Richard Hewison

Research Assistant - Plant Ecology
Ecological Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Richard is a soil surveyor, vegetation ecologist, landscape historian and forensic botanist. He has worked across a wide variety of landscapes and habitat types including mountains, moorlands/heathlands, woodlands, wetlands/peatlands, grasslands, coastal, urban, and arable plant systems throughout Scotland and has an excellent knowledge of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) as well as Phase 1 vegetation mapping.

Research

He is the current project lead for the with Forestry and Land Scotland Framework Agreement for the Provision of Soil Surveys (2022-26). He has experience in soil survey, soil sampling and description, land evaluation and soil classification with a particular interest in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).  He has worked on many vegetation monitoring projects including The Scottish Environmentally Sensitive Areas Monitoring Scheme (1995-2004), The re-visitation of vegetation records from the 1960’s and 1970’s to elucidate long-term changes across Scotland (2003-2015), herbivore impact assessments in the Scottish uplands (1997-2002), Vegetation change on Scottish dune systems (2005-2010), and more recently on woodland dynamics in relation to ash dieback and potential effects of threats to oak in the UK. He has a particular interest in lower plants most notably in relation to bryophyte and lichen ecology. He has also been involved in forensic botany casework for Police Scotland and other police services in England and Wales.

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

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Cummins, R.P.; Henderson, D.J.; Alexander, J. (2011) Assessing deer impacts on blanket bog. Monitoring report 2011 – Argyll Estate and Forsinard., Interim Report to Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. (RP54-Phase2).
  • Hewison, R.L.; Cummins, R.P.; Henderson, D.J.; Alexander, J. (2011) Assessing deer impacts on blanket bog., Final Report to Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. (RP54-Phase2).
  • Cummins, R.P.; Hewison, R.L.; Dunn, S.M.; Fielding D.A.; Chapman S.J.; Hooper, R. (2011) St Fergus moss – Continuaton of peat extraction. Environmental impact assessment., Contract Report for Northern Peat and Moss Company.
  • Pakeman, R.J.; Lewis, R.; Kriel, A.; Moore, E.K.; Pemberton, C.; Gore, S.; Hewison, R.L.; Alexander, J.; Cummins, R.; Fielding, D.; Orford, K.; Mitchell, R.; Brooker, R.; Nolan, A.J.; Eastwood, A.; Huband, S. (2011) Detecting biodiversity change in a rare habitat: a botanical re-survey of the Machair., Final Report to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Cummins, R.P.; Henderson, D.J.; Alexander, J. (2010) Assessing deer impacts on blanket bog (RP54-Phase 2). Monitoring report 2010 – The Monadhliath SSSI/SAC., Interim Project Report to Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Scott, D.; Cummins, R.P.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Ross, L.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Crawford, I.C.; Hawker, D.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 9: The Stewartry ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Cummins, R.P.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Hawker, D.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 8: The Combined Western and Central Southern Uplands ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Truscott, A.M.; Cummins, R.P.; Nolan, A.J.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Bell, J.S.; McGowan, G.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Bacon, P.J.; Picozzi, N.; van der Wal, R.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 7: The Shetland Islands ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Pearce, I.S.K.; Cummins, R.P.; Nolan, A.J.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Bell, J.S.; Acton, A.A.; Crawford, I.C.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 6: The Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Cummins, R.P.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 5: The Loch Lomond ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Scott, D.; Cummins, R.P.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Ross, L.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Elston, D.A.; Duff, E.I.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 4: The Central Borders ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Bell, J.S.; Cummins, R.P.; Nolan, A.J.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Bacon, P.J.; Marquiss, M.; Picozzi, N.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 3: The Cairngorms Straths ESA Final Report, 1995-2004., Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Cummins, R.P.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Acton, A.A.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2007) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 2: The Breadalbane ESA Monitoring Report, 1995-2004., Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Cummins, R.P.; Nolan, A.J.; Scott, D.; French, D.D.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Bell, J.S.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Ellis, C.; Mills, C.; Marquiss, M.; Picozzi, N.; Bacon, P.J.; Elston, D.A.; Palmer, S.C.F. (2005) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland. Volume 1: The Argyll Islands ESA Final Monitoring Report, 1995-2004., Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs.
  • Henderson, D.J.; Malcolm, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; MCLeod, J.; Alexander, J. (2004) Habitat condition assessment and modelling for appropriate grazing management of Merrick-Kells SSSI and heather condition assessment for Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR., Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Malcolm, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Alexander, J. (2003) Habitat condition assessment of Merrick-Kells (SSSI/cSAC) and Cairnsmore of Fleet (SSSI/NNR)., Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Waterhouse, E.C.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; McKeen, M. (2002) Rapid assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on upland habitats for the North Ross Deer Management Group Area., Contract Report for the North Ross Deer Management Group.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Maxwell, T.J.; Hewison, R.L. (2002) A draft guide to good practice on the roles and operation of deer management groups., A report for the Deer Commission for Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Maxwell, T.J. (2002) Deer Management Groups: Operation and good practice., Deer Commission for Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Stolte, A.M.; Hewison, R.L.; McKeen, M. (2002) Moorland condition assessment survey – Mar Lodge Estate., National Trust for Scotland.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Malcolm, A. (2001) Rapid assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on upland habitats for Balmoral Estate., Balmoral Estate.
  • Waterhouse, E.C.; Dunn, S.M.; Robertson, A.; Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Mckeen, M. (2001) Baseline environmental assessment of vegetation, hydrology and soils: Proposed windfarm site, Causeymire, Caithness., National Wind Power.
  • Miller, D.R.; Robertson, R.A.; Bell, J.; Hewison, R.; Morrice, J.G.; Horne, P.L. (2001) Environmental impact assessment: Solway Moss, Supplementary report., Richardson’s Peat Litter Company Ltd.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Cummins, R.P.; Rees, T.; Mills, C.; Marquiss, M.; Picozzi, N.; Carss, D.N. (2000) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland, Volume 2: Argyll Islands ESA, Monitoring Report 1994-1999., SERAD.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Rees, T.; Mills, C.; Murray, T. (2000) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland, Volume 3: Breadalbane ESA, Monitoring Report 1994-1999., Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Scott, D.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Rees, T.; Mills, C. (2000) Monitoring Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Scotland, volume 5: Central Borders ESA, Monitoring Report 1994-1999., SERAD.

Conference papers

  • Mitchell R.J.; Hester A.H.; Campbell C.D.; Chapman S.J.; Cameron C.M.; Hewison R.L.; Potts J.M. (2010) Predicting the soil microbial community: is vegetation composition or soil chemistry the better predictor?, British Ecological Society Conference, University of Leeds, Leeds, 7-9 September 2010.
  • Britton, A.J.; Hester, A.J.; Beale, C.; Hewison, R.L.; Towers, W. (2010) Drivers of biodiversity change in british alpine habitats., Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Hester, A.J.; Britton, A.J.; Beale, C.M.; Towers, W.; Hewison, R.L. (2008) Biodiversity losses in Scottish alpine vegetation: What are the key drivers?, EURECO-GFOE Conference, Leipzig, Germany, 14-18 September 2008.
  • Papanikolau, N.; Johnson, D.; Britton, A.J.; Helliwell, R.C. (2007) Dynamics of litter decomposition under simulated nitrogen deposition and climate manipulations in a montane heathland., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, University of Glasgow, 10-12 September 2007.

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