First genetic evidence that invasive bullhead (Cottus L. 1758) in Scotland is of English origin and the difficulty of resolving the European Cottus species taxonomy (2020)
Journal Article
McLeish, J., Briers, R., Dodd, J., & Rueckert, S. (2020). First genetic evidence that invasive bullhead (Cottus L. 1758) in Scotland is of English origin and the difficulty of resolving the European Cottus species taxonomy. Journal of Fish Biology, 96(3), 617-630. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14247

The European bullhead (Cottus gobio) is widely distributed across Europe and within the UK is native to England and Wales, where it is protected under the Habitats Directive. In Scotland, however, the species is considered invasive and thriving popul... Read More about First genetic evidence that invasive bullhead (Cottus L. 1758) in Scotland is of English origin and the difficulty of resolving the European Cottus species taxonomy.

The functional response and resilience in small waterbodies along land-use and environmental gradients (2018)
Journal Article
Thornhill, I. A., Biggs, J., Hill, M. J., Briers, R., Gledhill, D., Wood, P. J., …Hassall, C. (2018). The functional response and resilience in small waterbodies along land-use and environmental gradients. Global Change Biology, 24(7), 3079-3092. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14149

There is growing recognition of the essential services provided to humanity by functionally intact ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems are found throughout agricultural and urban landscapes and provide a wide range of ecosystem services, but globally t... Read More about The functional response and resilience in small waterbodies along land-use and environmental gradients.

Urban ponds as an aquatic biodiversity resource in modified landscapes (2016)
Journal Article
Hill, M. J., Biggs, J., Thornhill, I., Briers, R. A., Gledhill, D. G., White, J. C., …Hassall, C. (2017). Urban ponds as an aquatic biodiversity resource in modified landscapes. Global Change Biology, 23(3), 986-999. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13401

Urbanization is a global process contributing to the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. Many studies have focused on the biological response of terrestrial taxa and habitats to urbanization. However, little is known regarding the consequence... Read More about Urban ponds as an aquatic biodiversity resource in modified landscapes.

Invertebrate communities and environmental conditions in a series of urban drainage ponds in Eastern Scotland: implications for biodiversity and conservation value of SUDS. (2013)
Journal Article
Briers, R. A. (2013). Invertebrate communities and environmental conditions in a series of urban drainage ponds in Eastern Scotland: implications for biodiversity and conservation value of SUDS. CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water, https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201300162

Increasing use is being made of constructed wetlands to store and treat urban drainage prior to release into watercourses. Known as sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) in the UK these have potential to support and enhance freshwater biodiversit... Read More about Invertebrate communities and environmental conditions in a series of urban drainage ponds in Eastern Scotland: implications for biodiversity and conservation value of SUDS..

Competition between the nymphs of two regionally co-occurring species of Notonecta (Hemiptera: Notonectidae): Competition and habitat in co-occurring Notonecta (1999)
Journal Article
Briers, R. A., & Warren, P. H. (1999). Competition between the nymphs of two regionally co-occurring species of Notonecta (Hemiptera: Notonectidae): Competition and habitat in co-occurring Notonecta. Freshwater Biology, 42(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2427.1999.00448.x

1. Two species of freshwater invertebrate predator, Notonecta maculata and N. obliqua, showed a negative association in a series of small, man-made ponds in the Peak National Park, Derbyshire, U.K. The present study examines the potential role of int... Read More about Competition between the nymphs of two regionally co-occurring species of Notonecta (Hemiptera: Notonectidae): Competition and habitat in co-occurring Notonecta.