Agropastoral traditions, biodiversity, commons and grazing : Professor Robin J Pakeman
Roles:
Plant Ecologist, Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute
Visiting Professor, University of Liverpool
Robin has a degree in botany (University of Cambridge) and a PhD (University of Manchester). He worked for the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology for seven years, and for what is now the James Hutton Institute for the past 28. His research focusses on the management of ecosystems for multiple benefits and on understanding the drivers behind long-term trends in biodiversity. He currently manages one of the Scottish Government’s five research themes. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and a Chartered Ecologist. He has served on NatureScot’s Scientific Advisory Committee, and is also the Institute’s representative on the Moorland Forum and the North-East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership.
Robin understands how management affects the biodiversity of the uplands, looking at how decisions about grazing cascade through ecosystems to affect different trophic levels (the position of an organism in a food chain) as well as the delivery of ecosystem services. Also integrating bracken control with vegetation restoration, the impacts of fire on habitats and the long-term drivers of biodiversity loss.
World Heritage Specialist:
Upland management, grazing and biodiversity
