Danai Kontou
@danai-kontou.bsky.social
Postdoc Research Fellow @Leeds Uni 🇬🇧
PhD @Cambridge Uni 🎓 MRes @UCL
Aquatic Invasion Ecology, Population Genetics & Conservation💧🐠🦞👽 🧬🔬
PhD @Cambridge Uni 🎓 MRes @UCL
Aquatic Invasion Ecology, Population Genetics & Conservation💧🐠🦞👽 🧬🔬
If you are a bio grad and the child inside of you can't decide between the NHM (aka dinosaurs) and the Zoo, that's the MRes for you 😁🦒🦖
Applications are open for UCL's M.Res. in Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation, 2024 intake. Learn the latest scientific techniques for studying biodiversity jointly with UCL, the Natural History Museum, and ZSL. Details here: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
December 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
If you are a bio grad and the child inside of you can't decide between the NHM (aka dinosaurs) and the Zoo, that's the MRes for you 😁🦒🦖
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
December 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
So grateful to have been invited to participate in this incredible project! A week that was inspiring, thought provoking and (so much) fun and a chance to meet and collaborate with some of the best people I have met in my academic career so far! 😊
Well done Inva-Team and see you all soon! 🫶🏻
Well done Inva-Team and see you all soon! 🫶🏻
InvaPact III workshop is now over: WHAT A WEEK! ~60 experts from 30 countries putting their brainpower together for an unique collaborative project.
Work hard, play hard: they really followed my motto!
Powerful publications on the way!
Work hard, play hard: they really followed my motto!
Powerful publications on the way!
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
So grateful to have been invited to participate in this incredible project! A week that was inspiring, thought provoking and (so much) fun and a chance to meet and collaborate with some of the best people I have met in my academic career so far! 😊
Well done Inva-Team and see you all soon! 🫶🏻
Well done Inva-Team and see you all soon! 🫶🏻
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Look to the past
Our work (see below), together with those of other colleagues, is highlighted in the editorial of the last issue of @natrevbiodiv.nature.com and inspired its cover
Thrilled and thankful to see that stuff
@ebdonana.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Our work (see below), together with those of other colleagues, is highlighted in the editorial of the last issue of @natrevbiodiv.nature.com and inspired its cover
Thrilled and thankful to see that stuff
@ebdonana.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Look to the past
Our work (see below), together with those of other colleagues, is highlighted in the editorial of the last issue of @natrevbiodiv.nature.com and inspired its cover
Thrilled and thankful to see that stuff
@ebdonana.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Our work (see below), together with those of other colleagues, is highlighted in the editorial of the last issue of @natrevbiodiv.nature.com and inspired its cover
Thrilled and thankful to see that stuff
@ebdonana.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
💔
Obituary: Jane Goodall (1934-2025) Pioneer primatologist who inspired generations of scientists
go.nature.com/48aWjRU
go.nature.com/48aWjRU
Jane Goodall obituary: pioneer primatologist who inspired generations of scientists
She was a tireless advocate for conservation, the welfare of captive chimpanzees and the protection of habitats.
go.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
💔
A full week to end a full month of training, learning and planning. Excellent conversations with great people!🐟🦞
Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a whole year since I finished my PhD...
Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a whole year since I finished my PhD...
This week was full of training, workshops and seminars. @leopoldadrianus.bsky.social taught the group ecomorphology, @ecoinvasions.bsky.social gave an insightful lecture on context dependent invasion impacts
October 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
A full week to end a full month of training, learning and planning. Excellent conversations with great people!🐟🦞
Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a whole year since I finished my PhD...
Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a whole year since I finished my PhD...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
🤔 coverage of our latest paper with @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @waterik.bsky.social (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...) @forbes 🌳🍃 Read the story 👉 www.forbes.com/sites/suwann...
Carbon Capture Has a Hard Limit and Wind Power’s Out
Plans for carbon capture and sequestration have an effective limit of 0.7 degrees. So mitigation is perpetually proven to be the best green energy strategy.
www.forbes.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🤔 coverage of our latest paper with @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @waterik.bsky.social (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...) @forbes 🌳🍃 Read the story 👉 www.forbes.com/sites/suwann...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
We are so excited our newest paper led by @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social is now out @pnas.org 🤩
Read it here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
🌲 We followed a forest as it was logged to understand what happens to soil carbon at a molecular-scale. Here's what we learned. 1/n
Read it here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
🌲 We followed a forest as it was logged to understand what happens to soil carbon at a molecular-scale. Here's what we learned. 1/n
August 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
We are so excited our newest paper led by @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social is now out @pnas.org 🤩
Read it here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
🌲 We followed a forest as it was logged to understand what happens to soil carbon at a molecular-scale. Here's what we learned. 1/n
Read it here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
🌲 We followed a forest as it was logged to understand what happens to soil carbon at a molecular-scale. Here's what we learned. 1/n
A great example of why we need a bit more than just monitoring to understand species introductions!
Cooperation between ecologists and historians has allowed a robust reconstruction of the historical introduction of the Italian crayfish, Austropotamobius fulcisianus, to Spain in the late-16th century
@ebdonana.bsky.social @um.es
New OA paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@ebdonana.bsky.social @um.es
New OA paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 2, 2025 at 9:36 AM
A great example of why we need a bit more than just monitoring to understand species introductions!
Reposted by Danai Kontou
The result of a huge amount of effort (by my co-authors) – "a comprehensive global assessment of the status and trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups (including Bacteria, Protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals) for IPBES regions."
#BioInvasions
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#BioInvasions
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long‐term trends, and data gaps
Biological invasions are one of the major drivers of biodiversity decline and have been shown to have far-reaching consequences for society and the economy. Preventing the introduction and spread of ....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The result of a huge amount of effort (by my co-authors) – "a comprehensive global assessment of the status and trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups (including Bacteria, Protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals) for IPBES regions."
#BioInvasions
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#BioInvasions
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
There is still time to register for our annual meeting! #BESAG2025. ZSL London Zoo, 15/16th Sept. We have great workshops and keynote talks! prices for #ECRs too. Join us if you are interested in anything #aquatic #marine #freshwater 💧🌊🧪🌍🦠🐋🦈🦪🦐🦀🪼🦑 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/besag2025-...
#BESAG2025: Aquatic Ecology Group Annual Meeting 2025
Get together with the freshwater and marine research community to hear the latest research, share skills, and build your network!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 8:11 AM
There is still time to register for our annual meeting! #BESAG2025. ZSL London Zoo, 15/16th Sept. We have great workshops and keynote talks! prices for #ECRs too. Join us if you are interested in anything #aquatic #marine #freshwater 💧🌊🧪🌍🦠🐋🦈🦪🦐🦀🪼🦑 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/besag2025-...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Fish are a critical source of accessible food - but non-native species disrupt ecological networks. This could have unprecedented outcomes for nutrient and toxin accumulation when aquatic food is consumed by humans, with socioeconomically variable outcomes
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Redirecting
doi.org
July 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fish are a critical source of accessible food - but non-native species disrupt ecological networks. This could have unprecedented outcomes for nutrient and toxin accumulation when aquatic food is consumed by humans, with socioeconomically variable outcomes
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Rivers were historically regarded as gods - but freshwaters and the species within them are rapidly being destroyed.
Here we show how traditional knowledge and sacred sites offer sanctuary and reprieve for both humans and nature in Indonesia.
doi.org/10.1002/aqc....
@shoalorg.bsky.social
Here we show how traditional knowledge and sacred sites offer sanctuary and reprieve for both humans and nature in Indonesia.
doi.org/10.1002/aqc....
@shoalorg.bsky.social
The Sacred Waters and Fish: Traditional Practices and Fish Conservation in Indonesian Communities
This paper explores the intersection of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and fish conservation within the context of sacred waters in Indonesian communities. Sacred waters, revered for their sp...
doi.org
June 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Rivers were historically regarded as gods - but freshwaters and the species within them are rapidly being destroyed.
Here we show how traditional knowledge and sacred sites offer sanctuary and reprieve for both humans and nature in Indonesia.
doi.org/10.1002/aqc....
@shoalorg.bsky.social
Here we show how traditional knowledge and sacred sites offer sanctuary and reprieve for both humans and nature in Indonesia.
doi.org/10.1002/aqc....
@shoalorg.bsky.social
Reposted by Danai Kontou
🔔 New call for proposals!
IUCN and the EC have launched the EU IAS Rapid-Response Fund. We are accepting proposals to address #invasivealienspecies in the EU.
Apply now for grants to support the rapid eradication of species at an early stage of invasion.
iucnsos.org/new-call-for...
IUCN and the EC have launched the EU IAS Rapid-Response Fund. We are accepting proposals to address #invasivealienspecies in the EU.
Apply now for grants to support the rapid eradication of species at an early stage of invasion.
iucnsos.org/new-call-for...
New call for proposal: European Rapid-Response Fund for Invasive Alien Species - IUCN SOS
4 June 2025 – IUCN Save Our Species is pleased to announce that the call for proposals under the European Invasive Alien Species Rapid-Response Fund is now
iucnsos.org
June 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
🔔 New call for proposals!
IUCN and the EC have launched the EU IAS Rapid-Response Fund. We are accepting proposals to address #invasivealienspecies in the EU.
Apply now for grants to support the rapid eradication of species at an early stage of invasion.
iucnsos.org/new-call-for...
IUCN and the EC have launched the EU IAS Rapid-Response Fund. We are accepting proposals to address #invasivealienspecies in the EU.
Apply now for grants to support the rapid eradication of species at an early stage of invasion.
iucnsos.org/new-call-for...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Global stressors reduce biomass of both native & invasive plants, with invasive plants experiencing stronger negative effects.
This study contradicts the notion that invasive spp are more tolerant (& that they could be a "salvation" for stressed ecosystems, as some pop media articles have claimed).
This study contradicts the notion that invasive spp are more tolerant (& that they could be a "salvation" for stressed ecosystems, as some pop media articles have claimed).
Native Plant Species Are More Resistant Than Invasive Aliens to Escalating Environmental Change Factors
🔗 buff.ly/Qp19wTu
🔗 buff.ly/Qp19wTu
June 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Global stressors reduce biomass of both native & invasive plants, with invasive plants experiencing stronger negative effects.
This study contradicts the notion that invasive spp are more tolerant (& that they could be a "salvation" for stressed ecosystems, as some pop media articles have claimed).
This study contradicts the notion that invasive spp are more tolerant (& that they could be a "salvation" for stressed ecosystems, as some pop media articles have claimed).
What a great day! Really enjoyed leading the discussion for this workshop together with the rest of the @universityofleeds.bsky.social @josiesouth.bsky.social team,
@matt-harwood96.bsky.social
@emma-baker.bsky.social & James Hodson 🦞✨
@matt-harwood96.bsky.social
@emma-baker.bsky.social & James Hodson 🦞✨
Last but not least, our discussion-led workshop on priorities and barriers across sectors to guide future focus and collaborations for impactful research, policy and invasive species management!
June 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
What a great day! Really enjoyed leading the discussion for this workshop together with the rest of the @universityofleeds.bsky.social @josiesouth.bsky.social team,
@matt-harwood96.bsky.social
@emma-baker.bsky.social & James Hodson 🦞✨
@matt-harwood96.bsky.social
@emma-baker.bsky.social & James Hodson 🦞✨
Reposted by Danai Kontou
And then all about invasive crayfish in Yorkshire as disease vectors by @matt-harwood96.bsky.social
June 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
And then all about invasive crayfish in Yorkshire as disease vectors by @matt-harwood96.bsky.social
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Third session started with @emma-baker.bsky.social and James Hodson from the University of Leeds talking about predicting invasive crayfish impacts across time and space and under different temperature scenarios🦞
June 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Third session started with @emma-baker.bsky.social and James Hodson from the University of Leeds talking about predicting invasive crayfish impacts across time and space and under different temperature scenarios🦞
Reposted by Danai Kontou
In summary, by drawing untenable equivalencies between biological invasions & human migration, Ahmed & colleagues open the door for both intentional & unintentional misuse instead of preventing it
We strongly recommend such comparisons should be avoided altogether.
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
We strongly recommend such comparisons should be avoided altogether.
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
Parallels between biological invasions and human migration are flawed and undermine both disciplines. Response to Ahmed et al.
A recent article by Ahmed and colleagues (2025) attempt to draw parallels and assess distinctions between biological invasions and human migration. This co
academic.oup.com
June 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
In summary, by drawing untenable equivalencies between biological invasions & human migration, Ahmed & colleagues open the door for both intentional & unintentional misuse instead of preventing it
We strongly recommend such comparisons should be avoided altogether.
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
We strongly recommend such comparisons should be avoided altogether.
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
Reposted by Danai Kontou
A recent article in Biol Reviews by Ahmed et al (2025) warns against 'deleterious' comparisons between human migrations & biological invasions, yet makes a series of scientifically dubious comparisons, described as "potentially fruitful to explore". See our critique: academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
June 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A recent article in Biol Reviews by Ahmed et al (2025) warns against 'deleterious' comparisons between human migrations & biological invasions, yet makes a series of scientifically dubious comparisons, described as "potentially fruitful to explore". See our critique: academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
As an ecologist who moved to the UK for studies during the worst of the Brexit chaos, seeing a peer-reviewed(!) article compare international scholars to invasive pests, brought back unpleasant memories. Words have power & it is important to speak up even if we simply need to spell out the obvious!
A very diverse bunch of scholars - from across biology, conservation, and migration studies - wrote this piece on the very obvious, yet not quite obvious enough for some, dangers of comparing invasive species and human migration. academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
Parallels between biological invasions and human migration are flawed and undermine both disciplines. Response to Ahmed et al.
A recent article by Ahmed and colleagues (2025) attempt to draw parallels and assess distinctions between biological invasions and human migration. This co
academic.oup.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
As an ecologist who moved to the UK for studies during the worst of the Brexit chaos, seeing a peer-reviewed(!) article compare international scholars to invasive pests, brought back unpleasant memories. Words have power & it is important to speak up even if we simply need to spell out the obvious!
Reposted by Danai Kontou
The African crayfish hunt continues, with some new friends & some old friends. Heavy rains mean record high flows in the Kruger National Park - how will that affect distribution and ecology?
What a joy to be working with not one, but 3 members of your old team.
@bioscienceleeds.bsky.social
What a joy to be working with not one, but 3 members of your old team.
@bioscienceleeds.bsky.social
May 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The African crayfish hunt continues, with some new friends & some old friends. Heavy rains mean record high flows in the Kruger National Park - how will that affect distribution and ecology?
What a joy to be working with not one, but 3 members of your old team.
@bioscienceleeds.bsky.social
What a joy to be working with not one, but 3 members of your old team.
@bioscienceleeds.bsky.social
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Help us save this beautiful place and the special things in it. We are creating a Yayasan to formally caretake Pergam
forest & support the community to take ownership. Watch sanctuary here: vimeo.com/1077004302?s...
Please support us before it’s too late: gofund.me/a6804101
@shoalorg.bsky.social
forest & support the community to take ownership. Watch sanctuary here: vimeo.com/1077004302?s...
Please support us before it’s too late: gofund.me/a6804101
@shoalorg.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Help us save this beautiful place and the special things in it. We are creating a Yayasan to formally caretake Pergam
forest & support the community to take ownership. Watch sanctuary here: vimeo.com/1077004302?s...
Please support us before it’s too late: gofund.me/a6804101
@shoalorg.bsky.social
forest & support the community to take ownership. Watch sanctuary here: vimeo.com/1077004302?s...
Please support us before it’s too late: gofund.me/a6804101
@shoalorg.bsky.social
Reposted by Danai Kontou
A reminder that registration is now open for our exciting annual group meeting! 🌍👾
Sign up using the link below, submit your abstract to present your research, and join us this June in Edinburgh to talk about all things #invasivespecies #ecology #policy #conservation #research #priorities! 👇
Sign up using the link below, submit your abstract to present your research, and join us this June in Edinburgh to talk about all things #invasivespecies #ecology #policy #conservation #research #priorities! 👇
BES Invasion Science SIG Annual Meeting 2025
This event will bring together academics, practitioners and policy makers to discuss and share ideas between different sectors.
eventbrite.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A reminder that registration is now open for our exciting annual group meeting! 🌍👾
Sign up using the link below, submit your abstract to present your research, and join us this June in Edinburgh to talk about all things #invasivespecies #ecology #policy #conservation #research #priorities! 👇
Sign up using the link below, submit your abstract to present your research, and join us this June in Edinburgh to talk about all things #invasivespecies #ecology #policy #conservation #research #priorities! 👇
Reposted by Danai Kontou
📢We are also interested to hear from a wide range of backgrounds in #InvasiveSpecies management & research!
If you would like to share your work with us please submit your abstract by May 13th (5 pm, BST), using our form 📝📩
If you would like to share your work with us please submit your abstract by May 13th (5 pm, BST), using our form 📝📩
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
April 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM
📢We are also interested to hear from a wide range of backgrounds in #InvasiveSpecies management & research!
If you would like to share your work with us please submit your abstract by May 13th (5 pm, BST), using our form 📝📩
If you would like to share your work with us please submit your abstract by May 13th (5 pm, BST), using our form 📝📩