Professor Nigel Willby

Professor & Associate Dean of Research

Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Professor Nigel Willby

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About me

I am a Professor specialising in freshwater sciences. My interests are mainly in how we can manage, restore and assess freshwater ecosystems to promote their sustainable use and ecological resilience. I have particular interests in rewilding as a passive management approach and the role of beavers as ecological engineers and a nature-based solution.

Brief Biography

  • Associate Dean for Research: 2021 -
  • Professor (Freshwater Science): 2016 -
  • Associate Professor: 2014 - 2016
  • Senior Lecturer: 2005 - 2014
  • Lecturer: 2002 - 2005
  • NERC Independent Fellow (Stirling): 1999 - 2002
  • PDRA (Glasgow): 1997 - 1999
  • Freshwater Botanist (SNH): 1996-1997
  • PDRA (Glasgow): 1994 - 1996
  • PhD (Liverpool): 1989 - 1994

My research is in the field of ecology and management of freshwater ecosystems, principally in the areas of biomonitoring, ecosystem restoration, ecosystem processes and macroecology. Funding sources have included NERC, Environment Agency, SEPA, SNIFFER, SNH, British Waterways and Scottish Water. Research covers a number of interlinked themes:

Trait and functional group approaches to species-environment relationships Macroecology of aquatic vegetation Evaluating biomonitoring techniques based on aquatic plants, designing WFD classification tools Assessment and impacts of invasive species Application of remote sensing to early detection of environmental change in freshwaters Regenerative behaviour of riverine vegetation in relation to landscape connectivity and disturbance. Plant palatability and tissue element concentrations in relation to grazing Ecological effects of European beaver reintroduction

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