Miss Katie Devenish
Contact Info
Email: ktd19ycv@bangor.ac.uk
Overview
PhD Candidate - ENVISION DTP Funded.
I research the environmental trade-offs of mining in Madagascar. The island is world-renowned for its biodiversity and high rates of endemism but it is also incredibly rich in economic minerals. Artisanal and small-scale mining supports the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people whilst industrial mining is an important source of tax revenue and foreign exchange. As such, mining can make a signficiant contribution to economic development and rural livelihoods. But where the mineral and biological wealth coincide, mining may threaten biodiversity.
I use satellite data and robust methods for impact evaluation to quantify the impact of artisanal gemstone mining on the forests and, by proxy, biodiversity of Madagascar; and to evaluate effectiveness of biodiversity offsetting as a means of mitigating the impact of industrial mining.
I have also combined geology with conservation science to quantify the potential overlap between gemstones and biodiversity in Madagsacar to evaluate where, and to what extent, artisanal gemstone mining could impact biodiversity in future. This revealed both challenges and opportunities for the co-existence of mining and biodiversity conservation.
My work explores ways of reconciling mining with biodiversity conservation such that mining can maximise its potential contribution to development whilst minimising the environmental trade-offs.
My general research interests are in conservation science, impact mitigation, biodiversity offsetting and sustainable land use.
Research areas and keywords
Keywords
- G Geography (General) - Mining, Madagascar, Natural Resources, Sustainable Development, Conservation, Environmental governance
Education / academic qualifications
- 2019 - MSc , MSc Environmental Management (2018 - 2019)
- 2015 - BA , Geography (2012 - 2015)
Research outputs (5)
- Published
Mapping to explore the challenges and opportunities for reconciling artisanal gem mining and biodiversity conservation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Evaluating the impact of biodiversity offsetting on native vegetation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Evaluating the impact of biodiversity offsetting on native vegetation
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
Media coverage (5)
Mitigating a mine
Press/Media: Expert Comment
The 10 biggest science stories of 2022 - chosen by scientists
Press/Media: Expert Comment