People

Dr Becks Spake, Associate Professor in Climate and Environmental Change

School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton

My work tries to identify how restoration and management actions can be targeted to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, using  field work, simulation and big data analyses. I focus principally on forest and deer management. I love exploring and adapting analytical methods that have been developed in other scientific disciplines to applied ecological problems. 

Lately, I have been using causal inference and machine learning to predict how ecosystems will respond to management and environmental change.

My full list of publications can be found here

Contact: Email: R.Spake[at]soton.ac.uk, or on LinkedIn  

Alexandros Theodorou, PhD student​

School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton

Alex completed a BSc and MSc in Zoology with Herpetology at Bangor University where he developed an interest in species movement and spatial ecology, as well as the complex issue of  human-wildlife conflict. Through his experiences he has further developed a passion for bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application. His Ph.D. focuses on the impact of large grazing mammals on the New Forest National Park and how robust evidence and ecological understanding can enhance the development and implementation of effective grazer management strategies

Main supervisor: Becks Spake

Co-supervisors: Dr Chloe Bellamy (Forest Research), Dr Brian Pickles (University of Reading), Dr Andrew Hoodless (Game and Conservation Wildlife Trust)

​Funding: Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Defra, University of Reading, University of Southampton

Orestis Aslanidis, PhD student​

School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton

Orestis got his BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. There, he became interested in applied ecology and developed a particular interest in birds. His PhD focuses on evaluating how different recreational disturbances affect bird populations and communities in the New Forest National Park, using a mix of spatial modelling, remote sensing, fieldwork and acoustic data analysis. On top of that, he aims to understand how decision makers responsible for managing recreation use and interpret different forms of evidence to help bridge the knowledge-practice gap.

Main supervisor: Becks Spake

Co-supervisors: Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez (University of Reading), Dr Brian Pickles (University of Reading), Dr Greg Counsell (Forest Research).

​Funding: INSPIRE Doctoral Training Partnership (NERC)

Mel Roach, PhD student

School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton

Mel's PhD aims to deliver evidence to underpin future policy, practice, and industry guidance critical to safeguarding ancient woodlands whilst supporting responsible development and woodland use. She is using evidence synthesis and fieldwork, and is using causal inference approaches to understand how woodlands are impacted by development.

​Funding: Defra Nature for Climate Fund project "AwDev" (led by Dr Chloe Bellamy)

​Main supervisor: Becks Spake, University of Southampton

Co-supervisors: Dr Chloe Bellamy, Dr Nadia Barsoum and Dr Alice Broome (Forest Research), and Dr Brian Pickles (University of Reading)