Steve Chapman

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

Steve Chapman is an Honorary Associate with over 30 years of experience in research in microbiology. His particular expertise lies in determining the role of microbial processes in the cycling of elements (particularly carbon) within the plant-soil-microbe ecosystem.

Research

Steve has experience in both laboratory and field-based studies and an interest in modelling microbial processes in soil. He has contributed to investigations on soil organic matter turnover, quantifying and determining the influence of chemical structure and soil conditions on the decomposition processes. Recent work has increasingly focused on organic soils and peatlands. He has led a research program evaluating the effect of global warming on soil respiration, methanogenesis and methane oxidation in deep peats. He has ongoing interest in the sulphur cycle in soil, the emission of volatile sulphur from soils and in sulphate reduction, particularly in peatlands. He was European coordinator of a EU-funded project on peatland restoration and biodiversity in peatlands – RECIPE. He is involved in developing microbial diversity measurements for assessing soil quality and health using both phospholipid fatty acid analysis and physiological profiling methods, which has been patented in the UK (MicroResp). These were also applied in studies of afforestation on moorland (MOORCO). Steve was the MLURI coordinator of two SEERAD-funded projects, led by Aberdeen University, which resulted in the development of the ECOSSE model which looks at carbon turnover in organic soils and predicts the influences of climate and land use change. Ongoing research is concerned with characterising carbon stocks in Scottish soils and looking at ways to determine changes in soil carbon due to land use change.

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

  • Chapman, S.J. (2009) Carbon sequestration in soils., In: Hester, R.E. & Harrison, R.M. (eds.). Carbon Capture: Sequestration and Storage. Issues in Environmental Science and Technology 29, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, Chapter 7.
  • Sutton, M.A.; Chapman, S.; Christensen, T.; Emmett, B.; Erisman, J.W.; Fowler, D.; Hoosbeek, M.R.; Jones, M.; Milford, C.; Nemitz, E.; Pilegaard, K.; Riedo, M.; Schjoerring, J.K.; Wookey, P.A. (2000) TERRICA Working Group 6: Trace gas fluxes and ecosystem functioning., In: Terrestrial Ecosystem Research in Europe: Successes, Challenges and Policy (eds. M.A. Sutton, J.M. Moreno, W.H. van der Putten and S. Struwe). European Commission, Brussels, pp65-74.

Technical / contract reports

  • 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.
  • Beesley, L.; Cuthbert, A.; Balana, B.; Towers, W.; Chapman, S.J.; Bruneau, P. (2011) Development of soil guidance – Scoping study., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report.
  • Bain, C.G.; Bonn, A.; Stoneman, R.; Chapman, S.J.; Coupar, A.; Evans, M.; Gearey, B.; Howat, M.; Joosten, H.; Keenleyside, C.; Labadz, J.; Lindsay, R.; Littlewood, N.; Lunt, P.; Miller, C.J.; Moxey, A.; Orr, H.; Reed, M.; Smith, P.; Swales, V.; Thompson, D.B.A.; Thompson, P.S.; van de Noort, R.; Wilson, J.D.; Worrall, F. (2011) IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands., IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-9570572-1-0
  • House, J.; Clar, J.; Gallego-Sala, A.; Orr, H.; Aylen, J.; Bardgett, R.; Billett, M.; Bonn, A.; Caporn, S.; Chapman, S.; Clutterbuck, B.; Evans, C.; Evans, M.; Farewell, T.; Freeman, C.; Grayson, R.; Hall, J.; Holden, J.; McMorrow, J.; Milledge, D.; Nayak, D.; Ostle, N.; Parry, L.; Prentice, C.; Stevens, C.; Smith, J.; Smith, P.; Vanguelova, E.; Ward, S.; Waldron, S.; White, S.; Worrall, F.; Yallop, A. (2011) Vulnerability of upland peatland services to climate change., Environment Agency Science Report SC070036/SR.
  • Smith, J.U.; Fitton, N.; Smith, P.; Miller, D.G.; Buchan, K.; Coull, M.; Lilly, A.; Matthews, K.B.; Chapman, S.J.; Baggaley, N.; Milne, R.; Thomson, A.M. (2010) Pilot project to determine the suitability of integrated administration and control system (IACS) data to provide land use change data for annual greenhouse gases emission estimates., Final Report for Scottish Government (CR/2009/17), pp76.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Chapman, S.J. (2009) S-oxidation final report., OMEX Agriculture, Tupholme, Lincoln.
  • 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).
  • Smith, J.U.; Chapman, S.J.; Bell, J.; Bellarby, J.; Gottschalk, P.; Hudson, G.; Lilly, A.; Smith, P.; Towers, W. (2009) Developing a methodology to improve soil C stock estimates for Scotland and use of initial results from a resampling of the National Soil Inventory of Scotland to improve the ecosse model., Report to Scottish Government on Project UAB-015-07, 112pp.
  • 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).
  • Smith, P.; Smith, J.; Flyn, H.; Killham, K.; Rangel-Castro, I.; Foereid, B.; Aitkenhead, M.; Chapman, S.; Towers, W.; Bell, J.; Lumsdon, D.; Milne, R.; Thomson, A.; Simmons, I.; Skiba, U.; Reynolds, B.; Evans, C.; Frogbrook, Z.; Bradley, I.; Whitmore, A. (2007) ECOSSE – Estimating carbon in organic soils sequestration and emissions., Report to Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Edinburgh, 177pp. ISBN 978 0 7559 1498 2.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Towers, W.; Williams, B.L.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E. (2001) Review of the contribution to climate change of organic soils under different land uses., Environment Group Research Programme Research Findings No.17. Scottish Executive Central Research Unit.
    ISBN 0755932765
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Edwards, A.C.; McHenry, J.G. (2000) Assessment of the potential of new biotechnology environmental monitoring techniques., Report to Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), Report No. SR(99)10F, 62pp.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D. (1999) Effects of native woodland expansion on soil carbon balance, Abernethy Forest – Final report., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report F98 AC103 (Unpublished report).

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.
  • 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.
  • Wu, D.; Chen, H.; Wu, Y.; Chapman, S.J. (2010) Nitrogen fertilizer application under double cropping systems of wheat-maize impacting on the nitrate contents of ground water in North China., 4th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, iCBBE 2010, Chengdu, 18-20 July 2010.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Toberman, H.; Currey, P.; Trinder, C.J.; Andersen, R.; Rochefort, L.; Shephard, L.J.; Johnson, D.; Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D. (2009) The functions of peatland microbiota in carbon cycling, global threats to community composition and future opportunities., International Symposium on Peatlands in the Global Carbon Cycle, 2nd, Prague, Czech Republic, 25-30 September 2009.
  • Chapman, S.J. (2008) Estimating carbon stocks in peatlands: the Scottish experience., Proceedings of the International Peat Congress, 13th, Tullamore, Ireland, 8-14 July 2008.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Francez, A.-J.; Yli-Petays, M.; Mitchell, E.A.D. (2007) The EU project RECIPE: understanding and managing peatland restoration., International Conference – Peat and Peatlands 2007. Peat in horticulture and the rehabilitation of mires after peat extraction: which issues for tomorrow? Lamoura, (French Jura), 8-11 October 2007.
  • Bortoluzzi, E.; Chapman, S.J. (2007) Carbon balance of a cutover bog in the Jura mountains at different stages of regeneration., International Conference – Peat and Peatlands 2007. Peat in horticulture and the rehabilitation of mires after peat extraction: which issues for tomorrow? Lamoura, (French Jura), 8-11 October 2007.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J. Francez, A.-J.; Gattinger, A.; Hai, B.; Schloter, M. (2006) Changes in microbial diversity during the restoration of cut-over peatlands ? Can peatland biodiversity recover below-ground?, British Ecological Society, Annual Meeting, Oxford, 5-7 September 2006.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Campbell, C.D.; Buttler, A.; Francez, A-J.; Laggoun-Defarge, F.; Vasander, H.; Schloter, M.; Epron, D.; Gilbert, D.; Mitchell, E.; Chapman, S.J. (2006) Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems (RECIPE)., First Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p27. Abstract.
  • Gill, M.; Chapman, S.J. (2004) Scotland’s soils and trees – an opportunity for carbon storage?, Climate Change: A Challenge for Scotland, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 7 December 2004. Oral presentation.
  • Iason, G.R.; Dennis, P.; Lennon, J.J.; Thoss, V.; Pakeman, R.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Saari, S.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J.; Beaton, J.; Johnstone, J.; Sim, D.; Alexander, I. (2004) The role of variation between trees in phytochemistry in determining associated diversity in a natural Scots pine ecosystem., FC/SNH, Drumnadrochit, “Ecology and management of large native pinewoods: past, present and future”., 14-16 June 2004. Oral paper.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Artz, R.R.E. (2004) Indicators of regeneration in an abandoned cut-over Scottish peatland., Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress, Wise Use of Peatlands, (Ed. J. Paivanen) Tampere, Finland, 6-11 June 2004, pp350-355.
  • Campbell, C.D.; White, D.; Chapman, S.J.; Thoss, V. (2004) Does intra-specific variation in monoteprene profiles of Scots pine trees influence soil microbial community structure and nutrient cycling., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, ( ISME 10), Microbial Planet: Sub-Surface to Space. Topic 18. Microbe-plant interactions, 10th, Cancum, Mexico, 22-27 August 2004.
  • Kaufman, K.; Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Harms, H.; Hohener, P. (2004) Optimising bioremediation conditions in contaminated soils using the microresp microtitre method., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, ( ISME 10), Microbial Planet: Sub-Surface to Space. Topic 18. Microbe-plant interactions, 10th, Cancum, Mexico, 22-27 August 2004.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Anderson, I.C.; Campbell, C.D. (2004) Diversity of fungi and potential function in naturally regenerating cut-over peatlands., Conservation Land Management, Spring 2019, 17, p24.
  • Vaisanen, K.; Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Chapman, S.J.; Smith, J. (2002) The effect of plant species and type of decomposing litter on the fate of carbon in soil and on the soil microbial community., British Society of Soil Science – Soils as Carbon Sinks: Opportunities and Limitations, London, 28 June 2002.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Chapman, S.J. (2001) Novel rapid methods for the determination of the community level physiological profiles (CLPPs) of whole soil microbial communities., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, 9th, Amsterdam, 26-31 August 2001. Abstract.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Fraser, A.R.; Norrie, A.; Puri, G. (1999) FTIR spectroscopy of peat and its relationship with chemical and biological properties., International Peat Symposium 1999, Chemical, Physical and Biological Processes in Peat Soils, Jokioinen, Finland, August 23-27, 1999.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Puri, G. (1999) Microbial parameters reflecting soil organic matter quality across a transect of natural pinewood regeneration., British Society of Soil Science, Autumn Conference. Sustainable Management of Soil Organic Matter, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, September 15-17 1999.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Smith, J.; Gottschalk, P.; Bellarby, J.; Chapman, S.J.; Lilly, A.; Towers, W.; Bell, J.; Coleman, K.; Nayak, D.; Richards, M.; Hillier, J.; Flynn, H.; Wattenbach, M.; Aitkenhead, M.; Yeluripurti, J.; Farmer, J.; Milne, R.; Thomson, A.; Evans, C.; Whitmore, A.; Falloon, P.; Smith, P. (2010) Use of dynamic, process-based models of soil C and N turnover to explore tradeoffs between land use change for agricultural production and carbon sequestration., Abstract for Global Land Project Workshop – Representation of Ecosystem Services in the Modelling of Land Systems, Jurys Inn, Aberdeen, 19-20 March 2010.
  • Clark, J.; Gallego-Sala, A.; Billet, M.; Chapman, S.; Coppell, R.; Coyle, M.; Evans, C.; Evans, M.; Farewell, T.; Freeman, C.; Freer, J.; Gloor, E.; Heinemeyer, A.; House, J.; Lawley, R.; Monteith, D.; Nayak, D.; Orr, H.; Prentice, C.; Rose, R.; Rowson, J.; Smith, J.; Smith, P.; Vangulova, E.; Wetterhall, F.; Worrall, F. (2009) Mapping peat vulnerability to climate change to inform policy in Great Britain., International Symposium on Peatlands in the Global Carbon Cycle, 2nd, Prague, Czech Republic, 25-30 September 2009.
  • Chapman, S.J. (2009) Estimation of dry bulk density values from archived data for the determination of peatland C stocks., International Symposium on Peatlands in the Global Carbon Cycle, 2nd, Prague, Czech Republic, 25-30 September 2009.
  • Cameron, C.M.; Campbell, C.D.; Chapman, S.J.; White, D. (2009) MicroResp: A versatile methodology for measuring environmental quality., BSSS/SSSI Soil Quality Conference, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland, 9-11 September 2009.
  • Clark, J.; Gallego-Sala, A.; Chapman, S.; Farewell, T.; Freeman, C.; House, J.; Lawley, R.; Orr, H.; Prentice, C.; Smith, P. (2009) Mapping peat vulnerability to climate change to inform policy in the UK., International Symposium on Ecosystem Behavior (BIOGEOMON), 6th, The University of Helsinki, Finland, 29 June – 3 July 2009.
  • Gottschalk, P.; Smith, J.U.; Chapman, S.J.; Bell, J.S.; Bellarby, J.; Hudson, G.; Lilly, A.; Towers, W.; Booth, E.; Walker, R.; Nayak, D.; Richards, M.; Yleuripurti, J.; Flynn, H.C.; Hillier, J.; Wattenbach, M.; Hastings, A.; Smith, P. (2009) Simulation of the impacts of changes in land use and climate on soil C fluxes from organic and mineral soils at national scale (ECOSSE)., Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, 5-7 May 2009. Book of Abstracts.
  • Bellarby, J.; Gottschalk, P.; Chapman, S.J.; Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Towers, W.; Miller, D.; Hudson, G.; Smith, P.; Smith, J.U. (2008) Soil carbon stocks in Scotland: past changes and future conservation needs., IALE-D Global Change and Landscape Response – Die Ruckkopplungen von Landschaften auf den Globalen Wandel, Geographisches Institut, Bonn, 30 October – 2 November 2008.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D.; Trinder, C.; Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D. (2008) Microbial processes governing C turnover and the potential for plant:microbial feedbacks in peatland ecosystems., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME 12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008. Abstract No. 0218.
  • Bellarby, J.; Gottschalk, P.; Chapman, S.J.; Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Towers, W.; Miller, D.; Hudson, G.; Smith, P.; Smith, J.U. (2008) Soil carbon stocks in Scotland: past changes and future conservation needs., EGU General Assembly, Vienna, 13-18 April 2008. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Volume 10, EGU2008-A-04070.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Campbell, C.D.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J. (2007) Does the regeneration of cut-over peatlands restore below-ground functions and diversity?, Carbon in Peatlands: State-of-the-Art and Future Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands, 15-18 April 2007.
  • Keith, A.M.; van der Wal, R.; Brooker, R.W.; Osler, G.H.R.; Chapman, S.J.; Burslem, D.F.R.P. (2006) Do litter diversity and composition influence microbial and faunal community structure?, British Ecological Society, Annual Meeting, Oxford, 5-7 September 2006.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Breedon, T.; Gerber, A. (2006) Total carbon budgets after 25 years of birch growth on prior moorland., Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists Seminar 387, Lillehammer, Norway, 27-29 September 2006.
  • Iason, G.R.; Lennon, J.J.; Thoss, V.; Pakeman, R.J.; Dennis, P.; Campbell, C.D.; Saari, S.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J.; Beaton, J.; Stockan, J.; Sim, D.; Alexander, I. (2005) Does individual variation in phytochemistry determine associated diversity and processes in a natural Scots pine ecosystem?, Science for Biodiversity, Scottish Biodiversity Forum’s Action Plan and Science Group, Edinburgh, 11 March 2005.
  • Thoss, V.; Iason, G.R.; Dennis, P.; Lennon, J.J.; Pakeman, R.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Saari, S.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J.; Beaton, J.; Stockan, J.; Sim, D.; Alexander, I. (2004) Individual variation in Scots pine phytochemistry and its effects on associated ecological processes in a Caledonian forest., PSNA and ISCE 2004 Meeting, Chemical Ecology and Phytochemistry in Forest Ecosystems. Oral paper.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Potts, J.M. (2004) Spatial temporal variation in microbial community structure within heather moorland., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, 10th, (ISME 10). Microbial Planet: sub-surface to space. Topic 9. Comparative microbial diversity and biogeography, Cancun, Mexico, 22-27 August 2004.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Chapman, S.J.; Anderson, I.C.; Campbell, C.D. (2004) Microbial indicators of below-ground regeneration of cut-over peatlands., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, 10th, (ISME 10), Cancun, Mexico, 22-27 August 2004.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Campbell, C.D.; Potts, J.M. (2003) Spatial and temporal variation in microbial community structure at a long-term Environmental Change Network site., British Ecological Society Annual Symposium, Soil Biodiversity and Function, University of Lancaster, 25-27 March 2003.
  • Foereid, B.; Chapman, S.J. and Paterson, E. (2003) Development of a SOM model for organic soils., Mechanisms and Regulation of Organic Matter Stabilisation in Soils, Schloss Hohenkammer, Munich, Germany, 5-8 October 2003.
  • Iason, G.R.; Lennon, J.J.; Thoss, V.; Pakeman, R.J.; Dennis, P.; Campbell, C.D.; Saari, S.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J.; Beaton, J.; Johnstone, J.; Sim, D.; Alexander, I. (2003) Does individual variation in phytochemistry determine associated biodiversity and processes in a natural Scots pine ecosystem?, British Ecological Society Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, 9-11 September 2003.
  • Lennon, J.J.; Iason, G.R; Thoss, V.; Cadell, W.; Matthews, K.B.; Pakeman, R.J.; Dennis, P.; Campbell, C.D.; Saari, S.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J.; Beaton, J.; Johnstone, J.; Sim, D.; Alexander, I. (2003) Spatial structure in chemical ecology and biodiversity within native Scots Pine forest., Developing Empirical Agent-Based Models, Workshop University of Twente, 4 April 2019.

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