Kian Hayles-Cotton

Research

My PhD research focuses on how we can improve the resilience of woodlands in the UK. The UK supports a rich diversity of woodland flora and fauna that are of conservation importance which contribute towards the production and maintenance of ecosystem services. My research uses species interaction networks to understand and mitigate tree species loss arising from climate change, tree disease and other landscape change.

I have a particular interest in the ecology and conservation of species less studied - especially lichens and bryophytes. These wonderful organisms are diverse, functionally-important and are excellent indicators of environmental change. I’m currently investigating the role of woodland quality and microhabitat heterogeneity in driving interaction patterns between epiphytes and host trees in the temperate rainforests of South West England. My research interests are linked by a desire to understand how cumulative, seemingly fine-scale processes, drive outsized changes in how ecosystems function and the biodiversity they support.

Biography

I came to LCAB having finished a Master’s Degree at Durham University, where I completed an assessment of the flora of the Hajar Mountains in Oman alongside the Oman Botanic Gardens. Within the assessment I characterised localised plant communities, spatial patterns of biodiversity in relation to microclimate, and researched how Omani plants will respond to climate change. I am particularly passionate about using science to direct on the ground conservation action and species protection. 

Publication highlights

Klinges, D.H, Lembrechts, J.J, Van de Vondel, S., Greenlee, E.J, Hayles-Cotton, K., Senior, R.A. (2025). A workflow for microclimate sensor networks: Integrating geographic tools, statistics, and local knowledge, Ecological Informatics

Terenzini, J., Turkenburg-van Diepen, M., McDonagh, E., Hayles-Cotton, K., Safaya, S., (2025), City Nature Challenged: Reflections on the Experience of UK City Nature Challenge Organizers, BioScience

Funder

Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) NERC DTP