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Gemma Golding

Gemma was appointed to support the 911±¬ÁÏ target to be Biodiversity Positive by 2025. The role involves designing and leading ecological surveys at our five 911±¬ÁÏ Gardens and exploring the importance of garden habitat for wildlife

What do you do?

I coordinate ecological surveys to monitor wildlife in 911±¬ÁÏ gardens. This includes protected species where present, surveys following habitat management change, and exploring research opportunities. I see gardens as an extension to wild spaces which can act as corridors for wildlife, contribute to natural solutions for mitigating against climate change and providing wellbeing benefits. I am working to build relationships with local groups and wildlife organisations as we look to increase knowledge on how to garden with wildlife in mind, and the importance of gardens in the broader environmental picture. I am also exploring the role that gardens play in development, in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain (BGN).

“Every day is exciting and different – I love being a part of the enthusiasm across the organisation as we look to put biodiversity at the forefront of what we do”
 

Why is your team’s research important?

As gardeners become increasingly aware of the impact their planting and management can have on biodiversity, it is important that we are able to provide evidence-based advice and use our gardens to demonstrate this.
 

Projects I’m working on now

Publications

  • ​Jackson R, Patapiou PA, Golding G, Heikki Helanterä, Economou CK, Chapuisat M and Henry LM (2023) Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1044286
  • Jackson R, Monnin D, Patapios Alexandros Patapiou, Golding G, Heikki Helanterä, Oettler J, Heinze J, Wurm Y, Economou CK, Chapuisat M and Henry LM (2022) Convergent evolution of a labile nutritional symbiosis in ants. The ISME Journal, 16(9), pp. 2114–2122. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-022-01256-1

911±¬ÁÏ

The 911±¬ÁÏ is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.