Sarah A. Beynon

DPhil student, University of Oxford

Ecology Research Group

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

Oxford

OX1 3PS

+44 7966 956357

sarah.beynon@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Research

I am an insect ecologist and agricultural conservation biologist, with a particular interest in researching sustainable agricultural practices which maintain optimal invertebrate biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Research interests

1. Threats to farmland biodiversity: non-target, eco-toxic and functional impacts of livestock parasite control and the development of alternative solutions

I have wide research interests, both ecological and applied, but my current research focusses on the impact of parasite control in domestic livestock on dung insect fauna and the ecosystem function of decomposition. Parasite control in livestock is globally unsustainable, with large-scale resistance to current treatments and non-target eco-toxic and functional impacts. I am particularly interested in researching the possible environmental impact of alternative products, used globally for parasite control. I was fieldwork supervisor of an Oxford University undergraduate student working on a project I designed on this topic in 2009, and am collaborating with Dr Christina Marley (Aberystwyth University) on the use of chicory (Cichorium intybus) for reducing gastro-intestinal parasites in cattle. I am also working with industry contacts in research and development of new methods of parasite control in livestock.

2. Dung invertebrate ecosystem functioning

In addition, I am interested in the underlying ecological processes that define dung insect communities. I am currently working to asses the functional importance of species richness and quantitatively assessing the impact of parasiticides on dung insect interspecific and intraspecific interactions and functioning. I was fieldwork supervisor of an Oxford University undergraduate student working on a manipulative dung invertebrate ecosystem functioning project I designed in 2009.

Whilst current research is UK-based, I have a strong interest in similar patterns and processes in tropical systems, having carried out research into the agricultural impact on dung beetle communities in Zambia (2005 and 2010) and Honduras (2007), with a current collaboration with Professor Richard Wall (Bristol University) looking at developing a project in Zambia.

3. Large-scale environmental impacts of farming practices

I am interested in the broader environmental impacts of farming practices and placing an economic value on the services provided by insects. To this end, I am collaborating with Professor Helen West (Nottingham University) looking at large-scale impacts of anthelmintics on dung fauna and with the RSPB on the importance of invertebrate prey items for the chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (L.), and associated management suggestions for chough conservation. I fieldwork-supervised two University of Oxford students on projects I designed in 2010. Other projects underway look at the potential of organic or no-tillage systems to support natural enemy populations.

Application and science communication

The application of theoretical research is key in bridging the gap between science and practice. As a partner in the family farming business, I am able to practically apply my research to an on-farm system in order to test the applied environmental and economic benefits of the research. To this end, I also work with a number of other farmers on a consultancy and voluntary basis assessing the benefits of research findings to commercial farming businesses.

I am passionate about communicating my research to a wider audience, and give regular talks and presentations to farming and non-agricultural audiences. In addition, I have worked on a number of radio and televsion programmes, and have close links with BBC Wales, the BBC Natural History Unit, Parthenon Productions and Tigress Productions. Please follow this link for more information on outreach activities.

Selected publications

Beynon, S.A., Lewis, O.T., Peck, M. & Mann D.J. (in preparation) Conventional and alternative parasite control for cattle: impact on dung fauna and decomposition

Wall, R. & Beynon, S. (2011) Area-wide impact of macrocyclic lactone parasiticides in cattle dung. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00984.x.

Beynon, S.A. (in press) Potential environmental consequence of endoparasite control in sheep, Veterinary Parasitology

Beynon, S.A. (in press) Potential environmental consequence of ectoparasite control in sheep, Veterinary Parasitology

Beynon, S.A. & Mann, D.J. (2006) Amara apricaria (Pakyll) (Coleoptera: Carabidae): recent records from Pembrokeshire (VC 45). Entomologist's Monthly Magazine pdf

Beynon, S.A. & Mann, D.J. (2006) Trechoblemus micros (Herbst) (Carabidae): first record for Pembrokeshire (VC 45). The Coleopterist 15(1): 43-48 pdf

Relevant funding/awards

2009-2010: Darwin Initiative Project Funding (scoping trip to Zambia)

2008: Professor Sir Richard Southwood scholarship in Insect Ecology (DPhil)

2008: Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Student Bursary (DPhil)

2005: Oxford University Varley Gradwell Travelling Fellowship in Insect Ecology (Zambia)

2004: The Wynford Davies Travelling Scholarship (Indonesia)

Recent conference/meeting attendance (papers/posters presented)

2011: The 2nd European Dung Ecology Conference (Nottingham)

2010: Amateur Entomological Society young members day (Oxford)

2010: Amateur Entomological Society members day (NHM, London)

2009: The 1st European Dung Ecology Conference (Oxford)*

2009: The Royal Entomological Society Postgraduate Conference (Sheffield)