Dr Louise Firth

Biography

Lecturer in Marine Ecology

I am a marine ecologist who works in both natural and artificial coastal environments. I am interested in the relationship between humans and coastal ecosystems (Marine Community Ecology) and how this relationship has changed over time (Historical Ecology). I am particularly interested in developing novel ways of making space for nature in human-dominated environments (Eco-Engineering). See my TEDx talk for more information on Eco-engineering.

Qualifications

2018-date. Lecturer in Marine Ecology, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK
2015-2018. Lecturer in Environmental Science, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Plymouth, UK
2014. Research Associate, Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
2012-2014. University Fellow, Zoology, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
2009-2011. Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Steve Hawkins, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, UK
2009. Consultant Scientist, APEM Ltd., Stockport, UK
2007-2008. Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Susan Bell, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, USA
2007. Invited Postdoctoral Researcher with Professor Gray Williams, Swire Institute of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong, PR China
2003-2007. PhD in Marine Ecology. School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
1999-2003. BSc in Zoology, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland

Professional membership

2010-present: Member of the British Ecological Society
2009-present: Member of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society
2004-present: Member of the Marine Biological Association of the UK

Roles on external bodies

2020-present: Editor for Frontiers in Marine Science
2016-present: Editor for Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review
2014-2017: Associate Editor for Marine and Freshwater Research
2014-2017: Editor for Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Highlights

Can our coastal experience help us save the deep sea?
COP26: Examining the evidence for global action

Join me at Research Festival 2022
Hear the latest insights directly from the experts on tackling the most pressing 21st-century global challenges.

Teaching

Teaching interests

My teaching interests cover biodiversity and community ecology in urban and natural systems, impacts of ocean sprawl on marine ecosystems and ecological engineering.

I teach on a wide range of modules across Marine Biology, Marine Science, Biological Science and Environmental Science:

Marine Biology modules

MBIO 001 - Issues in Marine Biology

MBIO 120 - Introduction to Marine Biology

MBIO 213 - Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Fieldcourse

MBIO 217 - Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats

MBIO 327 - Marine Ecology

MBIO 505 - Marine Conservation Theory

Biology modules:

BIO 5131 - Postgraduate Research Skills and Methods

Environmental Science modules:

ENVS 2006 - Natural Ecosystems

ENVS 3011 - Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation

ENVS 5004 - Environmental Consultancy

Marine Science modules:

MAR 530 - Managing Marine Ecosystems

MAR 532 - Marine Conservation Practice

OS 205 - Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment

Staff serving as external examiners

External Examiner for MRes thesis, University of Swansea, UK (2020)

External Examiner for PhD thesis, University of Porto, Portugal (2020)

External Examiner for PhD thesis, Rhodes University, South Africa (2019)

External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Swansea, UK (2019)

External Examiner for MSc thesis, Rhodes University, South Africa (2019)

External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Bournemouth, UK (2018)

External Examiner for MSc thesis, University of New South Wales, Australia (2017)

External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Porto, Portugal (2015)

External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Bologna, Italy (2013)

Research

Research interests

My research on ‘Marine environmental change’ covers four key areas: (1) conservation, urban ecology and ecological engineering; (2) biodiversity and climate change; (3) marine community ecology and (4) historical ecology.

1. Conservation, urban ecology & ecological engineering

As a direct result of my involvement in the EU FP7 and Esmee Fairbairn funded projects THESEUS (www.theseusproject.org) and URBANE (www.urbaneproject.org), I develop novel engineering interventions for habitat creation to conserve native biodiversity in the built environment. I test hypotheses about drivers of community structure and functioning. I am actively involved in the EcoCoast Project in Knysna, South Africa, the World Harbour Project (http://sims.org.au/research/long-term-projects/world-harbour-project/), The Singapore Seawall Project and I lead the stakeholder committee on the Irish Sea-based Ecostructure Project (http://www.ecostructureproject.eu/).

2. Biodiversity and climate change

I have long been interested in the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on the distribution and biotic interactions of marine species. I am actively involved with the MarClim project (www.mba.ac.uk/marclim) in collaboration with Dr Nova Mieszkowska (MBA, Plymouth) and Prof. Steve Hawkins (University of Southampton). I test hypotheses about responses of marine ecosystems to multiple stressors related to climate change. I lead an on-going collaborative project "EuroNads" comprising 14 partners across Atlantic Europe. We are assessing spatio-temporal variation in breeding phenology of limpets in response to extreme weather events and climate change.

3. Marine community ecology

My overarching research interest marine community ecology. I am interested in testing hypotheses about the processes that shape patterns of distribution of organisms. The Reehab Project (www.honeycombworms.org) is assessing the factors affecting the distribution of the honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata across Atlantic Europe.

4. Historical ecology

I am interested in how human attitudes to and interactions with the natural environment have changed over time.

Research groups

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Current students

Axelle Amstutz, PhD, School of Biological Science, Plymouth University, 2016-2019. (co-supervisor). "Facing up to climate change: the role of aspect in species colonisation, persistence and ecosystem processes"
Amelia Curd, PhD, IFREMER and University of West Brittany, 2016-2019. (co-supervisor). "Assessment of the distribution and ecological status of Sabellaria alveolata reefs in Europe"

Past students

Dr Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, Plymouth University, 2016-2019. (Director of studies). "Green engineering of coastal infrastructure: a design for life"
Dr Aimee Walls, Zoology, National University of Ireland Galway, 2017 (co-supervisor). "An ecosystem approach to kelp farming".
Dr Rebecca Morris, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, 2016 (co-supervisor). "Retrofitting biodiversity: Ecological engineering for management of urbanised systems".
Dr Ally Evans, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, 2015 (co-supervisor). "Artificial coastal defence structures as surrogate habitats for natural rocky shores".

Grants & contracts

Firth LB, Chee SY. Royal Society International Exchanges. "Eco-engineering of artificial habitats in Penang, Malaysia". 2016/2018. £12,000.

Firth LB, Chee SY. British Ecological Society Small Grant. "Eco-engineering: design with nature, Malaysia". 2015/2018. £5000.

Dubois S, Davies AJ, Lima FP, Firth LB. Total Fondacion, "REEHAB - Assessment of the distribution and ecological status of Sabellaria alveolata reefs in Europe". 2015-1019. €150,000.

Firth LB. Linnean Society Percy Sladen Memorial Fund. "On the distribution and biodiversity associated with Sabellaria alveolata (L.): the Irish case study". 2015/2016. £800.

Hawkins SJ, Powrie W, Nicholls RJ, Thompson, RC, Firth LB. University of Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, HEIF Research Collaboration Stimulus Fund 2014/15. £18,000

Walls A, Firth LB. The Marine Institute Marine Research Programme (Networking & Travel Grant: NT/14/10), “UPMC Roscoff, Marine Summer School – taxonomy of marine fauna”, 2014. €750

Firth LB. Irish Research Council New Foundations Scheme. “ShorTIE: Shore Thing Ireland”, 2014. €6000

Firth LB. LabexMer, Visiting researcher to Dr Stanislas Dubois, IFREMER Brest, France, 2014. €3200

Firth LB. National University of Ireland Galway, School of Natural Science Project Call, “Biodiversity of biogenic habitats”, 2013. €1500

Firth LB. Environment Fund for Biodiversity Awareness Grant Scheme 2013 (Notice Nature). “Eco-engineering: Design with Nature”, 2013. €5000

Walls A, Firth LB, Edwards M, Johnson MJ. “An ecosystem approach to seaweed farming”, 2013-2017. €64,000

Firth LB. The Marine Institute Marine Research Programme (Networking & Travel Grant: NT/13/40), “MarClim, Lofoten”, 2013. €750

Spain-Butler A & Firth LB. National University of Ireland, Galway, College of Science Summer Internships, 2013. €3500

Firth LB. The Marine Institute Marine Research Programme (Networking & Travel Grant: NT/13/16), “Sabellaria alveolata: distribution and associated biodiversity in Ireland”, 2013. €750

Browne K & Firth LB. National University of Ireland, Galway, College of Science Summer Internships, 2013. €3500

Firth LB & Geffen A. Royal Irish Academy Mobility Grants Scheme: “Phenology & biogeography: key grazers in a changing world”, 2013. €2500

Firth LB & Noel L. Irish Research Council and Campus France Ulysses Programme: “Sabellaria alveolata: distribution and associated biodiversity in Ireland and France”, 2012. €5000

Firth LB & Mieszkowska N. Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Small Grant Scheme: “Sabellaria alveolata in northwest Britain: an assessment of the distribution and abundance following two consecutive cold winters", 2012. £1000

Grant L & Firth LB. National University of Ireland, Galway, College of Science Summer Internships, 2012. €3500

Hawkins SJ & Firth LB. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Scientific Diving Facility in support of dive surveys of the Liverpool Dock Complex: “Long-term studies of dock ecosystems following restoration: contribution of urban biodiversity to ecosystem services”, 2012. £30,000

Firth LB & Moore P. Biosciences and Environment and Agriculture Alliance (BEAA) and Climate Change Consortium Wales (C3W) in support of collaborative project on phenology and climate change, 2011-2012. £650

Moore P & Firth LB. Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) PhD studentship: “Artificial defence structures as surrogate habitats for natural rocky shores: giving nature a helping hand”, 2011-2013. £70,000

Firth LB. Wirral Council. Biodiversity experiment on the coastal defences at New Brighton, 2010, £1500

Firth LB & Crowe TP. The Marine Institute Networking and Transfer of Technology Scheme (Other grant: NTT/05/10) 2005, €2000

Firth LB. The Irish Research Council for Science and Engineering Technology (RS/2003/115) Population dynamics of key species in rocky intertidal habitats – patellid limpets in a warming world, 2003-2007. €70,000

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

Articles

Curd A, Boyé A, Cordier C, Pernet F, Firth LB, Bush LE, Davies AJ, Lima FP, Meneghesso C & Quéré C (2021) 'Environmental optima for an ecosystem engineer: a multidisciplinary trait-based approach' Scientific Reports 11, (1) , DOI Open access

Firth LB (2021) 'What have limpets ever done for us? On the past and present provisioning and cultural services of limpets' International Review of Environmental History 7, (2) 5-45 , DOI Open access

Chee SY, Yee JC, Cheah CB, Evans AJ, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ & Strain EMA (2021) 'Habitat Complexity Affects the Structure but Not the Diversity of Sessile Communities on Tropical Coastal Infrastructure' Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9, , DOI Open access

Chee SY, Firth LB, Then AY-H, Yee JC, Mujahid A, Affendi YA, Amir AA, Lau CM, Ooi JLS & Quek YA (2021) 'Enhancing Uptake of Nature-Based Solutions for Informing Coastal Sustainable Development Policy and Planning: A Malaysia Case Study' Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9, , DOI Open access

Amstutz A, Firth LB, Spicer JI & Hanley ME (2021) 'Facing up to climate change: Community composition varies with aspect and surface temperature in the rocky intertidal' Marine Environmental Research 172, , DOI Open access

O’Shaughnessy KA, Perkol-Finkel S, Strain EMA, Bishop MJ, Hawkins SJ, Hanley ME, Lunt P, Thompson RC, Hadary T & Shirazi R (2021) 'Spatially Variable Effects of Artificially-Created Physical Complexity on Subtidal Benthos' Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9, , DOI Open access

Muller A, Poitrimol C, Nunes FLD, Boyé A, Curd A, Desroy N, Firth LB, Bush L, Davies AJ & Lima FP (2021) 'Musical Chairs on Temperate Reefs: Species Turnover and Replacement Within Functional Groups Explain Regional Diversity Variation in Assemblages Associated With Honeycomb Worms' Frontiers in Marine Science 8, , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Curd A, Hawkins SJ, Knights AM, Blaze JA, Burrows MT, Dubois SF, Edwards H, Foggo A & Gribben PE (2021) 'On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland' Marine Environmental Research 169, 105344-105344 , DOI Open access

Zardi GI, Monsinjon JR, McQuaid CD, Seuront L, Orostica M, Want A, Firth LB & Nicastro KR (2021) 'Foul‐weather friends: Modelling thermal stress mitigation by symbiotic endolithic microbes in a changing environment' Global Change Biology 27, (11) 2549-2560 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Harris D, Blaze JA, Marzloff MP, Boyé A, Miller PI, Curd A, Vasquez M, Nunn JD & O’Connor NE (2021) 'Specific niche requirements underpin multidecadal range edge stability, but may introduce barriers for climate change adaptation' Diversity and Distributions 27, (4) 668-683 , DOI Open access

Airoldi L, Beck MW, Firth LB, Bugnot AB, Steinberg PD & Dafforn KA (2021) 'Emerging Solutions to Return Nature to the Urban Ocean' Annual Review of Marine Science 13, (1) 445-477 Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Duff L, Gribben PE & Knights AM (2020) 'Do positive interactions between marine invaders increase likelihood of invasion into natural and artificial habitats?' Oikos Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Hsiung AR, Tan WT, Loke LHL, Firth LB, Heery EC, Ducker J, Clark V, Pek YS, Birch WR & Ang ACF (2020) 'Little evidence that lowering the pH of concrete supports greater biodiversity on tropical and temperate seawalls' Marine Ecology: Progress Series 656, 193-205 , DOI Open access

Strain EMA, Steinberg PD, Vozzo M, Johnston EL, Abbiati M, Aguilera MA, Airoldi L, Aguirre JD, Ashton G & Bernardi M (2020) 'A global analysis of complexity–biodiversity relationships on marine artificial structures' Global Ecology and Biogeography 30, (1) 140-153 , DOI Open access

Hawkins SJ, Firth LB & Evans AJ (2020) 'Structures spread across our seas' Nature Sustainability 4, (1) 7-8 , DOI Open access

Hemraj DA, Posnett NC, Minuti JJ, Firth LB & Russell BD (2020) 'Survived but not safe: Marine heatwave hinders metabolism in two gastropod survivors' Marine Environmental Research 162, 105117-105117 , DOI Open access

Muir AP, Dubois SF, Ross RE, Firth LB, Knights AM, Lima FP, Seabra R, Corre E, Le Corguillé G & Nunes FLD (2020) 'Seascape genomics reveals population isolation in the reef-building honeycomb worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L.)' BMC Evolutionary Biology 20, (1) , DOI Open access

Muir A, Dubois S, Ross R, Firth L, Knights A, Seabra R, Lima F, Corre E, Le Corguille G & Nunes F (2020) 'Seascape genomics reveals population isolation due to ocean circulation patterns in the reef-building honeycomb worm, Sabellaria alveolata' BMC Evolutionary Biology , DOI Open access

Valdor P, Gómez A, Steinberg P, Tanner E, Knights A, Seitz R, Airoldi L, Firth L, Arvanitidis C & Ponti M (2020) 'A global approach to mapping the environmental risk of commercial harbours on aquatic systems' Marine Policy , DOI Open access

Hawkins SJ, O'Shaughnessy KA, Adams LA, Langston WJ, Bray S, Allen JR, Wilkinson S, Bohn K, Mieszkowska N & Firth LB (2020) 'Recovery of an urbanised estuary: Clean-up, de-industrialisation and restoration of redundant dock-basins in the Mersey' Marine Pollution Bulletin 156, 111150-111150 , DOI Open access

Firth L, Airoldi L, Bulleri F, Challinor S, Chee S-Y, Evans A, Hanley M, Knights A, O'Shaugnessy K & Thompson R (2020) 'Greening of grey infrastructure should not be used as a Trojan horse to facilitate coastal development' Journal of Applied Ecology 57, (9) 1762-1768 Publisher Site , DOI Open access

O'Shaughnessy KA, Hawkins SJ, Yunnie ALE, Hanley ME, Lunt P, Thompson RC & Firth LB (2020) 'Occurrence and assemblage composition of intertidal non-native species may be influenced by shipping patterns and artificial structures' Marine Pollution Bulletin 154, 111082-111082 , DOI Open access

Burrows MT, Hawkins SJ, Moore JJ, Adams L, Sugden H, Firth L & Mieszkowska N (2020) 'Global‐scale species distributions predict temperature‐related changes in species composition of rocky shore communities in Britain' Global Change Biology , DOI Open access

O’Shaughnessy KA, Hawkins SJ, Evans AJ, Hanley ME, Lunt P, Thompson RC, Francis RA, Hoggart SPG, Moore PJ & Iglesias G (2019) 'Design catalogue for eco-engineering of coastal artificial structures: a multifunctional approach for stakeholders and end-users' Urban Ecosystems 23, (2) 431-443 , DOI Open access

Valdor P, Gomez A, Juanes J, Kerléguer C, Steinberg P, Tanner E, MacLeod C, Knights A, Seitz R & Airoldi L (2019) 'A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality' Marine Pollution Bulletin , DOI Open access

Strain EMA, Alexander KA, Kienker S, Morris R, Jarvis R, Coleman R, Bollard B, Firth LB, Knights AM & Grabowski JH (2018) 'Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours' Science of the Total Environment 658, 1293-1305 Author Site , DOI Open access

Curd A, Pernet F, Corporeau C, Delisle L, Firth LB, Nunes FLD & Dubois SF (2018) 'Connecting organic to mineral: How the physiological state of an ecosystem-engineer is linked to its habitat structure' Ecological Indicators 98, 49-60 , DOI Open access

Walls AM, Edwards MD, Firth LB & Johnson MP (2018) 'Ecological priming of artificial aquaculture structures: Kelp farms as an example' Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , DOI Open access

Evans AJ, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Hall AE, Ironside JE, Thompson RC & Moore PJ (2018) 'From ocean sprawl to blue-green infrastructure - A UK perspective on an issue of global significance' Environmental Science and Policy 91, 60-69 Author Site , DOI Open access

Hanlon N, Firth L & Knights AM (2018) 'Time-dependent effects of orientation, heterogeneity and composition determines benthic biological community recruitment patterns on subtidal artificial structures' Ecological Engineering 122, 219-228 , DOI Open access

Morris RL, Martinez AS, Firth LB & Coleman RA (2018) 'Can transplanting enhance mobile marine invertebrates in ecologically engineered rock pools?' Marine Environmental Research , DOI Open access

Morris RL, Chapman MG, Firth LB & Coleman RA (2017) 'Increasing habitat complexity on seawalls: Investigating large- and small-scale effects on fish assemblages' Ecology and Evolution 7, (22) 9567-9579 , DOI Open access

Firth L & Chee S-Y (2017) 'Land reclamation and artificial islands: Walking the tightrope between development and conservation' Global Ecology and Conservation , DOI Open access

Strain EMA, Olabarria C, Mayer-Pinto M, Cumbo V, Morris RL, Bugnot AB, Dafforn KA, Heery E, Firth LB & Brooks P (2017) 'Eco-engineering urban infrastructure for marine and coastal biodiversity: which interventions have the greatest ecological benefit?' Journal of Applied Ecology , DOI Open access

McManus RS, Archibald N, Comber S, Knights AM, Thompson RC & Firth LB (2017) 'Partial replacement of cement for waste aggregates in concrete coastal and marine infrastructure: A foundation for ecological enhancement?' Ecological Engineering , DOI Open access

Bishop MJ, Mayer-Pinto M, Airoldi L, Firth LB, Morris RL, Loke LHL, Hawkins SJ, Naylor LA, Coleman RA & Chee SY (2017) 'Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions' Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 492, 7-30 , DOI Open access

Hawkins SJ, Evans AJ, Moore J, Whittington M, Pack K, Firth LB, Adams LC, Moore PJ, Masterson-Algar P & Mieszkowska N (2017) 'FROM THE TORREY CANYON TO TODAY: A 50 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE OF RECOVERY FROM THE OIL SPILL AND INTERACTION WITH CLIMATE-DRIVEN FLUCTUATIONS ON CORNISH ROCKY SHORES' International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings 2017, (1) 74-103 , DOI Open access

Hawkins SJ, Evans AJ, Mieszkowska N, Adams LC, Bray S, Burrows MT, Firth LB, Genner MJ, Leung KMY & Moore PJ (2017) 'Distinguishing globally-driven changes from regional- and local-scale impacts: The case for long-term and broad-scale studies of recovery from pollution' Marine Pollution Bulletin , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Grant LM, Crowe TP, Ellis JS, Wiler C, Convery C & O'Connor NE (2017) 'Factors affecting the prevalence of the trematode parasite Echinostephilla patellae (Lebour, 1911) in the limpet Patella vulgata (L.)' Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , DOI Open access

Knights AM, Firth LB & Russell B (2017) 'Ecological responses to environmental change in marine systems' Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , DOI Open access

Walls AM, Edwards MD, Firth LB & Johnson MP (2017) 'Successional changes of epibiont fouling communities of the cultivated kelp Alaria esculenta: predictability and influences' Aquaculture Environment Interactions 9, 57-71 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Evans A, Knights AM, Nash R, Browne K, Moore P, Morris-Webb E, Goudge H & Hawkins S (2016) 'Could this be a concrete solution to biodiversity loss?' Environmental Science Journal for Teens Open access

Firth LB, Knights AM, Bridger D, Evans A, Mieskowska N, Moore PJ, O'Connor NE, Sheehan EV, Thompson RC & Hawkins SJ (2016) 'Ocean sprawl: challenges and opportunities for biodiversity management in a changing world' Oceanography and Marine Biology: an annual review 54, , DOI Open access

Evans AJ, Garrod B, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Morris-Webb ES, Goudge H & Moore PJ (2016) 'Stakeholder priorities for multi-functional coastal defence developments and steps to effective implementation' Marine Policy 75, 143-155 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Browne KA, Knights AM, Hawkins SJ & Nash R (2016) 'Eco-engineered rock pools: a concrete solution to biodiversity loss and urban sprawl in the marine environment' Environmental Research Letters 11, (9) 094015-094015 , DOI Open access

Pearson S, Windupranata W, Pranowo SW, Putri A, Yingjie M, Vila-Concejo A, Fernández E, Méndez G, Banks J & Knights AM (2016) 'Conflicts in some of the World Harbours: What needs to happen next?' Maritime Studies , DOI Open access

Knights AM, Firth LB, Yunnie A, Thompson RC, Hiscock K & Hawkins SJ (2016) 'Plymouth: A World Harbour through the ages' Regional Studies in Marine Science Author Site , DOI Open access

Evans AJ, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Morris ES, Goudge H & Moore PJ (2016) 'Drill-cored rock pools: an effective method of ecological enhancement on artificial structures' Marine and Freshwater Research 67, (1) 123-123 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, White FJ, Schofield M, Hanley ME, Burrows MT, Thompson RC, Skov MW, Evans AJ, Moore PJ & Hawkins SJ (2016) 'Facing the future: the importance of substratum features for ecological engineering of artificial habitats in the rocky intertidal' Marine and Freshwater Research 67, (1) 131-131 , DOI

Hawkins SJ, Mieszkowska N, Firth LB, Bohn K, Burrows MT, MacLean MA, Thompson RC, Chan BKK, Little C & Williams GA (2016) 'Looking backwards to look forwards: the role of natural history in temperate reef ecology' Marine and Freshwater Research 67, (1) 1-1 , DOI

Firth LB, Mieszkowska N, Grant LM, Bush LE, Davies AJ, Frost MT, Moschella PS, Burrows MT, Cunningham PN & Dye SR (2015) 'Historical comparisons reveal multiple drivers of decadal change of an ecosystem engineer at the range edge' Ecology and Evolution 5, (15) 3210-3222 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Schofield M, White FJ, Skov MW & Hawkins SJ (2014) 'Biodiversity in intertidal rock pools: Informing engineering criteria for artificial habitat enhancement in the built environment' Marine Environmental Research 102, 122-130 , DOI Open access

Kennedy R, Allcock L, Firth L & Power AM (2014) 'Preface-EMBS 2013' Marine Environmental Research 102, 1-2 , DOI

Mieszkowska N, Sugden H, Firth LB & Hawkins SJ (2014) 'The role of sustained observations in tracking impacts of environmental change on marine biodiversity and ecosystems' Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 372, (2025) 20130339-20130339 , DOI

Firth LB, Thompson RC, Bohn K, Abbiati M, Airoldi L, Bouma TJ, Bozzeda F, Ceccherelli VU, Colangelo MA & Evans A (2014) 'Between a rock and a hard place: Environmental and engineering considerations when designing coastal defence structures' COASTAL ENGINEERING 87, 122-135 Author Site , DOI

Hawkins SJ, Firth LB, McHugh M, Poloczanska ES, Herbert RJH, Burrows MT, Kendall MA, Moore PJ, Thompson RC & Jenkins SR (2013) 'Data rescue and re-use: Recycling old information to address new policy concerns' MARINE POLICY 42, 91-98 Author Site , DOI

Firth LB, Thompson RC, White RF, Schofield M, Skov MW, Hoggart SPG, Jackson J, Knights AM & Hawkins SJ (2013) 'The importance of water retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures' Diversity and Distributions 19, (10) 1275-1283

Bracewell SA, Robinson LA, Firth LB & Knights AM (2013) 'Predicting Free-Space Occupancy on Novel Artificial Structures by an Invasive Intertidal Barnacle Using a Removal Experiment' PLOS ONE 8, (9) Author Site , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Thompson RC, White FJ, Schofield M, Skov MW, Hoggart SPG, Jackson J, Knights AM & Hawkins SJ (2013) 'The importance of water-retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures' DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS 19, (10) 1275-1283 Author Site , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Mieszkowska N, Thompson RC & Hawkins SJ (2013) 'Climate change and adaptational impacts in coastal systems: the case of sea defences' ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS 15, (9) 1665-1670 Author Site , DOI

Vale M HSJ (2013) 'Sustained Observation of Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems' Oceanography: Open Access 01, (01) , DOI Open access

Knights AM, Firth LB & Walters K (2012) 'Interactions between multiple recruitment drivers: post-settlement predation mortality and flow-mediated recruitment' PLoS One 7, (4) Author Site , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Knights AM & Bell SS (2011) 'Air temperature and winter mortality: Implications for the persistence of the invasive mussel, Perna viridis in the intertidal zone of the south-eastern United States' JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 400, (1-2) 250-256 Author Site , DOI Open access

Firth LB & Hawkins SJ (2011) 'Introductory comments - Global change in marine ecosystems: Patterns, processes and interactions with regional and local scale impacts' Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 400, (1-2) 1-6 , DOI

Firth LB & Crowe TP (2009) 'Competition and habitat suitability: small-scale segregation underpins large-scale coexistence of key species on temperate rocky shores' Oecologia 162, (1) 163-174 , DOI Open access

Firth LB & Williams GA (2009) 'The influence of multiple environmental stressors on the limpet Cellana toreuma during the summer monsoon season in Hong Kong' Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 375, (1-2) 70-75 , DOI Open access

Firth LB, Crowe TP, Moore P, Thompson RC & Hawkins SJ (2009) 'Predicting impacts of climate-induced range expansion: an experimental framework and a test involving key grazers on temperate rocky shores' GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 15, (6) 1413-1422 Author Site , DOI

Firth LB & Crowe TP (2008) 'Large-scale coexistence and small-scale segregation of key species on rocky shores' Hydrobiologia 614, (1) 233-241 , DOI Open access

Chapters

Herbert RJH, Corbeau G, Godet L, Desroy N, Mieszkowska N, Firth LB, Hall AE & Hawkins SJ (2022) 'Multi-decadal Responses of Coastal Ecosystems to Climate Change, Pollution and Non-indigenous Species in the Western and Mid-English Channel' Challenges in Estuarine and Coastal Science Pelagic Publishing 177-205 , DOI

Firth LB, Bohn K, Williams GA & Hawkins SJ (2019) 'Introduction' Interactions in the Marine Benthos Cambridge University Press 1-6 , DOI

Hawkins SJ, Bohn K, Lemasson AJ, Williams GA, Schiel DR, Jenkins SR & Firth LB (2019) 'Overview and Synthesis' Interactions in the Marine Benthos Cambridge University Press 488-505 , DOI

Hawkins SJ, Pack KE, Firth LB, Mieszkowska N, Evans AJ, Martins GM, Åberg P, Adams LC, Arenas F & Boaventura DM (2019) 'The Intertidal Zone of the North-East Atlantic Region' Interactions in the Marine Benthos Cambridge University Press 7-46 , DOI

Morris RL, Heery EC, Loke LHL, Lau E, Strain EMA, Airoldi L, Alexander KA, Bishop MJ, Coleman RA & Cordell JR (2019) 'Design Options, Implementation Issues and Evaluating Success of Ecologically Engineered Shorelines' Oceanography and Marine Biology CRC Press 169-228 , DOI

(2017) 'Oceanography and Marine Biology' CRC Press , DOI

Evans AJ, Firth LB, Dale A, Hughes D, Smith IP & Hawkins SJ (2017) 'Introduction to the Special Issue' Oceanography and Marine Biology CRC Press ix-x , DOI

Evans AJ, Firth LB, Dale A, Hughes D, Smith IP & Hawkins SJ (2017) 'OCEANOGRAPHY and MARINE BIOLOGY AN ANNUAL REVIEW Volume 55 Introduction to the Special Issue' OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE BIOLOGY: AN ANNUAL REVIEW, VOL 55 IX-X Author Site

Firth L, Knights A, Bridger D, Evans A, Mieszkowska N, Moore P, O’connor N, Sheehan E, Thompson R & Hawkins S (2016) 'Ocean Sprawl: Challenges and Opportunities for Biodiversity Management In A Changing World' Oceanography and Marine Biology - An Annual Review CRC Press 193-270 , DOI

Hoggart S, Hawkins SJ, Bohn K, Airoldi L, van Belzen J, Bichot A, Bilton DT, Bouma TJ, Colangelo MA & Davies AJ (2015) 'Ecological Approaches to Coastal Risk Mitigation' Coastal Risk Management in a Changing Climate Elsevier 171-236 , DOI

Hoggart S, Hawkins SJ, Bohn K, Airoldi L, van Belzen J, Bichot A, Bilton DT, Bouma TJ, Colangelo MA & Davies AJ (2015) 'Chapter 4 Ecological Approaches to Coastal Risk Mitigation' Coastal Risk Management in a Changing Climate 171-236 , DOI

Reports

McQuatters-Gollop A & Firth L (2021) Integrated Greening of Grey Infrastructure (IGGI) to enhance biodiversity on engineered shorelines in Malaysia. Plymouth UK University of Plymouth , DOI Open access

McQuatters-Gollop A & Firth L (2021) Policy Brief - Implementing Nature-based Solutions for enhancing coastal resilience in Malaysia. Plymouth University of Plymouth , DOI Open access

Hall-Spencer J & Firth L (2021) The Second World Ocean Assessment Volume 1. New York United Nations Open access

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

Plenary speaker: 2nd International Conference on Community Ecology, Bologna, Italy, 2019

Invited speaker: Urban Future Global Conference, Oslo, Norway, 2019

Invited panel speaker: MBA postgraduate workshop, Plymouth, UK, 2018

Invited Panel Speaker on Restoration Successes, Benthic Ecology Meeting, Myrtle Beach, USA, 2017

Invited keynote and session moderator: 41st International CIESM Congress, Kiel, Germany, 2016

Keynote speaker: MBA Postgraduate Workshop, Queens University Belfast, UK, 2015

Plenary speaker: British Ecological Society Aquatic Group, London, UK, 2014

Keynote speaker: Climate Change Adaptation: Aquatic Invasives and Coastal Restoration Symposium, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 2014

Keynote speaker: 9th International Temperate Reefs Symposium, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 2014

Conferences organised

Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Evolution, Interactions and Global Change, University of Liverpool (2015)
Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Conference, National University of Ireland Galway (2014)
European Marine Biology Symposium, National University of Ireland Galway (2013)
The International Temperate Reefs Symposium, University of Plymouth (2011)
3rd Annual Marie Biological Association of the UK Postgraduate Marine Biology Workshop, University College Dublin (2006)
1st Irish Postgraduate Ecology Forum, University College Cork (2006)

Profiles

Associate Professor of Marine Ecology

School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)