Dr Karl Wotton

Karl's research program encompasses ecology, conservation, genetics and behaviour with a particular focus on applying tools from these diverse fields to understand animal migration. Studies from his group have established a comprehensive picture of the genetic factors underlying insect migration, tested the widely held assumption that diurnal migrants orientate using a ‘time-compensated sun compass’ and investigated the adaptive strategies used by migrants in response to wind currents. At a more ecological level his work has revealed the huge contribution that migratory hoverflies make to agriculture, identified interactions between co-migratory organisms, uncovered new migratory phenomena in North America and the Middle East and systematically quantified migratory bioflows at important migration bottlenecks. He runs a long-term field site in the Pyrenean mountains.