Dr Daniel Chapman

Senior Lecturer

Biological and Environmental Sciences Stirling

Dr Daniel Chapman

About me

I am an ecologist interested in investigating the natural world using statistical and computational modelling. I have a particular focus on the distribution, dynamics and diversity of invasive non-native species, and I aim to better understand invasion processes in order to improve the management of problem species.

I completed my PhD at the University of York on metapopulation dynamics in a dynamic habitat network, before conducting post doctoral research on upland ecosystem modelling at the University of Leeds. I then spent 10 years at the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in Edinburgh, conducting and leading research funded by a range of organisations including NERC, BBSRC, the EU, and the Scottish Government. My research has influenced invasive species policy, for example by contributing to species risk assessments that support EU legislation.

I am interested in determining how biological invasions are influenced by interactions between intrinsic characteristics of species, human activities and the external environment. Towards this end I use cutting edge computational and statistical modelling to connect observed spread and diversity patterns of invasive species to underlying mechanisms. My research targets individual high-impact non-native species (e.g. modelling the spread and control of the allergenic plant ragweed and the olive tree pathogen Xylella fastidiosa) as well as studying patterns of non-native species diversity in systems varying from agricultural pests, freshwater ecosystems and tropical rainforests.

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