Dr Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor

Senior Lecturer- Nature-based Solutions

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

Dr Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor

Contact details

About me

I’m an ecologist and conservation biologist investigating how nature-based solutions can be used to tackle the ecological crisis. My research is strongly applied, with a focus on finding effective ways to restore biodiversity (and associated ecosystem functions and services) in anthropogenic landscapes. For example, during my PhD I investigated the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes for bats and nocturnal invertebrates. For the past ten years, my research has primarily focused on assessing the long-term ecological consequences of woodland creation (see e.g. the WrEN project which I co-lead: www.wren-project.com/). Over time my research has become increasingly transdisciplinary, and I currently lead a research project investigating stakeholder perceptions and socio-ecological consequences of woodland expansion through a range of approaches, including planting and allowing trees to colonise new areas naturally (the TreE_PlaNat project: www.uktreescapes.org/projects/tree_planat/).

Brief CV:

•Senior Lecturer in Applied Ecology (University of Stirling, UK 2022-ongoing).
•Science and Monitoring Advisor (Bat Conservation Trust, UK 2021-2022). •Senior Research Fellow (Scotland’s Rural College [SRUC], UK 2020-2022) – Research programme: “Maximising the environmental benefits of woodland creation”.
•Research Fellow (University of Stirling, UK 2013-2021) – Research programme: “Woodland Creation & Ecological Networks; WrEN”. Visit WrEN's webpage.
•Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ecology (University of Stirling, UK 2012) – Research project: “Assessing the effects of micro-turbines on wildlife”.
•Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ecology (University of Stirling, UK 2011-2012) – Research project: “Assessing the effectiveness of farm woodland creation schemes for bats”.
•PhD in Ecology (University of Stirling, UK 2007-2011) – Thesis: “The value of agri-environment schemes and farm woodland for bats and nocturnal insects”. Winner of the Vincent Weir Scientific Award 2011 for making a significant contribution to research on the conservation biology of bats.
•MSc in Environmental Biology (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico 2004-2007) – Thesis: “Edge effects caused by roads on populations of endemic rodents of Cozumel island”.
•BSc (Hons) in Biology, major in Ecology (Universidad de las Americas, Mexico 1999-2003) – Thesis: “Biology of Bombus ephippiatus Say (Hymenoptera, Apidae)”.

I am also a Trustee of Bats without Borders and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Research areas:

•Applied ecology (e.g. finding effective ways to restore biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions and services in human-modified landscapes).
•Effects of anthropogenic disturbances (e.g. habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification) on wildlife.
•Evaluation of conservation actions (e.g. habitat restoration, agri-environment schemes) for biodiversity.
•Landscape ecology (e.g. influence of landscape composition and configuration on biodiversity).
•Animal ecology and conservation (mainly of bats, small non-volant mammals and invertebrates).
•My current research programme focuses on examining the long-term effects of past woodland creation on current biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to inform future reforestation strategies.

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes