Dr Hannah Mossman
Senior Lecturer in Ecology
My profile
Biography
I am an ecologist applying high quality science to real world conservation problems, specialising in the restoration of coastal habitats. My research on saltmarshes has highlighted the potential limitations of current actions restoring this habitat, and subsequently demonstrated methods to improve restoration outcomes. I also study the function of these habitats, including their potential to store carbon. I am currently seconded to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Conservation Evidence Team, identifying and filling evidence gaps that are limiting investment in saltmarsh restoration, and part of the team drafting the Saltmarsh Code, a voluntary carbon code for saltmarsh.
Beyond saltmarshes, I study potential for habitat restoration at landscape scales, for example improving wetland connectivity in the Fens, undertaking a secondment with Defra to assess data needs for the Nature Recovery network, and working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to explore ways to increase biodiversity in the Peak District.
Interests and expertise
Research interests and expertise
- Saltmarsh restoration: I work to understand the environmental and ecological factors affecting the development of vegetation on saltmarshes. My research has demonstrated the benefits of increasing topographic diversity to the restoration outcomes of new saltmarshes (Brooks et al. 2015; Lawrence et al. 2018), including the first trials of topographic manipulation on restored sites. I work with government agencies, consultancies (e.g. Jacobs), NGOs (e.g. RSPB and WWT) and members of the public (e.g. I coordinate annual citizen science surveys of the saltmarsh at WWT Steart). I am a member of the UK saltmarsh expert group, and an author of two chapters for the Saltmarsh Restoration Handbook.
- Blue carbon: We are investigating the potential for restored saltmarshes to store carbon (blue carbon). We worked with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Steart Marshes and found that restored saltmarshes could store more carbon than previously thought (Mossman et al. 2022). I’m currently part of the team drafting the first UK blue carbon voluntary carbon code, the Saltmarsh Code.
- Public engagement and perception of saltmarshes: Sea level rise is one of the biggest and most inevitable aspects of climate change. Billions of people will be directly displaced or have food and other infrastructure severely affected by SLR, yet people often resist adaptations to change. With collaborators, I work to engage people with coastal environments and their adaptation (NERC public engagement project).
- Evidence-based landscape-scale conservation: Knowing which species occur where and what ecological requirements they have, is the first step in planning conservation action. I co-developed the Biodiversity Audit Approach to address these knowledge gaps across hundreds of species (Dolman et al. 2012), and have applied it to find solutions for conservation across landscapes (Mossman et al. 2015, DWT Wilder Peak Project). I was awarded the British Ecological Society Policy Fellowhip, working in Defra
Teaching expertise
I teach ecology, the impact of global changes on biodiversity, and how we can mitigate these changes in a number of units across all levels.
I am the Admissions Tutor for all our Biological Science programmes.
Projects
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Secondment
I am currently seconded to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Conservation Evidence Team working on a range of projects aimed identifying and addressing knowledge gaps that are limiting saltmarsh restoration, enabling the restoration of 22,000 ha of saltmarsh by 2050.
Blue carbon
We have several projects where we are quantifying the carbon in managed realignments across the UK and identifying the source of this carbon, in partnership with Jacobs (Funder: Environment Agency). We have identified the gaps in knowledge and data that need to be filled if saltmarshes are to be integrated into the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Awards and selected presentations
- Beyond Excellence Award 2022 - Winner
- Flood and Coastal Excellence 2022 Award for Net Zero – awarded for work on restored saltmarshes and their carbon
- Jacobs CFO Sustainable Solution Award - Winner
- Work presented at COP26 and at Blue Carbon All Party Parliamentary Group meeting (Oct 2021)
- Guest presentation at WWT AGM (Nov 2022).
Wilder Peak
We are working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to identify the potential for habitat restoration, rewilding and alternative farming practices to improve biodiversity and ecosystem services across the Peak District National Park
Teaching
I teach ecology, the impact of global changes on biodiversity and how we can mitigate these changes in a number of units across all levels. My teaching also focusses on reinforcing the skills needed to communicate these issues to a range of audiences. Specifically,
- I lead the UG unit Biological Responses to Environmental Change, and contribute to UG Coastal Ecology and Ecosystem Services. In both these units, we focus on synthesising complext evidence and communicating this to a range of audiences.
- I teach critical practical skills on UG and PG field courses, and GIS in PG Practical Techniques.
- I also lead the UG Species Interactions unit and the independent Project unit for the MSc African Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
Supervision
Ongoing
- Caroline Rothschild 2021-present (Co-supervisor) Towards a Wilder Peak District
- Ellie Burrell 2022-present (External co-supervisor) Development of blue carbon at restored saltmarsh in the Humber
- Edgar Waddington 2017-present (External co-supervisor) Development of subsurface properties and ecological characteristics in young natural and restored saltmarsh
Completed
- Thomas Hughes 2016-2022 (Co-Supervisor then Primary Supervisor) The importance of mesocarnivores: Impacts of diet, pollutants and gut microbiomes
- Sara-Xaali O’Reilly Berkeley 2016-2022 (Co-Supervisor then Primary Supervisor) Community genetics of mesocosm epiphytic communities
- Natascha Mynett 2019-2021 (Co-supervisor) MRes: Electrosensing in marine mammals.
- Lewis Browett 2019-2021 (Co-supervisor) MRes: Impact of rising seawater levels and subsequent flooding on microbial community and funtion in terrestrial soils.
- Hani El-Bizri 2018-2021 (Co-supervisor). Towards the sustainable use of the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) in the Amazon.
- Vanessa Yepes Narvaez 2016-2020 (Co-Supervisor). Population and community ecology of bryozoans (Phylum Bryozoa) and ascidians (Class Ascidiacea) in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Giada Porcedda 2016-2020 (Co-supervisor). The impact of urban noise on bird reproductive success and survival.
- Ryan Edge 2016-2019 (Primary Supervisor). Restoring biodiversity-ecoystem function relationships in saltmarshes: do genetic and phenotypic diversity matter?
- Martin Kay 2013-2019 (Co-Supervisor). Impacts of drought, climate warming and saline intrusion on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of maritime lowland raised bogs.
- Peter Lawrence 2014-2018 (Primary Supervisor). Roles of topography, nutrients and sediment oxygenation in the restoration of saltmarsh vegetation.
Research outputs
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Chapters in books
Mossman, H., Sullivan, M., Dunk, R., Pemberton, R., Rae, S., Tempest, J., Pontee, N. 'Created coastal wetlands as carbon stores: potential challenges and opportunities.' In Humphreys, J., Little, S. (ed.) Challenges in Estuarine and Coastal Science: Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association 50th Anniversary Volume. Pelagic Publishing, pp. 146-159.
Mossman, H. 'Communication and Engagement.' Saltmarsh Restoration Handbook: UK and Ireland. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK,
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Reports
Mossman, H.L., Franco, A.M.A., Dolman, P.M. Implications of climate change for UK invertebrates (excluding butterflies and moths). Terrestrial Biodiversity Climate Change Impacts Report Card Technical Paper 3.. Living With Environmental Change.
Mossman, H.L., Grant, A., Davy, A.J. Implications of climate change for coastal and intertidal habitats. Terrestrial Biodiversity Climate Change Impacts Report Card Technical Paper 10.. Living with Environmental Change.
Mossman, H.L., Panter, C.J., Dolman, P.M. Fens Biodiversity Audit: Part 1 & 2 Methodology and Results. Norwich, UK: University of East Anglia.
Panter, C.J., Mossman, H.L., Dolman, P.M. Biodiversity Audit and Tolerance Sensitivity Mapping for the Broads. Norwich, UK: University of East Anglia.
Dolman, P.M., Panter, C.J., Mossman, H.L. Securing Biodiversity in Breckland: Guidance for Conservation and Research. First Report of the Breckland Biodiversity Audit. Norwich, UK: University of East Anglia.
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Journal articles
Schuerch, M., Mossman, H.L., Moore, H.E., Kiesel, J. 'Invited perspectives: Managed realignment as a solution to mitigate coastal flood risks – optimizing success through knowledge co-production.' Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22(9) pp. 2879-2890.
Browett, L.C., Ruiz-Lopez, S., Mossman, H.L., Dean, A.P., Rivett, D.W. 'Prior exposure of microbial communities to seawater reduces resilience but increases compositional and functional resistance to flooding events.' Science of the Total Environment, 896pp. 165040-165040.
Mynett, N., Mossman, H.L., Huettner, T., Grant, R.A. 'Diversity of vibrissal follicle anatomy in cetaceans.' The Anatomical Record, 305(3) pp. 609-621.
Lawrence, P.J., Sullivan, M.J.P., Mossman, H.L. 'Restored saltmarshes have low beta diversity due to limited topographic variation, but this can be countered by management.' Journal of Applied Ecology, 59(7) pp. 1709-1720.
Mossman, H.L., Pontee, N., Born, K., Hill, C., Lawrence, P.J., Rae, S., Scott, J., Serato, B., Sparkes, R.B., Sullivan, M.J.P., Dunk, R.M. 'Rapid carbon accumulation at a saltmarsh restored by managed realignment exceeded carbon emitted in direct site construction.' PLoS One, 17(11) pp. e0259033-e0259033.
Harris, W.E., De Kort, S., Bettridge, C., Borges, J., Cain, B., Dulle, H., Fyumagwa, R., Gadiye, D., Jones, M., Kahana, L., Kibebe, J., Kideghesho, J.R., Kimario, F.F., Kisingo, A., Makari, F., Martin, E., Martin, A., Masuruli, M.B., Melubo, K., Mossman, H., Munishi, L., Mwaya, R., Nasi, R., Nyakunga, O., Price, E., Shoo, R.A., Strange, E.F., Symeonakis, E., Fa, J. 'A Learning Networks approach to resolve conservation challenges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.' African Journal of Ecology, 59(1) pp. 326-331.
Downey, H., Amano, T., Cadotte, M., Cook, C.N., Cooke, S.J., Haddaway, N.R., Jones, J.P.G., Littlewood, N., Walsh, J.C., Abrahams, M.I., Adum, G., Akasaka, M., Alves, J.A., Antwis, R.E., Arellano, E.C., Axmacher, J., Barclay, H., Batty, L., Benítez‐López, A., Bennett, J.R., Berg, M.J., Bertolino, S., Biggs, D., Bolam, F.C., Bray, T., Brook, B.W., Bull, J.W., Burivalova, Z., Cabeza, M., Chauvenet, A.L.M., Christie, A.P., Cole, L., Cotton, A.J., Cotton, S., Cousins, S.A.O., Craven, D., Cresswell, W., Cusack, J.J., Dalrymple, S.E., Davies, Z.G., Diaz, A., Dodd, J.A., Felton, A., Fleishman, E., Gardner, C.J., Garside, R., Ghoddousi, A., Gilroy, J.J., Gill, D.A., Gill, J.A., Glew, L., Grainger, M.J., Grass, A.A., Greshon, S., Gundry, J., Hart, T., Hopkins, C.R., Howe, C., Johnson, A., Jones, K.W., Jordan, N.R., Kadoya, T., Kerhoas, D., Koricheva, J., Lee, T.M., Lengyel, S., Livingstone, S.W., Lyons, A., McCabe, G., Millett, J., Strevens, C.M., Moolna, A., Mossman, H.L., Mukherjee, N., Muñoz‐Sáez, A., Negrões, N., Norfolk, O., Osawa, T., Papworth, S., Park, K.J., Pellet, J., Phillott, A.D., Plotnik, J.M., Priatna, D., Ramos, A.G., Randall, N., Richards, R.M., Ritchie, E.G., Roberts, D.L., Rocha, R., Rodríguez, J.P., Sanderson, R., Sasaki, T., Savilaakso, S., Sayer, C., Sekercioglu, C., Senzaki, M., Smith, G., Smith, R.J., Soga, M., Soulsbury, C.D., Steer, M.D., Stewart, G., Strange, E.F., Suggitt, A.J., Thompson, R.R.J., Thompson, S., Thornhill, I., Trevelyan, R.J., Usieta, H.O., Venter, O., Webber, A.D., White, R.L., Whittingham, M.J., Wilby, A., Yarnell, R.W., Zamora, V., Sutherland, W.J. 'Training future generations to deliver evidence‐based conservation and ecosystem management.' Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2(1)
Shao, D., Liu, K., Mossman, H.L., Adams, M.P., Wang, H., Li, D., Yan, Y., Cui, B. 'A prioritization metric and modelling framework for fragmented saltmarsh patches restoration.' Ecological Indicators, 128pp. 107833-107833.
Mossman, H.L., Grant, A., Davy, A.J. 'Manipulating saltmarsh microtopography modulates the effects of elevation on sediment redox potential and halophyte distribution.' Journal of Ecology, 108(1) pp. 94-106.
Edge, R.S., Sullivan, M.J.P., Pedley, S.M., Mossman, H. 'Species interactions modulate the response of saltmarsh plants to flooding.' Annals of Botany, 125(2) pp. 315-324.
Sullivan, M., Brearley, F., Mossman, H., Preziosi, R. 'Long-term thermal sensitivity of Earth’s tropical forests.' Science, 368(6493) pp. 869-874.
Hanley, M.E., Bouma, T.J., Mossman, H.L. 'The gathering storm: optimizing management of coastal ecosystems in the face of a climate-driven threat.' Annals of Botany, 125(2) pp. 197-212.
Wheeldon, A., Mossman, H.L., Sullivan, M.J.P., Mathenge, J., de Kort, S.R. 'Comparison of acoustic and traditional point count methods to assess bird diversity and composition in the Aberdare National Park, Kenya.' African Journal of Ecology, 57(2) pp. 168-176.
Lawrence, P.J., Smith, G.R., Sullivan, M.J.P., Mossman, H.L. 'Restored saltmarshes lack the topographic diversity found in natural habitat.' Ecological Engineering, 115pp. 58-66.
Sullivan, M.J.P., Davy, A.J., Grant, A., Mossman, H.L. 'Is saltmarsh restoration success constrained by matching natural environments or altered succession? A test using niche models.' Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(3) pp. 1207-1217.
Greenwood, O., Mossman, H.L., Suggitt, A.J., Curtis, R.J., Maclean, I.M.D. 'REVIEW: Using in situ management to conserve biodiversity under climate change.' Journal of Applied Ecology, 53(3) pp. 885-894.
Brooks, K.L., Mossman, H.L., Chitty, J.L., Grant, A. 'Limited Vegetation Development on a Created Salt Marsh Associated with Over-Consolidated Sediments and Lack of Topographic Heterogeneity.' Estuaries and Coasts, 38pp. 325-336.
Mossman, H.L., Panter, C.J., Dolman, P.M. 'Modelling biodiversity distribution in agricultural landscapes to support ecological network planning.' Landscape and Urban Planning, 141pp. 59-67.
Sullivan, M.J.P., Franco, A.M.A., Mossman, H.L., Davies, R.G. 'An anthropogenic habitat facilitates the establishment of non-native birds by providing underexploited resources.' PLoS One, 10(8) pp. e0135833-e0135833.
Mossman, H.L., Davy, A.J., Grant, A. 'Does managed coastal realignment create saltmarshes with ‘equivalent biological characteristics’ to natural reference sites?.' Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(6) pp. 1446-1456.
Mossman, H.L., Brown, M.J.H., Davy, A.J., Grant, A. 'Constraints on Salt Marsh Development Following Managed Coastal Realignment: Dispersal Limitation or Environmental Tolerance?.' Restoration Ecology, 20(1) pp. 65-75.
Dolman, P.M., Panter, C.J., Mossman, H.L. 'The biodiversity audit approach challenges regional priorities and identifies a mismatch in conservation.' Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(5) pp. 986-997.
Davy, A.J., Brown, M.J.H., Mossman, H.L., Grant, A. 'Colonization of a newly developing salt marsh: disentangling independent effects of elevation and redox potential on halophytes.' Journal of Ecology, 99(6) pp. 1350-1357.
Mossman, H.L., Davy, A.J., Grant, A. 'Quantifying local variation in tidal regime using depth-logging fish tags.' Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science,
Dolman, P., Mossman, H., Panter, C., Armour-Chelu, N., Nichols, B., Pankhurst, T. 'The importance of Breckland for biodiversity.' British Wildlife, 22(4) pp. 229-239.
DAVY, A.J., BISHOP, G.F., MOSSMAN, H., REDONDO-GÓMEZ, S., CASTILLO, J.M., CASTELLANOS, E.M., LUQUE, T., FIGUEROA, M.E. 'Biological Flora of the British Isles:Sarcocornia perennis(Miller) A.J. Scott.' Journal of Ecology, 94(5) pp. 1035-1048.
Career history
1999-2001
BSc Biological Sciences, Kings College London
2003-2007
PhD Development of saltmarsh vegetation in response to coastal realignment. University of East Anglia
2007-2013
Post doctoral Associate and Teaching Assistant (various posts), University of East Anglia
2013-2018
Lecturer in Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University
2018-present
Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University
2024
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Secondment
Press and media
Recent Blue Carbon media
- CTGN - Nov 2022
- WWT Blue Carbon
- Guardian - Nov 2021
- The Times - Stories of our Times podcast Dec 2021
The blue carbon work has also featured on BBC and ITV local News, BBC Winterwatch.
Previously, my work on the success of managed realignments, the impact of climate change on UK biodiversity, and our Biodiversity Audits have all featured in a wide range of media, including Radio 4 Today, BBC Breakfast TV, BBC local radio stations and TV news, BBC Online, Guardian, Independent, BBC Wildlife magazine and Farming Today.