Research

His background is in the analysis, creation and management of geographical data and he has worked on the mapping programmes of many countries. He has extensive experience in the use and customisation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in photogrammetry and remote sensing.

David is experienced in creating custom GIS and other software tools for a wide range of geospatial applications and has also produced web tools to link databases and spatial data. He wrote the code for both the Apple and Android versions of the SoilFinder and Soil Erosion Scotland apps (front end and back end) and the front end of SOCiT and the PotatoSize(TM) app. Some of his recent work includes websites with spatial data such as and updated SoilFinder website and an Organic Matter tool produced with funding from CXC and Working for Waders, produced with funding from Working for Waders Initiative partners.

David led a task to develop a spatial register of Scotland’s natural assets as part of the Scottish Government funded strategic research programme.

David’s other responsibilities at the Institute include data leasing and publications.

Past research

David wrote the GIS software to implement the Phosphorus Land Use and Slope (PLUS+) model and was the Hutton’s representative on the Scotland’s Environment Web management team.

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Owen, J.; White, D.; Coull, M.C.; Ross, J.M.; Donnelly, D.; Cooper, P. (2010) Soils of the crofts., In: Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J. & Rodway, P. Soils of the Crofts. The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.

Technical / contract reports

  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 14 – Batten & Reelig Forest, Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 13 – Lael Forest, North Highland Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 12 – Strathyre Forest, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 11 – Glen Nevis Forest, Lochaber Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 10 – Barcaldine Forest, West Argyll Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 9 – Callart Forest, Lochaber Forest District., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D.; Beesley, L. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 8 – Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District (Boblainy, Loch Duich, Glen Urquhart and South Loch Ness Forest Blocks)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 7 – Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District (Balmacara and Loch Duich Forest Blocks)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 6 – West Argyll Forest District (Ardmore Forest, North Mull)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Donnelly, D.; Towers, W.; Beesley, L.; Troldborg, M.; Baggaley, N. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 5 – Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District (Ardonald, Asloun, Ben Aigan, Corrennie, Kemnay Woods, Kinnoir and Rosarie and Greenhills Forest Blocks)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D.; Beesley, L.; Baggaley, N. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 4 – Tay Forest District (Foss/Tombreck, Frenich and Hallyburton Forest Blocks)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 3 – Lochaber Forest District (Glen Righ Forest)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 2 – Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District (Achnashellach, Auchmore & Clashwood, Batten and Reelig, Boblainy, Broadford, Enrick, Glenelg, Glen Brittle, Glen Shiel, Inchnacardoch, Inshriach, Kinloch Hills, Morriston, Slattadale and South Loch Ness Forest Blocks)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Towers, W.; Donnelly, D. (2011) Mapping vulnerable areas in Scotland., Scottish Government.
  • Cooksley, S.L.; Brewer, M.; Donnelly, D.; Spezia, L. (2011) An investigation into the possible causes of deterioration of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera population of the River Dee, Aberdeenshire: linking macrohabitat and pressure data with freshwater pearl mussel distribution., Commissioned Report to Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2010) Derivation and processing of land cover, vegetation and analytical data for Knowledge Enhancement phase of “Land Cover Mapping 2007” project., Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2010) Soil Survey Maps and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 1 – North Highland Forest District (Achany and Balblair Forests)., Forest Enterprise Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2010) Habitat impact assessment: Baseline recording of permanent plots, dwarf shrub heath and blanket bog, Fealar Estate, 2010., Fealar Estate.
  • Towers, W.; Donnelly D.; Condliffe I.; Higgins A.; Rugg, I. (2010) Testing of biophysical criteria for areas with natural handicap in the United Kingdom., Report to the European Commission.
  • Slee, B.; Chapman, S.; Pajot, G.; Stutter, M.I.; Donnelly, D. (2009) A scoping study of the nature and extent of soil carbon reserves and of the actual and potential for carbon sequestration on the John Muir Trust’s Skye estates., Report to the John Muir Trust, October 2009, 63pp.
  • Miller, D.R.; Schwarz, G.; Sutherland, L.A.; Morrice, J.G.; Aspinall, R.J.; Barnes, A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Buchan, K.; Donnelly, D.; Hawes, C.; McCrum, G.; McKenzie, B.M.; Matthews, K.; Miller, D.; Renwick, A.; Smith, M.; Squire, G.; Toma, L. (2009) Rural land use study 1: Drivers and decision-making., Final Report, RERAD, Scottish Government, November 2009, pp156.
  • Miller, D.R.; Schwarz, G.; Sutherland, L.A.; Morrice, J.G.; Aspinall, R.J.; Barnes, A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Buchan, K.; Donnelly, D.; Hawes, C.; McCrum, G.; Matthews, K.; Miller, D.; Renwick, A.; Smith, M.; Squire, G.;Toma, L. (2009) Rural land use study 1: Drivers and decision-making., Research Findings No.8. RERAD, Scottish Government, November 2009, pp4.
  • Miller, D.R.; Schwarz, G.; Sutherland, L.A.; Morrice, J.G.; Aspinall, R.J.; Barnes, A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Buchan, K.; Donnelly, D.; Hawes, C.; McCrum, G.; McKenzie, B.; Matthews, K.B.; Miller, D.; Renwick, A.; Smith, M.; Squire, G.; Toma, L. (2009) Changing land use in rural Scotland – drivers and decision makers., Rural Land Use Study Project 1. Scottish Government Social Research.
  • Hester, A.J.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D. (2009) Prediction of native woodland potential, Glen Feshie Estate., Glen Feshie Estate.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Bell, J.S.; Donnelly, D. (2009) Knockroon, Cumnock, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Statement: Chapter 12: Agriculture and Soils., Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd.
  • Cummins, R.P.; Donnelly, D.; Towers, W.; Chapman, S.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Grieve, I.; Birnie, R.V.B. (2009) Peat erosion and the management of peatland habitats., Final report to Scottish Natural Heritage (ROAME No. RO7AC103).
  • Bell, J.S.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2009) The soils of Balruddery Farm., Contract report for SCRI.
  • Cummins, R.P.; Donnelly, D.; Towers, W.; Chapman, S.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Grieve, I.; Birnie, R.V.B. (2008) Peat erosion and the management of peatland habitats., Interim report to Scottish Natural Heritage (ROAME No. RO7AC103).
  • Donnelly, D.; Birnie, R.V.B.; Towers, W. (2008) Allocating Macaulay Land Capability for Agriculture classes to farm holdings., Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate.
  • Brown, E.C.; Brewer, M.; Donnelly, D.; Lammas, N.; McConville, S.; Holden, E.; Nolan, A.J. (2008) Assessment of herbivore impacts on capercaillie habitats in Upper Deeside., Report to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Conference papers

  • Andersen, R.; Artz, R.R.E.; Cummins, R.; Mitchell, R.; Balana, B.; Donnelly, D.; Chapman, S.J.; Smith, J.; Smith, P. (2011) Managing and restoring blanket bogs to benefit biodiversity and carbon in Scotland: a scoping study., International Symposium on Responsible Peatland Management and Growing Media Production, Quebec City, Canada, 13-17 June 2011.
  • Hester, A.J.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D. (2010) Current site characteristics: a framework for modelling native woodland potential., Glenfeschie Estate Habitats Restoration Seminar, Aviemore, 25 June 2010. Invited paper.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Czerniakiewicz, M.; Handley, K.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D.; Mayes, R.W. (2010) A complementary approach to the forensic analysis of soil in case investigations., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
  • Donnelly, D.; Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R.; Macdonald, L.M. (2008) Geographic modelling of soil attributes and access for investigative purposes., In: International Crime Science Conference, British Library, London, 16-17 July 2008.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Donnelly, D.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ball, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2007) Where dunnit?, Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007. Abstract and poster presentation, p42.
  • Macdonald, L.M.; Donnelly, D.; Ball, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2007) Integration of modern soil fingerprinting methods for forensic application., The Environment in a Legal and Regulatory Context – Environmental Forensics: a new frontier, Bournemouth University, 16-18 April 2007, p24.

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