Andrew Nolan

Head of Ecology and Land Evaluation Unit
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
E: andrew.nolan@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Andrew is a research scientist with 29 years field experience in carrying out assessment of land resources throughout Scotland and the wider UK. His expertise ranges from soil survey, classification and sampling to the assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on upland vegetation. He has combined research interests in soils and upland ecology with extensive consultancy work for a wide range of government bodies, agencies and private clients.

Research

Andrew started his career working for the Soil Survey of Scotland, Macaulay Institute, carrying out soil surveys and land classification at a range of scales. He was also involved in the baseline sampling of the National Soils Inventory. His research interests in upland ecology led to a collaborative project with the Deer Commission Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to devise and test sampling strategies for carrying out assessment of grazing and trampling impacts over extensive upland areas. The outcome of this work greatly facilitated management planning by Deer Management Groups. He also has research interests in the effects of agri-environment schemes, native woodland regeneration and peatlands. He leads the Soil Survey and Land Evaluation Unit carrying out a range of consultancy work and is currently a principal investigator involved in the re-sampling of the National Soils Inventory and a wide range of core research and applied projects related to soil quality, land evaluation, peatland erosion, environmental change and the provision of soils data.

Publications

Journals

  • Pakeman, R.J.; Alexander, J.; Beaton, J.; Brooker, R.; Cummins, R.; Eastwood, A.; Fielding, D.; Fisher, J.; Gore, S.; Hewison, R.; Hooper, R.; Lennon, J.; Mitchell, R.; Moore, E.; Nolan, A.; Orford, K.; Pemberton, C.; Riach, D.; Sim, D.; Stockan, J.; Trinder, C.; Lewis, R. (2015) Species composition of coastal dune vegetation in Scotland has proved resistant to climate change over a third of a century., Global Change Biology, 21, 3738-3747.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Bell, J.S.; Campbell, C.D.; Hudson, G.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Robertson, A.H.J.; Potts, J.M.; Towers, W. (2013) Comparison of soil carbon stocks in Scottish soils between 1978 and 2009., European Journal of Soil Science, 64, 455-465.
  • Rhind, S.M.; Kyle, C.E.; Kerr, C.; Osprey, M.; Zhang, Z.L.; Duff, E.I.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.; Hudson, G.; Towers, W.; Bell, J.; Coull, M.C.; McKenzie, C. (2013) Concentrations and geographic distribution of selected organic pollutants in Scottish surface soils, Environmental Pollution, 182, 15-27.
  • Nayak, D.R.; Miller, D.R.; Nolan, A.J.; Smith, P.; Smith, J.U. (2010) Calculating carbon budgets of wind farms on Scottish peatlands., Mires and Peat, 4, Article No. 9, 1-23.
  • Pakeman, R.J.; Nolan, A.J. (2009) Setting sustainable grazing levels for heather moorland: a multi-site analysis., Journal of Applied Ecology, 46, 363-368.
  • Brewer, M.J.; Nolan, A.J. (2007) Variable smoothing in Bayesian intrinsic autoregressions., Environmetrics, 18, 841-857.
  • Albon, S.D.; Brewer, M.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Cope, D. (2007) Quantifying the grazing impacts associated with different herbivores on rangelands., Journal of Applied Ecology, 44, 1176-1187.
  • Brewer, M.J.; Elston, D.A.; Hodgson, M.E.A.; Stolte, A.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J. (2004) A spatial model with ordinal responses for grazing impact data., Statistical Modelling, 4, 127-143.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Stolte, A.M.; Hope, I.M.; Scott, R. (2003) Assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on rangeland for management planning by land managers and government agencies in Scotland, UK., Africal Journal of Range and Forage Science, 20, 123-124.
  • Bayfield, N.G.; Nolan, A.J. (1998) Vegetation and soils of the Allt A’Mharcaith catchment, Cairngorm mountains., Scottish Geographical Magazine, 114, 18-21.
  • Nolan A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Still, M.J.; Madden, S.; Bell, J.S. (1998) Effects of excluding wild herbivores on the growth of small saplings in some woodlands within the Breadalbane and Loch Lomond Environmentally Sensitive Areas., Scottish Forestry, 52, 22-29.
  • Henderson, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Madden, S.; Still, M.J. (1997) The effect of domestic livestock exclosure on broadleaved woodland regeneration in three Scottish Environmentally Sensitive Areas., Scottish Forestry, 51, 6-14.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Merrell, B. (1995) The vegetation dynamics of wet heather moorlands in relation to sheep grazing intensity., In: Heaths and Moorlands: Cultural Landscapes (eds. D.B.A. Thompson, A.J. Hester and M.B. Usher). HMSO, Edinburgh, pp174-179.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hulme, P.D.; Wheeler, D. (1994) The status of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull on Fair Isle., Botanical Journal of Scotland, 47, 1, 1-16.
  • Morrice, J.G.; Miller, D.R.; Gauld, J.H.; Nolan, A.J.; Hulme, P.D.; Birnie, R.V.B. (1990) Digital mapping for land cover studies., In: Evaluation of Land Resources in Scotland. Proceedings of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Annual Symposium, Stirling, September 1989 (eds. J.S. Bibby and M.F. Thomas). Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, pp69-73.

Books

Reports

  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 164 Eredine Forest 2022 Block, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 163 Cruach Tairbeirt Forest Block 2022, Cowal Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 162 Kilmichael Forest 2022 Block, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 161 Strathlachlan Forest Lephinmore Block 2022, Cowal Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Maps and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 160 Strathlachlan Forest Main Block 2022, Cowal Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soils Data and Report Uploaded into ForesterWeb GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 159 Errochty Forest West Block 2021, Tay Forest District, East Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 158 Errochty Forest East Block 2021, Tay Forest District, East Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 157 South Rannoch 2021 Block, Tay Forest District, East Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 156 Glen Lochy South 2021 Block, West Argyll Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 155 Cardross Moss 2021 Block, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, Central Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 154 – Succoth 2021 Block, West Argyll Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 153 – Glen Orchy 2021 Block, West Argyll Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 152 – Duror Forest, Lochaber Forest District, West Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Riach, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 151 Garshellach Block, Central Forest Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 150 – Pendreich, Central Forest Region, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 149 Garmony SouthEast Block, Island of Mull, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Riach, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 148 Garmony NorthWest Block, Island of Mull, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 147 Crannich NorthWest and SouthEast Blocks, Island of Mull, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Henderson, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 146 Aintuim Block, Island of Mull, West Argyll Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Beesley, L.; Addy, S.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000, Volume 145 Torrie 2020 Block, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2022) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 110,000 Volume 144 Loch Katrine 2020, Cowal and Trossachs Forest District, Digital Soil Resources uploaded within ForesterWeb – Forest Management GIS, Forestry and Land Scotland
  • Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 142 – Durris Forest South-West Block, 2020, Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Baggaley, N.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 141 – Durris Forest North-West Block, 2020, Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 138 – Allean Forest 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 137 – Strathdon-Ladylea Block, 2020, Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 135 – Glen Sherup Forest, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Henderson, D.J.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 134 – Glen Devon Main Block, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 133 – Glen Devon East Block, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Butler, B.M.; Nolan, A.J.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 132 – Glentrool Forest West Block, 2020 – Galloway Forest District, South Region, Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Butler, B.M.; Riach, D.J.; Addy, S.J.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 131 – Glentrool Main Block 2020, Galloway Forest District, South Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.

Conference papers

  • Shand, C.A.; Wendler, R.; Lumsdon, D.; Cooper, P.; George, T.; Brown, L.; Giles, G.; Stutter, M.I; Menezes-Blackburn, D.; Zhang, H.; Wearing, C.; Haygarth, P.; Blackwell, M.; Darch, T. (2015) Determination of soil organic phosphorus exchange sensitivity., European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2015, Vienna, Austria, 12-17 April 2015. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 17, EGU2015-13988.
  • Nayak, D.; Miller, D.R.; Nolan, A.; Smith, P.; Smith, J.U. (2008) Calculating carbon savings from windfarms on Scottish peatlands., Peatlands Energy and Climate Change, IMCG Symposium on Windfarms on Peatland, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 27-30 April 2008.
  • Smith, J.; Nayak, D.; Smith, P.; Miller, D.R.; Nolan, A. (2008) Carbon paybacks from windfarms built on peat., All Energy 2008, Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Aberdeen, 21-22 May 2008.
  • Elston, D.A.; Hodgson, M.E.A.; Stolte, A.; Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J. (2000) Modelling grazing impacts on upland vegetation., TIES-SPRUCE,The International Environmetrics Society / Statistics in Public Resources and Utilities Conference, The University of Sheffield, 4-8 September 2000.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Still, M.J.; Bell, J.S.; Gauld, J.H. (1993) Botanical monitoring in the Breadalbane ESA., In: Land Use and the ESA Schemes. Proceedings of the Breadalbane Study Group Symposium, Battleby, Perth, March 1992 (eds. J.B. Dent and T.J. Perkins).
  • Merrell, B.G.; Henderson, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Suckling, D.E.; Hulme, P.D.; Fisher, J.M. (1993) Strategies to aid heather (Calluna vulgaris) recovery., In: New Horizons for Upland Environments. Proceedings of a Scientific Seminar, ADAS, Pwllpeiran, September 1993.
  • Wilson, M.J.; Cresser, M.S.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.J. (1989) Vulnerable soils and their distribution., Proceedings of a Symposium on Acidification in Scotland, 1988. Organised by SDD, pp. 60-70.

Conference posters

  • Towers, W.; Lilly, A.; Nolan, A.; Bell, J.; Black, H.I.J. (2014) The application of new technologies at landscape scale., Delving Into The Dark; Emerging Techniques; Approaches and Tools For Soils Research, BSSS Annual Meeting, University of Manchester, 3-4 September 2014, p20.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Rayner, B.; Kennedy, A.; Brown, C.; Donnelly, D.; Bell, J.S.; Henderson, D.J.; Towers, W.; Hewison, R.L.; Beesley, L.; Riach, D.J.R. (2014) Sustainable forestry: the imperative of soil mapping in forest resource inventory, modelling and management in Scotland, UK., 20th World Congress of Soil Science, Soils Embrace Life and Universe, Jeju, South Korea, 8-13 June 2014.
  • Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Hudson, G.; Nolan, A.J.; Towers, W. (2009) Scotland’s soil resource: providing baseline data to predict the future., 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.
  • Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Hudson, G.; Nolan, A.J.; Towers, W. (2009) Detecting changes in Scotlands soil resource., Knowledge Scotland KTE Event, SEPA, Stirling, 29 May 2009.
  • Nayak, D.; Perks, M.; Miller, D.R.; Nolan, A.J.; Gardiner, B.; Smith, J.U. (2009) Windfarms on peatlands: Effect of management practices on carbon emissions., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Hudson, G.; Nolan, A.J.; Towers, W. (2008) Detecting changes in Scotland’s soil resource., Eurosoil 2008, Soil-Society-Environment, Conference Proceedings, Vienna, Austria, 25-29 August 2008.
  • Lilly, A.; Bell, J.S.; Hudson, G.; Nolan, A.J.; Towers, W. (2007) Detecting changes in Scotland’s soils., Making Scotland’s Rural Environment More Sustainable, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 25 June 2007.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Stolte, A.M.; Henderson, D.J.; Elston, D.A.; Brewer, M.J. (2002) Rapid assessment of grazing and trampling impacts on extensive areas of upland habitats for resource management planning., SNH Conference: Nature and People – Conservation and Management in the Mountains of Northern Europe, Pitlochry, Scotland, 6-8 November 2002.
  • Ross, S.; Moon, A.; Nolan, A.J. (2002) Enhancing upland heathland vegetation through seasonal grazing management., British Grassland Society / British Ecological Society Conference “Conservation Pays?”, University of Lancaster, 15-17 April, 2002.
  • Henderson, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Wright, S.F. (1999) The effects of cattle grazing on the birch regeneration of a wet heathland., Proceedings of a Workshop on Grazing Management Options for Native Woodlands (eds. A.J. Hester and R.V. Birnie). Aberdeen.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Still, M.J.; Bell, J.S.; Gauld, J.H. (1997) Botanical change in unimproved enclosed grasslands in the Breadalbane Environmentally Sensitive Area, Scotland, 1989-93., British Grassland Society Conference on Grassland Management in the ESAs, University of Lancaster, 23-25 September 1997, pp271-273.
  • Nolan, A.J.; Henderson, D.J.; Merrell, B. (1993) Scotland’s water-based ecosystem services., In: Heaths and Moorlands: Cultural Landscapes, Conference, Aberdeen, August 1993.
  • Henderson, D.J.; Nolan, A.J.; Merrell, B. (1992) Environmental and management factors controlling the cover of heather in wet moorlands., In: Heather. Proceedings of the National Heather Convention, Leeds, April 1991 (ed. R.W. Brown), pp52-53.