Dr Christopher Ellis

Dr Christopher Ellis, Conservation Science Lead

I am an ecologist. I use my research to understand how landscape and habitat management can offset the impacts of global change and create resilience for biodiversity.

I have a strong regional focus on Scotland's temperate rainforest, and use lichens in my studies to understand how we can create climate change refugia at microhabitat scales. My research extends to other ecosystems including mountain and coastal habitats, and involves the role of lichens as excellent bioindicators for monitoring environmental health.

I co-ordinate RBGE's Scottish biodiversity science, including activities contributing to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the Scottish Government’s Strategic Research Programme. I have a broad interest in how science can be used to inform policy and conservation practice.

Google scholar profile

Contact: Christopher Ellis

Further information

Publications

Peer-reviewed papers

2024

Borge, M & Ellis, C.J. (2024) Interactions of moisture and light drive lichen growth and the response to climate change scenarios: experimental evidence for Lobaria pulmonaria. Annals of Botany, 134: 43-57
Deshpande, A.G., Jones, M.R., van Dijk, N., Mullinger, N.J., Harvey, D., Nicoll, R., Toteva, G., Weerakoon, G., Nissanka, S., Weerakoon, B., Grenier, M., Iwanicka, A., Duarte, F, Stephens, A., Ellis, C.J., Vieno, M., Drewer, J., Wolseley, P.A., Nanayakkara, S., Prabhashwara, T., Bealey, W.J., Nemitz, E. & Sutton, M.A. (2024) Estimation of ammonia deposition to forest ecosystems in Scotland and Sri Lanka using wind-controlled NH₃ enhancement experiments. Atmospheric Environment, 320: 120325

2023

Chinnery, E.V. & Ellis, C.J. (2023) Growth-dependent acclimation constrains climatic response for the lichen epiphyte Lobaria pulmonaria. The Lichenologist, 55: 401-408
Crittenden, P., Ellis, C.J., Smith, R., Wanek, W. & Thornton, B. (2023) Loss of nitrogen fixing capacity in a montane lichen is linked to increased nitrogen deposition. Journal of Ecology, 111: 280–299
Delves, J., Lewis, J.E.J., Ali, N., Asad, S.A., Chatterjee, S., Crittenden, P.D., Jones, M., Kiran, A., Pandey, B.P., Reay, D., Sharma, S., Tshering, D., Weerakoon, G., van Dijk, N., Sutton, M.A., Wolseley, P.A. & Ellis, C.J. (2023) Lichens as spatially transferable bioindicators for monitoring nitrogen pollution. Environmental Pollution, 328: 121575
Porada, P., Bader, M.Y., Berdugo, M.B., Colesie, C., Ellis, C.J., Giordani, P., Herzschuh, U., Ma, Y., Launiainen, S., Nascimbene, J., Petersen, I., Quílez, J.R., Rodríguez-Caballero, E., Rousk, K., Sancho, L.G., Scheidegger, C., Seitz, S., Van Stan II, J.T., Veste, M., Weber, B. & Weston, D.J. (2023) A research agenda for nonvascular photoautotrophs under climate change. New Phytologist, 237: 1495–1504

2022

Ellis, C.J.(2022) A hypervolume approach to niche specialism, tested for the old-growth indicator status of calicioids. The Lichenologist, 54: 379-387
Ellis, C.J., Steadman, C.E., Vieno, M., Chatterjee, S., Jones, M.R., Negi, S., Pandey, B.P., Rai, H., Tshering, D., Weerakoon, G., Wolseley, P., Reay, D., Sharma, S. & Sutton, M. (2022) Estimating nitrogen risk to Himalayan forests using thresholds for lichen bioindicators. Biological Conservation, 265: 109401
Hofmeistera, J., Vondrák, J., Ellis, C., Coppins, B., Sanderson, N., Malíček, J., Palice, Z., Acton, A., Svoboda, S. & Gloora, R. (2022) High and balanced contribution of regional biodiversity hot-spots to epiphytic and epixylic lichen species diversity in Great Britain. Biological Conservation, 266: 109443
Mitchell, R., Bellamy, P., Broome, A., Ellis, C., Hewison, R., Iason, G., Littlewood, N., Newey, S., Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Stockan, J., Stokes, V. & Taylor, A. (2022) Cumulative impact assessments of plant diseases reveal lack of functional redundancy: multiple host species loss disproportionately reduces associated biodiversity. Journal of Ecology, 110: 221-231
Phinney, N.H. Ellis, C.J. & Asplund, J. (2021) Trait-based response of lichens to large-scale patterns of climate and forest availability in Norway. Journal of Biogeography, 49: 286-298

2021

Ellis, C.J., Asplund, J., Benesperi, R., Branquinho, C., Di Nuzzo, L., Hurtado, P., Martínez, I., Matos, P., Nascimbene, J., Pinho, P., Prieto, M., Rocha, B., Rodríguez-Arribas, C., Thüs, H. & Giordani, P. (2021) Functional traits in lichen ecology: a review. Microorganisms, 9: 766
Ellis, C.J. & Eaton, S. (2021) Climate change refugia: landscape, stand and tree-scale microclimates in epiphyte community composition. The Lichenologist, 53: 135-148
Ellis, C.J. & Eaton, S. (2021) Microclimates hold the key to spatial forest planning under climate change: cyanolichens in temperate rainforest. Global Change Biology, 27: 1915-1926

2020

Brosnan, V. & Ellis, C.J. (2020) Epiphyte response to woodland habitat condition assessed using community indicators: A simplified method for Scotland’s temperate rain forest. Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 77: 519-541
Ellis, C.J. (2020) Microclimatic refugia in riparian woodland: a climate change adaptation strategy. Forest Ecology and Management, 462: 118006
Sutton, M.A., van Dijk, N., Levy, P.E., Jones, M.R., Leith, I.D., Sheppard, L.J., Leeson, S., Sim Tang, Y., Stephens, A., Braban, C.F., Dragosits, U., Howard, C.M., Vieno, M., Fowler, D., Corbett, P., Naikoo, M.I., Munzi, S., Ellis, C.J., Chatterjee, S., Steadman, C.E., Móring, A. & Wolseley, P. (2020) Alkaline air: changing perspectives on nitrogen and air pollution in an ammonia-rich world. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 378: 20190315
Taylor, J.E., Ellis, C., Ennos, R. & Hollingsworth, P. (2020) Tissue age and tree age effects on endophyte species abundance of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) in an ancient semi-natural woodland in Scotland. Sydowia, 71: 35-46

2019

Ellis, C.J. (2019) Climate change, bioclimatic models and the risk to lichen diversity. Diversity, 11: 54
Ellis, C.J. (2019) Interactions of climate and solar irradiance can reverse the bioclimatic response of poikilohydric species: an experimental test for Flavoparmelia caperata. The Bryologist, 122: 98-110
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2019) Five decades of decline for old-growth indicator lichens in Scotland. Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 76: 319-331
Mitchell. R.J, Bellamy, P.E., Ellis, C.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Stockan, J.A. & Taylor, A.F.S. (2019) Collapsing foundations: the ecology of the British oak, implications of its decline and mitigation options. Biological Conservation, 233: 316-327
Vondrák, J., Urbanavichus, G., Palice, Z., Malíček, J., Urbanavichene, I., Kubásek, J. & Ellis, C. (2019) The epiphytic lichen biota of Caucasian virgin forests: an exceptional new baseline for European conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 28: 3257–3276
Wan, S. & Ellis, C.J. (2019) Are lichen growth form categories supported by continuous functional traits: water holding capacity and specific thallus mass? Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 77: 65-76

2018

Belinchón, R., Ellis, C.J. & Yahr, R (2018) Climate-woodland effects on population genetics for two congeneric lichens with contrasting reproductive strategies. FEMS Microbial Ecology, 94: fiy159
Brooker, R.W., Brewer, M.J., Britton, A.J., Eastwood, A., Ellis, C., Gimona, A., Poggio, L. & Genney, D.R. (2018) Tiny niches and translocations: the challenge of identifying suitable recipient sites for small and immobile species. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55: 621–630
Eaton, S., Ellis, C., Genney, D., Thompson, R., Yahr, R. & Hayden, D.T. (2018) Adding small species to the big picture: species distribution modelling in an age of landscape scale conservation. Biological Conservation, 217: 251-258
Eaton, S., Zúñiga, C., Czyzewski, J., Ellis, C., Genney, D.R., Haydon, D., Mirzai, N. & Yahr, R. (2018) A method for the direct detection of airborne dispersal in lichens. Molecular Ecology Resources, 18: 240-250
Ellis, C.J. (2018) A mechanistic model of climate change risk: growth rates and microhabitat specificity for conservation priority woodland epiphytes. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 32: 38-48
Ellis, C.J. & Eaton, S. (2018) The biogeography of climate change risk for Scotland’s woodland biodiversity: epiphytes. Scottish Geographical Journal, 134: 257-267
Ellis, C.J., Yahr, R. & Coppins, B.J. (2018) Quantifying the Anthropocene loss of bioindicators (lichen epiphytes) for an early industrial region (England): an equitable baseline for biodiversity restoration. Biodiversity and Conservation, 27: 2363–2377
Williams, L. & Ellis, C.J. (2018) Ecological constraints to 'old-growth' lichen indicators: niche specialisation or dispersal limitation? Fungal Ecology, 34: 20-27

2017

Ellis, C.J. (2017) Lichen epiphyte response to non-analogue seasonal climates: a critique of bioclimatic models. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 25: 45-58
Ellis, C.J. (2017) When is translocation required for the population recovery of old-growth epiphytes in a reforested landscape? Restoration Ecology, 25: 922-932
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2017) Taxonomic survey compared to ecological sampling: are the results consistent for woodland epiphytes? The Lichenologist, 49: 141-155
Mitchell, R.J., Broome, A., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Ellis, C.J., Hester A.J., Hodgetts N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey S., Pozsgai, G., Ramsay, S., Riach, D., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. & Woodward, S. (2017) Challenges in assessing the ecological impacts of tree diseases and mitigation measures: the case of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Fraxinus excelsior. Baltic Forestry, 23: 116-140

2016

Belinchon, R., Coppins, B.J., Yahr, R. & Ellis, C.J. (2016) The diversity and community dynamics of hazelwood lichens and bryophytes along a major gradient of human impact. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 9: 359-370
Ellis, C.J.. (2016) Oceanic and temperate rainforest climates and their epiphyte indicators in Britain. Ecological Indicators, 70: 125-133
Ellis, C.J. & Eaton (2016) Future non-analogue climates for Scotland's temperate rainforest. Scottish Geographical Journal, 132: 257-268
Mitchell, R.J. Pakeman, R.J., Broome, A., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W., Ellis, C.J., Hester, A.J., Hodgetts, N.G. , Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Pozsgai, G., Ramsay, S., Riach, D. Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S., & Woodward, S. (2016) How to replicate the functions and biodiversity of a threatened tree species? The case of Fraxinus excelsior in Britain. Ecosystems, 19: 573-586
Svensson, M., Caruso, A., Yahr, R., Ellis, C., Thor, G. & Snäll, T. (2016) Combined observational and experimental data provide limited support for facilitation in lichens. Oikos, 125: 278-283

2015

Belinchon, R., Yahr, R. & Ellis, C.J. (2015) Interactions among species with contrasting dispersal modes explain distributions for epiphytic lichens. Ecography, 38: 762-768
Ellis, C.J. (2015) Ancient woodland indicators signal the climate change risk for dispersal-limited species. Ecological Indicators, 53: 106-114
Whittet, R.R. Hope, J. & Ellis, C.J. (2015) Open structured woodland and the ecological interpretation of Scotland's Ancient Woodland Inventory. Scottish Geographical Journal, 131: 67-77

2014

Belinchon, R., Ellis, C.J. & Yahr, R. (2014) Microsatellite loci in two epiphytic lichens with contrasting dispersal modes: Nephroma laevigatum and N. parile (Nephromataceae). Applications in Plant Science, 11: 1400080
Blasy, V. & Ellis, C.J. (2014) Life on deadwood: cut stumps as a model system for the succession and management of lichen diversity. The Lichenologist, 46: 455-469
Davies, C. Ellis, C.J., Iason, G.R. & Ennos, R. A. (2014) Genotypic variation in a foundation tree (Populus tremula L.) explains community structure of associated epiphytes. Biology Letters, 10: 20140190
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. See Erratum: Fungal Ecology, 15: 92
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
Ellis, C.J., Yahr, R., Belinchón, R. & Coppins, B.J. (2014) Archaeobotanical evidence for climate as a driver of ecological community change across the anthropocene boundary. Global Change Biology, 20: 2211-2220
Iacob, O., Rowan, J.S., Brown, I. & Ellis, C.J. (2014) Evaluating wider benefits of natural flood management strategies: an ecosystem-based adaptation perspective. Hydrology Research, 45: 774-787
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
Yahr, R., Coppins, B.J., & Ellis, C.J. (2014) Quantifying the loss of lichen epiphyte diversity from the pre-industrial Exmoor landscape (south-west England). The Lichenologist, 46: 711-721

2013

Ellis, C.J. (2013) A risk-based model of climate change threat: hazard, exposure and vulnerability in the ecology of lichen epiphytes. Botany, 91: 1-11
Ellis, C.J., Coppins, B.J., Eaton, S. & Simkin, J. (2013) Implications of ash dieback for associated epiphytes. Conservation Biology, 27: 899-901
Ellis, C.J. & Ellis, S.C. (2013) Signatures of autogenic epiphyte succession for an aspen chronosequence. Journal of Vegetation Science, 24: 688-701
Whittet, R.R. & Ellis, C.J. (2013) Critical tests for lichen indicators of woodland ecological continuity. Biological Conservation, 168: 19-23

2012

Braidwood, D. & Ellis, C.J. (2012) Bioclimatic equilibrium for lichen distributions on disjunct continental landmasses. Botany, 90: 1316-1325
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
Ellis, C.J. (2012) Lichen epiphyte diversity: a species, community and trait-based review. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 14: 131-152

2011

Ellis, C.J. (2011) Predicting the biodiversity response to climate change: challenges and advances. Systematics and Biodiversity, 9: 307-317
Ellis, C.J. & Yahr, R. (2011) An interdisciplinary review of climate change trends and uncertainties: lichen biodiversity, arctic-alpine ecosystems and habitat loss. In: Hodkinson, T.R., Jones, M.B., Waldren, S. & Parnell, J.A.N. (eds) Climate Change, Ecology and Systematics: 457-489. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Ellis, C.J., Yahr, R. & Coppins, B.J. (2011) Archaeobotanical evidence for a massive loss of epiphyte species richness during industrialisation in southern England. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 278: 3482-3489
Kelly, L.J., Hollingsworth, P.M., Coppins, B.J., Ellis, C.J., Harrold, P., Tosh, J. & Yahr, R. (2011) DNA barcoding of lichenized fungi demonstrates high identification success in a floristic context. New Phytologist, 191: 288-300
Lisewski, V. & Ellis, C.J. (2011) Lichen epiphyte abundance controlled by the nested effect of woodland composition along macroclimatic gradients. Fungal Ecology, 4: 241-249
Yahr, R., Coppins, B.J. & Ellis, C.J. (2011) Preserved epiphytes as an archaeological resource in post-medieval vernacular buildings. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38: 1191-1198

2010

Cody, S, Richardson, J.E., Valenti, R., Ellis, C.J. & Pennington, T.R. (2010) The great American biotic interchange revisited. Ecography, 33: 1-7
Crabtree, D. & Ellis, C.J. (2010) Species interaction and response to wind-speed alter the impact of projected temperature change in a montane ecosystem. Journal of Vegetation Science, 21: 744-760
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2010) Integrating multiple landscape-scale drivers in the lichen epiphyte response: climatic setting, pollution regime and woodland spatial-temporal structure. Diversity and Distributions, 16: 43-52. See Corrigendum: Diversity & Distributions, 16: 312
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2010) Partitioning the role of climate, pollution and old-growth woodland in the composition and richness of lichen epiphytes in Scotland. The Lichenologist, 42: 601-614
Ellis, C.J. & Ellis, S.C. (2010) Quantifying the role of deterministic assembly and stochastic drift in a natural community of arctic mosses. Oikos, 119: 465-474
Lewis, J.E.J. & Ellis, C.J. (2010) Taxon- compared to trait-based analysis of epiphytes, and the role of tree species and tree age in community composition. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 3: 203-210
Lisewski, V. & Ellis, C.J. (2010) Epiphyte sensitivity to a cross-scale interaction between habitat quality and macroclimate – an opportunity for range-edge conservation. Biodiversity & Conservation, 19: 3935-3949

2009

Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2009) Quantifying the role of multiple landscape-scale drivers controlling epiphyte composition and richness in a conservation priority habitat (juniper scrub). Biological Conservation, 142: 1291-1301
Ellis, C.J., Yahr, R. & Coppins, B.J. (2009) Local extent of old-growth woodland modifies epiphyte response to climate change. Journal of Biogeography, 36: 302-313

2008

Binder, M.B. & Ellis, C.J. (2008) Conservation of the rare British lichen Vulpicida pinastri: climate change, habitat loss and strategies for mitigation. The Lichenologist, 40: 63-79
Ellis, C.J. (2008) Interactions between hydrology, burning and contrasting plant groups during the millennial-scale development of sub-montane wet heath. Journal of Vegetation Science, 19: 693-704
Ellis, C.J., Rochefort, L., Gauthier, G. & Pienitz, R. (2008) Palaeoecological evidence for transitions between contrasting land-forms in a polygon-patterned High Arctic wetland. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 40: 624-637

2007

Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2007) 19th Century woodland structure controls stand-scale epiphyte diversity in present-day Scotland. Diversity & Distributions, 13: 84-91
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2007) Changing climate and historic-woodland structure interact to control species diversity of the 'Lobarion' epiphyte community in Scotland. Journal of Vegetation Science, 18: 725-734
Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2007) Reproductive strategy and the compositional dynamics of crustose lichen communities on aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Scotland. The Lichenologist, 39: 377-391
Ellis, C.J., Coppins, B.J., Dawson, T.P. & Seaward, M.R.D. (2007) Response of British lichens to climate change scenarios: trends and uncertainties in the projected impact for contrasting biogeographic groups. Biological Conservation, 140: 217-235
Ellis, C.J., Coppins, B.J. & Dawson, T.P. (2007) Predicted response of the lichen epiphyte Lecanora populicola to climate change scenarios in a clean-air region of northern Britain. Biological Conservation, 135: 396-404

2006

Ellis, C.J. & Coppins, B.J. (2006) Contrasting functional traits maintain lichen epiphyte diversity in response to climate and autogenic succession. Journal of Biogeography, 33: 1643-1656
Ellis, C.J. & Rochefort, L. (2006) Long-term sensitivity of a High Arctic wetland to Holocene climate change. Journal of Ecology, 94: 441-454

2005

Ellis, C.J., Crittenden, P.D. & Scrimgeour, C. & Ashcroft, C.J. (2005) Translocation of 15N indicates nitrogen recycling in the mat-forming lichen Cladonia portentosa. New Phytologist, 168: 423-434

2004

Ellis, C.J. & Rochefort, L. (2004) Century-scale development of High Arctic polygon-patterned tundra wetland, Bylot Island (73 N). Ecology, 85: 963-978
Ellis, C.J., Crittenden, P.D. & Scrimgeour, C. (2004) Soil as a potential source of nitrogen for mat-forming lichens. Canadian Journal of Botany, 82: 145-149

2003

Ellis, C.J., Crittenden, P.D. & Scrimgeour, C. & Ashcroft, C.J. (2003) The natural abundance of 15N in mat-forming lichens. Oecologia, 136: 115-123
Ellis, C.J. & Tallis, J.H. (2003) The ecology of Racomitrium lanuginosum in British blanket mire - evidence from the palaeoecological record. Journal of Bryology, 25: 7-15

2001

Ellis, C.J. & Tallis, J.H. (2001) Climatic control of peat erosion in a North Wales blanket mire. New Phytologist, 152: 313-324

2000

Ellis, C.J. & Tallis, J.H. (2000) Climatic control of blanket mire development at Kentra Moss, north-west Scotland. Journal of Ecology, 88: 869-889

Datasets

Mitchell. R.J, Bellamy, P.E., Ellis, C.J., Hewison, R.L., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Stockan, J.A. & Taylor, A.F.S. (2019). OakEcol: a database of oak-associated biodiversity. Data in Brief, 25: 104120
Ellis, C.J. & Eaton, S. (2018) Scotland's epiphyte diversity, climate change risk. Natural Asset Register, Data Portal: http://nar.hutton.ac.uk/dataset/scotland-s-epiphyte-diversity-climate-change-risk

Research Notes and Bulletins

Bidartondo, M.I., Ellis, C., Kauserud, H., Kennedy, P.G., Lilleskov, E.A., Suz, L.M. & Andrew, C. (2018) Climate change: fungal responses and effects. In: Willis, K.J. (ed.) State of the World’s Fungi: 62-69. Kew Botanic Gardens, London
Ellis, C.J. (2016) Lichens and climate change: the problem of scale and non-analogue climates. IAL 8 Abstract. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 119: 104-105
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
Davies, C., Ellis, C.J., Ennos, R. & Iason, G. (2014) Tree genotype determines associated biodiversity: epiphytes of aspen. In: Iason, G. (ed.) Biodiversity and Woodland Ecosystems: A Summary of Research Outputs Supported or Facilitated by the Environmental Change Programme of the Scottish Government's Portfolio of Strategic Research (2011-2016): 14-15. James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
Ellis, C.J. (2014) Climate change, tree disease and the future of woodland diversity. In: Iason, G. (ed.) Biodiversity and Woodland Ecosystems: A Summary of Research Outputs Supported or Facilitated by the Environmental Change Programme of the Scottish Government's Portfolio of Strategic Research (2011-2016): 8-9. James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
Ellis, C.J. (2014) Lichen epiphyte scenarios - a toolkit for managing diversity and environmental change. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 114: 53-61
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
Mitchell, RJ., Broome, A., Woodward, S., Bellamy, P., Ellis, C.J. & Hodgetts, N. (2014) The potential ecological impact of ash dieback in the UK. In: Iason, G. (ed.) Biodiversity and Woodland Ecosystems: A Summary of Research Outputs Supported or Facilitated by the Environmental Change Programme of the Scottish Government's Portfolio of Strategic Research (2011-2016): 6-7. James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
Ellis, C.J. (2012) Lichens link European biodiversity science to climate change policy. The Parliament Magazine, 359: 22
Ellis, C.J. (2012) Scotland's rainforest epiphytes receive international attention. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 111: 61-64
Iacob, O., Rowan, J., Brown, I. & Ellis, C.J. (2012) Natural flood management as a climate change adaptation option assessed using an ecosystem services approach. Proceedings of the British Hydrological Society Eleventh National Symposium - Hydrology for a Changing World. Dundee University, Dundee
Ellis, C.J. (2011) Conserving woodland biodiversity in a changing world - lichen epiphytes. In: Iason, G.R. (ed) Woodland Biodiversity: A Summary of Research Outputs from the Scottish Government's 'Environment-Land Use and Rural Stewardship' Research Programme: 6-7. Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen
Harrold, P., Walkinshaw, S., Coppins, B.J. & Ellis, C.J. (2010) Species discrimination and the distribution of Placopsis gelida and P. lambii in Great Britain. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 107: 44-50
Ellis, C.J. (2009) Composition and diversity of lichen epiphytes on aspen. In: Parrott, J. & MacKenzie, N. (eds) Aspen in Scotland - Biodiversity and Management: 7-11. Highland Aspen Group, Kingussie
Harrold, P., Grundy, K., Coppins, B.J. & Ellis, C.J. (2009) Distribution of chemotypes of Cetrelia olivetorum in England, Scotland and Wales. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 105: 3-9
Yahr, R. & Ellis, C.J. (2009) Lichens in the attic. The Building Conservation Directory, 2009: 13-14
Lisewski, V. & Ellis, C.J. (2009) Evidence that browsing animals can have a significant effect on epiphytic populations of Sphaerophorus globosus in Scotland. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 104: 6-9
Yahr, R. & Ellis, C.J. (2009) Historic lichen communities in Wiltshire. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 105: 10-17
Ellis, C.J. & Binder, M.B. (2007) Inferred shift in the British distribution of Vulpicida pinastri using herbarium and mapping data. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 101: 4-10
Ellis, C.J. (2008) A role for lichens in botanic gardens? Sibbaldia, 6: 155-162
Ellis, C.J. (2008) The only constant is change: climate as an emerging feature in a lichenologist's worries. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 102: 60-66
Ellis, C.J. (2008) Using species records in conservation research. Recorder News (BRISC), 70: 10-11
Ellis, C.J. & Gibby, M. (2007) Research on biodiversity and climate change at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. BGJournal, Journal of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 4: 22-25
Ellis, C.J. (2006) Two-in-one: the remarkable lives of lichens. Botanics, 24: 8-9
Cosgrove, P., Amphlett, A., Emmett, E., Elliott, A., Ellis, C., Prescott, T & Watson Featherstone, A. (2006) Aspen: Britain's missing Boreal forest link. British Wildlife, 17: 107-115
Ellis, C.J. (2005) The changing tundra - palaeoecology in the High Arctic. Meridian, Fall/Winter 2005: 13-20
Ellis, C.J. (2004) The lichen ecology of aspen woods - a preliminary analysis. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 94: 23-27

Commissioned Reports

Brooker, R.W., Brewer, M., Britton, A.J., Eastwood, A., Ellis, C., Gimona, A., Poggio, L., Genney, D.R. (2016) Feasibility Study: Translocation of Species for the Establishment or Protection of Populations in Northerly and/or Montane Environments. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 913
Ellis, C.J., Theodoropoulos, M., Eaton, S. & Mulcahy, H. (2016) Woodland Composition, Climate Change and the Long-Term Resilience of Lichen Epiphytes at Glasdrum NNR. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 895
Ellis, C.J. (2014) Generalist Species More Able to Cope than Specialist Species - Snow-Bed Species. ClimateXChange Report, Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation Programme
Ellis, C.J. (2014) Species Unable to Track Changing Climate Space - Ancient Woodland Lichens. ClimateXChange Report, Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation Programme
Ellis, C.J., Eaton, S. & Theodoropoulos, M. (2014) Adaptive Forest Management and Climate Change - A New Toolkit for Scotland's Epiphytes. ClimateXChange Report, Scottish Government
Moffat, A.J., Nicoll, B., Beauchamp, K., Ellis, C., Martin, S. & Moss, A. (2014) Scottish Native Woodland Adaptation - The Potential Use of a Flexible Adaptation Pathways (FAP) Framework. ClimateXChange Report, Scottish Government
Mitchell, R.J., Broome, A., Harmer, R., Beaton, J.K., Bellamy, P.E., Brooker, R.W., Duncan, R., Ellis, C.J., Hester, A.J., Hodgetts, N.G., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Mackinnon, M. Pakeman, R., Pozsgai, G., Ramsey, S., Riach, D., Stockan, J.A., Taylor, A.F.S. & Woodward, S. (2014) Assessing and Addressing the Impacts of Ash Dieback on UK Woodlands and Trees of Conservation Importance (Phase 2). Natural England Commissioned Report No. 151
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. (2014) The Potential Ecological Impact of Ash Dieback in the UK. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Commissioned Report No. 483
Brooker, R., Aalders, I., Ballingall, K., Begg, G., Nick, A., Birch, E., Elliott, G., Ellis, C., Freitag, T., Hawes, C., Holland, J., Holmes, B., Hough, R., Karley, A., McCracken, D., Mitchell, R., Stockan, J., Zadoks, R., Albon, S., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (2013) Biotic and Biophysical Underpinning of Ecosystem Services in the Scottish Context: A Review. RESAS Work Programme Theme 1 Report, Scottish Government
Brooker, R., Ahrends, A., Bailey, D., Brewer, M., Brown, I., Castellazzi, M., Gimona, A., Ellis, C., Harding, A., Harrison, P., Hopkins, C., Moss, A., Muir, M. & Poggio, L. (2013) Climate Change Risk-Based Assessment for Notifiable Features in Scotland. ClimateXChange Report, Scottish Natural Heritage
Ellis, C.J. (2013) Implications of Climate Change for UK Bryophytes and Lichens. Living With Environmental Change - Terrestrial Biodiversity Climate Change Impacts Report Card 2012-2013
Ellis, C.J. (2011) Lichens. In: Norris, K. (ed.) Biodiversity in the context of ecosystem services. UK National Ecosystem Assessment (Chapter 4): 82-83. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge
Ellis, C.J. & Hope, J.C.E. (2011) Lichen Epiphyte Dynamics in Scottish Atlantic Oakwoods: The Effect of Tree Age and Historical Continuity. SNH Commissioned Report No. 426
Yahr, R. & Ellis, C.J. (2010) Taxonomy as a Science for Scotland's Future. Knowledge Scotland Research Briefing, Scottish Goverment
Crabtree, D. & Ellis, C.J. (2009) Monitoring Ground-Layer Lichen Communities in the Cairngorms: A Base-Line Study to Assess Climate Change Impacts. Cairngorms National Park Authority, Granton-on-Spey
Matthews, R., Newton, A., Ellis, C., Moran, D., Glasbey, C. & Skuce, P. (2008) Integrating Climate Change Research Across the Main Research Providers in Scotland. Discussion Paper, RERAD Work Programmes Cross-cutting Themes. Scottish Government

Editorials & Opinion

Ellis, C.J. & Myllys, L. (2020) Editorial. The Lichenologist, 52: 1
Aronson, J. & The ERA of Botanic Gardens (2014) The Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens: a new initiative takes root. Restoration Ecology, 22: 713-715
Fryday, A., Kantvilas, G., Ellis, C., Crittenden, P. (2014) Brian Coppins - A liber amicorum. The Lichenologist, 46: 245-246
Ellis, C.J., Coppins, B.J. & Hollingsworth, P.M. (2012) Lichens under threat from ash dieback. Nature, 491: 672
Crittenden, P., Ellis, C.J., Vogt, K. & Boddy, L. (2012) Editorial: fungi and global change. Special Issue, Fungal Ecology, 5: 1-2

Research group and teaching

Post-doctoral supervision

Lumbani Mwafulirwa (2022-2024) GCRF South Asia Nitrogen Hub - Lichen Bioindicator Response to Reactive Nitrogen. UKRI Postdoctoral Researcher
Ruth Monfries (2014-2019) - Climate Change Adaptation in Scotland - Policy Perspectives. ClimateXChange PDRF
Joanne Taylor (2017-2018) - Pathogenic Needle Fungi associated with Sitka Spruce. Sibbald Trust Fellow
Joanne Taylor (2014-2017) - Promoting Resilience of UK Tree Species to Novel Pests and Pathogens: Ecological and Evolutionary Solutions. BBSRC Postdoctoral Fellow
Rocio Belinchon (2012-2014) - Ecological Process and Climate Change. Marie Curie Research Fellow
Suzanne Martin (2011-2014) - Climate Change Adaptation: Baselines and Indicators. ClimateXChange PDRF
Rocio Belinchon (2010-2011) - Britain's Lost Biodiversity - a Unique Baseline for Environmental Recovery. Leverhulme Research Fellow
Joe Hope (2009-2010) - Measuring the Diversity of Lichen Epiphytes in an Atlantic Oakwood Chronosequence. SNH Research Fellow
Rebecca Yahr (2007-2010) - Britain's Lost Biodiversity - a Unique Baseline for Environmental Recovery. Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow

PhD students

Olivia Gray (2028) Building eDNA Baselines for Terrestrial Biodiversity. University of Edinburgh
Suman Prakash Pradhan (2028) Lichen Bioindicators for Monitoring Environmental Health in Nepal. University of Edinburgh
Dylan Stephens (2028) Metabarcoding Toolkits for eDNA Monitoring Terrestrial Biodiversity. University of Edinburgh
Buddhika Weerakoon (2025) - The Impact of Nitrogen Enhancement on Tropical Lichen Diversity. Peradeniya University
Amaris Ormond (2025) - Resilience and Acclimation of Lichen Biodiversity in Temperate Rainforest. University of Edinburgh
Kristine Bogomazova (2018) - Identification of Species Limits: Clarifying the Taxonomy and Ecology of BAP Lichens. University of Aberdeen
Sally Eaton (2018) - Achieving Landscape-Scale Conservation of Scotland's Rainforest Epiphytes. University of Glasgow
Oana Iacob (2015) - Natural Flood Management as a Climate Change Adaptation Option in Scotland using an Ecosystem Based Adaptation Approach. University of Dundee
Emma Goodyer (2013) - Environmental Response of Desmids in Scotland's Blanket Mires. University of the Highlands and Islands
Chantel Davies (2011) - Lichen Diversity on Scottish Aspen: A Component of the Extended Phenotype. University of Edinburgh

Post-graduate Fellowships

Caitlyn Johnstone (2022-2023): Lichen Biodiversity and Threats to Scots Pine. UKRI Treescapes
Jay Delves (2021-2022) Lichen Bioindicators. GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub
Charlotte Johnson (2019-2020) The Wild Line. Biodiversity Challenge Fund Project Officer
Charlotte Johnson (2018-2019) Edinburgh’s Shoreline. Heritage Lottery Fund Project Officer
Michelagh O’Neill (2018) - Policy Mapping and Case Study: Scottish Housing. ClimateXChange Research Contract
Frances Stoakley (2015-2017) - Making the Invisible, Visible: A Lichen Air Pollution Survey. TCV Natural Talent Traineeship
Sally Eaton (2011-2015) - Epiphyte Communities and Indicator Species. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

MSc students

Eilidh Vandome (2023) - Forest Cover Loss of Rainforest Specialist Species for IUCN Red List Assessments. University of Edinburgh
Morgan Ashley Miller (2022) Microclimatic Refugia and the Protection of Plant Biodiversity. University of Edinburgh
Hannah Mason (2020) - Distributional Constraints of the Rare Montane Lichen Alectoria ochroleuca. University of Edinburgh
Verity Brosnan (2017) - A Rapid Assessment Method for Lichen Community Structure. University of Edinburgh
Hannah Mulcahy (2014) - Reconstructing Woodland History in Glasdrum National Nature Reserve, Glen Creran. University of Edinburgh
Laura Stoddart (2012) - Estimating the Realised Ecological Niche for Difficult to Identify Species: A Case Study for the Lichen Genus Lepraria Ach. University of Edinburgh
Richard Whittet (2012) - Error Rates in the Ancient Woodland Inventory and Methods for the Assessment of Ecological Continuity. University of Edinburgh
Laura Williams (2011) - Habitat and Dispersal Constraints on the Distribution of Scotland's Oceanic Lichen Epiphytes. University of Edinburgh
Verena Blasy (2010) - Life on the Deadwood: Patterns of Lichen and Bryophyte Community Structure on Stumps in a Caledonian Pine Forest. University of Edinburgh
David Braidwood (2010) - Testing the Hypothesis of Climatic Equilibrium: Lichens in Britain and North America. University of Edinburgh
Sally Eaton (2009) - Population Dynamics of Lobaria pulmonaria in the Atlantic hazelwoods of western Scotland. University of Edinburgh
Dafydd Crabtree (2008) - Effects of Climate Change on Montane Indicator Lichen Species. University of Edinburgh
Vivyan Lisewski (2008) - Response of Lichen Species to Environmental Factors Operating at Multiple Spatial Scales. University of Edinburgh
Jason Lewis (2007) - Functional Rules and Species Traits Related to Epiphyte Community Succession in Mixed Aged Woodlands. University of Edinburgh
Mark Binder (2006) - Ecological Analysis of the 'Near Threatened' Lichen Epiphyte Vulpicida pinastri (Scop.) Gray in the British Isles. University of Edinburgh

BSc students

Olivia Gray (2023) - Can Reliable Trait Data be Extracted from Lichen Herbarium Specimens. University of St Andrews
Emma Chinnery (2022) - Acclimation and Adaption of Lichen Morphology in Response to Environmental Change. University of St Andrews
Si Wan (2017) - Testing Whether Lichen Morphological Categories Capture Differences in Functional Traits. University of Edinburgh
Kathryn Elliott (2013) - Causes for Differing Bark Microhabitats and Implications for Biodiversity. University of Edinburgh
Emma Goodyer (2009) - Response of Lichens with Contrasting Growth-Form to a Standard Wetting-Drying Cycle. University of Edinburgh

Teaching

MSc Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity - Lichenology (University of Edinburgh)
BSc 2nd Year, Principles of Ecology - The Ecological Niche (University of Edinburgh)
Ad hoc workshops/excursions in lichenology (e.g. for the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Natural History Society et al.)

Project web pages Grant funding

Research grants

2024: €671,721 – Co-I (WP lead), EU Horizon Europe – Biodiversity Meets Data (EU-#-101181294)
2023: £8090 – Co-I, Highways Agency England – Scoping Study for the Management of Nitrogen Deposition Impacts on Lichens and Bryophytes (# CEH-08642-8262)
2023: £6923 – Co-I, UKRI – Aonachadh: Integrating Finance and Biodiversity for a Nature Positive Future (# NE/X016293/1)
2022: £13,000 – PI, Daphne Hamilton & Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trusts – Monitoring and Managing the Response of Arctic-Alpine Lichens to Climate Change (# DHCT-SR486)
2022: £60,118 - Co-I, UKRI Treescapes – DiversiTree (# NE/X004449/1)
2021: £20,620 – PI, Magdalene Sharpe Erskine Trust – Conservation of Threatened Montane Plants in Scotland (# MSET-SR269)
2019: £149,792 – PI, Biodiversity Challenge Fund – The Wild Line (# 501229)
2019: £256,075 – Co-I (WP lead), UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund – South Asian Nitrogen Hub (# NEC06636-RPO10)
2018: £23,750 – PI, ClimateXChange – Enhanced Climate Adaptation Indicators (# IQ4-2018)
2018: £48,756 – PI, Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund – Edinburgh Shoreline Project (# GICEF-APP-256-02)
2017: £154,360 – PI, ClimateXChange – Adaptation Policy Fellowship (# CXC2/2017_19)
2017: £93,000 – PI, Heritage Lottery fund – Edinburgh Shoreline Project (# OH-17-03731)
2017: £12,591 – PI, The Sibbald Trust – Pathogenic Needle Fungi Associated with Sitka Spruce (2017#14)
2016: £39,912 – PI, NERC – Connecting Communities with Urban Coastal Landscapes under Changing Climate (# 2016-092)
2016: £55,582 – PI, Scottish Government (RESAS) – Climate Change Adaptation, Baselines and Indicators (# A13647028)
2015: £4648 – Co-I, Living with Environmental Change / BBSRC – PuRpOsE, PRotecting Oak Ecosystems, Understanding and Forecasting Causes and Consequences, Management for Future Climates (# BBSRC-2015)
2014: £24,000 – Co-I, Botanics Foundation – Identification of Species Limits, Clarifying Taxonomy and Ecology of BAP Lichens (# SR 277)
2014: £2548 – Co-I, Joint Nature Conservation Committee – Assessing and Addressing the Impacts of Ash Dieback on UK Woodlands and Trees of Conservation Importance, Phase 2 (# J610247)
2014: £201,286 – Co-I (WP lead), Living with Environmental Change – Promoting Resilience of UK Tree Species to Novel Pests and Pathogens: Ecological and Evolutionary Solutions (PROTREE) (# BB/L012243/1)
2013: £2687 – Co-I, Joint Nature Conservation Committee – Ash Dieback, Impacts on Species which Depend On, or are Associated with, Ash (Fraxinus excelsior): Lichens (# C12-0229-0630)
2013: £51,981 – PI, Scottish Natural Heritage – Achieving Landscape-Scale Conservation of Scotland's Lichen Epiphytes (# RBGE-SNH-2013)
2012: €200,372 – PI, European Commission Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship – Ecological Process and Climate Change (EPACS) (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF: 299330)
2013: £3000 – PI, Living with Environmental Change / DEFRA – Climate Change Impacts on Terrestrial Biodiversity, Lichens and Bryophytes (# SC - LWEC)
2011: £600,970 – PI, Scottish Government (RESAS) – Climate Change Centre of Expertise, Climate Change Adaptation, Baselines and Indicators / Risks and Uncertainty (# RBG/856/11 - 857/11)
2010: £102,352 – PI, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – Classification and Conservation Assessment of Lichen Communities (# 09-3187)
2009: £48,000 – PI, Scottish Natural Heritage PhD Studentship – Quantifying the Climate Change Response of Micro-Organism (Desmid) Diversity in Scotland's Blanket Mires (# SNH-SEPA-09)
2008: £4500 – PI, Cairngorms National Park Authority – Long-term Monitoring of Lichen Indicators in Montane Heathland (# LAG-029)
2008: £45,000 – PI, Scottish Natural Heritage – Measuring the Diversity of Lichen Epiphytes in an Atlantic Oakwood Chronosequence (# ref-25469)
2007: £107,309 – PI, The Leverhulme Trust – Britain's Lost Biodiversity, A Unique Baseline for Environmental Recovery (# F/00 771/B)
2005: £2500 – PI, Botanic Garden National Membership Board – The Ecology and Conservation of Epiphytes in Juniper Scrub (# CF-095)

Infrastructure grants

2019: £4917 – Friends of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Temperate Rainforest Training (# CF-095)
2017: £10,000 – SNIFFER (Adaptation Scotland) – Edinburgh Re-Greening Streets (AS-ALECE-PP)
2000: $CAN 11,200 – Polar Continental Shelf Project – Holocene Climate Change and the Development of Peat-Forming High Arctic Wetland (# 647-00)
1998: £4800 – NERC – Radiocarbon Dating British Blanket Mire Development and Erosion (# 739/0498)
1997: £2800 – NERC – Radiocarbon Dating British Blanket Mire Development and Erosion (# 700/0697)

Travel grants

2012: £1470 – British Lichen Society – The Conservation Biology of Boreal and Temperate Rainforests, 3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology, Glasgow (# SC / BLS-2012)
2012: £1548 – The Sibbald Trust – The Conservation Biology of Boreal and Temperate Rainforests, 3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology, Glasgow (# SC / SIB-2012)
2011: £500 – British Lichen Society – International Association of Lichenology 7, Bangkok (# SC / BLS-2011)
2008: £950 – The Sibbald Trust – British Lichen Society Swinscow Lecture (# SC / SIB-2008)
2005: £602 – The Royal Society – Conservation Ecology of Cryptogams, Mid-Sweden University, Sundsvall (# 2005.R3)
2002: £610 – The Royal Society – International Mycological Congress 7, Oslo (# 27457/022/H4)

Membership and committees

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