Modelling butterfly responses to
field margin design
Supervisors
- Dr Richard Walters – University of Reading
- Professor Richard Sibly – University of Reading
- Dr Pernille Thorbek – Syngenta
- Dr Ian Sims – Syngenta
- Dr Tom Oliver – University of Reading
Funding
• BBSRC CASE studentship
Start Date
• October 2015
Abstract
Individual based models are tools used to understand the link between the traits of individuals within their environment and the patterns we observe at higher levels; such as at the population scale. The traits are captured from observation or experiment and are then simulated to allow us to test different hypotheses about life cycle processes. This can then help us produce better models for predicting the responses of populations to environmental change. The aim of this project is to apply these tools to advise conservation management for butterflies, with focus on field margin design.