RESEARCH
General Research Approach
I am interested in the interactions between physiological traits, movement and dispersal, and ecology and evolution that together define the ecological niche. My approach is summarised in the schematic below.
I begin by collecting data on the tolerance limits and performance of the organism, often generating model hypotheses about the organism (see "organism model") . Once these are appropriately defined in mathematical models, they can be integrated into spatiotemporal modelling architecture
The second element of my approach is to define a spatiotemporal modelling template against which to model the organism data (see "environment model"). Depending on the type of organism model that I am working with, this can represent spatial layers, or can require more developed templates using distribution modelling.
When these elements are combined, they together provide model insights into the changing realised niche of the organism. These provide estimates not only of where the species may be under present environmental conditions, but how that might change as conditions change
Contributions to Global Conservation Challenges
The underpinnings of my research approach sound abstract, technical and might be misunderstood to yield outcomes of a very academic interest. Despite this, a driver that underpins all my research has been a conviction that detailed empirical understanding is essential for practical ecological management for conservation or restoration.
When considered against a series of research themes in conservation biology (Cooke et al, 2021, Cons. Physiol), my research has spanned a broad range of global challenges in conservation (see right).
My ongoing research interests are in:
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threatened species conservation under climate change
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translocation and reintroduction of threatened species
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incorporating physiological flexibility into mechanistic distribution modelling
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integrating movement ecology and physiological processes to understand ecological service provision
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integrating movement ecology into models of urban ecology to understand isolation and dispersal constraints.
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engaging cross-disciplinary research with cross-cultural models of knowledge to guide conservation policy.
Crossing Boundaries in Conservation Physiology
My approach to research was perhaps best summarised in a published article in 2018:
“[…] take existing ideas, concepts, hypotheses, techniques, and technologies and apply them outside their usual scope. In doing so, the physiology crosses disciplinary boundaries between physiology and ecology, between botany and zoology, and between biology and the human dimension in ways that provide the evidence base around which adaptive management frameworks can be constructed […] the insights gained have broad, practical value that crosses boundaries.”
Tomlinson, Rummer, Hultine and Cooke (2018) Conservation Physiology 6: coy015.
