About
Dr Matthew Perkins is a Research Fellow in the Department of Biosciences, Swansea University.
Dr Matthew Perkins
Research Fellow,
Biosciences
Available For Postgraduate Supervision
Publications
Research Highlights
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Perkins, M., Mak, Y., Tao, L., Wong, A., Yau, J., Baker, D., & Leung, K. (2018). Short-term tissue decomposition alters stable isotope values and C:N ratio, but does not change relationships between lipid content, C:N ratio, and Δδ13C in marine animals. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0199680
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Perkins, M., Inger, R., Bearhop, S., & Sanders, D. (2018). Multichannel feeding by spider functional groups is driven by feeding strategies and resource availability. Oikos, 127(1), 23-33.
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Lai, R., Perkins, M., Ho, K., Astudillo, J., Yung, M., Russell, B., Williams, G., & Leung, K. (2016). Hong Kong’s marine environments: History, challenges and opportunities. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 8, 259-273.
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Perkins, M., Ng, T., Dudgeon, D., Bonebrake, T., & Leung, K. (2015). Conserving intertidal habitats: What is the potential of ecological engineering to mitigate impacts of coastal structures?. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 167, 504-515.
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Perkins, M., McDonald, R., van Veen, F., Kelly, S., Rees, G., & Bearhop, S. (2014). Application of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) to Quantify Food Chain Length and Trophic Structure. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e93281
All Research
Journal Articles
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Perkins, M., Mak, Y., Tao, L., Wong, A., Yau, J., Baker, D., & Leung, K. (2018). Short-term tissue decomposition alters stable isotope values and C:N ratio, but does not change relationships between lipid content, C:N ratio, and Δδ13C in marine animals. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0199680
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Perkins, M., Inger, R., Bearhop, S., & Sanders, D. (2018). Multichannel feeding by spider functional groups is driven by feeding strategies and resource availability. Oikos, 127(1), 23-33.
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Lai, R., Perkins, M., Ho, K., Astudillo, J., Yung, M., Russell, B., Williams, G., & Leung, K. (2016). Hong Kong’s marine environments: History, challenges and opportunities. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 8, 259-273.
-
Perkins, M., Ng, T., Dudgeon, D., Bonebrake, T., & Leung, K. (2015). Conserving intertidal habitats: What is the potential of ecological engineering to mitigate impacts of coastal structures?. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 167, 504-515.
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Perkins, M., McDonald, R., van Veen, F., Kelly, S., Rees, G., & Bearhop, S. (2014). Application of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) to Quantify Food Chain Length and Trophic Structure. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e93281
Supervision
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Harnessing species interactions for sustainable management of coastal infrastructure. (current)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr John Griffin -
investigating how substrate topography determines limpet foraging behaviour and species interactions. (current)
MResOther supervisor: Dr John GriffinOther supervisor: Dr Miguel Lurgi Rivera
Taught Modules
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BIO019 Techniques in Ecology and Biogeography
This module builds on the principles of ecology and biogeography, incorporating appropriate terminology and techniques required for field work. You will learn about the major biomes and their characteristics, and the techniques to survey the plants and animals within them. Alongside these topics, you will develop key skills to support you working safely and competently in the field, and the knowledge to plan and carry out robust surveys.
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BIO111 Botany and Ecology
Botany lectures cover the structure, life cycles and morphology of the major living Divisions of the Plant Kingdom. Floral structure, pollination, fruit dispersal and seed germination are discussed with particular reference to plant/animal interactions. This is followed by lectures that cover the basic anatomy of higher plants, from the cellular to the whole organism level. Lectures on plant physiology will emphasise flowering plants as whole organisms and concentrate particularly on plant-environment interactions. The topics covered are: photosynthesis; water relations; mineral nutrition; organic translocation; growth; developmental physiology. Aspects of plant ecology, plant-herbivore interactions and the importance of plants in medicine will also be covered. The lectures on plants are complemented by two laboratory practical sessions; Lower plant classification is studied by development of a dichotomous key; Basic anatomy and cell structure are studied microscopically; Physiological experiments illustrate aspects of plant water relations. Additionally, taxonomy and classification of species from the major divisions are studied by demonstrations displaying a wide range of specimens, along with examples of flower structure, pollination types and seed/fruit dispersal. Ecology lectures cover the study of the interactions of organisms with their environment. The topic is divided into four key themes: the individual (conditions and resources, population distribution and abundance, population growth and regulation, population dynamics), species interactions (competition and predation), communities (patterns in space and time) and ecosystems (flux of energy and matter, food webs and patterns in species richness). A field practical looking at individuals (adaptation to ecological conditions and species area relationships) will develop skills in species identification, ecological sampling and ecological data analysis. A lecture in plant ecology draws these two concepts together. Note - lectures here refer to material that is presented on Canvas pages and delivered as live in-person lectures.
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BIO112 Life in the Oceans
This module introduces students to the largest biome on the planet and the huge variety of life it contains; over 71% of the Earth¿s surface is covered by ocean and its health is intricately connected with our own. Lectures will consider the formation of ocean basins and key oceanographic processes within them before moving onto the chemical and physical properties of water. The module will introduce students to primary production in the ocean, the huge diversity of life within marine food chains, and key processes in nutrient cycling. Marine ecosystems will be discussed in detail, with focus on those found around the UK, before considering the interaction between humans and the oceans and the challenges faced by marine organisms in an ocean changing because of our activities.