Dr. Oliver Leedham

Oliver is interested in the interlinked ecologies of predator and prey species, and how predation interactions shape the dynamics of populations and communities. His work generally involves exploring ecological and anthropogenic drivers of demography in natural populations. 

He examines how intrinsic factors, social processes, movement and environment relate to survival and reproductive success in individuals, groups and populations. Vital demographic rates can also be impacted by punctuating events such as disease outbreaks, the loss or reintroduction of species, extreme weather events and anthropogenic disturbance, each of which can change the trajectory of a natural population. Understanding how such diverse processes influence population dynamics is central to predicting future change and population resilience in ecologically important species. Oliver uses a range of quantitative methods and ecological modelling approaches to examine demography and predict population change under specific environmental, disturbance and management scenarios. 

At UKCEH, he uses diverse datasets — including data from the landmark long-term seabird study on the Isle of May — to examine drivers of population dynamics in British seabirds. Currently, he is investigating the relationship between environmental contamination and demography in the European shag, and the population consequences of offshore renewable energy developments on UK seabirds. 

Oliver has a BSc in Zoology from the University of St Andrews, and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Oxford, focused on ecological dynamics of wolves and their ungulate prey in Yellowstone National Park.