The invasion of non-native species into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (semi-natural as well as agricultural) is a growing problem in the light of climatic and land use changes. It potentially affects all sectors of society, from the local (e.g. farmers) to international scales (e.g. the Bern Convention). A novel predator, competitor or vector of disease can have a detrimental effect on the ecology of the native plant and animal communities, and this in turn can have severe socio-economic consequences as well as impacts on local biodiversity. Our research focuses on investigating the processes and dynamics of invasion by alien species and interventions to mitigate against spread
Current Projects
Investigating the Transmission of AFB Through Honey Bee Population in England
Grey Squirrel Population Management in Anglesey
Recent Projects
Modelling the population dynamics of hedgehogs on the Outer Hebrides with a view towards eradication
Related Papers
- Bruemmer CM, Rushton SP, Gurnell J, Lurz PWW, Nettleton P, Sainsbury AW, Duff JP, Gilray J, McInnes CJ. Epidemiology of squirrelpox virus in grey squirrels in the UK. Epidemiology and Infection 2010, 138(7), 941-950.
- Bertolino S, Lurz P, Sanderson RA, Rushton SP. Predicting the spread of the American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Europe: A call for a co-ordinated European approach. Biological Conservation 2008, 141(10), 2564-2575.
- Bonesi L, Rushton SP, Macdonald DW. Trapping for mink control and water vole survival: Identifying key criteria using a spatially explicit individual based model. Biological Conservation 2007, 136(4), 636-650.
- Tattoni C, Preatoni DG, Lurz PWW, Rushton SP, Tosi G, Bertolino S, Martinoli A, Wauters LA. Modelling the expansion of grey squirrels (Sciurus crolinensis) in Lombardy, northern Italy: implications for squirrel control. Biological Invasions2006, 8, 1605-1609.
- Rushton SP, Lurz PWW, Gurnell J, Nettleton P, Bruemmer CM, Shirley MDF, Sainsbury A. Disease threats posed by alien species: The role of a poxvirus in the decline of the native red squirrel in Britain. Epidemiology and Infection 2006,134(3), 521-533.
- Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG. The invasion of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the United Kingdom and its comparison to continental Europe. Biological Invasions 2005, 7(6), 959-968.