Publications

This page lists some key papers. After expanding a section, click on a paper to access its online publication page.

Case studies on shorebirds
These papers show how individual-based ecology has been used to inform the conservation of shorebirds and similar species.

Goss-Custard, J. D., Austin, G. E., Frost, T. M., Sitters, H. P. and Stillman, R. A. (2024) Decline in the numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Exe estuary Special Protection Area. Ardea, 112, 267-283.

Goss-Custard, J. D., Bowgen, K. M. and Stillman, R . A. (2019) Increasing the harvest for mussels Mytilus edulis without harming oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 612, 101-110.

Herbert, R. J. H., Davies, C. J., Bowgen, K. M., Hatton, J. and Stillman, R. A. (2018) The importance of non-native Pacific oyster reefs as supplementary feeding areas for coastal birds on estuary mudflats. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 28, 1294-1307.

Garcia, C., Stillman, R. A., Forster, R. M., Silva, T. and Bremner, J. (2016) Nuclear power and coastal birds: predicting the ecological consequences of warm-water outflows. Ecological Modelling, 342, 60-81.

Toral, G.M., Stillman, R.A., Santoro, S. and Figuerola, J. (2012) The importance of rice fields for glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus): Management recommendations derived from an individual-based model. Biological Conservation, 148, 19-27.

Stillman, R.A., Moore, J.J., Woolmer, A.P., Murphy, M.D, Walker, P., Vanstaen, K.R., Palmer, D. and Sanderson, W.G. (2010) Assessing waterbird conservation objectives: an example for the Burry Inlet, UK. Biological Conservation, 143, 2617-2630.

Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Stillman, R.A., Triplet, P., Desprez, M., Fagot, C., Loquet, N., Sueur, F. and Goss-Custard, J.D. (2008) Using an individual-based model to inform estuary management in the Baie de Somme, France. Oryx, 42, 265-277.

Caldow, R.W.G, Stillman, R.A., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, West, A.D., McGrorty, S., Goss-Custard, J.D., Wood, P.J. and Humphreys, J. (2007) Benefits to shorebirds from invasion of a non-native shellfish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B – Biological Sciences, 274, 1449-1455.

Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Stillman, R.A., McGrorty, S., West, A.D., Goss-Custard, J.D. and Price, D. (2007) Predicting the effect of local and global environmental change on shorebirds: a case study on the Exe estuary, UK. Wader Study Group Bulletin, 112, 24-36.

West, A. D., Yates, M. G., McGrorty, S. and Stillman, R. A. (2007) Predicting site quality for shorebird communities: A case study on the Wash embayment, UK. Ecological Modelling,202,527-539.

Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Stillman, R.A., Caldow, R.W.G., McGrorty, S., West, A.D. and Humphreys, J. (2006) Modelling the effect of environmental change on shorebirds: a case study on Poole Harbour, UK. Biological Conservation, 131, 459-473.

Goss-Custard, J. D., Burton, N. H. K., Clark, N. A., Ferns, P. N., McGrorty, S., Reading, C. J., Rehfisch, M. M., Stillman, R. A., Townend, I., West, A. D. and Worrall, D. H. (2006) Test of a behavior-based individual-based model: Response of shorebird mortality to habitat loss. Ecological Applications,16,2215-2222.

Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Stillman, R.A., Triplet, P., Aulert, C., Biot, D.O.dit, Bouchet, A., Duhamel, S., Mayot, S. and Goss-Custard, J.D. (2005) Modelling the efficacy of proposed mitigation areas for shorebirds: a case study on the Seine estuary, France. Biological Conservation, 123, 67-77.

Stillman, R.A., West, A.D., Goss-Custard, J.D., McGrorty, S., Frost, N.J., Morrisey, D.J., Kenny, A.J. and Drewitt, A.L. (2005) Predicting site quality for shorebird communities: a case study on the Humber estuary, UK. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 305, 203-217.

West, A.D., Goss-Custard, J.D., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit and Stillman, R.A. (2005) Maintaining estuary quality for shorebirds: towards simple guidelines. Biological Conservation, 123, 211-224.

Goss-Custard, J.D., Stillman, R.A., West, A.D., Caldow, R.W.G., Triplet, P., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit and McGrorty, S. (2004) When enough is not enough: shorebirds and shellfishing. Proceedings of the Royal Society. Biological Sciences, 271, 233-237.

Stillman, R.A., West, A.D., Goss-Custard, J.D., Caldow, R.W.G., McGrorty, S., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Yates, M.G., Atkinson, P.W., Clark, N.A., Bell, M.C., Dare, P.J. and Mander, M. (2003) An individual behaviour-based model can predict shorebird mortality using routinely collected shellfishery data. Journal of Applied Ecology, 40, 1090-1101.

West, A.D., Goss-Custard, J.D., McGrorty, S., Stillman, R.A., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Stewart, B., Walker, P., Palmer, D.W. and Coates, P. (2003) The Burry shellfishery and oystercatchers: using a behaviour-based model to advise on shellfishery management policy. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 248, 279-292.

Stillman, R.A., Goss-Custard, J.D., West, A.D., McGrorty, S., Caldow, R.W.G., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Norris, K.J., Johnstone, I.G., Ens, B.J., van der Meer, J. and Triplet, P. (2001) Predicting oystercatcher mortality and population size under different regimes of shellfishery management. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38, 857-868.

Stillman, R.A., Goss-Custard, J.D., West, A.D., Durell, S.E.A.leV.dit, Caldow, R.W.G., McGrorty, S. and Clarke, R.T. (2000) Predicting mortality in novel environments: tests and sensitivity of a behaviour-based model. Journal of Applied Ecology, 37, 564-588.

Case studies on wildfowl
These papers show how individual-based ecology has been used to inform the conservation of ducks, swans and geese.

Stillman, R. A., Rivers, E. M., Gilkerson, W., Wood, K. A., Clausen, P., Deane, C. and Ward, D. H. (2024) Predicting the response of a long-distance migrant to changing environmental conditions in winter. Ecology and Evolution, 14, 10.1002/ece3.11619.

Oldeland, J., Zydelis, R., Dorsch, M., Stillman, R. A. and Nehls, G. (2023) Individual-based modelling supports environmental impact assessment in a large-scale construction project. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 101, 10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107150.

Stillman, R.A., Rivers, E. M., Gilkerson, W., Wood, K. A., Nolet, B. A., Clausen, P., Wilson, H. M. and Ward, D. H. (2021) Predicting impacts of food competition, climate, and disturbance on a long-distance migratory herbivore. Ecosphere, 12(3): e03405. 10.1002/ecs2.3405.

Wood, K. A., Stillman, R. A., Newth, J. L., Nuijten, R. J. M., Hilton, G. M., Nolet, B. A. and Rees, E. C. (2021) Predicting avian herbivore responses to changing food availability and competition. Ecological Modelling, 441, 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109421.

Garcia, C., Stillman, R. A., Forster, R. M., Silva, T. and Bremner, J. (2016) Nuclear power and coastal birds: predicting the ecological consequences of warm-water outflows. Ecological Modelling, 342, 60-81.

Stillman, R.A., Wood, K. A., Gilkerson, W., Elkinton, E., Black, J. M., Ward, D. H. and Petrie, M. (2015) Predicting effects of environmental change on a migratory herbivore. Ecosphere, 6(7), 114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00455.1.

Wood, K.A., Stillman, R.A., Daunt, F. and; O’Hare, M.T. (2012) An individual-based model of swan-macrophyte conflicts on a chalk river. In: P.J. Boon & P.J. Raven (eds), River Conservation and Management. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, pp. 339-343.

Duriez, O., Bauer, S., Destin, A., Madsen, J., Nolet, B. A., Stillman, R. A. and Klaassen, M. (2009) What decision rules might pink-footed geese use to depart on migration? An individual-based model. Behavioral Ecology,20,560-569.