- B524, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584977
- louise.firth@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Louise Firth
Lecturer in Environmental Science
School of Biological & Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science & Engineering)
Role
Lecturer in Environmental Science
Qualifications
2015-date. Lecturer in Environmental Science, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, Plymouth University, 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 Prof. Steve Hawkins, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, UK
2009. Consultant Scientist, APEM Ltd., Stockport, UK
2007-2008. Postdoctoral Researcher with Prof. Susan Bell, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, USA
2007. Invited Postdoctoral Researcher with Prof. 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
2016-present: Editor for Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review
2014-present: Associate Editor for Marine and Freshwater Research
2014-present: Editor for Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Teaching interests
My teaching interests cover biodiversity and community ecology in urban and natural systems, responses of organisms to global climate change and extreme weather events and ecological engineering.
I teach on the following modules:
ENVS 001 - Extended Science
ENVS 1003 - The Biosphere
ENVS 2006 - Natural Ecosystems
ENVS 3007 - Biodiversity management in tropical ecosystems
ENVS 3008 - Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation
I also teach on the Malaysian field trip (ENVS2001) as well as supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
Staff serving as external examiners
External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Porto, Portugal (2015) External Examiner for PhD Defence, University of Bologna, Italy (2013)
Research interests
My research on ‘Marine environmental change’ covers three key areas: (1) conservation, urban ecology and ecological engineering; (2) biodiversity and climate change; and (3) marine community 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 (e.g. Firth et al. 2014, Coastal Engineering). I test hypotheses about how heterogeneity and complexity determine community structure and functioning (e.g. Firth et al. 2013, Diversity & Distributions). I am actively involved in the World Harbour Project (http://sims.org.au/research/long-term-projects/world-harbour-project/)
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 (e.g. Firth et al. 2009, Glob Chan Biol). 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 (e.g. Firth & Williams, 2009, JEMBE). 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 (e.g. Firth & Crowe, 2010, Oecologia). Current PhD studentsMs Rebecca Morris (2013-2017), Faculty of Science, University of Sydney in association with Prof. Ross Coleman and Prof. Gee Chapman Ms Aimee Walls (2013-2017), Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, “An Ecosystem approach to seaweed farming” in association with Prof. Mark Johnson (Ryan Institute) and Dr Maeve Edwards (Carna Research Station) Ms Alison Evans (2011-2015), Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, “Artificial defence structures as surrogate habitats for natural rocky shores: giving nature a helping hand” in association with Dr Pippa Moore (Aberystwyth University), Liz Morris and Harry Goudge (Marine Ecological Solutions) and Prof. Steve Hawkins (University of Southampton)
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Current students
Ms Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, PhD, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, Plymouth University, 2016-2019. (Director of studies). "Green engineering of coastal infrastructure: a design for life"
Ms 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"
Ms 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 Rebecca Morris, PhD, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney 2016 (co-supervisor). "Retrofitting biodiversity: Ecological engineering for management of urbanised systems". Dr Ally Evans, PhD, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University 2015 (co-supervisor). "Artificial coastal defence structures as surrogate habitats for natural rocky shores".
Ms Meredith Schofield, MSc Marine Biology, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, 2012 (main supervisor). "Effect of environmental heterogeneity on biological communities of intertidal rock pools".
Ms Freya White, MSc Marine Environmental Protection, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, 2012 (main supervisor). The effects of substratum type and surface heterogeneity on rocky intertidal assemblages".
Grants & contracts
Firth LB, Chee SY. Royal Society International Exchanges. "Eco-engineering of artificial habitats in Penang, Malaysia". 2016/2018. £12,000.
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
I have published 28 manuscripts including one in Global Change Biology (IF 8.0), one in Diversity and Distributions (IF 4.6),one in Environmental Research Letters (IF 4.1), one in Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review (IF 4.1), two in PLoS ONE (IF 3.2) and one in Oecologia (IF 3.1). H-index = 14 (Source: Googlescholar, 11/1/17).
Published papers
28. HawkinsSJ, Evans AJ, Firth LB, Moore PJ,Bray S, Adams LC, Schuster H, Leung KMY, Pack K, Burrows MT, Sims DW, Genner MJ, Mieszkowska N, Southward EC. (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, in press
27. Walls AM, Edwards MD, Firth LB, Johnson MP. (2017) Successional changes of epibiont fouling communities of the cultivated kelp Alaria esculenta: predictability andinfluences. Aquaculture Environment Interactions. In press.
26. Evans AJ, Garrod B, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Morris ES, Goudge H, Moore PJ. (2017) Multi-functional coastal developments: desirability of potential secondary benefits and steps to effective implementation. Marine Policy,75: 143-155.
25. Bishop MJ, Mayer-Pinto M, Airoldi L, Firth LB, Morris RL, Loke LHL, Hawkins SJ, Naylor LA, Coleman RA, Chee SY, Dafforn KA (2017) Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, In press
24. Firth LB, Grant L, 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, In press
23. Firth LB, Knights AM, Thompson RC, Mieszkowska N, Bridger D, Evans A, Moore PJ, O’Connor NE, Sheehan EV, Hawkins SJ. (2016) Ocean sprawl: challenges and opportunities for biodiversity management in a changing world. Invited contribution to Oceanography and Marine Biology Annual Reviews. 54: 193-269
22. Firth LB, Browne K, 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: 094015
21. Pearson S, Windupranata W, Pranowo SW, Putri A, Ma Y, Vila-Concejo A, Fernández E, Méndez G, Banks J, Knights AM, Firth LB, Bollard Breen B, Jarvis R, Aguirre D, Chen S, Howard Smith AN, Steinberg P, Chatzinikolaou E, Arvanitidis C. (2016) Conflicts in some of the World harbours: What needs to happen next? Maritime Studies, 15:10
20. Knights AM, Firth LB, Thompson RC, Yunnie AL, Hiscock K, Hawkins SJ. (2016) Plymouth - a world harbour through the ages. Regional Studies in Marine Science. In press.
19. Hawkins SJ, Mieszkowska N, Firth LB, Burrows MT, MacLean MA, Bohn K, 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: 1-13
18. Evans AJ, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Morris ES, Goudge H, Moore P. (2016) Drill-cored rock pools: an effective method of ecological enhancement on artificial structures. Marine and Freshwater Research, 67: 123-130
17. Firth LB, White FJ, Schofield M, Hanley ME, Burrows MT, Skov MW, Hawkins SJ. (2016) Facing the future: the importance of substratum features for ecological engineering ofartificial habitats in the rocky intertidal. Marine and Freshwater Research. 67: 131-143
16. Firth LB, Mieszkowska N, Grant L, Bush L, Davies AJ, Frost MT, Moschella P, Hawkins SJ. Historical comparisons reveal multiple drivers of decadal change of an ecosystem engineer at the range edge. Ecology & Evolution, 5: 3210–3222
15. 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.
14. Mieszkowska N, Sugden HE, 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 of London A. 372, 20130339.
13. Firth LB, Thompson RC, Bohn K, Abiatti M, Airoldi L, Bouma TJ, Bozzeda F, Ceccherelli VU, Colangelo MA, Evans E, Ferrario F, Hanley M, Hinz H, Hoggart SPG, Jackson J, Moore P, Morgan EH, Perkol-Finkel S, Strain EM, van Belzen J, Hawkins SJ. (2014) Between a rock and a hard place: environmental and engineering considerations when designing flood defence structures. Coastal Engineering 87: 122–135.
12. Hawkins SJ, Vale M, Firth LB, Burrows MT, Mieszkowska N, Frost M. (2013) Sustained observation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Oceanography: open access 1:1-4.
11. 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: 1275–1283
10. 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): e74457
9. 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: 1665-1670
8. Hawkins SJ, Firth LB, McHugh, M, Poloczanska E, Herbert R, Burrows MT, Kendall M, Moore P, Thompson RC, Jenkins SR, Genner MJ, Sims DW, Mieszkowska N (2013) Data rescue and reuse: recycling old information for new concerns. Marine Policy 42: 91-98
7. Knights AM, Firth LB, Walters KA (2012) Interactions between multiple recruitment drivers: Post-settlement predation mortality & flow-mediated recruitment. PLoS ONE 7(4): e35096.
6. Firth LB, Hawkins SJ (2011) Global change in marine ecosystems: patterns, processes and interactions with regional and local scale impacts. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 400: 1-6
5. 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: 250-256
4. Firth LB, Crowe TP (2010) Competition, habitat-suitability and the coexistence of key species on temperate rocky shores. Oecologia 162:163-174
3. Firth LB, Williams GA (2009) The influence of multiple environmental stressors on Cellana toreuma during summer monsoon season in Hong Kong. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 375:70-75
2. 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 15:1413-1422
1. Firth LB, Crowe TP (2008) Large-scale coexistence and small-scale segregation of key species on rocky shores. Hydrobiologia 614:233-241
Book Chapters
1. Hoggart S, Hawkins SJ, Bohn K, Airoldi L, van Belzen J, Bichot A, Bilton DT, BoumaTJ, Colangelo MA, Davies AJ, Ferrario F, FirthLB, Galván C, Hanley M, Heurtefeux H, Lara JL, Rodriguez IL, Maza M, EizaguirreBO, Rundle SD, Skov MW, Strain EM, White A, Zhang L, Zhu Z, Thompson RC (2015) Chapter 4 - Ecological approaches to coastal risk mitigation. Nicholls R, Zanuttigh B, Vanderlinden JC,Thompson RC, Burcharth H (Eds.), Coastal Risk Management in a Changing Climate,9780123973108, Academic Press (Elsevier), pp. 171–234
Other publications
1. Firth LB , Evans AJ, Knights AM, Nash R, Browne K, Moore P, Morris-Webb E,Goudge H, Hawkins SJ (2016) Is this a concrete solution to biodiversity loss? The Science Journal for Kids LINK
2. Hawkins SJ, EvansAJ, Firth LB, Genner MJ, HerbertRJH, Adams LC, Moore PJ, Mieszkowska N, Thompson RC, Burrows RC, Fenberg PB(2016) Impacts and effects of ocean warming on intertidal rocky habitats. InLaffoley D and Baxter JM (Eds.), Explaining Ocean Warming: causes, scale,effects and consequences. Full report. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 456 pp.
Reports & invited lectures
Invited keynotes and plenaries
Keynote speaker: Marine Biological Association of the UK Postrgraduate 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
Invited seminars
The University of Chester, UK, 2016
World Restoration Conference, Manchester, UK, 2015
Marine Biological Association of the UK, 2014
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK, 2014
Department of Civil Engineering & Architecture, University of Bath, UK, 2014
Queens University Belfast, UK, 2014
Institut Universitaire Européen de la mer, University of West Brittany, France, 2014
IFREMER, French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, Brest, France, 2014
EU-Water Framework Directive Eastern River Basin District (ERBD) Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 2013
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland, 2013
Sustainable Management MSc seminar, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland, 2013
School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland, 2013
The Marine Society, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland, 2013
Department of Biology, The University of Bergen, Norway, 2013
Eastern River Basin District Annual Biodiversity Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 2013
School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, UK, 2012
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Plymouth, UK, 2011
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, UK, 2011
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, UK, 2011
Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, USA, 2008
Department of Biodiversity & Ecology, University of Hong Kong, PR China, 2007