Current Activities
Antony is the Principal Investigator of research on the ecological impacts of anthropogenic activities on the functioning of marine ecosystems funded supported by international (e.g. UKRI/NERC, INSITE) funding to build a scientific evidence base for decision-making and policy development around the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure. Recent key publications include articles in Nature, Nature Sustainability and the Journal of Environmental Management.
He also leads several projects supported by institutional (UCC and University of Plymouth) and private/industry funding (Garfield Weston Foundation/Bertarelli Foundation) on characterising seascapes and the effects of environment on biological structure (biogeography and biodiversity) and functioning (organismal adaptation and resilience), and private and industry funding (Deutsche Bank) supports efforts to understand the ecological mechanisms that determine biodiversity of seawall and man-made coastal infrastructure. Collaborations include Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Cefas), Howell Marine Consulting and the University of Plymouth.
Background
Antony completed his BSc. (Hons) in Applied Marine Biology from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh in 2001. Following this, he completed a Masters at the University of Queensland Australia before obtaining his PhD in 2006 from University College Cork on the population dynamics and sustainability of mussel fisheries in Ireland. Antony worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the United States (Coastal Carolina University), and as Irish Research Council (IRC) research fellow at the University of Galway, before moving to the University of Plymouth in 2014 where he joined as lecturer and left in February 2024 as an Associate Professor and Associate Head of School. He brings more than 20 years of research, teaching and management experience to UCC.
I gained my PhD in 2006 from University College Cork in benthic ecology with a thesis on the sustainable management of bivalve fisheries. Since then, I have become internationally recognised and a leader in two research areas: (1) population and community dynamics, and (2) ecosystem management.
Population and community dynamics. I integrate traditional disciplines of ecology (field and lab experiments) with modelling approaches (statistical; hydrodynamic modelling) in an effort to provide insights into ecosystem structure and functioning. In the broadest sense, my research aims to progress supply-side ecology into beyond state-of-the-art integrated approaches for predicting species range dynamics. Specifically, I test hypotheses typically using marine invertebrate species as models to develop insights into the mechanisms that enable species and communities to become established and respond to environmental change, with a view to better understand marine and coastal resilience, and the effects of anthropogenic pressures (coastal development, climate change) on biodiversity.
Ecosystem Management. I have developed methods for assessing the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems and ecosystem-based management tools to support the implementation of the environmental policies including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Most recently, I have been focused on reviewing the evidence-base around decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure as part of our efforts to decarbonise energy production in order to support the best decisions for the environment and society.
Biography
Dr Knights is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) at UCC. Appointed under the UCC Sustainable Futures programme, Antony is a marine ecologist whose research interests are in understanding how marine ecosystems are structured and function from a biological and anthropogenic perspective.Current Activities
Antony is the Principal Investigator of research on the ecological impacts of anthropogenic activities on the functioning of marine ecosystems funded supported by international (e.g. UKRI/NERC, INSITE) funding to build a scientific evidence base for decision-making and policy development around the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure. Recent key publications include articles in Nature, Nature Sustainability and the Journal of Environmental Management.
He also leads several projects supported by institutional (UCC and University of Plymouth) and private/industry funding (Garfield Weston Foundation/Bertarelli Foundation) on characterising seascapes and the effects of environment on biological structure (biogeography and biodiversity) and functioning (organismal adaptation and resilience), and private and industry funding (Deutsche Bank) supports efforts to understand the ecological mechanisms that determine biodiversity of seawall and man-made coastal infrastructure. Collaborations include Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Cefas), Howell Marine Consulting and the University of Plymouth.
Background
Antony completed his BSc. (Hons) in Applied Marine Biology from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh in 2001. Following this, he completed a Masters at the University of Queensland Australia before obtaining his PhD in 2006 from University College Cork on the population dynamics and sustainability of mussel fisheries in Ireland. Antony worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the United States (Coastal Carolina University), and as Irish Research Council (IRC) research fellow at the University of Galway, before moving to the University of Plymouth in 2014 where he joined as lecturer and left in February 2024 as an Associate Professor and Associate Head of School. He brings more than 20 years of research, teaching and management experience to UCC.
Research Interests
I am a marine ecologist with specific interests in understanding how marine ecosystems are structured and function from a biological and anthropogenic perspective.I gained my PhD in 2006 from University College Cork in benthic ecology with a thesis on the sustainable management of bivalve fisheries. Since then, I have become internationally recognised and a leader in two research areas: (1) population and community dynamics, and (2) ecosystem management.
Population and community dynamics. I integrate traditional disciplines of ecology (field and lab experiments) with modelling approaches (statistical; hydrodynamic modelling) in an effort to provide insights into ecosystem structure and functioning. In the broadest sense, my research aims to progress supply-side ecology into beyond state-of-the-art integrated approaches for predicting species range dynamics. Specifically, I test hypotheses typically using marine invertebrate species as models to develop insights into the mechanisms that enable species and communities to become established and respond to environmental change, with a view to better understand marine and coastal resilience, and the effects of anthropogenic pressures (coastal development, climate change) on biodiversity.
Ecosystem Management. I have developed methods for assessing the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems and ecosystem-based management tools to support the implementation of the environmental policies including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Most recently, I have been focused on reviewing the evidence-base around decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure as part of our efforts to decarbonise energy production in order to support the best decisions for the environment and society.
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DREAMS | 01-JUN-20 | 15-DEC-23 | €819,000.00 | ||
| Conservation strategies for biodiversity hotspots and safe havens in a changing climate: Oceanographic drivers of ecosystem variability in the Chagos Archipelago | 03-JUN-19 | 04-JUN-21 | €1,080,000.00 | ||
| INSITE Synthesis | 07-JUN-21 | 15-DEC-23 | €350,000.00 | ||
| INSITE Synthesis 2 | 15-DEC-23 | 15-DEC-24 | €60,000.00 | ||
| DREAMS â¿¿ Decommissioning â¿¿ Relative effects of alternative management strategies | UK Research and Innovation (NERC) | 01-JUL-20 | 01-JUL-23 | ||
| Oceanographic drivers of ecosystem variability in the Chagos archipelago: conservation strategies for biodiversity hotspots and safe havens in a changing climate | Garfield Weston Foundation | 01-JUN-18 | 01-JUN-20 |
Publications
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | 'If you can’t beat them, join them: enemy shells as refugia from grazing & competition pressure' Firth L.B., Clubley C., McGrath A., Renshaw E., Foggo A., Wilson A.D.M., Gribben P.E., Flower A.E.A, Burgess J., Heesch S., Hawkins S.J., Stephen N.R, Haspel D., Spain-Butler A., Stuhrmann S., Newstead A. and A.M Knights (2023) 'If you can’t beat them, join them: enemy shells as refugia from grazing & competition pressure' In: Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Boca Raton, Florida, USA: CRC Press. [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Ocean sprawl: Challenges and opportunities for biodiversity management in a changing world' Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.;Bridger, D.;Evans, A.J.;Mieszkowska, N.;Moore, P.J.;O'connor, N.E.;Sheehan, E.V.;Thompson, R.C.;Hawkins, S.J.; (2016) 'Ocean sprawl: Challenges and opportunities for biodiversity management in a changing world' In: Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. [DOI] [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Global meta-analysis of ecological effects from offshore marine artificial structures' Lemasson, A.J., Somerfield P.J., Schratzberger M., Thompson M., Couce E., Pascoe C., McNeill L., Nunes S., Watson S. and A.M. Knights (2024) 'Global meta-analysis of ecological effects from offshore marine artificial structures'. Nature Sustainability, [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'The world must rethink plans for ageing oil and gas platforms' Knights, A.M., Lemasson, A.J., Frost, M. and P. Somerfield (2024) 'The world must rethink plans for ageing oil and gas platforms'. Nature, 627 :34-37 [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'Coastal greening of grey infrastructure: an update on the state-of-the-art' Firth, L.B., Bone, J., Bartholomew, A., Bishop, M.J., Bugnot, A., Bulleri, F., Chee, S.Y., Claassens, L., Dafforn, K.A., Fairchild, T.P., Hall, A.E., Hanley, M.E., Komyakova, V., Lemasson, A.J., Loke, L.H.L., Mayer-Pinto, M., Morris, R., Naylor, L., Perkins, M., Pioch, S., Porri, F., O'Shaughnessy, K.A., Schaefer., N., Strain, E.A., Toft, J.D., Waltham., Aguilera, M., Airoldi, A., Bauer, F., Brooks, P., Burt, J., Clubley, C., Cordell, J.R., Espinosa, F., Evans, A.J., Farrugia-Drakard, V., Froneman, W., Griffin, J., Hawkins, S.J., Henry, E., Herbert, R.J.H., Jones, E., Leung, K.M.Y., Moore, P., Sempere-Valverde, J., Sengupta, D., Sheaves, M., Swearer, S., Thompson, R.C., Todd, P. and A.M. Knights (2024) 'Coastal greening of grey infrastructure: an update on the state-of-the-art'. Proceedings of the ICE - Maritime Engineering, [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'Complexity-functioning relationships differ across different environmental conditions' Mariana Mayer-Pinto;Amelia Caley;Antony M. Knights;Laura Airoldi;Melanie J. Bishop;Paul Brooks;Ricardo Coutinho;Tasman Crowe;Paolo Mancuso;Lais P.D. Naval-Xavier;Louise B. Firth;Rafael Menezes;Luciana V.R. de Messano;Rebecca Morris;Donald J. Ross;Joanne X.W. Wong;Peter Steinberg;Elisabeth M.A. Strain; (2024) 'Complexity-functioning relationships differ across different environmental conditions'. Journal of Environmental Management, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning' Knights AM;Lemasson AJ;Firth LB;Bond T;Claisse J;Coolen JWP;Copping A;Dannheim J;De Dominicis M;Degraer S;Elliott M;Fernandes PG;Fowler AM;Frost M;Henry LA;Hicks N;Hyder K;Jagerroos S;Jones DOB;Love M;Lynam CP;Macreadie PI;Marlow J;Mavraki N;McLean D;Montagna PA;Paterson DM;Perrow M;Porter J;Russell DJF;Bull AS;Schratzberger M;Shipley B;van Elden S;Vanaverbeke J;Want A;Watson SCL;Wilding TA;Somerfield P; (2024) 'Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning'. Journal of Environmental Management, 352 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?' Knights AM;Lemasson AJ;Firth LB;Beaumont N;Birchenough S;Claisse J;Coolen JWP;Copping A;De Dominicis M;Degraer S;Elliott M;Fernandes PG;Fowler AM;Frost M;Henry LA;Hicks N;Hyder K;Jagerroos S;Love M;Lynam C;Macreadie PI;McLean D;Marlow J;Mavraki N;Montagna PA;Paterson DM;Perrow MR;Porter J;Bull AS;Schratzberger M;Shipley B;van Elden S;Vanaverbeke J;Want A;Watson SCL;Wilding TA;Somerfield PJ; (2024) 'To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?'. Journal of Environmental Management, 350 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Differential effects of ocean acidification and warming on biological functioning of a predator and prey species may alter future trophic interactions' Greatorex R;Knights AM; (2023) 'Differential effects of ocean acidification and warming on biological functioning of a predator and prey species may alter future trophic interactions'. Marine Environmental Research, 186 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Science paper or big data? Assessing invasion dynamics using observational data' Clubley CH;Firth LB;Wood LE;Bilton DT;Silva TAM;Knights AM; (2023) 'Science paper or big data? Assessing invasion dynamics using observational data'. Science of The Total Environment, 877 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Challenges of evidence-informed offshore decommissioning: an environmental perspective' Lemasson AJ;Somerfield PJ;Schratzberger M;Knights AM; (2023) 'Challenges of evidence-informed offshore decommissioning: an environmental perspective'. Trends In Ecology and Evolution, 38 (8) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Metrics matter: Multiple diversity metrics at different spatial scales are needed to understand species diversity in urban environments' O'Shaughnessy KA;Knights AM;Hawkins SJ;Hanley ME;Lunt P;Thompson RC;Firth LB; (2023) 'Metrics matter: Multiple diversity metrics at different spatial scales are needed to understand species diversity in urban environments'. Science of The Total Environment, 895 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Invasive macroalgae in native seagrass beds - vectors of spread and impacts' Firth LB;Foggo A;Watts T;Knights AM;deAmicis S; (2023) 'Invasive macroalgae in native seagrass beds - vectors of spread and impacts'. Annals of Botany, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Epibionts provide their basibionts with associational resistance to predation but at a cost' Downes S;Firth LB;Knights AM; (2023) 'Epibionts provide their basibionts with associational resistance to predation but at a cost'. Marine Environmental Research, 186 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Evidence for the effects of decommissioning man-made structures on marine ecosystems globally: a systematic map' (2022) 'Evidence for the effects of decommissioning man-made structures on marine ecosystems globally: a systematic map'. Environmental Evidence, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Material type influences the abundance but not richness of colonising organisms on marine structures' Dodds KC;Schaefer N;Bishop MJ;Nakagawa S;Brooks PR;Knights AM;Strain EMA; (2022) 'Material type influences the abundance but not richness of colonising organisms on marine structures'. Journal of Environmental Management, 307 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Connectivity modelling informs metapopulation structure and conservation priorities for a reefâ¿building species' Carmen L. David;Martin P. Marzloff;Antony M. Knights;Phillipe Cugier;Flávia L. D. Nunes;Celine Cordier;Louise B. Firth;Stanislas F. Dubois; (2022) 'Connectivity modelling informs metapopulation structure and conservation priorities for a reefâ¿building species'. Diversity and Distributions, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Allometric scaling of faunal-mediated ecosystem functioning: A case study on two bioturbators in contrasting sediments' Xiaoyu Fang;Tom Moens;Antony Knights;Karline Soetaert;Carl Van Colen; (2021) 'Allometric scaling of faunal-mediated ecosystem functioning: A case study on two bioturbators in contrasting sediments'. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Do positive interactions between marine invaders increase likelihood of invasion into natural and artificial habitats?' Louise B. Firth;Lois Duff;Paul E. Gribben;Antony M. Knights; (2021) 'Do positive interactions between marine invaders increase likelihood of invasion into natural and artificial habitats?'. Oikos, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Evidence for the effects of decommissioning man-made structures on marine ecosystems globally: a systematic map protocol' (2021) 'Evidence for the effects of decommissioning man-made structures on marine ecosystems globally: a systematic map protocol'. Environmental Evidence, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland' Firth, LB;Curd, A;Hawkins, SJ;Knights, AM;Blaze, JA;Burrows, MT;Dubois, SF;Edwards, H;Foggo, A;Gribben, PE;Grant, L;Harris, D;Mieszkowska, N;Nunes, FLD;Nunn, JD;Power, AM;O'Riordan, RM;McGrath, D;Simkanin, C;O'Connor, NE (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 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Do differences in developmental mode shape the potential for local adaptation?' Jupe, L.L.;Bilton, D.T.;Knights, A.M.; (2020) 'Do differences in developmental mode shape the potential for local adaptation?'. Ecology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Seascape genomics reveals population isolation in the reef-building honeycomb worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L.)' Muir, A.P.;Dubois, S.F.;Ross, R.E.;Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.;Lima, F.P.;Seabra, R.;Corre, E.;Le Corguillé, G.;Nunes, F.L.D.; (2020) 'Seascape genomics reveals population isolation in the reef-building honeycomb worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L.)'. BMC Evolutionary Biology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'A global approach to mapping the environmental risk of harbours on aquatic systems' Valdor, P.F.;Gómez, A.G.;Steinberg, P.;Tanner, E.;Knights, A.M.;Seitz, R.D.;Airoldi, L.;Firth, L.B.;Arvanitidis, C.;Ponti, M.;Chatzinikolaou, E.;Brooks, P.R.;Crowe, T.P.;Smith, A.;Méndez, G.;Ovejero, A.;Soares-Gomes, A.;Burt, J.A.;MacLeod, C.;Juanes, J.A.; (2020) 'A global approach to mapping the environmental risk of harbours on aquatic systems'. Marine Policy, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Spatial arrangement of biogenic reefs alters boundary layer characteristics to increase risk of microplastic bioaccumulation' Lim, H.S.;Fraser, A.;Knights, A.M.; (2020) 'Spatial arrangement of biogenic reefs alters boundary layer characteristics to increase risk of microplastic bioaccumulation'. Environmental Research Letters, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Greening of grey infrastructure should not be used as a Trojan horse to facilitate coastal development' Firth, L.B.;Airoldi, L.;Bulleri, F.;Challinor, S.;Chee, S.-Y.;Evans, A.J.;Hanley, M.E.;Knights, A.M.;O'Shaughnessy, K.;Thompson, R.C.;Hawkins, S.J.; (2020) 'Greening of grey infrastructure should not be used as a Trojan horse to facilitate coastal development'. Journal of Applied Ecology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Ocean Acidification Mitigates the Negative Effects of Increased Sea Temperatures on the Biomineralization and Crystalline Ultrastructure of Mytilus' Knights, A.M.;Norton, M.J.;Lemasson, A.J.;Stephen, N.; (2020) 'Ocean Acidification Mitigates the Negative Effects of Increased Sea Temperatures on the Biomineralization and Crystalline Ultrastructure of Mytilus'. Frontiers in Marine Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality' Valdor, P.F.;Gómez, A.G.;Juanes, J.A.;Kerléguer, C.;Steinberg, P.;Tanner, E.;MacLeod, C.;Knights, A.M.;Seitz, R.D.;Airoldi, L.;Firth, L.B.;Crowe, T.;Chatzinikolaou, E.;Smith, A.;Arvanitidis, C.;Burt, J.A.;Brooks, P.R.;Ponti, M.;Soares-Gomes, A.;Ovejero, A.;Méndez, G.; (2019) 'A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality'. Marine Pollution Bulletin, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours' Strain, E.M.A.;Alexander, K.A.;Kienker, S.;Morris, R.;Jarvis, R.;Coleman, R.;Bollard, B.;Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.;Grabowski, J.H.;Airoldi, L.;Chan, B.K.K.;Chee, S.Y.;Cheng, Z.;Coutinho, R.;de Menezes, R.G.;Ding, M.;Dong, Y.;Fraser, C.M.L.;Gómez, A.G.;Juanes, J.A.;Mancuso, P.;Messano, L.V.R.;Naval-Xavier, L.P.D.;Scyphers, S.;Steinberg, P.;Swearer, S.;Valdor, P.F.;Wong, J.X.Y.;Yee, J.;Bishop, M.J.; (2019) '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, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Preferential Parasitism of Native Oyster Ostrea edulis Over Non-Native Magallana gigas by a Polydorid Worm' Lemasson, A.J.;Knights, A.M.; (2019) 'Preferential Parasitism of Native Oyster Ostrea edulis Over Non-Native Magallana gigas by a Polydorid Worm'. Estuaries and Coasts, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Removal of intertidal grazers by human harvesting leads to alteration of species interactions, community structure and resilience to climate change' Chaverra, A.;Wieters, E.;Foggo, A.;Knights, A.M.; (2019) 'Removal of intertidal grazers by human harvesting leads to alteration of species interactions, community structure and resilience to climate change'. Marine Environmental Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Reverse engineering field-derived vertical distribution profiles to infer larval swimming behaviors' James, M.K.;Polton, J.A.;Brereton, A.R.;Howell, K.L.;Nimmo-Smith, W.A.M.;Knights, A.M.; (2019) 'Reverse engineering field-derived vertical distribution profiles to infer larval swimming behaviors'. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Integrated ecosystem analysis in Irish waters; Providing the context for ecosystem-based fisheries management' Pedreschi, D.;Bouch, P.;Moriarty, M.;Nixon, E.;Knights, A.M.;Reid, D.G.; (2019) 'Integrated ecosystem analysis in Irish waters; Providing the context for ecosystem-based fisheries management'. Fisheries Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Changes in the biochemical and nutrient composition of seafood due to ocean acidification and warming' Lemasson, A.J.;Hall-Spencer, J.M.;Kuri, V.;Knights, A.M.; (2019) 'Changes in the biochemical and nutrient composition of seafood due to ocean acidification and warming'. Marine Environmental Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Sex differences in individual foraging site fidelity of Campbell albatross' Sztukowski, L.A.;Cotton, P.A.;Weimerskirch, H.;Thompson, D.R.;Torres, L.G.;Sagar, P.M.;Knights, A.M.;Fayet, A.L.;Votier, S.C.; (2018) 'Sex differences in individual foraging site fidelity of Campbell albatross'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Indications of future performance of native and non-native adult oysters under acidification and warming' Lemasson, A.J.;Hall-Spencer, J.M.;Fletcher, S.;Provstgaard-Morys, S.;Knights, A.M.; (2018) 'Indications of future performance of native and non-native adult oysters under acidification and warming'. Marine Environmental Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Time-dependent effects of orientation, heterogeneity and composition determines benthic biological community recruitment patterns on subtidal artificial structures' Hanlon, N.;Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.; (2018) 'Time-dependent effects of orientation, heterogeneity and composition determines benthic biological community recruitment patterns on subtidal artificial structures'. Ecological Engineering, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Partial replacement of cement for waste aggregates in concrete coastal and marine infrastructure: A foundation for ecological enhancement?' McManus, R.S.;Archibald, N.;Comber, S.;Knights, A.M.;Thompson, R.C.;Firth, L.B.; (2018) 'Partial replacement of cement for waste aggregates in concrete coastal and marine infrastructure: A foundation for ecological enhancement?'. Ecological Engineering, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Revisiting Connell: Competition but not as we know it' Gordon, J.M.;Knights, A.M.; (2018) 'Revisiting Connell: Competition but not as we know it'. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'The effects of elevated CO2 on shell properties and susceptibility to predation in mussels Mytilus edulis' Sadler, D.E.;Lemasson, A.J.;Knights, A.M.; (2018) 'The effects of elevated CO2 on shell properties and susceptibility to predation in mussels Mytilus edulis'. Marine Environmental Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Ecological responses to environmental change in marine systems' Knights, A.M.;Firth, L.B.;Russell, B.D.; (2017) 'Ecological responses to environmental change in marine systems'. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Ecological risk assessments to guide decision-making: Methodology matters' Piet, G.J.;Knights, A.M.;Jongbloed, R.H.;Tamis, J.E.;de Vries, P.;Robinson, L.A.; (2017) 'Ecological risk assessments to guide decision-making: Methodology matters'. Environmental Science and Policy, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Sensory qualities of oysters unaltered by a short exposure to combined elevated pCO2 and temperature' Lemasson, A.J.;Kuri, V.;Hall-Spencer, J.M.;Fletcher, S.;Moate, R.;Knights, A.M.; (2017) 'Sensory qualities of oysters unaltered by a short exposure to combined elevated pCO2 and temperature'. Frontiers in Marine Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Linking the biological impacts of ocean acidification on oysters to changes in ecosystem services: A review' Lemasson, A.J.;Fletcher, S.;Hall-Spencer, J.M.;Knights, A.M.; (2017) 'Linking the biological impacts of ocean acidification on oysters to changes in ecosystem services: A review'. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'From microscope to management: The critical value of plankton taxonomy to marine policy and biodiversity conservation' McQuatters-Gollop, A.;Johns, D.G.;Bresnan, E.;Skinner, J.;Rombouts, I.;Stern, R.;Aubert, A.;Johansen, M.;Bedford, J.;Knights, A.; (2017) 'From microscope to management: The critical value of plankton taxonomy to marine policy and biodiversity conservation'. Marine Policy, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Plymouth â¿¿ A World Harbour through the ages' Knights, A.M.;Firth, L.B.;Thompson, R.C.;Yunnie, A.L.E.;Hiscock, K.;Hawkins, S.J.; (2016) 'Plymouth â¿¿ A World Harbour through the ages'. Regional Studies in Marine Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Eco-engineered rock pools: A concrete solution to biodiversity loss and urban sprawl in the marine environment' Firth, L.B.;Browne, K.A.;Knights, A.M.;Hawkins, S.J.;Nash, R.; (2016) 'Eco-engineered rock pools: A concrete solution to biodiversity loss and urban sprawl in the marine environment'. Environmental Research Letters, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Conflicts in some of the World harbours: what needs to happen next?' Pearson, S.;Windupranata, W.;Pranowo, S.W.;Putri, A.;Ma, Y.;Vila-Concejo, A.;Fernández, E.;Méndez, G.;Banks, J.;Knights, A.M.;Firth, L.B.;Breen, B.B.;Jarvis, R.;Aguirre, J.D.;Chen, S.;Smith, A.N.H.;Steinberg, P.;Chatzinikolaou, E.;Arvanitidis, C.; (2016) 'Conflicts in some of the World harbours: what needs to happen next?'. Maritime Studies, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'An exposure-effect approach for evaluating ecosystem-wide risks from human activities' Knights, A.M.;Piet, G.J.;Jongbloed, R.H.;Tamis, J.E.;White, L.;Akoglu, E.;Boicenco, L.;Churilova, T.;Kryvenko, O.;Fleming-Lehtinen, V.;Leppanen, J.-M.;Galil, B.S.;Goodsir, F.;Goren, M.;Margonski, P.;Moncheva, S.;Oguz, T.;Papadopoulou, K.N.;Setälä, O.;Smith, C.J.;Stefanova, K.;Timofte, F.;Robinson, L.A.; (2015) 'An exposure-effect approach for evaluating ecosystem-wide risks from human activities'. ICES Journal of Marine Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Evaluation of ecosystem-based marine management strategies based on risk assessment' Piet, G.J.;Jongbloed, R.H.;Knights, A.M.;Tamis, J.E.;Paijmans, A.J.;van der Sluis, M.T.;de Vries, P.;Robinson, L.A.; (2015) 'Evaluation of ecosystem-based marine management strategies based on risk assessment'. Biological Conservation, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'A spatially resolved pressure-based approach to evaluate combined effects of human activities and management in marine ecosystems' Goodsir, F.;Bloomfield, H.J.;Judd, A.D.;Kral, F.;Robinson, L.A.;Knights, A.M.; (2015) 'A spatially resolved pressure-based approach to evaluate combined effects of human activities and management in marine ecosystems'. ICES Journal of Marine Science, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'A step-wise process of decision-making under uncertainty when implementing environmental policy' Knights, A.M.;Culhane, F.;Hussain, S.S.;Papadopoulou, K.N.;Piet, G.J.;Raakær, J.;Rogers, S.I.;Robinson, L.A.; (2014) 'A step-wise process of decision-making under uncertainty when implementing environmental policy'. Environmental Science and Policy, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Predicting Free-Space Occupancy on Novel Artificial Structures by an Invasive Intertidal Barnacle Using a Removal Experiment' Bracewell, S.A.;Robinson, L.A.;Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.; (2013) 'Predicting Free-Space Occupancy on Novel Artificial Structures by an Invasive Intertidal Barnacle Using a Removal Experiment'. PLoS ONE, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'The importance of water-retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures' Firth, L.B.;Thompson, R.C.;White, F.J.;Schofield, M.;Skov, M.W.;Hoggart, S.P.G.;Jackson, J.;Knights, A.M.;Hawkins, S.J.; (2013) 'The importance of water-retaining features for biodiversity on artificial intertidal coastal defence structures'. Diversity and Distributions, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Identifying common pressure pathways from a complex network of human activities to support ecosystem-based management' Knights, A.M.;Koss, R.S.;Robinson, L.A.; (2013) 'Identifying common pressure pathways from a complex network of human activities to support ecosystem-based management'. Ecological Applications, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'An environmental assessment of risk in achieving good environmental status to support regional prioritisation of management in Europe' Breen, P.;Robinson, L.A.;Rogers, S.I.;Knights, A.M.;Piet, G.;Churilova, T.;Margonski, P.;Papadopoulou, N.;Akoglu, E.;Eriksson, A.;Finenko, Z.;Fleming-Lehtinen, V.;Galil, B.;Goodsir, F.;Goren, M.;Kryvenko, O.;Leppanen, J.M.;Markantonatou, V.;Moncheva, S.;Oguz, T.;Paltriguera, L.;Stefanova, K.;Timofte, F.;Thomsen, F.; (2012) 'An environmental assessment of risk in achieving good environmental status to support regional prioritisation of management in Europe'. Marine Policy, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Interactions between multiple recruitment drivers: Post-settlement predation mortality and flow-mediated recruitment' Knights, A.M.;Firth, L.B.;Walters, K.; (2012) 'Interactions between multiple recruitment drivers: Post-settlement predation mortality and flow-mediated recruitment'. PLoS ONE, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Spatial variation in body size and reproductive condition of subtidal mussels: Considerations for sustainable management' Knights, A.M.; (2012) 'Spatial variation in body size and reproductive condition of subtidal mussels: Considerations for sustainable management'. Fisheries Research, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (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' Firth, L.B.;Knights, A.M.;Bell, S.S.; (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, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Climate change and the green energy paradox: The consequences for twaite shad Alosa fallax from the River Severn, U.K' Aprahamian, M.W.;Aprahamian, C.D.;Knights, A.M.; (2010) 'Climate change and the green energy paradox: The consequences for twaite shad Alosa fallax from the River Severn, U.K'. Journal of Fish Biology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Recruit-recruit interactions, density-dependent processes and population persistence in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica' Knights, A.M.;Walters, K.; (2010) 'Recruit-recruit interactions, density-dependent processes and population persistence in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Mechanisms of larval transport: Vertical distribution of bivalve larvae varies with tidal conditions' Knights, A.M.;Crowe, T.P.;Burnell, G.; (2006) 'Mechanisms of larval transport: Vertical distribution of bivalve larvae varies with tidal conditions'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Mechanisms of larval transport: vertical distribution of bivalve larvae varies with tidal conditions' Knights, A.M., Crowe, T.P., and Burnell, G. (2006) 'Mechanisms of larval transport: vertical distribution of bivalve larvae varies with tidal conditions'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 326 :167-174 [Details] |
Professional Activities
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NERC Peer-review College | Peer-review panel member | / | |
| Icelandic Research Fund | Panel Member/Reviewer | / | |
| Qatar National Fund | Panel Member/Reviewer | / | |
| Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) | Panel Member | / | |
| FCT Portugal Funding Panel | Chair/Panel Member | 2021 / 2023 | |
| BMBF-MOST | Panel Member | 2019 / 2019 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Plymouth | Associate Professor | 03-SEP-18 / 02-FEB-24 | |
| Coastal Carolina University | Visiting Professor/Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 02-JAN-07 / 20-JUN-08 | |
| University of Galway | IRC Research Fellow | 07-JAN-13 / 06-JAN-14 | |
| APEM Ltd | Senior Scientist | 05-MAY-08 / 01-JUN-10 | |
| University of Liverpool | Postdoctoral Research Associate (FP7 Grant ODEMM) | 01-JUN-10 / 21-DEC-12 | |
| University College Cork | Senior Lecturer in Marine Environmental Sustainability | 05-FEB-24 / | |
| University of Plymouth | Lecturer | 13-JAN-14 / 31-AUG-18 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Heriot-Watt University | BSc (Hons) | Applied Marine Biology | |
| 2003 | University of Queensland | MMarSt | Marine Studies | |
| 2006 | University College Cork | PhD | Marine Ecology |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests are around topics in marine ecology, biological statistics and experimental design.Contact details
- Antony Knights
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability - aknights@ucc.ie
- Butler Building
Distillery Fields
University College Cork