Tiger-Willow Pugh

• One Planet Researcher, based at Northumbria University Department of Geography and Environmental Science
• Email: t.pugh@northumbria.ac.uk

Project Title:

Grow or mow? Managing urban grasslands for pollinator conservation and soil ecosystem services.

Supervisory Team:

Dr Katherine Baldock (lead- Northumbria)

Dr Mark Goddard (Northumbria)

Dr Miranda Prendergast-Miller (Northumbria)

Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel (Newcastle)

Dr Yit Arn Teh (Newcastle)

Dr Ben Walton (Urban Green Newcastle)

Bio:

I spent my childhood outdoors, which sparked my love for nature. While studying biology as an undergraduate, I discovered my passion for urban ecology and creating green spaces that support ecosystems and serve local communities. I believe in the importance of accessible natural spaces where both people and biodiversity can thrive. This focus has led me to explore the complex interactions between soil, plants and invertebrates- or, as my parents call it, “scratting in the mud and poking things”.

Research Questions:

1) What are the impacts of different urban grassland management approaches on floral and pollinator communities?

2) What are the potential benefits and disservices of managing urban grasslands for pollinators on soil quality?

3) Do soil quality and properties interact with floral reward availability under different urban grassland management approaches?

4) How do people respond to urban grassland management approaches and value the ecosystem services they provide?

Education:

MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, University of Leeds (2023-2024)

BSc in Biology, University of Northumbria (2019-2023)

Skills:

Habitat surveys, Plant identification, Collecting, staging and identification of Invertebrates

Hobbies:

Pub quizzes, Cats and Cooking