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Name: Professor Helen Roy
Position: Research Ecologist
Organization: Biological Records Centre, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology UK
Nationality and main countries worked: British; worked across Europe
Why is surveying and monitoring of non-native species important in applied ecology?
As highlighted by the Convention on Biological Diversity, the most effective approach to managing invasive non-native species is to adopt biosecurity protocols to prevent the arrival of non-native species in the first place. Ecologically, and in terms of cost, prevention is always better than cure but for this to be effective, applied ecologists first need to understand the main routes of arrival, so called pathways, for non-native species. Identification of pathways that are responsible for the introduction of invasive non-native species can lead to measures to manage the pathway to reduce the threat from new introductions. For example the campaign “Check, Clean, Dry” aimed at recreational users (such as anglers and kayakers) of water bodies can be effective in reducing the introduction and spread of aquatic non-native species. Additionally “Be Plant Wise” is a campaign that aims to inform people about responsible gardening.
The Convention on Biological Diversity advocates early warning and rapid response as a second level approach, after prevention, for managing biological invasions. For this approach, surveillance and monitoring, both at points of entry, such as ports and airports but also across the wider countryside, becomes critical. If prevention and early warning fail, then long-term management becomes an option. Therefore, if a species has become well-established in the wild, surveying and monitoring can help determine its effect on other species and indeed ecosystems, need for management and the success of implemented management. Although eradication might not be possible or cost effective if a species has spread too far, containment or management can reduce the extent of impacts, and again the success of such measures require evaluation through monitoring.
What is your day-to-day job?
I am a full-time research scientist focussing on community ecology. I lead zoological research into the way that species interact with one another and the environment. I work both on long-term and large-scale datasets, derived from the inspiring contributions of volunteers, and through experimental work to assess the effects of environmental change on wildlife. My day-to-day work involves collaborating with the volunteer organisers of many surveys to gather the vast datasets (comprising biological records: essentially occurrence data) that are critical for addressing ecological questions in relation to environmental change. Some of these datasets are derived through citizen science projects and use volunteer-collected data, others are more traditional expert-led research projects but often also involve volunteers. Much of my work focuses on invasive non-native species, which are considered a major driver of biodiversity loss, but I am also interested in the interactions between habitat alteration and climate change, alongside the arrival of non-native species, and the responses of wildlife to environmental change. I collate and analyse information on the many non-native species that have become established in Britain and beyond. This includes most taxonomic groups and all environments (terrestrial, marine and freshwater). I have worked on broad inventories of all non-native species in Britain and across Europe but also in depth on one particular invasive non-native species, the harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) at global scales.
I am a passionate natural historian and feel privileged to work with so many amazing natural historians through the volunteer schemes and societies. I enjoy the combination of developing a breadth of understanding of the effects of environmental change on wildlife while also exploring the detailed interactions between the harlequin ladybird and other species. My work involves collaborating with large teams around the world to make predictions and test hypotheses on invasive non-native species and other drivers of biodiversity loss. Some work has a direct link to policy and I have been delighted to lead projects that ultimately inform decision-making, for example through the new EU Regulation on invasive non-native species. I also enjoy the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for applied ecology through talks, exhibitions, festivals, blogs and the media – science communication is critical for engaging people in understanding the issues of environmental change.
What are the most interesting recent or currents projects you have been working on within both the broad and specific parts of your role, and why?
Broad: I have been involved in developing so called “horizon scanning” approaches to predict the future invasive non-native species likely to arrive, establish, spread, and ultimately adversely affect biodiversity and ecosystem function. Such approaches are challenging – the pool of potential species is vast - but it is incredible what can be achieved with a group of experts working collaboratively to reach consensus on a focused topic. In the last couple of years I have led two horizon scanning projects, the first in Britain and the second across Europe. The horizon scanning project for Britain identified 92 species that could arrive on British shores in the next ten years and impact on biodiversity. Number 1 on that list was the quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis, which, as we predicted in 2014, has now arrived. Other species on the list included the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis and Asian hornet Vespa velutina. When we expanded this to a continental scale in 2015, the number of species on the list increased to include, for example, the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei.
Specific: My research on the harlequin ladybird has involved a series of projects. This have often involved collaboration with postgraduate students working alongside me but also scientists from around the world. In 2005, I helped establish an on-line survey for people to report sightings of harlequins and all species of ladybird through the UK Ladybird Survey. Native to Asia, the harlequin ladybird has a long history of introduction as a classical biological control of pest insects (mainly aphids) around the world. It was introduced to North America from in 1916, and after a long lag phase, it became the most widespread throughout the North American continent. Throughout the 1980s the species was introduced to some countries within Europe. Although never intentionally introduced into the UK, the harlequin ladybird was first reported in Autumn 2004 in the southeast of the UK, from where it has spread rapidly north and west. Contributions from volunteer recorders through the UK Ladybird Survey (www.ladybird-survey.org) have provided an amazing resource for studying invasion of habitats across the UK by the harlequin ladybird. By simultaneously monitoring native species of ladybirds (Coccinellidae) through the UK Ladybird Survey, we have been able to assess the effect of the harlequin ladybird on changes in distribution of native species. The UK Ladybird Survey was one of the first web-based wildlife surveys in the UK and has grown, expanded, and evolved in the intervening years, most notably in 2013 with the development of a specific smartphone application dedicated to recording ladybirds. The occurrence data received through the UK Ladybird Survey have allowed us to address important ecological and evolutionary questions. For example, we have published research assessing the impacts of harlequin ladybirds on native ladybirds while also considering their response to climate and habitat factors. We are just beginning to develop a smartphone app to enable recording of ladybirds across Europe.
What’s been best part of these particular projects?
Broad: I have been so privileged in working with incredible teams of scientists around the world, which has been tremendously rewarding. It has also been fascinating to work across a range of different ecosystems, from arctic tunda to Mediterranean regions via temperate woodland and alpine ecosystems (often from my office in Oxfordshire but sometimes in the field!). It has been really exciting to invite policy-makers along to the workshops that are integral to these projects and have the opportunity to have such an immediate effect in informing policy and, through that, developing strategies to reduce ecological damage caused by non-native species.
Specific: It has been fascinating to see how new technologies have changed the way that people can get involved in scientific research. Certainly on-line recording and the development of the smartphone application have increased participation in the UK Ladybird Survey. Around 17,000 people have been involved with the survey and collectively contribute around 25,000 records each year. It’s also been really interesting working with partner organisations such as the BBC, the British Science Association, the Royal Society of Biology, and many more.
What are the main challenges in monitoring and managing non-native species and how can they be overcome?
The number of first records of non-native species being recorded in the UK (and, for that matter, elsewhere) is increasing rapidly year on year. We are still in the growth phase of invasion biology both in terms of new arrivals and knowledge. Moreover, because the cumulative number of non-native species in most regions is still growing, the proportion of those non-native species which have an ecological impact is also still growing.
One role of an applied ecologist is to provide the best available evidence upon which policy and practice decisions can be based. However, there is considerable scope to improve understanding and communication of the complex ecological interactions between native and non-native species and effects on ecosystem function and resilience. Arguments can be, and often are, massively oversimplified and it is essential that we communicate uncertainty more effectively than is currently the case. There are many knowledge gaps particularly in relation to empirical evidence of impacts. Generally negative effects of non-native species are reported but there can be positive effects. Objective comparisons of benefits and costs can be extremely difficult. There is often a need for rapid decisions and, since the negative impacts can be devastating, the precautionary principle is often appropriately adopted.
What next for you, and why?
I am excited about increasing understanding of the effects of invasive non-native species on ecosystem function and exploring the concept of ecological resilience in this context. The harlequin ladybird provides an excellent model system for addressing these questions. It has also highlighted the way in which people can get involved with surveillance and monitoring of invasive non-native species, which will be crucial to the monitoring of future arrivals.
Perhaps the most threatening species on the British horizon is the Asian hornet. This species is already in northern France and its arrival in the UK is more a matter of “when” rather than “if”. This predatory species consumes a range of insects but is commonly seen feeding on honeybees. We are putting a huge amount of effort into publicity, especially for bee keepers, to raise awareness of the species to encourage people to report sightings of concern through an on-line alert system for non-native species.
Finally, how did you get into community ecology and what advice would to others?
I have had a passion for natural history for as long as I can remember. I got involved in a number of wildlife projects (particularly monitoring small mammals) as a teenager so it was natural for me to study biology at University. After working on a PhD on the interactions between ladybirds and other species within the aphid guild including some incredible and quirky aphid-pathogenic fungi, I went on to lecture in ecology for ten years before becoming a research ecologist with the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). I am now head of zoology with the Biological Records Centre (part of CEH) and have the privilege of working with many people from the volunteer recording community. Every day I learn something new!
My advice for others is simple: look for opportunities to get involved as a volunteer and use your enthusiasm to contribute to projects and learn new skills. Collaborate and communicate – it is fun, rewarding and ultimately will almost certainly lead to many other opportunities. Sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge through blogs or magazine pieces, or offering talks to local groups, national organisations, and even academic conferences is a great way to put you in contact with potential employees and collaborators. Collaborations and working in partnership with organisations can be a very powerful way of breaking into the job market.