Dr Nicola Stevens

Nicola is Associate Professor in Physical Geography (Biodiversity and Climate Change). My current research interests are centred around understanding the dynamics of African grassy ecosystems and how they are changing in the Anthropocene. I'm especially interested in understanding how altered fire and herbivory regimes against a backdrop of changing CO₂ concentrations are driving changes. Along this vein I have become particularly interested in the phenomenon of woody encroachment where open ecosystems across the tropics are being invaded by native woody species. It has also driven me to improve our ability to predict future species ranges under global change by improving our mechanistic understanding of range edges in disturbance limited systems. I have ongoing projects in Southern and East Africa.

Current Graduate Research Students

For a full publications list, please see Google Scholar