Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: A useful tool in reserve management (2021)
Journal Article
Vafidis, J., Lucksted, I., Gall, M., Maxfield, P., Meakin, K., & Steer, M. (2021). Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: A useful tool in reserve management. Ecology and Evolution, 11(11), 6789-6797. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7527

Scrub vegetation is a valuable habitat and resource for wildlife, but if unmanaged can encroach and dominate adjacent habitats, reducing biodiversity value. A primary task in the management of terrestrial nature reserves in the UK is monitoring and c... Read More about Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: A useful tool in reserve management.

Using UAV-mounted thermal cameras to detect the presence of nesting nightjar in upland clear-fell: A case study in South Wales, UK (2021)
Journal Article
Shewring, M. P., & Vafidis, J. O. (2021). Using UAV-mounted thermal cameras to detect the presence of nesting nightjar in upland clear-fell: A case study in South Wales, UK. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2(1), Article e12052. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12052

1. Confirming the presence and location of European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus nests is a significant fieldwork challenge in ecological monitoring. Nest sites can be located through direct observation or capture and radio tracking of breeding ind... Read More about Using UAV-mounted thermal cameras to detect the presence of nesting nightjar in upland clear-fell: A case study in South Wales, UK.

Climate change and insectivore ecology (2019)
Book Chapter
Vafidis, J., Smith, J., & Thomas, R. (2019). Climate change and insectivore ecology. In Encyclopaedia of Life Sciences. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470015902.a0028030

The impacts of climate change on natural populations are only beginning to be understood. Although some important changes are already occurring, in the future these are predicted to be more substantial and of greater ecological significance. Insects... Read More about Climate change and insectivore ecology.

Supplemental food alters nest defence and incubation behaviour of an open-nesting wetland songbird (2018)
Journal Article
Vafidis, J., Facey, R., Leech, D., & Thomas, R. (2018). Supplemental food alters nest defence and incubation behaviour of an open-nesting wetland songbird. Journal of Avian Biology, 49(8), e01672. https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01672

© 2018 The Authors Climate-driven increases in spring temperatures are expected to result in higher prey availability earlier in the breeding season for insectivorous birds breeding in wetland habitats. Predation during the incubation phase is a majo... Read More about Supplemental food alters nest defence and incubation behaviour of an open-nesting wetland songbird.

The effectiveness of deterrent measures to minimize disturbance impacts to breeding European nightjar at an upland wind farm site in South Wales, UK (2017)
Journal Article
Shewring, M. P., & Vafidis, J. (2017). The effectiveness of deterrent measures to minimize disturbance impacts to breeding European nightjar at an upland wind farm site in South Wales, UK. Conservation Evidence, 14, 58-60

The Pen y Cymoedd windfarm in South Wales, UK, is set in an upland area currently dominated by coniferous forestry with a varied age structure resulting from standard forestry management practices. The site supports an important population of Europe... Read More about The effectiveness of deterrent measures to minimize disturbance impacts to breeding European nightjar at an upland wind farm site in South Wales, UK.