Research
Epiphyte Ecology
Monitoring Change
Species Discovery

Staff
Dr Brian Coppins
Ms Sally Eaton
Dr Christopher Ellis
Ms Louise Olley
Dr Rebecca Yahr

Students
Research Projects

Ms Sally Eaton
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, U.K.
tel: +44 (0)131 248-2800
e-mail: s.eaton(at)rbge.org.uk

Research Interests
Publications
Academic Career

Research Interests

I am currently doing research towards an SNH-SEPA funded PhD, working jointly between RBGE and Dan Haydon's lab at the University of Glasgow.

My research uses meta-population modelling to reconstruct patterns in the distribution and abundundance of oceanic epiphyte species (e.g. Lobaria pulmonaria, Nephroma spp.), and to infer ecological processes for better habitat management.

I am concerned with improving links between scientific output and practical conservation, and have a strong interest in science communication, which includes work to popularise biodiversity using mass media (e.g. radio and television) both as a specialist researcher (How to Grow a Planet) and presenter (Wild Things).

Publications

Ellis, C.J. & EATON, S. (2016) Future non-analogue climates for Scotland's temperate rainforest. Scottish Geographical Journal, 132: 257-268.

Ellis, C.J., EATON, S., Theodoropoulos, M., Coppins, B.J., Seaward, M.R.D. & Simkin, J. (2015) Lichen Epiphyte Scenarios. A Toolkit of Climate and Woodland Change for the 21st Century. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. ISBN: 978-1-91087-00-5.

Ellis, C.J., EATON, S., Theodoropoulos, M. & Elliott, K. (2015) Epiphyte Communities and Indicator Species. An Ecological Guide for Scotland's Woodlands. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. ISBN: 978-1-910877-01-2.

EATON, S. & Ellis, C.J. (2014) High demographic rates of the model epiphyte Lobaria pulmonaria in an oceanic hazelwood (Western Scotland). Fungal Ecology, 11: 60-70.

Ellis, C.J., EATON, S. & Theodoropoulos, M. (2014) Adaptive forest management and climate change - a new toolkit for Scotland's epiphytes. ClimateXChange Report for the Scottish Government.

Ellis, C.J., EATON, S. & Theodoropoulos, M. (2014) Managing epiphytic diversity in British woodlands. A scenarios toolkit. The Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 108: 262-266.

Ellis, C.J., EATON, S., Theodoropoulos, M., Coppins, B.J., Seaward, M.R.D. & Simkin, S. (2014) Response of epiphytic lichens to 21st Century climate change and tree disease scenarios. Biological Conservation, 180: 153-164.

Mitchell, R.J., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Broome, A., Chetcuti, J., EATON, S., Ellis, C.J., Gimona, A., Harmer, R., Hester, A.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Kerr, G., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Potts, J.M., Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Sim, D.A., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. & Woodward, S. (2014) Ash dieback in the UK: A review of the ecological and conservation implications and potential management options. Biological Conservation, 175: 95-109.

Ellis, C.J., Coppins, B.J., EATON, S. & Simkin, J. (2013) Implications of ash dieback for associated epiphytes. Conservation Biology, 27: 899-901.

Mitchell, R.J., Bailey, S., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W, Broome, A., Chetcuti, J., EATON, S., Ellis, C.J, Farren, J., Gimona, A., Goldberg, E., Hall, J., Harmer, R., Hester, A.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G, Hooper, R.J., Howe, L., Iason, G.R., Kerr, G., Littlewood, N.A., Morgan, V., Newey, S., Potts, J.M, Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Sim, D.A., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S, Taylor, P. & Woodward, S. (2013) Ash dieback: impacts on other species and understanding the ecology of Ash. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Commissioned Report No. 483.

EATON, S. & Ellis, C.J. (2012) Local experimental growth rates respond to macroclimate for the lichen epiphyte Lobaria pulmonaria. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 5: 365-372.

Academic Career

I have worked on a variety of conservation projects in different roles over the years including two years as a Field Biologist and Lichen Specialist at RBGE, a year working for Plantlife as a Lichen and Bryophyte Conservation Coordinator, a year as a Research Coordinator carrying out baseline ecological survey in Madagascar, and several years working as an Ecological Consultant for a variety of clients from Mittal Steel in Liberia to the Environment Agency in East Anglia. 

Qualifications

2009: MSc. Plant Diversity and Taxonomy, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh, U.K.
2003: BSc. Biological Sciences (Ecology), University of Edinburgh, U.K.