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Conservation Research Institute

 

Biography

I have worked in a wide range of roles in both conservation practice and research. My PhD (University of Aberdeen, 2001-05) assessed biodiversity responses to moorland restoration. Subsequently, I managed the North-East Scotland Biological Records Centre (2005-07) and then carried out research at the James Hutton Institute (formerly Macaulay Institute) in Aberdeen (2007-14). I worked on a range of freelance ecological contracts (2014-17) and then researched the influence of grouse moor management on upland bird assemblages for Newcastle University (2017-18).

Research

I am an Ecologist with a wide-ranging interest in wildlife conservation and, especially, in the impact of management on species and habitats. My work spans plant, invertebrate, bird and mammal assemblages and the interactions between these. I also carry out work on individual species, and these have included rare or threatened taxa ranging from Narrow-headed Ant to Scottish Wildcat. I work closely with conservation practitioners, land managers, NGOs and agencies to produce outputs that have conservation policy and management relevance. Some recent work has focussed on providing policy and practical advice for responding to the threat from tree diseases. including Ash Dieback and Chronic Oak Decline.

At Cambridge University, I am part of the Conservation Evidence group, currently working on a synopsis focused on mammal conservation. This will increase the ability of conservation managers to incorporate results from research into the decisions that they make about managing species and habitats.

Publications

Key publications: 

Pakeman, R., Fielding, D., Everts, L. and Littlewood, N. (2019) Long-term impacts of changed grazing regimes on the vegetation of heterogeneous upland grasslands. Journal of Applied Ecology, 56, 1794-1805.

Mitchell, R.J., Bellamy, P.E., Ellis, C.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Stockan, J.A. and Taylor A.F.S. (2019) Collapsing foundations: the ecology of the British oak, implications of its decline and mitigation options. Biological Conservation, 233, 316-327.

Calladine, J., Humphreys, E.M., Gilbert, L., Furness, R.W., Robinson, R.A., Fuller, R.J., Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J., Ferguson, J. and Thompson, C. (2017) Continuing influences of introduced hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus as a predator of wader (Charadrii) eggs four decades after their release on the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Biological Invasions, 19, 1981-1987.

Evans, D.M., Villar, N., Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J., Evans, S.A., Dennis, P., Skartveit, J. and Redpath, S.M. (2015) The cascading impacts of livestock grazing in upland ecosystems: a 10-year experiment. Ecosphere, 6, article 42.

Other publications: 

Pozsgai, G., Baird, J., Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Young, M.R. (2018) Phenological changes of the most commonly-sampled ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) species in the UK Environmental Change Network. International Journal of Biometeorology, 62, 1063-1074.

Hudson, L.N. et al (including Littlewood, N.A.) (2017) The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity in Changing Terrestrial Systems) project. Ecology and Evolution, 7, 145-188.

Mitchell, R.J., Broome, A., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Ellis, C.J., Hester A.J., Hodgetts N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Pozsgai, G., Ramsay, S., Riach, D., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. and Woodward, S. (2017) Challenges in assessing the ecological impacts of tree diseases and mitigation measures: the case of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Fraxinus excelsiorBaltic Forestry, 23, 116-140.

Pozsgai, G., Baird, J., Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Young, M.R. (2016) Interspecific networks in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages. Ecological Indicators, 68, 134-141.

Mitchell, R.J., Pakeman, R.J., Broome, A., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W., Ellis, C.J., Hester, A.J., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Pozsgai, G., Ramsey, S., Riach, D., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. and Woodward, S. (2016) How to replicate the functions and biodiversity of a threatened tree species? The case of Fraxinus excelsior in Britain. Ecosystems, 19, 573-586.

Pozsgai, G., Baird, J., Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Young, M.R. (2016) Long-term changes in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in Scotland. Ecological Entomology, 41, 157-167.

Littlewood, N.A., Nau, B.S., Pozsgai, G., Stockan, J.A., Stubbs, A. and Young, M.R. (2015) Invertebrate species at risk from Ash Dieback in the UK. Journal of Insect Conservation, 19, 75-85.

Hudson, L., et al. (including Littlewood, N.A.) (2014) The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts. Ecology and Evolution, 4, 4701-4735.

Littlewood, N.A., Greenwood, S., Quin, S.L.O., Pakeman, R.J. and Woodin, S.J. (2014) Long-term trends in restored moorland vegetation assemblages. Community Ecology, 15, 104-112.

Mitchell, R.J., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Broome, A., Chetcuti, J., Eaton, S., Ellis, C.J., Gimona, A., Harmer, R., Hester, A.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Kerr, G., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Potts, J.M., Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Sim, D.A., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. and Woodward, S. (2014) Ash dieback in the UK: a review of the ecological and conservation implications and potential management options. Biological Conservation, 175, 95-109.

Pozsgai, G. and Littlewood, N.A. (2014) Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) population declines and phenological changes: Is there a connection? Ecological Indicators, 41, 15-24.

Quin, S.L.O., Artz, R.E.E., Coupar, A., Littlewood, N.A. and Woodin, S.J. (2014) Restoration of upland heath from a graminoid- to a Calluna vulgaris-dominated community provides a carbon benefit. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 185, 133-143.

Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Pozsgai, G. (2012) Grazing impacts on Auchenorrhyncha diversity and abundance on a Scottish upland estate. Insect Conservation & Diversity, 5, 67-74.

Littlewood, N.A., Stewart, A.J.A. and Woodcock, B.A. (2012) Science into practice – how can fundamental science contribute to better management of grasslands for invertebrates? Insect Conservation & Diversity, 5, 1-8.

Pozsgai, G. and Littlewood, N.A. (2011) Changes in the phenology of the ground beetle Pterostichus madidusInsect Science, 18, 462-472.

Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J., and Woodin, S.J. (2009) Isolation of habitat patches limits colonisation by moorland Hemiptera. Journal of Insect Conservation, 13, 29-36.

Morecroft, M.D., Bealey, C.E., Beaumont, D.A., Benham, S., Brooks, D.R., Burt, T.P., Critchley, C.N.R., Dick, J., Littlewood, N.A., Monteith, D.T., Scott, W.A., Smith, R.I., Walmesley, C. and Watson, H. (2009). The UK Environmental Change Network: emerging trends in terrestrial biodiversity and the physical environment. Biological Conservation, 142, 2814-2832.

Vandenberge, C., Prior, G., Littlewood, N.A., Brooker, R.W. and Pakeman, R.J. (2009) Influence of livestock grazing on meadow pipit foraging behaviour in upland grassland. Basic and Applied Ecology, 10, 662-670.

Littlewood, N.A. (2008) Grazing impacts on moth diversity and abundance on a Scottish upland estate. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1, 151-160.

Littlewood, N.A. and Young, M.R. (2008) A habitat suitability model for the narrow-headed ant, Formica exsecta, evaluated against independent data. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1, 108-113.

Littlewood, N.A., Dennis, P., Pakeman, R.J. and Woodin, S.J. (2006) Moorland restoration aids the reassembly of associated phytophagous insects. Biological Conservation, 132, 395-404.

Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Woodin, S.J. (2006) A field assessment of the success of moorland restoration in the rehabilitation of whole plant assemblages. Applied Vegetation Science, 9, 295-306.

Littlewood, N.A., Pakeman, R.J. and Woodin, S.J. (2006) The response of plant and insect assemblages to the loss of Calluna vulgaris from upland vegetation. Biological Conservation, 128, 335- 345.

Books

Littlewood, N., Chapman, P., Francis, I., Roberts, G., Robinson, A. and Sideris, K. (Eds.) (2017) Mammal Atlas of North-East Scotland and the Cairngorms. North-East Scotland Biological Records Centre.

Selected Contract Reports

Littlewood, N.A. (2017) A revision of all invertebrates features at designated sites in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 1007.

Littlewood, N.A. and Sideris, K. (2016) A survey of the feeding distribution of geese around the Loch of Strathbeg. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 937.

Calladine, J., Gilbert, L., Humphreys, E.M., Fuller, R.J., Robinson, R.A., Littlewood, N.A., Mitchell, R.J., Pakeman, R.J. and Furness, R.W. (2015) Predation studies on breeding waders of the Uist machair: Final report covering fieldwork undertaken in 2012-14. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 811.

Humphreys, E.M., Gilbert, L., Furness, R.W., Littlewood, N., Mitchell, R., Pakeman, R., Fuller, R.J. and Calladine, J. (2015) Scoping report to Uist Wader Research: Suggested research programme 2012 – 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 497.

Smyth, M.A., Taylor, E.S., Birnie, R.V., Artz, R.R.E., Dickie, I., Evans, C., Gray, A., Moxey, A., Prior, S., Littlewood, N. and Bonaventura, M. (2015) Developing Peatland Carbon Metrics and Financial Modelling to Inform the Pilot Phase UK Peatland Code. Report to Defra for Project NR0165, Crichton Carbon Centre, Dumfries.

Littlewood, N.A., Campbell, R.D., Dinnie, L., Gilbert, L., Hooper, R., Iason, G., Irvine, J., Kilshaw, K., Kitchener, A., Lackova, P., Newey, S., Ogden, R. and Ross, A. (2014) Survey and scoping of wildcat priority areas. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 768.

Mitchell, R.J., Broome, A., Harmer, R., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W., Ray, D., Ellis, C.J., Hester, A.J., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Mackinnon, M. Pakeman, R., Pozsgai, G., Ramsey, S., Riach, D., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. and Woodward, S. (2014) Assessing and addressing the impacts of ash dieback on UK woodlands and trees of conservation importance (Phase 2). Natural England Commissioned Reports, Number 151.

Mitchell, R.J., Bailey, S., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W., Broome, A., Chetcuti, J., Eaton, S., Ellis, C.J, Farren, J., Gimona, A., Goldberg, E., Hall, J., Harmer, R., Hester, A.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G, Hooper, R.J., Howe, L., Iason, G.R., Kerr, G., Littlewood, N.A., Morgan, V., Newey, S., Potts, J.M, Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Sim, D.A., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S, Taylor, P. and Woodward, S. (2014). The potential ecological impact of ash dieback in the UK. JNCC Report No. 483. JNCC, Peterborough.

Littlewood, N.A. and Stockan, J.A. (2013). Surveillance of priority terrestrial invertebrates in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 609.

Pakeman, R,J., Beale, C., Brooker, R,, Chamberlain, D., Demars, B.O.L., Iason, G.R., McLeod, J., Littlewood, N., Lisewski, V. and Taylor, A.F.S. (2011) Prioritising species and habitat actions by Local Biodiversity Action Partnerships in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report.

Brooker, R.W., Britton, A.J., Gimona, A., Lennon, J.J. and Littlewood, N.A. (2011) Literature review: species translocations as a tool for biodiversity conservation during climate change. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No.440.

Bain, C.G., Bonn, A., Stoneman, R., Chapman, S.J., Coupar, A., Evans, M., Gearey, B., Howat, M., Hjoosten, H., Keenleyside, C., Lindsay, R., Labadz, J., Lindsay, R., Littlewood, N., Lunt, P., Miller, C.J., Moxey, A., Orr, H., Reed, M., Smith, P., Swales, V., Thompson, D.B.A., Thompson, P.S., van de Noort, R., Wilson, J.D. and Worrall, F., (2011) Commission of Inquiry on IUCN UK Peatlands. IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-9570572-1-0.

Littlewood, N.A., Anderson, P., Artz, R.R.E., Bragg, O., Lunt, P. and Marrs, R. (2010) Peatland Biodiversity. A Technical Review for the IUCN Peatland Program.

Other Professional Activities

Associate Editor for the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity

Geographical region

Australasia / Oceania
Caribbean
Central America
Central Asia
East Africa
East Asia
Europe
North Africa
North America
North Asia
South America
South Asia
South East Asia
Southern Africa
West Africa
Research Associate
Dr Nick  Littlewood

Contact Details

Room 3.01, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street
Cambridge
CB2 3QZ

Affiliations

Classifications: 
Departments and institutes: 
Research keywords: 
Biodiversity
Conservation
Conservation Biology
Landscape Ecology