introducing a Teaching Excellence Framework and substantially changing environment; and employment disciplines. widening participation and associated outcomes and learning gain. Sources social mobility, international the governance of higher education and research in England. of evidence to inform the metrics This has led to concerns of blurred competitiveness, teaching standards include the National Student lines of responsibilities across and sector diversity. the Secretary of State, UKRI chief Survey, proportion of graduates Despite receiving 618 responses The dual support system, of separate executive, UKRI board and the in employment/ further education This has been a bit of a whistle-stop to the Green Paper consultation, What are the implications budgets for UK-wide competitive Executive Chairs of the Research from the Destinations of Leavers tour of the proposed changes within many questioning the details of the project funding (currently provided of the White Paper and the Councils. There are also fears that from Higher Education survey, and higher education policy and not Government’s plans, in May the by the Research Councils), and this ‘merger’ and reorganisation of retention rates. We remain concerned all issues have been covered here; proposals were brought forward in forthcoming Bill for England-only block grant funding the councils is unnecessary, that it that the core proposed metrics are not check our blog for more in-depth the Higher Education White Paper: (currently provided by HEFCE), will research? will cause a disruption for unknown direct measures of teaching excellence analysis and the latest updates. We “Success as a knowledge economy: be maintained within the single benefits and instead of creating a as they do not actually assess are always interested in hearing what teaching excellence, social mobility The White Paper and Higher Education organisation, and enshrined in simplified system it will result in teaching quality. Further metrics of our members have to say, and will be and student choice”. On the same day, and Research Bill will have substantial legislation for the first time. In the increased levels of bureaucracy. weighted contact hours and teaching continuing to engage with this issue the “Teaching Excellence Framework: impacts on the structure and delivery formation of the UKRI, it is intended intensity, as well as a ‘highly skilled’ over the coming months. What will the year 2 - technical consultation” of research funding across the UK. that it will have a focus on providing The Bill will be subject to a significant employment metric will be trialled in Teaching Excellence Framework mean was published, as well as a call for The White Paper implements the strategic direction by co-ordinating parliamentary process before it 2018/19. for you? If you would like to share your evidence on “Accelerated courses findings of Sir Paul Nurse’s review cross-cutting issues such as multi- becomes law, with a number of views and experiences of the latest and switching university or degree”. of the structure and function of the and inter-disciplinary research. Institutions will be able to submit opportunities for MPs and peers to changes, please get in touch. In addition, a few days after the Research Councils carried out last These were areas identified as influence its final form, so the final further quantitative and qualitative publication the White Paper, on the year. The recommendation was for weaknesses in the current structure product may change from the version evidence to a panel in an effort to 19th May, was the first reading in a new overarching body to provide of the Research Councils by many published in May. be more flexible in recognising the Parliament of the Higher Education strategic direction and cross-sector co- submissions to the Nurse Review, importance of varying teaching and Research Bill. ordination for research, into which the including ours. methods across disciplines. The individual Research Councils report The Teaching Excellence peer reviews will be carried out by In short: there are a lot of changes whilst retaining their autonomy. When a merger is not Framework (TEF) and its an independent panel of academic afoot in higher education. We have experts, students and employer been working closely with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) a merger… metrics representatives who will judge Royal Society of Biology (RSB) on is this new overarching, non- applications. This does add a much The Teaching Excellence Framework responding to the Green Paper, the departmental public body that While the Research Councils will needed human element into the is being developed to monitor and associated consultations and following will operate at arm’s length from be consolidated into a single legal process. Nonetheless, we are still assess the quality of teaching in the progression of the Bill through Government. It will bring together organisation – and therefore have concerned about the administrative England’s universities. In the words of Parliament. the seven disciplinary Research their royal charters revoked, this is impacts of submitting evidence on the Government, it aims to Councils, Innovate UK, and the not a complete merger. The names teaching academics, and their time research funding functions of the soon and brands of the individual Councils • ‘provide clear information to left for preparing for and teaching to be discontinued Higher Education will be retained, and they will have students about where the best students. In addition, any further Funding Council for England (HEFCE), responsibility “for the strategic provision can be found evidence submitted (within the limit into a single organisation (also being leadership of their disciplines and on • encourage providers to improve of 15 pages) will be for the whole referred to as a nine-headed hydra scientific, research and innovation institution and not at the disciplinary depending on who you talk to!). matters.” However, while the draft teaching quality to reduce variability

12 13 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 public engagement ANIMAL ATTRACTION AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2016

Jessica Bays | Public Engagement Officer, British Ecological Society [email protected] In May 2016 the Society took ‘Animal Attraction: The Garden & Beyond’ to RHS Chelsea to celebrate the diversity of pollinators. After delivering our best Discovery Zone Display yet, we were thrilled to be awarded a Silver Medal.

view it online, as it is beautiful piece Manpreet kindly offered to plate To celebrate attending RHS Chelsea The stall was buzzing throughout the For information on the plants, of work. up Metschnikowia gruessii and we also made some of the BES duration of Chelsea, with thousands papers and interactive science, Metschnikowia reukaufii alongside published research on gardening and of visitors stopping by to chat to or to watch Louie Schwartzberg’s Alongside the video we also had a the bakers’ yeast Saccharomyces horticulture free to access online. One admire the display and chat to amazing video go online to www. terrarium of Painted Lady (Vanessa cerevisiae. Visitors were invited to paper from each of the BES journals our researchers. A special thanks BritishEcologicalSociety.org/Chelsea cardui) caterpillars. After initial sniff the plates to see if they could was identified, with lay summaries therefore goes to all those who concerns that the common nettle determine which contained the drafted. As part of this process, each helped with the development of our (Urtica dioica) was not a suitable nectar yeast. We were delighted that paper was summarised into a single display, including Ken Thompson, food source, and a successful thistle Manpreet was also able to provide teaser sentence, which is no mean Manpreet Dhami, Jeff Ollerton, Jane foraging mission by Ken Thompson scanning electron microscope feat! These papers address important Memmott and Alice Hughes and within the grounds of RHS Chelsea, images of the yeasts, which aided questions such as, ‘are native plants also to those that staffed the stand we were relieved to find the our discussions with visitors. These better for pollinators than exotics?’, throughout the event. With scientific content developed caterpillars found both thistle and fantastic images even identified 3-D and ‘how good are horticultural by more than 25 ecologists and nettles amenable food sources! By prongs which were hypothesised back varieties at attracting pollinators?’. Go the planting scheme designed by bringing caterpillars to RHS Chelsea in 1918 by Johannes Grüss in 1918 as online to find out the answers to these horticulturalist Emily Darby, the we wanted to communicate the a means to attach to bee hairs, and teasers and to see which papers made display was a fantastic combination importance of having wilder patches have been visualised for the first time the final cut. of beautiful plants and cutting edge in gardens that provide food and cover, in these images. This activity was a ecology. and that if we are to see beautiful fantastic hook for visitors. Curated by ecologists at the forefront of butterflies in our gardens we need to pollination research, or members who Plants that featured in the display cater for the larval stages too. had undertaken the Society’s Pubic were chosen as they were attractive Engagement Training Programme, the to pollinators both in the UK and The highlight of the interactive display provided a fantastic platform further afield, and ranged from those elements of our display was provided for ecologists to engage visitors with common to UK gardens, to rarer more by Dr Manpreet Dhami from Stanford the science of pollination. We were exotic specimens. University. Manpreet studies the very lucky that President of the BES, community dynamics of Mimulus Sue Hartley, could join us for Press Various interactive elements were aurantiacus nectar microbes, and Day. Sue took full advantage of this incorporated into the display and brought to our attention that some fantastic opportunity, chatting to many we were incredibly lucky to have of these nectar yeasts emit volatile of our visitors, including the famous been given permission to show Louie organic compounds (VOCs) with a floral comedian Bill Bailey! Lured in by the Schwartzberg‘s wonderful short film smell. Investigations into the role of Floral yeast Metschnikowia gruessii cells tantalising offer to sniff some yeast, Bill ‘The Beauty of Pollination – Moving nectar yeasts in the pollination systems display complex multicellular “prong” shaped stopped for a chat with Sue, and had Art’. This film perfectly captures the structures. Image courtesy: Manpreet Dhami is in its infancy; however, it is thought a long conversation that touched on intricate world of flowers and the & Tadashi Fukami, Department of Biology, that these VOCs may play a key role in Stanford University. Technical credits: Lydia- herbivory and the arms race between Press day at Chelsea draws the great and the good. process of pollination and if you have attracting pollinators to flowers. Marie Joubert, CSIF, Stanford University plants and their consumers! Our President Sue Hartley and comedian Bill Bailey not seen this I would urge you to

14 15 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

GRANTS Rain shields at the drought A storage bottle experiment at Buxton The Ecological from Rothamsted Continuity Trust

Rothamsted Park Grass Experiment: 160 years of experimentation. Image courtesy of Rothamsted Research

Jessica Bays | Public Engagement Officer, British Ecological Society [email protected] Do you work on long-term field experiments? Are you looking for funding to support your research? Look no further…

The Ecological Continuity Trust study real-world systems on time works to promote and support long- scales appropriate to environmental Challenges of LTEs term ecological experiments (LTEs) change. By manipulating ecosystems The inability to control ambient throughout the UK. We offer research experimentally, simulating different conditions can also be a challenge; and travel grants of up to £1000 to management regimes or adjusting however, variability in background researchers to work on, or promote climatic variables, we can begin to conditions can also present fantastic the findings from LTEs, visit www. identify and isolate these key drivers of opportunities. Data from the EcologicalContinuityTrust.org/grants change. 160-year-old Park Grass Experiment How you can get involved? for more information. at Rothamsted Research recently Long term responses to treatments We want to see an increased number identified a biodiversity bounce back can differ markedly from short- of students and academics conducting in response to reduced atmospheric What are LTEs? term responses; initial system research on LTEs, or communicating nitrogen deposition. Species richness responses can be dominated by their findings from these fantastic LTEs are ecological experiments, and diversity were found to both the disturbance associated with sites. We provide grants to support undertaken in the field. To be increase between 1991 and 2012, initiating an experiment, or can these activities. Go online to find eligible for inclusion, these must due to the introduction of cleaner be due the legacy of pre-treatment out more... be controlled, manipulative and technologies and consequently replicated, with treatments having conditions. In other cases, responses reduced levels of N deposition You can also join our newly initiated been applied for a minimum of six may only be detected after many (Storkey et al. 2015). This research, User Group. We have created years. Examples of LTEs include years of treatments. If treatments are published in Nature, is a fantastic a dedicated web space where Park Grass and Buxton Climate ceased too soon, researchers may example of how LTEs and the data individuals can access the latest Change Impacts Laboratory; at last mistakenly conclude that treatments they generate can serve as a basis for news and updates from the LTE count there were 26 active UK field have no effect on, or conversely could research that reaches well beyond the community. Individuals can promote experiments at 19 separate sites, so overestimate, the true extent of the goals originally envisioned. their research, news and updates on plenty to choose from. system’s response. our website for free. LTEs can be costly to manage, and Long-term field experiments are with policy and funding decisions s indispensable, and cannot be Visit www.ecologicalcontinuitytrust. Why are LTE important? often directed by the rhetoric of the replaced by new analytical models or org/user-group/ to see how we can current issue of the time, LTEs can Ecosystem level experiments are vital techniques. Indeed, the valuable data help you expand the reach of your be a challenge to maintain. However, to help us understand the changes sets and known treatment history research. with the scope and rate of change in we see in the landscape around us. make LTEs fantastic sites to validate ecological systems at unprecedented For further information about the Environmental changes can take hypotheses and calibrate new levels throughout human history, Ecological Continuity Trust, visit decades to be identified and even techniques. longer to be understood. LTEs therefore we would argue there has never www.EcologicalContinuityTrust.org provide us with the opportunity to been a stronger case for maintaining or email these sites. [email protected]

16 17 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 public engagement Sexual selection meets snakes and ladders PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TRAINING & WYCHWOOD!

Jessica Bays | Public Engagement Officer, British Ecological Society [email protected] Communicating ecology to the wider community requires more than simply making your results available in the scientific literature. Our members are taking ecology on the road, as Claudia and Rebecca explain… The Wychwood Roadies

The initial workshop started with the Wychwood festival is held at Of course we experienced varying know that, but I do know this’. My Public engagement training amazing David Price from Science Wychwood Cheltenham racecourse, and is very degrees of engagement, but the proudest moment was inventing an Claudia Harflett | Made Simple - a man with the dream Rebecca Senior | PhD student at family-oriented. The great thing distribution was definitely skewed elaborate analogy about wanting to Rothamsted Research job of ‘science busking’. Science Sheffield University about this is that it provides a really towards positivity and curiosity! My steal someone’s ice cream, to explain busking helps academics put into receptive and enthusiastic audience favourites included a dubious-looking how red deer stags weigh each other words and actions the fantastic forces for getting initiated as a BES Roadie. couple who, after being coaxed into up before taking the risk of fighting. and interactions of the world around Downsides include infuriatingly playing the poo game, confessed us. I was really keen to learn how to catchy children’s entertainment (I’m they had never thought about the I do despair when I hear researchers ‘hook’ the ‘passing trade’ and draw looking at you, Mr Tumble!). Our team information revealed by poo, and bemoan the burden of public visitors back for more, an important consisted of nine people, mostly PhD would look out for these nuggets on engagement. Perhaps it’s not skill in a festival when you are relying students, from institutions across the future walks. Then there were the for everybody; but not only are on word-of-mouth to get visitors to UK, and Nick Loughlin of the Open youngsters who enthusiastically (and you fulfilling your obligation to your stall! University as team leader. We shared somewhat optimistically) brought me communicate science to the people a love of poo and bumblebees and a spider to identify. Being completely who ultimately pay for it, you’re also Then came more fun; game colourful stickers, and our aim was clueless, I talked about the anatomy inspiring them to think about the development. We wanted to adapt simply to spread this fervour to all and ecology of spiders, which was world around them and their place existing well known games by adding festival-goers visiting our tent. excellent practice in saying ‘I don’t in it, demonstrating that scientists a science education twist – I worked are real (albeit sometimes slightly on a sexual selection version of strange) people, and you’re engaging snakes and ladders called the ‘Power with the science yourself so that you I had read about the Sex Bugs and of Love’, whereas others worked can explain it, and its importance, to Rock & Roll in the Bulletin and thought on ‘Pin the Parasite’ and ‘Pollinator a lay audience. What better way to do it filled a great niche - bringing ecology Picnic’. The challenge was to create a Given a very much non-misspent that than standing in a field in to young adults & families enjoying game that would rival ‘Whose Poo?’, a youth, I had never been to a festival the sunshine? the Great British Summer. So when I game loved by all! before attending Wychwood 2016 as a BES Roadie. I like camping, music saw on the BES website that they were I met loads of great people, keen and talking about ecology, so why running a Public Engagement training to share their love of ecology not? From the start it was something find out more programme for FREE(!) I jumped at the with others. Yes it was hard to of an endurance test, with a delayed chance! I had previously helped with find the time for game and poster train and long trek from the bus stop Go online to find out how you can minibeast safaris, river dipping, and development, but seeing Idlewild and to the campsite under the weight of get involved: plant ID days with the general public, Bill Bailey made up for that! And if my gargantuan, parasitic rucksack. www.britishecologicalsociety.org/ and I know how deceptively hard it you want to find out ‘Whose Poo?’ it Fatigue continued as an undercurrent learning-and-resources/public- can be to explain ecology off the cuff, is, will you will just have to sign up as throughout the weekend, but I rapidly engagement in a manner that doesn’t intimidate a roadie for next year – I will be! and invites individuals to explore forgot this as I rode the waves of The Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse @BESRoadies nature and the world around them. science communication!

18 19 annual meeting 2016

Registration is open at britishecologicalsociety.org 11–14 December Liverpool, UK #BES2016

As always, our meeting has We have a fantastic programme of If that wasn’t enough, we have exceptional, international science. plenary speakers, our thematic topics the return of our hilarious Science We will also have numerous career cover a wide range of disciplines, slam, and other fringe events – not development workshops and a busy including celebrating our Functional forgetting our Fun Run on Monday social programme - including our Ecology Journal’s 30th anniversary. morning (at 6am!). popular gala dinner, Special Interest This year we are delighted to see the Group events, Christmas Jumper Day return of our Early Careers Workshop Our exhibition area will be our hub and Fun Run! on Sunday 11 December and excited – this is where your posters will be, to announce our new Coding Best with games, our fantastic exhibitors Our Annual Meeting is the largest Practice Workshop on the same and all lunches and refreshments. Our outside North America, and continues day – places are limited, so sign up last day is our Christmas day, so don’t to deliver diverse, high quality when you register. We also have forget to bring your festive outfits as ecological science through excellent our programmed free workshops on our exhibitors deck their stands! speakers, varied sessions, networking Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, on a We’re proud of the friendly, and fun! Last year in Edinburgh we wide range of subjects from wellbeing welcoming and exciting atmosphere had 1,200 delegates from over 60 to publishing. countries come together to share at our meetings – bringing people science and network. This year we’re Our social events are second to together, creating new friendships at the ACC, in the heart of Liverpool none – from our welcome mixer on and sharing experiences and by the Albert Docks. We look forward Sunday (in our exhibition area), to our knowledge. to another packed programme of poster sessions with some great local All the latest information: talks, workshops and socials! treats to sample. Our gala dinner and www.britishecologicalsociety.org/ awards return, post-dinner dance, events/annual-event-2016 plus our Special Interest Groups will be running various meets and events.

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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS September (date to be arranged; see We have also filled up our committee, 29 & 30 June, Nairobi, Kenya: website for information), London: which comprises of the following: Citizen Science in East Africa Making London Smart Dr Rachael Antwis, Lecturer in Global Ecology and Conservation, University impacts on policy: citizen science is was both exciting and nerve-racking, Much of the international discussion of Salford, Co-secretary a way of undertaking research that having to follow talks from both of about citizen science is focussed on Monday 10th October, University has profound policy impacts at local, my academic supervisors on the day developed countries, but what is the of Cambridge: Analysis of Citizen Dr Xavier Harrison, Research Fellow, national and international levels. definitely added to my anxiety levels! potential for citizen science in other Science Data Institute of Zoology, Co-secretary Another theme was DIY science and parts of the world? This workshop An event jointly organized with the hacking – what opportunities could The day opened with a series of Dr Kayla King, Associate Professor in brought together practitioners and Quantitative Ecology SIG (see their there be for ecological science? introductory talks covering the Parasite Biology, University of Oxford, impacts of climate change across stakeholders from East Africa to column for more information). Citizen Deputy secretary and Committee Co-Secretaries: Helen Roy and For more information on ECSA and the terrestrial, marine and freshwater discuss the future of citizen science science data can be excellent quality, Advisor Michael Pocock conference see http://ecsa.citizen- ecosystems. These talks demonstrated in the region and highlight the good but many citizen science projects [email protected] work that is already going on. A report produce data that are challenging Sarah Griffiths, PhD Candidate, science.net/ and the summary of each the current and ongoing threats of University of Manchester, Events Rep day on Muki Haklay’s blog https:// climate change from individual species on this hugely successful event is on to analyse – these data are often Student Representatives: povesham.wordpress.com/ level to whole ecosystem scales, p36. The workshop was supported by unstructured (depending on the Nim Kibbler, Undergraduate Gail Austen-Price and Gitte Kragh highlighting the importance of climate the BES and organised by the Tropical project) and there are random and Student, Scotland’s Rural College, If you are interested in citizen Biological Association and the Centre systematic biases that need to be Communications Rep Citizen Science in Africa: see special change vulnerability assessments in science, ECSA’s 10 principles for for Ecology & Hydrology. accounted for. This event will facilitate report p36 protecting biodiversity in the future. Chloé Orland, PhD Candidate, citizen science (drawn up by a group dialogue between citizen science University of Cambridge, Student Rep convened by Lucy Robinson from the I spoke in the second session focussing practitioners and statisticians, so Natural History Museum) are essential on the different methodologies used Upcoming events that together we can make the best Andrew Devaynes, PhD Candidate, Join the new JISCmail mailing reading: http://ecsa.citizen-science. to assess climate change vulnerability. of data submitted by citizen science Edge Hill University, Student Rep list to keep up-to-date with net/node/94 The session provided a detailed In the autumn (date to be arranged) participants. Dr. Kristian Forbes, Postdoctoral overview of what existing approaches there will be a feedback event Researcher, University of Helsinki, our news are currently available and how well exploring opportunities for citizen Early Careers Rep the different methods perform at science across the world. Look out for The BES Citizen Science special May CS-ZSL joint meeting We now have an active Twitter feed identifying at-risk species. Some key opportunities to join this workshop. interest group has moved to JISCmail (@BES_Microbial) so please follow us Christopher Wheatley areas where more research is needed to communicate about meetings, to keep up with all things microbial to improve on currently available events and papers. Join the BES Friday 9 September, University of ecology! The science of climate change methods were also discussed, Citizen Science mailing list for more Reading: Enthusiasm for Citizen impacts on species and ecosystems particularly to make the results more information on that and other events. Science: Taking stock of motivations, is well established both in terms useable by a non-scientific audience. Search https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ of identifying and projecting broad costs and benefits. Co-Secretaries: Rachael Antwis and groups/ for “BES-CITIZENSCIENCE” patters of change. However, different The final set of speakers gave It is often said that citizen science Xavier Harrison or contact us at citizenscience@ species, habitats and ecosystems examples of the practical applications is growing as a field of practice, [email protected] britishecologicalsociety.org are responding in widely different of climate change vulnerability and with that comes a growing @BES_Microbial ways and it is important to target assessments and how they are being understanding of how citizen science conservation action on those where implemented to identify species and can and should be used. At this event, Since the last Bulletin, the Microbial British ecology at ECSA climate change poses the greatest landscapes most at risk. As someone we will be sharing best practice Ecology SIG has been busy organising Paul Ashton threat. A wide variety of approaches working on developing and improving and current thinking on recent our first meeting; “Microbial Ecology: [email protected] The BES generously provided support to vulnerability assessment have been how we carry out vulnerability research surrounding motivations From Individuals to Ecosystems” @BES_EGG for the recent European Citizen developed to address the issue, but to assessments it was fantastic to see (of citizens, scientists, practitioners at the University of Salford in June. Science Association (ECSA) conference At the time of writing the event date they have rarely been compared how the results are being utilised by and policymakers) and the cost This year’s Ecological Genetics in Berlin (19-21 May). This was a hadn’t yet taken place, although by or evaluated and there is little conservation organisations to protect and benefits of citizen science. The Group meeting marked the 60th gathering of about 300 people from the time of publication it will have consensus within the community as to biodiversity all over the world. event will introduce several research anniversary of the founding of the across the world talking about citizen done! So we will provide a full post- what approach should be used. In May projects, including two recently group and, as such, there was only science – with lots of inspiration. The The meeting was well attended match analysis in the next Bulletin. the Climate Change Ecology SIG and funded by the UK Environmental one possible venue – Aberystwyth, conference covered a wide breadth by PhD students, many presenting However, we are expecting 40 people, ZSL jointly hosted a one day meeting Observation Framework (see http:// where it all began in 1956. The event of subjects but, as befits the history posters showcasing the excellent with a plenary from Professor Alan focussed on the latest developments in www.ukeof.org.uk/our-work/citizen- was hosted by John Warren, and the of citizen science, ecological science work being done to further develop McCarthy (University of Liverpool) on assessing vulnerability of biodiversity science). Bringing together members talks were held in the Old College on was well-represented. There were and improve how we carry out the history and future of molecular to climate change, aiming to bring of the BES Citizen Science SIG with the seafront, the spectacular 1860s examples of how citizen science in climate change vulnerability microbial ecology, and another 12 together academic, practitioner and representatives from monitoring building originally built as a hotel but ecology and the environment has assessments. Hopefully they all found short talks on microbial ecology in policy communities to explore this agencies, this one-day event on later to become the home of the first contributed to excellent science, public the discussions and networking many different guises, from soil to important topic. ‘enthusiasm for citizen science’ will university in Wales in 1872. Despite engagement with environmental opportunities with practitioners and trees to amphibians to chicken farms! enable participants to take stock of (or possibly at least partly due to) issues, and wider participation in The theme for the meeting was closely policy makers as interesting and On the second day we will run a recent research, share good practice Aber’s relatively remote location, it research. It was also great to see a related to my own PhD research and informative as I did. workshop to identify 50 research and identify new directions and has long been a popular venue for good number of people from the UK one which I was looking forward to questions of importance to the field issues for citizen science research EGG, and this year was no exception at the conference and our projects attending, even before I was asked to of microbial ecology, in collaboration to consider. Email h.geoghegan@ with almost 50 delegates attending. represented in the talks, discussions, present some of my work during the reading.ac.uk for more information. with Professor Bill Sutherland, which posters and marketplace. One of day. It was the first time I’ve ever been will then be prepared for publication. The meeting was preceded by the themes of the conference was invited to speak at a conference which a workshop on “Phenomics and

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Genomics in Ecological Genetics” and College for the Poster Session and citizen science data. That meeting was hosted by the National Phenomics wine reception. Then up the Penglais will take place on 10th October in Facilities on the Gogerddan campus, hill for the Conference Dinner and the Cambridge. As soon as registration part of the Institute of Biological, traditionally competitive (and often opens, we’ll publicise it via our social Environmental and Rural Sciences chaotic) EGG-Heads quiz. Not to be media channels below, so keep an eye AQUATIC MACROECOLOGY (IBERS), Aberystwyth University. outdone by the success of the “Spot out for more information! In an age of “Big Data”, new tools The Real Dinosaur” round at last Charles Darwin House, London 30/09/2016 and approaches are required, and year’s EGG hosted by Paul Ashton We’re always keen to hear Nessa O’Connor and Lee Brown Registration details coming soon the presentations covered the use (Edge Hill University), the highlight suggestions for future meetings, [email protected] of such approaches in Ecology. of the fourth EGG-Heads quiz was or where we can sponsor meetings Talks were followed by visits to and undoubtedly the “Spot The Real Welsh planned by other groups. If you have @BES_aquaeco demonstrations of the Phenomics Place Name” round. Or maybe it was any requests of ideas of ecological The Group has been extremely active and Genomics Centres, as well as the the birthday cake… topics with a quantitative bent, please since its re-launch in 2014. Our Nutrient Flow Facility. get in touch! (contact details below) Next year, EGG will be going on tour. goal is to foster a dynamic group of There was the usual breadth The 57th EGG meeting in 2013 was The SIG committee had some fun individuals able to address the broad of talks, including a fascinating held at Queen’s University Belfast, playing with logo ideas as part of range of challenges faced by the opening section on the evolution the first time the meeting had left the society-wide rebranding (which aquatic community, and to further of languages and dialects. Other mainland UK, and was hailed as a should have taken place by the time knowledge in this research area. The subjects ranged from morphometrics great success. Consequently, the this copy of the Bulletin goes to BESAG recently hosted its Annual to next-generation sequencing, and 61st EGG meeting will be the first to press). The brief was to come up with Science Meeting and Early-Career encompassed organisms from all five be held outside the UK, and will be an engaging image that represents Researcher Workshop at Charles of the original Kingdoms of Life – hosted at the beautiful Irish National quantitative ecology and fits within Darwin House, London. If you would possibly a first for EGG. The Keynote Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. the new logo template. We hope you like to suggest themes or topics for Talk was given by award-winning Organization is already well under like it! future activities and meetings, please writer and TV presenter Steve Jones, way, so watch this space. contact us. The BESAG is an active After organising a cracking thematic a native of Aber, and investigated network of aquatic ecologists whose session on prediction at the last the intriguing subject of “Snails in interests tend to overlap with several Annual meeting, and contributing Art and the Art of Snails”. Needless other SIGs and we are keen to develop to the group’s social media strategy, to say, Steve also did quite a bit of cross-cutting activities. Chris Clements has decided to stand book signing … Tuesday ended with down from the committee. Miriam We would like to thank to everyone fish and chips on the windy Aber sea Grace has made a switch within who submitted their photos with front, keeping a cautious eye out for the SIG, from Social Media Rep to the topic of freshwater and marine opportunistic seagulls. interest in integrating macroecological More details coming soon - please Policy Rep where she’s hoping to ecology. The best images and our approaches to advance our knowledge watch this space: help increase the impact quantitative new logo will be posted on our new The traditional Wednesday afternoon Nick Golding about aquatic systems makes this an ecologists can have on various policy website, which is coming soon. Please field trip took delegates up into quantitative@ emerging and exciting topics. This is a https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ areas. After this reshuffle, we’re watch this space: the hills surrounding Aber to the britishecologicalsociety joint meeting organized by the Aquatic aquatic-macroecology-tickets- University’s upland research station @BES_QE_SIG looking for two ecologists to join the http://www.britishecologicalsociety. and Macroecology SIGs and supported 22024592148?platform=hootsuite at Pwllpeiran. The Experimental SIG committee to fill the roles of Social org/getting-involved/special-interest- by the NERC/ DEFRA- Marine Husbandry Farm in the area is the The SIG organised two successful Media Rep & Finance Officer. Being groups/aquatic-ecology/ Ecosystem Research Programme. only publicly owned farm in England training events earlier this year. a committee member isn’t much of Past Meetings: and Wales, and the farm and the The first was a two-day course on a time commitment, and is a great Confirmed Keynote Speakers: adjacent Elenydd Special Area of spatial data analysis using R, held way to help support the quantitative Florian Altermatt (Univ. Zurich/ Ecological resilience Conservation offer opportunities to at the University of York in April, ecology community. Drop us a line if Future Meetings: Eawag - Switzerland, Miguel Araújo carry out a wide range of research, and the second a one day course on you’re interested and would like to Ian Donohue (Trinity College Dublin) 30th September 2016 (CSIC – Spain), Amanda Bates (Univ. particularly on agricultural land data management in R, held at BES know more. Southampton), Julia Blanchard (Univ. and Guy Woodward (Imperial classified as Less Favoured Area. HQ in London in June. These were Tasmania - Australia), Mike Burrows College London) organised a You can get information on Our Aquatic Macroecology meeting is One such ambitious project is aimed two of the most requested topics in (SAMS – UK), William Cheung (Univ. workshop on ecological resilience upcoming events, news on all things now open for registration at growing daffodils on the upland the training needs survey Susan and British Columbia - Canada), Maria hosted by Imperial College London quantitative, and get in contact with pasture. As well as being one of the Duncan carried out last year. The main focus of this meeting Dornelas (Univ. St Andrews – UK), in March. The workshop, funded the SIG committee via twitter (@ national emblems of Wales, daffodils is to foster the integration of Michel Loreau (CNRS – France) and by the British Ecological Society The SIG is organising two more events bes_qe_sig), facebook (facebook.com/ are the UK’s only feasible natural macroecological approaches into Luc De Meester (Univ. Leuven – Aquatic SIG, and attended by world- this year. First, we’re sponsoring a besquantitativeecology), on our blog source of Galantamine, a compound the study of aquatic ecosystems. Belgium). leading theoretical and empirical workshop on point process models (besquantitativeecology.wordpress. that has been approved in the last Most predictions about how aquatic ecologists and representatives of after the International Statistical com), or via email (quantitative@ twenty years as a treatment for systems respond to environmental There will be a panel discussion after both the IUCN (International Union Ecology Conference in Seattle in britishecologicalsociety.org). Please do Alzheimer’s disease. Following a change require a deep understanding the talks followed by a social event for the Conservation of Nature) and July. The meeting will bring together get in touch! trip to the abandoned metal mines of patterns and processes at different to provide networking opportunities. IPBES (Intergovernmental Science- statistical ecologists with interests at Cwmystwyth, the Brignant long- scales. A great deal of what is Students and early-career researchers Policy Platform on Biodiversity and in a range of applications to discuss term extensification plots, where known about the key processes are encouraged to present posters. Ecosystem Services) had the aim of how we can make the new models data have been collected for over operating in aquatic systems arises developing operational measures of more useful to ecology. Second, we’re ten years, and the beautiful Hafod from small-scale empirical and/or Contact person: Miguel Matias resilience that link with management jointly (with the Citizen Science SIG) estate, everybody returned to the Old experimental studies. The growing ([email protected]). and policy goals. organising a meeting on analysis of

24 25 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

The second day of the meeting started at globalsoilbiodiversity.org. There is Temporary Rivers Workshop off with Mike Whitfield extolling an event planned at the University of 47 researchers met in Nottingham the wisdom of using R for improved Manchester in July at the EuroScience Trent University for the Temporary data wrangling and manipulation Open Forum. Spread the word about Rivers Workshop. The aim of the techniques. We covered just the tip of the new atlas, integrate it into workshop was for those within the UK the iceberg but did talk about dplyr, your teaching or send it to a friend working on the ecology of temporary piping data, and github. An energetic who keeps asking you why you are talk, despite the early hour, meant that studying soil. rivers and ephemeral streams to come Ellen Fry a few in the group even pulled out together to discuss their work and [email protected] views and to seek collaboration. From R to code before the morning coffee a practical management point of view Plants-Soils-Ecosystems is a special break. After coffee we returned with Plants-Soils-Ecosystems there is a lot of uncertainty associated interest group for people interested our policy session. We heard from with what we know and how we in plant-soil interactions, soil ecology Jonny Wentworth, an Environment Bulletin adviser from the Parliamentary Office manage temporary and ephemeral and biogeochemistry. In this issue Plants-Soils-Ecosystems not only of Science and Technology (POST), streams. We highlighted the questions of the BES Bulletin we recapitulate sends interesting emails about job who explained what role we scientists and issues we have, reviewed current on the April PSE meeting in London opportunities, studentships and can play in policy decisions. We scientific thinking, what research and highlight the soon-to-be most meetings to those signed up to our also heard from Ben Connor, Policy is being undertaken and where the downloaded e-book: the Global Soil mailing list. We also compile a Manager within the BES, explaining research gaps are. The contacts Biodiversity Atlas! bi-monthly Bulletin, which includes the new special interest group policy made during the workshop will be plenty of items of interest to ecologists representative’s scheme; and Jessica used to input on behalf of the UK to a interested in plant-soil interactions, Bays, Public Engagement Officer at European COST action: http://www. PSE Meeting Recap and is compiled by committee the BES. cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA15113 members Relena Ribbons and Jessica Relena Ribbons Clayton. The success of Plants-Soils- @RelenaRibbons We wrapped up the meeting with several small group discussions of Ecosystems depends on you, so keep sending us your jobs, studentships Follow us! The Plants-Soils-Ecosystems annual some of the big challenges our field is and interesting facts! You can find meeting in London was attended by facing, or areas that research should Have access to the latest news, future the archive of previous Bulletins on a great mix of scientists. After lunch be focusing on. Some of the key take meetings and job advertisements in our website: we started off with short-format talks home messages were that we should freshwater and marine ecology! besplantsoileco.wordpress.com. ranging from large to small-scale aim to standardize methods to make Twitter: @BES_AquaEco - research topics. The speakers covered studies comparable, and to keep #Thursdayjobday every Thursday a large array of topics from targeted detailed meta-data on our research at 11am experiments on fungal associated projects. Another key point that was Get involved! to global meta-analyses. The format raised was an interest in working We are looking for contributors to our Facebook: BES-Aquatic Ecology really lent itself nicely to covering a lot collaboratively with policy-makers and online journal club, #psejclub. We’re Group of ground and required speakers to get translating science for a more general always looking out for enthusiastic their key messages across in a short audience. There were several calls Some of the participants at the aquatic ecology workshop. From left to right, people with ideas for organising Mailing list: Send an email to time, which everyone did quite nicely. for increasing networks of research [email protected] Sonia Kéfi (University of Montpellier), Edmund Barrow (IUCN), Jay Piggott meetings, training events, field trips, (IPBES, University of Otago) and José Montoya (CNRS). projects, following the model of the The talks were followed by a careers NutNet, for example. Lastly, it was socials or other interesting activities Website: You can also find us on the session, where we heard from brought up that a winter ecology within the spheres of plant-soil BES website in “Getting Involved”, Roxanne Anderson (Research Fellow symposium would be beneficial for interactions and soil ecology. Email us “Special Interest Group”. at the University of the Highlands PSE and the BES as a whole. Watch at [email protected] if you and Islands), Georgina Key (Research this space. are interested and have ideas about and Knowledge Transfer Manager how to make your special interest on the Agriculture & Horticulture We thank everyone who attended the group work for you! Development Board), and Amy Zanne meeting for making it a successful (Professor at George Washington event. See you at the next BES or PSE University), who each shared their meeting! Join us! journeys in life and science. We followed their talks with a panel Sign up for our email list by sending looking for a job in AQUATIC ECOLOGY discussion where each speaker also Global Soil Biodiversity an email to: shared their top tips for success with [email protected]; Subject: #Job, #Postdoc, #PHD, #Internship... we give you the audience. A common theme was Atlas BLANK; Message: SUBSCRIBE PLANT- SOIL-ECO Firstname Lastname. Follow the freshest job offers in marine & freshwater to pursue your passion, enjoy the A great new resource is freely journey, and make the decisions that us on Twitter @BESPlantSoilEco, ecology every Thursday at 11am. available for download: the highly and like us on Facebook: fb.com/ are the best for you and your interests anticipated global soil biodiversity (comparing with others generally BESPlantsSoilsEcosystems. Finally, atlas! Check out some of the press don’t forget to check out the blog @BES_AquaECO #Thursdayjobday doesn’t lead to happiness). This coverage here, and see if there is was followed by the poster session, and journal club at besplantsoileco. an event near you celebrating the wordpress.com. Tag us to share your job offers pub time, and dinner where much launch of this tome by swinging by merriment ensued. the global soil biodiversity webpage

26 27 Ecology in Ireland and The Irish Ecological Association initiative

Ian Montgomery | Queens University Belfast BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

Productivity over the last twenty years has also increased both in terms of the Photograph of Plantago lanceolata The history of ecology in Ireland mirrors that in Britain at Howth, Co Dublin by Ana Maria number of papers and journal standing Csergo. P. lanceolata is part of the with approaching 1000 papers (128 in PLANTPOPNET project coordinated BES journals alone) featuring authors by Yvonne Buckley with its roots in natural history, particularly botany, based in Ireland, listed on WoSci Science Citation Index. and emergence from Victorian societies promoting The upsurge in ecological activity in Ireland in recent decades may also reflect recognition of the uniqueness natural philosophy and then natural sciences. of the Irish environment as well as the many challenges that we face. Unlike Britain, Ireland was covered entirely by ice during the last glacial good relationships and cooperation maximum, remained isolated during amongst ecologists north and south the immediate stages of ice retreat and was, and still is, a factor facilitating emerged as an island around 15,000 ecological studies in Ireland. The final years ago much earlier than Britain. evenings of BES Winter Meetings The arrival of people in successive were often when ecologists based in waves from 12,500 years ago onwards Northern Ireland and the Republic brought about environmental change of Ireland met for the first time, such that the natural tree cover has especially during the difficult times of been lost and replaced by grass- the ‘Troubles’. based agriculture and, ultimately, reduced landscape heterogeneity. Times have changed. The rise of the sediments which have enabled The inaugural meeting of IEA will There is increasing phylogeographical Celtic Tiger, with more generous detailed description of the changing be held in Sligo on 25th and 26th evidence suggesting that although support for Irish science in general, Irish environment, an invaluable asset November 2016. It is aimed at Ireland has fewer species than Britain and substantial European funding, led when considering anthropogenic ecologists working in Ireland, Irish and particularly continental Europe, to an expansion of ecological research climate change impacts and impacts ecologists working outside Ireland and they can include older, genetically throughout the island. This was also of species that have been introduced all other ecologists with interests in more diverse and unique genotypes. aided by the expansion of RCUK recently as well as in the past. the ecology of Ireland. The conference Hence, Ireland has unique species funding in the first part of the new is broad-based in terms of topic and assemblages and genetic diversity and millennium. Although these sources Around 40 academics, professional stage of career. The conference is titled does not simply support a subset of of funding have been constrained in ecologists and early career researchers Ecology and Evolution Conference species present elsewhere. recent years there are signs of recovery from 12 institutions in Ireland met in 2016 and comprises two full ‘working’ Trinity College Dublin in June 2015, Dactyl fuschii, The Burren National Park, Co. Clare. Photograph by Alain Finn as well as uncertainty following days with plenary speakers, oral the result of the referendum on EU to discuss the timely proposition of sessions and poster presentations. membership in the UK. Whatever establishing a new organisation, The There will also be workshops on ethics Irish scientists, thus, have a long The development of ecology and happens in the immediate future Irish Ecological Association, within in research, science communication history of engagement in ecology. ecologists in Ireland have not followed regarding funding, there are now BES. IEA aims to foster cross-border and academic and alternative careers. The British Ecological Society was quite the same trajectory as in more active ecologists working in HE, links and collaboration between Being Ireland, there will be plenty of founded in 1913 based around the Britain. This may reflect differences Government, NGOs and industry than disparate groups (e.g. consultants time to talk informally. British Vegetation Committee which in their landscape, climate and Praeger or Macfadyen could ever have and academia), increase the profile involved the ‘amateur’ Irish botanist, Quaternary history, but for much of envisaged. Whether we approve or not, of ecology in Ireland and provide Robert Lloyd Praeger, who became the 20th century there was simply Irish ecologists are better connected independent ecological advice on find out more environmental issues. It is run on the third President of BES (1921-2). too little support in both northern within the island by EU-funded For further information on the Irish representation at such an august and southern jurisdictions to address an entirely voluntary basis with free motorways and served internationally The Burren National Park, Co. Clare. Sligo conference please contact membership to BES and non-BES level has been intermittent ever since diverse ecological issues with by multiple flight connections. Photograph by Alain Finn Dr Caroline Sullivan: sullivan. members alike (some 50% of the with just two further ‘Irish’ presidents, limited, thinly spread expertise. [email protected] start-up meeting attendees were Norman Alan Burges (1958-59) and Nevertheless, Irish ecology achieved The position of Ireland on the western Amyan Macfadyen (1987-88), both a great deal during the last century current/past BES members). IEA If you are interested in IEA edge of Europe leads to a cooler, will also seek to: provide a portal for based in The New University of Ulster. because it focussed on the distinctive wetter climate which in turn affects and wish to be added to our Macfadyen and Palmer Newbould characteristics of Ireland’s ecology existing BES activities, resources, mailing list please contact: vegetation cover in terms of production networks and training opportunities; were founding professors in a new with welcome inputs from British as well as species composition. As IrishEcologicalAssociation@ department of biology which had and other overseas colleagues. For promote ecology to students and early gmail.com an island, climate change impacts career ecologists; provide a forum strong environmental credentials, example, we demonstrate a fascination are likely to be greater in Ireland and made a lasting impact on ecology for palaeoecology, peatland ecology, for postgraduate students and early than previously considered whilst career researchers to network and and the governance of conservation the limestone pavement flora of the alien invasive species arguably are in Northern Ireland. Both featured in Burren, relict populations of freshwater identify career opportunities; and, having greater and more immediate stimulate collaboration as well as recent issues of the Bulletin. fish and the littoral and sublittoral impact. Ironically, a cool wet climate ecology of Lough Ine. The continuing increase research funding for ecology The IT Sligo campus leads to a build-up of peat and lake in Ireland.

30 31 british ecologicalsociety.org

OF Interest to members

Valentine Seymour | University College London & Woodland Trust [email protected]

Over the course of the year the Woodland Trust will a fantastic project that pulled these memories and lead, with the support of 51 other organisations1, a new tales of the woodland together into one place where campaign to celebrate the value of our UK woodlands everyone can see and enjoy them.” in an effort to secure their future by creating a new Charter for Trees, Woods and People. The new charter As I have found working within these projects, as will be launched in November 2017, marking 800 years well as being involved in various public engagement since Henry III signed the original Charter of the initiatives, our stories and connections with nature Forest which protected and restored people’s rights of span the centuries. One example can be found at access to Royal Forests. the Trust’s Blackbush Shaw in the Cudham Valley (Kent, UK) where Charles Darwin spent time as he As part of this project local groups, clubs, councils investigated the driving force behind his theory and committees are being encouraged to take part by of evolution and natural selection. The surviving bringing people together to celebrate the woodlands landscape, plants, insects, animals and buildings bear at the heart of their communities. Since March, the unique testimony both to his outstanding contribution 52 Charter Steering Group organisations have been to human understanding of natural life and to the recruiting volunteer ‘Charter Champions’ to help scientific methods he developed, still used throughout collect ideas and stories which will eventually feed into the world. the building of the charter. Through this campaign, it is the coalition’s ambition Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust CEO, has said: “Our to set out principles in the 2017 charter that will collective ambition is for a charter that puts trees back articulate the relationship between people and trees at the heart of our lives, communities and decision in an effort to enhance people’s future access to our making - where they belong. The charter will provide woodlands. It is anticipated that sharing stories guidance and inspiration to allow us all to appreciate, and memories will help create a lasting legacy in preserve and celebrate our trees and woods for what communities across the UK. It is also hoped that the they do for us in so many different ways. Inspired by project will bring a change to people’s awareness and something that happened 800 years ago, there is no understanding as well as improved links to the natural better time than now to shine the spotlight again on world, which many of us can take for granted. the benefits that trees and woods bring to us all today The Woodland Trust is heading a campaign to redefine the and to future generations.” For further information about the campaign and to share your stories please go to https://treecharter.uk relationship between trees and people in the UK for the future. The new campaign has been built from similar pilot projects that have occurred over the years. One such References A proposed new Charter for trees, woods and people recognises venture was the ‘Memories project’ undertaken in 2012 1 The organisations involved in the call for a Charter include: Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK, Ancient Tree Forum, which focused on Joyden’s Wood in Kent (UK). As part Arboricultural Association (AA), Bat Conservation Trust, the importance and value of woodlands in our society. of this, a team of volunteers collected one hundred years Black Environment Network, Borders Forest Trust, Butterfly of untold memories shared by those whose lives have Conservation, Campaign consultant, Coigach-Assynt Living been inherently linked to the woodland. The memories Landscape Partnership, Common Ground, Community Woodlands Association, Confor, Country Land and Business Association each represented a point in the wood’s history which (CLA), Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), GreenBlue had been shaped by people. Some of these included Urban, Grown in Britain, Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), youthful memories living on the bomber flight path Legal Sustainability Alliance LSA, Llais y Goedwig, Mersey Forest, National Association of Local Councils, National Trust, National during the second world war, ongoing campaigns Union of Students, Natural Resources Wales, Northern Ireland to save the woodland from development, as well as Environment Link, Plantlife, Red Rose Forest, Royal Forestry people’s life long relationship with the woodland. At the Society (RFS), Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), RSPB, Small end of the project, the stories were put up online for all Woods Association, Soil Association, Small Woodland Owners’ Group (SWOG), Sylva Foundation, TDAG (Trees and design action to enjoy, with many more being shared. group), The Centre For Sustainable Healthcare, The Conservation Foundation, The Land Trust, The National Forest, When I spoke to Joyden’s Wood Site Manager, Simon The Sherwood Forest Trust, The Tree Council, The Wildlife Trusts, Bateman, who helped lead the Memories Project he The Windsor Estate, Trees for Cities, Wild Network, Woodlands. co.uk, and finally, Woodland Heritage. said: “Joyden’s Wood is full of stories and this was

33 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

PROFESSOR BRIAN MOSS International Society for Limnology, prose. Lately, he has been a thorn in be taught about the environment. and for seven years (from 1981) the flesh of Natural England over the This was a major difficulty in edited the Journal of Ecology for management of a local nature reserve such a traditional establishment. the British Ecological Society. In near his home. The discussion got Nevertheless, he relished the role of 1943-2016 2007 he was awarded the August as far as the Ombudsman, and Brian “Big X”, in the “Escape Committee” Thienemann–Einar Naumann Medal was very disappointed at the overall of applied ecologists plotting to – the highest international honour for verdict (thought himself fobbed off). move from Biological Sciences into outstanding contributions to scientific However, not to be outdone, he had Environmental Sciences at the It was with great sadness that we limnology, in 2009 the Excellence recently complained to the Fraud University. He enjoyed the final email learned of the death of Emeritus in Ecology Prize awarded by the Dep’t of the Rural Payments Agency. when the School of Environmental Professor Brian Moss on Friday 27th International Institute of Ecology, and They, too, tried to fob him off (twice) Sciences was formed and staff May. He informed his close friends in 2010 the Institute of Ecology and and argued that ‘must’ in a legal had transferred “RHM (the last that he was terminally ill just after Environmental Management’s Medal. document (e.g. X ‘must’ be done for committee member still active) has New Year and since then he has Part of the former prize was the the payments to be made) did not made a home run”. He was also a provided a very upbeat, indeed freedom to write a book on “anything actually mean X had to be done: it great impressionist. On mock public somewhat humorous, series of emails of his choosing”. The outcome was was optional. A week before he died inquiries he convincingly played with respect to his condition. a tour de force: Liberation Ecology, he mentioned that the only course of the parts of a Welsh biochemistry a scientific textbook written for action was taking them to court. professor, an old man from Lancashire Brian was a polymath, a true the general public, using parallels whose 11 siblings had died from dirty “Renaissance Man”, but was best in religion, art, music, and his Second, Brian was a superb, water, and a posh chairwoman of known as perhaps the most influential mother–in-law’s washing line to get boundlessly enthusiastic and the local parish council complaining freshwater ecologist in Europe over over complex issues of ecology and inspirational speaker. His taught about the lack of public toilets the past three decades, and without environment. Liberation Ecology courses often attracted an audience “Excuse me I am a lady and I have a doubt the world’s leading scientist was, in turn, awarded a prize: the from those who were not enrolled, 48 inch bust to prove it!” on shallow-lake ecology. Much of Marsh Christian Trust Ecology Book particularly for sessions in which his research extended well beyond Award by the British Ecological he conducted second year students All of these idiosyncrasies made Brian lakes – for example his identification Society. Brian’s eighth book Lakes, in Flanders and Swann’s immortal an enigmatic but truly inspirational of alternative stable states, studies Loughs and Lochs, also in the “New song, “The Hippopotamus”. Brian’s leader in environmental science. on trophic dynamics, and his work on Naturalist” series (he wanted to get rendering is now so famous that it However, none of his quirks have climatic effects on lake ecology. He the Welsh Llyn into the title also, can be viewed on YouTube, where ever diminished his influence as an was an inspirational teacher –not only but it didn’t scan), moved his radical it has scored thousands of hits. individual moved by his unfailing to University students but to many ideas on environmentalism forward. He was a brilliant field teacher. commitment to the environment, fellow professionals in a wide range of Brian was awarded a DSc by the Latterly, the honours field courses and by the conservation ethos of one disciplines. University of Bristol in 1981, and in were smattered with substantive his great heroes, Aldo Leopold. It is 2014 an Honorary Degree (Fellowship) arguments between Brian and I; the impossible to capture Brian’s true Born in 1943 in Stockport, his at the IHE, Delft. Also in that year students would often say, “they argue scientific contribution, huge character school days were spent identifying he became Acting Director of the like a married couple”; we were told and sense of fun in these few lines. plants in the Peak District before Ecology Institute (Kinne Foundation) it was brilliant to watch in practice, Perhaps the most apposite distinction undergraduate studies and a PhD in Germany. even though well-rehearsed. We also is to borrow from Brian’s great hero in Botany supervised by Frank were extremely effective at dealing Leopold himself, to say that: “There Round at the University of Bristol. Beyond this very impressive with University bureaucracy when our are some who can live without wild He then spent time abroad, studying curriculum vitae, Brian had three “Mr Nice” and “Mr Nasty” (swapped things and some who cannot”. Brian tropical limnology at Lake Chilwa in important qualities that were between the two of us as appropriate) Moss, clearly, was in the latter group. Malawi, and thereafter the impacts altogether more human. pincer strategy was as effective at But hugely more important is that, of nutrients and fish predation on from several Broadland wastewater in relation to nutrient and climate getting the correct outcome as it was through his work and actions, he the structure of a deep, eutrophic treatment works. He has maintained manipulation – in other words pond- The first was an uncompromising cynically implemented. has made it far more likely that so lake in Michigan using large- an active research interest in the warming. This was yet another approach to “doing the right thing” many of the rest of us sit there too, scale experiments. His next move, Broads ever since and his popular ground-breaking step with which environmentally and in his relations Third, Brian had an utterly compelling and for this all of us who knew him to the University of East Anglia “New Naturalist” account (The others are still trying to keep pace. with others. He was always prepared sense of humour. In the last ten owe him a huge debt of gratitude. In (UEA), saw him blossom further Broads) summarised their history and to argue his corner, quietly and years or so at Liverpool he took up his introductory lecture to incoming Brian has published an impressive in the interdisciplinary School of ecology, all interwoven with Brian’s effectively. He did this always with playing the double bass, recording science students he always finished number of publications, and the fifth Environmental Sciences, beginning radical ecological thinking. the politeness and elegance of a true faithfully his progression through by advising them with the lines from edition of his standard textbook on his world-renowned work on the gentleman, and without causing each musical grade on all annual Hamlet, “to thine own self be true”; Some seventeen years after joining freshwater ecology is now at proof eutrophication of the Norfolk Broads. upset. However, he had no truck reports to the University. Even his Brian certainly lived up to this maxim. At this point, he also entered the field UEA, Brian succeeded Professor Tony stage. Also at the proof stage is a with bureaucracy for its own sake, research grant applications were of restoration ecology, making a first Bradshaw FRS as Holbrook Gaskell guide (Ponds) in the Naturalists’ seeing it as an unnecessary intrusion, graced by knowledge of his current He is survived by his wife Joyce and attempt at restoring the conservation Professor of Botany at the University handbooks series. Brian was a preferring to trust students, staff and musical level. He eventually joined the daughter Angharad. Our thoughts are value of such systems through of Liverpool. Here he continued his superb communicator and a very colleagues to take responsibility for Southport Orchestra, later becoming with them. bio-manipulation – innovatively research on shallow lake systems in popular plenary speaker. He has been their own actions. His poetic blasts its chairman. Professionally, he engineering fish communities and the North West of England. He also President of the British Phycological at bureaucrats were legendary and was very keen that the University R.H.Marrs | University of Liverpool zooplankton grazers to affect algal developed an extensive experimental Society, Vice-president of the British extremely witty, particularly for of Liverpool develop a School of stocks. He was involved in projects pond system at Ness Botanic Gardens Ecological Society, and both Vice- anyone able to follow insults that Environmental Sciences; indeed, that led to removal of phosphate where he assessed ecological function president and President of the issue sometimes in spontaneous Latin he believed every student should

34 35 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 feature Rosie Trevelyan, Anthony Kuria and Paul Mugo | Tropical Biological Association Tom August, Michael Pocock and Helen Roy | Centre for Ecology & Hydrology [email protected]

From bird mapping, counting zebras Emerging technologies will provide We have been delighted to work and observing the behaviour of lions new opportunities across East Africa together with all the participants - we through to communities monitoring - the use of apps is already enhancing are extremely grateful to the British the habitats they depend upon, such data collation and networking. Ecological Society for providing as forests and mangroves, we heard However, there is a clear need to funds through the Citizen Science about the many ways in which people consider ways in which the flow of Special Interest Group to make this - from school children to government biodiversity data can be improved and possible. We will be preparing a officials - are involved in studying how to enhance in-country capacity to workshop report and manuscript for the wildlife and environment of East do this. submission to a peer-reviewed journal Africa. Though in the UK we don’t on priorities for citizen science in usually hear much about citizen The importance of citizen science in East Africa using the results from the science in Africa it is clearly thriving raising awareness of the threats to collaborative prioritisation workshop. in this region and we have much to nature and calling for conservation learn from one another. At the same action was widely appreciated. In While in Africa we used the time there is enthusiasm for building East Africa, citizen science is seen opportunity to travel and teach on a the capacity among citizen science as a way of connecting with nature, Tropical Biological Association field leaders to broaden the reach of this enhancing well-being and providing course in Kibale Forest, Uganda. approach and to increase impact. a sense of belonging. Discussions on During our short visit we worked priorities for citizen science revealed with the students to design and It was inspiring to hear of the a need to raise awareness of how test pollinator monitoring schemes ways in which decision-makers projects could connect with potential suitable for running as citizen are invited to participate in citizen participants - a challenge when many science projects. The Tropical science - providing opportunities for are in remote localities. Biological Association organises communities, NGOs, scientists and field courses annually, teaching others to convey important messages Conservation is always challenging about ecology and research skills in about the threats to biodiversity and but the vitality and innovation amazing environments. There were the environment. Indeed, a number of citizen scientists working in about 20 nationalities represented of case studies were presented that partnership across East Africa provide on the course we joined, which highlighted conservation actions an inspiring way forward. often made for lively discussions that had resulted from involvement about conservation priorities, as the of people from across society in students learnt from each other, and citizen science. through practical field work.

The amazing diversity of citizen science in East Africa was revealed Unlocking Africa’s Potential for through a symposium in Nairobi. Co-organised by the Tropical Biological Association and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in association with the British Ecological Society, the meeting provided an opportunity to Citizen Science share the excitement and experiences of involving people in projects focused on ecology, conservation and the environment. BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

Moses, our forest ranger, uses an app to record wildlife observations

Colobus Monkeys were often seen around the Kibale field station

Helen Roy with artificial flowers designed by TBA students to attract pollinators for school children to then record

Citizen Science: Tropical Biological Association unlocking students design resources for testing Africa’s their citizen science projects potential

Tom August runs a session on presenting data in exciting ways

Michael Pocock works with TBA students as they design their citizen science projects

Chimpanzees were frequently seen in the forest surrounding the field station

38 39 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF From Our Southern ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL Correspondent MANAGEMENT

Sally Hayns CEcol MCIEEM | Chief Executive Officer, CIEEM T: 01962 868626 / Email: [email protected] Richard Hobbs | University of Western Australia

THE BREXIT CHALLENGE presentation from Stephanie Hilborne Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. Roger OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife then founded, led and managed Most people have heard Benjamin Disraeli’s famous quote: Following the outcome of the UK Trusts followed by a superb luncheon a new statutory body, Scottish referendum on the 23rd June there prior to the awards presentation. Natural Heritage, over the next “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” has been a period of intense activity decade, putting in place governance The CIEEM Medal is the Chartered as we try to assess what it means for structures and management schemes Institute’s highest accolade and is nature conservation, environmental for nature protection and presiding Particularly during election or referendum campaigns, it’s often difficult to awarded annually in recognition of management, higher education, over the implementation of Natura an outstanding single or life-long research and the careers of our 2000 in Scotland which has given contribution to the field of ecology tell the difference. members. Two things became clear rise to extensive networks of Special and environmental management. This very quickly. The first is that, although Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special year the prestigious Medal went to the outcome was not the one that Areas for Conservation (SACs). Roger Professor Roger Crofts CBE FCIEEM CIEEM felt was the best one for the is a very popular recipient of the We have a Federal election looming Australia should be rethinking its Climate change is also a factor in recognition of his significant protection of the natural environment CIEEM Medal. in Australia that doesn’t quite match fixation on fossil fuel extraction and implicated in documented declines contribution to environmental in the future, we must seize the the US election for scariness and making use of the obvious potential in the Great Barrier Reef. Already conservation, governance and There were twelve other individual opportunity to work towards improved weirdness, but has its own special for renewables (the jury’s out on that a political hot potato because of management in Scotland in particular and organisational awards winners domestic environmental legislation elements of comedy, tragedy and one, depending on whose marginal threats from international bodies to but also globally. Roger has an and full details can be find on our that delivers both biodiversity Disraeli’s three kinds of lies. The electorate you are in). start labelling the reef as in danger, exceptional record of leadership at website (www.cieem.net) but special protection and sustainable election results will be long out by discussions of the future of the reef both national and international levels. mention should be made of the development. Second, if we are to the time this article hits the press, as And in the background is the have become an election issue. And, as Ecosystems Knowledge Network national tragedy of the systematic be successful then it is vital that Among his many achievements, will the outcome of the Brexit poll. with most issues in the public domain which not only won the Best Practice disembowelment of climate research organisations such as CIEEM, BES, Roger has been Chair of the IUCN Here in Australia, climate change and these days, arguments have surfaced Award for Knowledge Sharing in CSIRO (https://theconversation. NGOs and others work collaboratively UK Committee and of its World the Great Barrier Reef have been hot over how serious the threats to the but was also awarded the Tony com/csiro-cuts-as-redundancies- and sensibly to help governments Commission on Protected Areas topics in the election. Both have had reef are, and how credible reports of Bradshaw Award. This Award, given are-announced-the-real-cost-is- across the UK develop their thinking (WCPA) European Region and is important science back-stories that extensive coral bleaching are. This has in recognition of CIEEM’s former revealed-59895). In line with the and find solutions. now one of only six WCPA Emeriti Disraeli would have been proud of. even led to accusations that leading founding President and one of the troubling trend towards mindless globally. Roger led the development reef scientists are distorting figures That is our priority post-Brexit. The most inspirational UK ecologists of the Discussions relating to climate managerialism and political agendas of the key outcome statements of the in order to exaggerate the problems. future is uncertain but change will not last 50 years, is only presented when a change have included: (a) debate over taking precedence over common sense 5th World Parks Congress in Durban, According to Graham Lloyd, reporting happen overnight. We must use this project or initiative had demonstrated whether the extraordinary fires in and good judgment, Larry Marshall, South Africa. These provided the in The Australian newspaper (4 June time to articulate a common vision and an outstanding impact in its area of Tasmania in February could be pinned the head of CSIRO recently imported plan of action for the next decade 2016), “Activist scientists and lobby identify the most effective means to activity. at least partially on climate change from Silicon Valley, has initiated cuts for the Convention on Biological groups have distorted surveys, maps deliver it. (yes, they can, says Dave Bowman of to public good research, particularly Diversity (CBD) Programme of Work on Our congratulations go to all of the and data to misrepresent the extent the University of Tasmania: http:// relating to climate change. While Protected Areas and the work of the winners and finalists and our thanks and impact of coral bleaching on the www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/ CSIRO is no stranger to cutbacks and A TIME TO CELEBRATE IUCN World Commission on Protected to the judges. Great Barrier Reef” study-links-tassie-fires-to-human- reorganisations, this current round Areas. CIEEM’s annual Awards Luncheon induced-climate-change/7193830 ); (b) of cuts has left the scientific world (http://www.theaustralian.com. in June provided an excellent Roger’s main legacy in Scotland is Forthcoming Events whether the massive storms knocking dumbfounded. And you don’t need to au/news/nation/great-barrier- opportunity to acknowledge and expensive houses into the ocean in be too much of a conspiracy theorist reef-scientists-exaggerated-coral- his leadership and vision on natural Autumn Conference, Nottingham, celebrate some really high quality Sydney are related to climate change to see that cutting climate change bleaching/news-story/99810c83f5a heritage. He was instrumental in the November 1-2 2016: ‘Skills for the ecological and environmental (even current Prime Minister Malcolm research is part of a tacit agenda from 420727b12ab255256774b). It turns production of a highly regarded White Future’ management practice. The Paper, Scotland’s Natural Heritage: Turnbull seems to think there must a government that doesn’t really want out that it is probably the media Birmingham Botanical Gardens was, The Way Ahead. The ideas were be something going on here, but not to acknowledge that climate change is distorting things, but the willingness once again, an excellent venue and accepted and Roger led the drafting something that requires a change in an issue. to implicate scientists in a stitch-up over 120 guests enjoyed an excellent of the Bill that became the Natural government policy); and (c) whether is worrying.

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The stoush over the reef arose array of statistical techniques. assumptions are inviolate, which cat. And perhaps we should be less through different interpretations The authors lament, however, that transformations are allowed and so ready to assume that our favourite Well done Richard of figures presented in reports – a “Many ecologists lack appropriate on. These disagreements can occur approach is always going to be the media statement intimating that background in probability theory anywhere along the process from only – or right – way to proceed. Regular readers of this column will be delighted to hear that Richard was 93% of the reef shows some sign of and calculus because there are initial study design to publication, Of course, we could, instead, awarded Honorary Membership of the Ecological Society of America at bleaching (https://www.coralcoe. serious disconnections between but perhaps are becoming most the recent ESA meeting in Florida. From the ESA website: “Honorary org.au/media-releases/only-7-of-the- the quantitative nature of ecology, obvious at the stage of the journal heed the advice of physicist Ernest Rutherford, who said: Membership is given to a distinguished ecologist who has made great-barrier-reef-has-avoided-coral- the quantitative skills we expect review process. It seems that exceptional contributions to ecology and whose principal residence and bleaching ) was suddenly translated of ourselves and our students, and virtually every paper submitted by “If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done site of ecological research are outside of North America. Richard Hobbs, a into 93% of the reef being completely how we teach and learn quantitative colleagues or students these days professor of restoration ecology at the University of Western Australia, is an dead. This is a fairly blatant mis- methods.” comes back with reviewer comments a better experiment.” However, Rutherford wasn’t thinking about innovative, collaborative scientist with proven capacity to bridge the fields appropriation of a relatively simple along the lines of “I question the use of basic and applied ecology. He laid foundational work in the area of novel statistic, and it made me think As a counterpoint to this statement, of statistical technique x, which I the complexities involved in even a comment included in Rory simple ecological experimentation. ecosystems, the theme of the forthcoming 2016 ESA Annual Meeting in Fort about the increasing difficulty of think is invalid in this case”, or “Why Lauderdale, Fl., and his research focuses on applying ecology in a rapidly communicating information about Putman’s 1994 book on community did you not use statistical technique It is probably true, however, that ecology has stuck with me ever statistics often simply confirm the changing world. He promotes ample, fruitful debate within our community ecological topics. Ecology, as y, transform your data this way, and beyond.” we all know, deals with complex since I read it: “Undergraduates etc.?” Such comments are quick and obvious: significant treatment interactions among organisms and have simple on/off switches. This easy to make but can imply weeks of effects can often be visually their environment. The reef example is a protective device for use when extra work in reanalysis, redrawing discerned, but the numbers are was simply a case of someone any dangerous mathematics enters figures and so on. They also include needed for the publication. Perhaps attaching the wrong language to the field of vision. Concentration the implicit assumption that the more appropriate is the statement a simple figure. However, often in will, on seeing anything remotely authors must have been remiss in from the American statesman, ecology, we rely on increasingly resembling an equation, switch their original decisions on design Henry Clay, who said: “Statistics complex statistics to be able to both off until all signs of mathematical and analysis. And the frustrating are no substitute for judgment.” tease apart what’s important in any notation have gone and normal text thing is that, nine times out of ten, Careful design, open recognition situation and to communicate the has been restored” (Putman, 1994). the reanalysis does not substantially of underlying assumptions and findings, particularly for publication Added to this inbuilt protective change the interpretation of the limitations, and appropriate caution in scientific journals. What appears in device is the fact that statistics results! in interpretation are essential in the media rests on the interpretation continues to be generally very poorly the use of any statistics. Statistical of complex data through the filter of taught in undergraduate courses. A feature of becoming an old fart elegance can still conceal ecological statistics. Ecology units become de facto is the feeling that you’ve seen all nonsense in the absence of insight statistics refresher courses because this before. While I was doing my into the system being analysed. And The mention of statistics sends some students have not learned the basics PhD in the 1980s, a mini Game of when reviewing how other people people into paroxysms of despair. I beforehand. It was thus when I was Thrones was raging over the most have tackled statistical problems, think there is a fairly dichotomous an undergraduate and the evidence appropriate ordination techniques to perhaps another Disraeli quote is split in ecology between people from teaching in Ecology units use. In the 90s there was a period of relevant: “How much easier it is who never really “got” statistics indicates that it remains the case. existential angst over the use of non- to be critical than to be correct.” but struggle through because they The editors of a recent Ecological parametrics in preference to normal We need statistical rigour – and, have to, and others who love to Statistics text commented that “… statistics. Violating assumptions indeed, fluency – in ecology, but immerse themselves in the mysteries despite considerable efforts, learning was a sin punishable by beheading we also need to get on with the job of statistical methods and models. statistics continues to be boring for (well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit of making sure that statistically- I’ve experienced both camps, being many ecologists and more often than here). At that time, I was deeply sound ecological stories influence completely flummoxed by poorly- not, it feels a bit like having dental encouraged (and relieved) to see management and policy, and maybe taught undergraduate statistics work done: frightening and painful some commentary that suggested even the outcome of elections. classes and then becoming a but necessary for survival” (Fox et that the supposed rules were not as complete stats nerd during my PhD. al., 2015). In addition, the plethora sacrosanct as the stats police made I think I now straddle the divide, of new techniques available makes out. In a 1995 paper, Allan Stewart- finding it increasingly hard to it very difficult for even the most Oaten went as far as to comment keep up with new techniques and statistically-savvy ecologist to be that: “Statistical analyses are References developments (not helped by my across all the nuances, vagaries and based on a mixture of mathematical Ellison, A.M. & Dennis, B. (2016) Paths to decision to leave R to younger, more pitfalls involved. theorems and judgments based on statistical fluency for ecologists. Frontiers in agile minds in my group). subject matter knowledge, intuition, Ecology and the Environment, in press. Fortunately, there are ways through and the goals of the investigator. Fox, G.A., Negrete-Yankelevich , S., & Sosa, I’ve just been reading a recent paper this, and some of the issues to V.J., eds. (2015) Ecological Statistics: .… A folklore can develop, where Contemporary theory and application 1st Edition. that calls for moves to develop what be dealt with are common to all judgments based on opinions become Oxford University Press, Oxford. the authors call statistical fluency statistical methods, old and new laws of what ‘should’ be done. This Putman, R.J. (1994) Community Ecology for ecologists (Ellison & Dennis, (Steel et al., 2013). Nevertheless, can intimidate authors and readers, Chapman and Hall, London. 2016). They point to the undeniable successfully applying and reporting waste their time, and sometimes Steel, E.A., Kennedy, M.C., Cunningham, P.G., fact that the types and complexity statistical approaches remains a lead to analyses that obscure the & Stanovick, J.S. (2013) Applied statistics in of data collected, and the types scary quagmire to many people. It’s ecology: common pitfalls and simple solutions. information in the data rather than Ecosphere, 4, 1-13. of question being asked, have made even more scary and quagmire- clarify it” (Stewart-Oaten, 1995). In Stewart-Oaten, A. (1995) Rules and judgments in developed rapidly and require an ish by disagreements over which other words, perhaps there’s more statistics: three examples. Ecology, 76, increasingly diverse and complex methods are appropriate, which than one way to statistically skin a 2001-2009.

42 43 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016 feature Ecology and the Two Cultures

John Wiens | Oregon State University [email protected]

It was spring 1959, time for the cultural differences between science annual Rede Lecture at Cambridge and policy, between research and University. That year it was given management, between science and by the British scientist and novelist the public, or even within scientific C.P. Snow. Snow’s lecture, “The disciplines.7 The divides are hardened Two Cultures and the Scientific by training and specialization. Revolution,”1 touched on many Scientists, writers, artists, managers, topics—the Cold War, failings of politicians, and people in general the British educational system, the tend to talk and socialize primarily disparity between the rich and the with others like themselves. They poor2 —but most famously on the gap may share a language in common, in understanding, communication, but they use it in ways that may be and respect between scientists incomprehensible to anyone outside and literary scholars. Science their cultural clique. was separated from literature and the arts by a “gulf of mutual To Snow, the force dividing the incomprehension”—scientists might two cultures was a communication be disinclined to plunge into the barrier.8 I’ve experienced this works of Dickens or Shakespeare, firsthand. Two of my daughters while those in the humanities are artists. Their reviews and were ignorant of the Second Law art criticisms are full of flowery of Thermodynamics. Snow placed descriptions and adjectives used in much of the blame for this cultural (to me) unfamiliar ways. While their divide on “literary intellectuals” writing may be clear and compelling who distained science as a way of to other artists, I sometimes struggle knowing. Scientists, on the other to understand their meaning. They hand, “have the future in their probably have similar difficulties with bones,” while “the traditional culture that the cultural divide is between some of my scientific writing, which What we’ve got here responds by wishing the future did knowledge based on evidence may seem (to them) flat, sterile, and not exist.”3 Unless the cultural divide (science) and knowledge based on obtuse. My scientific colleagues have were breached, Snow argued, it would beliefs (humanities) and that “the had no difficulty in understanding be difficult or impossible to address worldview that guides the moral what I say (although not everyone has societal problems. and spiritual values of an educated found it compelling). person today is the worldview Snow’s thesis generated immediate given to us by science.” Wieseltier The key to bridging cultural divides is failure to controversy and, among “literary defended the humanities, arguing is not so much whether writers intellectuals,” outrage. In a that morality, politics, art, and beauty or artists are conversant with the vitriolic review, the critic F.R. are philosophical matters, beyond Second Law of Thermodynamics or Leavis suggested that Snow was scientific explanation.5 scientists delight in the nuances of “intellectually as undistinguished as Hamlet (to use Snow’s example), but it is possible to be” and that The Two All of this debating may make for whether each has an appreciation for Cultures exhibited “an embarrassing great entertainment.6 The critical how the other thinks. What thinking 4 issue, however, is not who was right is behind a work of art or poetry, or communicate vulgarity of style.” More recently, Steven Pinker and Leon Wieseltier or who won, but whether the cultural a scientific theory or mathematical rekindled the debate in the pages of divide that Snow articulated is still equation? If communication is to the New Republic. Pinker proposed with us. It is, but it has been joined by foster mutual understanding among

44 45 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

Journals News cultures, it must go deeper than words. Unfortunately, things seem to be going in the opposite direction. The growing use of social media may broaden the reach of communication, Editorial Board Open call for submissions: but at the expense of depth. Too often We are joined on the board by Rafael Special Feature on “Animal it encourages spontaneity or brevity www.functionalecology.org @funecology Oliveira (University of Campinas, host–microbe interactions” (the 140 characters of a Twitter post) Brazil) [WAITING FOR BLURB], rather than contemplation. It may Our latest issue includes a new Anna Sala (University of Montana, The recent explosion of this field provide a glimpse of what people Review, Macrophysiology – progress USA), whose research looks at plant over the last decade is starting to think, but offers little insight about and prospects, by Steven Chown and resource dynamics and its implications facilitate a greater understanding of how they think. Kevin Gaston. This Review gives on plant life history strategies and the functional role and consequences What does all of this have to do an overview of macrophysiology’s responses to the environment, Sarah of variation in animal host microbiota, with ecology? The historical roots conceptual foundations, methodological Diamond (Case Western Reserve and the ecological and evolutionary of ecology are as much in natural approaches and insights and the University, USA), an evolutionary interactions between the host, its philosophy as they are in the sciences. challenges the field is facing currently, ecologist with specific interests in resident microbiota and factors such Today’s ecology, however, has all and is a useful introduction to anyone biological responses to climate and as disease susceptibility, nutritional the trappings of a science culture: its new to the topic. land-use change, Susana Clusella- ecology, life-history strategies, social own jargon, societies, and scientific Trullas (Stellenbosch University, South networks and animal behaviour. We published our first Special Feature journals. Ecologists communicate Africa), whose research focuses on the of 2016 in issue 1: Mechanisms and We recently launched a call for new most easily and comfortably with one responses of ectotherms to changing Consequences of Facilitation in Plant papers on animal host–microbe another. Yet ecology is increasingly environmental conditions and Communities. This Special Feature, interactions for publication in a being called upon to address societal potential interactive effects of climate edited by Richard Michalet and Special Feature in 2017. Manuscripts problems that concern different change and biological invasions, Francesco Pugnaire, goes back to the should be submitted in the usual way intellectual cultures, the cultures of and David Costantini (University of state of the environment demands References basics of facilitation, reviewing our through the Journal of Animal Ecology resource management, environmental Antwerp, Belgium). David’s research more. We must communicate 1 Subsequently published as The Two knowledge on the main functional website, clearly stating in the cover policy, politics, conservation, and the interests include the role of oxidative with other people and intellectual Cultures and the Scientific Revolution (1959, mechanisms of facilitation, their stress and antioxidants as mediators letter accompanying the submission like. Problems such as how to deal Cambridge University Press) and with cultures on their own terms. Science- implications for community structure that you wish to be considered for with invasive species, how to include additional reflections as The Two Cultures: of life-history variation, the impacts talk may be appropriate in the And a Second Look (1963, Cambridge and ecosystem functions and publication as part of this Special economics in valuing nature, how of environmental changes on animal scientific publications that lead to University Press). services. This Special Feature also Feature. Submissions should be to balance the needs of species and populations and meta-analysis as peer recognition and professional 2 Which he predicted would disappear by 2000! complements the Special Feature: received by 20th December 2016. ecosystems with those of people, how a tool to develop a quantitative advancement, but it is a poor way to 3 Writers of science fiction may be an Mechanisms of Competition (edited to anticipate the ecological effects synthesis of research results. Our communicate across cultural divides. exception; some of the best science-fiction by David Robinson, Claire Trinder board continues to grow in response of climate change—the list goes on. writers, such as Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Salmon smolts find safety and Rob Brooker), published in the to our increasing submissions, which In a broader sense, these problems Snow’s thesis, old and controversial Clarke, were trained as scientists, although others, such as Ursula K. LeGuin, come from journal in 2013. We also contributed have to do with how people relate have grown by over 40% in the past in numbers as it is, still resonates. It calls the humanities. to the cross-journal Special Feature: to nature, which falls in the domain five years. attention to the “gulf of mutual 4 Leavis, F.R. 2013. The Two Cultures? The Demography beyond the population Using tags surgically implanted of humanities and the arts as much incomprehension” that often Significance of C.P. Snow. Cambridge with two papers looking at leaf traits: into thousands of juvenile salmon, as it relies on science. Increasingly, University Press (annotated re-issue); separates intellectual cultures. Functional leaf traits of vascular University of British Colombia ecologists aim for their message to be Bridging the cultural divides requires Ortolano, G. 2005. F. R. Leavis, science, and the abiding crisis of modern civilization. epiphytes: vertical trends within the researchers have discovered that relevant to decisions about nature and that all parties—not just scientists, History of Science 43: 161-185. forest, intra- and interspecific trait www.journalofanimalecology.org many fish die within the first few days the environment. This requires that artists, and writers, but resource 5  New Republic 2013 variability and taxonomic signals @AnimalEcology of migration from their birthplace to the facts and insights of ecology be (http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114127/ managers, environmentalists, and The underlying basis for the the ocean. communicated to these other cultures. politicians, and the general public— science-not-enemy-humanities; http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114548/ tradeoff between leaf size and leafing understand how other people think New prize for early career Nathan Furey and colleagues (J leon-weiseltier-responds-steven-pinkers- intensity. Of course, many ecologists are and appreciate and respect their scientism; Anim Ecol, 85: 948–959) followed the reaching out to people in other ecologists different priorities. This is the deeper http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114754/ Issue 1 also included two papers on migration of one of British Columbia’s intellectual cultures. Scientists in steven-pinker-leon-wieseltier-debate-science- understanding that builds mutual peer review in Functional ecology. We are very happy to announce a new largest sockeye populations from agencies are working to bridge vs-humanities). trust, which will be essential to 6  These papers Gender differences in award for early career researchers. Chilko Lake, in B.C.’s Cariboo region, divides with management and Snow observed that “debating gives most of dealing with the problems that the us much more psychological satisfaction than patterns of authorship do not affect We hope to inspire early career to the ocean. Each spring, juvenile policy; more ecologists are writing Anthropocene has thrust upon us. thinking does; but it deprives us of whatever peer review outcomes at an ecology researchers working on any aspect salmon known as smolts leave this and speaking to the general public; chance there is of getting closer to the truth” journal and Editor and reviewer of animal ecology to submit reviews lake and migrate downstream through and some are even forsaking the (1963: 56) gender influence the peer review or synthesis papers that summarize the Chilko, Chilcotin, and Fraser rivers sheltered academic life to enter the 7 In conservation, for instance, a divide exists process but not peer review outcomes their dissertation work, provide new and into the Salish Sea. fray of politics, applied conservation, between those who cherish nature’s intrinsic values and those who emphasize nature’s at an ecology journal are part of insights into classic areas of animal or research administration. Many of To follow the juvenile salmon, benefits to us (see my essay in the June 2016 an ongoing project by Functional ecology, or shed light on emerging these people have mastered the art issue of the Bulletin). researchers implanted small electronic Ecology’s Executive Editor, Chuck fields in animal ecology. Proposals (and it is an art!) of communicating 8 I’m reminded here of the words of a prison tags into the tiny 12-centimetre fish Fox, looking at bias in peer review. were accepted until August, so the science in words their audiences can Captain in the movie Cool Hand Luke: “What as they were leaving Chilko Lake. As This project is going to be rolled out Senior Editor team will be inviting understand and appreciate. Yet the we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” the smolts made the 1,000-kilometre across the other BES journals in 2016. the successful candidates to submit urgency of our messages about how manuscripts later this year. More on journey to the Pacific Ocean, acoustic natural systems function and the this next time… receivers picked up the signals from

46 47 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org journals news VOL 47:3 | October 2016

the tags to monitor how many fish the consequences of behavioural Haze: Implications of the recent New Associate Editor contributed articles to the Special survived the migration. adaptation at both the individual and fires in Indonesia for tropical Feature in our June 2017 issue (http:// population levels. She is particularly peatland research’ is a post written We are delighted to welcome Marie- bit.ly/MEE5SF). More than 2,000 salmon were tracked www.journalofappliedecologoy.org interested in the sub-clinical impacts by members of C-PEAT (Carbon Josée Fortin from the University of over four years and researchers found @japplecol The Special Feature highlights the of parasitic infection, parasite in Peat on Earth through Time) to Toronto, Canada as a new Associate that survival was poor in the clear breadth and depth of topics that transmission, the associations voice the group’s concern over the Editor. Marie-Josee has four main and slow-moving Chilko River, where the journal has covered over the between parasitism and behaviour Virtual Issue: Tropical consequences of the recent extensive research areas – spatial ecology, predators were feeding intensely on past 5 years. It includes articles on and the implications these may have burning of Indonesia’s peatlands for disturbance ecology, conservation the smolts. Once in the murky and Biology and Conservation data analysis, information criteria, for populations across generations science. C-PEAT is a thematic group and spatial statistics. Her research fast-flowing Fraser River, the salmon remote sensing and more. We hope through delayed life-history effects. For the Association for Tropical of PAGES (Past Global Changes), programme studies the effects of travelled day and night, covering up to continue to publish a wide range Jenny is also fascinated by how Biology and Conservation 2016 Annual and had its inaugural meeting at global change (land use and climate) to 220 km per day, and experienced of papers on as diverse a range of multiple stress factors interact in free- Meeting we produced a Virtual Issue, Columbia University in New York, on species’ spatial dynamics at the nearly 100 per cent survival. The topics as possible, exemplified by the living populations, especially those edited by Susan M Cheyne ‘Tropical in October 2015. Other recent posts landscape and geographical range researchers believe that in these diversity of the papers in this feature. in decline, and the implications these Biology and Conservation’ Virtual include one from Nathalie Butt who levels both in multi-use forested waters, predators have difficulty interactions have for the conservation Issue (http://bit.ly/tropbiol). The took part in our Associate Editor ecosystems and aquatic networks finding and getting to the fish. of populations. papers gathered under this Virtual mentoring scheme last year, writing to maintain biodiversity and species Endangered Species Issue represent a fraction of the work about coastal mapping of wetlands conservation. Lesley is an empirical ecologist in a field which is rapidly expanding. for conservation and management, Virtual Issue interested in understanding how Yet these papers exemplify the high and an infographic from authors April Alice Plane | Assistant Editor, biogeographic processes shape To celebrate Endangered Species quality of the science being produced Robin Martinig and Katrina Bélanger- Journal of Applied Ecology macroecological trait variation, Day 2016 the BES journals compiled a by researchers and practitioners who Smith, entitled ‘Why did the mammal [email protected] population dynamics, life history Virtual Issue on the topic. The papers are increasingly making use of new cross the road?’ To see this and our evolution, and species interactions. cover a broad range of plants, animals techniques and technologies, and other blog posts go to http://bit.ly/ She is also interested in the drivers of and insects as well as terrestrial and successfully engaging and partnering JPEblog. and constraints on niche evolution in aquatic systems. with industry and stakeholders to ectotherms. lead the way in policy reform and best www.methodsinecologyandevolution We showcased some excellent In the news .org Becky is a community ecologist practice management. The papers articles from Methods in Ecology and Over the last few years it has become @methodsecolevol investigating the structure, dynamics are on the topics of forest recovery Evolution, which dealt with everything increasingly important for researchers and functioning of ecological networks and restoration, anthropogenic from methods for finding rare species to communicate and publicise their in natural and human-modified disturbance and impacts on wildlife, Methods in Ecology and via scat detection to Markov switching research, not only to help direct work ecosystems. She has a particular and policy and management. In autoregressive models and from the to the relevant readers but also to Evolution’s 5th Anniversary interest in empirical approaches to addition to Standard Papers the Value of Information to investigating New Associate Editors raise their profile as a researcher. studying networks, especially large- Virtual Issue contains a Practitioner’s Special Feature the risk of collisions between boats and Perspective and a Policy Direction. Public opinion can also influence marine mammals. As well as the seven We are pleased to welcome Niels scale manipulative field experiments; policymakers so it is important Methods in Ecology and Evolution articles that the journal contributed Dingemanse (Ludwig Maximilians and in the role of density- and trait- that scientific stories make it into was launched in 2010 with the to the Virtual Issue, we had two new University of Munich, Germany), mediated indirect interactions. the media. One of the many ways ambition that we could transform blog posts on Endangered Species. Jenny Dunn (Royal Society for the research can be disseminated is by the development and uptake of new Till Czypionka et al. explained how Protection of Birds, UK), Lesley Mariano is a community ecologist sending out a press release through methods. As the first journal in our ecological transcriptomics can provide Lancaster (University of Aberdeen, with broad interests in the factors organisation press offices. We have field that specialized in publishing a great way to study endangered UK) Becky Morris (University that generate, maintain and threaten noticed a considerable increase in the methodology papers, we aspired to species in a humane and conservation- of Oxford, UK), and Mariano A. biodiversity. He uses observational, number of these over the last year and give those researchers who develop friendly way (http://bit.ly/1Vw65SN). Rodriguez-Cabal (Universidad del experimental, meta-analytical and you can find some tips and guidance new methods a place to publish and Following this, we had a post from Comahue, Patagonia, Argentina) to theoretical approaches to understand here http://bit.ly/JPEPR. gain recognition for their work. We also Frank Breiner et al. They discussed the the Associate Editor board. how the loss of some species and the gain of others influence plant-animal aimed to improve the presentation of benefits of Ensembles of Small Models A paper from Rhys Green and interactions, vertebrate and ant seed methodology to as wide an audience and why they can be so useful when Niels is an evolutionary ecologist colleagues ‘Potential threat to dispersers, the diversity and structure as possible by emphasizing the need data on a species is insufficient for who works on the interface Eurasian griffon vultures in Spain of communities, and ecosystem for accessibility in published papers, most models (http://bit.ly/1XggC6q). between behavioural ecology and from veterinary use of the drug quantitative genetics. His current processes. as well as taking advantage of online diclofenac’ has received media All of the articles in this Virtual Issue research focusses on proximate and support such as videos and podcasts. coverage on BirdLife International, are free for a limited time. You can find ultimate causes and consequences Simon Hoggart Scientific American and Nature News. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of them on our website here: http://bit. of individuality in average behaviour Assistant Editor Many of our papers are featured on the journal, we held a symposium in ly/EndSpec (‘personality’) and behavioural [email protected] The Conversation, including ‘How 2015, jointly hosted between London plasticity, for which he uses wild persistent are the impacts of logging and Calgary. Streamed live, and with populations of birds (great tits) and roads on Central African forest talks recorded and hosted here (http:// insects (field crickets) as model vegetation?’ by Fritz Kleinschroth bit.ly/1dG4Bmz), the symposium systems On the blog and colleagues and ‘Human–wildlife showcased the range of methods conflict, benefit sharing and the that we had published across our Jenny’s research interests span a We continue to publish a number survival of lions in pastoralist discipline and involved many of our broad range of topics within ecology of blog posts from the authors of community-based conservancies’ by authors and members of our editorial and conservation, but centre around articles we publish, Associate Editors Sara Blackburn and colleagues. board. A selection of the authors who factors influencing behaviour, and and guest bloggers. ‘Beyond the gave talks at the symposium have

48 49 BES Bulletin VOL 47:3 | October 2016

Methods in the News Biological Flora of Animals caught on camera by amateur the British Isles Ecological photographers and posted on the This year The Biological Flora of the web could become an important new British Isles series celebrates its 75th tool for studying evolution and other Society of anniversary and Editor Tony Davy ecological questions, researchers from wrote an excellent piece in the last South Africa have found. To discover America Bulletin which is now also available on whether or not these photographs the journal blog. The series is one of could accurately substitute for the Society’s longest running projects 2016 Annual fieldwork, they used Google Images and contains over 300 accounts to find photographs of four species including a recent account on Ash – black bears in western North Meeting which attracted a lot of attention and America, barn owls worldwide, black was picked up by several major news sparrowhawks in South Africa, and outlets including BBC News. Executive Editor David Gibson hooded or carrion crows in Europe. and Managing Editor Emilie Aimé were both in Florida for the ESA The new technique opens up a Harper prize 2015 meeting this year where they world wide web of possibilities for enjoyed meeting and spending As featured in the last Bulletin, ecologists, from migration and diet time with some of our authors congratulations again to Dr Yuuya to birds’ moulting patterns and the and Editorial Board. age structures of animal populations Tachiki who has won the 2015 Harper in different areas. It works best Prize for the best paper published in As always for the latest Journal for species that are of interest to Journal of Ecology by a young author. news, and to keep up to date with photographers, so are very well Dr Tachiki, a postdoctoral researcher all of the research published in photographed, as well as easy to at Kyushu University in Japan, won the Journal, keep an eye on our recognise and categorise. You can find the award for his paper entitled “A blog and follow us on Twitter @ out more about this technique in ‘Just spatially explicit model for flowering JEcology and on Facebook. Google it: assessing the use of Google time in bamboos: long rhizomes drive Images to describe geographical the evolution of delayed flowering” James Ross | Assistant Editor variation in visible traits of organisms’ which provides novel evolutionary [email protected] by Leighton et al. (http://bit. insights into the reproductive strategy ly/1sLDD3U). of clonal plants by using a spatially explicit mathematical model. The Chris Grieves | Assistant Editor paper was also selected as the Editor’s [email protected] Choice for Issue 103:3, for which Richard Shefferson wrote another commentary which you can find on our blog, as well as a post written by Yuuya Tachiki himself. www.journalofecology.org @JEcology Furthermore, two highly commended papers are also available online. The In June I started as the new Assistant first paper is entitled “Impacts of Editor for Journal of Ecology. I would geography, taxonomy and functional like to thank my predecessor, Lauren group on inorganic carbon use patterns Sandhu, for her outstanding efforts in marine macrophytes” by Courtney on the journal for over 4 years and I Stepien who recently obtained her am looking forward to carrying on her PhD from the University of Chicago. great work. The second, “Historically browsed jewelweed populations exhibit greater Volume 104, Issue 4 tolerance to deer herbivory than historically protected populations” The Journal has published its is by Laura Martin, Anurag Agrawal July 2016 issue which included an and Clifford Kraft. Courtney and Laura interesting paper on the effect of talk more about their findings in video latitude on herbivory by Zhang et podcasts which can be found on our al. as the Editor’s Choice. Associate blog and YouTube channel. Editor Richard Shefferson wrote an entertaining commentary about the paper on our blog which has been very popular.

50 annual meetings 2017 | Ghent, Belgium | 11–14 December 2018 | Birmingham, UK | 16–19 December 2019 | Belfast, UK | 10–13 December 2020 | Edinburgh, UK | 14–17 December BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org book reviews VOL 47:3 | October 2016

The book reviews editor is Sarah Taylor, who is currently on leave of absence. Book Reviews Reviews in this issue have been collected and edited by Alan Crowden. of the key current research a global picture of the discussion on frameworks challenges. This Handbook state-of-play. The book for the achievement helps to address this also does not present an of sustainability i.e. maintained over thousands policy, which saw children challenge. uncritical view of ecosystem managing capital assets of years by the addition learning how to grow food services – for example in tandem with well- ABOUT E-BOOKS Writing a handbook of of charcoal, bone and and tend soil. This should Chapter 9 by Mark Sagoff being in its many senses such a fast-moving field Publishers do not dung. I have used modern be compulsory in all our explicitly presents a critical including environment must raise concerns that always provide us with equivalents (Biochar) on my schools. In ‘soil and climate perspective. (natural capital, ecosystem by the time the book is information on the allotment to good effect. change’, the practice of services), community and produced things will have In case you think this is existence of electronic ‘no till’ is scrutinised, as individual health and moved on. The editorial turning into a puff piece, I editions, and in any case In chapter two, we learn well as the measurement advancement. Such social- team of Potschin, Haines- do have a couple of niggles. often refer potential that an increase in the of greenhouse gas fluxes environmental relationships Young, Fish, and Turner First, it seemed to me that buyers to third party density of mycorrhizal across different soils, are constantly changing as acknowledge this risk, and at times the application sellers for information fungi can increase plant climates, seasons and examined in Chapter 3; the propose that rather than of concepts – for example on pricing. We have biomass by a staggering management regimes. All maintenance of equilibrium being seen as definitive text the use of the ecosystem therefore decided not 42%, but that there is in all, an enjoyable, in all such systems requires of a mature field it is best function concept - was to attempt to provide a plateau, suggesting accessible read. complex interplay i.e. some redundancy in the seen as a representation of not consistent between comprehensive feedback loops between fungal biota. Thirty pages Simon Bates the current state of play. chapters. This is potentially information on the Pursuing Sustainability. components which may of essential reading for confusing, although the availability or otherwise But as snapshots go, it’s a A Guide to the Science be social, environmental, farmers is contained in Handbook itself discusses of eBook versions of good one. Perhaps a good and Practice. economic and/or political. chapter three, which is all the variable usage of such This makes prediction the titles reviewed test of a book spanning Pamela Matson, William Earth Matters – about soil organic matter, terms and so it’s possible and planning difficult and here. Most publishers such a range of fields is C. Clark and Krister How soil underlies structure, macro and micro to pick this apart. Secondly, requires an interdisciplinary now produce electronic its ability to communicate Andersson, K. (2016) civilization nutrients, and the causes some chapters seemed to approach. Governance, versions of their books. to non-specialists key and consequences of have been more thoroughly Princeton University Press, the subject of Chapter 4, Those interested in Richard D Bardgett (2016) concepts from other fields, degradation. worked up than others. Princeton. 242pp. £24.95 is all important. It involves purchasing e-versions and it does this well. For Oxford University Press, For example, I was a bit (hbk) the concepts of collective of any titles are In ‘soil and the city’, the example, as an ecologist Oxford. 224pp, £18.99 (hbk) disappointed by Chapter ISBN 978-0-691-15761-0 action and common goals recommended to check ‘capping off’ of soils under I found the sections on ISBN 978 0 19 966856 4 4, which considers the which are also subject to concrete, including the non-monetary valuation of availabilty via the links between biodiversity Sustainability continues to external forces and factors trend for converting front services very accessible, publishers’ websites or This highly readable and ecosystem services, in maintain a high profile in that may be positive or gardens into parking lots, including the associated through suppliers such account on soil by a former that I was expecting more environmental literature negative. Interestingly, is linked to flooding and description of neo-classical as Amazon, Ebrary, vice-president of the BES from the presumably large some three decades after there is no consideration the urban heat island economics. The Handbook NetLibrary and many draws on 194 references, amount of recent research the Brundtland Report of of corruption which is effect. References to the is also good at providing more. enabling the reader to in this field. 1987 which introduced globally widespread and historic use of ‘night soil’ clarification concerning the dig deeper should they the precious concept of which cannot nor should in London and Manchester sometimes confusing and But these points are small wish. There are seven Routledge Handbook of sustainable development. not be ignored in discourses fascinate me. I know from complex use of terminology, beer. Despite inevitably chapters covering soil Ecosystem Services Its attainment, however, about sustainability; indeed my work in the Tamar for example the concept being a snapshot of a formation, biodiversity, remains elusive as many corruption lies at the heart Valley that the heyday of Edited by Marion Potschin, of ecosystem functions. fast-moving research area, how soil supports food environmental and social of many development market gardening was Roy Haines-Young, Robert I particularly liked the the fundamental concepts and drink production, problems accelerate. An failures. However, founded on human waste Fish and R. Kerry Turner inclusion of what are called covered by this book, cities, the influence of understanding of the issues Governance also involves brought up from Plymouth. Earthscan from Routledge, “Briefing Notes” – short, and the historical context war, and climate change. and their resolutions is the adequate funding and The practice is still used 630pp, £135 (hbk) focussed essays on specific within which the field is The author concludes thus a vital element of dissemination of knowledge in Japan, China and Korea topics. The provision developing, will not change. with how attitudes to, and ISBN 978-1-138-02508-0 environmental, and indeed linked with science and and is one reason why their throughout of real-world The clearly written and understanding of soil need political, education and is technology as well as soils remain fertile despite examples also helps with presented chapters make to change if the human race The concept of ecosystem the primary objective of education as examined huge population increases. the grounding of complex or this book highly accessible is to survive. services has exploded Pursuing Sustainability. The in Chapter 5. Bringing all I would have liked to have unfamiliar ideas. to a wide range of readers within the last decade, and definition of sustainability, these factors together to In chapter one, we are heard more about how from students to specialists. has come to dominate our Given that the editorial sustainable development achieve sustainability is introduced to soil horizons this works in practice. For I am sure this book will thinking about the natural team is entirely UK-based, and its history are outlined complicated and requires and how the parent example, how is the waste become a key text in this environment and how best I wondered whether the in Chapter 1 along with leadership, creativity and material, topography, treated and transported? field and that I’ll return to to communicate its benefits. UK-NEA might dominate, the role of science in persistence to achieve the climate, vegetation and The finite nature of it frequently as a point of Given the breadth of fields but this isn’t the case. The sustainable development common good, as reflected humans all interact to phosphate is a challenge reference for future work on which are engaged in UK-NEA is mentioned, but programmes. Four major in Chapter 6. There are also create different soils. We that ranks alongside oil ecosystem services. ecosystem service research, placed within the wider case studies are cited to two appendices; the first understand how the fertility depletion, in my opinion. it can be a challenge for context of international Rob Brooker illustrate past and present expands on the case studies of the Amazonian Terra those of us coming from Prepare for some dark facts research, and the author progress and to highlight examined in the opening Preta soils, which should one field to get a grasp of on soil contamination as list is truly international. the dominant themes chapter i.e. an historical be impoverished by the some of the basic concepts a result of war, with one And so the Handbook, as such as collaboration, perspective involving heat and humidity of the from other fields, let alone silver lining in the shape well as providing good topic complexity and challenge. London’s problems through tropics, have instead been to develop a clear picture of post-WWII educational coverage, also presents This is followed by a the ages, contemporary

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irrigation systems in Nepal, of such crops can be in the form of subsidies for bill and associated feeding including long-tailed tits, more consideration of the agricultural systems rotational, polycultural and renewable fuel production. mechanisms. He concludes Florida scrub-jays and non-avian examples of of the Yaqui Valley of sustainable i.e. they can be The final three chapters with a chapter on the Seychelles warblers, as this phenomenon, possibly Mexico, and an example multifunctional. Moreover, offer conclusions as to ways negative effects of Man on well as some less well- considering primates of a global issue, namely it must be recognized that forward with an emphasis birds. known avian examples and even branching out the protection of the ozone bioenergy accounts for c. on sustainability, a survey such as Taiwan yuhinas. into insects, arachnids layer from destruction 10 per cent of the world’s of those government This is a very detailed work The chapters cover the or crustaceans where by CFCs through the primary energy supply but policies which have and is more likely to be of traditional “helper at the alloparental care also Montreal protocol of 1987. that most (80 per cent) is yielded the best results, interest to the specialist but nest” scenario (e.g. western occurs. Appendix B comprises a used for traditional cooking and possible futures for it is an excellent summary bluebirds in the US), helpers glossary of terms, acronyms and heating e.g. wood two contrasting nations: of our current knowledge. within social units at sub- For me, the best single and various resources stoves charcoal production. Australia and Brazil. colony level (e.g. bell miners chapter was the final which are useful for those The remaining 20 per Overall, this is a valuable in Australia) and joint- synthesis. This is a really wishing to pursue further cent is used for ‘modern addition to the literature nesting whereby two or clear summary of the investigation. Prior to the bioenergy’ i.e. electricity on bioenergy crops; it more breeding individuals complexities of cooperative index there is a section production, biodiesel recognises problems, deals of the same sex jointly breeding and the different The Rise of Birds; containing notes which etc. which is the focus of in the reality of ecological care for their combined reasons for its initial expand on points made Baumber’s book. In Part protection, and reflects 225 Million years of offspring (e.g. guira cuckoo evolution and maintenance in the earlier chapters, Bioenergy Crops for 2 there is an appraisal of the ever present interplay Evolution 2nd edition in Brazil). Outside of the within different species. Tables and figures are and which give details of Ecosystem Health and the relationship between between politics, economics Sankar Chatterjee (2015) Aves, there is consideration literature quoted. Such energy cropping and the and environment. It of three species of mammal used to very good effect Sustainability. John Hopkins University additions might have been environment especially presents an abundance of (meerkats, banded here and the discussion Press better placed at the end Alex Baumber (2016) ecosystem health; facts and figures, numerous mongoose and naked mole of unanswered questions of each chapter. Overall, Routledge Earthscan this embraces climatic case studies, useful 370 pages, £38.50 hardback rats) and cichlid fishes. and where to go from here this is a clear and concise Abingdon and New York, change, deforestation, diagrams (but no maps) ISBN 978-1-4214-1590-1 There is a short scene- certainly should encourage exposition on sustainability. 216pp, £85 (hbk) land degradation and and extensive chapter-by- setting introduction at the the reader to reach for their The discovery, thirty years trusty field notebook and It is an accessible text ISBN 978-1-138-83883-3 ecological restoration. chapter reference lists. In start and a longer synthesis which includes authors’ There are numerous one sense this is a book ago, of a set of fossil bones Cooperative Breeding in drawing the different walking boots… personal observations Bioenergy crops are positive scenarios on a specialist topic but in that clearly belonged to a Vertebrates: Studies of strands of the disparate primitive bird, Protoavis, Anne Goodenough through their involvements controversial. The debate particularly in the context another sense its approach Ecology, Evolution and chapters together at the that lived in the age of with specific sustainability centres on competing of perennial bioenergy makes it relevant to a wide Behavior end. projects/issues. A primary land uses, notably land for crops as carbon sinks and audience in environmental the dinosaurs led Sankar message that each case/ biomass energy versus land in ecosystem protection. science/management at Chatterjee on a quest to Edited by Walter D. Koenig For an edited work, the scenario, at whatever for food and their respective The three chapters of advanced undergraduate understand their place and Janis L. Dickinson book is pleasingly coherent scale, must be judged sustainability values. This Part 3 are concerned with and postgraduate stages. in the history of life. He Cambridge University in terms of the number and managed on its own issue is defined in chapter the interplay between However, at £85 it is published his findings in Press, Cambridge. 390pp, and style of graphs and integrity is well presented 1 which opens with a range energy cropping and expensive and will only be the first edition of this book. £89.99 (hbk) tables throughout. Less Since then many more such standardized is the writing with appropriate diagrams of eye-catching quotes socio-economic issues. purchased by libraries. ISBN 978—107-04343-5 where necessary. This from recent literature These include possible fossils have come to light style, which varies between book is a useful addition focussing on the expansion competition with food Antoinette Mannion and this second edition This edited volume seeks first and third person in to the vast literature on of agrofuels, particularly oil production as well as brings all that information, to shed some light on the different chapters, and the sustainability. It merits palm. Such quotes reflect questions of land rights and much more, together. ecology, evolution, and structure, which alternates between something very inclusion in reading a commonly held view and impacts on local The sixteen chapters behaviour of cooperative recommendations for that these developments communities whose genres breeding. This fascinating akin to a journal article with cover the development of details of study sites and undergraduate and are environmentally de vie may be compromised the airframe, the origin of phenomenon, whereby postgraduate courses with detrimental and are through bioenergy cropping adults help rear offspring so-forth in some cases to a birds, Archaeopteryx and much more review-like style an emphasis on the many reflected in deforestation by outside commercial the continuing debate over that are not their own, was aspects of environmental data, especially in parties. An entire chapter described by naturalists as in others. This does make its place in the evolution the book feel rather less management. southeast Asia and is devoted to economic of flight, the Triassic early as the 19th century increasingly in Africa and issues which are especially and has since developed unified in style and means Forests: a very short Antoinette Mannion Protoavis which predates it is not easy for a reader South America. Baumber complex and relate to Archaeopteryx by 75 million into a specific field of study. introduction does not dispute these facts the type of bioenergy to make species-based years, evolution of birds Cooperative breeding comparisons on specific Jaboury Ghazoul (2015) but defines his objective produced, notably ethanol through the Cretaceous occurs in multiple taxa, points. That said, all the Oxford University Press, as seeking improved and biodiesel plus woody until the mass extinction and beneficial means of crops, likely changes in but is most studied in chapters read very clearly Oxford. 150pp, £7.99 and the subsequent and the regular use of sub- bioenergy production. future requirements and birds. This taxonomic bias ISBN 978-0-19-870617-5 development of the modern is evident in this edited headings helps the reader The scene is set with a the indirect economic bird families. He then goes volume, with 15 of the navigate the text. Although The title says it all: this is description of the many benefits of land protection. on to discuss the origin 19 data chapters having the taxonomic bias is not the book on which to varieties of biofuels: maize, A further consideration is of flight, development of a bird focus. Within this, understandable (and, in base your forestry doctoral soy, woody perennials the issue of government the egg and embryo, the there are chapters on some many ways, representative thesis, but it does fulfil i.e. oil palm, eucalyptus intervention policies, which development of the feather of the most well-known of the field) personally I the aim of the series, to and various perennial will vary between products and the development of the grasses. The management and on a temporal basis, cooperative breeders, would have liked a little provide a ‘stimulating and

56 57 BES Bulletin british ecologicalsociety.org VOL 47:3 | October 2016

accessible way into a new picks up the theme over 80 contributors. The forests; the climate change ALSO RECEIVED ISBN 978-0-22616604-9 (hbk) subject’. It also contains a of past deforestation editors have however done drought chapter is limited ISBN 978-0-22616618-6 (pbk) wide range of comments and what drives it, but a good job of producing to boreal forests. Notes by Alan Crowden and insights, some of which also the potential for a reasonably coherent A multi-author book with are likely to be new even forest restoration. The volume. The diagrams, My main concern was Ecological Mechanics: the usual strengths and to the more experienced uncertainties introduced by boxes and tables are clear whether it really could Principles of Life’s weaknesses of the genre. be an ‘authoritative woodland ecologist. potential climate change and useful, but the black Physical Interactions With seventeen chapters for both present and future and white photographs in text’, appeal ‘to the divided into four sections, Mark Denny (2016) It refreshingly starts with forests are highlighted. The some of the chapters are not layperson interested in the book draws on a much a chapter on Forests in book ends with a summary as sharp as they might be. an introduction to forest Princeton University Press, wider range of expertise in Human Culture (the sort of why we need to take ecology’ and provide Princeton. 530pp, £55 (hbk) the ecological, social and of thing that usually gets The book is divided into ‘graduate students with a responsibility for what sort ISBN 978-0-691-16315-4 legal aspects of invasive left to the end in ecological of forest cover we want seven parts. The first has comprehensive collection species than would be textbooks), introducing to have in the future. The chapters on major forest of current research’. There One of the puffs on the possible with a single or modern day environmental author is optimistic that biomes and a separate are 2-3 pages of references back cover of this book dual authorship. While the activists, the Epic of forests will persist, just not consideration of managed per chapter so these are not aptly describes it as a “tour focus is on North American Gilgamesh, Romanticism necessarily the forests that forests; the second section comprehensive reviews of de forces”, that is a tour examples, there is input and the role (or not) of we recognise today. Well deals with forest dynamics, a topic, but they do provide of how diverse physical from other parts of the shifting cultivation in worth a read. in particular the responses a good starting point for forces in the environment world. Overall, the book tropical deforestation. This to disturbances driven further research. You would help govern the physiology, highlights the need for a is followed by exploration Keith Kirby by fire, storms and insect need to be really dedicated behaviour, ecology and multidisciplinary approach of the problems of defining pests but also aspects of as a layperson to try to read evolution of organisms. to an ecological problem what a forest actually is succession and the role this book cover to cover. There are hefty doses of that can never be addressed (bamboo in or out, what of genetic diversity in However, the language physics, fluid dynamics, adequately without the lower limit of tree cover affecting how the forest is accessible enough and mechanics and more in right management, legal is used) illustrating the responds to disturbance. the chapters sufficiently this tome, but for those framework and social potential issues that may Section three has chapters self-contained for it to be interested in the emerging attitudes. Excellent arise when dealing with on a range of different a book that is dipped into. field of ecomechanics, this introductory and summary international forestry species groups – obvious From the graduate student is a ‘must have’ book. chapters by the editors set statistics. We then take ones such as birds and perspective, the cost of the the scene and draw some a walk through different mammals, but also hardback will limit how Plant Life of the conclusions from this timely forest types from the tropics vascular epiphytes and many will use it in this Dolomites: Vegetation and useful book. to boreal zones, in which lianes. Part four explores form unless purchased by the author has picked nutrient, water and energy their libraries. However, Tables Green Exercise out the key differences in movements in forest there is an ebook option Erika Pignatti and Sandro their physiognomy and systems; part five various at about a third the price, Punatti (2016) Linking Nature, Health and composition, as well as the issues relating to forest and increasingly that is the Springer Heidelberg 568pp, Well-Being main causes. conservation. Climate trend for books of this sort. £104.50 (hbk) change gets its own section Edited by Jo Barton, Rachel The book has a walk with six chapters including I think it succeeds ISBN 978-3-48032-8 Bragg, Carly Wood and through time as well, Routledge Handbook of surprisingly well, given the Jules Pretty (2016) Forest Ecology effects on fire regimes, This is described as a looking right back to forests spread of its subject matter. Routledge, Abingdon. droughts, carbon budget supplement to the book of the Middle Devonian Edited by Kelvin S.-H. Peh, changes and modelling It does provide a framework 228pp, £29.99 (pbk) and through to the modern for understanding the Plant Life of the Dolomites: Richard T. Corlett and Yves studies. The final part is ISBN 978-1-138-80765-5 era. This brings in the role Bergeron (2015). different topics covered Vegetation Structure and a bit of a hotch-potch, but Ecology, providing in-depth of humans in modifying by the chapters, that The book brings together Routledge, Abingdon and covers aspects of human analysis of over 100 plant even so-called pristine you cannot get just from research on the synergistic New York. 668pp, £125 interactions with forests communities of the Dolomite tropical forests, raising (hbk) such as non-timber forest running a search for papers health benefits of being the question of what we in Google Scholar or Web of vegetation. ISBN978-0-415-73545-2 products, recreation, physically active in green really mean by a ‘natural’ hunting, urban forestry. Science. spaces; the green exercise forest. There is a chapter on (hbk) Invasive Species in a Keith Kirby of the book’s title. The natural disturbances (wind, ISBN 978-1-315-81829-0 There are gaps, many Globalized World conclusion is that green (ebk). fire, herbivores, disease) of which the editors Ecological, Social and Legal exercise benefits individual followed by one focussing themselves acknowledge health and wellbeing, This is a weighty tome Perspectives on Policy of the provision of goods since it would be impossible increases knowledge in every sense. It aims to and services for human to cover everything equally Edited by Reuben P. Keller, and care for natural provide ‘a state of the art societies from forests – in even as large a book as Marc W. Cadotte and Glenn environments, and provides summary of our current timber, medicinal plants, this is: for example, the Sandiford (2015) a policy link between health knowledge of forest clean water, carbon storage biome descriptions do not and the environment. ecology’ from a variety of The University of Chicago - and the role of biodiversity cover southern temperate What’s not to like? perspectives, production, Press 418pp, £87.50 (hbk), in maintaining this supply. forests; the main pests and £31.50 (pbk) conservation recreation, pathogens chapter focusses The final chapter ‘Past, and across a wide range just on North American Present and Future’ of forest biomes with

58 59 BES Bulletin VOL 47:3 | October 2016 diary accounts Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 together with Council’s and auditor’s reports SEP 6-8 NOV 28 – DEC 2 The Society’s Meetings Ento’ 16 Annual National Science Ecological Society of Australia Company number: 1522897 2016 Meeting. Harper Adams University Annual Meeting. Fremantle, Western College, Shropshire. Further details Australia Charity number: 281213 DEC 11-14 from: http://www.royensoc.co.uk/ Details from: 2016 Annual Meeting. Liverpool, UK. content/ento-16-annual-national- http://www.esa2016.org.au/ Full details from: science-meeting http://www.britishecologicalsociety. org/events/current_future_ SEP 20-23 Other Meetings 2017 meetings/2016-annual-meeting/ 20th Evolutionary Biology Meeting. AUG 21-25 12th International Marseilles, France. Further details: Congress The Society’s Committee http://sites.univ-provence.fr/evol-cgr/ of Ecology: Ecology and Civilization in a Changing World. Beijing, China. SEP 25-30 Meetings 2016 Details from: Entomological Society of America. http://www.intecol2017.org/ OCT 11 Orlando, Florida. Policy Committee Website: http://ice2016orlando.org/ Training Workshops OCT 12 SEP 25-30 Meetings Committee ICE 2016. International Congress The Chartered Institute for Ecology of Entomology. Orlando, Florida, USA. and Environmental Management DEC 11 Website: http://ice2016orlando.org/. runs a wide variety of workshops for Council professional development. For further NOV 7-9 information and availability see Other Meetings 2016 New trends in evolutionary biology: www.cieem.net or e-mail: biological, philosophical and social [email protected]. SEP 1-10 science perspectives. The Royal IUCN World Conservation Congress. Society, UK. The Centre for Research into Hawaii, USA. Details from: Website: https://royalsociety.org/ Ecological and Environmental http://www. events/2016/11/evolutionary-biology/ Modelling runs a variety of workshops iucnworldconservationcongress.org/ on a regular basis. For further NOV 7-11 information and availability see www. SEP 4-7 World Lake Conference 2016: Lake creem.st-and.ac.uk/conferences.php ECSA 56 Coastal systems in Ecosystem Health and its Resilience: transition: From a ‘natural’ to an Diversity and the Risks of Extinction. ‘anthropogenically-modified’state. Bali, Indonesia. Details from: Bremen, Germany. Website: http:// http://www.ilec.or.jp/en/wlc/ www.estuarinecoastalconference.com/ new/?p=2864

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Trustees and Advisors Council’s report For the year ended 31 December 2015

steps for the prevention and detection of The Society has a governance document Members of Council Executive Director Chairpersons of standing 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS fraud and other irregularities. which details the structure, terms of A Beckerman Resigned December H Norman Committees (as at date of The Trustees present their report and reference and membership of Council Statement of disclosure to auditors: 2015 financial statements for the year ended and its committees. The work of each this report) 31 December 2015. • so far as the directors are aware, committee is supported by a member P Brotherton Appointed December Principal address of staff. Finance Board D Purves there is no relevant audit information 2015 of which the company’s auditors are Charles Darwin House The 2015 – 2019 strategic plan for Management Board S Hartley 2. COUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITIES unaware; and Y Buckley Appointed December 12 Roger Street the Society provides an exciting and 2015 London WC1N 2JU Education, Training The Council of the British Ecological • they have taken all the steps that they challenging framework for the Z Davies & Careers Committee W Gosling Society (the Trustees and directors) are ought to have taken as directors in Society’s activities as it moves into responsible for preparing the Annual order to make themselves aware of its second century. M Eichhorn Auditors Report and the financial statements in any relevant audit information and to Grants Committee R Hails accordance with applicable law and establish that the company’s auditors Remuneration of all staff, including W Gosling Mazars LLP Times House Meetings Committee Z Davies regulations. are aware of that information. key management personnel, is Diana Gilbert Throwley Way considered on an annual basis by the Membership Committee A Pullin Company law requires the Council to Sutton Society’s Personnel Committee. A Gray prepare financial statements for each 3. GOVERNANCE: CONSTITUTION, Surrey SM1 4JQ financial year. Under that law the Council R Hails Personnel Committee A Vanbergen STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT have elected to prepare the financial 4. STATEMENT OF GOALS S Hartley Bankers Public and Policy J Vickery statements in accordance with United OF THE SOCIETY AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES D Hodgson Resigned December Committee Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Barclays Bank plc Practice (United Kingdom Accounting The BES is a company limited by The objects for which the Society is 2015 Publications Committee A Gray 60 High Street Standards and applicable law). The guarantee (Registration no. 1522897) established are to advance the education Jane Hill Putney financial statements are required by law and has no share capital. As a registered of the public in the subject of ecology London SW11 1XB to give a true and fair view of the state of charity (Registration no. 281213). It Nina Hautekèete Appointed December as a branch of natural sciences and to affairs of the company and of the surplus is governed by its Memorandum and 2015 advance and support research in that Solicitors or deficit of the company for that period. Articles of Association. field, and to disseminate the results of G Hurst Resigned December In preparing these financial statements, such useful research. Council is the supreme governing 2015 Stone King Sewell LLP the Council are required to: body of the BES. Council comprises 16 St John’s Lane The vision of the British Ecological O Lewis • select suitable accounting policies and the President, President- Elect or Past London EC1M 4BS Society is: then apply them consistently; President, two Vice Presidents, Honorary M O’Callaghan A world inspired, informed and • observe the methods and principles in Treasurer, Honorary Secretary, Chair influenced by ecology A Pullin Investment Advisors the Charities SORP’; of the Education, Training and Career Committee, Chair of the Meetings and our mission is to: D Purves Barclays Wealth • make judgements and estimates that Committee, Chair of the Publications Charity Investments Team are reasonable and prudent; P Raven Resigned December Committee, Chair of the Public and Policy Generate, communicate and promote 15th Floor 2015 • state whether applicable UK Committee, and 12 Ordinary Members. ecological knowledge and solutions 1 Churchill Place Accounting Standards have been Council is responsible for nominating E Sayer London E14 5HP followed, subject to any material officer and chair posts and members of In order to achieve this our major goals are to: Dawn Scott Appointed December departures disclosed and explained in the Society are able to put themselves 2015 Office bearers the financial statements; forward for these roles. Nomination for • Communicate world-leading Ordinary Members is open to the whole • prepare the financial statements on ecological science I Stott President S Hartley membership. All members of Council are the going concern basis unless it is Appointed December 2015 elected by the membership at the AGM. • Generate, synthesise and exchange W Sutherland inappropriate to presume that the All newly appointed Trustees go through ecological knowledge Past President W Sutherland Company will continue in business. L Turnbull a process of induction which fully briefs • Share the excitement and relevance Appointed December 2015 them about their roles, responsibilities A Vanbergen Appointed December The Council is responsible for keeping of ecology Vice President R Hails and the BES. 2015 proper accounting records which disclose • Inspire, engage and recognise talent with reasonable accuracy at any time Vice President A Pullin There are nine committees that report • Build a sustainable, resilient and J Vickery the financial position of the British to Council. These committees cover efficient Society Hon. Secretary A Vanbergen Ecological Society (BES) and enable them specific areas of work such as education, Appointed December 2015 to ensure that the accounts comply with meetings, publications, finance etc., and the Companies Act 2006. They are also Hon. Treasurer D Purves comprise Council members and, in most responsible for safeguarding the assets of cases, ordinary members drawn from the the BES and hence for taking reasonable Society’s members.

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Ecology is the scientific study of the 5.1 Communicate world-leading Our in-house publications team produced Finally, our Annual Meeting in December Training & Travel Grants contributed We are pleased to note that 2015 saw the distribution, abundance and dynamics ecological science, and generate, another informative guide for early career was a busy time for the publications £26,000 to enable 60 PhD students or development of a new grants database. of organisms, their interactions with synthesise and exchange ecological researchers to sit alongside our guides team, with many Associate Editors postgraduate research assistants to All deadlines were met, which meant it other organisms and with their physical knowledge to peer review and data management. A and Editors travelling from overseas present their research at meetings was possible to use this system for the environment. At a time when finite Guide to Getting Published in Ecology and within the UK to attend a variety across the world or take part in specialist first round of applications in 2016. This natural resources are being used at These major goals are primarily and Evolution features top tips from a of journal development meetings. field training. online database will increase efficiency increasing rates, it has never been supported by our work in publishing, wide range of academics at all stages The success of our journals is largely within the BES office and provide a much more important for human society to meetings and grants. of their careers and, like all these attributable to these individuals and In 2013, Grants Committee recognised more user friendly system for all users. understand its impact on ecological early career researcher guides, can be it was a pleasure to welcome so many the importance of the Committee’s We have already received a substantial systems (which includes systems Publishing - Resources Expended = downloaded free of charge at www. of them to Edinburgh and have the activities being transparent and made amount of positive comments from those intensively managed or impacted £1,4644,000 (48% of total) britishecologicalsociety.org/besguides. opportunity to discuss the journals and the decision to make all grant success that have used it and will take into on by humans such as arable farms, In conjunction with the BES External academic publishing more widely with rates publically available on the BES account any feedback over the course During 2015, the BES continued to pastures and marine fisheries) and Affairs team, a webinar on this topic was them. The publications team also ran two website. The 2015 success rates can be of the next year. In 2016, the Grants & deliver high quality ecological research their importance in maintaining human also coordinated and run in early 2016, events while in Edinburgh, a workshop seen below. Comparing to the 2014 rates, Events Officer will continue to develop across our portfolio of academic journals, health. The BES’s many activities include featuring presentations from many of on Maximising the Exposure of Your there was a small increase in the rate for bespoke areas of the system and migrate fulfilling one of its major goals of the publication of a range of scientific those who contributed to the Guide. Research and a panel debate on The both Small and Large Research. There data from the previous database. communicating world-leading ecological literature, including internationally Future of Data Archiving, both of which was a drop in Outreach from 13% - 9% science. Publishing remains the BES’s renowned journals, the organisation In April, we celebrated the 5th led to lots of useful discussion between and a drop in Ecologists in Africa from main source of income, and the surplus and sponsorship of a wide variety of anniversary of Methods in Ecology and the participants and panellists. 10% - 6%. is reinvested in our other charitable meetings, the funding of numerous grant Evolution with a 16-hour Anniversary activities, including grant-giving, schemes, public engagement, education Symposium, starting in the UK and Research - Resources Expended = 2015 Success Rates subsidising meetings and providing work and policy work. The Society continuing in Canada. The event was £266,000 (9% of total) education and policy expertise. has approximately 5,000 members livestreamed for free around the world Grant Type Number of applications number of awards success Rate – a first for a BES meeting – and was In 2015 the Society received 395 worldwide, and membership is open Access to ecological research is a watched by over 1,500 people across applications for funding across its main Large research 43 7 16% to all with an interest in ecology. There priority for the BES so we make all six continents. grants portfolio (excluding Training is a small membership fee, with content freely available to members Small Research 104 22 21% discounts for students and those from & Travel), and funded 48 projects and free to access to all 24 months after Outreach 132 12 9% low income countries. The BES heavily relies on the excellent totalling £301,312. This continues to publication, as well as providing free or service offered by our anonymous peer show a steady increase in applications Ecologists in Africa 116 7 6% heavily discounted content immediately reviewers and Chuck Fox, Executive submitted, compared to the 348 5. REPORT ON PRINCIPAL after publication to institutions in many Editor of Functional Ecology, has been applications submitted in 2014. Going developing countries. In addition, each of investigating peer review quality and forward, it will be important for the We have awarded a number of prizes to Meetings - Resources Expended = ACTIVITIES the journals have different paper types different types of bias in peer review Society to consider how to mitigate the outstanding individuals in recognition £592,000 (19% of total) that are always free to access, including The Trustees confirm that they have using author, reviewer and editor date impact of decreasing application success of their contribution towards the science Journal of Applied Ecology’s Policy The exchange of ideas and networking complied with the duty in section 17 of from Functional Ecology between 2004 rates (see table below). of ecology, including our annual Anne Direction articles, the first three of which that happens at scientific conferences the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard and 2014. While he has found that Keymer student talk prize and Best were published in 2015. The focus of The majority of our awards went towards and field trips are vital ways in which to the Charity Commission’s general the peer review process does differ in Poster Prize at the 2016 Annual Meeting Policy Directions is to inform and improve funding scientific ecological research science advances and develops. Although guidance on public benefit. All trustees some aspects depending on editor and in Edinburgh. policy for a wide range of subjects and projects. We supported small projects we charge a registration fee to attend, give their time voluntarily and do not reviewer gender, reassuringly neither to provide a broad policy context for with new and innovative ideas, as We continue to support the Gratis Book the Society subsidises events to ensure receive any private benefit. Details of author, reviewer or editor gender affect a topic and these three articles have well as larger projects that aim to help Scheme, the aim of which is to provide fees are low for students and unemployed trustees’ expenses and remuneration are the outcomes of peer review. This already been downloaded over 3,000 early career ecologists to establish an ecology and conservation books to members – and always try to negotiate disclosed in notes 5 and 15 respectively. research has led to a number of papers times. Research from across the journals published in Ecology and Evolution independent research career in ecology. those from outside Western Europe, the best price when possible. also featured in a large number of The first four of the Society’s strategic and Functional Ecology and the BES is North America, Japan, Australia, and international news outlets during 2015, We supported ecologists in developing In 2015, our Annual Meeting was held at goals stated in section 4 provide clear supporting Chuck to extend this research New Zealand who would otherwise be including The Telegraph, The Guardian, countries through the Ecologists in the EICC in Edinburgh. It ran from 13 - 16 public benefits, whilst the final one to the other BES journals during 2016. unable to obtain them. The purpose The Independent, BBC, Discovery News, Africa grant scheme. This scheme December and attracted 1,200 delegates defines the ways in which the Society of this scheme is to spread ecological The Huffington Post, Smithsonian.com recognises that ecologists in Africa from over 45 countries. There were 430 gains greater leverage from its finite Our Ecological Reviews book series knowledge as widely as possible. This and CBC. face unique challenges in carrying out talks spread over the daily 12 parallel resources and ensures its long-term publishes on topics that have achieved scheme is a collaboration between research and aims to provide them sessions with 230 posters and two poster sustainability. a critical mass of knowledge in the the British Ecological Society (who Our open access partner journal, Ecology past five years. Two new volumes were with support to develop their skills, pay for the postage), the NHBS online sessions. We were pleased to be able to and Evolution, continues to grow both draw renowned names to present our The BES portfolio of grants covers all published in 2015 and both are already experience, and knowledge base, as well bookstore (who co-ordinate and organise in direct submissions and transfers from plenary lectures; Luigi Boitani gave the of the Society’s aims. It can be divided seeing excellent sales: Trophic Ecology, as making connections with ecologists in the distribution), and the publishers its sixteen feeder journals, including the BES Lecture, Josephine Pemberton the into several broad categories; research, edited Hanley & La Pierre; and Conflicts the developed world. and authors of the books (who provide five BES titles. Since launch, more than Tansley Lecture, Pat Monaghan the ’12 training & travel, outreach and support in Conservation, edited by Redpath, the books for free). In 2015, the BES 12,000 manuscripts have been referred Finally, funding has also contributed to Months in Ecology’ and Bill Sutherland, for ecologists in Africa. The BES funds Gutiérrez, Wood & Young. Conflicts in contributed £2,500 enabling 217 books to to the journal, with over 1,500 of these Outreach grants, which support projects who gave the Presidential Address. grants with the aim of promoting Conservation has been reviewed in The be dispatched to over 55 countries. authors requesting to transfer their promoting the public engagement of ecology as widely as possible and Times and on the BES Policy Blog and manuscript for consideration by Ecology ecology and/or improving skills in Workshops are now a staple of our hence individual awards are generally both volumes have been spotted on the We provide an annual contribution to and Evolution. This means that 1,500 science communication. meeting programme, so we retained the of relatively small value, although many shelves in Foyles’ flagship store. support scholarships for students from sets of reviews have been transferred popular extended lunchtime slots for awards are made. European institutions to attend Tropical from one journal to another within the Biology Association courses. In 2015 our sixteen community-generated workshops discipline, a considerable saving of contribution of £10,000 allowed 23 young over the two full days. Those who did not valuable reviewer and author time. biologists from 17 institutions, spanning attend workshops were able to use the 13 countries, to attend field courses in extra time to network. Tanzania, Borneo and Madagascar.

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We built on the successes of the previous book signing at Blackwells and a policy 5.2 Share the excitement and relevance The BES provides support for members Finally, the Policy Officer extended BES’s The Society funded 10 A-level students year and paid special attention to the debate on GM. of ecology to build their skills, develop their careers knowledge and participation in policies to participate in In2Science, a scheme delegate experience – ensuring people and enhance the policy impact of their beyond the UK, forming networks with aimed at supporting young people from felt welcomed, included and represented. We also took the opportunity to publicly This major goal is primarily supported by work. Long running schemes such as the Society for Conservation Biology, and underrepresented groups to access It was the first year that we held an thank those who helped us make such a our work in policy. the POST Fellowship and Parliamentary contributing to Wildlife and Countryside higher education. The scheme will LGBT+ evening mixer and were asked positive impact – our numerous assistant Shadowing Scheme continued in 2015 to Link’s response to the European continue to grow over the next five years. to host a Christian morning mixer; both editors, Special Interest Groups leaders Resources Expended = £206,000 provide members with direct access to Commission’s REFIT “Fitness Check” The scheme successfully saw more of which were attended by relatively and grants Review College volunteers. (7% of total) policy makers. We also held a range of of the Birds and Habitats Directive as students accepted to HE science small numbers (17 and c. 10 respectively), We thank them for their commitment and training days for PhD students and policy part of a coalition of 100 environmental courses for September 2015. All students The BES seeks to demonstrate the major but the feedback was overwhelmingly enthusiasm in helping us to attain our workshops, and successfully extended organisations, ensuring that the latest were invited to attend a celebratory contribution that ecological science can positive and we have been encouraged to shared goals. the policy internship from three to six ecological evidence was brought to event to meet the Society and collect make to meeting national and global run them again in Liverpool. months. The BES Women in Ecology the fore. careers resources. challenges. In our science policy work, In addition to the Annual Meeting, we Mentoring Scheme was also re-instated we promote decision making informed We moved the AGM to run immediately delivered two symposia throughout in 2015; this was an External Affairs 5.3 Inspire, engage and recognise talent The Society provided free to attend by ecological science, and engage in after Josephine Pemberton’s plenary the year. The first was Demography Team project involving the Policy Manger training for 25 Early Career researchers policies that facilitates a robust, diverse, lecture this year, which dramatically Beyond the Population, 24 – 26 March in and the Education Assistant. This major goal is primarily supported delivered by Science Made Simple, increased the numbers from a Sheffield, hashtag #beyonddemog. It was well-funded and broad based community by our work in education. these students were then supported to disappointing turn out in 2014 in Lille. organised by a truly international group: of ecological scientists. In 2015 the BES’s Several events brought both BES practice their public engagement skills Alden Griffiths (Wellesley College, USA), policy activities were reviewed and a members and non-members together Resources Expended = £256,000 at BES led events. The BES delivered To build on the sense of community, we Jessica Metcalf (Princeton University, refreshed strategy for policy engagement to be informed by and ask questions (8% of total) public engagement events at RHS better promoted the Christmas Jumper USA), Rob Salguero-Gomez (Trinity was finalised. The new policy strategy of decision makers. The first People, Chelsea, Wychwood, Glastonbury, The Society supports the ecological day and awarded prizes for the best College Dublin, Ireland), Sean McMahon allows for a focus on targeted proactive Politics and the Planet debate, in Lambeth Country Fair, GreenMan. education of people of all ages and aims outfit; we also encouraged exhibitors (Smithsonian Environmental Research ecological topics, makes more of partnership with CIEEM and the The approximate total number of to support ecologists at each stage to join us in decorating their stands Center, USA), Cory Merow (University the many training opportunities our Sibthorp Trust, brought together over conversations between scientists and of their career development through for the final day. Although these are of Connecticut, USA) and Dylan Childs members participate in, and improves 300 people ahead of the General Election the public is estimated to be 4,000. providing advice and opportunities soft measures, they had a discernible (University of Sheffield, UK). It drew in connections both within the BES and to question a panel of politicians, for professional development. The impact on the goodwill our delegates an equally international delegate number with external networks. including Green Party Leader Natalie The Society continued to deliver BES supports our members in the felt towards us – helped by the array of of 100. It was also the first time a special Bennet, Defra Minister Lord de Mauley, careers advice, mentoring for women in We communicate the value of ecological development of education and public communal games in the exhibition area, feature was produced that encompassed and Shadow Minister Barry Gardiner, science and other groups across a range knowledge to policy makers and promote engagement activities related to ceilidh and disco. The feedback paid each BES journal. on their environmental policies. A of free to attend events and conferences, evidence-informed solutions. In 2015, the their research. tribute to this extra effort with a record public debate on GM technologies in heavily subsidised support for teachers Ecology Matters leaflet was published number expressing high levels Our second symposium, The Ecology Edinburgh attracted press coverage by and lecturers within Higher Education and given to key policy contacts, as well In 2015, The Society extended the of satisfaction. and Evolution of Emerging Plants and BBC Scotland. In the latter part of 2015, and provided paper based resources as informing follow-up publications in Ecological Ambassadors scheme by Pathogens: Challenges to Global Food planning began for the 2016 People, to schools. Science in Parliament, a magazine for providing training for PhD students Twitter continued to be the main social Security and Ecosystem Resilience Politics and the Planet debate, which MPs at Westminster, and In Practice, in developing schools engagement. media platform, again using it to accept was organised by Daniel Bebber, Sarah will be held in July, and for the April 5.4 Build a sustainable, resilient and the members’ magazine for CIEEM. PhD students reflected the breadth of questions for our plenary speakers. Its Gurr and Britt Kosella, all of University BES symposium on the science-policy efficient Society In Scotland, MSPs were invited to the ecological science and represented all popularity at our Annual Meetings grows of Exeter. It was held at the Penryn interface in conservation. year on year, with the meeting hashtag Campus, Cornwall and attracted 85 poster session at the Annual Meeting in four nations of the UK. Students were We have a duty to ensure the long term provided with funding to visit at least #BES2015 trending for the whole three delegates. The hashtag was #pestsym Edinburgh and were met by the Scottish The Scottish Policy Group continued viability of the Society. During 2009 BES two schools ensuring where possible days – expanding the meeting’s reach to Policy Group who highlighted relevant to grow its activities and carried out a Council co-invested in Charles Darwin they engaged with harder to reach those unable to join us onsite. Our Special Interest Groups provide a emerging research. range of events including a workshop House to provide new office space for schools and promoting progression to valuable source of individual disciplinary and parliamentary tour at the annual the Society, shared with several other The BES engaged with parliamentarians Higher Education for all. Evaluations We are aware of our commitment to the accessibility to members and non- meeting, ‘Pie and a Pint’ nights on policy organisations with complimentary on specific ecological topics including from students and schools have been wider society, which is why we keep members, and deliver events for specific and social media and conservation aims (i.e. the Society for Experimental natural capital through the launch very positive, at the time of writing 22 registration process as low as possible – ecological areas. There are currently 16 conflicts networks, a webinar on the Biology). The building has also generated of the Natural Capital Initiative 2014 individual schools had been visited with actively seeking extra revenue through groups, taking on the Behavioural and future of the European Birds and income from office leases and hire of summit report in Westminster, and two further visits planned for spring onwards. sponsorship and the sale of exhibition Microbial groups in the latter part of Habitats Directives and participation in the conference facilities and this was major consultations; the GM Insects The scheme will continue to grow space. We ensure the Annual Meeting is the year. Scottish Environment Week. SPG also expanded with the purchase of a second inquiry where BES were invited to give in 2016. great value for everyone, but particularly established a communications team, building in 2013. In 2015, there were over 35 events, oral evidence to the Lords Science and students and our unemployed members, and presence on social media, as well ranging from a techniques workshop in Technology Select Committee, and the The Society launched its first In 2015 we continued to develop and which is why we offer them reduced rates as moving to a full committee structure Portugal to establishing collaborative Environmental Audit Select Committee Summer School, a week-long support the BES Journals to further – and additional reductions for students with a new Chair. New relationships partnerships in India. We subsidise inquiry on Soil Health. We have also residential school for 1st and 2nd year enhance their standing so that they who work as a ‘student helper’ for part of were established with MSPs through these events and promote them through brought together members’ expertise undergraduates. 48 students from 30 remain a sustainable and significant the meeting. participation for the first time in Scottish our various communication channels. on the Research Excellence Framework, universities attended the school, the income stream for the Society in the Environment Link’s Environment Week in We continue to develop a raft of events However, in line with the desire to Invasive Non-Native Species, the Higher school was free to attend and travel near future, despite uncertainties over the Scottish Parliament. within the Annual Meeting – ensuring achieve cost neutrality, the SIGs have Education Green Paper, EU regulation bursaries were offered. The school the impact of open access and economic continues in 2016 and is expanded. we offer outstanding value and are also been encouraged to be cost effective, of the Life Sciences and more in joint The Wales Policy Group was also challenges across the world. competitively priced. These included or raise profit if possible. They have responses with Wildlife & Countryside established in late 2015, with over 100 practical workshops, career development, also been more encouraged to operate Link and the Royal Society of Biology. members, many of which are working opportunities to network informally and through social media, and their activity within Welsh Government. The WPG is events for the public; Edinburgh hosted continues to increase. developing activities for the coming year. our first public BES Science Slam (hosted by comedian Rob Newman), a high street

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The 2015-19 Strategic Plan included 5.4.2 Investment Policy and 5.4.4 Reserves Policy The designated tangible fixed asset fund A sustained decline in attendance at in 2010. The refurbishment of the second an objective to diversity the Society’s Performance comprises the net book value of fixed the Society’s meetings: The difficult building represents the same opportunity income as a way of increasing the In 2015 the Society reviewed and revised assets held by the Society, principally the funding situation in Higher Education and we are again aiming for a BREEAM resilience of the organisation. During The listed investments held by the its reserves policy. Society’s office in London and as such could have a significant impact on the Excellent rating. the year a fundraising consultant was BES and managed by Barclays Wealth it is not available to meet the general ability of academics to participate in commissioned to produce a sustainable were worth £3.7M in 2015 and their The Society holds reserves for three running costs of the Society. BES meetings. There is now a timetable The move to Charles Darwin House has fundraising strategy for the BES and in performance is in-line with appropriate purposes. The first is to act as a buffer for publicity for BES Symposia and created a new base line for resource December 2015 BES Council accepted benchmarks. As returns from cash against uncertainties over future The level of reserves and the Society’s Annual Meetings, for both the Bulletin consumption from 2010 onwards, most of the recommendations from investments are very low and there is no journal publishing income and generate financial strategy is regularly reviewed and website, to ensure the ecological although the increase in occupancy of the the resulting report. In 2016 those immediate need to hold investments in income for its operational needs (the and monitored by the Trustees. The community is informed of meetings office floors to rent during 2010 and into recommendations will be implemented. cash, the trustees decided to move £1M Expendable Endowment Fund). This is reserves policy is reviewed annually at well in advance. The Annual Meeting 2011, the second phase of construction from cash to the investment portfolio in held as a designated fund and stands the Finance Board meeting in September will move back to its traditional in 2010, the significant increase in the 5.4.1 Financial Management and Control 2015. The investment managers produce at £5.0M (£5.0M in 2014). Continuing and any recommended changes are December slot and the Annual Meeting use of the conference suite over this time a quarterly summary of performance for concern over the stability of academic considered by Council in December in Edinburgh was very well attended. period and a significant increase in the During the year the BES Committees the Honorary Treasurer and Executive publishing pricing models suggests of that year. The new strategic plan for the Society number of staff working at CDH in have undertook a wide range of activities Director. The investment managers that there is significant insecurity over provides an excellent framework for the influenced electricity consumption. The in pursuit of the Society’s charitable attend one meeting of the Finance this very significant source of income 5.4.5 Risk Management continued development of our meetings, drop in energy use in 2015 is most likely objectives. It is therefore necessary to Board a year to discuss performance and for the Society. On addition, the Society ensuring that they remain attractive a result of a decrease in the number The BES has a risk register. It is have budgets and clearly written policies general strategy. Day to day investment has a high level of commitment to to core audiences whilst attracting of people working in CDH1 as tenants reviewed in detail each spring by the about what activities will be funded and decisions are delegated to Barclays its current expenditure levels in the new ones. moved to the new CDH2 building during how, and to communicate these clearly to Wealth in accordance with the agreed short and medium term. Significant BES Committees and then approved the year. all involved. mandate. The BES has spread its risk uncertainty over most of the income by Council in June. The risk register A sustained decline in membership: combined with a high commitment to identifies areas of risk, ranks them in as far as practicable by part owning The Society’s Membership Committee Year energy Consumption at CDH1 The Finance Committee considers its headquarters building and holding expenditure represents a major risk to priority ordered according to impact receives regular reporting on quarterly management accounts at some of its reserves in long-term deposit the organisation. The Society is using the multiplied by probability, states who membership numbers and trends. 2010 391,352 kWh its meetings through the year, with accounts as well as in equities, bonds expendable endowment fund to gradually or which Committee is responsible Council regularly discusses the role of 2011 372,939 kWh a narrative provided by the Honorary and trust funds. accumulate reserves so as to provide for each risk, states how the risk is learned societies such as the BES in the Treasurer and Executive Director, as currently mitigated and what actions greater long-term stability without 21st century and reviews the activities 2012 394,633 kWh appropriate. The narrative focuses on During 2015 we commissioned an affecting its day-to-day activities. It is remain outstanding. of the organization to ensure we provide reasons for variation against budget. independent review of the performance the trustees’ intention to build the fund excellent services that are wanted and 2013 407,474 kWh Some of the major risk areas are: The quarterly management accounts are of Barclays Wealth. This demonstrated to approximately £10,000,000. A Total needed by the ecological community. A major loss in income from journals 2014 441,169 kWh also circulated to budget holders. that their performance was good and Return on the Investment Portfolio of The BES continues to work on the resulting from a change in publication their fees relatively low compared to their 4-6% is considered prudent for planning challenge of recruiting new members and 2015 414,437 kWh Annual budgets for the following year models or a decrease in impact factor: competitors. The Finance Board therefore purposes. The income from this sum turning them into long term supporters of are drawn up in the fourth quarter and Income from journals is a very significant decided not to take the contract for will help to mitigate the possible future the Society. are approved by Council at its meeting portfolio management out to tender. decline in publishing income, allowing proportion of the Society’s funds. There in December. the Society to continue its work, and is continued uncertainty regarding We have continued to use the services provide funds to invest in future income- publications models and the timeframe 6. THE SOCIETY’S The BES has a set of Financial of the Ethical Investment Research generating projects. It also enables the in which this might happen. This risk Regulations which must be followed. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Service (EIRIS) to provide us with Society to take a planned approach to is being mitigated in a variety of ways. These Regulations are reviewed annually We have a reserves policy which would information, based on a long list of reducing expenditure should income The purchase a new office for the Society by the Finance Committee. provide a sufficient buffer to allow a criteria and a scoring system, on the levels drop significantly. in 2009 offered an unprecedented gradual scaling back of the Society’s environmental performance of FTSE opportunity for the Society to lead In 2015 £282,000 (9% of resources financial commitments if income listed companies. This information is The second is that funds can be set the way with regards to reducing our expended) was given away in grants. dropped. The Society has a Head of updated twice annually and is used to aside for specific major projects. The environmental impact. Discussions with This substantive sum requires careful Publications to deliver effective and screen out companies with the worst 2015 – 2019 Strategic Plan includes the other learned organisations lead management by the Society. Applications efficient journal management and to environmental records and policies from significant investment in activities across to agreement that we should aim for a are reviewed against specific, published ensure that the Society keeps abreast our portfolio. This gives a more objective the Society including an expansion of BREEAM rating of Excellent, the second criteria. The BES has established a of the latest developments in journal and consistent basis for excluding the publishing portfolio. Returns on highest possible rating and a tough Peer Review College to review grant publishing. We diversified our journals companies. Full details are available from investments held by the Society will be objective for a building designed and applications. This ensures that the portfolio to include an Open Access the Honorary Treasurer or the BES Office. required to part fund a number of the build in 1959. BREEAM is a method of Society uses the most appropriately journal in our portfolio, Ecology and A policy of this sort is consistent with new activities contained in the calculating the environmental impact of experienced reviewers for each grant Evolution, by partnering with Wiley. the ethos of the BES and is important to Strategic Plan. a building. Progress has been excellent. application. The only exception to this This brings very useful expertise and maintaining the support of members and The aim of achieving the BREEAM are the Travel & Training Grants. These The third is to ensure that the BES can understanding into the BES on how to the wider ecological research community. Excellent rating was made fundamental are reviewed by BES staff and awards meet its operational needs and working run an Open Access title. Each journal to the refurbishment project and had a are made if the applicant meets the 5.4.3 Financial Performance capital requirements (the free reserve). has a strategic plan identifying ways major influence on decisions ranging published criteria and there are sufficient The general funds are currently £888,000 in which it can increase its reputation from how to run recycling onsite during funds available. The accounts show a surplus of £550,000 and represent approximately 4-5 months and standing. In addition, in 2014, the demolition stage through to the (surplus of £483,000 in 2014) before net operating costs, excluding third party we developed a detailed publications choice of mechanical and engineering gains on investments of £20,000 (gains operating costs and grants. The Society strategy closely aligned with the solutions, selection of the final fixtures of £103,000 in 2014). Total funds of the aims to hold between 3 and 6 months Society’s overall strategic plan which and fittings, and the development of a Society were £8.6M at the end of 2015 operating costs as free reserves. provides a long term vision of growth and staff transport plan. We were delighted (£8.0M at the end of 2014). development for the journals portfolio. to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating This strategy is reviewed annually.

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7. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS 8. AUDITORS

Details of some of the wide range of In 2016 the BES auditors were Mazars LLP. activities planned for 2016 are given Independent Auditor’s Report under the headings of the Society’s This report has been prepared in principal aims. The 2015 – 2019 Strategic accordance with the provisions applicable To the Members of the British Ecological Society Plan has provided an exciting and to entities subject to the small companies’ challenging framework for our activities regime. as the Society moves into its second We have audited the financial statements Opinion on the financial statements Nicola Wakefield (Senior Statutory century. This report was approved by the Council of The British Ecological Society for the Auditor) on 20 June 2016. year ended 31 December 2015 which In our opinion the financial statements: As part of that new strategy the Society comprise the statement of financial for and on behalf of Mazars LLP conducted a major review of its policy Professor Susan Hartley activities, the balance sheets, the • give a true and fair view of the work to ensure that we are as effective Member of the Council statement of cashflows and the related state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 Chartered Accountants and Statutory as possible in promoting ecological notes. The financial reporting framework December 2015 and of it’s income and Auditor knowledge to policy makers. During that has been applied in their preparation expenditure, for the year then ended; Times House, Throwley Way, Sutton, 2016 we will be implementing the is applicable law and United Kingdom • have been properly prepared in Surrey, SM1 4JQ recommendations of that review. We Accounting Standards (United Kingdom accordance with United Kingdom are continuing to look at the potential Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Generally Accepted Accounting Date: 28 July 2016 to expand our publishing portfolio. Practice; and Publishing ecological research has Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditors been at the heart of the BES since it • have been prepared in accordance with was founded in 1913 and it remains so As explained more fully in the Trustees’ the requirements of the Companies Act today. The BES wishes to build on its 2006. strengths in this area. To extend the Responsibilities Statement set out on page 3, the trustees (who are also the international reach of our meetings Opinion on the other matter prescribed directors of the charity for the purposes and following on from the success of by the Companies Act 2006 the joint Annual Meeting in Lille with of company law) are responsible for the the French Ecological Society in 2014, preparation of the financial statements In our opinion the information given in we are working with Necov and the and for being satisfied that they give a the Council’s Report for the financial year Ecological Society of Germany, Austria true and fair view. for which the financial statements are and Switzerland to develop a join annual prepared is consistent with the financial Our responsibility is to audit and express meeting in 2017 in Ghent, Belgium. We statements. an opinion on the financial statements will be building on the success of last in accordance with applicable law and year’s inaugural BES Summer School, Matters on which we are required to International Standards on Auditing (UK a new initiative to encourage talent report by exception and Ireland). Those standards require into ecology, to develop and extend the us to comply with the Auditing Practices We have nothing to report in respect programme offered to top undergraduates Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for of the following matters where the in the UK. During 2015 we engaged Auditors. This report is made solely Companies Act 2006 requires us to report more with the general public at a wide to the charity’s members as a body in to you if, in our opinion: range of events, again, as part of a longer accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of term plan to increase investment in the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work • adequate accounting records have this important area and 2016 will see a has been undertaken so that we might not been kept, or returns adequate for continuation of that investment. state to the charity’s members those our audit have not been received from matters we are required to state to them branches not visited by us; or in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted • the financial statements are not in by law, we do not accept or assume agreement with the accounting records responsibility to anyone other than the and returns; or charity and the charity’s members as a • certain disclosures of trustees’ body for our audit work, for this report, or remuneration specified by law are not for the opinions we have formed. made; or Scope of the audit of the financial • we have not received all the statements information and explanations we A description of the scope of an audit of require for our audit; financial statements is provided on the • the trustees were not entitled to Financial Reporting Council’s website at prepare the financial statements in www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Councils Report.

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Statement of financial activities Balance Sheet Incorporating the income and expenditure account For the year ended 31 December 2015 For the year ended 31 December 2015

Restated Restated Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2015 2014 Notes 2015 2014 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Income from Fixed assets Donations & Legacies - 10 10 10 Tangible assets 8 2,704 2,462 Other Trading Activities Investments 9 5,556 4,890 Investment income 2 131 - 131 116 8,260 7,352 Other income 10 - 10 1 Current assets 141 10 151 127 Debtors 11 665 641 Incoming resources from charitable activities Cash on deposit and in hand 154 521 Publications 2,946 - 2,946 2,838 819 1,162 Income from conferences 368 - 368 256 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 (485) (490) Subscriptions 130 - 130 136 Net current assets 334 672 Total income 3,585 10 3,595 3,357 Net assets 8,594 8,024 Expenditure Represented by Expenditure on raising funds Unrestricted funds Investment management fees 6 - 6 4 General fund 888 560 Expenditure on charitable activities Tangible fixed assets fund 2,704 2,462 Publications 1,464 - 1,464 1,329 Expendable Endowment fund 5,000 5,000 Meetings 592 - 592 565 Restricted fund 2 2 Research 266 - 266 368 13 8,594 8,024 Education 255 - 255 135 Policy 196 10 206 214 Bulletin and other services 256 - 256 260 Total expenditure 3 3,035 10 3,045 2,874

Net income before gains on investment 550 - 550 483 Net gains on investments 9 20 - 20 103

Net movement in funds in year 570 - 570 586 Fund balance brought forward 8,022 2 8,024 7,438 Fund balances carried forward 13 8,592 2 8,594 8,024 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies’ regime.

Included in the above reserves are unrealised gains of £333,326 (2014 gains £343,971).

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

The accounts on pages 21 to 36 were approved by the Council on 20 June 2016 and signed on its behalf by

All of the above results derive from continuing activities. There are no gains and losses other than those disclosed above. Professor Susan Hartley The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements. Member of the Council

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Statement of Cashflows Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 December 2015 For the year ended 31 December 2015

Restated The following adjustments have d) Expenditure (including grants) 2015 2014 1 Accounting policies also been made in order to comply Expenditure is classified under the £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 a) Basis of accounting with the new SORP/ FRS 102. The effect on total funds or the net income and principal categories of charitable Cash flow from operating activities The financial statements have been expenditure is shown in note 17. The and other expenditure rather than the Net (expenditure)/income prepared in accordance with Accounting main items were: type of expense, in order to provide more useful information to users of 570 586 and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable Governance costs are no longer the accounts. Adjustments for: to charities preparing their accounts in presented as a separate category of Charitable activities comprise direct accordance with the Financial Reporting expenditure in the Statement of Financial Interest income (131) (116) expenditure including direct staff costs Standard applicable in the UK and Activities as they are not regarded as Depreciation 64 36 attributable to the activity. Support costs Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective part of support costs which are allocated have been allocated to activities based on (Increase)/Decrease in debtors (24) 130 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS to the cost of activities undertaken by the average staff time spent. Governance 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard the Charity. (Decrease)/Increase in creditors (5) 194 costs are those incurred in connection applicable in the UK and Republic of At the date of transition in applying with the management of the Society’s Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 474 830 Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies the requirement to recognise liabilities assets, organisational administration Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are arising from employee benefits, a and compliance with constitutional and Cash flow from investing activities initially recognised at historical cost liability was recognised for short-term statutory requirements. Support costs are or transaction value unless otherwise Purchase of tangible fixed assets (306) (322) compensated absence arising from allocated on the basis of time spent on stated in the relevant accounting employee entitlement of the parent each activity. Investment income – bank interest 131 116 policy note(s). charity to paid annual leave. The Purchase of investments (1,359) (1,320) Grants payable are charged in the The trustees have assessed whether initial liability recognised at the date year when the offer is conveyed to Disposal of investments 713 786 the use of the going concern basis is of transition was for the holiday the recipient except in those cases appropriate and have considered possible entitlement carried forward and for the (Losses) on investments (20) (103) where the offer is conditional, such events or conditions that might cast entitlement arising in the year which grants being recognised as expenditure Net cash (used in) investing activities (841) (843) significant doubt on the ability of the was due but not taken. The initial when the conditions attaching are charity to continue as a going concern. liability was for £18,105. fulfilled. Grants offered subject to The trustees have made this assessment b) Financial Instruments conditions which have not been met at Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (367) (13) for a period of at least one year from the year-end are noted as a commitment, the date of approval of the financial Financial assets such as cash and but not accrued as expenditure. statements. In particular the trustees debtors are measured at their present Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 521 534 have considered the charities forecasts value of the amounts receivable, less e) Depreciation and projections and have taken account an allowance for the expected level of of pressures on donation and investment doubtful receivables. Financial liabilities Depreciation has been calculated to write Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 154 521 income. After making enquiries the such as trade creditors, loans and finance off the cost of assets over their expected trustees have concluded that there is a leases are measured at the present value useful lives as follows: reasonable expectation that the charity of the obligation. An equity instrument has adequate resources to continue in is any contract that evidences a residual Freehold property - 2% per annum on cost operational existence for the foreseeable interest in the assets of the BES after Furniture, fixtures and equipment – future. The charity therefore continues deducting all of its liabilities. to adopt the going concern basis in 33% per annum on a straight line basis. preparing its financial statements. c) Income The Society’s policy is to capitalise assets FRS 102 has been adopted for the first i) Subscriptions income: All subscriptions purchased over £500. time when preparing these financial income is accounted for in the period statements. The transition date to FRS to which it relates. Subscriptions 102 was 1 January 2014 and the last receipts in advance are recorded as financial statements prepared under the deferred income. previous financial reporting framework were prepared for the year ended ii) Other income: All other income 31 December 2014. has been accounted for on a receivable basis.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

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f) Investments h) Operating lease Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of 3 Analysis of total resources expended Investments are stated at market value. Rentals payable under operating leases the Council for specific purposes. It is the BES’s policy to keep valuations are charged against income on a straight up to date such that when investments line basis over the lease term. All income and expenditure of the BES Restated are sold there is no gain or loss arising. has been included in the Statement of Direct Staff Other Direct Support TOTAL TOTAL As a result the Statement of Financial i) Pensions Financial Activities. Costs Costs Costs 2015 2014 Activities only includes those unrealised gains and losses arising from the BES operates defined contribution £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 revaluation of the investment portfolio pension arrangements, the assets of throughout the year. Disclosure is made which are held separately from those of Cost of Generating Income - 6 - 6 4 in note 9 of the difference between the the BES in independently administered historical cost and the sale proceeds of funds. Contributions are charged to the Bulletin & Other services 92 30 134 256 260 the investments sold during the year. income and expenditure account as they become payable. Publications 368 903 193 1,464 1,329 g) Foreign currencies Meetings 78 470 44 592 565 j) Fund accounting Monetary assets and liabilities Research 16 241 9 266 368 General funds comprise the accumulated denominated in a foreign currency are Education 105 89 61 255 135 translated into sterling at the exchange surplus or deficit and are available for Policy 91 42 73 206 214 rate ruling on the Balance Sheet date. use at the discretion of the Council in furtherance of the general objectives of 750 1,781 514 3,045 2,874 Transactions in foreign currencies the BES. are recorded at the rate of exchange Restated prevailing at the date of transaction. Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restrictive covenants imposed by Support Costs 2015 2014 £’000 £’000 All exchange differences are taken to donors or by the purpose of the appeal. the statement of financial activities. Governance Costs Governance staff costs 54 34 2 Investment income Audit Fee 6 5 60 39

2015 2014 Other Support Costs £’000 £’000 Non salary staff costs 36 22 Income from listed investments 110 83 Property 58 41 Interest receivable 21 33 IT costs 25 23 131 116 Venue Costs 8 4 Publicity 15 14 Fees / Affiliations 48 71 Office running costs 41 47 Depreciation 64 37 Bulletin 78 77 Outsourced finance & payroll 29 29 Legal & Consultancy 14 4 Website 2 2 Bank charges 36 25 514 435

Support costs are allocated on the basis of time spent on each activity.

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4 Grants 7 Employees

The actual number of employees during the year was 20.4 (2014 20.2). Grant commitments are as follows: 2015 2014 2015 2014 Membership 1.5 1.8 £’000 £’000 Publishing 9.6 9.1 Grant commitments at 1 January 235 155 Conferences / Meetings 2.0 1.9 Awards made during year 282 405 Research 0.4 0.6 Payments made during the year (392) (325) Education 2.5 2.2 Grant commitments at 31 December 125 235 Policy 3.5 3.9 Governance 0.9 0.7 Details of significant grant awards are detailed on the BES’s website. The majority of grants awarded are to individuals. Grants to 20.4 20.2 institutions are relatively few in number and low value.

£’000 £’000 5 Net incoming resources Staff costs during the year amounted to: Wages and salaries 684 646 Social security costs 72 66 is stated after charging: Employer’s pension contributions 42 40 2015 2014 798 752 £’000 £’000 Depreciation 65 37

Auditor’s remuneration One (2014: one) employee earned £70,000-£79,999 during the year. The employer’s pension contributions in respect of this employee audit services 6 5 during the year was £5,373.

The total employee benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel were £224,188 (2014: £217,825). Other than disclosed in note 15 members of Council did not receive any remuneration during the year. Expenses reimbursed to 15 (2014: 14) Members of Council in the year equalled £10,588 (2014: £8,885).

6 Taxation

The BES is a registered charity and as such its income and gains are exempt from corporation tax to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives. There is no corporation tax charge for the year.

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8 Tangible fixed assets 9 Investments

Furniture, 2015 2014 Freehold fixtures and £’000 £’000 property equipment Total Market value 1 January 2015 4,890 4,253 Charity £’000 £’000 £’000 Additions 1,359 1,079 Cost Disposals proceeds (507) (786) 1 January 2015 2,610 69 2,679 Net investment gain 20 103 Additions 278 28 306 Movement in deposits (206) 241 31 December 2015 2,888 97 2,985 Market value 31 December 2015 5,556 4,890 Depreciation Historical cost at 31 December 2015 5,223 4,546 1 January 2015 158 59 217 Accumulated unrealised gains based on historic cost at 31 December 2015 333 344 Charge for the year 50 14 64 Realised gain in year based on historic cost 31 154 31 December 2015 208 73 281 Represented by: Net book value UK equity shares 1,448 1,067 31 December 2015 2,680 24 2,704 Overseas equities 1,414 1,001 31 December 2014 2,452 10 2,462 UK fixed interest 250 353 Overseas fixed interest 182 41 UK Other 272 191 Overseas Other 100 140

Market value of listed investments 3,666 2,793 Investment in associated undertaking - - Investment in subsidiary undertaking - - Amounts held in cash 1,890 2,096 Total 5,556 4,890

During 2009 the charity purchased a part share (36.1%) in the freehold 12 Roger Street as its new headquarters. It shares the ownership of the building with other biological focused charities and the property is held by a nominee company on trust for the Co-owners as tenants in common.

During 2011 the charity had disposed of 6.1% of the freehold in 12 Roger Street to the Society of Biology in accordance with the original plan to share the ownership of the building with other biological focused charities. This transaction resulted in a gain on disposal of £69,498.

During 2013 the Charity completed the purchase of a part share (21.1%) in the freehold property of 107 Grays Inn Road. As part of this transaction the Charity disposed of a part share of its interest in 12 Roger Street, reducing its interest in that property from 30% to 21.1%. It shares the ownership of the buildings with other biological focused charities and the property is held by Charles Darwin House Limited on trust for the Co-owners. This transaction resulted in a gain on disposal of £95,963.

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10 Subsidiary undertakings 13 Movement in Funds 2015

The BES holds 100% of the issued share capital of BES Trading Company Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. Fund Net gains Fund The sole activity of BES Trading Company Limited was to organise the 11th International Congress of Ecology in August 2013. balances on Balances At 31 December 2015 the Share Capital and net assets of BES Trading Company Limited amounted to £2 – (2014 £2). brought Investment Carried forward Income Expenditure Assets Transfers Forward During 2009 the BES acquired 36.1% of Charles Darwin House Limited, a company set up to manage the building. During 2011 1/1/2015 31/12/2015 shares representing 6.1% were disposed of leaving a remaining interest of 30.0%. During 2013 shares representing 8.9% were £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 disposed of leaving a remaining interest of 21.1%. Restricted At 30 June 2015 the net assets according to the audited financial statements were £1,000. BEVC ------Alex S Watt Breckland Research Trust 2 - - - - 2 Policy Assistant Fund - 10 (10) - - - 2015 2014 £’000 £’000 Total restricted funds 2 10 (10) - - 2 Income and Expenditure:

Turnover - 3 Unrestricted funds Cost of sales - (3) General 560 3,585 (3,035) 20 (242) 888 Gross profit - - Expendable Endowment fund 5,000 - - - - 5,000 Interest Received - - Tangible fixed asset fund 2,462 - - - 242 2,704 Net result - - Total unrestricted funds 8,022 3,585 (3,035) 20 - 8,592

Balance Sheet: Net result - - Designated

Tangible fixed asset fund 11 Debtors Represents the net book value of tangible fixed assets in use by the Society and therefore not available to the Council to meet future expenditure. A transfer is made each year to reflect the change in net book value.

2015 2014 Expendable Endowment fund £’000 £’000 Represents the value of investments that the Trustees believe they need to hold, to protect income in the longer term, in order to ensure that the society can carry out its mission and thrive. The Trustees believe the fund should be £10,000,000 in order to provide Trade debtors 475 460 sufficient long-term income. This is because most of the society’s income is from academic publishing, the profitability of which is Other debtors 49 46 widely expected to begin to decline significantly within the next few years. The society has just begun formal long-term financial Prepayments and accrued income 133 117 modelling to assess the balance of income expenditure against the risk of future income declines. VAT Refund 8 18 Restricted 665 641 Restricted funds of £1,985 at 31 December 2015 are represented by cash on deposit (2014 - £1,985).

British Empire Vegetation Committee (BEVC) 12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Represents amounts donated for the printing of colour plates in the BES’s journals. Alex S Watt Breckland Research Trust Restated Funds administered by the BES in the memory of Alex Watt to provide funding for small scale research projects aimed to enhance 2015 2014 our understanding of the conservation of the Breckland Region. £’000 £’000 Trade creditors 268 79 Policy Assistant Fund Social security & other taxes 21 10 Restricted donation to support a staff member to work in the policy area. The staff member was appointed in February 2013.

Other creditors 6 19 The Society holds €36,996 (2014 €24,587) on behalf of the European Ecological Foundation. This balance does not form part Accruals and deferred income 65 147 of these accounts. Grants payable (note 4) 125 235 485 490

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13 Movement in Funds (continued) 15 Related party transactions

No transactions have taken place with either Members or Senior Management Team. It is the policy of the BES that Committee 2014 Restated Fund Net gains Fund members who have an interest in any grant awarding decisions must leave the room at the time the awarding decision is made. balances on Balances brought Investment Carried Emma Sayer – the existing assistant editor of the Bulletin, was appointed as a trustee in the prior year. She continued to be paid forward Income Expenditure Assets Transfers Forward at the fixed rate and has received £1,513 (2014 £1,497) in the year. She has received no remuneration in her capacity as a trustee. 1/1/2014 31/12/2014 Andrew Beckerman, a trustee of the BES was appointed in the prior year as an editor of the Ecology & Evolution journal, in £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 which the Society has a minority interest. Restricted Charity BEVC ------Alex S Watt Breckland Research Trust 2 - - - - 2 16 The George Jackson Estate Policy Assistant Fund - 10 (10) - - - As part of the George Jackson bequest the Society was left as residuary beneficiary of a revisionary bequest. The property passes Total restricted funds 2 10 (10) - - 2 to the Society upon the death of the life interest. Because of the uncertainty as to value and timing the value of the property is not included with these financial statements. Unrestricted funds – Charity General 759 3,347 (2,864) 103 (785) 560 17 Impact of transition to FRS 102 and SORP 2015 Expendable Endowment fund 4,500 - - - 500 5,000 Tangible fixed asset fund 2,177 - - - 285 2,462 31 December 1 January Total unrestricted funds 7,436 3,347 (2,864) 103 - 8,022 2014 2014 £’000 £’000 Prior year restricted income of £10,000 arising from donations and legacies was fully expended in the period & included within total Reserves position policy expenditure. Funds previously reported 8,042 7,456 Adjustments on transition 14 Analysis of net assets between funds Holiday pay provision (18) (18) Funds restated on transition 8,024 7,438 2015 2015 2014 Impact on income and expenditure General Designated Restricted Total Total Net income / (expenditure) as previously reported 586 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Adjustments on transition Tangible assets - 2,704 - 2,704 2,462 Holiday pay provision - Investments 556 5,000 - 5,556 4,890 Net income / (expenditure) as restated 586 Net current assets / liabilities 332 - 2 334 672 Net assets 888 7,704 2 8,594 8,024

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Contact details references Officers: Ecological Reviews: our staff:

I Ensuring a successful UK research endeavour A Review of the UK Research Councils by Paul Nurse. https://www.gov.uk/ President: Sue Hartley Series Editor: Phil H. Warren Executive Director: Hazel Norman government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478125/BIS-15-625-ensuring-a-successful-UK-research-endeavour.pdf [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected]

II  Past President: William Sutherland Editorial Office: Kate Harrison Communications Manager: Richard English James Wilsdon (June 20th 2016) Growing concerns over blueprint for UKRI and research. http://wonkhe.com/blogs/analysis- [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected] concerns-ukri-blueprint/ Vice-President: Rosie Hails Membership and Support Assistant: III James Wilsdon (June 20th 2016) Growing concerns over blueprint for UKRI and research. http://wonkhe.com/blogs/analysis- [email protected] Special Interest Groups: Hamish Boyle Email: [email protected] concerns-ukri-blueprint/ Vice-President: Andrew Pullin Agricultural Ecology: Barbara Smith [email protected] [email protected] Events Manager: Amelia Simpson IV Martin Rees (June 15th 2016) The proposed reforms to UK research are needlessly drastic. Here’s why. https://www.theguardian. Email: [email protected] Honorary Treasurer: Drew Purves Aquatic Ecology: Nessa O’Connor and Lee com/science/political-science/2016/jun/15/the-proposed-reforms-to-uk-research-are-needlessly-drastic-heres-why [email protected] Brown [email protected] Grants and Events Officer: Amy Everard Email: [email protected] V Department for Business Innovation and Skills (2016) Teaching Excellence Framework: Technical Consultation for Year Two. 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86 Looking back

Oliver Rackham (left) and David Coombe at Scolt Head Island in Norfolk in the summer of 1965. Oliver took his shoes off and walked through the mud in his socks because he did not want to get his shoes wet! Scolt Head Island is a sand and shingle island composed largely of flint pebbles and the geophysical processes in the area have been studied extensively. The salt marshes here are developing rapidly, and no doubt will continue to provide paddling grounds for botanists for generations to come.

Photograph courtesy of John Birks