Welcome to the Peatland Microbiology Group website!

Our research group works on a variety of projects that investigate the ecology and ecosystem functions of microbiota in peatland ecosystems. Our work includes research on restoration of heavily degraded ombrotrophic peatlands as well as studying the effects of anthropogenic activities such as climate change and increased N deposition on carbon cycling in peatland ecosystems. We have access to a wide variety of interesting field sites, a fully equipped molecular biology laboratory, excellent growth room and stable isotope facilities.

We welcome visiting researcher and occasionally have vacancies for fully funded PhD students. Details may be found on our jobs page, or please enquire by email for any future opportunities.

 

Current research projects:

• Fungal functional genes associated with the decomposition of plant litter
• The role of soil biodiversity in carbon flow in peatland ecosystems
• Effects of peatland management on soil functioning
• Effects of N deposition on carbon turnover in ombrotrophic peatlands
• The fate of ericoid mycorrhizal necromass in peatlands
• Climate change as a driver of carbon flow in peatlands
• The potential of upland heath to sequester carbon in Scotland
• The diversity of actinobacteria and their role in carbon cycling in peatlands
• Effects of fire on microbial communities in peatlands

 

Members

Current group members:

• Dr. Rebekka Artz
• Pauline Currey (PhD student, 2006-2009)
• Eileen Reid (Research Assistant)
• Dr. Catherine Smart (Research Assistant)
• Dr. Roxane Andersen (visiting Postdoctoral Fellow)
  
• Sanna Kivimaki (visiting PhD student)
  
• Ully Kritzler (PhD student, 2009-2012)
  
• Sam Quin (PhD student, 2009-2012)
  
• Mike Whitfield (PhD student, 2009-2012)

Past members:

• Dr. Frank Verheijen (visiting Post-doc, Queen Mary London). 2007-2008.
• Dr. Clare Trinder (Joint PhD student with the University of Aberdeen, 2004-2007). Clare has now moved on to a postdoctoral position at the University of Aberdeen.
• Dr. Hannah Toberman (Joint PhD student with CEH Bangor and the University of Wales, Bangor, 2004-2007). Hannah now works at the University of Bangor
• Dr. Hung Nguyen-Viet (ESF Exchange visiting research fellow, 2007)
• Weigang Yan (MSc student) 2007
• Mukunda Phuyal (MSc student) 2007
• Rosnida Tajuddin (MSc student) 2008

 

Collaborators:

• Dr. Andy Taylor
• Prof. Pete Millard, Dr. Andy Midwood and Dr. Barry Thornton
• Dr. David Johnson, Dr. Gwen Grelet & Prof. Ian Alexander (Aberdeen Mycorrhiza Research Group)
• Prof. John Cairney, Dr. Ian Alexander & Dr. Susan Chambers (University of Western Sydney, Australia)
• Prof Chris Freeman and Dr. Nathalie Fenner (University of Wales, Bangor)
• Prof Line Rochefort and the PERG group (University of Laval, Canada)
• Prof. Richard Bardgett (Lancaster University)
• Dr. Nick Ostle (CEH Lancaster)
• Dr. Lucy Sheppard and Ian Leith (CEH Edinburgh).
• Dr. Lisa Belyea & Prof. Andy Baird (Queen Mary University London)
• Dr. Rene van der Wal (Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability, University of Aberdeen)
• Dr. Sarah Woodin (University of Aberdeen)
• Norrie Russell (RSPB Forsinard)
• Thijs Simpson (Leys Estate)