Research
My work is in evidence-based conservation, which focuses on summarising and disseminating scientific evidence about the effects of conservation interventions for habitats and species. I manage the Conservation Evidence project, which provides accessible information about the effectiveness of actions and works with practitioners, policy makers, funders and others to co-design tools, processes and resources to improve decision making for more effective conservation management.
I produced the synopsis of global evidence for the effects of conservation interventions for amphibians and contributed to the Farmland Conservation synopsis. I now oversee the production of all synopses of evidence. These are available as a searchable database, downloadable pdfs and as books on the Conservation Evidence website. Summarized evidence is assessed by experts and published in our annual 'What Works in Conservation'. I have also completed a systematic review investigating the effectiveness of predator control for enhancing bird populations.
Previously my research focussed on population monitoring and ecological studies relating to conservation issues and resulting in the development of management strategies for declining and endangered species, particularly mammals. My work included managing a Darwin Initiative project Capacity building in mammal management for Western Cape nature reserves. I have also worked as a Senior Ecological Consultant in the UK. I completed my doctorate and undergraduate degree at the University of Bristol and a Masters degree in Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia.
Publications
2023
- Smith, R.K., Morgan, W.H., Al-Fulaij, N., Amano, T., Bowkett, A.E., Christie, A., Downey, H., Frick, W.F., O'Brien, D., Ockendon, N., Oppel, S., Petrovan, S.O., Righton, D., Tinsley-Marshall, P., Worthington, T.A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2023) Co-designing a toolkit for evidence-based decision making in conservation: Processes and lessons. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 4(3): e12269. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12269
2022
- Amano, T. et al. (2022) Transforming Practice: Checklists for delivering change. In: Sutherland, W.J. (eds.) Transforming Conservation: A practical Guide to Evidence and Decision Making. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0321/chapters/10.11647/obp.0321.02
- Bárcenas-García, A., Michalski, F., Morgan, W.H., Smith, R.K., Sutherland, W.J., Gibbs, J.P. & Norris, D. (2022) Impacts of dams on freshwater turtles: A global review to identify conservation solutions. Tropical Conservation Science 15: 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829221103709
- Bladon A.J., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2022) Butterfly and Moth Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for butterflies and moths. Conservation Evidence Series Synopsis. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Bowgen, K.M., Kettel, E.F., Butchart, S.H.M., Carr, J.A., Foden, W.B., Magin, G., Morecroft, M.D., Smith, R.K., Stein, B.A., Sutherland, W.J., Thaxter, C.B. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W (2022) Conservation interventions can benefit species impacted by climate change. Biological Conservation, 269: 109524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109524
- Hobson, T., Sundaram, L., Aldridge, D., Christie, A., Edwards, B., Dando, M., Petrovan, S., Shang, L., Sutherland, W., Ó hÉigeartaigh, S. and Smith, R. (2022) Submission of Evidence to The Cabinet Office Enquiry on The Biological Security. March 2022. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.82937
- Sutherland, W.J., Cheng, S.H., Christie, A.P., Cooke, S.J., Koricheva, J., Randall, N., Smith, R.K. & Stewart, R. (2022) Assessing Collated and Synthesised Evidence. In: Sutherland, W.J. (eds.) Transforming Conservation: A practical Guide to Evidence and Decision Making. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0321/chapters/10.11647/obp.0321.02
- Sutherland, W.J., Robinson, J.M., Aldridge, D.C., Alamenciak, T., Armes, M., Baranduin, N., Bladon, A.J., Breed, M.F., Dyas, N., Elphick, C.S., Griffiths, R.A., Hughes, J., Middleton, B., Littlewood, N.A., Mitchell, R., Morgan, W.H., Mosley, R., Petrovan, S.O., Prendergast, K., Ritchie, E.G., Raven, H., Smith, R.K., Watts, S.H. & Thornton A. (2022) Creating testable questions in practical conservation: A process and 100 questions. Conservation Evidence 19: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.52201/CEJ19XIFF2753
2021
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Amano, T., Berdejo-Espinola, V., Christie, A. P., Willott, K., Akasaka, M., Báldi, A., Berthinussen, A., Bertolino, S., Bladon, A. J., Chen, M., Choi, C.-Y., Bou Dagher Kharrat, M., de Oliveira, L. G., Farhat, P., Golivets, M., Hidalgo Aranzamendi, N., Jantke, K., Kajzer-Bonk, J., Kemahlı Aytekin, M. Ç., Khorozyan, I., Kito, K., Konno, K., Lin, D.-L., Littlewood, N., Liu, Y., Liu, Y., Loretto, M.-C., Marconi, V., Martin, P. A., Morgan, W. H., Narváez-Gómez, J. P., Negret, P. J., Nourani, E., Ochoa Quintero, J. M., Ockendon, N., Oh, R. R. Y., Petrovan, S. O., Piovezan-Borges, A. C., Pollet, I. L., Ramos, D. L., Reboredo Segovia, A. L., Rivera-Villanueva, A. N., Rocha, R., Rouyer, M.-M., Sainsbury, K. A., Schuster, R., Schwab, D., Şekercioğlu, Ç. H., Seo, H.-M., Shackelford, G., Shinoda, Y., Smith, R. K., Tao, S.-d., Tsai, M.-s., Tyler, E. H. M., Vajna, F., Valdebenito, J. O., Vozykova, S., Waryszak, P., Zamora-Gutierrez, V., Zenni, R. D., Zhou, W., and Sutherland, W. J. 2021. Tapping into non-English-language science for the conservation of global biodiversity. PLoS Biology 19:e3001296. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001296
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Berthinussen, A., Smith, R.K. and Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Christie AP, White TB, Martin PA, Petrovan SO, Bladon AJ, Bowkett AE, Littlewood NA, Mupepele A, Rocha R, Sainsbury KA, Smith RK, Taylor NG, & Sutherland WJ. (2021) Reducing publication delay to improve the efficiency and impact of conservation science. PeerJ 9:e12245 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12245
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Evans, A.J., Moore, P.J., Firth, L.B., Smith, R.K., and Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Enhancing the Biodiversity of Marine Artificial Structures: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Martin, P.A., Ockendon, N., Berthinussen, A, Smith, R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2021) Grassland Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of selected interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Petrovan, S.O. & Smith, R.K. (2021). What Works in Conservation 2021. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/1490
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Sutherland, W.J., Taylor, N.G., Aldridge, D.C, Martin, P., Rhodes, C., Shackelford, G., Beard, S., Belfield, H., Bladon, A.J., Brick, C., Christie, A.P., Dobson, A.P., Downey, H., Hood, A.S.C., Hua, F., Hughes, A.C., Jarvis, R.M., MacFarlane, D., Morgan, W.H., Mupepele, A-C., Marciniak, S.J., Nelson, C., hÉigeartaigh, S., Rios Rojas, C., Sainsbury, K.A., Smith, R.K., Sundaram, L.S., Thornton, A., Watkins, J., White, T.B., Willott, K. & Petrovan, S.O. (2021) A solution scan of societal options to reduce transmission and spread of respiratory viruses: SARS-CoV-2 as a case study. Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity, 3, 84-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobb.2021.08.003
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Sainsbury K.A., Morgan W.H., Watson M., Rotem G., Bouskila A., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2021) Reptile Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for reptiles. Conservation Evidence Series Synopsis. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. https://www.conservationevidence.com/
- Taylor, N., Clarke, L.J., Alliji, K., Barrett, C., McIntyre, R., Smith, R.K., & Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Marine Fish Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Selected Interventions. Synopses of Conservation Evidence Series. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Taylor N.G., Grillas P., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2021) Marsh and Swamp Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions to Conserve Marsh and Swamp Vegetation. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
2020
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Christie, A.P., Amano, T., Martin, P.A., Petrovan, S.O., Shackelford, G.E., Simmons, B.I., Smith, R.K., Williams, D.R., Wordley, C.F.R. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020), The challenge of biased evidence in conservation. Conservation Biology, 35, 249-262. doi:10.1111/cobi.13577
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Christie, A.P., Amano, T., Martina,P.A., Petrovan, S.O., Shackelford, G.E., Simmons, B., Smith, R.K., Williams, D.R., Wordley, C.F.R, & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Poor availability of context-specific evidence hampers decision-making in conservation. Biological Conservation, 248, 108666. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108666
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Dicks, L.V., Livoreil, B., Smith, R.K., Wittmer, H. & Young, J. (2020) Aligning evidence for use in decisions: mechanisms to link collated evidence to the needs of policy-makers and practitioners. Making a difference in conservation: linking science and practice. In: Sutherland, W.J., Brotherton, P.N.M., Davies, Z.G., Ockendon, N., Pettorelli N., & Vickery, J.A. (Eds.) Conservation Research, Policy and Practice. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108638210
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Junker, J., Petrovan, S.O., Arroyo-Rodríguez, V., Boonratana, R., Byler, D., Chapman, C.A., Chetry, C........Smith, R.K. et al. (2020) A severe Lack of Evidence Limits Effective Conservation of the World’s Primates. Bioscience. 10.1093/biosci/biaa082
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Littlewood, N.A., Rocha, R., Smith, R.K., Martin, P.A., Lockhart, S.L., Schoonover, R.F., Wilman, E., Bladon, A.J., Sainsbury, K.A., Pimm S. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Terrestrial Mammal Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for terrestrial mammals excluding bats and primates. Synopses of Conservation Evidence Series. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Petrovan, S.O. & Smith, R.K. (2020). What Works in Conservation 2020. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/1096
2019
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Lemasson, A.J., Pettit, L.R., Smith, R.K., & Sutherland, W.J. (2019) Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. Synopses of Conservation Evidence Series. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Petrovan, S.O. & Smith, R.K. (2019). What Works in Conservation 2019. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/1031
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Sutherland, W.J., Taylor, N.G., MacFarlane, D., Amano, T., Christie, A.P., Dicks, L.V., Lemasson, A.J., Littlewood, N.A., Martin, P.A., Ockendon, N., Petrovan, S.O., Robertson, R.J., Rocha, R., Shackelford, G.E., Smith, R.K., Tyler, E.H.M., & Wordley, C.F.R. (2019) Building a tool to overcome barriers in the research-implementation space: the Conservation Evidence database. Biological Conservation, 238, 108199.
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Taylor, N.G., Grillas, P., Fennessy, M.S., Goodyer, E., Graham, L.L.B., Karofeld, E., Lindsay, R.A., Locky, D.A., Ockendon, N., Rial, A., Ross, S., Smith, R.K., van Diggelen, R., Whinam, J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2019) A synthesis of evidence for the effects of interventions to conserve peatland vegetation: overview and critical discussion. Mires and Peat, 24, 1-21.
2018
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Petrovan, S.O., Junker, J, Wordley, C.F.R., Kühl, H.S., Orth, L., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2018) Evidence-Based Synopsis of Interventions, a New Tool in Primate Conservation and Research. International Journal of Primatology, 39, 1-4.
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Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Petrovan, S.O. & Smith, R.K. (2018). What Works in Conservation 2018. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. https://www.openbookpublishers.com/reader/696#page/1/mode/2up
2017
- Jonas, C.S., Bowkett, A.E. and Smith, R.K. (2017) Management of Captive Animals: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. University of Cambridge, Cambridge. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Junker, J., Kühl, H.S., Orth, L., Smith, R.K., Petrovan, S.O. and Sutherland, W.J. (2017) Primate Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of interventions. University of Cambridge, 255 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Martin, P.A., Rocha, R., Smith, R.K., & Sutherland, W.J. (2017) Shrubland and Heathland Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of interventions. University of Cambridge, 158 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N. & Smith, R.K. (2017). What Works in Conservation 2017. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. http://dx.doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0109
2016
- McCormack, C.G., Born, W., Irvine, P.J., Achterberg, E.P., Amano, T., Ardron, J., Foster, P.N., Gattuso, J-P., Hawkins, S.J., Hendy, E., Kissling, W.D., Lluch-Cota, S.E., Murphy, E.J., Ostle, N., Owens, N.J.P., Perry, R.I., Pörtner, H.O., Scholes, R.J., Schurr, F.M., Schweiger, O., Settele, J., Smith, R.K., Smith, S., Thompson, J., Tittensor, D.P., van Kleunen, M., Vivian, C., Vohland, K., Warren, R., Watkinson, A.R., Widdicombe, S., Williamson, P., Woods, E., Blackstock, J.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2016). Key impacts of climate engineering on biodiversity and ecosystems, with priorities for future research. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 13:2–4, 103–128. DOI: 10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578
2015
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Aldridge, D.C., Aldridge, S.L., Mead, A., Ockendon, N., Rocha, R., Scales, H., Smith, R.K., Zieritz, A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2015) Control of freshwater invasive species: global evidence for the effects of selected interventions. University of Cambridge, UK. http://conservationevidence.com/
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Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., and Smith, R.K. (2015) What Works in Conservation. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. http://dx.doi. org/10.11647/OBP.0060
2014
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Dicks, L.V., Hodge, I., Randall, N., Scharlemann, J.P.W., Siriwardena, G.M., Smith, H.G., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2014) A transparent process for ‘evidence-informed’ policy making. Conservation Letters, 7, 119-125.
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Smith, R.K., Dicks, L.V., Mitchell, R. & Sutherland, W.J. (2014) Comparative effectiveness research: the missing link in conservation. Conservation Evidence, 11, 2-6.
- Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2014) Amphibian Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of interventions. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter. 279 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Sutherland, W.J., Aveling, R., Brooks, T., Clout, M., Dicks, L.V., Fellman, L., Fleishman, E., Gibbons, D.W., Keim, B., Lickorish, F., Monk, K.A., Mortimer, D., Peck, L.S., Pretty, J., Rockström, J., Rodriguez, J.P., Smith, R.K., Spalding, M.D., Tonneijck, F.H. & Watkinson, A.R. (2014) Horizon Scan of Global Conservation Issues for 2014. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 29,15-22.
2013 and earlier
- Dicks, L. V., Ashpole, J.E., Dänhardt, J., James, K., Jönsson, A., Randall, N., Showler, D. A., Smith, R. K., Turpie, S., Williams, D. & Sutherland, W. J. (2013) Farmland Conservation: Evidence for the effects of interventions in northern Europe. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter. 504 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/
- Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2011) Is nest predator exclusion an effective strategy for enhancing bird populations? Biological Conservation, 144,1–10.
- Smith, R.K., Ryan, E., Morley, E. and Hill, R.A. (2011) Resolving management conflicts: could agricultural land provide the answer for an endangered species in a habitat classified as a World Heritage Site? Environmental Conservation, 38, 325-333.
- Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2010) The effectiveness of predator removal for enhancing bird populations: a systematic review. Conservation Biology, 24, 820-829.
- Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2009) Is Predator Control an Effective Strategy for Enhancing Bird Populations? Systematic Review No. 38, http://www.environmentalevidence.org/Library.htm
- Smith, R.K., Marais, A., Chadwick, P., Lloyd, P.H. and Hill, R.A. (2008) Monitoring and management of the endangered Cape mountain zebra Equus zebra zebra in the Western Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Ecology, 46, 207-213.
- Jennings, N.V., Smith, R.K., Hackländer, K., Harris, S. and White, P.C.L. (2006) Variation in demography, condition, and dietary quality of hares Lepus europaeus from high-density and low-density populations. Wildlife Biology, 12, 179-190.
- Smith, R.K., Jennings, N.V. and Harris, S. (2005) A quantitative analysis of the abundance and demography of European hares Lepus europaeus in relation to habitat type, intensity of agriculture and climate. Mammal Review, 35, 1-24.
- Smith R.K., Jennings, N.V., Tataruch, F., Hackländer, K. and Harris, S. (2005) Vegetation quality and habitat selection by European hares Lepus europaeus in a pastural landscape. Acta Theriologica, 50, 391-404.
- Smith, R.K., Jennings, N.V., Robinson, A. and Harris, S. (2004) Conservation of European hares Lepus europaeus in Britain: is increasing habitat heterogeneity in farmland the answer? Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 1092-1102.
- Clutton-Brock, T.H., Brotherton, P.N.M., Smith, R., McIlrath, G.M., Kansky, R., Gaynor, D., O'Riain, M.J. and Skinner, J.D. (1998) Infanticide and expulsion of females in a cooperative mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B Biological Sciences, 265, 2291-2295.