Ms Kathryn Jeffery

Associate Professor

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

Ms Kathryn Jeffery

Contact details

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http://www.stir.ac.uk/people/kathrynjeffery1

About me

A postdoctoral researcher at the University of Stirling since 2006, I was based full-time in Gabon between 2004 and 2017. I obtained my PhD from Cardiff University in 2003 on the socio-genetics of the gorilla community in Lopé National Park, Gabon, adopting a forensic approach to genetically track wild apes following a period working for the Forensic Science Service in London. Following this I spent 6 years in Lopé National Park, first directing the Wildlife Conservation Society’s training centre (CEDAMM) and then the SEGC research station. Here I oversaw a multidisciplinary ecological research programme that supported park management objectives, and developed numerous training courses for Central African students and conservation staff. In 2010 I was named Scientific Advisor for the National Parks Agency in Gabon (ANPN), where I spent 7 years building a scientific division for the agency, providing technical and scientific support and advising on various government policies. As a member of the Tropical Ecology and Conservation Group, my research interests today are focussed on applied research that provides tangible solutions to conservation problems, ranging from vegetation dynamics at savannah-forest transition zones and the impacts of climate change on forest productivity, to fire management practices and ivory traceability. I am passionate about questions of good research governance, strengthening links at the science-policy interface, and integrating a better understanding of social factors into conservation programmes. I am currently based in Montpellier, France.

Research (3)

Projects

Stabilisation of pyrogenic carbon in tropical grasslands (SPECTRAL)
PI: Professor Jens-Arne Subke
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–

GCRF TRADE, Development and the Environment (TRADE) Hub
PI: Professor Katharine Abernethy
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
–

Sustaining a great Ape Health Program in Lope National Park Gabon
PI: Ms Kathryn Jeffery
Funded by: U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
–

Outputs (76)

Outputs

Article

Local genetic adaptation to habitat in wild chimpanzees

Ostridge HJ, Fontsere C, Lizano E, Soto DC, Schmidt JM, Saxena V, Alvarez-Estape M, Barratt CD, Gratton P, Bocksberger G, Lester JD, Dieguez P, Agbor A, Jeffery K & Orbell C (2024) Local genetic adaptation to habitat in wild chimpanzees. Science.

Article

Functional susceptibility of tropical forests to climate change

Aguirre‐Gutiérrez J, Berenguer E, Oliveras Menor I, Bauman D, Corral-Rivas JJ, Nava-Miranda MG, Both S, Ndong JE, Ondo FE, Bengone NN, Mihinhou V, Dalling JW, Abernethy K, Jeffery KJ & White LJT (2022) Functional susceptibility of tropical forests to climate change. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 6, pp. 878-889. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-022-01747-6

Article

MASTREE+: time-series of plant reproductive effort from six continents

Hacket-Pain A, Foest JJ, Pearse IS, LaMontagne JM, Koenig WD, Vacchiano G, Bogdziewicz M, Caignard T, Celebias P, van Dormolen J, Fernández-Martínez M, Moris JV, Abernethy K, Jeffery K & White LJT (2022) MASTREE+: time-series of plant reproductive effort from six continents. Global Change Biology, 28 (9), pp. 3066-3082. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16130

Article

Aboveground biomass density models for NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar mission

Duncanson L, Kellner JR, Armston J, Dubayah R, Minor DM, Hancock S, Healey SP, Patterson PL, Saarela S, Marselis S, Silva CE, Bruening J, Abernethy K, Jeffery KJ & White LJT (2022) Aboveground biomass density models for NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar mission. Remote Sensing of Environment, 270, Art. No.: 112845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2021.112845

Article

The number of tree species on Earth

Cazzolla Gatti R, Reich PB, Gamarra JGP, Crowther T, Hui C, Morera A, Bastin JF, de-Miguel S, Nabuurs G, Svenning J, Serra-Diaz JM, Merow C, Enquist B, Kamenetsky M & Jeffery K (2022) The number of tree species on Earth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (6), Art. No.: e2115329119. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2115329119

Article

Recent genetic connectivity and clinal variation in chimpanzees

Lester JD, Vigilant L, Gratton P, McCarthy MS, Barratt CD, Dieguez P, Agbor A, Álvarez-Varona P, Angedakin S, Ayimisin EA, Bailey E, Bessone M, Brazzola G, Jeffery KJ & Orbell C (2021) Recent genetic connectivity and clinal variation in chimpanzees. Communications Biology, 4 (1), Art. No.: 283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01806-x

Article

Resistance of African tropical forests to an extreme climate anomaly

Bennett AC, Dargie GC, Cuni-Sanchez A, Mukendi JT, Hubau W, Mukinzi JM, Phillips OL, Malhi Y, Sullivan MJP, Cooper DLM, Adu-Bredu S, Affum-Baffoe K, Amani CA, Jeffery KJ & White LJT (2021) Resistance of African tropical forests to an extreme climate anomaly. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118 (21), Art. No.: e2003169118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2003169118

Book Chapter

Status, Trends, and Scenarios of Invasive Alien Species in Gabon

Mikissa JB, Pambo AFK, Ngoyi EB, Jeffery KJ, White L & Abernethy K (2021) Status, Trends, and Scenarios of Invasive Alien Species in Gabon. In: Invasive Alien Species: Observations and Issues from Around the World, Volume 1: Issues and Invasions in Africa. Oxford: Wiley, pp. 139-144. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119607045.ch4

Article

The NASA AfriSAR campaign: Airborne SAR and lidar measurements of tropical forest structure and biomass in support of current and future space missions

Fatoyinbo T, Armston J, Simard M, Saatchi S, Denbina M, Lavalle M, Hofton M, Tang H, Marselis S, Pinto N, Hancock S, Hawkins B, Duncanson L, Jeffery K & White LTJ (2021) The NASA AfriSAR campaign: Airborne SAR and lidar measurements of tropical forest structure and biomass in support of current and future space missions. Remote Sensing of Environment, 264, Art. No.: 112533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2021.112533

Article

Fine root dynamics across pantropical rainforest ecosystems

Huaraca Huasco W, Riutta T, Girardin CAJ, Hancco Pacha F, Puma Vilca BL, Moore S, Rifai SW, Del Aguila Pasquel J, Araujo Murakami A, Freitag R, Morel AC, Demissie S, Jeffery KL, White LJT & Abernethy KA (2021) Fine root dynamics across pantropical rainforest ecosystems. Global Change Biology, 27 (15), pp. 3657-3680. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15677

Article

Discovery of novel herpes simplexviruses in wild gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees supports zoonotic origin of HSV-2

Wertheim JO, Hostager R, Ryu D, Merkel K, Angedakin S, Arandjelovic M, Ayimisin EA, Babweteera F, Bessone M, Brun-Jeffery KJ, Dieguez P, Eckardt W, Fruth B, Herbinger I & Jones S (2021) Discovery of novel herpes simplexviruses in wild gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees supports zoonotic origin of HSV-2. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 38 (7), pp. 2818-2830. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msab072

Article

Structure of Chimpanzee Gut Microbiomes across Tropical Africa

Bueno de Mesquita CP, Nichols LM, Gebert MJ, Vanderburgh C, Bocksberger G, Lester JD, Kalan AK, Dieguez P, McCarthy MS, Agbor A, Álvarez Varona P, Ayimisin AE, Bessone M, Chancellor R & Jeffery KJ (2021) Structure of Chimpanzee Gut Microbiomes across Tropical Africa. mSystems, 6 (3), Art. No.: e01269-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.01269-20

Article

Long-term thermal sensitivity of Earth's tropical forests

Sullivan MJP, Lewis SL, Affum-Baffoe K, Castilho C, Costa F, Cuni Sanchez A, Ewango CEN, Hubau W, Marimon B, Monteagudo-Mendoza A, Qie L, Sonké B, Vasquez Martinez R, Jeffery KJ & White LJT (2020) Long-term thermal sensitivity of Earth's tropical forests. Science, 368 (6493), pp. 869-874. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaw7578

Article

Long-term collapse in fruit availability threatens Central African forest megafauna

Bush ER, Whytock RC, Bahaa-el-din L, Bourgeois S, Bunnefeld N, Cardoso AW, Dikangadissi JT, Dimbonda P, Dimoto E, Edzang Ndong J, Jeffery KJ, Lehmann D, Makaga L, Momboua B, Momont LRW, Tutin CEG, White LJT, Whittaker A & Abernethy K (2020) Long-term collapse in fruit availability threatens Central African forest megafauna. Science, 370 (6521), pp. 1219-1222. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abc7791

Letter

Exploring the relation between remotely sensed vertical canopy structure and tree species diversity in Gabon

Marselis SM, Tang H, Armston J, Abernethy KA, Alonso A, Barbier N, Bissiengou P, Jeffery KJ, Kenfack D, Labrière N, Lee SK, Lewis SL, Memiaghe H, Poulsen JR, White L & Dubayah R (2019) Exploring the relation between remotely sensed vertical canopy structure and tree species diversity in Gabon. Environmental Research Letters, 14 (9), Art. No.: 094013. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab2dcd

Article

Human impact erodes chimpanzee behavioral diversity

Kuhl HS, Boesch C, Kulik L, Haas F, Arandjelovic M, Dieguez P, Bocksberger G, McElreath MB, Agbor A, Angedakin S, Ayimisin EA, Bailey E, Barubiyo D, Jeffery KJ & Morgan B (2019) Human impact erodes chimpanzee behavioral diversity. Science, 363 (6434), pp. 1453-1455. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau4532

Website Content

Gorilla gorilla (amended version of 2016 assessment)

Maisels F, Strindberg S, Breuer T, Greer D, Jeffery KJ & Stokes E (2018) Gorilla gorilla (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [IUCN website] 2018. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T9404A136250858.en

Article

ENSO Drives interannual variation of forest woody growth across the tropics

Rifai SW, Girardin CAJ, Berenguer E, del Aguila-Pasquel J, Dahlsjö CAL, Doughty CE, Jeffery KJ, Moore S, Oliveras I, Riutta T, Rowland LM, Murakami AA, Addo-Danso SD, Abernethy KA & White LJT (2018) ENSO Drives interannual variation of forest woody growth across the tropics. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 373 (1760), Art. No.: 20170410. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0410

Article

Contribution and stability of forest-derived soil organic carbon during woody encroachment in a tropical savanna. A case study in Gabon

Chiti T, Rey A, Jeffery K, Lauteri M, Mihindou V, Malhi Y, Marzaioli F, White LJT & Valentini R (2018) Contribution and stability of forest-derived soil organic carbon during woody encroachment in a tropical savanna. A case study in Gabon. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 54 (8), pp. 897-907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-018-1313-6

Article

Comparison of Small- and Large-Footprint Lidar Characterization of Tropical Forest Aboveground Structure and Biomass: A Case Study From Central Gabon

Silva CA, Saatchi SS, Garcia M, Labriere N, Klauberg C, Ferraz A, Meyer V, Jeffery KJ, Abernethy K, White L, Zhao K, Lewis S & Hudak AT (2018) Comparison of Small- and Large-Footprint Lidar Characterization of Tropical Forest Aboveground Structure and Biomass: A Case Study From Central Gabon. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 11 (10), pp. 3512-3526. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2018.2816962

Article

In Situ Reference Datasets From the TropiSAR and AfriSAR Campaigns in Support of Upcoming Spaceborne Biomass Missions

Labriere N, Tao S, Chave J, Scipal K, Toan TL, Abernethy K, Alonso A, Barbier N, Bissiengou P, Casal T, Davies SJ, Ferraz A, Hérault B, Jeffery KJ & White LJT (2018) In Situ Reference Datasets From the TropiSAR and AfriSAR Campaigns in Support of Upcoming Spaceborne Biomass Missions. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 11 (10), pp. 3617-3627. https://doi.org/10.1109/jstars.2018.2851606

Article

Guns, germs, and trees determine density and distribution of gorillas and chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa

Strindberg S, Maisels F, Williamson EA, Blake S, Stokes EJ, Aba'a R, Abitsi G, Agbor A, Ambahe RD, Bakabana PC, Bechem M, Berlemont A, de Semboli B, Boundja PR & Jeffery KJ (2018) Guns, germs, and trees determine density and distribution of gorillas and chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa. Science Advances, 4 (4), Art. No.: eaar2964. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aar2964

Conference Paper (published)

Future perspectives from historical data; addressing the data-gap in Central Africa

Jeffery KJ, White L, Bush E, Moore S, Malhi Y, Lewis S, Dimoto E, Dikangadissi J, Evouna Ondo F, Edzang Ndong J, Ditoughou C, Lehmann D & Abernethy K (2016) Future perspectives from historical data; addressing the data-gap in Central Africa. In: Sist P, Carriere S, Parolin P & Forget P (eds.) 53rd Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Montpellier, France, 19.06.2016-23.06.2016. Paris, France: Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, p. 144. http://tropicalbiology.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Proceedings-ATBC2016.pdf

Other

Miscellanea Herpetologica Gabonica V & VI

Pauwels OSG, le Garff B, Ineich I, Carlino P, Melcore I, Boudenga L, Vigna C, Stevart T, Jeffery KJ, Orbell C, Squarcini J, Vande weghe J & White L (2016) Miscellanea Herpetologica Gabonica V & VI. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 51 (11), pp. 177-185. http://www.chicagoherp.org/bulletin/51(11).pdf

Article

Peri-urban conservation in the Mondah forest of Libreville, Gabon: Red List assessments of endemic plant species, and avoiding protected area downsizing

Walters GM, Ngagnia Ndjabounda E, Ikabanga D, Biteau JP, Hymas O, White L, Ndong Obiang AM, Ndong Ondo P, Jeffery KJ, Lachenaud O & Stevart T (2016) Peri-urban conservation in the Mondah forest of Libreville, Gabon: Red List assessments of endemic plant species, and avoiding protected area downsizing. Oryx, 50 (3), pp. 419-430. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605315000204

Article

Chimpanzee accumulative stone throwing

Kuhl H, Kalan AK, Arandjelovic M, Aubert F, D'Auvergne L, Goedmakers A, Jones S, Kehoe L, Regnaut S, Tickle A, Tons E, van Schijndel J, Abwe EE, Angedakin S & Jeffery KJ (2016) Chimpanzee accumulative stone throwing. Scientific Reports, 6, Art. No.: 22219. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22219

Article

Floristics and biogeography of vegetation in seasonally dry tropical regions

Dexter KG, Smart B, Baldauf C, Baker T, Balinga MPB, Brienen RJW, Fauset S, Feldpausch TR, Ferreira-Da Silva L, Muledi JI, Lewis SL, Lopez-Gonzalez G, Marimon-Junior BH, Marimon B, Meerts P, Page N, Parthasarathy N, Philipps O, Sunderland T & Jeffery KJ (2015) Floristics and biogeography of vegetation in seasonally dry tropical regions. International Forestry Review, 17 (Supplement 2), pp. 10-32. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554815815834859

Article

Evolution and Conservation of Central African Biodiversity: Priorities for Future Research and Education in the Congo Basin and Gulf of Guinea

Anthony NM, Atteke C, Bruford MW, Dallmeier F, Freedman A, Hardy OJ, Ibrahim B, Jeffery KJ, Johnson M, Lahm SA, Lepengue AN, Lowenstein J, Maisels F, Mboumba J & Mickala P (2015) Evolution and Conservation of Central African Biodiversity: Priorities for Future Research and Education in the Congo Basin and Gulf of Guinea. Biotropica, 47 (1), pp. 6-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.12188

Book Chapter

Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Marechal C, Cawoy V, Cocquyt C, Dauby G, Dessein S, Douglas-Hamilton I, Dupain J, Fischer E, Fouth Obang D, Groom Q, Henschel P, Jeffery KJ, Korte L, Lewis SL, Luhunu S, Maisels F & Williamson EA (2014) Biodiversity Conservation and Management. In: de Wasseige C, Flynn J, Louppe D, Hiol HF & Mayaux P (eds.) The Forests of the Congo Basin - State of the Forest 2013. State of the Forest. Neufchateau, Belgium: Weyrich Edition, pp. 67-96. http://www.observatoire-comifac.net/edf2013.php?l=en

Book Chapter

Conservation et gestion de la biodiversité

Marechal C, Cawoy V, Cocquyt C, Dauby G, Dessein S, Douglas-Hamilton I, Dupain J, Fischer E, Fouth Obang D, Groom Q, Henschel P, Jeffery KJ, Korte L, Lewis SL, Luhunu S, Maisels F, Melletti M, Ngoufo R, Ntore S, Palla F, Scholte P, Sonke B, Stevart T, Stoffelen P, van den Broeck D, Walters G & Williamson EA (2014) Conservation et gestion de la biodiversité. In: de Wasseige C, Flynn J, Louppe D, Hiol HF & Mayaux P (eds.) Les forêts du bassin du Congo État des Forêts 2013. State of the Forest. Neufchâteau, Belgium: Weyrich Édition, p. 67–96. http://www.observatoire-comifac.net/edf2013.php?l=fr

Article

Impact of an invasive alien ant, Wasmannia auropunctata Roger., on a specialised plant-ant mutualism, Barteria fistulosa Mast. and Tetraponera aethiops F. Smith., in a Gabon forest

Mikissa J, Jeffery KJ, Fresneau D & Mercier JL (2013) Impact of an invasive alien ant, Wasmannia auropunctata Roger., on a specialised plant-ant mutualism, Barteria fistulosa Mast. and Tetraponera aethiops F. Smith., in a Gabon forest. Ecological Entomology, 38 (6), pp. 580-584. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12057

Article

Above-ground biomass and structure of 260 African tropical forests

Lewis SL, Sonke B, Sunderland T, Begne SK, Lopez-Gonzalez G, van der Heijden GMF, Phillips OL, Affum-Baffoe K, Baker TR, Banin L, Bastin J, Beeckman H, Boeckx P, Bogaert J, Jeffery KJ & White L (2013) Above-ground biomass and structure of 260 African tropical forests. Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences, 368 (1625), Art. No.: 20120295. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2012.0295

Article

A growth model for azobe, Lophira alata, in Gabon

Engone Obiang N, Ngomanda A, White L, Jeffery KJ, Chezeaux E & Picard N (2012) A growth model for azobe, Lophira alata, in Gabon [Un modèle de croissance pour l’azobé, Lophira alata, au Gabon]. Bois et Forets des Tropiques, 66 (314), pp. 65-72. http://bft.cirad.fr/en/sommaires/2012.html

Article

Mapping tropical forest biomass with radar and spaceborne LiDAR in Lope National Park, Gabon: overcoming problems of high biomass and persistent cloud

Mitchard ETA, Saatchi SS, White L, Abernethy K, Jeffery KJ, Lewis SL, Collins M, Lefsky MA, Leal ME, Woodhouse IH & Meir P (2012) Mapping tropical forest biomass with radar and spaceborne LiDAR in Lope National Park, Gabon: overcoming problems of high biomass and persistent cloud. Biogeosciences, 9 (1), pp. 179-191. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-179-2012

Article

Biodiversity and conservation genetics research in Central Africa: new approaches and avenues for international collaboration

Anthony NM, Mickala P, Abernethy K, Atteke C, Bissiengou P, Bruford MW, Dallmeier F, Decaens T, Dudu A, Freedman A, Gonder MK, Hardy OJ, Hart J, Jeffery KJ & Johnson M (2012) Biodiversity and conservation genetics research in Central Africa: new approaches and avenues for international collaboration. Conservation Genetics Resources, 4 (2), pp. 523-525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9554-9

Article

Novel adenoviruses in wild primates: a high level of genetic diversity and evidence of zoonotic transmissions

Wevers D, Metzger S, Babweteera F, Bieberbach M, Boesch C, Cameron K, Couacy-Hymann E, Cranfield M, Gray M, Harris LA, Head J, Jeffery KJ, Knauf S, Lankester F & Leendertz SAJ (2011) Novel adenoviruses in wild primates: a high level of genetic diversity and evidence of zoonotic transmissions. Journal of Virology, 85 (20), pp. 10774-84. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00810-11

Conference Abstract

Genetic relatedness of western lowland gorillas at Lope, Gabon

Jeffery KJ, Abernethy K, Tutin CEG, Anthony NM & Bruford MW (2004) Genetic relatedness of western lowland gorillas at Lope, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 75 (Supplement 1), pp. 284-285. http://www.karger.com/Journal/Issue/230274