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Email ERT Tel:. +44 (0)776 0102173
     
 
Dr Mark O’Connell, Director of ERT
Mark has worked as a professional ecologist and conservation scientist in many parts of the world. His research focuses primarily on the impacts of human activities on species, habitats and biodiversity. He has particular expertise in spatial modelling and the analysis of satellite imagery using geographical information systems (GIS). He has worked as an academic in the university sector (Durham, UWE, Bath), as well as in the NGO ecology sector (head of research at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust). In the 1980s he also worked for the British Antarctic Survey, including three years fieldwork on South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsular. In the last fifteen years, Mark has successfully supervised eight PhD students and has considerable experience of running courses for undergraduates. He also runs a wide range of courses aimed at developing capacity within organisations employing professional ecologists and practitioners. Mark lives with his wife Katy and their two children in the Cotswolds.
Dr Mark O’Connell

Mist netting migrating birds in Honduras
Selected publications
Al-Rashidi. M., Long, P., O’Connell, M.J., Shobrak, M. & Szekely, T. (2011). Use of remote sensing to identify suitable breeding habitat for the Kentish plover and estimate population size along the western coast of Saudi Arabia. Wader Study Group Bulletin (in press).
White, R.L., Baptiste, T.J., DORNELLY, A. Morton, M.N., O’Connell, M.J. & Young, R.P. (submitted). Population responses of the Endangered White-breasted Thrasher Ramphocinclus brachyurus to a tourist development in Saint Lucia – conservation implications from a spatial modelling approach. Bird Conservation international.
Wilson, G.H., McDonald, K & O’Connell, M.J. (2009). Skeletal forelimb measurements and hoof spread in relation to asymmetry in the bilateral forelimb of horses. Equine Veterinary Journal 41(3): 238-241.
Jensen, R.A., Madsen, J., Wisz, M., O’Connell, M.J. & Mehlum, F (2008). Prediction of distribution of Pink-footed Geese under warmer climates. Global Change Biology 14: 1-10.
O'Connell, M.J., Atkinson, S. R., Gamez, K., & Dutton, J.S. (2008). Forage preferences of European Beaver: implications for re-introduction. Conservation & Society 6(2): 190–194.
O’Connell, M.J. (In press for 2008). Birds in aquatic ecosystems. In: G. Likens (Ed). The Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. Elsevier Press.
O’Connell, M.J., Yallop, M.L., Ward, R.M., Onoufriou, C., Winfield, I.J., Harris, G.O. & Brown, A.F. (2007). Collecting and integrating multi-scale waterbird and lentic data to model trade-offs between forage quality and the risk of disturbance. Ibis 149: 65-72.
Long, P., Székely, T., Kershaw, K. & O’Connell, M.J. (2007). Ecological factors and human threats drive population declines. Animal Conservation: 10(2): 183-191.
Winfield, I. J., Yallop, M. L., Onoufriou, C., O'Connell, M. J, Godlewska, M. Ward, R. M. & Brown, A. F. (2007). Assessment in two shallow lakes of a hydroacoustic system for surveying aquatic macrophytes & an example of its application. Hydrobiologia 584:111-119.
Glahder, C., Fox, A.D., Madsen, J. & O’Connell, M. (2007). Eastward moult migration of non-breeding Svalbard pink-footed geese. Polar Research 26(1): 31-36.
O’Connell, M.J. (2006). The implications of climate change for waterbirds. Proceedings International Global Flyway Conference 383-384.
O’Connell, M.J., Huiskes, A. H.L., Loonen, M.L. & Rounsevell, M. (2006). Developing an integrated approach to understanding effects of climate change & other environmental alterations at a flyway level. Proceedings International Global Flyway Conference 385-397.
Nasirwa, O., O’Connell, M.J., Buckton, S. & Dodman, T. (2006). Building capacity in waterbird monitoring in eastern Africa. Proceedings International Global Flyway Conference 889-891.
Cranswick, P.A., J. Worden, R.M. Ward, H.E. Rowell, C. Hall, A.J. Musgrove, R.D. Hearn, S.J. Holloway, A.N. Banks, G.E. Austin, L.R. Griffin, B. Hughes, M. Kershaw, M.J. O’Connell, M.S. Pollitt, E.C. Rees & .LE. Smith. (2005). The Wetland Bird Survey 2001-03. BTO/WWT/RSPB/JNCC.
Yallop, M.L., O’Connell, M.J. & Bullock, R. (2004). Waterbird herbivory on a newly created wetland complex: potential implications for site management and habitat creation. Wetland Ecology and Management 12 (5): 395-406.
O’Connell, M.J. (2003). Detecting, measuring and reversing changes to wetlands. Wetland Ecology and Management 11 (6): 397-401.
Phillips, R.A., Cope, D.R., Rees, E.C. & O’Connell, M.J. (2003). Site fidelity and range size of wintering Barnacle Geese. Bird Study 50: 161-169.
O’Connell, M.J., & Yallop M.L. (2002). Research needs in relation to the conservation of biodiversity in the UK. Biological Conservation 103: 115-123.
Rehfisch, M.M., Austin, G. Holloway, S., Allan, J.R. & O’Connell, M.J. (2002). An approach to the assessment of change in the numbers of Canada Branta canadensis and Greylag Geese Anser anser in southern Britain. Bird Study 49: 50-59.
Banks, A.N., Blazeby, K.L., Butters, C.W.L., Paynter, D. & O’Connell, M.J. (2002) Factors Affecting Waders Breeding on Wet Lowland Grassland in Relation to Local Management and Countryside Stewardship. Research, Survey and Monitoring Report to DEFRA.
O’Connell, M.J. (2000). Threats to wetlands: implications for research. Wildfowl 51:1-15.
Bonesi, L., Dunstone, N. & O’Connell, M.J. (2000). Winter selection of habitats within intertidal foraging areas used by Mink (Mustela vison). Journal of Zoology 250(3): 419-424.
Yallop M.L. & O’Connell, M.J. (2000). Wetland creation: colonisation & production of phytoplankton & submerged macrophytes in hypereutrophic freshwater lagoons. Aquatic Conservation 10: 305-309.
O’Connell, M.J. (1999). Research: getting the balance for wildfowl & wetlands. Wildfowl 50:1-9.
Shchadilov, Y.M., Belousova, A.V., Rees, E.S. & O’Connell, M.J. (1999). Swans of the Petchora River delta and the adjacent territories. Casarca 5: 203-209.
O’Connell, M.J., Thomas, C.J., Twiss, S.D., Evans, P.R. & Whitfield, D.P. (1998). An integrated approach to the study of bird-habitat associations in the Flow Country of northern Scotland. In: Patterned Mires and Mire Pools. V. Standen, J.H. Tallis & R. Meade (eds). Proceedings of the Mires Research Group Conference: 191-198.
O’Connell, M.J., Daniel, J.R.G., Dunstone N & Huntley, B. (1998) The Impact of Global Climate Change Upon Forest Ecosystems of the Russian Far East. Science & Development Report, WWF.
O’Connell, M.J., Coulson, J.C., Raven, S. & Joyce, S (1997). Non-breeding and nests without eggs in the Lesser Black-backed Gull. Ibis 139: 252-2258.
O’Connell, M.J., Thomas, C.J., Twiss, S.D., Evans, P.R. & Whitfield, D.P. (1997). Assessment of the Peatlands proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA). SNH Research & Monitoring Report., Battleby.
O’Connell, M.J., Thomas, C.J., Twiss, S.D., Evans, P.R. & Whitfield, D.P. (1996). Functional Ecology of Peatland Animals in the Flow Country of Northern Scotland. Habitat requirements of Breeding Waders (Charadrii). SNH Research, Survey and Monitoring Report., Battleby.
O’Connell, M.J. (1994) An Ecological Approach to the Management of Gulls, Particularly the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). PhD Thesis. University of Durham.
Davis, R.W. , Croxall, J.P. & O’Connell, M.J. (1989). The reproductive energetics of Gentoo (Pygocelis papua) and Macaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus) Penguins at South Georgia. Journal of Animal Ecology 58(1): 59-74.
Croxall, J.P., Hill, H.J., Lidstone-scott, R., O’Connell, M.J. & Prince, P.A. (1988). Food & feeding ecology of Wilson’s Storm Petrel at South Georgia. Journal of Zoology 216: 83-102.
Croxall, J.P., Davis, R.W. & O’Connell, M.J. (1988). Diving patterns in relation to diet of Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins at South Georgia. The Condor 90: 157-167.
Enticott, J.W. & O’Connell, M.J. (1985). Distribution of the spectacled form of the White-chinned Petrel in the south Atlantic Ocean. BAS Bulletin 66: 83-86.
O’Connell, M.J., Yallop, M.L., Ward, R.M., Onoufriou, C., Winfield, I.J., Harris, G.O. & Brown, A.F. (manuscript). Does heterogeneity in the quality of aquatic food resources influence the spatial response of waterbirds to human activity ?. Journal of Avian Biology.
Yallop, M.L., Onoufriou, C., Morley, E., Pickering, S.P.C., Millett, M.C., Harris, G., Stewart, N. & O’Connell, M.J. (manuscript). Long-term changes in aquatic communities in shallow gravel pit lakes in southern Britain. Hydrobiologia.
Long, P., Hughes, B., Székely, T., & O’Connell, M.J. (manuscript). Patterns of diversity in European wetland bird communities. Biological Conservation.
Long, P., Székely, T., Hughes, B. & O’Connell, M.J. (manuscript). Global Wetland change between 1982 and 2000 detected from AVHRR data. Ecography.
Long, P., O’Connell, M.J., Hughes, B., Delaney, S. & Székely, T. (manuscript). Why are wetland birds declining globally?. Conservation Biology.
Long, P., Székely, T., O’Connell, M.J., Hughes, B., Delaney, S.(manuscript). Assessing the quality of monitoring data: waterbird population estimates. Animal Conservation.
 
 
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