The Sustainable Environments Research Group (SERG) supports and promotes transdisciplinary research at the environment-society interface.

About the group

SERG brings together colleagues that share research interests in environment-society inter-relationships, and whose work is contributing to the University's Sustainable Futures strategic area of challenge, and attainment of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ‘Sustainable Environments’ can be considered a state in which ecosystems, environments and natural capital are maintained or enhanced by mutually reinforcing social and economic goals. SERG’s research is multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary in nature, and draws upon expertise from a range of disciplines including ecology, conservation, natural resource management, river science, rural and urban development, health and wellbeing, climate change, and sustainable development itself. 

In recent years our impact-driven research has involved collaboration with a range of organisations across the public, private and civil society sectors, both nationally and internationally.

In the UK we work with fruit growers and vineyards to create habitats that enhance biodiversity and  ecosystem services, while our work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has modelled changes in vulnerable species and developed conservation management strategies. Elsewhere, we have been using our nationally recognised expertise in drone (UAV) surveying to model the impacts of flooding and nature-based solutions on rural and urban landscapes. In the city of Worcester itself, we continue to work with the local council and other stakeholders to development sustainable transport options and support the transition to low-carbon mobility.

Internationally, our research and consultancy work has included projects across Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. In sub-Saharan Africa in particular, we collaborate with international NGOs and local community groups to develop sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods among vulnerable people. Meanwhile, current research in Nepal is exploring how UAVs can improve the modelling of household vulnerability to natural disasters, helping to build resilient communities.

Members

MemberSubject expertise
Prof Alan Dixon (Group Lead) Sustainable development, social-ecological systems, community-based NRM, conservation agriculture, livelihoods, indigenous knowledge, wetlands, global south
Dr Beverley Adams-Groom Palynology, aerobiology
Dr Kate Ashbrook Conservation (invertebrates and birds), biodiversity, invasive alien species, ecosystem services, agricultural landscapes, ecosystem population dynamics
Augustinas Bacys (PhD Student) Potential re-emergence of Brown Bears Ursus arctos in Lithuania and the possible impact on wildlife and people.
Beas Banerjee (PhD Student) Drones, development and disaster risk reduction in Nepal: Towards an anticipatory action approach
Dr Heather Barrett Urban geography, planning, conservation, heritage, sustainable places
Dr Chris Brown Physiological ecology (mammals and birds), behavioural ecology, Ostrich biology & commercial applications
Katy Boom Sustainability, Sustainable development
Rebecca Collins (PhD Student) A very high-resolution analysis of the evolution of bank roughness and its influence on riverbank erosion and channel change
Dr John Dutton Biodiversity conservation, mammal ecology, human-wildlife interactions, green infrastructure, restoration ecology
Prof Nick Evans Agricultural Geography, agricultural policy, livestock and landscapes, protected areas, animal geographies, geographies of rural health
Dr Sian Evans Sustainable development, climate change, sustainability behaviours and lifestyles, consumption, gender
Sarah Jatau (PhD Student) Climate change, food security, livelihoods, global south
Joe Leaper (PhD Student) Enhancing the environmental sustainability of UK grape growing
Josie Lynch (PhD Student) A methodological study testing the accuracy of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for monitoring the effects of conservation tillage on soil erosion
Prof Ian Maddock River science, ecohydrology, river habitats, UAV (drone) surveying, virtual reality fieldwork techniques.
Amritha Nair (PhD Student) Mapping stress in submerged aquatic plants using multispectral imagery and Structure from Motion photogrammetry
Dr Geoff Petch Aerobiology, atmospheric science
Dr Susanna Prankel Animal behaviour, animal welfare and ethics, zoology
Dr Matt Smith  Aerobiology, biogeography, biometeorology, phenology
Andrea Tapia-Arenas (PhD Student) Evaluating remote sensing technology to assess bumblebee habitat quality in open grasslands
Dr Fleur Visser Remote sensing using satellites and drones, GIS, image analysis, river habitats, environmental change
Dr Mike Wheeler Conservation, avian ecology, environmental DNA
 Associate memberSubject expertise
Dr Richard Comont (BBCT) Conservation, ecology (invertebrates), non-native species management
Prof Stephen Martin (Honorary Prof) Learning for sustainability, Sustainable development
Prof Duncan Westbury (RAU) Agroecosystems, habitat recreation, ecosystem services

Current projects

2024-2027 Climate adaptation and resilience strategies (CLARS): Socio-economic vulnerabilities among urban migrants in the Lake Victoria Basin and Great Lakes Region. Dr Cedric Nkiko and Prof Alan Dixon. Funding: New Frontiers in Research Fund and ESRC.

2023-2026: Enhancing the environmental sustainability of UK grape growing. Joe Leaper (PhD student). Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. Dr Kate Ashbrook (Director of Studies), Prof Alan Dixon and Prof Duncan Westbury (RAU). 

2023-2026: The impacts of climate change on food security in Nigeria: Farmer perceptions and mitigation strategies.  Sarah Jatau (PhD student), Prof Alan Dixon (Director of Studies) and Dr Kate Ashbrook.

2023-2026: Drones, development and disaster risk reduction in Nepal: towards an anticipatory action approach. Beas Banerjee (PhD student). Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. Prof Alan Dixon (Director of Studies) and Prof Ian Maddock.

2023-2024:  An assessment of topography and flow patterns of the Lugg Meadows, Herefordshire. Funding: Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. Dr Fleur Visser. 

2023-2024: An assessment of opportunities for Natural Flood Management in the River Lyd catchment, Gloucestershire. Funding: Gloucestershire County Council. Prof Ian Maddock and Josie Lynch.

2023-2024: Investigating the delivery of targeted water capture and storage mapping and advice. Funding: Wye Valley Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership. Prof Ian Maddock and Josie Lynch.

2023-2024: An assessment of Natural Flood Management options and soil erosion, Moreton-in-Marsh. Funding: Gloucestershire County Council. Prof Ian Maddock and Josie Lynch.

2023-2024: 3D Photogrammetry for High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites. Funding: Innovate UK. Prof Ian Maddock, in collaboration with QinetiQ.

2023-2024Animal geographies in the dispositif of red deer management in the Scottish Highlands. Prof Nick Evans.

2023-2024VR learning for Sustainable development: Exploring social-ecological systems in northern Malawi. Funded by the University of Worcester. Prof Alan Dixon, Dr Des McDougall and Prof Ian Maddock.

2024Farm Livestock and the New Animal Geography. Funding: University of Granada, Spain, and the University of Worcester. Prof Nick Evans

2022-2023: An assessment of opportunities for Natural Flood Management in the Dowles Brook and River Isbourne catchments, Worcestershire. Funding: Worcestershire County Council. Prof Ian Maddock and Josie Lynch. 

2021-2024: Understanding bumblebee wildflower meadow habitat preferences using multi-scale remote sensing data. Funding: University of Worcester & BBCT. Andrea Tapia (PhD student), Dr Kate Ashbrook (Director of Studies), Dr Fleur Visser, and Dr Richard Comont (Bumblebee Conservation Trust, BBCT). 

2020-2023: Potential for recovery of brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Lithuania. Self-funded PhD. Augustinas Bacys (PhD student), Dr John Dutton (Director of Studies), Dr Fleur Visser and Dr Kate Ashbrook. 

2022-2024: A comparison of microplastic pollution levels and aquatic invertebrate ingestion in UK lakes. Self-funded MPhil. Holly Roberts (MPhil student), Dr Kate Ashbrook (Director of Studies), and Prof. Duncan Westbury. 

2020-2025: The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other remote sensing techniques for soil erosion monitoring and the implementation of natural flood management techniques. Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. Josie Lynch (PhD student), Prof Ian Maddock (Director of Studies). 

2021-2024: Mapping plant stress in submerged aquatic vegetation using very-high and ultra-high resolution multi-spectral imagery and Structure from Motion photogrammetry. Self-funded PhD. Amritha Nair (PhD student), Dr Fleur Visser (Director of Studies), Prof Ian Maddock and Dr Jonas Schoelynck (University of Antwerp). 

2019-2024: An evaluation of the use of terrestrial laser scanning for the assessment of riverbank erosion. Self-funded PhD. Rebecca Collins (PhD student), Prof Ian Maddock (Director of Studies), Dr Fleur Visser.

2019-2024: Social prescribing in rural areas. Funding: University of Worcester. Prof Nick Evans, Dr Coco Moore, Dr Peter Unwin, Dr Frances Howie.

Completed projects

2024: The State of the Malvern Hills AONB: A Fifth Look. Funding: the Malvern Hills AONB Partnership. Prof Nick Evans.

2024: UK Rural Communities: Scoping Ideas for Adaptation to the Threats of Climate Change. Funding: Community First in Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Prof Nick Evans and Dr Heather Barrett.

2022-2023: Mapping stress in submerged aquatic vegetation using multispectral imagery and Structure from Motion photogrammetry. Funding: Equipment loan from NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility. Amritha Nair and Dr Fleur Visser.

2018-2023: Macroinvertebrate community composition of intermittent streams. Melanie Milin (PhD student), Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Huddersfield and University of Worcester. Dr Tory Milner (Director of Studies, University of Huddersfield), Dr Matt Hill (University of Bournemouth) and Professor Ian Maddock (University of Worcester). 

2018-2022: Refining seed plots for turtle doves. Funding: RSPB and Natural England. Prof Duncan Westbury with the RSPB. 

2018-2023: UK representatives in the COST16219 Action on Harmonization of UAS techniques for agricultural and natural ecosystems monitoring. Funding: European Union COST Action. Prof Ian Maddock and Sophie Pearce. 

2021: Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Kentish Glory moth (Endromis versicolora) specimens to help with a reintroduction project in the Wyre Forest. Requested by West Midlands Butterfly Conservation. Funding: University of Worcester. Dr Mike Wheeler. 

2020-2022: Evaluating the contribution of the FLA to local institutional capacity building for sustainable wetland management in the Kafue sub-basin, Zambia. Funding: Self Help Africa. Prof Alan Dixon.

2020-2021: The nature of urban green infrastructure and its use by terrestrial mammals. Dr John Dutton.

2020-2021: High resolution drone surveys of the Wilde Brook, Shropshire. Funding: Slow the Flow Shropshire NFM scheme (a multi-agency consortia).Prof Ian Maddock.

2019-2022: “Woo Bikes”, bike-sharing scheme between Worcester City Council and the University of Worcester. Dr Heather Barrett and Katy Boom. 

2019-2022: Conserving Herefordshire’s Ice Age Ponds. Funding: National Lottery. Dr Fleur Visser co-investigator for Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Amphibian and Reptile Team.

2019-2021: Using drone surveys to assess soil erosion and delivery to river systems in the Wye catchment. Funding: Environment Agency. Prof Ian Maddock.

2019: The use of solar farms by farmland birds. Funding: Self-funded and RSPB. Robin Shotton (MRes student), Dr Duncan Westbury, and Dr David Buckingham (RSPB). 

2019 A Review of the ACRE Network. Funding: PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Defra. Prof Nick Evans.

2019 The State of the Malvern Hills AONB: A Fourth Look. Report for the Malvern Hills AONB Partnership. Prof Nick Evans.

2018-2019: Using drone surveys to assess the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes, Herefordshire. Funding: Environment Agency. Prof Ian Maddock and Megan Robertson. 

2018: Drone photogrammetry for measuring vegetation biomass. Un-funded. Data collection for global collaboration led by Exeter University. Dr Fleur Visser. 

2018-2021: The social-ecological sustainability of Tiyeni’s deep bed conservation agriculture system in Malawi. Albert Mvula (PhD student). Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. Prof Alan Dixon (Director of Studies) and Prof Ian Maddock. 

2018-2019:  Striking a Balance: developing a green economy around Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda. Development of training resources funded by Self Help Africa (Alan Dixon and Albert Mvula).

2017-2021: Evaluating the use of video imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and fixed sensors for river flow monitoring. Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. Sophie Pearce (PhD student), Prof Ian Maddock (Director of Studies), Dr Mark Corbett and Nick Everard (Environment Agency). 

2016-2021: The use of habitat interventions to enhance natural pest regulation services in Spanish citrus orchards. Funding: Waitrose & Partners, Primafruit Ltd, and the University of Worcester. Alice Mockford (PhD student), Dr Duncan Westbury (Director of Studies) Dr Kate Ashbrook, and Prof Alberto Urbaneja (IVIA, Spain). 

2016-2020: Sustainable production of sweet cherry: maximising benefits from ecosystem services. Funding: Waitrose & Partners, Berry Gardens Ltd, and the University of Worcester. Zeus Mateos-Fierro (PhD student), Dr Duncan Westbury (Director of Studies) Dr Kate Ashbrook, Dr Michelle Fountain (NIAB-EMR), and Dr Mike Garrett (University of Reading). 

2016: Healthy streams for healthy people: a socio-ecological index for Belize. Darwin Initiative Scoping Award (Alan Dixon with Rachael Carrie). 

2015-2017: 20 years of wetland management research and policy development in Ethiopia. Funding: University of Worcester Research Excellence Scheme. Prof Alan Dixon. 

2015-2019: The influence of fine sediment intrusion on macroinvertebrate communities. Funding: PhD studentship funded by the University of Worcester. George Bunting (PhD student), Dr Tory Milner (Director of Studies), Prof Ian Maddock, and Dr Iwan Jones (QMUL).

2011-2019: An assessment of the suitability of polyspecific housing for captive Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta). Self-funded PhD. Samantha Law (PhD student), Dr John Dutton (Director of Studies) and Dr Susanne Prankel.

Selected outputs

2024

Abrego, N., Furneaux, B., Hardwick, B. et al. inc Petch, G (2024) Airborne DNA reveals predictable spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungiNature 631, 835–842.

Cherry, A, Wheeler, M, Mathisova, K and Di Miceli, M (2024) In silico analyses of the involvement of GPR55, CB1R and TRPV1: response to THC, contribution to temporal lobe epilepsy, structural modeling and updated evolution. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 18. pp. 1-20. ISSN 1662-5196.

Hanson, M, Petch, G, Adams-Groom, B, Ottosen, Thor-Bjorn and Skjoth, C (2024) Storms facilitate airborne DNA from leaf fragments outside the main tree pollen season. Aerobiologia. pp. 1-9. ISSN Print: 0393-5965 Online: 1573-3025.

Manfreda, S, Miglino, D, Khim, C, Jomaa, S, Eltner, A, Perks, M, Pena-Haro, S, Bogaard, T, van Emmerik, T, Mariani, S, Maddock, I, Tauro, F, Grimaldi, S, Zeng, Y, Goncalves, G, Strelnikova, D, Bussettini, M, Marchetti, G, Lastoria, B, Su, Z and Rode, M (2024) Advancing river monitoring using image-based techniques: Challenges and opportunities. Hydrological Science Journal, Latest (AAM). pp. 1-52. ISSN Print: 0262-6667 Electronic: 2150-3435.

Mockford, A, Urbaneja, A, Ashbrook, K and Westbury, D (2024)  Wildflower strips enhance pest regulation services in citrus orchards. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 370, 109069. 

Phiri, A, Njira, K and Dixon, A (2024) Comparative effects of legume-based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea and cowpea under deep-bed and conventional tillage systems in Malawi. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 7:e20503.

Tummon, F., Adams-Groom, B, Antunes, C, Bruffaerts, N, Buters, J, Carinanos, P, Celenk, S, Choel, M, Clot, B, Cristofori, A, Crouzy, B, Damialis, A, Rodriguez Fernandez, A, Fernandez Gonzalez, D, Galan, C, Gedda, B, Gehrig, R, Gonzalez-Alonso, M, Gottadini, E, Gros-Daillon, J, Hajkova, L, O'Connor, D, Ostensson, P, Oteros, J, Pauling, A, Perez-Badia, R, Rodinkova, V, Rodriguez-Rajo, J, Ribeiro, H, Sauliene, I, Sikoparija, B, Skjoth, C, Spanu, A, Sofiev, M, Sozinova, O, Srnec, L, Visez, N and de Weger, L (2024) The role of automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring across major end‑user domains. Aerobiologia. pp. 1-19. ISSN 1573-3025

2023

Apangu, G, Frisk, C, Adams-Groom, B , Petch, G, Hanson, M and Skjøth, C. (2023) Using qPCR and microscopy to assess the impact of harvesting and weather conditions on the relationship between Alternaria alternata and Alternaria spp. spores in rural and urban atmospheres. International Journal of Biometeorology.

Barrett, H (2023) Conservation planning and the development trajectory of the historic core of Worcester, England. Urban Planning, 8 (1). pp. 151-164. 

Bertalan, L, Eltner, A, Maddock, I and Pizarro, A (2023) Monitoring river channel dynamics by Unmanned Aerial Systems. In: Unmanned Aerial Systems for Monitoring Soil, Vegetation, and Riverine Environments. Elsevier, San Diego, pp. 271-294.

Brand, Z, Cloete S. W. P.  & Brown C (2023) Effect of storage periods and conditions on embryonic mortalities and hatchability of artificially incubated ostrich eggs. British Poultry Science, 64:5, 535-543.

Frisk, C, Adams-Groom, B and Smith, M (2023) Isolating the species element in grass pollen allergy: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 883 (163661). ISSN Print: 0048-9697 Online: 1879-1026.

Muhawenimana, V., Follett, E., Maddock, I  and Wilson, C.A.M.E (2023) Field-based monitoring of instream leaky barrier backwater and storage during storm events. Journal of Hydrology, 622 (Part A). p. 129744.

Mateos Fierro, Z , Garratt, M. P. D. , Fountain, MT. Ashbrook, K and Westbury, D (2023) The potential of wildflower strips to enhance pollination services in sweet cherry orchards grown under polytunnels. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Mockford, A, Urbaneja, A., Ashbrook, K and Westbury, D (2023) Developing perennial wildflower strips for use in Mediterranean orchard systems. Ecology and Evolution, 13 (7). e10285.

Moore, C, Unwin, P, Evans, N and Howie, F (2023) “Winging It”: An exploration of the self-perceived professional identity of social prescribing link workersHealth & Social Care in the Community 31.

Picornell, A, Smith, M and Rojo, J (2023) Climate change related phenological decoupling in species belonging to the Betulaceae family. International Journal of Biometeorology, 67(1), 195-209.

2022

Adams-Groom, B , Selby, K., Derrett, S., Frisk, Carl , Pashley, C. H., Satchwell, J., King, D., McKenzie, G. and Neilson, R. (2022) Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact: Betula, Quercus and Poaceae. Science of the Total Environment, 831 (154882).

Mateos Fierro, Z., Garratt, M.P.D., Fountain, M.T., Ashbrook, K. & Westbury, D.B.  (2022) Wild bees are less abundant but show better pollination behaviour for sweet cherry than managed pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology. pp. 1-11.

Mbewe, A. and Dixon, A (2022) Local institutions and the Functional Landscape Approach in the Kafue flats: Summary of key findings. Project Report for Self Help Africa's PRESERVE Programme. University of Worcester.

Milner, V. S., Dutton, J and Hayes, C. (2022) Colonisation of terrestrial vegetation in an intermittent river: Diversity responses to seasonal drying. River Research and Applications. ISSN 1535-1467.

Milner, V. S., Jones, J. I., Maddock, I and Bunting, George (2022) The hyporheic zone as an invertebrate refuge during a fine sediment disturbance event. Ecohydrology. e2450. 

Mockford, A., Westbury, D. B., Ashbrook, K., Urbaneja, A., & Tena, A. (2022). Structural heterogeneity of wildflower strips enhances fructose feeding in parasitoids. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 339, 108139.

Moore, C., Unwin, P., Evans, N. and Howie, F. (2022) Social prescribing: Exploring general practitioners' and healthcare professionals' perceptions of, and engagement with, the NHS ModelHealth & Social Care in the Community 30, e5176-e5185.

2021

Cunliffe, A., Anderson, K., Boschetti, F., Brazier, R., Graham, H., Myers-Smith, I., Astor, T., Boer, M., Calvo, L., Clark, P., Cramer, M., Encinas-Lara, M., Escarzaga, S., Fernández-Guisuraga, J., Fisher, A., Gdulová, K., Gillespie, B., Griebel, A., Hanan, N., Hanggito, M., Haselberger, S., Havrilla, C., Heilman, P., Ji, W., Karl, J., Kirchhoff, M., Kraushaar, S., Lyons, M., Marzolff, I., Mauritz, M., McIntire, C., Metzen, D., Méndez-Barroso, L., Power, S., Prošek, J., Sanz-Ablanedo, E., Sauer, K., Schulze-Brüninghoff, D., Šímová, P., Sitch, S., Smit, J., Steele, C., Suárez-Seoane, S., Vargas, S., Villarreal, M., Visser, F., Wachendorf, M., Wirnsberger, H. and Wojcikiewicz, R. (2021) Global application of an unoccupied aerial vehicle photogrammetry protocol for predicting aboveground biomass in non-forest ecosystemsRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. ISSN Electronic: 2056-3485.

Dal Sasso, S.F., Pizarro, A., Pearce, S., Maddock, I.P. and Manfreda, S. (2021) Increasing LSPIV performances by exploiting the seeding distribution index at different spatial scalesJournal of Hydrology. 598: 126438.

Damialis, A, Smith, M and Galán, C (2021) Editorial: Climate Change and Aeroallergens. Frontiers in Allergy, 2. p. 794430. ISSN 2673-6101.

Dixon, AB, Wood AP and Hailu, A (2021) Wetlands in Ethiopia: lessons from 20 years of research, policy and practice.   Wetlands, 41 (20). 

Hunt, R.L., Whiteside, H. & Prankel, S. (2021) Effects of environmental enrichment on dog behaviour: pilot studyAnimals, 12, 141. 

Image, M., Gardner, E., Clough, Y., Smith, H.G., Baldrock, K.C.R., Campbell, A., Garratt, M., Gillespie, M.A., Kunin, W.E., McKerchar, Megan, Memmott, J., Potts, S.G., Senapathi, D., Stone, G.M., Wackers, F., Westbury, D.B., Wilby, A., Oliver, T.H. and Breeze, T.D. (2021) Does agri-environment scheme participation in England increase pollinator populations and crop pollination services? Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 325. p. 107755. ISSN 0167-8809.

Law, S., Prankel, S., Schwitzer, C. & Dutton, J. (2021) Inter-specific interactions involving Lemur catta housed in mixed-species exhibits in UK zoos. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 9 (4). 247-258.

Mateos Fierro, Z., Fountain, M.T., Garratt, M.P.D, Ashbrook, K. and Westbury, D.B. (2021) Active management of wildflower strips in commercial sweet cherry orchards enhances natural enemies and pest regulation services. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 107485.

Maya-Manzano, J M, Skjøth, C , Smith, M, Dowding, P, Sarda-Estève, R, Baisnée, D, McGillicuddy, E, Sewell, G. and O´Connor, D J (2021) Spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of birch trees and airborne Betula pollen in Ireland. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 298 (108298). pp. 1-11. ISSN Print: 0168-1923.

Mvula, A. and Dixon, A.B. (2021) Farmer experiences of Tiyeni’s ‘deep-bed farming’ conservation agriculture system in Malawi. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 45, 2, 175-196.

Smith, M and Šikoparija, B (2021) Interlaboratory proficiency test in aerobiology using virtual slides – feasibility study. Grana, 60 (2). pp. 132-145. ISSN 0017-3134 Online: 1651-2049.

2020

Albrecht M., Kleijn D., Williams N.M., Tschumi M., Blaauw B.R., Bommarco R., Campbell A.J., Dainese M., Drummond F.A., Entling M.H., Ganser D., de Groot G.A., Goulson D., Grab H., Hamilton H., Herzog F., Isaacs R., Jacot K., Jeanneret P., Jonsson M., Knop E., Kremen C., Landis D.A., Loeb G.M., Marini L., McKerchar M., Morandin L., Pfister S.C., Potts S.G., Rundlof M., Sardinas H., Sciligo A., Thies C., Tscharntke T., Venturini E., Veromann E., Vollhardt I.M.G., Wackers F., Ward K., Westbury, D.B., Wilby A., Woltz M., Wratten S. & Sutter L. (2020). The effectiveness of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control, pollination services and crop yield: a quantitative synthesis. Ecology Letters, 23, 1488-1498.

Brand, Z. Cloete, Z.W.P & Brown, C.R. (2020) Hatch traits of artificially incubated ostrich eggs as affected by setting position, angle of rotation and season. South African Journal of Animal Science, 50 (4). 607-612. 

Dixon, A.B., Mvula A and Carrie RC (2020) A Functional Landscape Approach to managing wetland social-ecological systems: Experiences from the Kankhulukulu project in Malawi. Working Paper, The University of Worcester and Wetland Action.

Gardner, E., Breeze, T.D., Clough, Y., Baldock, K.C.R., Campbell, A., Garratt, M., Gillespie, M.A.K., Kunin, W.E., Mckerchar, Megan, Memmott, J., Potts, S.G., Senapathi, D., Stone, G.N., Wäckers, F., Westbury, D.B., Wilby, A. & Oliver, T.H. (2020) Reliably predicting pollinator abundance: challenges of calibrating process-based ecological models. Methods in Ecology and Evolution  11 (12), 1673-1689.

Maya-Manzano, JM, Smith, M , Markey, E, Hourihane Clancy, J, Sodeau, J and O´Connor, DJ (2020) Recent developments in monitoring and modelling airborne pollen, a review. Grana. ISSN 1651-2049.

McKerchar, M., Potts, S.G., Fountain, M.T., Garratt, M.P.D., and Westbury, D.B. (2020) The potential for wildflower interventions to enhance natural enemies and pollinators in commercial apple orchards is limited by other management practices. Agriculture, Ecosystems, & Environment, 301.

Pearce, S., Ljubičić, R., Peña-Haro, S., Perks, M., Tauro, F., Pizarro, A., Dal Sasso, S.F., Strelnikova, D., Grimaldi, S., Maddock, I.P., and Paulus, G. (2020) An Evaluation of Image Velocimetry Techniques under Low Flow Conditions and High Seeding Densities Using Unmanned Aerial Systems. Remote Sensing, 12, p.232-256.

Perks, M. T., Dal Sasso, S. F., Hauet, A., Pearce, S., Peña-Haro, S., Tauro, F., Grimaldi, S., Hortobágyi B., Jodeau, M., Le Coz, J., Maddock, I.P., Pénard, L. & Manfreda S. (2020) Towards harmonization of image velocimetry techniques for river surface velocity observationsEarth System Science Data. 12: pp.1545-1559.

Siljamo, P., Ashbrook, K., Comont, R.F., and Skjøth, C.A. (2020) Do atmospheric events explain the arrival of an invasive ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in the UK? PLoS ONE 15(1): e0219335.

Slater, T.S., Ashbrook, K., and Kriwet, J. (2020) Evolutionary relationships among bullhead sharks (Chondrichthyes, Heterodontiformes). Papers in Palaeontology.  6 (3). pp. 425-437.

Tapia-Arenas, C, Feger, KH, and Julich, S (2020) Remote sensing data for calibrating hydrologic modelling: Hydrological impacts of land use change of the Reventado river sub-basin, Costa RicaRevista Forestal Mesoamericana Kurú. 17. 16-28. DOI: 10.18845/rfmk.v17i41.5229 

2019

Barrett, H. and Boom, K. (2019) Woo Bike Share​ - demonstrating​ collaboration between​ curriculum, campus and​ community, Paper presented at the 4th Sustainability in Higher Education Conference, University of Wales Trinity St David.

Hamilton, L, Allcock, J and Evans, N (2019) "I don't go to meetings": understanding farmer perspectives on bovine TB and biosecurity trainingThe Veterinary Record 184, 13.

Osborne, R and Evans, N (2019) Friend or foe? Farmers’ relationships with the weather and climate change in the UK. Journal of Rural Studies 72, 205-215.

Smith, M, Oteros, J, Schmidt-Weber, C and Buters, JTM (2019) An Abbreviated Method for the Quality Control of Pollen Counters. Grana, 58 (3). pp. 185-190. ISSN 0017-3134.

Skjøth, C, Sun, Y, Karrer, G, Sikoparija, B, Smith, M, Schaffner, U and Müller-Schärer, H (2019) Predicting Abundances of Invasive Ragweed Across Europe Using a “Top-down” Approach. Science of the Total Environment, 686. pp. 212-222. ISSN Print: 0048-9697 Online: 1879-1026.

Visser, F., Woodget, A., Skellern, A., Forsey, J., Warburton, J., and Johnson, R. (2019) An Evaluation of a Low-cost Pole Aerial Photography (PAP) and Structure from Motion (SfM) Approach for Topographic Surveying of Small RiversInternational Journal of Remote Sensing, 40 (24). pp. 9321-9351.

2018

Adams, R., Martin, S. and Boom, K. (2018) University culture and sustainability: Designing and implementing an enabling frameworkJournal of Cleaner Production171, pp.434-445.

Adams, R., Martin, S. and Boom, K. (2018) A conceptual framework for designing, embedding and monitoring a university sustainability culture. In: Handbook of Sustainability and Social Science Research. World Sustainability. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 465-482. 

Dixon, A.B. (2018) Wetlands. In: Binns, J.A., Lynch, K., and Nel, E. (Eds) The Handbook of African Development. Routledge, London.

Dutton, J.S. (2018) Wild Boar: issues associated with their re-emergence in the Forest of Dean. Mammal Society Student Conference.

Maddock, I (2018) Environmental Flows: Habitat Modeling. In: The Wetland Book: I Structure and Function, Management, and Methods. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, pp. 1829-1834. 

Mateos-Fierro, Z., Garratt, M., Fountain, M.T., Ashbrook, K., and Westbury, D.B. (2018) Wildflower strip establishment for the delivery of ecosystem services in sweet cherry orchards. Aspects of Applied Biology: Ecosystem and Habitat Management: Research, Policy, Practice, 139. 179-186.

Müller-Schärer, H, Sun, Y, Chauvel, B, Karrer, G, Kazinczi, G, Kudsk, P, Oude Lansink, AG, Schaffner, U, Skjøth, C, Smith, M, Vurro, M, de Weger, LA and Lommen, ST (2018) Cross-fertilizing Weed Science and Plant Invasion Science to Improve Efficient Management: a European Challenge. Basic and Applied Ecology, 33. pp. 1-13. ISSN 1439-1791.

Schoelynck, J., Creëlle, S., Buis, K., De Mulder, T., Emsens, W., Hein, T., Meire, P., Okruszko, T., Preiner, S., Roldan Gonzalez, R., Silinski, A., Temmerman, S., Troch, P., Van Oven, T., Verschoren, V., Visser, F., Wang, C., Wolters, J., and Folkard, A. (2018) What is a macrophyte patch? Patch identification in aquatic ecosystems and guidelines for consistent delineationEcohydrology & Hydrobiology, 18 (1). pp. 1-9. 

Visser F., Buis K., Verschoren, V and Schoelynck J. (2018) Very high resolution remote sensing and Object Based Image Analysis for monitoring of submerged aquatic vegetation in riversHydrobiologia, 812 (1). pp. 157-175. ISSN 0018-8158 Online: 1573-5117.

2017

Beggs, PJ, Šikoparija, B and Smith, M  (2017) Aerobiology in the International Journal of Biometeorology, 1957--2017. International Journal of Biometeorology, 61 (1). pp. 51-58. ISSN 0020-7128 Online: 1432-1254.

Comont, R.F. and Ashbrook, K. (2017) Evaluating promotional approaches for citizen science biological recording: bumblebees as a group versus Harmonia axyridis as a flagship for ladybirds. BioControl 62, 309–318.

Westbury, D.B., Woodcock, B.A., Harris, S.J., Brown, V.K., and Potts, S.G. (2017) Buffer strip management to deliver plant and invertebrate resources for farmland birds in agricultural landscapes. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment, 240, 215-223.

Wilkes, M.A., Enders, E.C., Silva, A.T., Acreman, M. and Maddock, I.P. (2017) Position choice and swimming costs of juvenile Atlantic salmon salmo salar in turbulent flow. Journal of Ecohydraulics, 2: 16-27.

Woodget, A.S., Austrums, R., Maddock, I.P. and Habit, E., (2017) Drones and digital photogrammetry: From classifications to continuums for monitoring river habitat and hydromorphology. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water.

2016

Garratt, M.P.D., Breeze, T.D., Boreux, V., Fountain, M.T., McKerchar, M., Webber, S.M., Coston, D.J., Jenner, N., Dean, R., Westbury, D.B., Biesmeijer, J.C., and Potts, S.G. (2016). Apple pollination: Demand depends on variety and supply depends on pollinator identity. PloS one 11.

Hicks, D.M., Ouvard, P., Baldock, K.C.R, Baude, M., Goddard, M.A., Kunin, W.E., Mitschunas, N., Memmott, J., Morse, H., Nikolitsi, M., Osgathorpe, L.M., Potts, S.G., Robertson, K.M., Scott, A.V., Sinclair, F., Westbury, D.B., and Stone, G.N. (2016) Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS One (11) 16.

Nestler, J.M, Baigun, C. and Maddock, I.P. (2016) Achieving the aquatic ecosystem perspective. Integrating interdisciplinary approaches describe instream ecohydraulic processes. In, Gilvear, D., Greenwood, M. Thoms, M & Wood, P. (Eds) River Science: Research and Applications for the 21st Century. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 84-102.

Wilkes, M.A., Maddock, I.P., Link, O. & Habit, E. (2016) A community-level, mesoscale analysis of fish assemblage structure in shoreline habitats of a large river using multivariate regression trees. River Research and Applications. 32: 652-665.

Wood, A.P., Sutcliffe, P., and Dixon, A.B. (2016) ‘Wetlands of the Baro-Akobo River System in Ethiopia’. In:  Finlayson, C.M., McInnes, R., and Everard, M. (Eds) The Wetland Book, Springer, Netherlands.  

Woodget A.S., Visser F., Maddock I.P. and Carbonneau P.E. (2016) The accuracy and reliability of traditional surface flow type mapping: Is it time for a new method of characterizing physical river habitat? Rivers Research and Applications 32(9): 1825–1995. DOI: 10.1002/rra.3047

Visser, F., Buis K., Verschoren, V., and Schoelynck J. (2016) Development of a knowledge driven rule set for classification of submerbed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in a clear water stream: where do you draw the boundaries…? Proceedings of GEOBIA 2016: Solutions and Synergies, 14 - 16 September 2016, University of Twente Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC).

2015

Dixon, A.B. and Carrie, R. (2015) Creating local institutional arrangements for sustainable wetland social-ecological systems: lessons from the ‘Striking a Balance’ project in MalawiInternational Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology 23, 1, p40-52. 

Dutton, J.S., Clayton, H.T., and Evans, S.M. (2015) The social aspects of wild boar in the Forest Of Dean. Unpublished report for the Forestry Commission by the University of Worcester.

Hammond K.J., Humphries D.J., Westbury D.B., Thompson A., Crompton L.A., Kirton P., Green C., and Reynolds, C.K. (2014). The inclusion of forage mixtures in the diet of growing dairy heifers: Impacts on digestion, energy utilisation, and methane emissions. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 197, 88-95. 

Li, P., Boom, K. and Davis, P. (2015) How do limbo dancing, landlords and students’ energy habits link to EfSD: a Student Green Fund case study https://www.academia.edu/10246843/ 

Current opportunities

PhD research

Self-funded PhD projects within SERG will be advertised here, but also on FindAPhD.

Approaches from self-supporting PhD students are accepted all year round. Please contact Prof Alan Dixon to express an interest along with an outline of your research ideas.

Visiting researchers

The University of Worcester runs a scheme for Visiting Researchers. The scheme is aimed at postdoctoral researchers currently based at another (normally overseas) Higher Education Institution, although it may be extended to PhD students if appropriate. SERG welcomes the opportunity to host visiting researchers, particularly when this will complement research activities of the group. Please contact Prof Alan Dixon to express an interest along with an outline of the research you would like to pursue.