Background
I work in partnership with a wide range of research and practitioner collaborators, both within RSPB and externally. Together we carry out science that supports large-scale restoration of key ecosystems in northern Scotland, and the species associated with them.
My work is focussed in the forests and hills of Cairngorms Connect, the UK's largest habitat restoration project; and in the peatlands, rivers and lochs of the Flow Country, one of the world's largest blanket bogs.
In Cairngorms Connect, my work involves coordinating a team of scientists from our partnership organisations, via collaborations with universities, funders and practitioners, to deliver a programme of science work that supports large-scale ecosystem restoration in this landscape.
In the Flow Country, my work involves supporting staff and students, via joint working with different RSPB departments including Forsinard reserve, and with universities and other collaborators, using science to inform the restoration of blanket peatlands damaged by non-native afforestation.
I co-supervise five PhD students whose projects support ecosystem restoration, by building understanding of
- peatland restoration effects on riverine ecosystems
- photosynthetic microbes as indicators of degradation and restoration.
- native woodland expansion in Cairngorms Connect – its benefits and constraints
- the climate stressors on microbial processes and carbon sequestration in peatlands
- the impacts and restoration of peatland forestry
External Activities
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2014-21: Rivers and Lochs Institute (University of the Highlands and Islands): Advisory Group member
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2019 to present: Chair of Cairngorms Connect Scientists' Working Group
Partners and Collaboration
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Professor Roxane Andersen, Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands
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Dr. Steven Andrews, Highland Council
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Dr. Jens Arne-Subke, University of Stirling
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Dr Rebekka Artz, James Hutton Institute & NatureScot’s Peatland Action
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Prof. Colin Bean, NatureScot / University of Glasgow
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Prof. David Coomes, University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute & Centre for Landscape Regeneration
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Dr. Paul Gaffney, Environmental Research Institute
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Kenny Kortland, Forestry and Land Scotland
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Dr. Nick Littlewood, SRUC Aberdeen
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Dr. Ashish Mallik, University of Aberdeen
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Dr. Nancy Ockendon, Endangered Landscapes Programme / Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Contact

Dr Mark Hancock
Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science
RSPB Scotland, North Scotland Office, Etive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness, IV2 3BW