Dr Jim Vafidis

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Area of expertise

My research investigates the interface of technology and ecology, with a focus on refining techniques for wildlife monitoring and assessing environmental changes. I specialise in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring tasks in conservation and land management including detecting disease in trees, the comprehensive census of seabird colonies and the detection of elusive species like European nightjars in upland clear-fell areas. The practical applications of my work are evident in natural reserve management, particularly through the development of mapping techniques for scrub vegetation from photogrammetric point clouds. Such contributions are important in reserve management, fostering effective habitat protection and species conservation.


In examining the impacts of climate and environmental conditions on avian species, my research highlights the behavioral adaptations of migratory songbirds to climate change. These insights are crucial for predicting wildlife’s physiological and behavioral responses in response to our evolving climate, thereby informing conservation strategies.

I am committed to educating life scientists in field research methods, data analysis, and statistics, with a focus on the pedagogical aspects of teaching data analysis through "R" statistical software. I am interested in confronting the inherent challenges and identifying the opportunities presented in the learning process, equipping researchers to reveal their potential within ecological research.

Publications
Mirra, R. M., Vafidis, J.O., Smith, J. A., & Thomas, R. J. (2023). Teaching data analysis to life scientists using “R” statistical software: Challenges, opportunities, and effective methods. In Teaching Biostatistics in Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (167-187). Springer

Vafidis J, Lucksted, I, Gall, M, Maxfield, P, Meakin, K. & Steer, M. (2021) Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: A useful tool in reserve management. Ecology and Evolution, 11(11), pp.6789-6797.

Shewring, MP, Vafidis, JO. (2021) Using UAV‐mounted thermal cameras to detect the presence of nesting nightjar in upland clear‐fell: A case study in South Wales, UK. Ecol Solut Evidence. 2021; 2:e12052. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12052

Facey, R.J., Vafidis, J.O., Smith, J.A., Vaughan, I.P. and Thomas, R.J., (2020) Contrasting sensitivity of nestling and fledgling Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica body mass to local weather conditions. Ibis. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12824

Vafidis JO, Smith J, Thomas RJ (2018) Climate Change and Insectivore Ecology. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd: Chichester.

Vafidis JO, Facey RJ, Leech D & Thomas RJ (2018) Supplemental food alters nest defence and incubation behaviour of an open‐nesting wetland songbird. Journal of Avian Biology. doi:10.1111/jav.01672

Shewring MP, Vafidis JO (2017) The effectiveness of deterrent measures to minimize disturbance impacts to breeding European nightjar at an upland wind farm site in South Wales, UK. Conservation Evidence 14: 58-60

Thomas RJ, Vafidis JO, Medieros R (2017) Invertebrates as prey for vertebrates. Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates (eds S.N. Johnson & T.H. Jones). John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK.

Publications

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