Dr Maria Bogdanova

Dr Maria Bogdanova

Animal Population Ecologist

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Bush Estate
Penicuik
Midlothian
EH26 0QB
T: +44 (0)131 4454343
F: +44 (0)131 4453943
E-mail: Dr Maria Bogdanova
 

Current work

My current work is part of the CEH's long term study on the Isle of May in Southeast Scotland (IMLOTS) and focuses on understanding the effects of environmental, demographic and phenotypic variation on foraging dynamics and spatial distributions of seabirds (this contributes to Biodiversity Programme Objective BD-1.3). To address these questions, I use a combination of foraging data recorded by various tracking devices and demographic and life-history data collected on the Isle of May over a number of years. Developing a solid understanding of these issues is needed to assess and predict the effects of changes in the marine environment on seabirds, and to mitigate their consequences where appropriate. For example, this work can help identify key foraging areas for seabirds around the breeding colony and at wintering grounds, and provide valuable information for assessing the impact of fisheries and renewable energy projects on these species. It can also contribute to the designation of Marine Protected Areas.

Research interests

I am interested in the interacting effects of environmental and intrinsic factors on individuals’ life-histories and resource allocation patterns, and their consequences for processes at the population level. I am also interested in the application of behavioural and population ecology in conservation and policy work. Most of my research is on wild bird populations, using both experimental and correlational approaches.

 

Brief CV

  • 2008-present: Animal Population Ecologist, CEH (Edinburgh).
  • 2006-2008: PDRA, Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow. I worked on a NERC/SNH/RSPB funded Knowledge Transfer project using population ecology with the aim of devising science-based conservation policies for a rare species, the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), in Scotland. In this population, the survival of subadult birds is a key determinant of population growth rate and varies both between years and nest sites. This study focused on understanding the fine-scale patterns and the causes of this temporal and spatial variation, and particularly the links between subadult survival and post-natal dispersal, habitat and land use.
  • 2001-2005: PhD, Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow. My PhD project investigated how age of the parents influences their performance during the early reproductive phases (egg production and incubation), and what are the consequences for offspring growth and survival. To address these questions I used field experiments in a long-lived seabird, the herring gull (Larus argentatus).
  • 1998 - 2001: Research Biologist, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. I was involved in a study investigating migration dynamics in a number of passerine bird species in the Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.
  • 1997-1998: MSc, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University.
  • For my MSc I investigated the biology and behaviour of a rare and largely unstudied species, the Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), in order to devise an effective captive breeding and reintroduction programme for the species in Bulgaria.
  • 1993 - 1997: BSc, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, Bulgaria.

Selected publications

Bogdanova, M.I., Daunt, F., Newell, M., Phillips, R.A., Harris, M.P. & Wanless S. 2011. Seasonal interactions in the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: links between breeding performance and winter distribution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B (in press).

Reid J.M., Bignal E.M., Bignal S., McCracken D.I., Bogdanova M.I. & Monaghan P. 2010. Parent age, lifespan and offspring survival: structured variation in life history in a wild population. Journal of Animal Ecology 79, 851-862.

Zehtindjiev P.H., Ilieva M. & Bogdanova M.I. 2010. Temporal dynamics of passerine birdmigration in the Eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Ardeola 57, 375-386.

Reid J.M., Bignal E.M., Bignal S., McCracken D.I., Bogdanova M.I., Monaghan P. 2008. Ecological and environmental correlates of variation in pre-breeding survival in a protected population of red-billed choughs Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Journal of Animal Ecology 77, 777-788

Bogdanova M.I., Nager R.G. 2008. Sex-specific costs of hatching last: an experimental study on herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 62, 1533-1541

Bogdanova M.I., Nager R.G., Monaghan, P. 2007. Age of the incubating parents influences nestling survival: an experiment in the herring gull (Larus argentatus). Journal of Avian Biology 38, 83-93

Bogdanova M.I., Nager R.G., Monaghan P. 2006. Does parental age affect offspring performance through differences in egg quality? Functional Ecology 20, 132-141

Bogdanova M.I., Zehtindjiev P.H. 2000. Experimental release of captive Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) in the nature. Casarca 6, 253-257

Bogdanova M.I., Zehtindjiev P.H. 2000. On the biology of the Ruddy Shelduck in Bulgaria (Tadorna ferruginea). Casarca 6, 243-252

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