About
My research interests focuses upon plant community ecology. I am specifically interested in African woodland and savanna ecology and managing vegetation change on these landscapes in terms of both ecological and socioeconomic impacts.
Dr Aisling Devine
Associate Professor
Biosciences
Office - 117
First Floor
Margam Building
Singleton Campus
First Floor
Margam Building
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision
Areas Of Expertise
- Savanna ecology
- Fire ecology
- Miombo woodlands
- Community ecology
- Biodiversity
- Environmental resources and poverty alleviation
Publications
Research Highlights
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Devine, A. (2015). Woody cover in wet and dry African savannas after six decades of experimental fires. Journal of Ecology, 103(2), 473-478.
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Devine, A., McDonald, R., Quaife, T., & Maclean, I. (2017). Determinants of woody encroachment and cover in African savannas. Oecologia
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Roberts, L., Neyland, P., Devine, A., Harris, W., Bull, J., Froyd, C., Eastwood, D., Forman, D., & Elias, O. (2023). You said, we did! Employer led work-simulated learning framework for enhancing ecology graduate employability. Journal of Biological Education, 57(4), 746-765.
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Nicholas, L., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2023). The Effect of Faecal Sludge Biochar on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivar Micro-Tom. Agronomy, 13(5), 1233
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Nicholas, L., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Agronomic Properties of Biochar from Slow Pyrolysis of Human Waste. Sustainable Use of Biochar [Working Title] IntechOpen
All Research
Journal Articles
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Nicholas, L., Winrow, E., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2025). Faecal sludge pyrolysis as a circular economic approach to waste management and nutrient recovery. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27(3), 5893-5924.
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Nicholas, L., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2024). The Effect of Biochar on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Cultivar Micro-Tom Grown under Continuous Light. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 24(4), 6775-6781.
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Roberts, L., Neyland, P., Devine, A., Harris, W., Bull, J., Froyd, C., Eastwood, D., Forman, D., & Elias, O. (2023). You said, we did! Employer led work-simulated learning framework for enhancing ecology graduate employability. Journal of Biological Education, 57(4), 746-765.
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Nicholas, L., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2023). The Effect of Faecal Sludge Biochar on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivar Micro-Tom. Agronomy, 13(5), 1233
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Devine, A., McDonald, R., Quaife, T., & Maclean, I. (2017). Determinants of woody encroachment and cover in African savannas. Oecologia
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Devine, A. (2015). Woody cover in wet and dry African savannas after six decades of experimental fires. Journal of Ecology, 103(2), 473-478.
Book Chapters
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Nicholas, L., Devine, A., Robertson, I., & Mabbett, I. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Agronomic Properties of Biochar from Slow Pyrolysis of Human Waste. Sustainable Use of Biochar [Working Title] IntechOpen
Supervision
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Untitled (current)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Konstans Wells -
Conservation analysis of an African savanna tree species (current)
MResOther supervisor: Dr Miguel Lurgi Rivera -
Investigating the potential impact on native flora and fauna of a non-native macropod, the Red-necked wallaby (Notamcropus rufogriseus), on the Isle of Man. (awarded 2025)
MResOther supervisor: Prof Luca Borger
Taught Modules
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BIO018 Biology A' Level and Transition to University
This course is designed for Biology students transitioning from A' Level to Higher Education, and will guide students through a series of tailored modules built around the WJEC Biology A' Level specifications. Each module covers information from across the curriculum, helping to link key biological concepts and build from core knowledge to more complex applications. The learning activities will consist of a short (10 ¿ 20 minutes) recorded or annotated lecture that will include self-assessment of understanding by a short quiz consisting of multiple-choice questions. Further on-line materials will be provided to assist students with learning independently. Personal support will be available through online tutor meetings at arranged time.
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BIO232 Plant Ecology
This module provides a holistic approach to plant ecology, including both classical ecological theory and practical surveying techniques. Students will become familiar with six major themes; plant formations and biomes, synecology, autecology, plant geography, paleoecology and modern plant ecology. Students will also be trained in plant taxonomy, field surveying techniques, data analysis and report writing that complement a future career in ecology, conservation or consultancy
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BIO249 Introduction to field ecology
This field course comprises practical work employing ecological techniques appropriate to sample biodiversity and environmental parameters from a range of terrestrial and freshwater habitats (freshwater systems, woodlands, sand dunes). You will learn techniques for the identification of species, practice recording accurate field notes, and gain experience in the analysis and presentation of ecological data. Furthermore, you will be able to recognise different British temperate wildlife, habitats and indicator species associated with them. This five-day course will be residential and delivered in Stackpole National Trust Field centre in September.
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BIO347 Tropical Ecology and Conservation - Borneo Field Trip
Borneo is a hot spot for biodiversity both in regards to terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This module is a residential field course which will explore ecological and conservation principles in tropical rainforests and marine ecosystems.
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BIOM19 Endangered Species and The Red List
There have been five mass extinction events in the history of Earth's biodiversity. It has been claimed that the Sixth Mass Extinction may be underway, this time caused entirely by humans. It may be debatable within the literature whether a sixth extinction is occurring, however there is no doubt that we are currently in a biodiversity crisis with considerable evidence indicating increasing extinctions rates and decreasing species population abundances. The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world's biodiversity and is the global standard in estimation of extinction risk. The IUCN Red List it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change and critical to protecting the natural resources. Conservation science is essential in to understand the ecology and biology of species in order to inform and update the red list as well as inform conservation practioners to try and halt the decline in biodiversity. This module will explore the scientific concepts behind the red list and specific research focused on threatened species and related conservation efforts.
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BIOM23 Research Project in Environmental Biology: Conservation and Resource Management
In this module the students will learn how to: * perform a literature search in order to establish what has already been published in the selected subject area * appreciate the safety considerations of scientific research by completing appropriate audits of the materials and methods involved * investigate a problem in environmental biology in which hypotheses can be generated and tested with the application of appropriate statistical analysis * acquire a range of skills in the conduct of scientific research * integrate material from the literature with the results obtained from the research carried out into an effective dissertation * present their proposed methods and main results to peers
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BIOM34 Research Project in Global Biodiversity and Conservation
In this module the students will learn how to: * perform a literature search in order to establish what has already been published in the selected subject area * appreciate the safety considerations of scientific research by completing appropriate audits of the materials and methods involved * investigate a problem in environmental biology in which hypotheses can be generated and tested with the application of appropriate statistical analysis * acquire a range of skills in the conduct of scientific research * integrate material from the literature with the results obtained from the research carried out into an effective dissertation * present their proposed methods and main results to peers
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BIOM34P Preparation for Research Project in Global Biodiversity and Conservation
TBC
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BIOM701 Marine endangered species and The Red List
The Earth's biodiversity has undergone five mass extinction events, each reshaping the planet¿s ecological landscape. Some scientists argue that a Sixth Mass Extinction is unfolding¿driven entirely by human activity leading to an acceleration of climate change that is having a profound impact upon ocean ecosystems and driving extinction risks higher for marine and coastal species. While the debate continues, there is undeniable evidence of a global biodiversity crisis, with rising extinction rates and declining population abundances across numerous species. This module critically examines the IUCN Red Lists of threatened species and ecosystems, the global benchmarks for assessing species extinction risk and ecosystem health. As a vital tool for biodiversity conservation and policy development, the Red List of threatened species informs conservation strategies and guides decision-making to protect marine ecosystems. Understanding the ecological and biological factors influencing marine and coastal species vulnerability is essential for updating the Red List and implementing effective conservation measures. Through expert-led talks, field visits and workshop training in IUCN assessments for a range of marine species, students will explore the scientific principles behind threatened species risk assessments and learn about evidence-based conservation for selected marine species and coastal ecosystems. Students will evaluate current conservation efforts and develop the skills necessary to contribute to assessing marine species extinction risk and develop targeted marine conservation strategies.
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BIOM750 Research Project
In this module, you will develop key research skills essential for scientific inquiry and professional practice. You will learn how to conduct effective literature searches to assess existing research in your chosen subject area and apply rigorous safety procedures through risk assessments and audits. As you investigate real-world environmental biology challenges, you will formulate hypotheses and apply statistical analysis to test them, gaining hands-on experience in data collection and interpretation. Throughout the module, you will refine your ability to integrate research findings with existing literature, producing a well-structured dissertation that demonstrates critical thinking and scientific reasoning. Finally, you will enhance your communication skills by presenting your research methods and key results to your peers, preparing you for both academic and professional settings.
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BIOM750P Preparation for Research Project
This module is a pre-requisite for BIOM34 ¿ which is the dissertation module for the MSc in Global Biodiversity and Conservation. It prepares students for conducting a research project in biodiversity and conservation science and gives students the opportunity to explore and develop their research interests into a feasible research project from the proposed project list available. Students are expected to complete a dissertation proposal at the end of this process, after which they will be allocated a supervisor.