Profile
Julia Haywood
PhD student
The Farmhouse G02/3
The Farmhouse, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
Overview
I am a PhD researcher working on Mediterranean loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) investigating their distribtuion, habitat use, and ecological impact of a changing climate. My broad research interests include marine spatial ecology and investigating anthropogenic stressors. I also enjoy public outreach and building awareness among both children and adults.
I studied Marine Biology at the University of Southampton, which included an exchange year at UNC- Wilmington where I worked in the Ichthyology laboratory investigating the impact of coastal development and beach nourishment on surf zone fish.
Once graduated, in the winters I worked as a marine biology educator and guide in the Maldives. In the summers, I took secondary school and 6th form students to wonderful locations around the world whilst teaching marine biology and working with local conservation organisations. This included teaching Marine Mammal Ecology in British Columbia and Sea Turtle Ecology in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
After a few years I decided to return to university and undertook the MSc in Marine Mammal Science at the University of St Andrews. I used predictive habitat modelling to identify potential habitat for Chilean dolphins and identified areas of overlap with fishing activities.
Broad research specialisms:
Marine spatial ecology, anthropogenic stressors, marine conservation, climate change, public outreach and awareness.
Qualifications
MSci Marine Biology (Uni. Southampton - 2012)
MSc Marine Mammal Science (Uni. St Andrews - 2015
At present – PhD Candidate (2016 -2019)
Research
Research projects
Project Title: The influence of foraging success on marine turtle migration and breeding and the ecological impact of a changing climate.
Supervisors:
Dr Annette Broderick (University of Exeter)
Dr Jamie Shutler (University of Exeter)
Professor Steve Widdicombe (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)
Dr Wayne Fuller (Near East University Cyprus)
Project Description:
Understanding how migratory species respond to changing climatic conditions is critical for their conservation and management. My research focusses on the spatial ecology of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). I am investigating the disperal of hatchlings from nesting beaches, the habitat use of juveniles, as well as determining what cues females use to migrate and where females migrate to in search of food. The extent of fisheries interactions is explored as well as how dispersal and habitat use change under future climate scenarios.
I use a variety of techniques including; particle drift analysis to determine hatchling dispersal, stable isotope analysis and satellite telemetry of juveniles and nesting females to determine where they migrate and forage, and remotely sensed environmental data to investigate how variations in oceanic conditions influence the spatial ecology of loggerhead turtles throughout their life cycle.