Farnon Ellwood

Dr. Farnon Ellwood is a Teaching and Research Lecturer in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Bangor University. He is an entomologist specializing in community ecology, with a focus on tropical ecosystems in Southeast Asia, particularly in Danum Valley, Malaysian Borneo, and adjacent oil palm plantations. His research integrates theoretical and experimental approaches to understand biodiversity patterns and ecological interactions, especially among arthropods and microbes.

His research interests span community ecology, entomology, tropical ecology, and biodiversity conservation. He investigates how evolutionary relationships and environmental factors shape ecosystem structure and function, with a strong emphasis on sustainable management. His work often involves field studies in tropical rainforests and human-modified landscapes, examining processes such as decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and species interactions in canopy and soil systems.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on ecological modeling, microbial and invertebrate community dynamics, and the impacts of environmental gradients and land-use change. His work bridges theoretical ecology with applied conservation, particularly in the context of palm oil agriculture and biodiversity preservation. Key themes include metacommunity dynamics, functional traits, nutrient cycling, and public engagement in sustainability.

• Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
• Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Dr. Ellwood is actively involved in research supervision and has expressed willingness to mentor PhD students. He leads projects funded by NERC and the Welsh Crucible, focusing on rainforest microcosms and ecosystem gas exchange. His work is highly collaborative, involving institutions and researchers across the UK and Southeast Asia. His lab and field teams work on diverse topics including canopy ecology, soil microbiology, and insect-plant interactions.

His research is conducted in collaboration with international teams across diverse ecosystems, particularly in tropical regions. He is involved in long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies in Borneo, contributing to global understanding of tropical biodiversity and ecosystem function.