Sophie Harris
Sophie's PhD project aims to combine sedimentary DNA and stable isotopes with palaeo methods to understand how the biodiversity of ponds has changed over the past two hundred years. Read more about Sophie's research.
Project title
TBC
Supervisors
- Dr Maarten van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol
- Dr Evelyn Jensen
- Dr Mike Jeffries (Northumbria University)
- Dr Hannah Robson (WWT)
Funding
The project is funded by One Planet Doctoral Training Programme, funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) with the CASE partner, the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT).
About Sophie
Project description
The UK has lost 90% of its wetlands in the last hundred years, with ponds comprising around 97% of all standing water bodies.
Ponds are an essential resource for the environment and the living organisms within them, yet they remain understudied.
Research has shown that ponds support more aquatic macroinvertebrate species than riverine systems and often sustain rare species, including those with specific conservation interests.
The development of molecular analyses such as environmental DNA has allowed for the recreation of past environments where traditional palaeo techniques would not be appropriate.
This project aims to combine sedimentary DNA and stable isotopes with palaeo methods to understand how the biodiversity of ponds has changed over the past two hundred years.
Teaching
- GEO2228- Biogeography
- GEO2137- Key Methods for Physical Geography
- GEO8026- Geoscience
- NES2300- Field Identification Skills
- NES1302- Ecology and Conservation
Academic qualifications
- MSc(Res) Biological Science, Bangor University- Pass
- BSc(Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science, UWE Bristol- First Class
Memberships
- Sedimentary DNA Society
- British Ecological Society
- British Ornithological Union
- British Society of Geomorphology
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Quaternary Research Association
- Royal Society of Biology
Achievements
- Inclusion on the Dean’s List for Academic Excellence (2019&2020)- UWE Bristol
- British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) Trainee Bird Ringer
- BTO Seabird Ringing Experience Grant (£250)