David Bartholomew Email & Phone Number

London, England, United Kingdom

Founding trustee of the Little Environmental Action Foundation (LEAF) (Charity No. 1184069). The LEAF charity implements forest restoration projects across some of the world's most threatened and biodiverse forests. Our early projects have focused on Kenya's forests.Since its foundation in July 2019, LEAF has formed collaborations with Pwani University and the Kijabe Forest Trust to begin restoration of forests in coastal forests of Kilifi county and forests surrounding Nairobi. Early… Show more Founding trustee of the Little Environmental Action Foundation (LEAF) (Charity No. 1184069). The LEAF charity implements forest restoration projects across some of the world's most threatened and biodiverse forests. Our early projects have focused on Kenya's forests.Since its foundation in July 2019, LEAF has formed collaborations with Pwani University and the Kijabe Forest Trust to begin restoration of forests in coastal forests of Kilifi county and forests surrounding Nairobi. Early work has involved building capacity, improving methodology and identifying sites for restoration. As part of our launch event, we successfully raised >£3000 (104% of our target) to build a new seedling nursery for our Pwani project. This nursery will provide seedlings for ex situ conservation in the Pwani University botanical gardens and for restoration of nearby forests. Construction of the nursery is currently being undertaken and seedlings are now being propogated.As Director of Science, I advise the charity on best restoration practices and oversee the charity’s research programme. This includes coordinating research projects undertaken by our botanists and by undergraduates at Pwani University to improve restoration success. I also lead the charity's junior committee. As part of this, I mentor six junior trustees, provide insights on how to run an environmental charity and help develop them into future leaders. Show less

Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden

Investigating the impacts of changes in cloud cover on Andean montane forests.In my postdoc, I investigate how climate change alters the carbon cycle and eco-physiology of tropical montane cloud forests. I use a cloud and rainfall exclusion experiment in Peru to predict the impact of changing water availability on trees in these forests.

Exeter, United Kingdom

Alongside my PhD research, I have undertaken >140 hours of teaching to undergraduate students. I have undertaken a variety of roles :R coding workshops: I have designed and led a new series of R coding workshops for undergraduates and postgraduate students. This series consists of four theoretical and four practical classes covering a range of topics, including Basic Programming, Lists, Functions, Indexing, Plotting & Loops. This course has run for three years.Mathematics &… Show more Alongside my PhD research, I have undertaken >140 hours of teaching to undergraduate students. I have undertaken a variety of roles :R coding workshops: I have designed and led a new series of R coding workshops for undergraduates and postgraduate students. This series consists of four theoretical and four practical classes covering a range of topics, including Basic Programming, Lists, Functions, Indexing, Plotting & Loops. This course has run for three years.Mathematics & Statistics Mentor: I provide mathematics and statistics advice to third year dissertation students. This involves one-to-one advice on how to implement statistical methods in their research projects.Essay Writing Mentor: I have provided writing advice to undergraduate students, helping them to improve their academic writing style.Practical Demonstrations: I have assisted practical classes on a range of subjects including biodiversity in tropical forests, forest stand dynamics & carbon storage, Global Climate Models, and JULES.Online Teaching Assistant: I have assisted with blended learning, providing online support to several classes on biodiversity and conservation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show less

I worked on the Global Tree Assessment that aims to have a red list assessment for all tree species across the globe. I provided the main data analysis for this project, which led to the production of the State of the World's Trees report. I led a Red List Publication for Bornean Endemic Dipterocarps, working alongside collaborators in the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei-Darussalam. I also helped with IUCN red list assessments through the Species Information Service. I undertook analyses of… Show more I worked on the Global Tree Assessment that aims to have a red list assessment for all tree species across the globe. I provided the main data analysis for this project, which led to the production of the State of the World's Trees report. I led a Red List Publication for Bornean Endemic Dipterocarps, working alongside collaborators in the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei-Darussalam. I also helped with IUCN red list assessments through the Species Information Service. I undertook analyses of the current threat status of the planet's trees and helped analyse data on status of all tree species in in situ and ex situ conservation. Show less

Sumatra

An assistant to a long-running research project, investigating the health of wild and semi-wild orangutans and their use of medicinal plants. As a project assistant, I lead short-term volunteers on expeditions into Gunung Leuser National Park to collect data for the project and help manage the field base in Northern Sumatra.Fieldwork involved tracking wild orangutans and observing their behaviour in the remote Sumatran rainforest. I assisted with the collection of faecal samples that… Show more An assistant to a long-running research project, investigating the health of wild and semi-wild orangutans and their use of medicinal plants. As a project assistant, I lead short-term volunteers on expeditions into Gunung Leuser National Park to collect data for the project and help manage the field base in Northern Sumatra.Fieldwork involved tracking wild orangutans and observing their behaviour in the remote Sumatran rainforest. I assisted with the collection of faecal samples that are used to understand parasite load. I utilised photography to assist with individual identification procedures and to provide evidence for different behaviours. I was also involved in the collection, processing and maintenance of plant samples that are used to test for medicinal properties.Aside from fieldwork, my work included giving presentations to volunteers, maintenance of the field base and herbarium. I helped to manage the project's finances, edit scientific papers and write grant proposals. I helped to run the organisation's social media programme and advertise the project's work to attract new volunteers. I also played a major role in entering and checking behavioural data. Finally, I was involved in developing a medicinal plant garden to find new ways to grow medicinal plants ex situ. Show less

Tanzania

Main project involved undertaking a biodiversity assessment of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Kilombero valley. Taxa surveyed included mammalian carnivores, large herbivorous mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Methods included camera traps, carnivore track and night transects, large mammal distance sampling, herbivore tracks and signs transects, bird point counts using visual and acoustic calls, perspection surveys and pitfall traps for herpetofauna. I played a key role in the… Show more Main project involved undertaking a biodiversity assessment of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Kilombero valley. Taxa surveyed included mammalian carnivores, large herbivorous mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Methods included camera traps, carnivore track and night transects, large mammal distance sampling, herbivore tracks and signs transects, bird point counts using visual and acoustic calls, perspection surveys and pitfall traps for herpetofauna. I played a key role in the coordination and planning of the large mammal distance sampling techniques and analysis, as well as the bird point counts.Secondary project involved a biodiversity assessment of a Teak plantation within the Kilombero valley. Data was used to understand temporal trends of wildlife within the area and to compare the biodiversity of teak plantations with land set aside for conservation. Methods included camera traps, mammalian track and signs quadrats, bird point counts, and herpetofauna pitfall traps.Socioeconomic surveys of local people were also undertaken to understand the impacts of local people on wildlife and attitudes towards wild animals and conservation.Additionally, teaching of conservation classes was given to local primary and secondary schools, focusing on important global and local issues. I played a predominant role in the planning and giving of lessons. Show less

Lima Province, Peru

My main work involved reviewing the effectiveness of the Shellcatch camera system at detecting bycatch on artisanal fishing vessels. I was involved in creating and reviewing time-lapse videos and recording hauls and bycatch. I identified sharks, rays, turtles, cetaceans and pinnipeds to species level and recorded the quantity of catches across several boats from Peru's small-scale gillnet fisheries.I additionally assisted on other research projects and undertook extensive fieldwork… Show more My main work involved reviewing the effectiveness of the Shellcatch camera system at detecting bycatch on artisanal fishing vessels. I was involved in creating and reviewing time-lapse videos and recording hauls and bycatch. I identified sharks, rays, turtles, cetaceans and pinnipeds to species level and recorded the quantity of catches across several boats from Peru's small-scale gillnet fisheries.I additionally assisted on other research projects and undertook extensive fieldwork across Peru's coastal regions. Fieldwork included counting penguin populations, undertaking beach transects to count and identify marine stranding events and coastline transects to search for the presence of sea otters.This project lead to the publication of research in Biological Conservation. Show less

France

I undertook a six week internship in the flamingo research group of Tour du Valat. A major part of the role was undertaking fieldwork and analysing data. Fieldwork included counting flamingos with a telescope, measuring abiotic environmental variables, reading bird rings, assisting bird ringing programmes, and undertaking pond terrapin and snake surveys. As part of the data analysis, I performed a range of statistical analyses in R and mapped flamingo populations across a network of salt pans… Show more I undertook a six week internship in the flamingo research group of Tour du Valat. A major part of the role was undertaking fieldwork and analysing data. Fieldwork included counting flamingos with a telescope, measuring abiotic environmental variables, reading bird rings, assisting bird ringing programmes, and undertaking pond terrapin and snake surveys. As part of the data analysis, I performed a range of statistical analyses in R and mapped flamingo populations across a network of salt pans in QGIS. Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Geography, Pass Without Amendments

Activities and Societies: I acted as the academic representative for the Geography department's postgraduate research students for 2.

Master Of Science (Msc), Conservation And Biodiversity, Distinction

Activities and Societies: Ecology Society, Wildlife Documentary Society, Postgraduate Society, Badminton Society. Modules in Terrestrial.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Biology/Biological Sciences, General, 1St Class

Activities and Societies: Biological Society, Conservation Society, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Hockey Specialist Modules.

A Levels - 3 A*S, 2 As; Gcses - 11 A*S, 1 A, 1 B

Activities and Societies: Jazz Band, Squash A Levels - Biology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, French, German GCSEs - English Language.