Sign in

Danai Kontou

@danai-kontou.bsky.social
206 followers 372 following 34 posts

Postdoc Research Fellow @Leeds Uni 🇬🇧 PhD @Cambridge Uni 🎓 MRes @UCL Aquatic Invasion Ecology, Population Genetics & Conservation💧🦠🐠🦞👽 🧬

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Ecosystems and Global Change Group @ecochangegroup.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Thanks @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social for having us on to discuss our latest work @pnas.org (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...) Listen in here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
cbc.ca
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.
011
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Ecosystems and Global Change Group @ecochangegroup.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Very proud of our newest paper now @pnas.org led by @danai-kontou.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social with @laurentianu.bsky.social @isotopesuk.bsky.social Queens U. It's perhaps one of the most genuine "discoveries" we've ever made 🔬 Read it for free 👉 doi.org/10.1073/pnas... 🧵
122
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Here is an intriguing ecological detective story involving several captivating characters, including invasive predatory fishes (catfish & basses) + an endangered native species, in the context of flow barriers & high turbidity. Some complex community ecology teased apart by Dr. Kontou & colleagues.
081
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Excited to share the latest paper from my PhD covered in @uk.theconversation.com for anyone wanting a quick and easy read discussing the significance of our findings! The original paper is also free to read at @pnas.org : www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
010
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Some exciting weekend reading for my fellow #aquatic #invasion #ecology enthusiasts 🐠🦠💧 Delighted and very proud to share not 1 but 2 papers published hours apart this week! 🎉🎉🎉
132
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
"When change becomes too rapid, too numerous, or too interconnected, adaptation becomes progressively more difficult. Not because systems stop responding. Because every response is interrupted by the next disturbance." lylel.substack.com/p/when-the-w...
lylel.substack.com
When the World Changes Faster Than We Can Think
Ecosystems and understanding are the construction of relationships over time.
0122
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
If you are a bio grad and the child inside of you can't decide between the NHM (aka dinosaurs) and the Zoo, that's the MRes for you 😁🦒🦖
010
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Natalie Cooper @nhcooper123.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
Book cover for Reproducible Code guide. The cover has a red background with a large yellow-bodied black-headed stag beetle.
6316198
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
So grateful to have been invited to participate in this incredible project! A week that was inspiring, thought provoking and (so much) fun and a chance to meet and collaborate with some of the best people I have met in my academic career so far! 😊 Well done Inva-Team and see you all soon! 🫶🏻
140
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Miguel Clavero @chikichanka.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Look to the past Our work (see below), together with those of other colleagues, is highlighted in the editorial of the last issue of @natrevbiodiv.nature.com and inspired its cover Thrilled and thankful to see that stuff @ebdonana.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s44...
0189
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
💔
010
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
A full week to end a full month of training, learning and planning. Excellent conversations with great people!🐟🦞 Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a whole year since I finished my PhD...
010
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Ecosystems and Global Change Group @ecochangegroup.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
🤔 coverage of our latest paper with @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @waterik.bsky.social (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...) @forbes 🌳🍃 Read the story 👉 www.forbes.com/sites/suwann...
forbes.com
Carbon Capture Has a Hard Limit and Wind Power’s Out
Plans for carbon capture and sequestration have an effective limit of 0.7 degrees. So mitigation is perpetually proven to be the best green energy strategy.
031
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Ecosystems and Global Change Group @ecochangegroup.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
We are so excited our newest paper led by @ecfreewoman.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social is now out @pnas.org 🤩 Read it here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 🌲 We followed a forest as it was logged to understand what happens to soil carbon at a molecular-scale. Here's what we learned. 1/n
197
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
A great example of why we need a bit more than just monitoring to understand species introductions!
121
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Tim Blackburn @mothyblackburn.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
The result of a huge amount of effort (by my co-authors) – "a comprehensive global assessment of the status and trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups (including Bacteria, Protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals) for IPBES regions." #BioInvasions onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long‐term trends, and data gaps
Biological invasions are one of the major drivers of biodiversity decline and have been shown to have far-reaching consequences for society and the economy. Preventing the introduction and spread of ....
13415
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES Aquatic Ecology Group @bes-aquaticgroup.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
There is still time to register for our annual meeting! #BESAG2025. ZSL London Zoo, 15/16th Sept. We have great workshops and keynote talks! prices for #ECRs too. Join us if you are interested in anything #aquatic #marine #freshwater 💧🌊🧪🌍🦠🐋🦈🦪🦐🦀🪼🦑 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/besag2025-...
eventbrite.co.uk
#BESAG2025: Aquatic Ecology Group Annual Meeting 2025
Get together with the freshwater and marine research community to hear the latest research, share skills, and build your network!
075
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Josie South @josiesouth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Fish are a critical source of accessible food - but non-native species disrupt ecological networks. This could have unprecedented outcomes for nutrient and toxin accumulation when aquatic food is consumed by humans, with socioeconomically variable outcomes doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org
Redirecting
132
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Josie South @josiesouth.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Rivers were historically regarded as gods - but freshwaters and the species within them are rapidly being destroyed. Here we show how traditional knowledge and sacred sites offer sanctuary and reprieve for both humans and nature in Indonesia. doi.org/10.1002/aqc.... @shoalorg.bsky.social
doi.org
The Sacred Waters and Fish: Traditional Practices and Fish Conservation in Indonesian Communities
This paper explores the intersection of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and fish conservation within the context of sacred waters in Indonesian communities. Sacred waters, revered for their sp...
0127
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Ana Nunes @analuisanunes.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
🔔 New call for proposals! IUCN and the EC have launched the EU IAS Rapid-Response Fund. We are accepting proposals to address #invasivealienspecies in the EU. Apply now for grants to support the rapid eradication of species at an early stage of invasion. iucnsos.org/new-call-for...
iucnsos.org
New call for proposal: European Rapid-Response Fund for Invasive Alien Species - IUCN SOS
4 June 2025 – IUCN Save Our Species is pleased to announce that the call for proposals under the European Invasive Alien Species Rapid-Response Fund is now
164
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Global stressors reduce biomass of both native & invasive plants, with invasive plants experiencing stronger negative effects. This study contradicts the notion that invasive spp are more tolerant (& that they could be a "salvation" for stressed ecosystems, as some pop media articles have claimed).
083
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
What a great day! Really enjoyed leading the discussion for this workshop together with the rest of the @universityofleeds.bsky.social @josiesouth.bsky.social team, @matt-harwood96.bsky.social @emma-baker.bsky.social & James Hodson 🦞✨
010
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES-invasiongroup @bes-invasiongroup.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
And then all about invasive crayfish in Yorkshire as disease vectors by @matt-harwood96.bsky.social
031
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES-invasiongroup @bes-invasiongroup.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Third session started with @emma-baker.bsky.social and James Hodson from the University of Leeds talking about predicting invasive crayfish impacts across time and space and under different temperature scenarios🦞
152
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Dr. Deah Lieurance @drdeahlieurance.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
In summary, by drawing untenable equivalencies between biological invasions & human migration, Ahmed & colleagues open the door for both intentional & unintentional misuse instead of preventing it We strongly recommend such comparisons should be avoided altogether. academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
academic.oup.com
Parallels between biological invasions and human migration are flawed and undermine both disciplines. Response to Ahmed et al.
A recent article by Ahmed and colleagues (2025) attempt to draw parallels and assess distinctions between biological invasions and human migration. This co
0219
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
A recent article in Biol Reviews by Ahmed et al (2025) warns against 'deleterious' comparisons between human migrations & biological invasions, yet makes a series of scientifically dubious comparisons, described as "potentially fruitful to explore". See our critique: academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
22010
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
As an ecologist who moved to the UK for studies during the worst of the Brexit chaos, seeing a peer-reviewed(!) article compare international scholars to invasive pests, brought back unpleasant memories. Words have power & it is important to speak up even if we simply need to spell out the obvious!
064
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Josie South @josiesouth.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
The African crayfish hunt continues, with some new friends & some old friends. Heavy rains mean record high flows in the Kruger National Park - how will that affect distribution and ecology? What a joy to be working with not one, but 3 members of your old team. @bioscienceleeds.bsky.social
Team of freshwater researchers and game rangers in the Kruger National Park South Africa - some are sitting on top of a hilux and others are at the bottom. Three freshwater researchers standing next to a hilux
041
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Josie South @josiesouth.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Help us save this beautiful place and the special things in it. We are creating a Yayasan to formally caretake Pergam forest & support the community to take ownership. Watch sanctuary here: vimeo.com/1077004302?s... Please support us before it’s too late: gofund.me/a6804101 @shoalorg.bsky.social
gofund.me
Donate to Help save Betta burdigala, organised by Josie South
The Betta burdigala team (Dr Veryl Hasan, Dr Josie South, Fitri Sil Valen, Ahmad Fahrul Syarif, … Josie South needs your support for Help save Betta burdigala
222
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES-invasiongroup @bes-invasiongroup.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
A reminder that registration is now open for our exciting annual group meeting! 🌍👾 Sign up using the link below, submit your abstract to present your research, and join us this June in Edinburgh to talk about all things #invasivespecies #ecology #policy #conservation #research #priorities! 👇
eventbrite.co.uk
BES Invasion Science SIG Annual Meeting 2025
This event will bring together academics, practitioners and policy makers to discuss and share ideas between different sectors.
013
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES-invasiongroup @bes-invasiongroup.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
📢We are also interested to hear from a wide range of backgrounds in #InvasiveSpecies management & research! If you would like to share your work with us please submit your abstract by May 13th (5 pm, BST), using our form 📝📩
forms.office.com
Microsoft Forms
011
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Don't forget to register & submit your abstract! We would love to see you there! 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
000
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Still time to share your workshop ideas!!! 💡📝 ➡️ forms.office.com/e/FMV66upCSy #invasivespecies #ecology #conservation
000
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES Aquatic Ecology Group @bes-aquaticgroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
📢💧Aquatically-inclined AND keen on microbes? This year, we are partnering with 🦠 BES Microbial SIG 🦠 to bring you additional workshops & talks on marine and freshwater microbial ecology! Abstract submission + registration ⬇️: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/besa...
Image of conference advert for the BES Aquatic Group conference on the 15th and 16th of September 2025, in collaboration with the BES Microbial SIG.
264
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
000
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Come and join us in beautiful Edinburgh 💙 More details and registration link available soon!
011
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Brian J. Enquist @bjenquist.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Prestigious journals make it hard for scientists who don’t speak English to get published. And we all lose out theconversation.com/prestigious-...
theconversation.com
Prestigious journals make it hard for scientists who don’t speak English to get published. And we all lose out
A study of 736 biological science journals showed only a small fraction are making efforts to foster a multilingual scientific community.
53114
Reposted by Danai Kontou
ProfColinBean @profcolinbean.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Multiple Stressors Simplify Freshwater Food Webs. Glob Change Biol, 31: e70114. doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
doi.org
Multiple Stressors Simplify Freshwater Food Webs
Freshwater ecosystems face threats from multiple human stressors like warming, nutrient pollution, and insecticides. This study used a large-scale experiment to find that these stressors simplify foo....
082
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Hello #ecology & #invasive #species research/policy community! 👾🌏 Following our friends from other great @britishecologicalsociety.org Special Interest Groups, the BES Invasion Science Group is now on BlueSky 🎉👇🏻 @bes-invasiongroup.bsky.social Join us as we prepare for our annual meeting (more 🔜)!
0127
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
A great article, now (thankfully) with an appropriate headline!
021
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Well-written essay by @mothyblackburn.bsky.social. I'm not a fan of the immigration metaphor applied to alien species, because it is co-opted by right-wing extremists to fuel racism, as well as by animal rights militants who label invasive species as 'refugees'. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Immigration’s a hot topic – and it applies to non-native plants, animals and insects, all over the world | Tim Blackburn
Biodiversity is great in theory, but there are reasons to fend off invasive alien species and the knock-on effect of their presence, says professor of invasion biology Tim Blackburn
152
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Faculty of Biological Sciences @bioscienceleeds.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
To mark Women's History Month, and ahead of #IWD tomorrow, today we’re shining a light on some of our women scientists, as well as our faculty initiatives which support gender equality 👏 Thread 🧵👇
A large group of women smile at the camera.
193
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
When I was an undergrad, our lecturer in ecology once asked my class what is one of the most critical traits about the conservation of a species... After we listed any and all traits we could think of, he simply said: "Can you print it on a T-shirt and will that sell?"
1112
Reposted by Danai Kontou
BES Aquatic Ecology Group @bes-aquaticgroup.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
📢✨ Join us for this year #BESAG2025 annual meeting to discuss all things #freshwater and #marine science! Where: #ZSL, London (UK) @londonzoo.bsky.social When: 15th-16th September 2025 Tickets and registration available now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/besag2025-... @britishecologicalsociety.org
eventbrite.co.uk
#BESAG2025: Aquatic Ecology Group Annual Meeting 2025
Get together with the freshwater and marine research community to hear the latest research, share skills, and build your network!
0126
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
To the brave ladies who paved the way, to every brilliant woman dedicating her life to #science & to all the girls who dream big... Happy International #WomenInScienceDay! 💜 * Despite what certain administrations are trying to establish, we belong, we contribute, we are smart & we are many! ♀️💪🏻
1142
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Such a beautiful theme! #BlueskyArtShow #Reflections 📍Limberlost Forest Reserve 🇨🇦
0410
Danai Kontou @danai-kontou.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Delighted to share the 1st of my #PhD chapters funded by @peterhousecam.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social & @sse-evolution.bsky.social, with incredible colleagues from @trentuniversity.bsky.social @laurentianu.bsky.social & @queensuniv.bsky.social, now published 🔓 @royalsocietypublishing.org
2155
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Jonathan Tonkin @jdtonkin.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
New post out.  Priorities for ecological synthesis research to address pressing global issues. Accelerating environmental challenges requires a strategic vision for synthesis in ecology and environmental science. predirections.substack.com/p/priorities...
predirections.substack.com
Priorities for ecological synthesis research to address pressing global issues
Accelerating environmental challenges requires a strategic vision for synthesis in ecology and environmental science
1257
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Quote: “It made me realise that if you can get this type of fragile, small vertebrate [Columbian tree frog] arriving alive in a flower shipment without being noticed at customs, just how hard it must be to detect very small agricultural insect pests or their eggs" www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Colombian tree frog found by Sheffield florist highlights invasive species threat
Scientists say frog’s journey shows difficulty of spotting insects or fungi spread by global plant trade
1225
Reposted by Danai Kontou
Anthony Ricciardi @ecoinvasions.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
"[Using meta-analysis], we showed that there are overall negative impacts from invasive species on both biotic and abiotic characteristics of protected areas globally. Impacts were pervasive across population, community, and ecosystem scales" #bioinvasions www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Biological invasions negatively impact global protected areas
Protected areas underpin global biodiversity conservation and sustainability agendas. Biological invasions increasingly threaten the ecological functi…
3188