Justin Irvine

Honorary Associate
Ecological Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

My research has focused on understanding the mechanisms governing the population regulation in free ranging herbivores with an emphasis on the role that disease plays in the dynamics of these ecosystems. Current work focuses on the relative impacts of wild and domestic herbivores on the biodiversity and conservation of upland in the light of climate and land-use change.

I am developing an interdisciplinary approach to link the above work on grazing ecology with social and economic scientists in order to tackle the management of natural resources using hunting as a lens. This has lead to a RELU funded project entitled Collaborative frameworks in land management: A case study on integrated deer management to address conflicts over land-use objectives. Further to this, I coordinate an EU FP7 project looking at the role of hunting for the conservation of biodiversity in Europe and Africa and a Defra funded Darwin grant developing community based natural resource management approaches in the Ethiopian highlands.

Journals

Prior to appointment

  • Irvine, R.J. (2004) Deer welfare – data collection and analysis of seasons. Final analyses and report on all data, 19 March 2004., CEH Project Report No C02360 to Deer Commission for Scotland, 33pp.
  • Mougeot, F.; Irvine, R.J.; Seivwright, L.; Redpath, S.M.; Piertney, S. (2004) Testosterone, immunocompetence, and honest sexual signaling in male red grouse., Behavioral Ecology, 15, 930-937.
  • Irvine, R.J. (2003) Deer welfare – literature review : Calving and independence dates, shot placemnet and orphaning rates, disease levels and body condition., Final Report, CEH Project No C02360, 30 December 2003, 18pp.
  • Gunn, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2003) Subclinical parasitism and ruminant foraging strategies – a review., Wildlife Society Bulletin, 31, 117-126.
  • Milner, J.M.; Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Albon, S.D.; Langvatn, R.; Ropstad, E. (2003) Body condition in Svalbard reindeer and the use of blood parameters as indicators of condition and fitness., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 81, 1566-1578.
  • Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Langvatn, R.; Ropstad, E. (2003) Evaluation of ultrasound scanning as a method for measuring subcutaneous fat in Svalbard reindeer., Rangifer, 23, 71-73.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Dallas, J.F. (2002) Efficient polymerase chain reaction detection of the second internal transcribed spacer of mucosa-derived larvae is dependent on the larval extraction method., Journal of Parasitology, 88, 807-809.
  • Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Ropstad, E.; Halvorsen, O.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (2002) The impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on wild reindeer: experimental and cross – sectional studies., Journal of Animal Ecology, 71, 937-945.
  • Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (2002) The population dynamics of Ostertagia gruehneri in reindeer: a model for the seasonal and intensity dependent variation in nematode fecundity., International Journal of Parasitology, 32, 991-996.
  • Cote, S.D.; Dallas, J.F.; Marshall, F.; Irvine, R.J.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (2002) Microsatellite DNA evidence for genetic drift and philopatry in Svalbard reindeer., Molecular Ecology, 11, 1923-1930.
  • Albon, S.D.; Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Langvatn, R.; Ropstad, E.; Halvorsen, O. (2002) The role of parasites in the regulation of a reindeer population., Proceedings of the Royal Society, B, 269, 1625-1632.
  • Dallas, J.F.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O. (2001) DNA evidence that Marshallagia marshalli Ransom, 1907 and M-occidentalis Ransom, 1907 (Nematoda : Ostertagiinae) from Svalbard reindeer are conspecific., Systematic Parasitology, 50, 101-103.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Stien, A.; Dallas, J.F.; Halvorsen, O.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (2001) Contrasting regulation of fecundity in two abomasal nematodes of Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)., Parasitology, 122, 673-681.
  • Dallas, J.F.; Irvine, R.J.; Albon, S.D.; Halvorsen, O. (2000) Identification of females and larvae of Marshallagia marshalli and Ostertagia gruehneri (Nematoda: Ostertaginae) from reindeer on Svalbard by multiplex PCR., International Journal for Parasitology, 30, 863-866.
  • Dallas, J.F.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O. (2000) DNA evidence that Ostertagia gruehneri and Ostertagia arctica (Nematoda : Ostertagiinae) in reindeer from Norway and Svalbard are conspecific., International Journal for Parasitology, 30, 655-658.
  • Irvine, R.J. (2000) Use of moxidectin treatment in the investigation of abomasal nematodiasis in wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)., Veterinary Record, 147, 570-573.
  • van der Wal, R.; Irvine, R.J.; Stien, A.; Shepherd, N.; Albon, S.D. (2000) Faecal avoidance and the risk of infection by nematodes in a natural population of reindeer., Oecologia, 124, 19-25.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Stien, A.; Halvorsen, O.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (2000) Life-history strategies and population dynamics of abomasal nematodes in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)., Parasitology, 120, 297-311.
  • Dallas, J.F.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O.; Albon, S.D. (2000) Identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of Marshallagia marshalli and Ostertagia gruehneri from Svalbard reindeer., International Journal of Parasitology, 30, 863-866.
  • Ropstad, E.; Johansen, O.; King, C.; Dahl, E.; Albon, S.D.; Langvatn, R.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O.; Sasser, G. (1999) Comparison of plasma progesterone, transrectal ultrasound and pregnancy specific proteins (PSPB) used for pregnancy diagnosis in reindeer., Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia, 40, 151-162.
  • Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D.; Irvine, R.J.; Halvorsen, O.; Ropstad, E. (1999) Parasitter, kondisjon og reproduksjon hos Svalbardrein in Terrestrisk okologisk forskningsprogram p? Svalbard, Svalbardtundraens Okologi., Parasitter, kondisjon og reproduksjon hos Svalbardrein in Terrestrisk okologisk forskningsprogram p? Svalbard, Svalbardtundraens Okologi (ed. S.A.Bengtson, F. Mehlum and T Severinsen (Redaktorer).
    Chapter 14, pp139-148.
  • Halvorsen, O.; Stien, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Langvatn, R.; Albon, S.D. (1999) Evidence for continued transmission of parasitic nematodes in reindeer during the Arctic winter., International Journal for Parasitology, 29, 567-579.

Books / chapters

  • Irvine, R.J.; Albon, S.D.; Stien, A.; Halvorsen, O.; Carlsson, A.M. (2019) Manipulating parasites in an Arctic herbivore: gastrointestinal nematodes and the population regulation of Svalbard reindeer, In: Wilson, K., Fenton, A. & Tompkins, D. (eds.). Wildlife Disease Ecology: Linking Theory to Data and Application. Cambridge: British Ecological Society / Cambridge University Press, 397-426
  • Irvine, R.J.; Lackova, P.; Newey, S. (2016) An assessment of the suitability of candidate wildcat conservation areas., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.). Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 2, pp6-7.
  • Newey, S., Mustin, K., Fielding, D. Irvine, J. Redpath, S. Arroyo, B., Bryce, R., Beja, P., Bunnefeld, N. (2016) Consequences of game bird management for non-game species: a European review and Scottish case study., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.). Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 1, pp4-5.
  • Eastwood, A.; Brooker, R.; Irvine, R.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2016) Nature conservation and ecosystem services delivery., In: Brooker, R., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (eds.). Ecosystem Services. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp26-27.
  • Fischer, A.; Byg, A.; Eastwood, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) Ecosystem services at a local scale., In: Brooker, R., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (eds.). Ecosystem Services. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp20-21.
  • Gimona, A.; Baggio Compagnucci, A.; Donnelly, D.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) Aberdeenshire Regional Land Use Pilot: A web-based spatial tool to support land use decision making., In: Brooker, R., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (eds.). Ecosystem Services. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp16-17.
  • Eastwood, A.; Irvine, J.; Blackstock, K.; Byg, A.; Fischer, A. (2016) Approaches for more integrated and participatory decision making., In: Brooker, R., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (eds.). Ecosystem Services. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp14-15.
  • Milner, J.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) The potential for reintroduction of Eurasian lynx to Great Britain: a summary of the evidence., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 14, pp30-31.
  • Irvine, R.J. (2016) Introduction., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, p2.
  • Ramsay, S.; Irvine, J.; Perez-Barberia, J.; Goddard, P.; Armstrong, H. (2016) Effective use of larder data for sustainable deer management., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 3, pp8-9.
  • Gauthier, D.; Stephens, P.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) Investigating the causes of changes in deer distribution in relation to changes in sheep numbers and public access., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 4, pp10-11.
  • Fielding, D.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) Heath vegetation recovery after muirburn under different grazing regimes., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 6, pp14-15.
  • Fielding, D.; Newey, S.; Navarro, C.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) The impact of deer carcasses on soil nutrients and invertebrate communities., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 15, pp32-33.
  • Newey, S.; Fielding, D.; Irvine, R.J.; Van der Wal, R. (2016) The use of deer carcasses by avain and mammalian scavengers., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 16, pp34-56.

Technical / contract reports

  • Blackstock, K.L.; Brooker, R.; Pakeman, R.J.; Ellis, C.; George, T.; Iason, G.; Gilbert, L.; Artz, R,.R.E.; Irvine, R.J.; McVittie, A.; Newey, S.; Mitchell, R.; Gimona, A.; Fischer, A.; Begg, G.; Maxwell, J. (2017) Ecosystems and Land Use Stakeholders Engagement Group (ELSEG) Workshop Report., Workshop, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, 20 November 2017.
  • van Hulst, F.; Prager, K.; Irvine, R.J.; Rajagopalan, D.M.; Kuhfuss, L. (2017) The challenge of marginal land: efficient utilisation of the managed natural environment., Summary Report of Glensaugh Farm Event, Hutton Website, 13 September 2017, 3pp.
  • Macleod, C.J.A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Brown, A.; Eastwood, A.; Fisher, A.; Gimona, A.; Prager, K.; Irvine, R.J. (2017) Adaptive management evaluation framework., RESAS1.4.3a Deliverable M2.
  • Albon, S.D.; Potts, J.M.; Brewer, M.; McLeod, J.; Elston, D.; Irvine, R.J. (2017) Estimating national trends and regional differences in red deer density on open-hill ground in Scotland: identifying the causes of change and consequences for upland habitats., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No. 981, 29pp.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Hester, A.J.; Irvine, R.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2017) Muirburn peatland and peat soils – an evidence assessment., Final Report to CXC calldown.
  • Brown, K.M.; Eastwood, A.; Fischer, A.; Herrett, S.; Irvine, R.J. (2017) D2: Report on benefits from woodland derived by communities from case study areas and the main trade-offs., Report to RESAS for WP1.4.3.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; McVittie, A.; Gimona, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2017) WP1.4 meeting report: progress to date and looking forward. RESAS1.4 additional deliverable in lieu of quarterly Work Package Management Group Meeting., Internal Workshop Report circulated to all MRP researchers involved in WP1.4.
  • MacLeod, C.J.; Blackstock, K.L.; Brown, K.M.; Eastwood, A.; Gimona, A.; Prager, K.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) Adaptive management: an overview of the concept and its practical application in the Scottish context., Technical Report for RESAS1.4.3a Deliverable D1, 24pp.
  • Milner, J.M.; Irvine, R.J. (2016) The potential for reintroduction of Eurasian lynx to Great Britain: a summary of the evidence ., Deer, Journal of the British Deer Society, 17, 10-13. (BDS Commissioned Report).
  • Irvine, R.J.; Miller, D.R.; Artz, R.R.E.; Brooker, R.; Chapman, S.J.; Newey, S.; Hester, A.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2016) Scoping a strategic vision for the uplands: A response from the James Hutton Institute., Response to a Consultation for Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Newey, S.; Potts, J.; Irvine, R.J. (2015) Simulation study to inform the design of wildcat camera trap monitoring protocols., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 899.
  • Bunnefeld, N.; Redpath, S.; Irvine, R.J. (2015) A review of approaches to adaptive management., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No. 795.
  • Littlewood, N.A.; Campbell, R.D.; Dinnie, L.; Gilbert, L.; Hooper, R.; Iason, G.; Irvine, R.J.; Kilshaw, L.; Kitchener, A.; Lackova, P.; Newey, S.; Ogden, R.; Ross, A. (2014) Survey and scoping of wildcat priority areas., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No 768.
  • Waylen, K.A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Irvine, R.J. (2014) Starting points for evaluating implementation of the “Ecosystem Approach”., Public Report available from The James Hutton Institute website.
  • Thomson, K.; McKee, A.; Slee, B.; Irvine, R.J. (2013) A methodology for assessing the public interest economic impacts of deer management., A Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, 22 March 2013.
  • Barant, L.; Irvine, J.I.; Blackstock, K.L. (2013) Ecosystem approach and land use workshop report., Report on the Regional Land Use Pilot and the Ecosystem Approach, Banchory Lodge Hotel, Banchory, 28 June 2013.
  • Littlewood, N.A.; Dinnie, E.; Gilbert, L.; Hooper, R.J.; Iason, G.R.; Irvine, R.J.; Lackova, P.; Newey, S. (2013) Scoping and survey of wildcat priority areas: interim report., Unpublished Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, November 2013.
  • Eastwood, A.; Nijnik, M.; Brooker, R.; Pakeman, R.J.; Artz, R.R.E.; Norton, L.; Ross, L.; Bullock, J.; Albon, S.; Vellinga, N.; Fielding, D.; Irvine, R.J.; Ramsay, S.; Cooksley, S. (2013) Nature conservation and ecosystem service delivery., Joint Nature Conservancy Council, Contract C12-0170-0635.
  • Matthews, K.B.; Artz, R.R.E.; Birch, A.N.E.; Blackstock, K.L.; Brooker, R.; Brown, I.; Cummins, R.; Flanigan, S.; Hallet, P.; Irvine, R.J.; Kenyon, W.; Pakeman, R.J., Prager, K.; Slee, B.; Squire, G.; Stutter, M.; Sutherland, L.; Thomson, K.; Towers, W.; Vinten, A.J.A. (2012) Developing agri-environmental measures for the next Scottish Rural Development Programme: a summary of relevant research findings from the James Hutton Institute., Report to the Scottish Government, Natural Resources Division, SRDP Technical Working Group (Agri-Environment), 11pp, 25 June 2012.
  • McKee, A.; Dinnie, E.; Fischer, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2012) Developing a new vision for deer management: from species management to an ecosystem approach., In: Hunting for Sustainability – A summary of research findings from the Scottish case study (eds. S. Redpath, A. Davies and Irvine, R.J.). April 2012.
  • Waylen, K.A.; Eastwood, A.; Banks, E.; Black, H.I.J.; Brown, I.; Brooker, R.; Coull, M.C.; Irvine, R.J.; Kyle, C.; Macleod, K.; McVittie, A. (2012) Integrated frameworks to support the ecosystem approach., EAWG3 Workshop Report.
  • Irvine, J. (2011) Developing a new vision for deer management: From species management to ecosystem approach, policy implications of current thinking., Report for FP7 HUNT project (212160).
  • Davies, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2011) Mapping tools for collaborative deer management., Report to Cairngorms Speyside Deer Management Group.
  • Davies, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2011) Cumbria report – An integrated approach to deer management., Report to Deer Initiative.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Fischer, A.; Skogen, K.; Sandstrom, C.; Hanley, N.D.; Arroyo, B.; Milner-Gulland, E.J.; Linnell, J.; Redpath, S.M. (2011) Hunting for sustainability., 2nd Periodic Report to European Commission.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Laurenson, K.; Wakijra, D. (2011) Building natural resource monitoring capacity in Ethiopia’s key Afro-montane ecosystems (CAMP- Community Afromontane Monitoring Project)., 2nd Annual Report to Darwin.
  • Brassey, R.; Armstrong, H.; Goddard, P.; Perez-Barberia, J.; Irvine, R.J. (2010) Developing methods to monitor performance and health of deer RP64 final report 2008 – 2010., Final report on Project RO 64 to Deer Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Fiorini, S.; Yearley, S.; McLeod, J.E.; Turner, A.; Armstrong, H.; van der Wal, R.; Macmillan, D.C.; Mayle, B.; O’Brien, L..; White, R.M.; Dandy, N.; Philip, S.; White, P.C.L. (2010) Collaborative frameworks in land management: a case study on integrated deer management., End of Award Report for the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme. Reference Number 224-25-0014. Submitted to Economic and Social Research Council, Swindon.
  • Fielding, D.A.; Irvine, R.J.; van der Wal, R. (2009) The role of ungulate carcasses for biodiversity., Contract Report for The John Muir Trust.
  • Albon, S.D.; Armstrong, H.; Ballantyne, S.; Elston, D.; Hooper, R.; Irvine, R.J.; Perez-Barberia, J.; Potts J. (2009) A methodology to describe regional and national deer populations and trends in Scotland., Deer Commission for Scotland RP73.

Conference papers

  • Nazir, S.; Newey, S.; Fairhurst, G.; Verdicchio, F.; Irvine, R.J.; van der Wal, R. (2014) Design and implementation of an open source camera trap., Digital Conservation Conference 2014: an Interdisciplinary Event, University of Aberdeen, 21-23 May 2014.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Davies, A. (2012) Using participatory techniques and GIS mapping to inform land management decisions., An Ecosystems Approach in Action, SNH Sharing Good Practice Event, Battleby Conference Centre, Perth, 3 October 2012.
  • Newey, S.; Mustin, K.; Bryce, R.; Fielding, D.; Daniel, B.; Bunnefeld, N.; Irvine, R.J. (2012) Bird diversity and game management in the Scottish Highlands, UK., International Conference on Hunting for Sustainability: Ecology, Economics and Society, Ciudad Real, Spain, 27-29 March 2012.
  • Irvine, R.J. (2009) Managing wild deer in Scotland: Linking science and practice to resolve grazing conflicts., Sino-German Tibetan Rangeland Ecosystem Research Symposium Langzhou University, China, 20-26 July 2009

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Iason, G.R.; Beaton, J.K.; Reid, S.; Ellis, C.; Finger, A.; Newey, S.; Irvine, J.; McLeod, J.; Gilbert, L.; Fielding, D.; Dagleish, D.; McInnes, C.; Artz, R.; Miller, P.; Gimona, A.; Poggio, L.; Eastwood, A.; Fisher, A.; Skuce, P. (2018) RESAS Strategic Research Programme: Biodiversity and Ecosystems., Posters presented at The Wild North East – Scotland’s Natural Gem, organised by North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership, James Hutton Institute, 13 April 2018.
  • Compagnucci, A.B.; Donnelly, D.; Poggio, L.; Irvine, R.J.; Gimona, A. (2015) An interactive Ecosystem Services tool to support land use decision making. Aberdeenshire Regional Land Use Pilot., Workshop Presentation for Ecosystem Services Modelling Course in Bilbao, BC3 Basque Centre Climate Change, 7-17 April 2015. (Poster).
  • Nazir, S.; Fairhurst, G.; Verdicchio, F.; Learmonth, I.; Newey, S.; Irvine, J.; van der Wal, R. (2014) Remote environmental monitoring through wireless sensor network and satellite., Digital Conservation Conference 2014: An Interdisciplinary Event, University of Aberdeen, UK, 21-23 May 2014.
  • Newey, S.; Nazir, S.; Verdicchio, F.; Fairhurst, G.; Irvine, R.J.; van Der Wal, R. (2014) Wildlife monitoring using satellite and wireless sensor networks: Wireless Internet Sensing Environment (WISE)., Digital Conservation Conference 2014: An Interdisciplinary Event, University of Aberdeen, 21-23 May 2014.
  • Hester, A.J.; Brooker, R.; Martin-Ortega, J.; Waylen, K.A.; McVittie, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Blackstock, K.L.; Gimona, A. (2013) Natural capital, ecosystem services and land use decision-making Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme, World Forum on Natural Capital, Edinburgh, 21-22 November 2013
  • Gimona, A.; Baggio Compagnucci, A.; Machala, M.; Sample, J.; Poggio, L.; Irvine, R.J. (2013) Comparing different models of Nutrient Retention on the River Dee Catchment (Scotland, UK)., Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Trade-offs, Edinburgh, 7 March 2013.
  • Fielding, D.; Nazir, S.; Newey, S.; van der Wal, R.; Verdicchio, F.; Irvine, R.J.; Fairhurst, G. (2013) Wireless internet Sensing Environment (WiSE): Resource management using satellite and wireless sensor networks., New Technologies for Monitoring Biodiversity, Symposium, London Zoological Society, London, 16-17 May 2013. (Poster)
  • Black, H.I.J.; Brooker, R.W.; McVittie, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Coull, M.C. (2011) Ecosystem Services in the Scottish Government’s Environmental Change Research Programme, British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2011, University of Sheffield, 12-14 September 2011.
  • Irvine, R.J.; Albon, S.D. (2009) Retreat from the hills: consequences for biodiversity., Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage, Silvan House Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Drop in poster session.