Dr Ashley Lyons

Profile

Biography

My research explores the impacts of ecological restoration, particularly through grazing management, on biodiversity and ecosystem services. I work with a range of taxonomic groups to answer ecological questions. I have a particular interest in upland landscapes and have quite the soft spot for calcareous grasslands.

I completed my PhD titled The Impacts of Contrasting Grazing Management on Biodiversity in Upland Calcareous Grasslands at Edge Hill University in 2017. Following this I completed a postdoc where I produced the first ever management recommendations document to consider spider and carabid beetle conservation in upland calcareous grasslands. During this time I also spent a month as a visiting scientist at Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany, where I worked with the Agroecology group examining management of lowland calcareous grasslands.   

In 2019 I joined Liverpool Hope University as a Lecturer in Ecology teaching on a range of MSc and BSc modules.

In 2021 I took up the role of Conservation Scientist within the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, being the only reserve based scientist in the organisation. During this time I led the establishment of a long term grazing experiment and developed the science work packages for a successful $4.1 million grant bid to the Endangered Landscapes Programme. During the role I led a team of research assisants and trained a flock of sheep to use the NoFence collar system.

I rejoined EHU in 2023 as a Senior Lecturer in Ecology, maintaining strong research links with RSPB. 

My research continues to explore impacts of habitat management on ecological restoration.