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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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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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 AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)63 Downloads (Pure) -
Greening Cities: How can street trees improve habitat connectivity for biodiversity?
Hancock-Evans, W. & Caplat, P., 01 Jan 2023, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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Mapping co-occurence of human activities and wildlife from multiple data sources
Caplat, P., 29 May 2023, (Early online date) In: Peer Community in Ecology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial
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Predicting the impact of invasive trees from different measures of abundance
Moyano, J., Zamora-Nasca, L. B., Caplat, P., García-Díaz, P., Langdon, B., Lambin, X., Montti, L., Pauchard, A. & Nuñez, M. A., 01 Jan 2023, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 325, Pt B, 116480.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
4 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Best Poster - QUB Faculty MHLS
Armstrong, Kerri-Ann (Recipient), Caplat, Paul (Recipient), Helyar, Sarah (Recipient), Emmerson, Mark (Recipient) & Rooney, Eimear (Recipient), Jun 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best student poster at British Ecological Society meeting 2019
Armstrong, Kerri-Ann (Recipient), Rooney, Eimear (Recipient), Helyar, Sarah (Recipient), Emmerson, Mark (Recipient) & Caplat, Paul (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Talk QUADRAT Annual Science Meeting
Hancock-Evans, Will (Recipient) & Caplat, Paul (Recipient), Oct 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Departmental 3 Minute Thesis: 3rd
Hancock-Evans, Will (Recipient) & Caplat, Paul (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, Lorraine (Recipient), Reid, Neil (Recipient), Emmerson, Mark (Recipient), Dick, Jaimie Thomas Allan (Recipient), Riddell, Gillian (Recipient), Marks, Nikki (Recipient), Houghton, Jonathan (Recipient), Collins, Patrick (Recipient), Helyar, Sarah (Recipient), Caplat, Paul (Recipient), Sigwart, Julia (Recipient) & Scantlebury, Michael (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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NI Science Festival 2024
Paul Caplat (Invited speaker)
21 Feb 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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British Ecological Society Annual Meeting
Paul Caplat (Session chair)
15 Dec 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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International Men's Day 2023
Paul Caplat (Organiser)
22 Nov 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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British Ecological Society: Movement of Lumbricidae in response to an anthropogenic barrier
Will Hancock-Evans (Presenter) & Paul Caplat (Advisor)
Nov 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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NERC Peer Review College (External organisation)
Paul Caplat (Advisor)
01 Jul 2023 → 30 Jun 2027Activity: Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee
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