Dr James Gilbert's Projects (5)

Investigating temporal impacts of reintroduced beavers at Cropton Forest on biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. Apr 1, 2022 - Oct 1, 2025
Organisms release DNA into the environment via shed cells, waste material or decaying matter. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can then be captured by sampling water, soil, or air, without disturbing wildlife. eDNA metabarcoding is a rapidly emerging techniq... Read More about Investigating temporal impacts of reintroduced beavers at Cropton Forest on biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding..

Evaluating biodiversity impacts of beaver reintroductions on invertebrate and vertebrate communities using environmental DNA Feb 10, 2022 - Mar 31, 2025
Biodiversity is being lost at an unparalleled rate, particularly in freshwater ecosystems (McLellan et al., 2014). Reintroduction of keystone species such as beavers is considered part of the solution to the freshwater biodiversity crisis. Beavers, w... Read More about Evaluating biodiversity impacts of beaver reintroductions on invertebrate and vertebrate communities using environmental DNA.

The missing link: do impacts of beavers traverse aquatic-terrestrial boundaries? Sep 26, 2021 - Oct 31, 2022
Reintroduction of keystone species such as beavers is considered part of the solution to the freshwater biodiversity crisis. A primary motivation for reintroducing beavers is to create heterogeneous habitats that support novel communities of animals... Read More about The missing link: do impacts of beavers traverse aquatic-terrestrial boundaries?.

Resilience of pollinators in a changing world: impact of developmental environment on metabolism and energetic budgets in social and solitary bees Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2026
Human activity is simultaneously raising temperatures and changing food resources for beneficial animals, threatening global food security. Although food and temperature individually have well understood effects upon animals, their combined effects a... Read More about Resilience of pollinators in a changing world: impact of developmental environment on metabolism and energetic budgets in social and solitary bees.

Do Bees regulate the composition of food they give their offspring, and does it matter? Feb 1, 2015 - Oct 30, 2020
Bees are of national importance, with UK pollination currently worth ~£1.8bn annually. Yes bees are declining, with dire consequences for ecosystems services. Wild bees buffer against honeybee losses, making them vital for food security research. To... Read More about Do Bees regulate the composition of food they give their offspring, and does it matter?.