Aquatic Ecology Group

Our research focuses on the ecology of aquatic ecosystems, and in particular invasive species and the role of bivalve molluscs. Much of our work centres on using fundamental ecological concepts to answer questions which have wider practical applications. Our work is often interdisciplinary and we frequently collaborate with industrial partners. We have new, well-equipped laboratory facilities and welcome applications from potential research students, PostDocs and visiting researchers. 

Current research topics include:

  • Determining the factors influencing the spread and impacts of invasive species;
  • Quantifying the role of filter-feeding bivalves in aquatic ecosystems and utilising this filtration in the restoration of eutrophic waterbodies;
  • Developing methods for the control of invasive species;
  • Creating artificial diets for shellfish aquaculture;
  • Reconstructing climate history using bivalve shell annuli;
  • Documenting aquatic species diversity in rarely studied lakes in China and Bangladesh and using this information to develop monitoring programmes for these habitats.

Key Publications 

Aldridge, D.C., Moggridge, G.D. & Elliott, P. (2006) Microencapsulated BioBullets for the control of biofouling zebra mussels. Environmental Science and Technology, 40, 975-979. doi: 10.1021/es050614+

Eerkes-Medrano, D., Thompson, RC, Aldridge DC (2015) Microplastics in freshwater systems: a review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs. Water Research 75, 63-83

Gallardo, B., Aldridge, DC (2015) Is Great Britain heading for a Ponto-Caspian Invasional Meltdown? Journal of Applied Ecology 52, 41-49  DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12348

Ricciardi A, Blackburn TM, Carlton JT, Dick JTA, Hulme PE, Iacarella JC, Jeschke JM, Liebhold AM, Lockwood JL, MacIsaac HJ, Pyšek P, Richardson DM, Ruiz GM, Simberloff D, Sutherland WJ, Wardle DA, Aldridge DC (2017) Invasion science: a horizon scan of emerging challenges and opportunities. Trends in Ecology and Evolutiondoi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2017.03.007

Sousa, R., Gutierrez, J. L. & Aldridge, D. C. (2009) Non-indigenous invasive bivalves as ecosystem engineers. Biological Invasions, 11, 2367-2385. doi:10.1007/s10530-009-9422-7

Full list of publications available via Google Scholar