Dr Sian Rees
Profiles

Dr Sian Rees

Senior Research Fellow (SWEEP)

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

Role

I am an experienced scientist in marine conservation, marine management and policy. I am skilled in both quantitative and qualitative research methods to inform ecosystem based management via ecosystem service assessment and valuation. I am an interdisciplinary scientist motivated to define social-ecological systems. This includes identifying the ecosystem services (economic, ecological, social and cultural values) that underpin human well-being,defining spatial resource use and assessing human pressures on resources and the underlying drivers that influence change. My research aim is to understand the impact (both positive and negative) of management interventions on ecosystem services. This serves to strengthen the connections between science,society and policy and supports efforts to manage marine resources and systems.To extend the impact of my research I work closely with marine stakeholders including staff from statutory nature conservation agencies, NGOs and government departments in order to influence marine and coastal governance. 

Qualifications

EDUCATION

October 2007–November 2011: A PhD in Marine Conservation and Environmental Economics. “The Value of Marine Conservation”.

2002-2003: Master of Science in Coastal and Ocean Policy. Awarded pass with distinction.
Plymouth University.

1995-1999:  Bachelor of Science in Marine Geography. Awarded second-class honours, division one. University of Wales, Cardiff.

EMPLOYMENT

April 2017 – to date: Senior Research Fellow (Impact): Marine Ecosystem Services. The Marine Institute, Plymouth University.

2011– March 2017: Research Fellow and Associate Lecturer. The Marine Institute, Plymouth University.

February 2012–June 2012: Postdoctoral Research Assistant for the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 

2007–2011: Associate Lecturer and Researcher. Plymouth University.

2004–2007: Conservation Officer (Marine Policy) and Cycleau Project Officer, Devon Wildlife Trust. 

1999–2004: English as a Foreign Language Teacher. Contracts in the UK, South Korea and Spain.

1993-1999: Youth Worker and Outdoor Education Instructor. South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre. Gloucestershire County Council.

Research interests

Marine conservation, economics, social science, Marine Protected Areas, MPAs, Sustainable Development Goals, Ecosystem Services.

Grants & contracts

GRANTS

2017–2021: South West Partnership for Environment and Economic Prosperity. NERC £4.9million (Co-I).

2015 - 2016 An evaluation framework to determine the impact of the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area and the activities of the Lyme Bay Consultative Committee on ecosystem services and human wellbeing. The Marine Institute and the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research Plymouth University, CEFAS, Exeter University. Research for the Blue Marine Foundation. £44,000 (PI).

2015-2019: The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020, 2015-2019. ResponSEAble . 3.9m Euros.

2015-2017: Strategies for the sustainable development and management of St Helena’s fisheries and marine tourism. Darwin Plus Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund. £74,000.

2015 Assessment of the ecological coherence of the MPA network in the Celtic Seas. Research for WWF-UK £28,000 (PI).

2014 Assessing the socio-economic benefits of Marine Protected Areas. A report for Natural Resources Wales. £13,824 (Co-I).

2012-2015 PANACHE Protected Area Network across the Channel Ecosystem. EU INTERREG project Priority 4, Objective 2. Euros 4.8 million (Euros 334,862 to PU) (Co-I).

2012 –The legal and ecological definition of ‘site integrity in the EU Habitats Directive and its application to UK Marine Planning. A position statement for the Marine Conservation Society. £8000 (PI).

2012 Marine Conservation Zones Benefits Package. Research and report for the Wildlife Trusts. £11,286 (Co-I).

2011-2012: Social perspectives on the establishment of marine conservation zones. MMO Fisheries Challenge Fund. £25,000 (PI).

2011-2012: Valuation of Ocean Biodiversity. Gulbenkian Foundation. £55,000 (Co-I).

2008-2012: Lyme Bay socio-economic impacts of the closed areas. A collaborative grant with Plymouth Marine Laboratory. £250,000 (Co-I).

CONSULTANCY

2015: Consultant for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to provide a technical report and expertise on the qualitative aspects of Aichi Target 11.

Rees, S.E., Foster, N.L., Langmead, O., Griffiths, C., Fletcher, S., Pittman, S., Johnson, D. Attrill, M.J. 2017. Bridging the divide: A framework for social-ecological coherence in Marine Protected Area network design (Submitted paper).

Diz, D., Johnson, D., Ridell, M., Rees, S., Battle, J., Gjerde, K., Hennige,S., Roberts, M. 2017. Mainstreaming Marine Biodiversity into the SDGs: The Role of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (SDG 14.5). (In Press Marine Policy Special Issue SDG Synergies for Sustainable Fisheries and Poverty Alleviation).

Rees, S.E., Foster, N.L., Langmead, O., Pittman, S., Johnson, D. 2017.  Defining the qualitative elements of Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 with regard to the marine and coastal environment in order to strengthen global efforts for marine biodiversity conservation outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. (In Press Marine Policy Special Issue SDG Synergies for Sustainable Fisheries and Poverty Alleviation).

Foster, N.L., Rees, S.E., Langmead, O., Griffiths C., Oates, J., Attrill, M.J. 2017.  Assessing the Ecological Coherence of an MPA network in the Celtic Seas. Ecosphere 8(2):e01688. 10.1002/ecs2.1688

Rees,S.E., Mangi, S.C., Hattam, C., Gall, S.C., Rodwell, L.D., Peckett, F.J.,Attrill, M.J. (2015). The socio-economic effects of a Marine Protected Area onthe ecosystem service of leisure and recreation. Marine Policy 62,144-152. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2015.09.011

Rodríguez-RodríguezD, Rees SE, Rodwell LD, Attrill MJ. (2015).  IMPASEA: A methodological framework to monitorand assess the socioeconomic effects of marine protected areas. An EnglishChannel case study. Environmental Science & Policy. 2015;54:44-51. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2015.05.019

Rodríguez-Rodríguez D, Rees SE, Rodwell LD, Attrill MJ.(2015). Assessing the socioeconomic effects of multiple-use MPAs in a Europeansetting: A national stakeholders’ perspective. Environmental Science &Policy. 2015;48:115-27. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2014.12.020

Jackson EL, Rees SE, Wilding C, Attrill MJ.(2015). Use of aseagrass residency index to apportion commercial fishery landing values andrecreation fisheries expenditure to seagrass habitat service. ConservationBiology. 2015;29:899-909. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12436

Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D.; Rees,S.;Mannaerts, G.; Sciberras, M.; Sheehan, E.; Aulert, C.;  Carrier,S.; Pirie, C.; Black, G. &McBreen, F.  2014. Status of the marine protected area network across the English Channel (La Manche): Cross-country similarities and differences in MPA designation, management and monitoring. Marine Policy, Volume 51, January 2015, Pages 536-546. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2014.09.021

Gilbert, A.J., Alexander, K.,Sarda, R.,Brazinskaite, R., Fischer, C., Gee, K., Los, H., Jessopp, M., Kershaw,P.,O’Mahony, C., March3, D., Pihlajamäki, M., Rees, S., Varjopuro,R., 2014.Marine Spatial Planning and Good Environmental Status: a perspective on spatial and temporal dimensions. Ecology and Society. In Special Issue 19. Systems Science for Managing Europe’s Seas

Cinnirella S., Sardà R., Suárez deVivero J. L.,Brennan R., Barausse A., Icely J., Luisetti T., March D.,MurcianoC., Newton A., O’Higgins T., Palmeri L.,Palmieri M. G., Raux P., ReesS., Albaigés J.,Pirrone N. & K. Turner. 2014. Steps towards a shared governance response for achieving Good Environmental Status in the Mediterranean Sea.  Ecology and Society. In Special Issue 19.Systems Science for Managing Europe’s Seas.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-07065-190447

Rees, S.E, Fletcher, S., Gall, S.C., Friedrich, L.A., Jackson, E.L., Rodwell,L.D., 2014. Securing the benefits: Linking ecology with marine planning policy to examine the potential of a network of Marine Protected Areas to support human wellbeing, Marine Policy, Volume 44, February 2014, Pages 335-341 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2013.09.027

Rodwell, L.D., Fletcher, S., Glegg, G.A., Campbell, M., Rees, S.E., Ashley, M., Linley, E.A., Frost, M., Earl, B., Wynn, R.B., Mee, L., Almada-Villela, P., Lear, D., Stanger, P., Colenutt, A., Davenport, F., Barker Bradshaw, N.J., Covey, R. 2014. Marine and coastal policy in the UK: Challenges and opportunities in a new era. Marine Policy, 45, 251-258. 

Rees, S.E., Rodwell, L.D., Searle, S., Bell, A., 2013. Identifying the issues and options for managing the social impacts of Marine Protected Areas on a small fishing community. Fisheries Research, 146. 51-58 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2013.04.003

Rees, S.E., Sheehan, E.V., Jackson, E.L., Gall, S.C., Cousens, S.L.,Solandt, J.-L., Boyer, M., Attrill, M.J., 2013. A legal and ecological perspective of ‘site integrity’ to inform policy development and management of Special Areas of Conservation in Europe. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 72(1) 14-21 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.036 

Rees, S.E., Attrill, M.J., Austen, M.C., Mangi, S.C., Rodwell, L.D.,2013. A thematic cost-benefit analysis of a marine protected area. Journal of Environmental Management 114, 476-485 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.10.048

Rees, S., Fletcher, S., Glegg, G., Marshall, C., Rodwell, L.,Jefferson, R., Campbell, M., Langmead, O., Ashley, M., Bloomfield, H., Brutto,D., Colenutt, A., Conversi, A., Earll, B., Hamid, I. A., Hattam, C., Ingram,S., McKinley, E., Mee, L., Oates, J., Peckett, F., Portus, J., Reed, M.,Rogers, S., Saunders, J., Scales, K. & Wynn, R. (2013). Priority questions to shape the marine and coastal policy research agenda in the United Kingdom." Marine Policy 38(0): 531-537 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.09.002

Rees, S. E., M. C. Austen, et al. (2012). "Incorporating indirect ecosystem services into marine protected area planning and management."International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 8(3):273-285 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2012.680500

Rees, S. E., Rodwell, L. D., Attrill, M. J., Austen, M. C. & Mangi, S. C.(2010) 'The value of marine biodiversity to the leisure and recreation industry and its application to marine spatial planning', Marine Policy,34 (5), pp. 868-875.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2010.01.009

Rees, S. E.,Attrill, M. J., Austen, M. C., Mangi, S. C., Richards, J. P.& Rodwell, L. D. (2010) 'Is there a win-win scenario for marine nature conservation? A case study of Lyme Bay, England', Ocean &Coastal Management, 53 (3), pp. 135-145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2010.01.011

 

Reports & invited lectures

Reports

Rees S., Clingham E, Rodwell L., Glegg G., and Collins M. 2016. Marine Ecosystem Services of St Helena. Part 2: Ecosystem Service Valuations, Future Development Thresholds and Management. A report for the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate, St Helena Government by Marine Institute Plymouth University. pp 70.

Rees S., Fletcher S., Clingham E., 2016. Marine Ecosystem Services Assessment of St Helena. A report for the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate, St Helena Government by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University. pp 22

Rees, S.E., Ashley, M., Evans, L., Mangi, S., Rodwell, L., Attrill, M., Langmead,O., Sheehan, E., Rees, A. (2016). An evaluation framework to determine the impact of the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area and the activities of the Lyme Bay Consultative Committee on ecosystem services and human wellbeing. A report to the Blue Marine Foundation by research staff the Marine Institute at Plymouth University, Exeter University and Cefas. pp139

Rees S.E., Foster N.L., Langmead O., Pittman S., Johnson D.E., (2016). Defining the qualitative elements of Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 with regard to the marine and coastal environment. A report to the Convention on Biological Diversity expert meeting complied by the Marine Institute at Plymouth University, UK. pp. 55

Rees S, Foster N, Langmead O, Griffiths C. Assessment of the Ecological Coherence of the MPA Network in the Celtic Seas:  A report for WWF-UK by the Marine Institute,Plymouth University and The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 2015. p. 120.

Rodríguez-Rodríguez,D., Rees, S., Rodwell, L., Haenrick, M., Dobroniak, C., Bartlett,G.,Mannaerts, G., and Attrill, M. (2014) Methods for monitoring the socioeconomic effects of Marine Protected Areas. A report for the European Union INTERREG IVA France (Channel) – England European cross-border co-operation programme. Protected Area Network Across the Channel Ecosystem Project. pp 75.

Fletcher, S., Rees, S., Gall, S. Shellock, R., Dodds, W. and Rodwell, L.(2014).  Assessing the socio-economic benefits of marine protected areas.A report for Natural Resources Wales by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University.

Rodriguez-Rodriguez, D., Rees, S.,Mannaerts, G., Sheehan, E. 2013. Marine protected area in the Channel: A review. Report prepared by the Marine Institute and the Agence des Marines Protegees for the Protected Area Network Across the Channel Ecosystem (PANACHE)project. INTERREG programme France (Channel) – England (2007 – 2013) funded project, 48 pp.

Brown, C., Hull, S., Frost, N.,Miller, F., Pearce, B., Rees, S., Hughes, E., Tyler-Walters, H., 2013. In-depth review of evidence supporting the recommended Marine Conservation Zones.Project Code: MB0116 Marine Biodiversity R&D Programme, p. 69. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), London.

Fletcher, S., Rees, S., Gall, S.Jackson, E., Friedrich, L., and Rodwell, R. (2012) Securing the benefits of the Marine Conservation Zone Network. A report to The Wildlife Trusts by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University. 105pp

Rees, S. E. & Rodwell, L. D.(2012) The social impacts of marine conservation zones on the North Devon inshore fishing fleets - A report for the Marine Management Organisation. pp.39. The Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University,Plymouth.

Attrill, M.J., Bayley, D.T.I., Gall, S.C., Hattam, C., Jackson, E.L., Langmead,O., Mangi, S., Marshall, C., Munro, C., Rees, S., Rodwell, L., Sheehan, E.V.,Stevens, T.F., Strong. S., 2011. Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential “spillover” effects and socio-economic changes, Final Report, February 2011. Report to the Department of Environment,Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium.Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd.

Attrill, M.J., Bayley, D.T.I.,Gall, S.C., Hattam, C., Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Mangi, S., Marshall, C.,Munro, C., Rees, S., Rodwell, L., Sheehan, E.V., Stevens, T.F., Strong. S.,2010. Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential “spillover” effects and socio-economic changes, Annual Report,December 2010. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd. 53 pages.

Mangi, S., Hattam, C., Rodwell,L., Rees, S., Stehfest, K., (2009) Initial report on socio-economic costs of closing Lyme Bay to scallop dredging and heavy trawling gear. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the Plymouth Marine Laboratories and the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth:University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd. 50 pp. Defra Contract No. MB101 

Attrill, M.J., Fowell, S., Hall-Spencer, J., Hattam, C., Jackson, E.L.,Langmead, O., Mangi, S., Marshall, C., Munro, C., Rees, S., Rodwell, L.,Sheehan, E.V., Stevens, T.F. (2009). Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential “spillover” effects and socio-economic changes, Annual Report, December 2009. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd. 70 pages

Authored Consultation Responses

Marine Institute. 2015. Marine Conservation Zones: Consultation on the second tranche of Marine Conservation Zones 2015. Response from the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. 8pp 

Marine Institute. 2013. Marine Conservation Zones: Consultation on proposals for designation in 2013. Response from the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. 12pp 

Marine Institute. 2009. DEFRA consultation on delivering Marine Conservation Zones and European Marine Sites (a draft strategy for marine protected areas) and the Draft Guidance Notes 1-4. Response from the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. 18pp 

Marine Institute 2008. JNCC 2008 Consultation on guidance relating to the offence of deliberate disturbance of marine European Protected Species. Response from the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. 8pp

Mee, L., Stevens, T., Rees, S and Marshall C. 2008. DEFRA Consultation on measures to protect biodiversity in Lyme Bay; Response from the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. 11pp

Book Chapters

Plater AJ, Rice JC, Glegg G,Hansson S, Koutrakis M, Mangi S, Marasovic I, Marshall CE, Norman T, Oguz T,Peckett F, Rees S, Rickards L, Rodwell LD, Tudor D, Vrgoc N. Review of existing international approaches to fisheries management: The role of science in underpinning the ecosystem approach and marine spatial planning, in: Kidd, S.et al. (Ed.) The ecosystem approach to marine planning and management 2011; 131-204.

Presentations

2016 Lyme Bay Fisheries and Conservation Reserve Committee meeting, Lyme Regis, UK. Invited Speaker. The Lyme Bay Reserve. Is it working?

 

2016 Commonwealth Resilience Forum, London.  Invited Speaker. Marine Resources:protection or development - need they be mutually exclusive? MPAs and the Tourism and Leisure sector.

 

2016 Devon Local Nature Partnership, Exeter, UK. Valuing Nature – What does Nature do for Devon?  Thevalue of marine ecosystem services. 

 

2016 CBD expert meeting. Berlin, Germany. Invited Speaker. Meeting to share experiences and lessons learned on achieving Aichi Target 11 in marine and coastal areas.

 

2015 ESRC symposium. Bristol University. Invited Speaker.  MPAs and human well-being: How can we align conservation with social and economic needs?

 

2015 South West Marine Ecosystems, Plymouth Marine Laboratory,Plymouth. What is site integrity?Applying current ecological knowledge to evolving marine policy.          

 

2014 Marine Spatial Planning Conference Series for the European Commission, Venice, Italy. Invited speaker. Marine Spatial Planning and the integration of economic and environmental interests.

 

2014 3rd Cross Channel Forum: Future Challenges for Effective Governance of the Channel. Le Havre, France. Invited panel member,Marine Spatial Planning and conservation.

 

2014 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress,Glasgow, UK. A legal and ecological perspective of ‘site integrity’ to inform policy development and management of Special Areas of Conservation in Europe. Invited session chair

 

2014 2nd Marine and Coastal Policy Forum, Plymouth, UK.Securing the benefits: Linking ecology with marine planning policy to examine the potential of a network of Marine Protected Areas to support human wellbeing. 

 

2011 2nd International Marine Conservation Congress, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. From conflict to consensus. The social value of Marine Protected Areas.

 

2010. Marine Institute Conference. Plymouth, UK. The Socio-Economic Impacts of the Lyme Bay Closed Area.

 

2010 CMS Conference. Socio Economics in the Marine Environment.Reconciling Social and Economic Issues with Environment Programmes in Practice,London. Lyme Bay and socio-economics: Lessons from practice. Invited speaker

 2009 International Marine Conservation Congress. George Mason University, Virginia, USA. Incorporating the ecosystem approach and the value of marine biodiversity into marine spatial planning.

 

2009 Plymouth Marine Science Partnership Conference. Marine Institute,Plymouth UK. The value of marine biodiversity to the recreation industry,Lyme Bay, UK.

 

2008 Plymouth Marine Science Partnership Conference. Marine Institute,Plymouth UK. A total valuation of the goods and services provided by marine biodiversity for use in marine spatial planning.