Student Dissertations
Academic work from Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
August 4, 2025
Pigs as ecosystem engineers: The Effect of Rooting Behaviour on Butterfly and Plant Communities in a Rewilded Landscape
This study investigates how wild pig rooting behaviour affects butterfly and plant communities at Knepp. Rooting reduced overall butterfly abundance but increased plant diversity and supported rarer butterfly species, demonstrating pigs important role as ecosystem engineers.
August 4, 2025
Comparing Wintering Bird Communities at Knepp with Adjacent Farmland
This study surveyed wintering bird populations at the Knepp Estate and adjacent farmland between October 2017 and February 2018 to assess the impact of rewilding on bird diversity and species composition.
August 4, 2025
Using Bioindicator Bat Activity to Compare Ex-Agricultural Habitats
This study used bat activity to assess how different areas of the Knepp Estate are regenerating following agricultural abandonment.
August 4, 2025
Does Rewilding Benefit Dung Beetle Biodiversity?
This paper investigates whether rewilding benefits dung beetle biodiversity by comparing species richness, abundance, and evenness between Knepp Castle Estate and two nearby organic farms.
August 4, 2025
Drivers and Impacts of Large Herbivore Foraging Behaviour in a Rewilded Landscape
This study at Knepp Wildland explores how different large herbivores like cattle, deer, and pigs shape the landscape through their foraging behavior. It reveals that each species uses the space differently, leading to a diverse mix of habitats rather than uniform grazing.
August 4, 2025
Pigs as ecosystem engineers: The Effect of Rooting Behaviour on Butterfly and Plant Communities in a Rewilded Landscape
This study investigates how wild pig rooting behaviour affects butterfly and plant communities at Knepp. Rooting reduced overall butterfly abundance but increased plant diversity and supported rarer butterfly species, demonstrating pigs important role as ecosystem engineers.
August 4, 2025
Comparing Wintering Bird Communities at Knepp with Adjacent Farmland
This study surveyed wintering bird populations at the Knepp Estate and adjacent farmland between October 2017 and February 2018 to assess the impact of rewilding on bird diversity and species composition.
August 4, 2025
Using Bioindicator Bat Activity to Compare Ex-Agricultural Habitats
This study used bat activity to assess how different areas of the Knepp Estate are regenerating following agricultural abandonment.
August 4, 2025
Does Rewilding Benefit Dung Beetle Biodiversity?
This paper investigates whether rewilding benefits dung beetle biodiversity by comparing species richness, abundance, and evenness between Knepp Castle Estate and two nearby organic farms.
August 4, 2025
Drivers and Impacts of Large Herbivore Foraging Behaviour in a Rewilded Landscape
This study at Knepp Wildland explores how different large herbivores like cattle, deer, and pigs shape the landscape through their foraging behavior. It reveals that each species uses the space differently, leading to a diverse mix of habitats rather than uniform grazing.
August 4, 2025
Effectiveness of Wood Debris Structures in Differing Flow Periods
This study explores how large woody debris (LWD) can be used as a natural method to manage river flow and reduce flood risk.
August 4, 2025
Does Rewilding Restore Soil Biodiversity and Function?
This study shows that rewilding improves soil health over time, with increased microbial activity, nutrient levels, and reduced compaction, indicating recovery of soil biodiversity and function.
August 4, 2025
The Changing Role of Land Use and Subsequent Biodiversity of Hedgerows at Knepp
A journey through time! This report explores how changes in land use have affected species richness in hedgerows over time. Using the Knepp Estate as a compelling case study, it highlights how rewilding and the shift away from intensive agriculture can lead to the restoration and revitalization of ecosystems.
August 4, 2025
How Vegetational Succession in Relation to Rewilding Influences Small Mammal Communities at Knepp Castle Estate
This study explores how vegetation structure, rather than time since abandonment, shapes small mammal communities in rewilded landscapes at Knepp Estate, highlighting the importance of habitat complexity for supporting biodiversity.
August 4, 2025
Impacts of Livestock Grazing on Winter Woodland Bird Diversity
This study investigates how conservation grazing affects winter bird diversity and understory vegetation in UK woodlands by comparing grazed and ungrazed sites.
August 4, 2025
The Impacts of Rewilding on Pollinator Abundance and Diversity
This study assesses the impact of rewilding on pollinator communities at the Knepp Estate by combining field surveys, drone mapping, and vegetation analysis across sites abandoned from agriculture at different times.
August 4, 2025
The Effect of Megaherbivore Guild Intactness on the Distribution of Plant Spinescence
This research explores how the presence of megaherbivores, such as elephants and giraffes, affects the distribution of thorny defences (spinescence) on woody plants.