Soil Ecologist Forest Research UK Roslin, England, United Kingdom
Soil is one of the most biodiverse habitats on Earth and is maintained by a myriad of wonderful and often bizarre-looking creatures. In my career as a soil ecologist, I focus on the links between soil animal biodiversity and soil functions within forests and during ecological restoration. My research means I often look at preserved soil invertebrates such as earthworms, springtails, and mites under microscopes to identify them; however, through my hobby of macrophotography, I’ve found that viewing these wonderful animals in life through the lens of a camera can provide unique insights into their fascinating lifecycles and behaviours. The resulting photographs are also an amazingly effective science communication tool for engaging with audiences from all levels of familiarity with soil biodiversity. My soil invertebrate macrophotography work has in many ways been more rewarding to me than my research career, enabling me to connect with a global audience and promote soil biodiversity through podcast features, providing comms material for academic, policy and charity publications, as well as engaging with the public through talks and training courses. It is true that academia can be an exclusive club, and so through my macrophotography I’ve been able to reach the public and non-scientists, to raise awareness of the ecological value and intrinsic beauty of soil invertebrates in a way that academic papers never could. In this talk I hope to be able to inspire you to pick up a camera or a lens and look at the ‘poor man’s rainforest’ beneath your feet.