Ecological Sciences
The James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences (ES) department is a multi-disciplinary collective of over 65 researchers with a unique breadth of scientific expertise, skills and knowledge in the ecology, physiology and systematics of microbes, lichens, fungi, plants, soils and invertebrates.
- Our collective expertise and knowledge is deployed globally across a range of systems.
- Our dynamic department maintains a large post-graduate student cohort affiliated with universities around the world.
- Our science tackles spatial scales from soil microbial gene expression to biodiversity and landscape ecology and systems science.
- Our research aims to improve the management, conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems in managed and native habitats around the world.
- Our outreach engages with land managers, businesses, advisors and Governments in Scotland, across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia as well as international bodies including UNEP, UN-FAO and IPCC.
One of our big challenges is the integration of ecological and biological knowledge into decision-making around the joint nature and biodiversity crisis, balancing the sustainable use of natural capital and with societal demands for food, water and energy. To do this, we work closely with social scientists, economists and other natural scientists within the Hutton and beyond on sustainable management of ecosystems, biodiversity and ecosystem services and the value of biodiversity and ecosystems to society.
Our ecological science
The Ecological Sciences department operate across scales and studies ecology at the resolution of populations, communities, ecosystems and their associated processes and functions. Increasingly we also explore how ecology and people interact, how these interactions impact sustainable land management and how this then affects wider processes such as sustainable supply chains.
Our work covers a wide range of above- and below-ground biodiversity and systems from microorganisms, fungi, plants and animals to landscape-scale processes covering multiple land uses, ranging from lowland arable and upland agriculture to arctic-alpine mountain tops. Our expertise in these different areas covers the spectrum of eco-physiological responses, using a wide range of methods (chemical, molecular, soil physics, remote sensing and “classic” field ecology approaches) to characterise the diversity and functional state of agricultural, semi-natural and natural systems. We also use mathematical modelling and numerical ecology and develop innovative techniques to deliver our high quality research. Underlying all our work is a desire to address the impacts and mitigate the drivers of the nature and climate crisis, increasing the overall long-term sustainability of global ecosystems.
Head of Ecological Sciences Department
Alison Karley
Agroecologist
Based in Dundee
T: +44 (0)1382 568820
Ali is an agroecologist with over 25 years’ experience in plant production and ecology. Ali leads the ‘Integrated Cropping Systems’ team within the Agroecology Group and currently leads the institute’s Science Challenge of supporting sustainable and resilient communities through social, economic and technical innovations. Her work contributes towards Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM) research at the Institute: for details of ongoing IPM research, please visit the IPM@hutton website.
