Dr Thomas Bodey

Biography

Advanced Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen (2020-present)

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Research Fellow, Waipapa Taumata Rau-University of Auckland/University of Exeter (2017-2020)

Senior Research Fellow, University of Exeter (2014-2017)

Research Fellow, University of Exeter (2010-2014)

Conservation Scientist, RSPB (2009-2010)

PhD, Queen's University Belfast (2009)

Various Conservation Biologist Roles: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, BTO, USGS, WildCRU (1998-2005)

BSc, University of Manchester (1998)

Research Overview

I am ecologist with a particular interest in the fields of behaviour and conservation. Much of my work is field-based, and centres around topics such as: how anthropogenic changes impact on movement, foraging and population dynamics; the causes and consequences of individual specialisation; the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of invasive species; improving land management for biodiversity; and the conservation and restoration of a range of species.

I have a long-standing interest in island ecology, where study can address a wide variety of broad ecological questions in both terrestrial and marine environments. These include the effects of human-mediated disruption through the introduction of invasive organisms and subsequent attempts to control such species; restoration of endangered species through to entire ecosystems; the sociological and economic aspects of restoration; and the role of birds as ecosystem drivers. I am fortunate to study these questions in a range of vertebrate systems.

Invasive Species

^{Ship Rat Rattus rattus}

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a significant and increasing contributor to global change. Most current control efforts view the responses of IAS at population or species level. I conduct research investigating the importance of individual variation in invasive rats Rattus sp. across a network of New Zealand and Polynesian islands that differ in their ecosystem dynamics. This work aims to determine the extent, covariance and persistence of individual variation across multiple traits to address fundamental questions around the processes of competition and predation. It will also produce answers for applied conservation management actions, including feeding into progress towards PredatorFreeNZ, and providing tools to address this global problem.

Invasive species cause colossal ecological impacts, but they also represent huge economic burdens. I am part of a global collaboration examining these impacts through the InvaCost project. This includes geographical and taxonomic specific costs, the impacts and financial effectiveness of differing management approaches, and the ability to predict and manage future economic risks using economic and evolutionary methods.

I am increasingly interested in the socioeconomic motivations that help and hinder invasive species management. This includes the key motivations that underlie community responses to control, and the benefits derived by people conducting control in situations that challenge success.

Individual variation in behavioural interactions

^{Grey Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos}

Examining how interactions between individuals shape behavioural responses provides an opportunity to investigate underlying mechanisms behind much broader phenomena. Combining individual-based modelling approaches and long-term tracking data on individual movements and behaviour, I collaborate on studies of multi-predator communities in the Pacific and Caribbean. We have investigated how individual behavioural interactions can lead to profound social and ecological consequences impacting population and community dynamics, resulting in spatial separation across habitats while promoting stable associations among individuals.

Causes and consequences of individual specialisation

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Variation at the individual rather than the population level is increasingly seen as having important implications for species’ ecology, evolution and conservation. I have investigated the extent of intra- and inter-individual specialisation in foraging decisions in gannets using stable isotope analysis and fine-scale activity data collected using biologgers from individuals across a range of intraspecific densities. In tandem with individual-based modelling approaches, this work has focused on the causes and consequences of specialisation, and how both intrinsic and extrinsic factors (e.g. body condition, intraspecific competition and fisheries discards) affect the presence and persistence of specialisations.

Land management for biodiversity

Northen Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Many landscapes and ecosystems have been drastically modified by human actions. Anthropogenic systems such as farmland still support a wide variety of wildlife, but also typically support an increased number of generalist predators that are well adapted to these habitats. I work on issues facing ground-nesting birds in human-modified landscapes, with a particular focus on waders as model species. This has included assessing the importance of crop types for breeding success, identifying key predation threats, and the potential to apply alternative management practices to mitigate predator-prey interactions.  

I am also interested in the ways in which agricultural landscapes can be managed for both food security and wildlife recovery, including the mitigation of conflicts and the development of beneficial management practices.

Physiological trade-offs and carry-over effects

^{Light-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota} 

Many components interact across the life cycles of organisms, and so their effects on individual fitness may carry over between stages, and can accumulate over time. I currently investigate such questions in the Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba through a remarkable long-term project established by the Swiss Ornithological Institute

Previously, I have investigated how individual physiology and behavioural variations of migrants combine with broader social interactions and the varying physical environments they experience. Individuals have to make multiple trade-offs between these competing influences, and the causes and consequences of this variation offer insights into the impacts of individual specialisation and anthropogenic change on the ecology and evolution of migratory behaviour. Much of this work would not be possible without the long-term commitment of the volunteers and organisations of the Irish Brent Goose Research Group www.irishbrentgoose.com

Collaborations

Dr Al Baylis, SAERI

Prof Stuart Bearhop, University of Exeter

Dr Pierre Bize, Swiss Ornithological Institute

Dr Malcolm Burgess, RSPB

Dr Paul Caplat, Queen's University, Belfast

Dr Ross Cuthbert, Queen's University, Belfast

Prof Franck Courchamp, CNRS

Dr David Douglas, RSPB

Dr Brad Duthie, University of Stirling

Dr Karen Freeman, Malagasy Fauna & Flora Group

Dr Patrick Garvey, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research

Dr Neil James, UHI

Dr Mark Jessopp, University College Cork

Prof Xavier Lambin, University of Aberdeen

Prof Robbie McDonald, Office for Environmental Protection

Dr Jason Newton, SUERC, University of Glasgow

Dr Yannis Papastamatiou, Florida International University

Dr Samantha Patrick, University of Liverpool

Dr Ana Payo-Payo, Universidad Complutense, Madrid

Prof Amy Pedersen, University of Edinburgh

Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso, Queen's University, Belfast

Dr Neil Reid, Queen's University, Belfast

Dr Debbie Russell, University of St Andrews

Prof James Russell, University of Auckland

Prof Beth Scott, University of Aberdeen

Dr Katherine Simpson, University of Glasgow

Dr Sandra Telfer, University of Aberdeen

Dr Jolyon Troscianko, University of Exeter

Prof Steve Votier, Herriott-Watt University

Dr Flurina Wartmann, University of Aberdeen

Dr Patrick White, Edinburgh Napier University

Funding and Grants

Royal Society Research Grant (£70 000) 2024

NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility Support Grant (£100 000) 2024

NERC Life Sciences 'Omics Facility Support Grant (£25 000) 2024

University of Aberdeen PumpPriming Research Grant (£10 000) 2023

Darwin Plus 128 co-I (£500 000, £50 000 to UoA) 2021-2024

NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility Support Grant (£27 000) 2019

University of Auckland PumpPriming Research Grant (£5 000) 2019

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellowship (£230 000) 2017-2020