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PhD Student

Irena Tomankova    

MSc (2007) Wildlife Management and Conservation, University of Reading
MSc (2006) Agriculture of tropics and subtropics, Czech University of Agriculture
BSc (2003) Agriculture of tropics and subtropics, Czech University of Agriculture
PhD (2008-present), Queen’s University Belfast:
"Causes of diving duck population declines at Lough Neagh" 
 
Tel:     +44 (0)28 9097 2219
Fax:    +44 (0)28 9097 5877
Email:  itomankova01@qub.ac.uk

Summary 
 
Irena was awarded a 4 year PhD studentship funded through the Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) during 2008. Previously, she was employed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as a Research Assistant to monitor upland moorland bird abundance as part of a trial to assess the effects of reducing sheep stocking densities and overgrazing. Her MSc thesis, undertaken at the University of Reading, described the impacts of Chinese muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) browsing on invertebrate and bird diversity. Irena has also worked on various conservation projects for the US Department of Wildlife & Fisheries in Louisana and North Dakota. 
 
Her current research on the causes of diving duck declines at Lough Neagh focuses on site-related factors such as trophic changes in the Lough, food resource availability and the wider role of migratory short-stopping for four main study species; Tufted duck Aythya fuligula, Pochard Aythya ferina, Goldeneye Bucephala clangula and Scaup Aythya marila. Irena is supervised by Dr. Hansjörg Kunc and Dr. Chris Harrod. 
 
Research Interests 

• Avian ecology
• Upland moorland birds
• Trophic ecology & stable isotope analyses 

Selected reports and publications 
 
Tomankova, I. (2007) Impacts of browsing on invertebrate and bird diversity. Unpublished MSc thesis. University of Reading. UK. (Oral presentation at the Wildlife Management and Conservation Research Symposium, Centre for Wildlife Assessment and Conservation, University of Reading, 04/10/2007) [download MSc abstract here]

Conference Proceedings 
 
Tománková, I., Hejcmanová, P., Kotrba, R., Špinka M., Hejcman, M. (2006): Reakce antilope losí (Taurotragus oryx) na rukou podávané atraktivní krmivo, In: Program a abstrakty 33. etologické konference, Jihlava, CR, 19.-22.4., p. 68.