Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
I develop approaches to understand and predict species' dynamics in a world of continuous change: temperature rise, land-use get intensified in some areas while others are abandoned, species are moved from one continent to another.
To achieve this, I use a combination of modelling and data analysis to reveal how species’ life-histories interact with environmental conditions and human intervention, to produce large-scale ecological patterns. I favour models as tools to address these questions for theoretical or applied studies. I juggle between modelling techniques to best approach the problem at hand, but I like those emphasizing mechanisms.
My work has a strong theoretical component, but is dedicated to providing tools to understand, predict, and manage the ecological aspects of global change. As a consequence my research is developed along two themes: 1) linking local processes to large-scale patterns, and 2) help manage species and landscapes.
For instance, I try to predict how species distributions will change with climate change; how farming or forestry practices impact biodiversity; how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services.
Research Interests
Spatial ecology; Macroecology; Landscape ecology; Invasion biology; Population biology; Bayesian Inference; Individual-based models; trees; birds;
Teaching
BIO3206 "Conservation biology" - I developed this module to offer third year students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of ecological concepts and methods relevant for conservation, through interactive lectures, workshops and group work.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R3525BSC: Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity and Water
Emmerson, M. (PI), Barry, J. (CoI), Blaauw, M. (CoI), Caplat, P. (CoI), Cuthbert, R. (CoI), Flynn, R. (CoI), McKinley, J. (CoI), Mullan, D. (CoI), Reid, N. (CoI), Sheenan, L. (CoI), Slevin, A. (CoI) & Swindles, G. (CoI)
30/01/2024 → …
Project: Research
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R1084BSC: Queens University Belfast and University of Aberdeen Doctoral Research and Training (QUADRAT)
Emmerson, M. (PI), Blaauw, M. (CoI), Caplat, P. (CoI), Helyar, S. (CoI), McKinley, J. (CoI), Roe, H. (CoI) & Ruffell, A. (CoI)
23/07/2019 → …
Project: Research
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R1079NBE: Queens University Belfast & University of Aberdeen Doctoral Research and Training (QUADRAT)
McKinley, J. (PI), Blaauw, M. (CoI), Caplat, P. (CoI), Emmerson, M. (CoI), Helyar, S. (CoI), Roe, H. (CoI) & Ruffell, A. (CoI)
21/07/2019 → …
Project: Research
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R1071BSC: Managing invasive species in Latin America
Caplat, P. (PI)
23/07/2019 → 31/12/2021
Project: Research
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Remove saplings early: Cost‐effective strategies to contain tree invasions and prevent their impacts
Moyano, J., García‐Díaz, P., Langdon, B., Palmer, S. C. F., Caplat, P., Lambin, X., Pauchard, A. & Nuñez, M. A., 24 Jan 2025, (Early online date) In: Journal of Applied Ecology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Heatwaves during early development have long-term consequences for parental care in adulthood
Sidhu, K. K., Zafeiri, S., Malcolm, C., Caplat, P., Lancaster, L. T., Bocedi, G. & Pilakouta, N., Nov 2024, In: Animal Behaviour. 217, p. 65-72Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)15 Downloads (Pure) -
The interplay between visual traits and forest in bumblebee communities across Sweden
Tichit, P., Kendall, L., Olsson, P., Taylor, G., Rau, C., Caplat, P., Smith, H. G. & Baird, E., 23 Dec 2024, In: Ecology and Evolution. 14, 12, e70635.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
A matter of choices: the benefits of multi-ecosystem field courses for undergraduate students
Scott, L., Caplat, P., Collins, P., Dick, J. T. A., Emmerson, M., Houghton, J., McClure, C., Pincheira-Donoso, D., Reid, N., Riddell, G. & McGowan, N., 14 Sept 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Farmland birds on forest clear-cuts: Liked by some, avoided by others
Ram, D., Lindström, Å., Pettersson, L. B. & Caplat, P., 01 Feb 2023, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 529, 120714.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)58 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Best Poster - QUB Faculty MHLS
Armstrong, K.-A. (Recipient), Caplat, P. (Recipient), Helyar, S. (Recipient), Emmerson, M. (Recipient) & Rooney, E. (Recipient), Jun 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best student poster at British Ecological Society meeting 2019
Armstrong, K.-A. (Recipient), Rooney, E. (Recipient), Helyar, S. (Recipient), Emmerson, M. (Recipient) & Caplat, P. (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Talk QUADRAT Annual Science Meeting
Hancock-Evans, W. (Recipient) & Caplat, P. (Recipient), Oct 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Departmental 3 Minute Thesis: 3rd
Hancock-Evans, W. (Recipient) & Caplat, P. (Recipient), May 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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NOMINATION: Queen's University Belfast 'Team of the Year Award' 2020/21
Scott, L. (Recipient), Reid, N. (Recipient), Emmerson, M. (Recipient), Dick, J. T. A. (Recipient), Riddell, G. (Recipient), Marks, N. (Recipient), Houghton, J. (Recipient), Collins, P. (Recipient), Helyar, S. (Recipient), Caplat, P. (Recipient), Sigwart, J. (Recipient) & Scantlebury, M. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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NI Science Festival 2025
Caplat, P. (Invited speaker)
19 Feb 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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PhD Internal Examiner
Caplat, P. (Examiner)
26 Nov 2024Activity: Examination types › Other examination
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NERC Pushing the Frontiers Panel
Caplat, P. (Member)
01 Sept 2024 → 20 Dec 2024Activity: Other activity types › Other
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PhD examination Chair
Caplat, P. (Examiner)
06 Aug 2024Activity: Examination types › Other examination
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NI Science Festival 2024
Caplat, P. (Invited speaker)
21 Feb 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
Press/Media
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Gender equality & stereotyping
19/02/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Sustainable Christmas Trees
08/12/2020 → 04/01/2024
2 items of Media coverage, 4 Media contributions
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities