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Dr Rebekka Artz

I investigate the ecology and ecosystem functions of microbiota in peatland ecosystems. My interest in these ecosystems started with my position as a post doc on the EU Framework 5 RECIPE project, which investigated whether microbial community structure, their functions, and, ultimately, organic matter composition in heavily degraded ombrotrophic peatlands would be ameliorated following either unaided regeneration of the surface vegetation or active restoration efforts.

Research Interests

My research has now widened its scope to include research on peatland restoration as well as studying the effects of anthropogenic activities such as climate change and increased N deposition on carbon cycling in peatlands and other organic soils such as upland heathlands. We are using state of the art stable isotope techniques to determine the fate of carbon both in laboratory experiments and in the field. I have a special interest in the diversity and function of ericoid mycorrhizal and dark septate endophytic fungi in peatland ecosystems.

Some examples of ongoing work in the Research group can be found in the following pages for the Peatland Microbiology Group (Macaulay Institute):

The group has access to a wide variety of interesting field sites, a fully equipped molecular biology laboratory, excellent growth room and stable isotope facilities. I am also affiliated with the Aberdeen Mycorrhiza Research Group. We welcome visiting researchers and frequently have positions for PhD, MSc and placement students. Please contact me if you are interested in working with us.

Microbial community structure and carbon substrate use in Northern peatlands

From: Artz, R.R.E. (In press). Microbial community structure and carbon substrate use in Northern peatlands. In: Northern Peatlands and Carbon Cycling. A.Baird, L. Belyea, X. Comas, A. & L. Slater (eds.). American Geophysical Union Monograph Series.

Journal, Refereed paper | Refereed Journals prior to appointment | Conference paper | Conference poster/ abstract | Technical/ contract reports | Books/ chapters/ theses | Popular articles | Oral presentations |  

Journal, Refereed paper

  • Functional microbial diversity in European remediating cutover peatlands is directed by labile carbon., Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Siegenthaler, A.; Bortoluzzi, E.; YliPetays, M.; Francez, A-J., (2008) Journal of Applied Ecology, 45, 1799-1809.
  • Soil macropores and compaction control the leaching potential of Escherichia coli O157:H7., Artz, R.R.E.; Townend, J.; Brown, K.; Towers, W.;Killham, K., (2005) Environmental Microbiology, 7, 241-248.
  • Effect of nematodes on rhizosphere colonization by seed-applied bacteria., Knox, O.G.G.; Killham, K.; Artz, R.R.E.; Mullins, C.; Wilson, M., (2004) Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70, 4666-4671.
  • A stable bioluminescent construct of escherichia coli 0157:H7 for hazard assessments of long-term survival in the environment., Ritchie, J.M., Campbell, G.R., Shepherd, J., Beaton, Y., Jones, D., Killham, K. and Artz, R.R.E., (2003) Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69, 3359-3367.

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Journal, Refereed paper prior to appointment.

  • Survival of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in private drinking water wells: influences of protozoan grazing and elevated copper concentrations., Artz, R.R.E.; Killham, K., (2002) FEMS Microbiology Letters, 216, 117-122.
  • The potential for anaerobic mineralisation of hydrocarbon constituents of oily drill cuttings from the North Sea seabed., Artz, R.R.E.; Semple, K.T.; Killham, K.; Prosser, J.I.; Paton, G.I., (2002) Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 4, 553-557.
  • Association of marine archaea with the digestive tracts of two marine fish species., van der Maarel, M.J.E.C., Artz, R.R.E., Haanstra, R., and Forney, L.J., (1998) Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 64, 2894-2898.
  • Hydrogenosomes in the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis have a double membrane but lack an associated organelle genome., vanderGiezen, M., Sjollema, K.A., Artz, R.R.E., Alkema, W. and Prins, R.A., (1997) FEBS Letters, 408, 147-150.

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Conference papers

  • The functions of peatland microbiota in carbon cycling, global threats to community composition and future opportunities., Artz, R.R.E.; Toberman, H.; Currey, P.; Trinder, C.J.; Andersen, R.; Rochefort, L.; Shephard, L.J.; Johnson, D.; Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D., (2009) International Symposium on Peatlands in the Global Carbon Cycle, 2nd, Prague, Czech Republic, 25-30 September 2009.
  • Assessing the potential of stream microbial biofilm community analysis to identify impacts of agricultural pollution on water quality., Vinten, A.J.A.; Artz, R.R.E.; Singh, B.K.; Langan, S.J.; Watson, H.; Cook, Y.; Taylor, C.; Abel, C.; Thomas, N.; Reid, E., (2007) 11th International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and the 1st Joint Meeting of the IWA Diffuse Pollution and Urban Drainage Specialist Groups, Belo Horizonte-MG, 26-31 August 2007.
  • Does the regeneration of cut-over peatlands restore below-ground functions and diversity?, Artz, R.R.E.; Campbell, C.D.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J., (2006) European Conference on Ecological Restoration, 5th, Greifswald, Germany, 22-25 August 2006.
  • Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems (RECIPE)., Artz, R.R.E.; Campbell, C.D.; Buttler, A.; Francez, A-J.; Laggoun-Defarge, F.; Vasander, H.; Schloter, M.; Epron, D.; Gilbert, D.; Mitchell, E.; Chapman, S.J., (2006) First Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p27. Abstract.
  • Changes in microbial diversity during the restoration of cut-over peatlands ? Can peatland biodiversity recover below-ground?, Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J. Francez, A.-J.; Gattinger, A.; Hai, B.; Schloter, M., (2006) British Ecological Society, Annual Meeting, Oxford, 5-7 September 2006.
  • Diversity of fungi and potential function in naturally regenerating cut-over peatlands., Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Anderson, I.C.; Campbell, C.D., (2004) Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress, Wise Use of Peatlands, (Ed. J. Paivanen), Tampere, Finland, 6-11 June 2004, pp344-349.
  • Indicators of regeneration in an abandoned cut-over Scottish peatland., Chapman, S.J. and Artz, R.R.E., (2004) Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress, Wise Use of Peatlands, (Ed. J. Paivanen) Tampere, Finland, 6-11 June 2004, pp350-355.

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Conference poster/abstract

  • Microbial processes governing C turnover and the potential for plant:microbial feedbacks in peatland ecosystems., Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D.; Trinder, C.; Chapman, S.; Campbell, C., (2008) International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME 12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008. Abstract No. 0218.
  • Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., Currey, P.; Artz, R.; Dawson, L.; van der Wal, R.; Johnson, D., (2008) International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME -12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008. Abstract No. 0237.
  • Effects of fire on peatland C stocks and dynamics., Verheijen, F.; Artz, R.R.E.; Shotbolt, L.; Baird, A.; Belyea, L., (2008) FIRES Interdisciplinary Research on Ecosystem Services: Fire and Climate Change in UK Moorlands and Heaths. Seminar 1: The role of managed fire in ecosystem services of UK moorlands and heathlands. The University of Edinburgh, 31 March - 1 April 2008.
  • Responses of forest soil fungal communities to management by repeated prescribed burning., Cairney, J.W.G.; Bastias, B.A.; Anderson, I.C.; Xu, Z.H.; Campbell, C.D.; Artz, R.R.E., (2007) International Symposium on Forest Soils and Ecosystem Health, Noosa, Australia, 19-23 August 2007.
  • The effect of summer drought upon phenol oxidase activity, fungal diversity and soluble carbon release in an upland Welsh heathland., Toberman, H.; Evans, C.; Freeman, C.; Fenner, N.; White, M.; Artz, R.R.E., (2007) Carbon in Peatlands: State-of-the-Art and Future Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands, 15-18 April 2007.
  • The effects of summer drought on phenol oxidase activity and soluble phenolic carbon release in an upland Welsh heathland., Toberman, H.; Freeman, C.; Evans, C.; Artz, R., (2006) 1st Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p49. Abstract.
  • Decomposition rates of plant litter at three different water tables in a cut-over peatland., Trinder, C., Artz, R. and Johnson, D., (2005) BES Annual Meeting, Hatfield, 5-7 September, 2005. Abstracts.
  • Decomposition of plant litter at different water tables in a cut-over peatland., Trinder, C., Artz, R. and Johnson, D., (2005) First Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p42. Abstract.
  • Microbial indicators of below-ground regeneration of cut-over peatlands., Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Anderson, I.C.; Campbell, C.D., (2004) International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, 10th, ( ISME 10), Cancun, Mexico, 22-27 August 2004.

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Technical/contract reports

  • Expert workshop to establish the current state of knowledge of and future evidence needs for the extent and condition of carbon stocks in Scottish peatlands., Chapman, S.J.; Artz, R.R.E.; Smith, J.U.; Smith, P., (2010) Report to the Scottish Government on Project CR/2009/06.
  • Review of muirburn impacts on soil carbon and biodiversity., Towers, W.; Hester, A.; Pakeman, R.; Artz, R.; Chapman, S.; Littlewood, L.; Legg, C., (2010) Invited presentation to the Scottish LFA Stakeholder Group.
  • Royal Society of Edinburgh International Exchange Programme Report., Artz, R.R.E., (2008) Royal Society of Edinburgh.
  • Human health and environmental impacts on using sewage sludge on forestry and for restoration of derelict land: Literature review of environmental and ecological impacts., Booth, P.D.; Towers, W.; Bacon, J.R.; Artz, R. R. E, (2007) SNIFFER.
  • Human health and environmental impacts on using sewage sludge on forestry and for restoration of derelict land: Site investigations., Nolan, A.J.; Booth, P.D.; Towers, W.; Vinten, A.; Owen, J.; Newman, G.; McIntyre, S.; Mackie, C, Reid, E.; Artz, R., (2007) SNIFFER.

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Books/chapters/theses

  • Microbial community structure and carbon substrate use in Northern peatlands., Artz, R.R.E., (2009) In: Northern Peatlands and Carbon Cycling (eds. A. Baird, L. Belyea, X. Comas, A. Reeve and L. Slater). American Geophysical Union, pp111-129.

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Popular articles/book reviews etc

  • For peat's sake, Carol., Neely, C.L.; Artz, R.R.E., (2010) Southern Reporter, 18 February 2010.
  • Hidden beauty in our bogs., Neely, C.L.; Artz, R.R.E.; Towers, W.; Taylor, A.F.S., (2010) Lanark Gazette, 4 February 2010

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Oral Presentations

  • Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., Currey, P.; Artz, R.; Johnson, D.; Dawson, L.; van der Wal, R., (2008) CAPER Conference 2008, Bangor, 17-19 March 2008. Abstract No. 0237.
  • Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., Currey, P.; Artz, R.; Dawson, L.; van der Wal, R.; Sheppard, L.; Johnson, D., (2007) British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Glasgow, 10-12 September 2007.
  • The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon dynamics in peatlands., Leterme, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D.; Dawson, L.; Van der Wal, R., (2006) CAPER Conference, Edinburgh on 12-14th April 2006. Oral presentation.