Professional summary

John’s research at UKCEH focuses on understanding how we can use land more sustainably, in terms of protecting both the environment and the benefits that humans derive from it. John specialises in discovering spatial patterns and exploring how spatial context affects ecological processes, at spatial scales ranging from individual agricultural fields to whole landscapes. John uses Geographic Information Systems and statistical models to analyse mapped data and he has expertise in a wide variety of mapped data sources, from historic surveys to the most recent images from satellites. 

John has a BSc Biology from Durham University (2007) and an MRes Ecology and Environmental Management from the University of York (2008). He started his research career at UKCEH in 2009, working on monitoring of farmland biodiversity and spatial analysis of habitats. In 2020, he completed a PhD on spatial modelling of insect delivered ecosystem services, affiliated with the University of Reading. He currently manages a team of spatial ecologists and data scientists and plays a leading role in various projects on sustainable agriculture, sustainable management of landscapes and the impacts of environmental change.

Web tools and apps

John has worked to translate his research data, models and research into tools that farmers and policymakers can use to inform decision making.  These include:

Selected publications