PhD Research

Spatial modelling, phytogeography and conservation in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya

Data relating to the spatial distributions of Eastern Arc plants are coupled with environmental datasets to investigate species-environment relationships. Distribution models are used to estimate habitat suitability at unvisited sites, guiding botanical explorations and assisting in the mapping of biodiversity. These models can also be hind-cast using pollen data from sediment cores, or forced under IPCC scenarios to explore how the forests might respond to forecast changes in climate. In related research I am developing individual-based models to test hypotheses relating to spatial variations in the phylogenies of tree species.

Chapter 1. Introduction to thesis
Chapter 2. Mountain limits
Chapter 3. Predicting tree distributions
Chapter 4. Distribution models and conservation priority
Chapter 5. Climate change
Chapter 6. Summary discussion

Funding: Marie Curie Actions

Other Research

Valuing the Arc

A five-year research and policy initiative funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The objective is to quantify, map and value key ecosystem services that flow from the Eastern Arc. Valuing the Arc involves experts from five UK-based universities (Cambridge, York, Leeds, East Anglia and Cranfield), two Tanzanian universities (Dar es Salaam, Sokoine University of Agriculture), WWF Tanzania, and the Natural Capital Project in the USA (through WWF-US). My work for the project involves the mapping of plant diversity, and the development of models to predict how biodiversity and forest resources might be affected by changes in climate and landuse.

Funding: Leverhulme Trust, Packard Foundation, Royal Society

INNOVAR: impacts of climate change on shea tree dynamics

This project investigates the ecology, production and genetics of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) in several countries throughout its range in the Sahel of western and central Africa. My contribution involves the prediction of shea distributions under future climatic scenarios.



Funding: European Union

Background

Prior to my current position I worked with the Epidemiology and Genetics Unit, designing census-based models for simulating the transmission of pathogens such as measles and influenza.

As an undergraduate I studied environmental science, followed by a BSc in mathematics. My dissertation extended the 'Daisyworld' model (Watson & Lovelock, 1983) - a series of equations that illustrate close-coupling between biota and the environment. I then studied for an MRes in maths and ecology; my research was conducted at Linköpings University, Sweden, where I developed metacommunity models to investigate the roles of dispersal and web connectance in community persistence.

Publications and Reports

Platts, PJ, Burgess, ND, Gereau, RE, Lovett, JC, Marshall, AR, McClean, CJ, Pellikka, PKE, Swetnam, RD & Marchant, R (submitted). Delimiting tropical mountain ecoregions for conservation

Ahrends, A, Rahbek, C, Bulling, MT, Burgess, ND, Platts, PJ, Lovett, JC, Kindemba, VW, Owen, N, Sallu, AN, Marshall, AR, Mhoro, BE, Fanning, E & Marchant, R (2010). Conservation and the botanist effect. Biological Conservation doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.08.008

Marchant, R, Finch, J, Kinjanjuyi, R, Muiruri, V, Mumbi, C, Platts, PJ & Rucina, S (2010). Palaeoenvironmental perspectives for sustainable development in East Africa. Climate of the Past Discussions 6, 963-1007

Platts, PJ, Ahrends, A, Gereau, RE, McClean, CJ, Lovett, JC, Marshall, AR, Pellikka, PKE, Mulligan, M, Fanning, E & Marchant, R (2010). Can distribution models help refine inventory-based estimates of conservation priority? A case study in the Eastern Arc forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Diversity and Distributions 16, 628-642

Marshall, AR, Jørgensbye, HIO, Rovero, F, Platts, PJ, White, PCL & Lovett, JC (2010). The species-area relationship and confounding variables in a threatened monkey community. American Journal of Primatology 72, 325-336

Platts, PJ, McClean, CJ, Lovett, JC & Marchant, R (2008). Predicting tree distributions in an East African biodiversity hotspot: model selection, data bias and envelope uncertainty. Ecological Modelling 218, 121-134

Hill, A, Platts, PJ, Smith, A, Richards, SJ, Cullen, MJ, Hill, QA, Roman, E & Hillmen, P (2006). The incidence and prevalence of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) and survival of patients in Yorkshire. Blood 108, 294A-294A

Platts, PJ (2004). A patchy approach to food web persistence. MRes dissertation. Linköpings, Sweden

Platts, PJ & Lewis, H. (2004). Carbon accumulation in England and Wales. MRes report. York, UK

Platts, PJ (2003). The parable of Daisyworld: a comprehensive analysis. BSc hons dissertation. York, UK

If you do not have access to these journals, you can email me to request PDF copies of the above papers