Dr. Emma Gardner

Emma previously worked as an astrophysicist, building models that simulate the accretion flows and relativistic jets around black holes. She specialised in studying variability in these complex, interacting systems. Now she uses the same techniques to investigate how ecological systems vary over space and time. 

At UKCEH, Emma builds computer models that simulate how species use landscapes. She works with researchers, NGOs and conservation volunteers to translate the latest understanding of species' needs into models that predict where species are living, which parts of landscapes are important to them and how they might be affected by land-use changes. 

Process-based models simulate the foraging, dispersal and population processes of species with different ecologies. So far, they have been developed for birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles and bees, and have been used by decision-makers across the UK to assess the potential consequences of proposed habitat loss, to quantify the effects of previous habitat creation, to inform further habitat creation, and to target on-the-ground survey efforts. 

Emma also explores how non-human species' needs are represented in human decision-making and how this could be improved. She works with decision-makers to investigate across a range of spatial scales, from national and local government down to grass-roots community action, and she collaborates with researchers across the arts, humanities and sciences to examine these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.