Course Lead MSc Food Security, Sustainability and Biodiveristy

Equality Diveristy and Inclusion department lead

Disability & Neurodiversity department network member

Department Website champion

The overarching aim of my research is to reconcile the needs of an increasing human population and those of biodiversity conservation, with a specific focus and passion for insect ecology and conservation. Much of my research fall into three overlapping themes:

For more information on my research and work see my website https://fabriratto.weebly.com/

1. Insect conservation and human well-being

Agroecology: beneficial insects and sustainable agriculture

Human development and biodiversity conservation are often perceived as conflicting aims, but food production and economic development rely heavily on natural processes and biological diversity. For example, beneficial insects within agroecosystems are essential to deliver crucial ecosystem services to crops such as pollination and pest-control.

My work focuses on the protection and enhancement of beneficial insects within agricultural systems. I am interested in research that supports sustainable farm management and informs policy to foster sustainable agriculture and long-term food security in the face of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and an increasing human population. I have a particular interest for agroecological research in sub-Saharan Africa. This part of the world faces great food security challenges including a predicted population increase of 86% by 2050, a changing and unpredictable climate and the threats posed by native and invasive pests.

Apple orchard in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Within orchard floral ehnacement treatment (Photos from VOICES project)

Pollinators contribution to human well-being

Pollinators are intricately related to human well-being for their influence in securing quantity and diversity of food, supporting cultural and aesthetic values and maintaining wild plant population. Thus, the ongoing decline of pollinators is likely to have a significant adverse impact on these numerous benefits.

It is estimated that a large proportion of the world’s population is relying on herbal medicine for at least some part of their primary healthcare, and the use of medicinal plants is growing rapidly in both lower and higher income countries. Approximately 96% of recorded medicinal plants are flowering plants, hence about 84% of medicinal plants species conceivably rely to some degree on animal pollination for reproduction. However, very little is known about the pollinators of medicinal plants and there is no comprehensive knowledge of how heavily medicinal plants depend on their pollinators for their long-term survival.

In collaboration with colleagues at RHUL, Kew Gardens and Binghamton University, New York, we set out to address this knowledge gap by conducting a global systematic review and meta-analysis on the contribution of animal pollination to the reproductive success of medicinal plants. We predict that the results of this study will highlight the importance of pollinators on securing the long-term survival of medicinal plants and the potential threat of pollinators decline on their long-term survival and the supply of medicinal plants to future generations.

Bumblebee on Arnica montana (ohoto by ARMO 1991 Ltd)

2. Insect ecology and conservation

 Every kid has a bug period…I never grew out of mine (E.O. Wilson)

Insects are without a doubt a dominant component of diversity on earth, for their species diversity, abundance and biomass and I am fascinated by any aspect of their ecology and conservation.

Current projects

The black-veined-White is an iconic, stunning butterfly which was once found across southern England and South Wales but became extinct in the 1920s. Currently, this species range margins are changing, possibly as a response to climate change and/or habitat change. Bioclimatic models revealed that the projected drying climate in south-eastern Britain is expected to provide condition that are highly suitable for this butterfly, at least until 2050. Therefore, this appears to be a suitable time to attempt a reintroduction of this species in Southern England. However, conservation strategies including re-introductions at local, regional and national levels, can be particularly effective only if species resource requirements are known and can be maintained within landscapes.

Building on previous research on the habitat requirements of the Black-veined White in its current range we aim to compare habitat and climatic conditions associated with butterfly populations in Normandy and selected habitat in England, to inform a proposed reintroduction project in southwest England. This project is led by Ambios Ltd, a Devon-based not-for-profit Nature Conservation Training organisation, who manage the potential reintroduction sites.

 The Black-veined White reintroduction in the UK would provide an exemplar flagship species to promote conservation actions, rewilding and agri-environmental schemes in parts of the UK.

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Mark-release-recapture experiments in Aporia crataegi in Normandy. Aporia crataegi on Oxeye daisy (photos by Alain Limanton)

3. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis methods

Systematic review and meta-analytical methods enable us to quantitatively synthesise the results of multiple studies to reach a general conclusion on, for example, the effectiveness of farm management strategies or conservation interventions. I use these methods in my own research and enthusiastically support students who chose to carry out a meta-analysis for their projects.

In the most recent meta-analysis I worked on, while collaborating on a GCRF funded project led by the University of Leeds, we aimed to quantify the effectiveness of biocontrol practices in sub-Saharan Africa.
The meta-analysis showed that biocontrol interventions effectively reduced pest abundance and crop damage by over 50%, while increasing yield by more than 60%. The substantial yield increase that biocontrol can provide could have an enormous impact on sub-Saharan food security if these practices are scaled up to regional level. Crucially, we showed comparable performance of biocontrol and synthetic pesticides on pest abundance, crop damage and yield, and a significant reduction in the loss of natural enemies, particularly following botanical pesticides application.

-Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

-MSc Food Security Sustainability and Biodiversity Lecturer in all modules

-HE5025 Data Analysis and Research Skills Module Coordinator (MSc)

-HE5023 Sustainability and human livelihoods Module Coordinator (MSc)

-HE5200: Occupational Therapy with a Global Context Lecturer (MSc)

-HE2000: Evalauting Evidence Lecturer (BSc)

-HE5010: Research Skills for Global and Planetary health Lecturer (MA)