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Dr Jim Vafidis
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Jim Vafidis
Lecturer
Academic and Student Support Services
Overview
Academic Focus and Teaching: My academic focus is in adult learning within the fields of environment, science, and computer studies. I am dedicated to creating an enriching educational experience that transcends traditional career-focused learning. I aim to encourage lifelong learning and curiosity in environmental sciences, encouraging students to pursue learning for both personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Research: My research explores the intersection of advanced spatial analysis, UAV mapping, and environmental conservation. I am committed to developing practical tools that enhance land management practices, habitat mapping, and species surveys. By integrating real-world data into our courses, I strive to bring practical applications directly into the classroom, making the learning process both relevant and impactful.
Collaborations and Impact: At Cardiff University, I actively collaborate with conservation initiatives to transform academic research into practical ecological management solutions. These partnerships advance the field and foster opportunities for new funding and collaborative research efforts, driving forward a shared goal of sustainable environmental practices.
Publication
2024
- Jordan, M., Vafidis, J., Steer, M., Fawcett, K., Meakin, K., Parry, G. and Brown, M. 2024. Measuring temporal change in scrub vegetation cover using UAV-derived height maps: A case study at two UK nature reserves. Ecology and Evolution 14(10), article number: e70463. (10.1002/ece3.70463)
- Attwood, D. et al. 2024. IT-assisted comprehensive geriatric assessment for residents in care homes: quasi-experimental longitudinal study. BMC Geriatrics 24(1), article number: 269. (10.1186/s12877-024-04824-6)
2021
- Vafidis, J., Lucksted, I., Gall, M., Maxfield, P., Meakin, K. and Steer, M. 2021. Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: a useful tool in reserve management. Ecology and Evolution 11(11), pp. 6789-6797. (10.1002/ece3.7527)
2020
- Facey, R. J., Vafidis, J. O., Smith, J. A., Vaughan, I. P. and Thomas, R. J. 2020. Contrasting sensitivity of nestling and fledgling Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica body mass to local weather conditions. Ibis 162(4), pp. 1163-1174. (10.1111/ibi.12824)
- Gonzalo-Tarodo, A., Facey, R. J. and Vafidis, J. O. 2020. Bioacoustic variation in Wren Troglodytes troglodytes populations on Welsh islands. Bird Study 67(2), pp. 173-180. (10.1080/00063657.2020.1785390)
2017
- Thomas, R. J., Vafidis, J. O. and Medeiros Mirra, R. J. 2017. Climatic impacts on invertebrates as food for vertebrates. In: Jones, T. H. and Johnson, S. N. eds. Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 295-316., (10.1002/9781119070894.ch15)
- Thomas, R. J., Vafidis, J. and Medeiros Mirra, R. 2017. Invertebrates as food for vertebrates. In: Johnson, S. and Jones, T. H. eds. Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates. John Wiley & Sons, pp. 295-316.
2016
- Vafidis, J., Vaughan, I. P., Jones, T. H., Facey, R., Parry, R. and Thomas, R. J. 2016. The effects of supplementary food on the breeding performance of Eurasian reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus; implications for climate change impacts. PloS One 11(7), article number: e0159933. (10.1371/journal.pone.0159933)
2014
- Vafidis, J. O., Vaughan, I. P., Jones, T. H., Facey, R. J., Parry, R. and Thomas, R. J. 2014. Habitat use and body mass regulation among warblers in the Sahel Region during the non-breeding season. PLoS ONE 9(11), article number: e113665. (10.1371/journal.pone.0113665)
- Vafidis, J. 2014. The impacts of climate change on the ecology of a migrant wetland warbler. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Articles
- Jordan, M., Vafidis, J., Steer, M., Fawcett, K., Meakin, K., Parry, G. and Brown, M. 2024. Measuring temporal change in scrub vegetation cover using UAV-derived height maps: A case study at two UK nature reserves. Ecology and Evolution 14(10), article number: e70463. (10.1002/ece3.70463)
- Attwood, D. et al. 2024. IT-assisted comprehensive geriatric assessment for residents in care homes: quasi-experimental longitudinal study. BMC Geriatrics 24(1), article number: 269. (10.1186/s12877-024-04824-6)
- Vafidis, J., Lucksted, I., Gall, M., Maxfield, P., Meakin, K. and Steer, M. 2021. Mapping scrub vegetation cover from photogrammetric point clouds: a useful tool in reserve management. Ecology and Evolution 11(11), pp. 6789-6797. (10.1002/ece3.7527)
- Facey, R. J., Vafidis, J. O., Smith, J. A., Vaughan, I. P. and Thomas, R. J. 2020. Contrasting sensitivity of nestling and fledgling Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica body mass to local weather conditions. Ibis 162(4), pp. 1163-1174. (10.1111/ibi.12824)
- Gonzalo-Tarodo, A., Facey, R. J. and Vafidis, J. O. 2020. Bioacoustic variation in Wren Troglodytes troglodytes populations on Welsh islands. Bird Study 67(2), pp. 173-180. (10.1080/00063657.2020.1785390)
- Vafidis, J., Vaughan, I. P., Jones, T. H., Facey, R., Parry, R. and Thomas, R. J. 2016. The effects of supplementary food on the breeding performance of Eurasian reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus; implications for climate change impacts. PloS One 11(7), article number: e0159933. (10.1371/journal.pone.0159933)
- Vafidis, J. O., Vaughan, I. P., Jones, T. H., Facey, R. J., Parry, R. and Thomas, R. J. 2014. Habitat use and body mass regulation among warblers in the Sahel Region during the non-breeding season. PLoS ONE 9(11), article number: e113665. (10.1371/journal.pone.0113665)
Book sections
- Thomas, R. J., Vafidis, J. O. and Medeiros Mirra, R. J. 2017. Climatic impacts on invertebrates as food for vertebrates. In: Jones, T. H. and Johnson, S. N. eds. Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 295-316., (10.1002/9781119070894.ch15)
- Thomas, R. J., Vafidis, J. and Medeiros Mirra, R. 2017. Invertebrates as food for vertebrates. In: Johnson, S. and Jones, T. H. eds. Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates. John Wiley & Sons, pp. 295-316.
Thesis
- Vafidis, J. 2014. The impacts of climate change on the ecology of a migrant wetland warbler. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
My research focuses on the dynamic intersection of environmental science and technology, specifically in advanced spatial analysis and UAV mapping. I am dedicated to developing practical tools that significantly enhance land management strategies, specialising in habitat mapping and detailed species surveys. This work contributes to environmental conservation and integrates cutting-edge technological applications with traditional ecological research methods, providing innovative solutions for pressing environmental challenges.
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- UAV
- GIS
- Applied statistics
- Wildlife and habitat management