Ellie Dyer

Curriculum Vitae:

• 2010: Coordinator, GAVIA: Global Avian Invasions Atlas Project.
• 2009–2010: Research Intern, Sampled Red List Index, Institute of Zoology.
• 2007–2008: Environmental Manager, Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall.
• 2006–2007: MSc Zoo Conservation Biology, University of Plymouth.
• 2006: Research Assistant, The Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Loch Lomond (University of Glasgow).
• 2003–2006: BSc Animal Science: Behaviour and Welfare, University of Plymouth.
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Research Interests:

Current Research:

Together with Professor Tim Blackburn , I am creating a novel, spatially referenced, global data set on the distributions of exotic birds, with our primary outcome being the production of the first global mapping tool for the distribution of exotic species in a major taxon.

This will be an important resource for scientists interested in understanding the invasion process. It will also help conservation bodies and policy makers to understand where and why invasions are continuing to occur, and so ultimately help to stem the process and ameliorate its impacts.

Once the database is complete, we hope to be able to address such questions as: What determines the number of exotic species in a given locality? What determines the size of the exotic range in introduced species? Does the environment in the native range predict the exotic environment in which an introduced species is found?

Previous Research:

I previously worked on the Sampled Red List Index (SRLI) , assessing the threat status of freshwater species’ groups including molluscs, crabs and crayfish. The SRLI is a new initiative to broaden the taxonomic coverage of The IUCN Red List in order to better represent biodiversity, provide increased species data coverage, enable a better understanding of biodiversity status and trends, and to identify key regions and taxa that require greater conservation attention.
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Publications:

Collen B., Dyer E., Whitton, F., Soulsby A., Richman N., Böhm M., Cumberlidge N., Darwall W.R.T., Pollock C. & Baillie J.E.M. (in prep.) Global freshwater diversity and threat distribution.