Doctor Emma Jackson School of Medical & Applied Sciences

I am a seagrass ecologist with over 15 years of research experience in this field. My research emphasis is on landscape ecology and the effects of human pressure on the state of structural benthic habitats (seagrass and biogenic reef) and the subsequent changes in ecosystem functioning and provision of ecosystem services. I am particularly interested in the structure and functioning of seagrass habitats at a landscape scale (fragmentation, depth squeeze, connectivity). In recent years I have spent a lot of time in bridging the knowledge gap between science and policy: assessing conservation importance, identifying suitable indicators for monitoring change and advising on the design and management of marine protected areas.

Currently I am researching the possibility of developing a meta-population model of seagrasses in Port Curtis Bay to aid the construction of a science based framework for seagrass restoration in the region.

Previously, as a Research Fellow at Plymouth University Marine Institute I worked on a European Consortium project KnowSeas (The Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas), examining thresholds and non-linearities in the provision of ecosystem services from seagrass habitats and using stochastic modelling approaches we analysed causal chains to predict the costs and benefits of different management measures on human welfare. Prior to this I held the position of Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Marine Landscape Ecology at the University of Plymouth. During this time I coordinated a work package on marine habitat and species loss and degradation as part of a larger EU project called European Lifestyles and Marine Ecosystems, collating and analysing data on the pathways of large scale "state change" in terms of marine habitat and species loss and linking this to anthropogenic pressures and drivers. Within the KnowSeas project I am continued this work, examining how state change manifests in ecosystem process change and the provision of ecosystem services. Using stochastic modelling approaches we are analysing causal chains to predict the costs and benefits of different management measures on human welfare. During this time I co-edited a special section of the journal “Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science” on “Ecological and Management Implications of  Seagrass Landscapes”, and has established collaborations with many international researches. I am a coauthor on the UK National Ecosystem Assessment technical report chapter on Biodiversity (seagrass section).

In 2011 I became an Associate Fellow of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, where my research focused on seagrass fragmentation (influence of edge effects on mobile epifauna and spawning cuttlefish), seagrass habitat predictive modelling and mapping. I was co-investigator on the INTERREG IVa CRESH project (Cephalopod Recruitment from English Channel Spawning Habitats) coordinating survey work on spawning locations (including seagrass beds) across the English Channel, and led a Natural England and Marine Management Organisation funded project to assess anthropogenic impacts on seagrass habitat and model resilience of seagrass landscapes across gradients of human and natural pressures.

Over the past 10 years I has lectured in Marine Ecology and GIS, and successfully supervised 1 PhD student, 8 MSc/MRES students and 7 BSc student research projects, mainly in areas of seagrass ecology (landscape ecology, nutrient dynamics, influence of ocean acidification on seagrass/ epiphyte relationships and seagrass habitat restoration), overseeing their work in the lab and field.

1998 – 2003       PhD The importance of seagrass beds as a habitat for fishery species around Jersey, English Channel. University of Plymouth, UK.

1997 – 1998       MSc (Distinction) in Marine Resource Development and Protection. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Thesis on modelling the distribution and value of seagrass in the Orkney Isles.

1993 – 1997       BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology (2:1), University of Stirling, Scotland.

Current Appointment and Employment History

Jan 2013-ongoing                       Research Fellow in seagrass landscape ecology, Central Queensland University

July 2011  – December 2012    Associate Fellow of the Marine Biological Association of the UK (0.6 FTE) and postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK. FP7 funded KnowSeas Project (The Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas)(0.4 FTE).

April 2011 – July 2011              Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK. FP7 funded KnowSeas Project (The Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas) (0.4 FTE)

Sept 2010 – April 2011             Maternity Leave

May 2009 – Sept 2010              Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK. FP7 funded KnowSeas Project (The Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas) (0.4 FTE), and Biodiversity and Conservation Science Programme Manager, MBA (0.6 FTE)

Jan 2008 – May 2009                Biodiversity and Conservation Science Programme Manager, MBA (0.6 FTE)

April 2007 – Jan 2008               Maternity Leave

April 2004 – April 2007             Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Landscape Ecology, University of Plymouth, UK. EU FP6 funded ELME project (European Lifestyles and Marine Ecosystems). Full time.

Other Skills and Qualifications

• Fieldwork and Laboratory skills: Experience of operating sub-littoral remote sampling gear and in situ observations. Good marine macro-invertebrate and vertebrate identification skills.
• Diving: PADI Dive Master, HSE Part 4 (Theory).
• Boat Skills: RYA Powerboat Level 2 (planing and displacement craft, inshore and offshore over 500 helming hours), Competent Crew Certificate and RYA Dinghy Instructor; use of navigational equipment such as GPS, plotters, digital echo-sounder systems and basic radar skills; VHF Licence.
• Full UK and Queensland driving licences
• First Aid at Work Certification

• The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (MBA) – Associate Fellow
• Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA)
• Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA)
  

• Seagrass dynamics: landscape ecology, patch dynamics, restoration and faunal habitat modelling;
• Marine conservation management: vulnerability mapping (recovery and resistance), marine protected area (network design, assessing ecological coherence of MPA networks, stakeholder involvement)
• Ecosystem services: evaluation, relationships with biodiversity and ecosystem function, interactions and cost benefit analysis (in collaboration)
• Marine Protected Areas and Reserves: establishment, performance assessment and efficacy;
• Marine community ecology: fractal patterns, landscape ecology, human impacts, metapopulation ecology; and
• Marine angiosperm, invertebrate and vertebrate taxonomy.

2012                     Invited expert in Marine Protected Areas and Ecosystem Services for the UK Valuing Nature Network coastal and marine group.

2012                     Invited expert to provide advice to the UK Seafish Authority on cuttlefish for a fisheries ecological risk assessment.

2011                     Elected as Associate Fellow of the Marine Biological Association of the UK.

2011                     Convener and expert presenter– monitoring seagrass quality and change. Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership. Short Course, July 2011.

2011                     Invited speaker at the Biodiversity, ecosystems and uses of the marine environment: what knowledge is needed for the integrated management of the Normano-Breton Gulf 2-3 November 2011, St. Malo, France.

2010                     Invited speaker at the DefiManche CHANNEL PROGRAM March 30-31st 2010, Rouen.

2009                     Invited speaker at “A Changing Climate for Maritime Biodiversity: linking science to practice”, 5th November 2009, Met Office, Exeter.

2008                     Elected scientific advisor for the Finding Sanctuary Steering Group and Finding Sanctuary Marine Conservation Zone Stakeholder group.

2008                     Invited speaker at the Natural England Seagrass workshop, 22nd May, 2008. Natural England Offices, Exeter.

• Mapping: ESRI ArcGIS, ERDAS ImagineTM, Biosonics DT Analyser, FRAGSTATS.
• Statistics: Microsoft Excel, PRIMER, WinGMAV5, StatGraphics, Statistica;
• Modelling: WEMo, Netica, MaxEnt, R.
  
• Databases: Microsoft Access, Endnote, Reference Manager;
  
• Presentations/Reports: Microsoft Word and Power Point, Adobe Photoshop.

Jackson, E.L., Griffiths, C.A., Collins, K., Durkin, O., (2013). An assessment of anthropogenic impact on marine angiosperm habitat, Natural England and MMO, Peterborough, UK. NECR111. Parts 1 and 2. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/3665058

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Beaumont, N., Potts, T. and Hattam, C. (2012). Seagrass Ecosystem Interactions with Social and Economic Systems. Commissioned Report for Defra, UK.

Bloor, I., Jackson, E.L. (2012). Fisheries ecological risk assessment: Cephalopods and their spawning habitats. Unpublished Report for the Seafish Authority.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Evans, J., Wilkes, P., Seeley, B., Lear D. and Tyler-Walters, H. 2010. Mapping Marine Benthic Biodiversity in Wales.  CCW Contract Science Reports Report No: 913, 88pp, Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor.

Fletcher, S., Rees, S., Gall, S. Jackson, E.L, Friedrich, L., and Rodwell, L. (2012) Securing the benefits of the Marine Conservation Zone Network. A report to The Wildlife Trusts by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University.

Attrill, M.J., Bayley, D.T.I., Gall, S.C., Hattam, C., Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Mangi, S., Marshall, C., Munro, C., Rees, S., Rodwell, L., Sheehan, E.V., Stevens, T.F., Strong. S., 2011. Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential “spillover” effects and socio-economic changes, Final Report, February 2011. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd.

Jackson, E.L., Higgs, S., Allsop, T., Cathray, A., Evans, J. and Langmead, O., 2011. Isles of Scilly Seagrass Mapping. Natural England Commissioned  Report Number 087.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Evans, J., Wilkes, P., Seeley, B., Lear D. and Tyler-Walters, H. 2010. Mapping Marine Benthic Biodiversity in Wales.  CCW Contract Science Reports Report No: 913, 88pp, Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Miller, P., Fox, C., Hiscock, K., Tyler-Walters, H., Saunders, J., 2009. Marine Biodiversity Hotspots. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the UK, subcontracted by ABPMer, Southampton. Defra Contract No. MB102 Task 2F, Report No. 2.

Langmead, O., Jackson, E.L., Lear, D., Evans, J., Seeley, B. Ellis, R., Mieszkowska, N. and Tyler-Walters, H. (2008). The Review of Biodiversity for Marine Spatial Planning within the Firth of Clyde. Report to the SSMEI Clyde Pilot from the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN). Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [Contract number R70073PUR]

Jackson, E.L., Hiscock, K., Evans, J., Seeley, B. & Lear, D. (2008). Investigating the existing coverage and subsequent gaps in protection and providing guidance on representativity and replication for a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas in England's territorial waters. Plymouth: Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN), Marine Biological Association of the UK. Natural England Commissioned Reports, Number 018.

Irving, R.A. (ed.), Jackson, E.L. & Cole, H. 2007. Mapping eelgrass Zostera marina beds within Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC. Report to Natural England by Sea-Scope, Marine Environmental Consultants, Devon.

Rhodes, B., Jackson, E.L., Moore, R., Foggo, A. Frost, M., 2006. The impact of swinging boat moorings on Zostera marina beds and associated infaunal macroinvertebrate communities in Salcombe, Devon, UK. Report to Natural England. pp58.

Bloor, I., Wearmouth, V.J., McHugh, M.,Humpries, N., Cotterell , S., Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M.J, Sims, D. (in press). The movement and behaviour of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis in the inshore waters of the English Channel using acoustic telemetry. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

Rees, S.E., Sheehan, E.V., Jackson, E.L., Gall, S.C., Cousens, S.L., Solandt, J.-L., Boyer, M., Attrill, M.J., (in press). A legal and ecological perspective of ‘site integrity’ to inform policy development and management of Special Areas of Conservation in Europe. Marine Pollution Bulletin (In press) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.036.

Luisetti, T., Jackson, E.L., Turner, K. (in press). Valuing the European ‘Blue’ Carbon Storage Benefit. Marine Pollution Bulletin.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.029

Bloor, I.,  Attrill, M.J., Jackson, E.L (in press). A review of the factors influencing spawning, early life stage survival and recruitment variability in the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis): A case study of the English Channel population, ecology and fishery. Chapter One. Advances in Marine Biology.

Jackson, E.L., Simenstad, C.I. (2006). Introduction to the Special Issue on Seagrass Landscape Ecology. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 68: 379.

Jackson, E.L. (2003) The importance of seagrass beds as a habitat for fishery species around Jersey, English Channel. PhD Thesis, Plymouth University, Plymouth.

Jackson, E.L. (1998). The distribution and Importance of seagrass in the Orkney Isles, Scotland. MSc Thesis. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

Jackson, E.L. (1997). Changes in the subtidal macrobenthos of the Forth Estuary, Scotland after 20 years. Stirling University, Stirling.

Langmead O & Jackson E.L., 2010. Large scale patterns of marine biodiversity: and evidence based approach for prioritising areas for protection. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 17, 11-14.

Jackson, E.L., Glanfield, S.C., Delacruz, J., Langmead, O., Arvanitidis, C., Attrill, M.J., Tyler-Walters, H., Mee, L. (2007). An objective approach to quantifying loss of seagrass in the Mediterranean: Causal chain analysis and scenario predictions. Biologia Mediterranea, 13(4):240-244.

2011                     Invited speaker at the Biodiversity, ecosystems and uses of the marine environment: what knowledge is needed for the integrated management of the Normano-Breton Gulf 2-3 November 2011, St. Malo, Franc

2011                     Invited speaker at the Natural England Interreg IVa MAIA workshop on MPA monitoring. Fit for purpose monitoring of seagrass beds in Marine Protected Areas. November 2011.

2010                     Invited speaker at the DefiManche CHANNEL PROGRAM March 30-31st 2010, Rouen.

2009                     Invited speaker at “A Changing Climate for Maritime Biodiversity: linking science to practice”, 5th November 2009, Met Office, Exeter.

PhD students
•    Ms Isobel Bloor (successful viva Dec 2012). PhD candidate. Research focused on the spawning habitats of the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in the English Channel (Primary supervisor Prof M Attrill). EU Interreg IVA funding as part of the CRESH project.

Masters students
•    Ms Katie Brigden (2009-2010) A Study into the Cuttlefish Fishery of Torbay, Devon:      Investigating Spawning Areas from the Fishermen’s Perspective and the Potential for Utilising Artificial Egg Laying Structures (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).
•    Ms Penelopi Goumenaki (2006-2007). Contributing to the management of a seagrass habitat by determining its natural or anthropogenic structuring (Salcombe, SW England) (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).
•    Ms Alexandra Mack (2006-2007) The impact of proposed dredging for Pecten maximus in 'The Bag' area of the Salcombe- Kingsbridge Estuary (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson). Received a Seale Hayne Education Fund masters research award.
•    Mr Ben Rhodes (2005-2006) The Effects of Boat Moorings on Infaunal Polychaete Assemblages in Associated Bare Sand Patches within Zostera marina L. beds. (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson). Received a student research grant from Natural England.
•    Ms Ruth Moore (2005-2006) The Impact of Swinging Boat Moorings on Infaunal Macroinvertebrate Communities Associated with Zostera marina Beds in the Salcombe Estuary, Devon, UK. (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson). Received a student research grant from Natural England.
•    Mr Dickens Odeny (2005-2006)Laboratory experiment on species growth response to nutrient elevation (N&P) and potential ecological interactions of Zostera marina L. and Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt. (Primary Supervisor Prof Martin Attrill, Second supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).
•    Mr James Tweedley (2005-2006). The Effect of the Invasive Alga Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt on the Seagrass Zostera marina L. and its Associated Fauna. (Primary Supervisor Prof Martin Attrill, Second supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).

Honours students    
•    Mr Henry Evans (2011-2012). Feeding ecology of coastal cephalopods in the north-east Atlantic (Primary supervisor Prof M. Attrill; Co-supervisor Dr Emma Jackson). 2011 Received a Seale Hayne Scholarship award.
•    Ms Hannah Moysey (2005-2006). Salcombe estuary seagrass regeneration project. (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).
•    Mr Tom Smith (2005-2006).The Distribution and Diversity of Epiphytes on Zostera marina Beds Along a Natural-Sand Boundary in Salcombe Devon UK. (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson)
•    Mr Paul Dyer (2005-2006).Seagrass edge effects and motile epifauna: patterns and processes. (Primary Supervisor Dr Emma Jackson).

Competitive Grants

Research Consultancy

Expert Advice

Tyler, E. H., Palomares, D., Bremner, J., Somerfield, P.J., Vanden Berghe E., Langmead, O., Jackson, E.L., Webb, T.J. (2012). ‘Extensive gaps and biases in our knowledge of a well-known fauna: implications for integrating biological traits into macroecology. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 21(9): 922-934.

Langmead O & Jackson E, 2010. Large scale patterns of marine biodiversity: an evidence based approach for prioritising areas for protection. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 17, 11-14.

Tweedley, J., Jackson, E. L., & Attrill, M. J. (2008). Zostera marina seagrass beds enhance the attachment of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum in soft sediments. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 354, 305-309.

Langmead O & Jackson E, 2010. Large scale patterns of marine biodiversity: and evidence based approach for prioritising areas for protection. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 17, 11-14.

Langmead O, McQuatters-Gollop A, Mee LD, Friedrich J, Gomoiu M-T, Gilbert AJ, Jackson EL, Knudsen S, Minicheva G, Todorova V. (2008). Recovery or decline of the northwestern Black Sea: A societal choice revealed by socio-ecological modelling. Ecological Modelling doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2008.09.011.

Jackson, E.L., Glanfield, S.C., Delacruz, J., Langmead, O., Arvanitidis, C., Attrill, M.J., Tyler-Walters, H., Mee, L. (2007). An objective approach to quantifying loss of seagrass in the Mediterranean: Causal chain analysis and scenario predictions. Biologia Mediterranea: Proceedings of Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop, 13(4):240-244.

Jackson, E.L., Simenstad, C.I. (2006). Introduction to the Special Issue on Seagrass Landscape Ecology. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 68: 379.

Boström, C., Jackson, E.L. & Simenstad, C.I. (2006). Seagrass landscapes and their effects on associated fauna: a review. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 68: 383-403.

Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M. J., Jones, M.B. (2006). Habitat characteristics and spatial arrangement affecting the diversity of fish and decapod assemblages of seagrass (Zostera marina) beds around the coast of Jersey (English Channel). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 68: 421-432.

Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M. J., Rowden, A. A. and Jones, M. B. (2006). Seagrass complexity hierarchies: Influence on fish groups around the coast of Jersey (English Channel). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 330: 38-54.

Echeverria, S. W., Gunnarsson, K., Mateo, M. A., Borg, J. A., Renom, P., Kuo, J., Schanz, A., Hellblom, F., Jackson, E.L., Pergent, G., Pergent-Martini, C., Johnson, M., Sanchez-Lizaso, J., Boudouresque, C.F. and Aioi, K. (2002). Protecting the seagrass biome: Report from the traditional seagrass knowledge working group. Bulletin of Marine Science, 71, 1415-1416.

Jackson, E. L., Rowden, A. A., Attrill, M. J., Bossy, S. F., & Jones, M. B. (2002). Comparison of fish and mobile macroinvertebrates associated with seagrass and adjacent sand at St. Catherine Bay, Jersey (English Channel): emphasis on commercial species. Bulletin of marine science, 71(3), 1333-1341.

Jackson, E. L., Rowden, A. A., Attrill, M. J., Bossey, S. J., & Jones, M. B. (2001). The importance of seagrass beds as a habitat for fishery species. Oceanography and Marine Biology, 39, 269-304.

 Jackson, E.L., Griffiths, C. A. (2012).Sailors, seahorses and seagrass: taking the ecosystem approach to seagrass management. 10^th International Seagrass Biology Workshop, Búzios, Brazil, December 2012.

Jackson, E.L., Luisetti, T., Wilding, C., Rees, S., Graziano, M., Langmead, O., Attrill, M.J. (2012). Valuing carbon sequestration and secondary production from Mediterranean seagrass habitat. 10^th International Seagrass Biology Workshop, Búzios, Brazil, December 2012.

Bloor, I., Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M.J., Robin, J.P., (2012). Seagrass: an important cuttlefish spawning location in the English Channel. 10^th International Seagrass Biology Workshop, Búzios, Brazil, December 2012.

Bloor, I., Wearmouth, V.J., McHugh, M., Cotterell, S., Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M., Sims, D.W. (2012). Investigating the movement, behavious and habitat use of Sepia officinalis on inshore juvenile and spawning grounds in the English Channel. Cephalopod International Advisory Council Symposium, 27 Oct- 02 Nov 2012, Florianopolis, Brazil.

Gras, M., Caplat, C., Bloor, I., Jackson, E. L., Robin, J.P. (2012). Chemical elements in the English Channel Cuttlefish (sepia officinalis): Differences among coastal juveniles and origin of offshore recruits. Cephalopod International Advisory Council Symposium, 27 Oct- 02 Nov 2012, Florianopolis, Brazil.

Robin, J.P., Gras, M., Grangeré, K., Caplat, C., Shaw, P.W., Jackson, E.L., Bloor, I., Roel, B.A., Coppin, F. (2012). Biological variation in Coastal Stages of the English Channel Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and fishery implications. Cephalopod International Advisory Council Symposium, 27 Oct- 02 Nov 2012, Florianopolis, Brazil.

Jackson, E.L., Fournier, J. 2011. Biodiversity, ecosystems and uses of the marine environment: what knowledge is needed for the integrated management of the Normano-Breton Gulf 2-3 November 2011, St. Malo, France. Invited Speaker.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Fowell, S., Attrill, M., Mee, L. 2010. Identifying drivers of accelerating seagrass loss in the Mediterranean: Causal chain and Scenario analyses. CIESM 39th Congress 10-14 May 2010, Venice Lido, Italy.

Jackson, E.L. and Bloor, I. 2010. Habitat preferences in spawning and juvenile cuttlefish. DefiManche CHANNEL PROGRAM March 30-31st 2010, Rouen. Invited Speaker.

Jackson, E.L., 2009. Seagrass and climate change: implications for management. A Changing Climate for Maritime Biodiversity: linking science to practice, 5th November 2009, Met Office, Exeter. Invited Speaker.

Jackson, E.L., Sheehan, E. & Langmead, O. 2009. Assessing recovery in the Lyme Bay closure: What to measure? Porcupine Marine National History Society annual conference: Sea shore to sea floor, 27th to 29th March, Plymouth. Jackson, E.L. & Attrill, M., 2008. 10 years of Seagrass Research in Plymouth. Seagrass workshop, 22nd May, Natural England Offices, Exeter. Invited Speaker.

Jackson, E.L., Glanfield, S.C., Delacruz, J., Langmead, O., Arvanitidis, C., Attrill, M.J., Tyler-Walters, H., Mee, L.(2006). An objective approach to quantifying loss of seagrass in the Mediterranean: Causal chain analysis and scenario predictions. 29th May to 2nd June 2006, Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop, Malta.

Jackson, E.L., Attrill, M.J., Rowden, A.A., Jones, M.B. (2005) Seagrass complexity hierarchies: influence on fish groups around the coast of Jersey (English Channel). April 2005, 34th Benthic Ecology Meeting, VIMS, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Jackson, E.L. (2004). Habitat characteristics and spatial arrangement affecting fish assemblages of seagrass (Zostera marina) beds around Jersey, English Channel. June 2004, ECSA 37 /ERF 2004 Estuaries and Change Conference, Ballina, NSW, Australia.

Jackson, E.L. (2004). Habitat characteristics and spatial arrangement affecting fish assemblages of seagrass (Zostera marina) beds around Jersey, English Channel. March 2004, Ecology Between The Tides V, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Wadden Sea Station Sylt (Invited speaker).

Jackson, E.L. (2002). Habitat characteristics affecting fish and decapod assemblages of seagrass (Zostera marina) beds around the coast of Jersey. March 2002, 31st Benthic Ecology Meeting, Florida. (Oral presentation) Jackson, E.L., Rowden, A. A., Attrill, M. J., Jones, M. B. and Bossy, S. F. (2001). Variability of large mobile fauna in seagrass beds (Jersey, English Channel): which scale is most important? March 2001, 30th Benthic Ecology Meeting, Durham (New Hampshire), USA. (Oral presentation). April 2002 MBA Postgraduate Workshop, Plymouth (Oral Presentation).

• Seagrass dynamics: landscape ecology, patch dynamics, restoration and faunal habitat modelling;
• Marine conservation management: vulnerability mapping (recovery and resistance), marine protected area (network design, assessing ecological coherence of MPA networks, stakeholder involvement);
• Ecosystem services: evaluation, relationships with biodiversity and ecosystem function, interactions and cost benefit analysis (in collaboration)
• Marine Protected Areas and Reserves: establishment, performance assessment and efficacy;
• Marine community ecology: fractal patterns, landscape ecology, human impacts, metapopulation ecology; and
• Marine angiosperm, invertebrate and vertebrate taxonomy.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Beaumont, N., Potts, T. and Hattam, C. (2012). Seagrass Ecosystem Interactions with Social and Economic Systems. Commissioned Report for Defra, UK.

Bloor, I., Jackson, E.L. (2012). Fisheries ecological risk assessment: Cephalopods and their spawning habitats. Unpublished Report for the Seafish Authority.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Evans, J., Wilkes, P., Seeley, B., Lear D. and Tyler-Walters, H. 2010. Mapping Marine Benthic Biodiversity in Wales. CCW Contract Science Reports Report No: 913, 88pp, Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor.

Jackson, E.L., Griffiths, C.A., Collins, K., Durkin, O., (2013). An assessment of anthropogenic impact on marine angiosperm habitat, Natural England and MMO, Peterborough, UK. NECR111. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/3665058

Fletcher, S., Rees, S., Gall, S. Jackson, E.L, Friedrich, L., and Rodwell, L. (2012) Securing the benefits of the Marine Conservation Zone Network. A report to The Wildlife Trusts by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research, Plymouth University.

Attrill, M.J., Bayley, D.T.I., Gall, S.C., Hattam, C., Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Mangi, S., Marshall, C., Munro, C., Rees, S., Rodwell, L., Sheehan, E.V., Stevens, T.F., Strong. S., 2011. Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential “spillover” effects and socio-economic changes, Final Report, February 2011. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd.

Jackson, E.L., Higgs, S., Allsop, T., Cathray, A., Evans, J. and Langmead, O., 2011. Isles of Scilly Seagrass Mapping. Natural England Commissioned Report Number 087.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Miller, P., Fox, C., Hiscock, K., Tyler-Walters, H., Saunders, J., 2009. Marine Biodiversity Hotspots. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the UK, subcontracted by ABPMer, Southampton. Defra Contract No. MB102 Task 2F, Report No. 2.

Wilding, C., Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O.,Hiscock, K., Evans, J., Sewell, J., Oakley, J., Tyler-Walters, H. (2009). Marine Health Check Update 2009. Flagship Species Revisited.  Godalming, WWF-UK.

Jackson, E.L., Langmead, O., Barnes, M., Tyler-Walters, H. & Hiscock, K., 2008. Identification of indicator species to represent the full range of benthic life history strategies for Lyme Bay and the consideration of the wider application for monitoring of Marine Protected Areas. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN).  Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the UK.

Langmead, O., Jackson, E.L., Lear, D., Evans, J., Seeley, B. Ellis, R., Mieszkowska, N. and Tyler-Walters, H. (2008). The Review of Biodiversity for Marine Spatial Planning within the Firth of Clyde. Report to the SSMEI Clyde Pilot from the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN). Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [Contract number R70073PUR]

Jackson, E.L., Hiscock, K., Evans, J., Seeley, B. & Lear, D. (2008). Investigating the existing coverage and subsequent gaps in protection and providing guidance on representativity and replication for a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas in England's territorial waters. Plymouth: Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN), Marine Biological Association of the UK. Natural England Commissioned Reports, Number 018.

Irving, R.A. (ed.), Jackson, E.L. & Cole, H. 2007. Mapping eelgrass Zostera marina beds within Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC. Report to Natural England by Sea-Scope, Marine Environmental Consultants, Devon.

Rhodes, B., Jackson, E.L., Moore, R., Foggo, A. Frost, M., 2006. The impact of swinging boat moorings on Zostera marina beds and associated infaunal macroinvertebrate communities in Salcombe, Devon, UK. Report to Natural England. pp58.