ILWS - Institute of Land, Water and Society
Researchers
Dr Iain Taylor
BSc PhD Aberdeen
Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Ecology and Wildlife Conservation
School of Environmental Sciences
Dr Taylor, who has research experience in Scotland , Ghana , Nepal , Malaysia , Oman , Greece and Yugoslavia , is interested in the behavioural ecology and evolution of predator-prey relationships, particularly foraging behaviour, habitat selection and antipredator behaviour. He links studies of these aspects at the levels of individual organisms or groups of organisms to population level responses, and, in many cases, to conservation management.
Currently his main area of research concentrates on predatorprey systems that involve waterbirds, and the management of wetlands for waterbirds. These ongoing studies include coastal and inland wetlands. The inland wetland studies examine the interrelationship between waterbirds, flooding regimes, invertebrate populations, vegetation, grazing and human disturbance. The aim is to provide a fundamental understanding of the functioning of temporary wetlands and hence determine the best options for management.
Previous research involved predatory birds and mammals in agricultural landscapes. For 16 years he undertook an indepth study of the relationships between the Barn Owl Tyto alba and its small mammal prey. In a related piece of work he investigated the effects of habitat fragmentation on the territorial behaviour of tawny owls Strix aluco. Both studies included recommendations for the management of agricultural landscapes for wildlife conservation.
Ecological studies led by Iain supported the successful nomination of the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps at Leeton in NSW as a wetland of international significance (Ramsar site).