Data Article / Data Paper
Greenword S, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Cowie C, Levine J, White PCL, Wilson M & Engstrom S (2026) Combined storytelling and mapping approaches for increasing community engagement with woodland creation and expansion projects.
Senior Lecturer- Nature-based Solutions
Biological and Environmental Sciences 糖心Vlog破解版, 糖心Vlog破解版, FK9 4LA
I’m an ecologist and conservation biologist investigating how nature-based solutions can be used to tackle the ecological crisis. My research is strongly applied, with a focus on finding effective ways to restore biodiversity (and associated ecosystem functions and services) in anthropogenic landscapes. For example, during my PhD I investigated the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes for bats and nocturnal invertebrates. For the past ten years, my research has primarily focused on assessing the long-term ecological consequences of woodland creation (see e.g. the WrEN project which I co-lead. Over time my research has become increasingly transdisciplinary, and I currently lead a research project investigating stakeholder perceptions and socio-ecological consequences of woodland expansion through a range of approaches, including planting and allowing trees to colonise new areas naturally - .
Brief CV:
?Senior Lecturer in Applied Ecology (糖心Vlog破解版, UK 2022-ongoing).
?Science and Monitoring Advisor (Bat Conservation Trust, UK 2021-2022).
?Senior Research Fellow (Scotland’s Rural College [SRUC], UK 2020-2022) – Research programme: “Maximising the environmental benefits of woodland creation”.
?Research Fellow (糖心Vlog破解版, UK 2013-2021) – Research programme: “Woodland Creation & Ecological Networks; WrEN”. .
?Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ecology (糖心Vlog破解版, UK 2012) – Research project: “Assessing the effects of micro-turbines on wildlife”.
?Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ecology (糖心Vlog破解版, UK 2011-2012) – Research project: “Assessing the effectiveness of farm woodland creation schemes for bats”.
?PhD in Ecology (糖心Vlog破解版, UK 2007-2011) – Thesis: “The value of agri-environment schemes and farm woodland for bats and nocturnal insects”. Winner of the Vincent Weir Scientific Award 2011 for making a significant contribution to research on the conservation biology of bats.
?MSc in Environmental Biology (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico 2004-2007) – Thesis: “Edge effects caused by roads on populations of endemic rodents of Cozumel island”.
?BSc (Hons) in Biology, major in Ecology (Universidad de las Americas, Mexico 1999-2003) – Thesis: “Biology of Bombus ephippiatus Say (Hymenoptera, Apidae)”.
I am also a Trustee of Bats without Borders and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology.
Research areas:
?Applied ecology (e.g. finding effective ways to restore biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions and services in human-modified landscapes).
?Effects of anthropogenic disturbances (e.g. habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification) on wildlife.
?Evaluation of conservation actions (e.g. habitat restoration, agri-environment schemes) for biodiversity.
?Landscape ecology (e.g. influence of landscape composition and configuration on biodiversity).
?Animal ecology and conservation (mainly of bats, small non-volant mammals and invertebrates).
?My current research programme focuses on examining the long-term effects of past woodland creation on current biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to inform future reforestation strategies.
?Restoring Ecosystems to Stop the Threat Of (Re-)Emerging Infectious Diseases
PI: Dr Brad Duthie
Funded by: Innovate UK
–
Restoring Resilient Ecosystems
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–
Land sharing vs. land sparing: new insights from ecological-economic modelling
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: The Leverhulme Trust
–
Assessing the impact of mammalian herbivory on the long-term ecological value of woodland creation sites’
PI: Dr Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor
Funded by: Woodland Trust
–
Using camera traps to quantify the effect of deer on woodland restoration
PI: Dr Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor
Funded by: British Deer Society
–
Identify the presence of potential insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Scotland
PI: Professor Kirsty Park
Funded by: Plant Health Centre
–
Data Article / Data Paper
Greenword S, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Cowie C, Levine J, White PCL, Wilson M & Engstrom S (2026) Combined storytelling and mapping approaches for increasing community engagement with woodland creation and expansion projects.
Article
Deer activity limits tree recruitment in woodland creation sites
Weaver J, Park KJ, Waddell EH, Kent E, Guy M, Watts K, Tonhauser E, Gill R & Fuentes‐Montemayor E (2026) Deer activity limits tree recruitment in woodland creation sites. Journal of Applied Ecology, 63 (5), Art. No.: e70417. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70417
Article
Kennedy R, Littlewood N, Park KJ & Fuentes-Montemayor E (2026) Contrasting effects of mixed farming on bats are mediated by local and landscape features and differ between seasons. Biodiversity and Conservation, 35, Art. No.: 139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-026-03332-w
Article
Drivers of complexity in ecosystem restoration
Waddell EH, Woodcock B, Harris J, Park KJ, Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Watts K, Pawlett M, Larionov A, Guy M, Rogerson SP, Barnett RJ, Weites MG, Shears M, Hibdige S & Aguinaga O (2026) Drivers of complexity in ecosystem restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology, 63 (4), Art. No.: e70387. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70387
Article
Hughes S, Silva TSF, Braunholtz L, Watts K, Guy M, Park KJ, Burton V, Metzger MJ, Koricheva J & Fuentes-Montemayor E (2026) Structural complexity across a continuum of woodland establishment methods from planting to natural colonisation. Forest Ecology and Management, 605, Art. No.: 123490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.123490
Article
Kennedy R, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Park KJ & Littlewood N (2026) Does mixed farming benefit moths? Exploring how different farming systems shape both local features and the wider landscape. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 396, Art. No.: 109996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109996
Article
Restoration of ecological interactions: The influence of site and landscape factors
Woodcock BA, Waddell E, Weites MG, Guy M, Freeman M, Park K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Barnett RJ, Rogerson Sl, Opris A, Harris J & Bullock JM (2026) Restoration of ecological interactions: The influence of site and landscape factors. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 397, Art. No.: 110060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.110060
Article
Azevedo O, Vanguelova E, Ashwood F, Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Wilson C, van der Linde S & Park KJ (2026) Long‐Term Effects of Woodland Creation on Soil Carbon Stocks and Aggregate Distribution in Central Scotland. Soil Use and Management, 42 (1), Art. No.: e70162. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.70162
Article
Rogerson SP, Woodcock BA, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Waddell EH, Guy M, Hayward I & Park KJ (2025) Agricultural landscapes impede woodland ground-dwelling beetle colonisation and establishment in planted woodlands. Forest Ecology and Management, 593, Art. No.: 122885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.122885
Article
Fleiss S, Burton V, Ambrose‐Oji B, Barley L, Beavan K, Braunholtz L, Broughton RK, Dear E, Gilbert H, Gullett PR, Grayson W, Greenhouse S, Park KJ, Fuentes‐Montemayor E & Watts K (2025) Creating woodland through natural processes: Current understanding and knowledge gaps in Great Britain. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 6 (4), Art. No.: e70127. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70127
Article
Taylor-Boyd H, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Monadjem A, Cooper-Bohannon R, Montauban C, Mata VA, Rebelo H, Kangwa B, Mateke C & Park K (2025) Acoustic parameters of bat echolocation calls in Zambia: a collaborative effort to develop a call library for non-invasive research and monitoring. Acta Chiropterologica. https://doi.org/10.3161/15081109ACC2025.27.1.010
Article
Spillovers and legacies of land management on temperate woodland biodiversity
Bradfer-Lawrence T, Dobson ADM, Finch T, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Hanley N, Matthiopoulos J, Nthambi M, Simpson K, Watts K, Whytock RC & Park KJ (2025) Spillovers and legacies of land management on temperate woodland biodiversity. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 9, pp. 1009-1020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02688-6
Article
Combining occupancy and dispersal models to predict the conservation benefits of land-use change
Dobson ADM, Bradfer-Lawrence T, Finch T, Hanley N, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Nthambi M, Simpson K, Watts K & Park KJ (2025) Combining occupancy and dispersal models to predict the conservation benefits of land-use change. Landscape Ecology, 40, Art. No.: 75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-025-02087-z
Article
Economic incentives for woodland creation on farmland: Modelling the impacts on biodiversity
Nthambi M, Simpson K, Bradfer-Lawrence T, Dobson A, Finch T, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Park K, Watts K & Hanley N (2024) Economic incentives for woodland creation on farmland: Modelling the impacts on biodiversity. Ecological Economics, 224, Art. No.: 108265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108265
Article
A family of process-based models to simulate landscape use by multiple taxa
Gardner E, Robinson RA, Julian A, Boughey K, Langham S, Tse-Leon J, Petrovskii S, Baker DJ, Bellamy C, Buxton A, Franks S, Monk C, Morris N, Park KJ & Fuentes-Montemayor E (2024) A family of process-based models to simulate landscape use by multiple taxa. Landscape Ecology, 39, Art. No.: 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01866-4
Article
Larger and structurally complex woodland creation sites provide greater benefits for woodland plants
Waddell EH, Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Park KJ, Carey P, Guy M, Macgregor NA & Watts K (2024) Larger and structurally complex woodland creation sites provide greater benefits for woodland plants. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 5 (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12339
Article
Traps, apps and maps: to what extent do they provide decision-grade data on biodiversity?
Rudman H, Hart B, English M, Turner C, Fuentes-Montemayor E & Reed MS (2022) Traps, apps and maps: to what extent do they provide decision-grade data on biodiversity?. Scottish Geographical Journal, 138 (3-4), pp. 209-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/14702541.2022.2112271
Article
Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Watts K, Sansum P, Scott W & Park KJ (2022) Moth community responses to woodland creation: The influence of woodland age, patch characteristics and landscape attributes. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13599
Project Report
Chapman D, A'Hara S, Broadmeadow S, Cairns R, Cottrell J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Lester K, Occhibove F, Rogerson S, White SM & Park K (2022) Improving knowledge Of Xylella fastidiosa vector ecology: modelling vector occurrence and abundance in the wider landscape in Scotland.. Plant Health Centre. Dundee. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6523478
Article
Future restoration should enhance ecological complexity and emergent properties at multiple scales
Bullock JM, Fuentes-Montemayor E, McCarthy B, Park K, Hails RS, Woodcock B, Watts K, Corstanje R & Harris J (2022) Future restoration should enhance ecological complexity and emergent properties at multiple scales. Ecography, 2022 (4). https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05780
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Park KJ, Cordts K & Watts K (2022) The long-term development of temperate woodland creation sites: from tree saplings to mature woodlands. Forestry, 95 (1), pp. 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpab027
Article
Ecological time lags and the journey towards conservation success
Watts K, Whytock RC, Park KJ, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor NA, Duffield S & McGowan PJK (2020) Ecological time lags and the journey towards conservation success. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4, pp. 304-311. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-1087-8
Article
Fuentes‐Montemayor E, Ferryman M, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Hambly N, Brennan S, Coxon R, Langridge H & Park KJ (2020) Small mammal responses to long-term large-scale woodland creation: the influence of local and landscape-level attributes. Ecological Applications, 30 (2), Art. No.: e02028. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2028
Article
Whytock RC, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Call E, Mann JA & Park KJ (2020) Regional land-use and local management create scale-dependent 'landscapes of fear' for a common woodland bird. Landscape Ecology, 35 (3), p. 607–620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00965-x
Article
Woodland restoration on agricultural land: long-term impacts on soil quality
Ashwood F, Watts K, Park K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Benham S & Vanguelova EI (2019) Woodland restoration on agricultural land: long-term impacts on soil quality. Restoration Ecology, 27 (6), pp. 1381-1392. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13003
Article
Context-dependent colonization of terrestrial habitat 'islands' by a long-distance migrant bird
Whytock RC, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Williams L & Park KJ (2018) Context-dependent colonization of terrestrial habitat 'islands' by a long-distance migrant bird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1885), p. 20181490. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1490
Article
Local-scale attributes determine the suitability of woodland creation sites for Diptera
Fuller L, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor NA, Bitenc K & Park KJ (2018) Local-scale attributes determine the suitability of woodland creation sites for Diptera. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55 (3), pp. 1173-1184. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13035
Article
Bird-community responses to habitat creation in a long-term, large-scale natural experiment
Whytock R, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, De Andrade PB, Whytock R, French P, Macgregor N & Park K (2018) Bird-community responses to habitat creation in a long-term, large-scale natural experiment. Conservation Biology, 32 (2), pp. 345-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12983
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Watts K, Macgregor N, Lopez Z & Park K (2017) Species mobility and landscape context determine the importance of local and landscape-level attributes. Ecological Applications, 27 (5), pp. 1541-1554. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1546
Article
Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N, Peredo-Alvarez V, Ferryman M, Bellamy C, Brown N & Park K (2016) Using historical woodland creation to construct a long-term, large-scale natural experiment: The WrEN project. Ecology and Evolution, 6 (9), pp. 312-3025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2066
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Peredo-Alvarez V, Watts K & Park K (2015) Are woodland creation schemes providing suitable resources for biodiversity? Woodland moths as a case study. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24 (12), pp. 3049-3070. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-0997-2
Article
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Minderman J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Mayhew RJ, Olley L & Park K (2015) Differential responses to woodland character and landscape context by cryptic bats in urban environments. PLoS ONE, 10 (5), Art. No.: e0126850. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126850
Article
Estimates and correlates of bird and bat mortality at small wind turbine sites
Minderman J, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Pearce-Higgins JW, Pendlebury C & Park K (2015) Estimates and correlates of bird and bat mortality at small wind turbine sites. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24 (3), pp. 467-482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0826-z
Article
Humphrey J, Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N, Peace AJ & Park K (2015) What can studies of woodland fragmentation and creation tell us about ecological networks? A literature review and synthesis. Landscape Ecology, 30 (1), pp. 21-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-014-0107-y
Article
City life makes females fussy: sex differences in habitat use of temperate bats in urban areas
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Minderman J, Mayhew RJ, Olley L & Park K (2014) City life makes females fussy: sex differences in habitat use of temperate bats in urban areas. Royal Society Open Science, 1 (3), Art. No.: 140200. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140200
Article
Lintott P, Bunnefeld N, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Minderman J, Blackmore LM, Goulson D & Park K (2014) Moth species richness, abundance and diversity in fragmented urban woodlands: implications for conservation and management strategies. Biodiversity and Conservation, 23 (11), pp. 2875-2901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0753-z
Article
Lintott P, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2013) Testing the effectiveness of surveying techniques in determining bat community composition within woodland. Wildlife Research, 40 (8), pp. 675-684. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR13153
Research Report
Humphrey J, Watts K, Fuentes-Montemayor E, Macgregor N & Park K (2013) The evidence base for ecological networks: lessons from studies of woodland fragmentation and creation. Report from the WrEn Project, Forest Research, Farnham, Surrey. The Research Agency of the Forestry Commission. http://www.stir.ac.uk/media/schools/naturalscience/bes/images/WrEN_FR_report_2013.pdf
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D, Cavin L, Wallace JM & Park K (2013) Fragmented woodlands in agricultural landscapes: The influence of woodland character and landscape context on bats and their insect prey. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 172, pp. 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2013.03.019
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2012) Factors influencing moth assemblages in woodland fragments on farmland: implications for woodland management and creation schemes. Biological Conservation, 153, pp. 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.04.019
Thesis
The value of agri-environment schemes and farm woodland for bats and nocturnal insects
Fuentes-Montemayor E (2011) The value of agri-environment schemes and farm woodland for bats and nocturnal insects. Doctor of Philosophy. 糖心Vlog破解版. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/3445
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2011) Pipistrelle bats and their prey do not benefit from four widely applied agri-environment management prescriptions. Biological Conservation, 144 (9), pp. 2233-2246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.05.015
Article
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Goulson D & Park K (2011) The effectiveness of agri-environment schemes for the conservation of farmland moths: assessing the importance of a landscape-scale management approach. Journal of Applied Ecology, 48 (3), pp. 532-542. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01927.x
Article
Living on the edge: Roads and edge effects on small mammal populations
Fuentes-Montemayor E, Cuaron AD, Vazquez-Dominguez E, Benitez-Malvido J, Valenzuela-Galvan D & Andresen E (2009) Living on the edge: Roads and edge effects on small mammal populations. Journal of Animal Ecology, 78 (4), pp. 857-865. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01551.x
I currently teach on the following modules:
? Field Techniques in Environmental Management (coordinator, MSc level) ? Habitat Management and Restoration (coordinator, undergraduate level) ? Population and Community Ecology (contributor, undergraduate level) ? Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (contributor, MSc level)
I have experience teaching on subjects such as:
? Conservation Biology (impacts of anthropogenic disturbances & conservation actions on biodiversity)
? Applied Ecology (associations between habitat management, habitat structure and species diversity)
? Animal Ecology (role of life-history traits in determining species responses to environmental change)
? Landscape Ecology (influence of landscape composition & configuration on biological communities)
? Biogeography (applications of island biogeography theory for the spatial design of habitat networks)
? Environmental Policy (e.g. agri-environment schemes)
? Biology Field Skills (surveying methods and species identification skills for bats, non-volant mammals, invertebrates and plants, including on residential field courses abroad)
I also supervise undergraduate, MSc and PhD student projects.