Dr Christopher Thorpe

My research interests are wide but follow the processes that regulate species distribution at a range of scales and how we humans can change that. A topic that naturally leads into how to mitigate anthropogenic activity, in particular in the tropics. Recently I have investigated these impact at a range of trophic scales from fungal pathogens to vertebrates and across land-uses from grazing to open cast mining. Now turning my attention to how these environmental processes are seen in the eco-physiological responses of freshwater organisms.

Currently I am a post-doctoral research fellow in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth, part of an international multi-disciplinary team engaged on a project in south western India with the objective of determining the suitability of a common freshwater crab species as a sustainable resource for aquaculture. Then to assess the socio-economic impact of such a move together with a broad assessment of market capacity. My principal responsibility is for the biological aspects of the research but I also provide the first point of contact for the whole team in India. Our work can be seen in more detail at: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/ecophysiology-and-development-research-group/conservation-physiology-of-marine-and-freshwater-crabs

Using molecular and whole animal physiological indicators we seek to address such questions as species suitability, population structure impacts on the safe supply range from centralised production, environmental constraints on siting production facilities, outbreeding risk management.

Member of the Royal Society of Biology.

Fellow of the Zoological Society.

Post Graduate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Panel chair and convener for the Royal Geogrophical Society's international conference 2019.

I currently do not have any teaching commitments.