Dr David Douglas

Principal Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

Background

My research has included the breeding ecology of songbirds on lowland farmland and the importance of host availability for population dynamics in the cuckoo.

At the RSPB, I lead a programme of research focusing on the birds, habitats and wider biodiversity of the UK uplands, finding solutions to the problems they face.

This has included research into the effects of land uses such as commercial and native woodland creation, wind farms and grouse moor management on species including curlew, golden plover, black grouse and whinchat.

I manage a Conservation Scientist, Dr Philippa Gullett, along with a variable number of research assistants each year.

I have a range of research experience and provide training in areas including data analysis, scientific publishing and fieldwork including bird survey techniques, radio tracking and ringing.

External Activities

  • 2015: British Ornithologists Union Meetings Committee
  • 2013: Research Sub-Group of the Scottish Windfarm Bird Steering Group
  • 2012: Black Grouse Scottish Steering Group

Partners and Collaboration

  • Dr Kirsty Park, Stirling University
  • Dr James Pearce-Higgins, British Trust for Ornithology
  • Dr Andreas Heinemeyer, York University

Contact

David Douglas

Dr David Douglas

Principal Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

Scotland Headquarters, 2 Lochside View, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh, EH12 9DH

david.douglas@rspb.org.uk

@davidjtdouglas

Research Gate

Specialisms

Agriculture Ecosystem services Identifying problems Protected areas UK species Upland Woodland

Selected Publications

Negative impact of wind energy development on a breeding shorebird assessed with a BACI study design

Previous studies have shown negative associations between wind energy development and breeding birds, including species of conservation concern. However, the magnitude and causes of...

Date
01 July 2016
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas
Authors
Sansom, A., Pearce-Higgins, J.W. & Douglas, D.
Published in
Ibis 158: 541-555
View publication Details
Marine

Vegetation burning for game management in the UK uplands is increasing and overlaps spatially with soil carbon and protected areas

Burning for habitat management is globally widespread. Burning over carbon-rich soils is a global environmental concern due to the potential contribution to climate change. In the UK upland heath and blanket bog, so-called 'moorland', often overlies carbon-rich soils, and has internationally important...

Date
01 November 2015
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas, Dr Graeme Buchanan, Prof Jeremy Wilson
Authors
Douglas, D.J.T., Buchanan, G.M., Thompson, P., Amar, A., Fielding, D.A., Redpath, S.M. & Wilson, J.D.
Published in
Biological Conservation 191: 243-250
View publication Details
UK Upland

Upland land use predicts population decline in a globally near-threatened wader

Changes in large-scale land use may fragment and degrade habitats, affecting animal species adapted to these habitats.

Date
16 October 2013
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas, Paul Bellamy, Prof Jeremy Wilson
Authors
Douglas, D.J.T., Bellamy, P.E., Stephen, L.S., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Wilson, J.D. & Grant, M.C.
Published in
Journal of Applied Ecology
View publication Details
Curlew UK UK species Upland

Environmental impacts of high-output driven shooting of Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica)

Recreational hunting of game birds and mammals is globally widespread (Loveridge et al. 2009). Habitat and predator management is sometimes undertaken to increase game abundance and hunting bags (e.g. Hudson 1992, Arroyo et al. 2012). This can have environmental...

Date
03 October 2016
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas, Dr Staffan Roos, Prof Jeremy Wilson
Authors
Thompson, P.S., Douglas, D.J.T., Hoccom, D.G., Knott, J., Roos, S. & Wilson, J.D.
Published in
Ibis 158: 446-452
View publication Details
UK UK species Woodland

The relative importance of prey abundance and habitat structure as drivers of shorebird breeding success and abundance

Understanding large-scale drivers of animal breeding densities and demography has a range of important uses, including ...

Date
01 April 2014
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas
Authors
Douglas, D.J.T & Pearce-Higgins, J.W.
Published in
Animal Conservation
View publication Details
Golden plover Scotland Climate change International species
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