Our Team

Dr Kevin Black

Forest Ecologist & GIS Analyst

Kevin holds an honours degree in Biology from the University of Durban in South Africa, a Ph.D. in Botany from University College Dublin and a M.Sc. in GIS and Remote Sensing from the University of Ulster Coleraine. Kevin has in excess of 30 years of experience in carrying out research on both an academic and professional basis. Kevin is a policy and forest consultant for Coillte, Bord Na Mona, EPA, COFORD and the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Forestry on climate change, land use and forestry. He is responsible for design, modelling and database management of the national forest greenhouse gas inventory submissions to the UNFCCC and EU. Kevin is a forestry ecologist and remote sensing expert and has undertaken numerous projects and published paper on a wide range of topics such as forest health assessment, landscape mapping, focal species habitat network and mapping and pest and disease risk mapping, species niche mapping, forest growth modelling, volume and carbon forecasting and economics, nursery production, forest silviculture, remote sensing forest inventories, soils and nutrition.

Dr Pat Moran

Principal Ecologist & GIS Analyst

Dr Patrick Moran holds an honours degree in Environmental Biology from University College Dublin, a Ph.D. in plant ecology and physiology from the Botany Department in University College Dublin, a Diploma in EIA and SEA management from University College Dublin, a M.Sc. in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing from University of Ulster Coleraine and an Advanced Diploma in Planning and Environmental Law from King’s Inns. Patrick has in excess of 20 years of carrying out ecological research on an academic and professional basis, has managed large scale (up to 5 years in length) projects, and has undertaken large scale habitat mapping projects. Patrick is experienced in undertaking biodiversity assessments and drawing up Biodiversity Management Plans/Action plans and Strategies.

Dr Emma Reeves

Senior Ecologist

Dr Emma Reeves, senior ecologist with FERS, holds an honours degree in Botany and a Ph.D. in Botany from University College Dublin. Dr Reeves has almost 10 years of experience in undertaking ecological surveys on an academic and professional basis. Emma is a grassland specialist and was employed by BEC consultants to carry out grassland surveys during the National Semi-natural Grasslands Survey. Emma is particularly experienced in identifying grassland types based on aerial photography/satellite imagery. Emma is vastly experienced in undertaking biodiversity assessments. Emma has recently completed the Native Woodland Scheme training.

Ciarán Byrne

Senior Ecologist

Ciarán Byrne, senior ecologist with FERS holds an honours degree in Environmental Management from Dublin Institute of Technology and a M.Sc. in Ecological Assessment from University College Cork. Ciarán has in excess of 5 years of experience in undertaking ecological surveys on both an academic and a professional basis.

Ciarán has a wide range of experience in flora, fauna and habitat surveys and has managed several large-scale projects. Ciarán has recently completed the Native Woodland Scheme training.

Brian Crowley

Statistician

Brian Crowley, statistician with FERS, holds an honours degree in Mathematical Science from University of Limerick and a M.Sc. in Mathematical Modelling from University of Limerick. Brian has 5 years of experience undertaking statistical research on both an academic and a professional basis. Brian has undertaken several projects on a variety of topics, such as LIDAR, forest growth modelling and clinical trials.