NUANCED IMPACTS & SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS OF ALPINE NEWTS  IN THE UK

In February 2024 I was awarded my PhD doctorate from the University of Plymouth after 4 years of research working alongside the Institute of Zoology (ZSL) in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. I was funded by NERC as part of the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership.

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The alpine newt is a non-native species that is widespread in the UK, but for which little is understood about its invasion dynamics or impacts. I used an interdisciplinary approach with methods including species distribution and ecological niche modelling, targeted public questionnaires and intensive fieldwork, mark recapture, skeletochronology, body condition analysis and repeated count measures to better understand the ecological and social aspects of alpine newt introduction in the UK.

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We're in the process of publishing my findings, so watch this space!