CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr Alexander C. Lees
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Ecology, Evolution & Conservation, School of Environmental Sciences,
Professional Address: School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK phone 01603 591426, email: a.lees@uea.ac.uk
Date of birth: 29th November 1979 Nationality: British Marital Status: single
2004 - 2008 PhD University of East Anglia, (NERC funded) thesis title: “Synergistic effects of forest disturbance and fragmentation on a species-rich Amazonian avifauna” supervised by Prof. Carlos Peres and Prof. William Sutherland.
1998-2002 BSc Biological Sciences. FIRST CLASS (Hons 75%).
1988-1998
(2007) One month on the Rio Jurua, Amazonas State, Brazilian Amazon, based at REDE Bauana Field-station conducting avifaunal inventories in terra firme and varzea forests.
(2004-2006) 14 months of independent PhD fieldwork in the Brazilian Amazon in Mato Grosso and Pará states, surveying birds, large mammals and floristic structure in forest fragments, riparian forest corridors and the non-forest matrix. Fieldwork was conducted independently of established field stations, and involved the management of project budget, local politics, logistics, and local field assistants.
(2002) Volunteer field biologist, Atlantic Bird Observatory,
(2001) Research assistant (part-time), investigating avian community structure of The University of California (UCI) Natural Reserve System (funded by a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
(2005) Course director Introdução à Ornitologia (Introduction to Ornithology) at the Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Alta Floresta campus, Brazil
(2003-2009) Teaching assistant and seminar leader for UEA courses: Biodiversity, Environmental biology & Biodiversity & Conservation and Slapton Field Course. Seminar Leader: MSc Applied Ecology and Conservation.
I compile the ‘Neotropical News’ and ‘Taxonomic Round-up’ features for the biannual journal Cotinga. I also regularly review scientific manuscripts for the following journals: Conservation Biology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Biological Conservation, Forest Ecology and Managment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Mammal Review, Ibis, Biotropica, Acta Oecologia, Bird Conservation International, Cotinga, and Bulletin of the British Ornithologist’s Club.
I have extensive experience of avian vantage point surveys, pelagic bird surveys using COWRIE methodology, and have also undertaken post-construction botanical surveys of the Gllwern to Abergavenny Gas Pipeline and at-sea censuses of Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) populations in the
I have been an avid field ornithologist for over 20 years (awarded title Young Ornithologist of the Year 1992); and am extensively travelled across all Continents. I have made long-running contributions to WEBS counting and other national bird surveys and raptor and migrant passerine surveys at migration watchpoints and I have extensive experience of ringing/banding activities in Europe and both North and South America, having processed 5000+ birds of over 300 species. In addition I have a working knowledge of
Whilst undertaking PhD fieldwork I have acted as a paid guide for the following TV film crews: Terra da Gente, Globo Reporter, TV Cultura and WWF Germany (as well as local TV networks) and advised on production and script-writing. In addition I have worked as a volunteer natural history guide at the Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Mato Grosso, Brazil (April-June 2003) and for Davey’s Locker – a whale-watching tour company based out of Newport Beach, California (Feb-April 2001).
I have had photos published in Science, Cotinga, British Birds, Birding World, Alula, Birdwatch, Nova Scotia Birds and Dutch Birding as well as extensively online. I have several recordings published on the 6 CD set:
Full UK Driving License, RYA/MCA Small Craft Basic Sea Survival Course, GWINTO, Appointed Persons First Aid, fluent Portuguese, basic French and German.
Lees,
Lees, A.C. & Bell, D.J. 2008. A conservation paradox for the 21st century: the European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, an invasive alien and an endangered native. Mammal Review, 38, 304-320.
Lees,
Trinca, C.T., Ferrari, S.F.& Lees, A.C. 2008. Curiosity killed the bird: arbitrary hunting of harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja) on an agricultural frontier in southern Brazilian Amazonia. Cotinga, 30: 12-15.
Lees, A.C. & Peres, C. 2008. Conservation value of remnant riparian forest corridors of varying quality for Amazonian birds and mammals. Conservation Biology, 22: 439-449
Lees, A.C., Davis, B., Oliveira, A.V.G. & Peres, C.A. 2008. Avifauna of a structurally heterogenous forest landscape in the Serra dos Caiabis,
Lees, A.C. & Peres, C. 2008. A range extension for Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii): implications for avian contact zones in central
Swift, L., Hunter, P.R., Lees, A.C. & Bell, D.J. 2007. Biodiversity loss, the wildlife trade and the emergence of infectious diseases. Ecohealth 4: 25-30.
Lees,
McLaren,
Lees, A.C. & Moores, R.D. 2006. Identification and status of Dunn's Lark in
Lees, A.C. & Gilroy, J.G. 2004. Pectoral Sandpipers in
Lees, A.C., Fitzgerald, T.M. & Peckford, M.L. 2003 A Le Conte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus lecontii) on
Lees, A.C. & Gilroy J.J. 2009. Vagrancy Mechanisms in Passerines and Near-Passerines. In: Slack, R. Rare Birds, Where and When: An analysis of status and distribution in Britain and Ireland. Volume 1: sandgrouse to New World orioles. Rare Bird Books, York.
Moores, R.D. & Lees, A.C. 2007. Just Deserts. [Birdwatching in the
Lees, A.C. 2006. Gaviao real: of eagles and men. Alula, 12: 68-71.
Lees, A.C. 2005. Home & away: Cristalino Jungle Lodge,
Lees, A.C. 2005. Macaronesian endemic birds: their taxonomy, status and conservation. Alula, 11: 12-24.
Showler, D., Lees, A.C., Nale, R.N. Habib, B. 2004. Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary, Nanaj,
Lees, A.C. 2004. Autumn migration in
Lees, A.C., Mahood, S, Carmenta, R. & Peres, C.A. Lessons from Alta Floresta: avifaunal responses to forest fragmentation. Invited speaker, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology,
Lees,
Lees,