Staff Profile:Dr Phil Baker

Name:

Dr Philip Baker

Job Title:

Academic, Harborne Building

Responsibilities:

Areas of Interest:

My research focuses on the ecology and behaviour of vertebrates, and how these species are influenced by and impact upon humans, particularly in urban areas. Globally, wild vertebrates are of major importance in affecting the production of food and the spread of diseases to humans, livestock and companion animals. Conversely, many species are highly valued by society yet are negatively impacted by human activities. Sound strategies for the management of human-wildlife conflicts and for mitigating human impacts and conserving global biodiversity are, therefore, of critical importance. These are the themes of my research. Studies to date have included: the sociobiology of urban red foxes before during and after an outbreak of sarcoptic mange; the role of culling as a strategy for managing foxes, with particular emphasis on fox hunting; the impact of cat predation on suburban bird populations; wildlife rehabilitation; and changes in the behaviour of suburban mammals in relation to road traffic. Most recently I have started to investigate the impact of urban and suburban development on avian populations, and the role of suburban wildlife on human attitudes and perceptions.

I currently teach modules on statistics and the ecology and conservation of mammals to undergraduate and MSc students, and run an undergraduate field course based at the RSPCA’s Mallydams Wood Centre in Sussex focussing on field techniques for the study of birds and mammals. I am also actively involved with the student Ecology and Conservation Society, whose aim is to enable students across the University to take part in ongoing studies of e.g. wild birds and hedgehogs.

I am happy to discuss opportunities for PhD studentships in the following areas:

• Mammal behaviour
• Mammal ecology
• Conservation biology
• Conservation psychology
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Invasive species biology
• Urban ecology
• Wildlife diseases
• Wildlife management

Research groups / Centres:

Vertebrate Conservation
Centre for Wildlife Assessment and Conservation

Ecology research group

Publications:

Y

Jump to: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Number of items: 18.

2010

• Dowding, C. V., Shore, R. F., Worgan, A., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2010) Accumulation of anticoagulant rodenticides in a non-target insectivore, the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Environmental Pollution, 158 (1). pp. 161-166. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.017
• Baker, P. J., Soulsbury, C. D. , Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2010) Domestic cat (Felis catus) and domestic dog (Canis familiaris). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores, Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 157-172. ISBN 9780801893896
• Harris, S., Baker, P. J., Soulsbury, C. D. and Iossa, G. (2010) Eurasian badgers (Meles meles). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 109-120. ISBN 9780801893896
• Baker, P. J., Thomas, R. L., Newson, S. E., Thompson, V. and Paling, N. R. D. (2010) Habitat associations and breeding bird community composition within the city of Bristol, UK. Bird Study, 57 (2). pp. 183-196. ISSN 0006-3657 doi: 10.1080/00063650903490270
• Dowding, C. V., Harris, S., Poulton, S. and Baker, P. J. (2010) Nocturnal ranging behaviour of urban hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus, in relation to risk and reward. Animal Behaviour, 80 (1). pp. 13-21. ISSN 0003-3472 doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.04.007
• Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2010) Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 63-75. ISBN 9780801893896
• Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2010) A taxonomic analysis of urban carnivore ecology. In: Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D. and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) Urban carnivores. Ecology, conflict, and conservation. John Hopkins University Press, pp. 173-184. ISBN 9780801893896

2009

• Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Edwards, K. J. and Harris, S. (2009) Behavioral changes associated with a population density decline in the facultatively social red fox. Behavioral Ecology, 20 (2). pp. 385-395. ISSN 1045-2249 doi: 10.1093/beheco/arn149

2008

• Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J. and Harris, S. (2008) Body mass, territory size and life history tactics in a socially monogamous canid, the red fox Vulpes vulpes. Journal of Mammalogy, 89 (6). pp. 1481-1490. ISSN 0022-2372 doi: 10.1644/07-MAMM-A-405.1
• Baker, P. J., Molony, S. E., Stone, E., Cuthill, I. C. and Harris, S. (2008) Cats about town: is predation by free-ranging pet cats Felis catus likely to affect urban bird populations? Ibis, 150. pp. 86-99. ISSN 0019-1019 doi: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2008.00836.x
• Soulsbury, C. D., Iossa, G., Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2008) Environmental variation at the onset of independent foraging affects full-grown body mass in the red fox. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 275 (1649). pp. 2411-8. ISSN 0962-8452 doi: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0705
• Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J., Iossa, G. and Harris, S. (2008) Fitness costs of dispersal in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62 (8). pp. 1289-1298. ISSN 0340-5443 doi: 10.1007/s00265-008-0557-9
• Iossa, G., Soulsbury, C.D., Baker, P.J. and Harris, S. (2008) Sperm competition and the evolution of testes size in terrestrial mammalian carnivores. Functional Ecology, 22 (4). pp. 655-662. ISSN 0269-8463 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01409.x
• Baker, P. J., Boitani, L., Harris, S., Saunders, G. and White, P. C. L. (2008) Terrestrial carnivores and human food production: impact and management. Mammal Review, 38 (2-3). pp. 123-166. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00122.x

2007

• Baker, P. J., Dowding, C. V., Molony, S. E., White, P. C. L. and Harris, S. (2007) Activity patterns of urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) reduce the risk of traffic-induced mortality. Behavioral Ecology, 18 (4). pp. 716-724. ISSN 1045-2249 doi: 10.1093/beheco/arm035
• Spencer, K.A., Harris, S., Baker, P.J. and Cuthill, I.C. (2007) Song development in birds: the role of early experience and its potential effect on rehabilitation success. Animal Welfare, 16 (1). pp. 1-13. ISSN 0962-7286
• Baker, P. J. and Harris, S. (2007) Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of the factors affecting patterns of use of residential gardens in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 37 (4). pp. 297-315. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00102.x
• Soulsbury, C.D., Iossa, G., Baker, P.J., Cole, N.C., Funk, S.M. and Harris, S. (2007) The impact of sarcoptic mange Sarcoptes scabiei on the British fox Vulpes vulpes population. Mammal Review, 37 (4). pp. 278-296. ISSN 0305-1838 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00101.x

This list was generated on Thu May 24 15:02:35 2012 BST.

 

Other publications

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2008) The fox. In: Mammals of the British Isles: handbook, 4^th edition (Eds. S. Harris & D.W. Yalden), pp. 407-423. The Mammal Society, Southampton.

Molony, S.E., Baker, P.J., Garland, L., Cuthill, I.C. & Harris, S. (2007) Factors that can be used to predict release rates for wildlife casualties. Animal Welfare, 16, 361-367.

Soulsbury, C.D., Iossa, G., Edwards, K.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2007) Allelic dropout from a high-quality DNA source. Conservation Genetics, 8, 733-738. 

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2006) Does culling reduce fox (Vulpes vulpes) density in commercial forests in Wales? European Journal of Wildlife Research, 52, 99-108. doi: 10.1007/s10344-005-0018-y

Baker, P.J., Furlong, M.J., Southern, S. & Harris, S. (2006) The potential impact of red fox predation in agricultural landscapes in lowland Britain. Wildlife Biology, 12, 39-50.

Baker, P.J.& Harris, S. (2006) Still shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare, 15, 89-90.

Molony, S.E., Dowding, C.V., Baker, P.J., Cuthill, I.C. & Harris, S. (2006) The effect of translocation and temporary captivity on wildlife rehabilitation success: an experimental study using European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). Biological Conservation, 130, 530-537. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.01.015

Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J., Cole, N.C. & Harris, S. (2006) Macroscopic prey remains in the winter diet of foxes Vulpes vulpes in rural Britain. Mammal Review, 36, 85-97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2006.00069.x

Baker, P.J., Bentley, A.J., Ansell, R.J. & Harris, S. (2005) Impact of predation by domestic cats Felis catus in an urban area. Mammal Review, 35, 302-312. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00071.x

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2005) Shooting in the dark. Animal Welfare, 14, 275-278.

Baker, P.J., Funk, S.M., Harris, S. & Bruford, M.W. (2004) Polygynandry in a red fox population: implications for the evolution of group living in canids? Behavioral Ecology, 15, 766-778. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arh077

Baker, P., Funk, S., Harris, S., Newman, T., Saunders, G. & White, P. (2004) The impact of human attitudes on the social and spatial organisation of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) before and after an outbreak of sarcoptic mange. In: Proceedings of the 4^th International Symposium on Urban Wildlife Conservation, May 1-5 1999 (Eds W.W. Shaw, L.K. Harris & L. VanDruff), pp. 153-163. Tucson, Arizona.

Baker, P.J.& Harris, S. (2004) Red foxes. The behavioural ecology of red foxes in urban Bristol. In: Biology and conservation of wild canids (Eds D.W. Macdonald & C. Sillero-Zubiri), pp. 207-216. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S., Robertson, C.P.J., Saunders, G. & White, P.C.L. (2004) Is it possible to monitor mammal population changes from counts of road traffic casualties? An analysis using Bristol's foxes as an example. Mammal Review, 34, 115-130. doi: 10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00024.x

Moberly, R.L., White, P.C.L., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Modelling the costs of fox predation and preventive measures on sheep farms in Britain. Journal of Environmental Management, 70, 129-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2003.11.005

Sadlier, L.M.J., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Methods of monitoring Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Badgers (Meles meles): are field signs the answer? Mammal Review, 34, 75-98. doi: 10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00029.x

Webbon, C.C, Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2004) Faecal density counts for monitoring red fox numbers in rural Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 768-779. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-8901.2004.00930.x

Baker, P.J., Ansell, R.J., Dodds, P.A.A., Webber, C.E. & Harris, S. (2003) Factors affecting the distribution of small mammals in urban areas. Mammal Review, 33, 95-100. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2907.2003.00003.x

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) A review of the diet of foxes in rural Britain and a preliminary assessment of their impact as a predator. In: Conservation and conflict - mammals and farming in Britain (Eds F. Tattersall & W.M. Manly), pp. 120-140. Linnean Society Occasional Publication No. 4, Westbury Publishing, Otley.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S. & Webbon, C.C. (2003) Hunting and fox numbers in the United Kingdom - a reply. Nature, 423, 400.

Moberly, R.L., White, P.C.L., Webbon, C.C., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) Factors associated with fox Vulpes vulpes predation of lambs in Britain. Wildlife Research, 30, 1-9.

Newman, T.J., Baker, P.J., Simcock, E., Saunders, G., White, P.C.L. & Harris, S. (2003) Changes in red fox habitat preference and rest site fidelity following a disease-induced population decline. Acta Theriologica, 48, 79-91.

White, P.C.L., Newton-Cross, G., Moberly, R.L., Smart, J.C.R., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2003) The current and future management of wild mammals hunted with dogs in England and Wales. Journal of Environmental Management, 67, 187-197. doi:10.1016/S0301-4797(02)00225-6

Baker, P.J., Webbon, C.C. & Harris, S. (2002) Effect of British hunting ban on fox numbers. Nature, 419, 34.

Moberly, R., White, P., Webbon, C., Baker, P., & Harris, S. (2002) Fox predation on sheep farms in Britain: preliminary results from a questionnaire survey. Proceedings of the Sheep Veterinary Society, 25, 7-10.

Newman, T.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2002) Nutritional condition and survival of red foxes infected with sarcoptic mange. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80, 154-161.

Ansell, R.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2001) The value of gardens for wildlife - lessons from mammals and herpetofauna. British Wildlife, 13, 77-84.

Baker, P.J., Harris, S., Robertson, C.P.J., Saunders, G. & White, P.C.L. (2001) Differences in the capture rate of cage-trapped foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their implications for rabies contingency planning in Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38, 823-835.

Baker, P.J., Newman, T.J. Harris, S. (2001) Bristol's foxes - forty years of change. British Wildlife, 12, 411-417.

Harris, S. & Baker, P. (2001) Urban foxes, 2^nd edition. Whittet Books, Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Baker, P.J., Funk, S.M., White, P.C.L. & Harris, S. (2000) Flexible spatial organization of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) before and during an outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Animal Behaviour, 59, 127-146.

Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Interaction rates between members of a group of red foxes. Mammal Review, 30, 239-242.

Robertson, C.P.J., Baker, P.J. & Harris, S. (2000) Ranging behaviour of juvenile red foxes and its implications for management. Acta Theriologica, 45, 525-535.

Baker, P.J., Robertson, C.P.J., Funk, S.M., White P.C.L. & Harris, S. (1998) Potential fitness benefits of group living in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes. Animal Behaviour, 56, 1411-1424.