Professor Thomas Cameron
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Email
tcameron@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 872549
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Location
3SW.3.14, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Professor of Applied Ecology with an interest in how populations and communities respond to environmental change, predation and management. My research group has an aquatic ecology focus with current projects ranging from coastal fisheries, aquaculture, waterfowl ecology, marine and freshwater habitat restoration and management. ###################################################################################### I am always interested in contact from undergraduate and postgraduate students about dissertation projects and postgraduate research projects. Don't be shy.
Qualifications
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BSc (Hons) Animal Ecology University of Aberdeen, (2000)
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PhD Doctor of Philosophy of Ecology University of Leeds, (2005)
Appointments
糖心Vlog
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Director, 糖心Vlog, Centre for Environment and Society (1/8/2023 - present)
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Director of Impact, Life Sciences, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2023 - present)
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Research Ethics Officer, Life Sciences, 糖心Vlog (1/9/2024 - present)
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Theme Leader, Ecology & Biodiversity, EnvEast/ ARIES NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (1/5/2018 - present)
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Group Lead, Ecology and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Life Sciences, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2023 - 1/10/2024)
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Director of Ecology and Environmental Biology BSc, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2022 - 1/10/2023)
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Deputy Director of Impact, 糖心Vlog (1/1/2021 - 30/9/2023)
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Founding Board Member, 糖心Vlog, Center for Environment and Society (1/1/2017 - present)
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Departmental Disability Liaison Officer, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2022 - 30/9/2023)
Other academic
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Deputy Chair England Policy Comittee, British Ecological Society (1/10/2022 - present)
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Board Member, 糖心Vlog Native Oyster Restoration Initiative (ENORI) (1/3/2017 - present)
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Associate Editor, Aquatic Ecology and Wildlife Biology, Ecology & Evolution (1/3/2014 - present)
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Editorial Board Member, Ecological Entomology (1/3/2008 - present)
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External Examiner, Queen Mary University of London (1/1/2021 - 1/12/2022)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Demographic responses to Harvesting - sustainability of Fisheries and Wildlife Harvest
Animal movement and dispersal
Eco-evolution of population and community dynamics
Ecology and ecosystem function of shellfish communities including Aquaculture
Estuarine ecology, global change and European oyster restoration
We work on saltmarsh ecology, the use of estuaries as nursery habitats for juvenile fish, the ecology and conservation of endangered European flat oysters and the thermal ecology of animals in coastal environments
Socio-ecological tradeoffs in conservation with a focus on Public Access and nature recovery
Waterfowl ecology
Productivity, survival and movement ecology of waterfowl in the UK and Europe
Conferences and presentations
Estimating Oyster Ladder dredge efficiency - consequences for management
NORA Native Oyster Restoration Alliance 4, 24/11/2021
Active Management for increased oyster recruitment in sedimented estuaries
NORA Native Oyster Restoration Alliance 4, 24/11/2021
Eco-evolutionary dynamics in model systems: it's very competitive
Invited presentation, Evolution 2017, Oregon, Oregon, United States, 24/6/2017
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Animal Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour (BS113)
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Marine Biology Field Skills (BS114)
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Applied Wildlife Sciences (BS243)
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Professional skills for Ecological and Marine Scientists (BS257)
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Freshwater Ecology (BS352)
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Fisheries Ecology (BS354)
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Global Challenges in Interdisciplinary Perspective: Water Conflicts, Water Cultures (CS315)
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Research Project in Life Sciences (BS832)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 22/1/2024
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 15/1/2024
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 2/1/2024
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/8/2023
Degree subject: Environmental Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 10/5/2021
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 12/10/2020
Degree subject: Environmental Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 6/10/2020
Degree subject: Environmental Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 8/7/2020
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 31/3/2020
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 29/1/2020
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 18/11/2019
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 12/7/2019
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 5/7/2019
Publications
Publications (2)
Porwal, N., Parrett, JM., Szubert-Kruszy艅ska, A., Pandey, N., Knell, RJ., Cameron, TC. and Radwan, J., (2025). Fighting Through the Heat: How Sexual Selection Influences Demography Under Recurrent Heatwaves
Ellis, MB. and Cameron, TC., (2022). An initial assessment of the sustainability of waterbird harvest in the United Kingdom
Journal articles (51)
Chopra, K., Cameron, TC., Beecroft, RC., Bristow, L. and Codling, EA., (2025). Mapping activity of grazing cattle using commercial virtual fencing technology. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 12, 1536977-
Chen, Z., Cameron, TC., Couce, E., Garcia, C., Hicks, N., Thomas, GE., Thompson, MSA., Whitby, C. and O'Gorman, EJ., (2024). . Science of the Total Environment. 929, 172536-172536
Freeman, HA., Hepburn, LJ., Taylor, MI., Hunter, E., Dumbrell, AJ., Gregson, BH., Smith, AJ., Lamphierre, A. and Cameron, TC., (2024). . Journal of Fish Biology. 105 (2), 539-556
Jackson, MC., O'Gorman, EJ., Gallo, B., Harpenslager, SF., Randall, K., Harris, DN., Prentice, H., Trimmer, M., Sanders, I., Dumbrell, AJ., Cameron, TC., Layer-Dobra, K., Bespalaya, Y., Aksenova, O., Friberg, N., Moliner Cachazo, L., Brooks, SJ. and Woodward, G., (2024). . Global Change Biology. 30 (10), e17518-
Thurstan, RH., McCormick, H., Preston, J., Ashton, EC., Bennema, FP., Brato拧 Cetini膰, A., Brown, JH., Cameron, TC., da Costa, F., Donnan, DW., Ewers, C., Fortibuoni, T., Galimany, E., Giovanardi, O., Grancher, R., Grech, D., Hayden-Hughes, M., Helmer, L., Jensen, KT., Juanes, JA., Latchford, J., Moore, ABM., Moutopoulos, DK., Nielsen, P., von Nordheim, H., Ondiviela, B., Peter, C., Pogoda, B., Poulsen, B., Pouvreau, S., Scherer, C., Smaal, AC., Smyth, D., Strand, 脜., Theodorou, JA. and zu Ermgassen, PSE., (2024). Historical dataset details the distribution, extent and form of lost Ostrea edulis reef ecosystems. Scientific Data. 11 (1), 1198-
Thurstan, RH., McCormick, H., Preston, J., Ashton, EC., Bennema, FP., Cetini膰, AB., Brown, JH., Cameron, TC., da Costa, F., Donnan, DW., Ewers, C., Fortibuoni, T., Galimany, E., Giovanardi, O., Grancher, R., Grech, D., Hayden-Hughes, M., Helmer, L., Jensen, KT., Juanes, JA., Latchford, J., Moore, ABM., Moutopoulos, DK., Nielsen, P., von Nordheim, H., Ondiviela, B., Peter, C., Pogoda, B., Poulsen, B., Pouvreau, S., Roberts, CM., Scherer, C., Smaal, AC., Smyth, D., Strand, 脜., Theodorou, JA. and zu Ermgassen, PSE., (2024). Records reveal the vast historical extent of European oyster reef ecosystems. Nature Sustainability. 7 (12), 1719-1729
Edullantes, B., Low-Decarie, E., Steinke, M. and Cameron, T., (2023). . Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 562, 151883-151883
Ermgassen, PSEZ., Strand, 脜., Bakker, N., Blanco, A., Bona膷i膰, K., Boudry, P., Brundu, G., Cameron, TC., Connellan, I., da Costa, F., Debney, A., Fabra, M., Frankic, A., Gamble, C., Gray, MW., Helmer, L., Holbrook, Z., Hugh-Jones, T., Kamermans, P., Magnesen, T., Nielsen, P., Preston, J., Ranger, CJ., Saurel, C., Smyth, D., Stechele, B., Theodorou, JA. and Colsoul, B., (2023). Overcoming Ostrea edulis seed production limitations to meet ecosystem restoration demands in the UN decade on restoration. Aquatic Living Resources. 36, 16-16
Cameron, TC., Baker, G., Pullen, J. and Lown, AE., (2023). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 33 (7), 637-644
Funesto, EGM., Lewis, AM., Turner, AD., Cameron, TC. and Steinke, M., (2023). . Science of the Total Environment. 892, 164485-164485
Cameron, TC., Smart, R., Lown, A., Baker, A. and Korda, R., (2023). . Aquatic Living Resources. 36, 28-28
Shakspeare, A., Moore, H., Service, M., Wilson, C., Ahmed, H., Cameron, TC. and Steinke, M., (2023). . Aquaculture Reports. 33, 101719-101719
Chopra, K., Hodges, HR., Barker, ZE., V谩zquez Diosdado, JA., Amory, JR., Cameron, TC., Croft, DP., Bell, NJ., Thurman, A., Bartlett, D. and Codling, EA., (2023). . Journal of Dairy Science. 107 (4), 2406-2425
Andrews, C., Wallis, K. and Cameron, T., (2023). . 糖心Vlog Naturalist. 40, 149-153
Morrissey, D., Goodall, J., Castilho, R., Cameron, TC. and Taylor, ML., (2022). . Fisheries Research. 254, 106418-106418
Ward, EA., Aldis, C., Wade, T., Miliou, A., Tsimpidis, T. and Cameron, TC., (2022). . Frontiers in Marine Science. 9
Ellis, MB. and Cameron, TC., (2022). . Journal of Applied Ecology. 59 (11), 2839-2848
Hughes, A., Bona膷i膰, K., Cameron, T., Collins, K., da Costa, F., Debney, A., van Duren, L., Elzinga, J., Fari帽as鈥怓ranco, JM., Gamble, C., Helmer, L., Holbrook, Z., Holden, E., Knight, K., Murphy, JAJ., Pogoda, B., Pouvreau, S., Preston, J., Reid, A., Reuchlin鈥怘ugenholtz, E., Sanderson, WG., Smyth, D., Stechele, B., Strand, 脜., Theodorou, JA., Uttley, M., Wray, B. and zu Ermgassen, PSE., (2022). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 33 (7), 721-736
Lown, A., Hepburn, L., Heywood, J. and Cameron, T., (2021). . Conservation Science and Practice. 3 (5)
Bond, MN., Piertney, SB., Benton, TG. and Cameron, TC., (2021). . Ecology and Evolution. 11 (16), 10868-10879
Miller, TH., Ng, KT., Lamphiere, A., Cameron, TC., Bury, NR. and Barron, LP., (2021). . Environmental Pollution. 270, 116300-116300
Allison, S., Hardy, M., Hayward, K., Cameron, TC. and Underwood, GJC., (2020). . The Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 100 (1), 27-36
Thomas, GE., Cameron, TC., Campo, P., Clark, DR., Coulon, F., Gregson, BH., Hepburn, LJ., McGenity, TJ., Miliou, A., Whitby, C. and McKew, BA., (2020). . Frontiers in Microbiology. 11, 1706-
Lown, AE., Hepburn, LJ., Dyer, R. and Cameron, TC., (2020). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 30 (11), 2191-2206
zu Ermgassen, PSE., Bona膷i膰, K., Boudry, P., Bromley, CA., Cameron, TC., Colsoul, B., Coolen, JWP., Franki膰, A., Hancock, B., Have, TM., Holbrook, Z., Kamermans, P., Laugen, AT., Nevejan, N., Pogoda, B., Pouvreau, S., Preston, J., Ranger, CJ., Sanderson, WG., Sas, H., Strand, 脜. and Sutherland, WJ., (2020). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 30 (11), 2038-2049
Chopra, K., Hodges, HR., Barker, ZE., V谩zquez Diosdado, JA., Amory, JR., Cameron, TC., Croft, DP., Bell, NJ. and Codling, EA., (2020). . Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 7, 583715-
Pogoda, B., Boudry, P., Bromley, C., Cameron, TC., Colsoul, B., Donnan, D., Hancock, B., Hugh鈥怞ones, T., Preston, J., Sanderson, WG., Sas, H., Brown, J., Bonacic, K., Nordheim, H. and zu Ermgassen, PSE., (2020). NORA moving forward: Developing an oyster restoration network in Europe to support the Berlin Oyster Recommendation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 30 (11), 2031-2037
Ward, EA., Meek, SK., Gordon, DM., Cameron, TC., Steer, MD., Smith, DJ., Miliou, A. and Tsimpidis, T., (2020). The use of storm fragments and biodegradable replanting methods allows for a low-impact habitat restoration method of seagrass meadows, in the eastern Aegean Sea. Conservation Evidence. 17, 1-6
Watson, FM., Hepburn, LJ., Cameron, T., Le Quesne, WJF. and Codling, EA., (2019). . Fisheries Research. 219, 105334-105334
George, HCPH., Miles, G., Bemrose, J., White, A., Bond, MN. and Cameron, TC., (2019). . Ecology and Evolution. 9 (22), 12836-12845
M眉ller, T., Bern谩th, G., Horv谩th, 脕., V谩rkonyi, L., Grigora艧, G., Gagiu, A., Urb谩nyi, B., 呕arski, D., Freyhof, J. and Cameron, T., (2018). . The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. 44 (3), 245-249
Cameron, TC., O'Sullivan, D., Reynolds, A., Hicks, JP., Piertney, SB. and Benton, TG., (2016). . Ecology and Evolution. 6 (12), 4179-4191
Schr枚der, A., van Leeuwen, A. and Cameron, TC., (2015). . Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 30 (4), 180-181
ten Brink, H., Mazumdar, AKA., Huddart, J., Persson, L. and Cameron, TC., (2015). . Journal of Animal Ecology. 84 (2), 414-426
Schr枚der, A., van Leeuwen, A. and Cameron, TC., (2014). . Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 29 (11), 614-624
O鈥橲ullivan, D., Benton, TG. and Cameron, TC., (2014). . Oikos. 123 (5), 623-629
Cameron, TC., O'Sullivan, D., Reynolds, A., Piertney, SB. and Benton, TG., (2013). . Ecology Letters. 16 (6), 754-763
Cameron, TC., O'Sullivan, D., Reynolds, A., Piertney, SB. and Benton, TG., (2013). Corrigendum to Cameron et al. 2013. Ecology Letters. 16 (10), 1330-1330
Moustakas, A., Kunin, WE., Cameron, TC. and Sankaran, M., (2013). . PLoS ONE. 8 (2), e57025-e57025
Backhouse, A., Sait, SM. and Cameron, TC., (2012). . Biology Letters. 8 (5), 706-709
Ozgul, A., Coulson, T., Reynolds, A., Cameron, TC. and Benton, TG., (2012). . The American Naturalist. 179 (5), 582-594
Wright, MD., Goodman, P. and Cameron, TC., (2010). . Wildfowl. 60, 150-167
Cameron, TC., Metcalfe, D., Beckerman, AP. and Sait, SM., (2007). INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION: THE ROLE OF LAGS BETWEEN ATTACK AND DEATH IN HOST鈥揚ARASITOID INTERACTIONS. Ecology. 88 (5), 1225-1231
CAMERON, TC., WEARING, HJ., ROHANI, P. and SAIT, SM., (2007). Two鈥恠pecies asymmetric competition: effects of age structure on intra鈥� and interspecific interactions. Journal of Animal Ecology. 76 (1), 83-93
Cameron, TC., Wearing, HJ., Rohani, P. and Sait, SM., (2005). A koinobiont parasitoid mediates competition and generates additive mortality in healthy host populations. Oikos. 110 (3), 620-628
Wearing, HJ., Sait, SM., Cameron, TC. and Rohani, P., (2004). Stage鈥恠tructured competition and the cyclic dynamics of host鈥損arasitoid populations. Journal of Animal Ecology. 73 (4), 706-722
BENTON, TG., CAMERON, TC. and GRANT, A., (2004). Population responses to perturbations: predictions and responses from laboratory mite populations. Journal of Animal Ecology. 73 (5), 983-995
Wearing, HJ., Rohani, P., Cameron, TC. and Sait, SM., (2004). The Dynamical Consequences of Developmental Variability and Demographic Stochasticity for Host鈥怭arasitoid Interactions. The American Naturalist. 164 (4), 543-558
CAMERON, TC. and BENTON, TG., (2004). Stage鈥恠tructured harvesting and its effects: an empirical investigation using soil mites. Journal of Animal Ecology. 73 (5), 996-1006
Rohani, P., Wearing, HJ., Cameron, T. and Sait, SM., (2003). Natural enemy specialization and the period of population cycles. Ecology Letters. 6 (5), 381-384
Cameron, T., (2002). 2002: the year of the 鈥榙iversity 鈥� ecosystem function鈥� debate. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 17 (11), 495-496
Book chapters (1)
Cameron, TC., Plaistow, S., Mugabo, M., Piertney, SB. and Benton, TG., (2014). . In: Advances in Ecological Research. Elsevier. 171- 206. 9780128013748
Reports and Papers (3)
Tim, G., Jim, P. and Cameron, TC., NECR481 Edition 1 Seagrass in the Stour Orwell and Blackwater 2020-21 (NECR481)
Gardiner, T., Pullen, J. and Cameron, T., (2024). 鈥� We are planning an outreach event in Colchester for the summer 2025, where the general public is invited to join 糖心Vlog researchers for talks and workshops. If you are interested in delivering a talk or workshop and want to know more, please email ellisif.wasmuth@essex.ac.uk.
Cameron, T., (2023). Defining Oyster Beds in the Blackwater Estuary
Grants and funding
2024
The Spread of Pacific Oysters
Shellfish Association of Great Britain
WAYFARE: Where Are Your Fish From? Aquatic Research & Engagement at 糖心Vlog
UOE Participatory Research Fund
Blackwater Colne Estuaries Natural Capital Assessment
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Assessment of sufficiency of data availability on UK waterbird harvests for accurately estimating the scale and sustainability of harvest of AEWA-listed waterbird populations
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
A Rapid Evidence Assessment of threats and pressures on UK wintering waterfowl and waders at breeding sites and UK relevant flyways
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
A Rapid Evidence Assessment of conservation threats and pressures faced by wild mallard in the UK
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Ecosystem function and services associated rock oyster aquaculture and naturalisation
糖心Vlog
Rapid Evidence Assessment of the ecological impacts arising from the recreational hunting of wildfowl (锟絯ildfowling锟�)
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Seasonal seagrass growth - 糖心Vlog region
Environment Agency
2023
Assessing the impact that oyster density has on fecundity in the Blackwater Estuary
Natural England
Ecosystem Benefits of Oyster Aquaculture Sites
Atlantic Edge Oysters Ltd
Ecosystem Benefits of Oyster Aquaculture Sites
Envision Marine Ltd
The Championing Coastal Co-ordination (3Cs)
KWT Consultancy Services
Multi-trophic response and effects of an extensive oil spill in a coastal fish nursery
Natural Environment Research Council
Blue Carbon Productivity PhD Studentship
Archipelagos, Institute of Marine Conservation
Mapping feeding behaviour of grazing livestock
糖心Vlog (BBSRC IAA)
To assess the potential for restoration of saltmarsh, seagrass and native oyster beds at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay NNR
EXO Environmental Ltd
REWilding and restoration inteRtIdal sedimenT Ecosystem for carbon sequestration, climate adaptation and biodiversity support
European Commission
AniMove: connections between land uses, landscapes and people via waterfowl
Northumbrian Water Group Limited
The Championing Coastal Co-ordination (3Cs) Coastal rewilding and saltmarsh grazing
KWT Consultancy Services
2022
PhD Studentship Intertidal seagrass dynamics, recovery and role in nature based solutions
Harwich Haven Authority
Developing a bass tissue bank for the study of connectivity between European coastal nursery habitats
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Benchmarking Agriculture and Agri-environment Performance
Spains Hall Estate
2021
Development of an oyster depuration facility to improve the welfare of coastal communities in Thailand
British Council
NOSy Consultancy
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Native Oyster Bed 锟� Resolving Definition Issues
Natural England
From Ions to Ecosystems: A Novel Framework for the Biomonitoring and Management of Vulnerable and Commercial Fishes
Medical Research Council
Mapping Seagrass coverage in the rivers Stour and Orwell
Harwich Haven Authority
OFWAT Innovation in Water Challenge bid to plan for upscaling the restoration of seagrass to enhance the resilience of the estuarine and coastal waters of the Affinity Water and Anglian Water supply regions in 糖心Vlog and Suffolk
Project Seagrass
NOSy Consultancy
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
2020
Robust and resilient flat oyster fisheries
EXO Environmental Ltd
2019
Native European Oyster experimental restoration project
Zoological Society London
Estuary Living - What does high quality nursery habitat look like to a sea bass?
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Proposal for research on functional and critical temperature thresholds for the native European oyster in 糖心Vlog waters & for predictive ecological population modelling of responses to environmental perturbations of native European oysters in the BCRC Marine Conservation Zone
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Experimental estimation of oyster ladder dredge efficiency across multiple ground types
Natural England
2018
Ecosystem services from restoration of European flat oysters
糖心Vlog
Spatial patterns of phosphorus (P) limitation and the transfer of P between the sediment and the water column.
Anglian water services Limited
COVID-19 Extension: NOSy - magnetic and wireless sensor technology for improving profit, biosecurity and carbon footprint of regional oyster production
Natural Environment Research Council
License Application
THE TOLLESBURY & MERSEA NATIVE OYSTER FISHERY COMPANY
Modelling the stock structure and potential responses to fishing in the Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne MCZ European Native Oyster population in 糖心Vlog
Natural England
Whelk Population Study
European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (MMO)
2017
Quantifying a marine ecosystem's response to a catastrophic oil spill
Natural Environment Research Council
2016
Using geothermal streams to explore salmonid adaptation to warmer waters
The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
2015
Community Ecologists: How coastal communities perceive traditional, commercial, recreational and conservation activities
Economic & Social Research Council
Community ecology of the native Oyster (Ostrea edulis): developing best practice for economic and environmental sustainability of an important regional fishery.
Kent and 糖心Vlog IFCA
2014
Ecosystem wide responses to changes n trophic structure
British Ecological Society (BES)
Ecosystem wide responses to changes n trophic structure
British Ecological Society (BES)
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