Taylor Wildlife's experienced ecologists and botanists have collaborated on research with academic institutions, NGOs, and land managers. Some of the projects we have been involved in are detailed below, but our wide range of expertise means we have the capability to carry out or advise on a broad range of research topics.
Designing and implementing research into drivers of vegetation change
Sometimes there are specific questions for which a client requires statistically robust evidence to help with decision making. Taylor Wildlife have experience of setting up and running investigations of this nature - answering questions such as "Is an exclosure having a negative impact on a rare liverwort community?" or "Are red deer causing damage to bog vegetation in a particlar area?". Using the results from this research, we can then advise on appropriate mitigation, management, restoration or habitat creation as necessary.
In future, it may be necessary to investigate questions such as the impact of beaver re-introduction on rare epiphyte communities in Scotland. Please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can use our experitise to answer any questions or issues you have been asked to address.
Environmental sampling for research programmes
We have collaborated with researchers from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) to design and implement an environmental sampling methodology for a research project investigating the prevalance of antimicrobial resistant genes in the environment surrounding a commercial pig farm. This has resulted in a scientific publication which is currently in preperation.
To discuss how ecological systems may affect your research or to carry out environmental sampling for research purposes, please contact us
Parasite burdens on managed grouse moors
Taylor Wildlife carry out routine monitoring of tick populations on grouse moors
throughout Scotland, and advise land managers on tick control techniques in order
to reduce red grouse mortality rates.
Principle ecologist Laura Taylor has previously carried out research into the efficacy
of acaricide-impregnated leg bands as a tool to increase grouse chick survival,
resulting in a co-authorship of a paper published in Medical and Veterinary Entomology (left).
In addition, Taylor Wildlife were asked to participate in The University of Edinburgh's MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology, by providing a video lecture on louping-ill in upland ecosystems as part of a module on Wildlife Disease Ecology in Livestock Ecosystems.
We can provide monitoring, consultation or training to land managers, estate workers and students to reduce the parasite burden on game or livestock. Contact us with your requirements.