Emily Warner

Interests and expertise

I am a postdoctoral researcher based in the Nature-based Solutions Initiative and Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery at the University of Oxford. My research focusses on understanding biodiversity and ecosystem function outcomes of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). I am particularly interested in working within real world projects, complemented by designed experiments to address applied ecological questions. I am working with Trees for Life and Highlands Rewilding in Scotland, exploring the ecological outcomes of native forest restoration methods in the Scottish Highlands. This project particularly focuses on above and belowground interactions, assessing responses of soil communities and properties to tree establishment. I am also interested in enhancing practitioner capacity for ecological monitoring in NbS and co-designed a framework for biodiversity and soil health monitoring in NbS projects as part of the Agile Initiative sprint “How do we scale up Nature-based Solutions in the UK?”.

Background

I am passionate about finding synergies between conservation projects and scientific research objectives, to develop research projects that benefit practitioners while simultaneously optimising research outputs. My PhD explored the response of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to forest creation, with a focus on native forest creation in the Scottish Highlands, working in collaboration with Trees for Life. I have a background in ecology, completing a BA in Biological Sciences (University of Oxford) and MRes in Ecology & Conservation (Imperial College London). I also have experience of practical implementation of Nature-based Solutions in the UK, from working for Wilder Carbon, a biodiversity-positive carbon credits scheme at Kent Wildlife Trust, and now sit on Wilder Carbon’s Data & MRV Advisory Board.  My current research is funded by the Agile Initiative and Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery.