Dr Alice Jones
I am a quantitative ecologist with a particular interest in marine systems. Much of my research is focused on the effect that human activities and environmental change have on the distribution of species, populations and ecosystems - and the impact that this has for their survival and ability to provide ecosystem services.
I have a strong focus on applied research. I am motivated by doing work that has real-world application through providing information that improves our understanding of, and ability to manage and protect, species and habitats. I am also driven to undertake research that has social benefits in terms of supporting healthy, diverse ecosystems for people to enjoy into the future, and supporting the sustainable provision of ecosystem services.
I undertook my PhD at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (UK). Prior to my PhD, I completed a Masters in Aquatic Resource Management at Kings College London and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology at Manchester University.
I work with Prof. Bronwyn Gillanders in the Gillanders Aquatic Ecology lab. My primary research focus is around coastal or 'blue' carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarshes).
These coastal, vegetated ecosystems have an important role in reducing the impacts of climate change by accumulating and storing large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and the oceans. this carbon may be stored within the vegetation ('above-ground carbon) and sediment (below-ground carbon) for hundreds or thousands of years. By protecting and restoring these ecosystems, we can support their important role in the carbon cycle, which helps mitigate against climate change. However, if these ecosystems are damaged or cleared, the carbon they have stored for many year can be released back to the atmosphere in the form of greenhouse gases; contributing to climate change. In addition to their ability to store carbon, these coastal ecosystems provide numerous other ecosystem services (also referred to as co-benefits) including providing fish habitat, improving coastal water quality and coastal protection from waves, storms and sea level rise.
I previously worked on (and continue to be involved in) the Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative (SGEDI). With competing priorities – from fishing to mining, agriculture, energy and community values – management of the Spencer Gulf ecosystem may be compared to walking a tightrope between commercial and environmental interests. The overall aim of the SGEDI project is to develop the science and understanding for world class decision making; proactively maintaining Spencer Gulf's unique ecosystem rather than engaging in a costly restoration should damage occur due to human activities.
My role in this project was to develop maps of the Gulf's habitats and the potential threats to them from human activities, including the cumulative impacts from multiple activities. These maps provide baseline information about the cumulative impacts on the marine habitats of the Spencer Gulf and can be used to assess the potential impacts of further development or industries in the region.
I am also involved in a collaboration with Dr Damien Fordham (Climate Ecology and Evolutionary Dynamics lab at Adelaide University) and Tim Jessop (Deakin Uni) which looks at Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) distribution and range dynamics. We are using coupled niche-population models to explore how climate change is likely to affect the range dynamics and persistence of Komodo dragons. We hope that we can use the results of this study to better understand how population dynamics and changes in habitat availability will influence the species' survival and distribution under changing climate conditions, as well as the impact of habitat and prey loss due to human activities.
Appointments
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Postdoctoral researcher | University of Adelaide |
| 2013 - 2015 | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Adelaide, Adelaide |
| 2012 - 2013 | Consultant researcher, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) | National Oceanography Centre, Southampton |
| 2012 - 2013 | Consultant data analyst | Self-employed (part time) |
| 2009 - 2011 | Assistant co-ordinator - SeaWatch Southwest (part-time, volunteer) | SeaWatch Southwest marine wildlife monitoring program |
| 2008 - 2012 | Teaching assistant (part time) | University of Southampton |
Education
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2012 | The University of Southampton | United Kingdom | PhD |
| 2006 - 2007 | Kings College London | United Kingdom | MSc. Aquatic Resource Management |
| 2002 - 2005 | University of Manchester | United Kingdom | BSc. (Hons) Zoology |
Keywords
Journals
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Doubleday,Z, Jones,A, Deveney,M, Ward,T, Gillanders,B, 2017, Eight habitats, 38 threats and 55 experts: Assessing ecological risk in a multi-use marine region, PLoS ONE, 12, 5, - 10.1371/journal.pone.0177393 |
| 2016 | Jones,A, Bull,C, Brook,B, Wells,K, Pollock,K, Fordham,D, 2016, Tick exposure and extreme climate events impact survival and threaten the persistence of a long-lived lizard, Journal of Animal Ecology, 85, 2, 598-610 10.1111/1365-2656.12469 |
| 2015 | Meier,R, Wynn,R, Votier,S, McMinn Grivé,M, Rodríguez,A, Maurice,L, van Loon,E, Jones,A, Suberg,L, Arcos,J et al, 2015, Consistent foraging areas and commuting corridors of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus in the northwestern Mediterranean, Biological Conservation, 190, 87-97 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.05.012 |
| 2014 | Jones,AR, Hosegood,P, Wynn,RB, De Boer,MN, Butler-Cowdry,S, Embling,CB, 2014, Fine-scale hydrodynamics influence the spatio-temporal distribution of harbour porpoises at a coastal hotspot, Progress in Oceanography, 128, 30-48 10.1016/j.pocean.2014.08.002 |
| 2014 | Suberg,L, Wynn,R, van der Kooij,J, Fernand,L, Fielding,S, Guihen,D, Gillespie,D, Johnson,M, Gkikopoulou,K, Allan,I et al, 2014, Assessing the potential of autonomous submarine gliders for ecosystem monitoring across multiple trophic levels (plankton to cetaceans) and pollutants in shallow shelf seas, Methods in Oceanography, 10, 70-89 10.1016/j.mio.2014.06.002 |
| 2014 | Jones,AR, Wynn,RB, Yésou,P, Thébault,L, Collins,P, Suberg,L, Lewis,KM, Brereton,TM, 2014, Using integrated land- and boat-based surveys to inform conservation of the Critically Endangered Balearic shearwater, Endangered Species Research, 25, 1, 1-18 10.3354/esr00611 |
| 2012 | Guilford,T, Wynn,R, McMinn,M, Rodríguez,A, Fayet,A, Maurice,L, Jones,A, Meier,R, 2012, Geolocators reveal migration and pre-breeding behaviour of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus, PloS one, 7, 3, 1-8 10.1371/journal.pone.0033753 |
Book Chapters
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Gill,AB, Birchenough,S, Jones,AR, Jude,S, Payo Payo,A, Wilson,B, 2017, Environmental implications of offshore energy, Routledge |
Report for External Bodies
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Gillanders,BM, Ward,TM, Bailleul,F, Cassey,P, Deveney,MR, Doubleday,ZA, Goldsworthy,S, Huveneers,C, Jones,AR, Mackay,AI et al, 2016, Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative. Developing knowledge and tools to inform integrated management of Spencer Gulf: Case study on shipping and ports., Adelaide |
| 2016 | Jones,AR, Gillanders,BM, 2016, Pearson Island expedition feasibility report, Adelaide, Australia |
| 2014 | Jones,AR, Le Bas,T, Wynn,RB, 2014, Western Channel rMCZ Post-survey Site Report, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), London, UK |
| 2013 | Wynn,RB, Bett,BJ, Evans,AJ, Griffiths,G, Huvenne,VAI, Jones,AR, Palmer,MR, Dove,D, Howe,JA, Boyd,TJ et al, 2013, Investigating the feasibility of utilizing AUV and Glider technology for mapping and monitoring of the UK MPA network, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), London, UK |
| 2013 | Jones,AR, Le Bas,T, Wynn,RB, 2013, North West of Jones Bank rMCZ post-survey site report, United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, UK |
| 2011 | Wynn,RB, Jones,AR, Suberg,L, Collins,P, 2011, Balearic Shearwaters in UK and Irish waters 2007 – 2010, Joint Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK |
| 2010 | Wynn,RB, Jones,AR, Brereton,TM, Lewis,KM, 2010, Seawatch SW Annual Report 2009, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, Southampton, UK |
Funded Major Research Grants:
Coastal Carbon Opportunities: demonstrating additionality and potential for future offsets in South Australia (April 2017 - April 2019). Grant from the Goyder Institute for Water Research's 'Climate Impact' research funding: $400K from Goyder + $165K partner cash and $1.3M in-kind support from partner organisations. This grant will fund my salary for 2 years. I wrote the first full draft (including a pitch presentation to potential research partners), the initial research questions and experimental design. Investigators: Gillanders, B.M., Jones, A.R., Waycott M., Lavery, P., Baldock, J., Koh, LP., Cavagnaro, T., Masque, P., Fernandes, M., Gaylard, S., Serrano, O., Clarke, K., Raja-Segaran, R., Kilpatrick, A., Asanopolous, C.
Other Grants:
- Assessing connectivity in South Australia’s marine parks network (May 2017 - October 2017). $30K grant from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR): . PI: Jones, A.R.
- Pearson Island expedition feasibility study (June 2016 - July 2016). $15K grant from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Invesitgators: Gillanders B.M., Waycott, M., Jones, A.R.
I am a employed on a research-only contract at the University, so am primarily research-focused. However I have contributed to some taught courses on an as-needed basis:
- I have lectured on the 3rd year course Frontiers in Marine Biology (coordinated by Prof. Bronwyn Gillanders) for 3 years. I present a lecture titled 'Marine Monitoring in the 21st Century' and also take a tutorial on presentation skills.
- In 2016 I contributed to the Research Methods in Ecology III (ENV BIOL 3510) course, coordinated by Prof. Sean Connell. For this course, I prepared and ran a 3-hr computer lab practical session on species distribution modelling. This involved giving a lecture of ~45 mins and then leading the class through a computer-based practical session using R (which I had prepared the scripts and data for).
Current Staff & PhD students
- Research Assistant: Dr Jennie Pistevos. Full time on DEWNR funded project titled: Assessing connectivity in South Australia’s marine parks network
- PhD Student (co-supervisor): Nicole Foster.
Current Hons students
- Jackson Stockbridge (co-supervisor), University of Adelaide, Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) Honours, 2017, Fish assemblages as a co-benefit of carbon sequestration in mangroves.
Completed Hons and Masters students
- India Attwood-Henderson (assistant supervisor), Flinders University, Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (Hons.), 2016, Age and sex-dependent survival of crested terns (Thalasseus bergii) on Troubridge Island, Gulf St. Vincent, South Australia.
- Phil Collins (co-supervisor), University of Southampton, Master of Marine Biology, 2013, The spatio-temporal distribution of seabird foraging flocks, focussing on the northern gannet (Morus bassanus), over a tidally dominated reef system in southwest UK.
- Tom Horton (co-supervisor), University of Southampton, Master of Marine Biology, 2012, Fine-scale controls on the distribution and abundance of marine megavertebrates off the southwest coast of the UK.
- Tara Proud (assistant supervisor), University of Oxford, MSc in Integrative Bioscience, 2011, Investigating abiotic controls on the movements of Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus off southwest UK during the breeding season.
- Natalia Lopez (co-supervisor), University of Southampton, Master of Marine Biology, 2010, Controls on the spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of marine megafauna off the southwest coast of the UK.