Matthew Hayes

PhD thesis: The thermal tolerance of UK butterflies: can we conserve the climate of nature reserves?

I am interested in studying the ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements of invertebrates so that appropriate management can be put in place to maintain their biodiversity and reverse long-term declines. I am particularly interested in studying UK butterfly species, which as biological indicators can help monitor the health of the wider environment.

Looking to the future, climate change is projected to increase its impact on wildlife and its interaction with historic habitat loss and fragmentation could be disastrous for species now isolated on small reserves. My PhD will investigate how habitat management can be used to influence climate and how insect microclimatic requirements can be integrated into conservation action plans. This work will highlight species at particular risk and inform best management practices to maintain the thermal suitability of reserves for UK butterfly species into the future; which as indicator species will support UK wildlife as a whole.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

During my undergraduate degree I studied the large blue butterfly. This species has an amazing life cycle where its caterpillars are looked after by ants and are social parasites like a cuckoo bird. It is also a great conservation success story, as it was reintroduced to the UK after local extinction.

The ‘alien’ behaviour of insects fascinates me and the successful reintroduction of the large blue butterfly shows that with enough research, declines can be understood and reversed. This, coupled with biodiversity being linked to our own physical and mental health, inspires me to carry out research benefiting invertebrate conservation.