Research Profile

Mark Wilson

BIOGRAPHY

Research Interests

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I am part of the Forest Ecology research group in BEES. My primary research interests are in ecology and ornithology. For my PhD (University of Sheffield) I investigated the relationship between mating system and parental care, using the Willow Warbler (Phlloscopus trochilus) as a model species. After finishing my PhD in 2001, I worked briefly for the RSPB on breeding upland wader distributions before coming to UCC to join the Forest Research group headed by Professor John O¿Halloran. My work at UCC has been focussed on the ecology of breeding birds, particularly forest birds and raptors, and the effects of habitat on breeding bird assemblages and breeding success. This work includes assessment of the biodiversity supported by different growth stages of plantation forest, comparing the biodiversity of plantation forests with that of native woodlands, investigating the influence of tree species composition on stand biodiversity, assaying the flora and fauna of pre-planting habitats, and assessing the influence of afforestation on biodiversity in different areas and at different scales. For the past few years I have been investigating the breeding ecology and distribution of Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus), one of the rarest of Ireland¿s raptors. As part of this research I have used remote tracking and sensing technologies (particularly nest cameras and GPS) to gather data on nesting and foraging behaviour of breeding Hen Harriers. I am also interested in exploring approaches to statistical analysis that can identify patterns in data while minimising assumptions about their distribution. I have been ringing birds for over a decade, and have taken part in mist-netting and other ringing studies of birds in seven countries and three continents.

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2010)'The importance of non-crop vegetation for bird diversity in Sitka spruce plantations in Ireland'
Wilson, MW; Gittings, T; Kelly, TC; O'Halloran, J; (2010) 'The importance of non-crop vegetation for bird diversity in Sitka spruce plantations in Ireland' [Details]
(2010)'A lack of large-diameter logs and snags characterises dead wood patterns in Irish forests'
Sweeney, O. F. McD; Martin, R.D; Irwin, S; Kelly, T.C; O'Halloran, J; Wilson, M.W; McEvoy, P.M.; (2010) 'A lack of large-diameter logs and snags characterises dead wood patterns in Irish forests' [DOI] [Details]
(2006)'Jellyfish aggregations and leatherback turtle foraging patterns in a temperate coastal environment'
Houghton, J.D.R. ,Doyle, T.K., Wilson, M.W., Davenport, J. &Hays, G.C.; (2006) 'Jellyfish aggregations and leatherback turtle foraging patterns in a temperate coastal environment' [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2009)7th Conference of the European Ornithologists' Union7th Conference of the European Ornithologists' Union
Wilson, M. W; O'Mahony, B; Dellâ Omo, G; Irwin, S; Kelly, T. C; O'Halloran, J; Verena Keller; John O'Halloran; (2009) Symposium 5 GPS tracking in birds: GPS tracking of Hen Harriers (Symposium 5 GPS tracking in birds: GPS tracking of Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus) using a novel system combining VHF and GPS 7th Conference of the European Ornithologists' Union7th Conference of the European Ornithologists' Union Zurich, SwitzerlandZurich, Switzerland, [Details]
(2005)Forest Research and development in Ireland 2004-underpinnig industry development
Wilson, MW, Gittings, T, O¿Halloran J, Smith, GF, Oxbrough, A, O¿Donoghue, S, French, L., Giller, PS, Iremonger, S, Pithon, J, Kelly, DL, Mitchell, FJG, Kelly, TC, Dowding, P, O¿Sullivan, A, Neville, P, McKee, A-M, and Coote, L.; (2005) Forest and biodiversity in Ireland and a case study of the Hen Harrier Cicus cyaneus: BIOFOREST project Forest Research and development in Ireland 2004-underpinnig industry development , pp.35-41 [Details]

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2003)2nd International Symposium on Deep-sea Corals,
Grehan, A.J., Unnithan, V., Wheeler, A.J., Monteys, F.X., Beck, T., Wilson, M., Guinan, J., Hall-Spencer, J.H., Foubert, A., Klages, M. & Theide, J.; (2003) TOBI Sidescan Sonar Mapping of Deep-water Coral Banks and their Sedimentary Environment in the Porcupine Seabight, W of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 2nd International Symposium on Deep-sea Corals, Erlangen, Germany , 08-SEP-03 - 14-SEP-03

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2007)Biodiversity in Irish Plantation Forests.
Iremonger, S,O'Halloran, J,Kelly, D L,Wilson, M W,Smith, G F,Gittings, T,Giller, P S,Mitchell, F J G,Oxbrough, A,Coote, L,French, L,O'Donoghue, S,McKee, A.-M.,Pithon, J,O'Sullivan, A,Neville, P,O'Donnell, V,Cummins, V,Kelly, T C,Dowding, P; (2007) Biodiversity in Irish Plantation Forests. Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency, . [Details]
(2006)Investigation of experimental methods to enhance biodiversity in plantation forests.
Iremonger, S.,Gittings, T,Smith, G.F,Wilson, M.W.,Oxbrough, A.,Coote, L.,Pithon, J.,O'Donoghue, S,McKee, A.-M.,O'Halloran, J.,Kelly, D.L.,Giller, P.,O'Sullivan, A.,Neville, P.,Mitchell, F.J.G.,O'Donnell, V.,Kelly, T.,Dowding, P.; (2006) Investigation of experimental methods to enhance biodiversity in plantation forests. COFORD and EPACOFORD and EPA, . [Details]
(2006)Biodiversity assessment of afforestation sites.
Smith, G.F.,Gittings, T.,Wilson, M.W.,Oxbrough, A.,Iremonger, S.,O'Halloran, J.,Kelly, D.L.,O'Sullivan, A.,O'Donoghue, S.,McKee, A.-M.,Neville, P.,Mitchell, F.J.G.,Pithon, J.,Giller, P.,O'Donnell, V.,Kelly, T.; (2006) Biodiversity assessment of afforestation sites. COFORD and EPACOFORD and EPA, . [Details]
(2005)Assessment of biodiversity at different stages of the forest cycle.
Smith, G. F.,Gittings, T.,Wilson, M.W.,French, L.,Oxbrough, A.,O'Donoghue, S.,Pithon, J.,O'Donnell, V.,McKee, A.-M.,Iremonger, S.,O'Halloran, J.,Kelly, D.L.,Mitchell, F.J.G.,Giller, P.S.,Kelly, T.; (2005) Assessment of biodiversity at different stages of the forest cycle. COFORD and EPACOFORD and EPA, . [Details]
(0)Biodiversity Assessment in preparation for Afforestation; existing practice and recommendations for improvement.
Gittings, T, Wilson, M, O¿Donoghue, S, McKee, Am, Pithon, J, Giller, PS Kelly, D, O¿Halloran, J., Mitchell, and Iremonger, S.; (0) Biodiversity Assessment in preparation for Afforestation; existing practice and recommendations for improvement. . [Details]

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University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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