David Stone
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8224-5308
Research title: Does climate change impact directly on breeding seabirds?
Research Summary
My research focuses on exploring the effects of environmental stressors on the physiology and behaviour of seabirds, using infrared thermography (IRT) as a remote monitoring tool. I am particularly intersted in how emerging technologies like IRT can support wildlife conservation efforts and provide insights into physiological processes.
In my current study in the Baltic Sea I am using a combination of IRT, meteorological instruments, and CCTV footage to quantify the physiological and behavioural impacts of temperature on common guillemots. Specifically, I am exploring the thermal responses of breeding birds under varying environmental conditions, particularly different microclimates within colonies, to better understand the thermoregulatory strategies of both adults and their offspring throughout development, and how these may be impacted under future human-induced climate change.
Publications
Stone et al. (2022) Fence management and time since pack formation influence African wild dog escapes from protected areas in South Africa. Journal for Nature Conservation, 70, 126291.
Stone et al. (2021) Plumage development and environmental factors influence surface temperature gradients and heat loss in wandering albatross chicks. Journal of Thermal Biology, 97, 102777.
Supervisors
External supervisors
Maria Bogdanova (UKCEH)
Jonas Hentati-Sundberg (Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Science)
Agnes Olin (Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Science)
Grants
The Company of Biologists Travelling Fellowship 2024
Conference
Animals, Temperature, and Man (Lund, 2022): presenter
African Wild Dogs United (South Africa, 2022): presenter
South African Wildlife Management Association (South Africa, 2021): presenter
Society for Experimental Biology (Seville, 2019): presenter
