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.
Current 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.
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.
Bibliography
Rebekka's highlighted publications
- Evans, C.; Worrall, F.; Holden, J.; Chapman, P.; Smith, P.; Artz, R.R.E., (2011) A programme to address evidence gaps in the greenhouse gas and carbon fluxes from UK peatlands., JNCC Report 443, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, June 2011.
- Vinten, A.J.I.; Artz, R.R.E.; Thomas, N.; Potts, J.M.; Avery, L.M.; Langan, S.J.; Watson, H.; Cook, Y.; Taylor, C.; Abel, C.; Reid, E.; Singh, B.K., (2011) Comparison of microbial community assays for the assessment of stream biofilm ecology., Journal of Microbiological Methods, 85, 190-198.
- Worral, F.; Chapman, P.; Holden, J.; Evans, C.; Artz, R.R.E.; Smith, P.; Grayson, R., (2011) Climate change mitigations and adaptation potential., IUCN UK Peatland Programme Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands.
- Worrall, F.; Chapman, P.; Holden, J.; Evans, C.; Artz, R.; Smith, P.; Grayson, R., (2011) A review of current evidence on carbon fluxes and greenhouse gas emissions from UK peatlands., JNCC report 442, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, June 2011.
Rebekka's most recent publications
- Curlevski, N.J.A.; Artz, R.R.E.; Anderson, I.C.; Cairney, J.W.G., (In press) Use of prescribed burning and grazing exclosures to promote Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) establishment on heather (Calluna vulgaris) moorland has no influence on soil fungal communities., Plant and Soil.
- Currey, P.A.; Johnson, D.; Dawson, L.A.; van der Wal, R.; Thornton, B.; Sheppard, L.; Leith, I.D.; Artz, R.R.E., (2011) Five years of simulated atmospheric nitrogen deposition have only subtle effects on the fate of newly synthesized carbon in Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 495-502.
- Chapman, S.J.; Artz, R.R.E.; Smith, J.U.; Smith, P., (2010) 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., Report to the Scottish Government on Project CR/2009/06.
- Currey, P.M.; Johnson, D.; Sheppard, L.J.; Leith, I.D.; Toberman, H.; Van der Wal, R.; Dawson, L.A.; Artz, R.R.E., (2010) Turnover of labile and recalcitrant soil carbon differ in response to nitrate and ammonium deposition in an ombrotrophic peatland., Global Change Biology, 16, 2307-2321.
- Littlewood, N.A.; Anderson, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Bragg, O.; Lunt, P.; Marrs, R., (2010) Peatland biodiversity., A Technical Review for the IUCN Peatland Program.
- Toberman, H.; Laiho, R.; Evans, C.D.; Artz, R.R.E.; Fenner, N.; Vavrova, P.; Freeman, C., (2010) Long-term drainage for forestry inhibits extracellular phenol oxidase activity in Finnish boreal mire peat., European Journal of Soil Science, 61, 950-957.
- Towers, W.; Hester, A.J.; Pakeman, R.; Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Littlewood, L.; Legg, C., (2010) Review of muirburn impacts on soil carbon and biodiversity., Invited presentation to the Scottish LFA Stakeholder Group.
- Artz, R.R.E., (2009) Microbial community structure and carbon substrate use in Northern peatlands., In: Northern Peatlands and Carbon Cycling (eds. A. Baird, L. Belyea, X. Comas, A. Reeve and L. Slater). American Geophysical Union, pp111-129.
- Artz, R.R.E.; Reid, E.; Anderson, I.C.; Campbell, C.D.; Cairney, J.W.G., (2009) Long term repeated prescribed burning increases evenness in the basidiomycete laccase gene pool in forest soils., FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 67, 397-410.
- Trinder, C.J.; Johnson, D.; Artz, R.R.E., (2009) Litter type, but not plant cover, regulates initial litter decomposition and fungal community structure in recolonising cutover peatlands., Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41, 651-655.
- Artz, R.R.E., (2008) Royal Society of Edinburgh International Exchange Programme Report., Royal Society of Edinburgh.
- Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Robertson, J.; Potts, J.M.; Laggoun-Defarge, F.; Gogo, S.; Comont, L.; Disnar, J-R.; Francez, A-J., (2008) FTIR spectroscopy can be used as a screening tool for organic matter quality in regenerating cutover peatlands, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 515-527.
- Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Siegenthaler, A.; Bortoluzzi, E.; YliPetays, M.; Francez, A-J., (2008) Functional microbial diversity in European remediating cutover peatlands is directed by labile carbon., Journal of Applied Ecology, 45, 1799-1809.
- Phuyal, M.; Artz, R.R.E.; Sheppard, L.; Johnson, D., (2008) Long-term nitrogen deposition increases phosphorus limitation of bryophytes in an ombrotrophic bog., Plant Ecology, 196, 111-121.
- Toberman, H.; Evan, C.; Freeman, C.; Fenner, N.; Artz, R.R.E., (2008) Summer drought effects upon soil and litter phenol oxidase activity and soluble carbon release in an upland Calluna heathland., Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 1519-1532.
Scientific/Conference Posters
![[file]](http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/all/modules/contrib/webfm/image/icon/pdf.gif "Download Restoring the carbon accumulation function in cutover bogs: do micro-organisms matter?"){kind=icon}
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