text only

Dr JUSTIN TRAVIS

Senior Lecturer

Photo taken by Helena Travis (aged 4) at the top of Morven.

Personal Details

Telephone:

+44 (0)1224 274483

E-mail:

justin.travis@abdn.ac.uk

Address:

Room 407 Zoology Building

Jump to:

Biography

2006 –     Lecturer (and from 2008, Senior lecturer) in Environmental Change, University of Aberdeen.

2004 – 2006   Senior Scientific Officer, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory, UK

2001- 2004    University of St Andrews, UK. Research Fellow in the Centre for Conservation Science.

1999 -2001    University of Lund, Sweden, Research fellow within the Climate Impacts Group

Degrees: PhD 1999 Imperial College London.    MSc 1996 University of York.     BSc(hons)1994 University of York

 

« top

Research Interests

Much of my research uses models to study the population and evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations. Key interests include (1) the evolutionary ecology and population genetics of range expansions, (2) incorporating greater realism into the dispersal process within spatial population models, (3) evolvability (including the causes and consequences of mutation rate) and  (4) the evolutionary ecology of longevity.  While most of my group's work focusses on using stochastic individual-based models, I am increasingly interested in how these can be combined both with modern statistical methods (including Bayesian approaches) and analytical approximations to gain greater insights and predictive capabilities.

« top

Research Grants

2008 E185,000 Biodiversa EU –funding for TenLamas project

2008 £300000 CoI NERC grant (with Lambin PI) 

2007 £39,961 (CoI) Carnegie grant with Kirsty Park (PI) 'Development of a landscape model for the

control of Rhododendron ponticum'

2006 £140,000 UKPopNet 'From plots to catchments to landscapes'.

2005 £51,000 A NERC New Investigator's award 'Integrating ecological dynamics, population genetics and landscape structure in a theoretical study of range shifting'.

2004 E65,000 An EU network (part of ALTERNET) to develop 'Mechanistic models of species responses to climate change'

2003 £23,550 A British Ecological Society Early Career Development Grant for a project titled 'How does the invasion of Rhododendron Ponticum impact on soil biodiversity and ecosystem function'.

2003 £10,000 An SNH contract:  'The use of modeling techniques to predict the response of the introduced hedgehog population in the Western Isles to a range of potential control options.'

2002 £1,450 A British Ecological Society Small Grant towards a project titled: 'Measuring the dispersal kernel of the invasive alien Rhododendron ponticum

« top

Teaching Responsibilities

Most of my teaching is at Masters level. In particular, I co-ordinate two modules, one on Population Ecology and one on Advanced Ecological Modelling. At undergraduate level, I contribute to several courses at both 3rd and 4th year, most substantially to 3rd year Population Ecology where I introduce ecological modelling.

Teaching Philosophy: I enjoy the challenge of making quantitative topics and programming accessible to as many students as possible, and this is the focus of most of my teaching. I believe that almost all students are capable of learning to program, and that many obtain considerable satisfaction from the realisation that they can master it. I am interested in employing active learning methods within quantitative courses that have traditionally relied heavily on often dry lectures. In my Masters teaching I have been using 'learning through teaching' methods where individuals are each guided in putting together material to teach their peers about a particular aspect of modeling. This is proving a very successful way of improving understanding and creates considerable enthusiasm.

« top

External Responsibilities

Full member of NERC Peer Review College ( 2011 - ).

Subject Editor for Oikos ( 2010 - ).

Associate Editor for BMC Ecology ( 2011 - ).

« top

Publications

  • Muenkemueller, T., Travis, JMJ., Burton, OJ., Schiffers, K. & Johst, K. Density-regulated population dynamics and conditional dispersal alter the fate of mutations occurring at the front of an expanding population, Article, 2011, Heredity, 106, 4, pp678 - 689, ISSN/ISBN: 0018-067X
  • Palmer, SCF., Coulon, A. & Travis, JMJ. Introducing a 'stochastic movement simulator' for estimating habitat connectivity, Article, 2011, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2, 3, pp258 - 268, ISSN/ISBN: 2041-210X
  • Travis, JMJ. Corrigendum, Article, 2010, Diversity and Distributions, 16, 5 - 877, ISSN/ISBN: 1366-9516
  • Komissarova, A., Travis, JMJ. & Redpath, SM. Dispersal costs and kin selection have a strong effect on the evolution of migratory strategy, Article, 2010, Integrative and Comparative Biology, 50, Suppl. 1 - E92, ISSN/ISBN: 1540-7063
  • Atkins, KE. & Travis, JMJ. Local adaptation and the evolution of species' ranges under climate change, Article, 2010, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 266, 3, pp449 - 457, ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5193
  • Travis, JMJ., Muenkemueller, T. & Burton, OJ. Mutation surfing and the evolution of dispersal during range expansions, Article, 2010, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 23, 12, pp2656 - 2667, ISSN/ISBN: 1010-061X
  • Travis, JMJ., Smith, HS. & Ranwala, SMW. Towards a mechanistic understanding of dispersal evolution in plants, Article, 2010, Diversity and Distributions, 16, 4, pp690 - 702, ISSN/ISBN: 1366-9516
  • Burton, OJ., Phillips, BL. & Travis, JMJ. Trade-offs and the evolution of life-histories during range expansion, Article, 2010, Ecology Letters, 13, 10, pp1210 - 1220
  • Travis, JMJ., Mustin, K., Benton, TG. & Dytham, C. Accelerating invasion rates result from the evolution of density-dependent dispersal, Article, 2009, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 259, 1, pp151 - 158, ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5193
  • White, RM., Fischer, A., Marshall, K., Travis, JMJ., Webb, TJ., di Falco, S., Redpath, SM. & van der Wal, R. Developing an integrated conceptual framework to understand biodiversity conflicts, Article, 2009, Land Use Policy, 26, 2, pp242 - 253, ISSN/ISBN: 0264-8377
  • Muenkemueller, T., Reineking, B., Travis, JMJ., Bugmann, H. & Johst, K. Disappearing refuges in time and space: how environmental change threatens species coexistence, Article, 2009, Theoretical Ecology, 2, 4, pp217 - 227, ISSN/ISBN: 1874-1738
  • McInerny, GJ., Turner, JRG., Wong, HY., Travis, JMJ. & Benton, TG. How range shifts induced by climate change affect neutral evolution, Article, 2009, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, 276, 1661, pp1527 - 1534, ISSN/ISBN: 0962-8452
  • Harris, CM., Park, KJ., Atkinson, R., Edwards, C. & Travis, JMJ. Invasive species control: Incorporating demographic data and seed dispersal into a management model for Rhododendron ponticum, Article, 2009, Ecological Informatics, 4, 4, pp226 - 233, ISSN/ISBN: 1574-9541
  • Pakeman, RJ., Pugnaire, FI., Michalet, R., Lortie, CJ., Schiffers, K., Maestre, FT. & Travis, JMJ. Is the cask of facilitation ready for bottling? A symposium on the connectivity and future directions of positive plant interactions, Editorial, 2009, Biology Letters, 5, 5, pp577 - 579, ISSN/ISBN: 1744-9561
  • Mustin, K., Benton, TG., Dytham, C. & Travis, JMJ. The dynamics of climate-induced range shifting; perspectives from simulation modelling, Article, 2009, Oikos, 118, 1, pp131 - 137, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Watts, EJ., Palmer, SCF., Bowman, AS., Irvine, J., Smith, A. & Travis, JMJ. The effect of host movement on viral transmission dynamics in a vector-borne disease system, Article, 2009, Parasitology, 136, 10, pp1221 - 1234, ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1820
  • Barton, KA., Phillips, BL., Morales, JM. & Travis, JMJ. The evolution of an 'intelligent' dispersal strategy: biased, correlated random walks in patchy landscapes, Article, 2009, Oikos, 118, 2, pp309 - 319, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Anderson, BJ., Arroyo, BE., Collingham, YC., Etheridge, B., Fernandez-De-Simon, J., Gillings, S., Gregory, RD., Leckie, FM., Sim, IMW., Thomas, CD., Travis, JMJ. & Redpath, SM. Using distribution models to test alternative hypotheses about a species' environmental limits and recovery prospects, Article, 2009, Biological Conservation, 142, 3, pp488 - 499, ISSN/ISBN: 0006-3207
  • Harris, CM., Travis, JMJ. & Harwood, J. Evaluating the influence of epidemiological parameters and host ecology on the spread of Phocine Distemper virus through populations of harbour seals, Article, 2008, PLoS one, 3, 7, ppe2710 - e2717
  • Burton, OJ. & Travis, JMJ. Landscape structure and boundary effects determine the fate of mutations occurring during range expansions, Article, 2008, Heredity, 101, 4, pp329 - 340, ISSN/ISBN: 0018-067X
  • Dirnbock, T., Bezak, P., Dullinger, S., Haberl, H., Lotze-Campen, H., Mirtl, M., Peterseil, J., Redpath, S., Singh, SJ., Travis, JMJ. & Wijdeven, SM. Scaling issues in long-term socio-ecological biodiversity research : a review of European cases, Working paper, 2008
  • Burton, OJ. & Travis, JMJ. The frequency of fitness peak shifts is increased at expanding range margins due to mutation surfing, Article, 2008, Genetics, 179, 2, pp941 - 950, ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6731
  • Bonte, D., Travis, JMJ., De Clercq, N., Zwertvaegher, I. & Lens, L. Thermal conditions during juvenile development affect adult dispersal in a spider, Article, 2008, PNAS, 105, 44, pp17000 - 17005, ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8424
  • Stephenson, CM., Kohn, DD., Park, KJ., Atkinson, R., Edwards, C. & Travis, JM. Testing mechanistic models of seed dispersal for the invasive Rhododendron ponticum (L.), Article, 2007, Perspectives in plant ecology, evolution and systematics, 9, 1, pp15 - 28, ISSN/ISBN: 1433-8319
  • Best, AS., Johst, K., Muenkemueller, T. & Travis, JMJ. Which species will succesfully track climate change? The influence of intraspecific competition and density dependent dispersal on range shifting dynamics, Article, 2007, Oikos, 116, 9, pp1531 - 1539, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Dytham, C. & Travis, JMJ. Evolving dispersal and age at death, Article, 2006, Oikos, 113, 3, pp530 - 538, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Travis, JMJ. & Ezard, THG. Habitat geometry, population viscosity and the rate of genetic drift, Article, 2006, Ecological Informatics, 1, 2, pp153 - 161, ISSN/ISBN: 1574-9541
  • Hammershoj, M., Travis, JMJ. & Stephenson, CM. Incorporating evolutionary processes into a spatially-explicit model: exploring the consequences of mink-farm closures in Denmark, Article, 2006, Ecography, 29, 4, pp465 - 476, ISSN/ISBN: 0906-7590
  • Stephenson, CM., MacKenzie, ML., Edwards, C. & Travis, JMJ. Modelling establishment probabilities of an exotic plant, Rhododendron ponticum, invading a heterogeneous, woodland landscape using logistic regression with spatial autocorrelation, Article, 2006, Ecological Modelling, 193, 3-4, pp747 - 758, ISSN/ISBN: 0304-3800
  • Travis, JMJ., Brooker, RW., Clark, EJ. & Dytham, C. The distribution of positive and negative species interactions across environmental gradients on a dual-lattice model, Article, 2006, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 241, 4, pp896 - 902, ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5193
  • Ezard, THG. & Travis, JMJ. The impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on genetic drift and fixation time, Article, 2006, Oikos, 114, 2, pp367 - 375, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Travis, JMJ., Hammershoj, M. & Stephenson, C. Adaptation and propagule pressure determine invasion dynamics: insights from a spatially explicit model for sexually reproducing species, Article, 2005, Evolutionary Ecology Research, 7, 1, pp37 - 51, ISSN/ISBN: 1522-0613
  • Travis, JMJ. & Palmer, SCF. Spatial processes can determine the relationship between prey encounter rate and prey density, Article, 2005, Biology Letters, 1, 2, pp136 - 138, ISSN/ISBN: 1744-9561
  • Travis, JMJ., Brooker, RW. & Dytham, C. The interplay of positive and negative species interactions across an environmental gradient: insights from an individual-based simulation model, Article, 2005, Biology Letters, 1, 1 - 58, ISSN/ISBN: 1744-9561
  • Travis, JMJ. & Dytham, C. A method for simulating patterns of habitat availability at static and dynamic range margins, Article, 2004, Oikos, 104, 2, pp410 - 416, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Travis, ER. & Travis, JMJ. Mutators in space: The dynamics of high-mutability in a two-patch model, Article, 2004, Genetics, 167, 1, pp513 - 522, ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6731
  • Travis, JMJ. & Park, KJ. Spatial structure and the control of invasive alien species, Article, 2004, Animal Conservation, 7, pp321 - 330, ISSN/ISBN: 1367-9430
  • Travis, JMJ. Neighbourhood size, dispersal distance and the complex dynamics of the spatial Ricker model, Article, 2003, Population Ecology, 45, 3, pp227 - 237, ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3896
  • Travis, JMJ. & Dytham, C. Dispersal evolution during invasions, Article, 2002, Evolutionary Ecology Research, 4, 8, pp1119 - 1129, ISSN/ISBN: 1522-0613
  • French, DR. & Travis, JMJ. Density-dependent dispersal in host-parasitoid assemblages, Article, 2001, Oikos, 95, 1, pp125 - 135, ISSN/ISBN: 0030-1299
  • Hopkinson, P., Travis, JMJ., Evans, J., Gregory, RD., Telfer, MG. & Williams, PH. Flexibility and the use of indicator taxa in the selection of sites for nature reserves, Article, 2001, Biodiversity and Conservation, 10, 2, pp271 - 285, ISSN/ISBN: 0960-3115
  • Travis, JMJ. The color of noise and the evolution of dispersal, Article, 2001, Ecological Research, 16, 1, pp157 - 163, ISSN/ISBN: 0912-3814
  • Hopkinson, P., Travis, JMJ., Prendergast, JR., Evans, J., Gregory, RD., Telfer, MG. & Williams, PH. A preliminary assessment of the contribution of nature reserves to biodiversity conservation in Great Britain, Article, 2000, Animal Conservation, 3, pp311 - 320, ISSN/ISBN: 1367-9430
  • Travis, JMJ. & French, DR. Dispersal functions and spatial models, Article, 2000, Ecology Letters, 3, 3, pp163 - 165
  • Fellowes, MDE. & Travis, JMJ. Linking the coevolutionary and population dynamics of host-parasitoid interactions, Article, 2000, Population Ecology, 42, 2, pp195 - 203, ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3896
  • Travis, JMJ. & Dytham, C. Habitat persistence, habitat availability and the evolution of dispersal, Article, 1999, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, 266, 1420, pp723 - 728, ISSN/ISBN: 0962-8452
  • Travis, JMJ., Murrell, DJ. & Dytham, C. The evolution of density-dependent dispersal, Article, 1999, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, 266, 1431, pp1837 - 1842, ISSN/ISBN: 0962-8452
  • Travis, JMJ. & Dytham, C. The evolution of dispersal in a metapopulation, Article, 1998, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, 265, 1390, pp17 - 23, ISSN/ISBN: 0962-8452

« top

« back

update