Rebekka Artz

Research Leader
Ecological Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)
Rebekka is a research leader working on peatland ecosystem functioning and other high organic carbon content soils. She has over 20 years of experience on research projects that span multiple disciplines including ecology, atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, ecohydrology, social sciences and in bridging science and policy. She currently co-ordinates multiple, high value, and long-term research projects. She has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, as well as numerous research reports, two book chapters and interactive media content (such as included in the Virtual Peatland Pavilion for the UNFCCC COP26). Please visit the Publications section for details of these outputs.

Biography

She currently leads multiple large scale research projects (see Research) that aim to deliver better tools to understand the impacts of climate change on many aspects of peatland functioning and to evaluate the impacts of partial or full rewetting and other management strategies for peatland management. This includes the overall scientific oversight of the developing SCO2FLUX network of long-term peatland monitoring sites (funded via a series of Capital equipment grants of £2.5mi from RESAS and Peatland ACTION over the period 2018-2022).

Rebekka serves as Assistant Editor for the European Journal of Soil Science, and contributes on the Technical Advisory Board of the UK Peatland Code and the Peatland Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for Scottish Government.  She was included in the ENDS Power List 2022. The wider peatland team was recognised in the 2023 Nature of Scotland Conservation Science award.

Rebekka was a Co-I on the Implementation report for peatlands into the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, led by Prof Chris Evans at UKCEH, which found that the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of peatlands could exceed the equivalent of around 20 megatonnes of CO2 each year.

 

Research

Her current research covers the following areas:

  • 2022-2027. NERC Large Grant. “Improving modelling approaches to assess climate change-related thresholds and ecological range shifts in the Earth’s Peatland ecosystems (MOTHERSHIP). Lead co-ordinator and PI for £3.7 mi programme. https://www.peatmothership.org/
  • 2022-2027. Strategic Research Programme JHI-D3-2 (CentrePeat). Principal Investigator. £3mi. https://sefari.scot/research/projects/centrepeat
  • 2022-2027 Underpinning National Capacity grant UNC-F3-5 (Grassland emissions on peat) Principal Investigators. £3mi. This project is part of the wider Scottish Government RESAS portfolio of UNC projects.
  • 2022-2026. Horizon Europe via UKRI Innovate UK. Improving wetland knowledge and developing tools to enhance protection and restoration of Europe’s wetlands (WetHorizons). €6mi. Co-Investigator and lead co-ordinator for Hutton contributions.  https://www.wethorizons.eu/
  • She is also currently involved in the following projects:
  • 2020-2023. BEIS. Greenhouse gas emissions from wasted peat. Co-Investigator within project led by Prof Chris Evans, UKCEH. https://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/scientists-investigate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-degraded-peatlands
  • 2023-2024. RESAS RFF-006-23. Improving area estimates and greenhouse gas emissions data for peat under grassland conversion in Scotland. £94k. Co-Investigator with Dr Tom Parker (lead).

Current PhD students

  • Gillian Donaldson-Selby (University of Western England) 2018 – present. Understanding and evaluating peatland degradation and restoration dynamics through hydrological monitoring and modelling.
  • Will Pallier (University of Aberdeen & University of Highlands and Islands) 2020-present. Linking microbial physiology with carbon transformations in peatlands under land use change. Will is primarily based in Ashish Malik’s lab.
  • Callum Thompson (University of the Highlands and Islands). 2022 – present. A trait-based approach to understand Sphagnum responses to hydrological stress in the context of peatland restoration. Callum is primarily based at the ERI within University of the Highlands and Islands (Roxane Andersen’s lab).
  • Claire McNamee (University of Aberdeen). 2023- present. Impact of multiple climate stressors on microbial processes and carbon sequestration in peatlands. Claire is based in Ashish Malik’s lab.

Past research

Previous PhD students with year of completion:

Helen Gordon (2007); Clare Trinder (2007), Hannah Toberman (2008), Pauline Currey (2008); Sam Quin (2012); Mike Whitfield (2012), Ully Kritzler (2013); Ainoa Pravia (2018); Kirsten Lees (2019); Linda Toca (2023).

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

Prior to appointment

  • Artz, R.R.E.; Semple, K.T.; Killham, K.; Prosser, J.I.; Paton, G.I. (2002) The potential for anaerobic mineralisation of hydrocarbon constituents of oily drill cuttings from the North Sea seabed., Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 4, 553-557.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Killham, K. (2002) Survival of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in private drinking water wells: influences of protozoan grazing and elevated copper concentrations., FEMS Microbiology Letters, 216, 117-122.
  • van der Maarel, M.J.E.C.; Artz, R.R.E.; Haanstra, R.; and Forney, L.J. (1998) Association of marine archaea with the digestive tracts of two marine fish species., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 64, 2894-2898.
  • van der Giezen, M.; Sjollema, K.A.; Artz, R.R.E.; Alkema, W.; Prins, R.A. (1997) Hydrogenosomes in the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis have a double membrane but lack an associated organelle genome., FEBS Letters, 408, 147-150.

Books / chapters

  • Artz, R.R.E. (2009) Microbial community structure and carbon substrate use in Northern peatlands., In: Northern Peatlands and Carbon Cycling (eds. A. Baird, L. Belyea, X. Comas, A. Reeve and L. Slater). American Geophysical Union, pp111-129.

Technical / contract reports

  • Worrall, F.; Chapman, P.; Holden, J.; Evans, C.; Artz, R.R.E.; Smith, P.; Grayson, R. (2011) A review of current evidence on carbon fluxes and greenhouse gas emissions from UK peatlands., JNCC Report 442, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, June 2011.
  • Worrall, F.; Chapman, P.; Holden, J.; Evans, C.; Artz, R.R.E.; Smith, P.; Grayson, R. (2011) Climate change mitigations and adaptation potential., IUCN UK Peatland Programme Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands.
  • Evans, C.; Worrall, F.; Holden, J.; Chapman, P.; Smith, P.; Artz, R.R.E. (2011) A programme to address evidence gaps in the greenhouse gas and carbon fluxes from UK peatlands., JNCC Report 443, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, June 2011.
  • Littlewood, N.A.; Anderson, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Bragg, O.; Lunt, P.; Marrs, R. (2010) Peatland biodiversity., A Technical Review for the IUCN Peatland Program.
  • 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.
  • Artz, R.R.E. (2008) Royal Society of Edinburgh International Exchange Programme Report., Royal Society of Edinburgh.
  • Booth, P.D.; Towers, W.; Bacon, J.R.; Artz, R.R.E (2007) Human health and environmental impacts on using sewage sludge on forestry and for restoration of derelict land: Literature review of environmental and ecological impacts., SNIFFER.

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.
  • Artz, R.R.E.; Smart, C.; Toftegaard, T.; Tajuddin, R.; Chambers, S.M.; Cairney, J.W.G.; Taylor, A.F.S.; Grelet, G. (2010) Laccase genetic diversity and regulation of enzyme production in ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and related taxa within the Helotiales., International Mycological Congress, IMC9, Edinburgh, 1-6 August 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.
  • Vinten, A.J.A.; Artz, R.R.E.; Singh, B.K.; Langan, S.J.; Watson, H.; Cook, Y.; Taylor, C.; Abel, C.; Thomas, N.; Reid, E. (2007) Assessing the potential of stream microbial biofilm community analysis to identify impacts of agricultural pollution on water quality., 11th International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and the 1st Joint Meeting of the IWA Diffuse Pollution and Urban Drainage Specialist Groups, Belo Horizonte-MG, 26-31 August 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.; Anderson, I.C.; Chapman, S.J. (2006) Does the regeneration of cut-over peatlands restore below-ground functions and diversity?, European Conference on Ecological Restoration, 5th, Greifswald, Germany, 22-25 August 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Whitfield, M.; Ostle, N.; Bardgett, R.; Artz, R.R.E. (2011) Upscaling peatland biodiversity and carbon dynamics., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, University of Sheffield, 12-14 September 2011.
  • Quin, S.; Greenwood, S.; Littlewood, N.; Artz, R.R.E.; Coupar, A.; Woodin, S. (2011) Moorland restoration: biodiversity and carbon stocks., Moors for the Future – Moorland Research Seminar, 23 March 2011.
  • Whitfield, M.; Ostle, N.; Bardgett, R.; Artz, R.R.E.; Beilman, D. (2010) Upscaling peatland biodiversity and carbon dynamics to the ecosystem level., Organic Matter Stabilization and Ecosystem Functions (SOM 2010), Presquile de Giens (Cote d’Azur), 19-23 September 2010.
  • Andersen, R.; Pouliot, R.; Rochefort, L.; Francez, A.-J.; Artz, R.R.E. (2010) Restoring the carbon accumulation function in cutover bogs: do micro-organisms matter?, Reclamation and Restoration of Boreal Peatland and Forest Ecosystems: Toward a Sustainable Future Meeting, Edmonton, Canada, 25-27 March, 2010.
  • Artz, R.R.E. (2009) Peatland restoration – can it restore microbial diversity and their functions in the soil?, Knowledge Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness, 25 March 2009.
  • Verheijen, F.; Artz, R.R.E.; Shotbolt, L.; Baird, A.; Belyea, L. (2008) Effects of fire on peatland C stocks and dynamics., FIRES Interdisciplinary Research on Ecosystem Services: Fire and Climate Change in UK Moorlands and Heaths. Seminar 1: The role of managed fire in ecosystem services of UK moorlands and heathlands. The University of Edinburgh, 31 March – 1 April 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.
  • Currey, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Dawson, L.A.; van der Wal, R.; Johnson, D. (2008) Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME -12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008. Abstract No. 0237.
  • Cairney, J.W.G.; Bastias, B.A.; Anderson, I.C.; Xu, Z.H.; Campbell, C.D.; Artz, R.R.E. (2007) Responses of forest soil fungal communities to management by repeated prescribed burning., International Symposium on Forest Soils and Ecosystem Health, Noosa, Australia, 19-23 August 2007.
  • Currey, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D.; Dawson, L.A.; van der Wal, R. (2007) Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., CAPER Conference, Sheffield, 2-4 April 2007.
  • Toberman, H.; Evans, C.; Freeman, C.; Fenner, N.; White, M.; Artz, R.R.E. (2007) The effect of summer drought upon phenol oxidase activity, fungal diversity and soluble carbon release in an upland Welsh heathland., Carbon in Peatlands: State-of-the-Art and Future Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands, 15-18 April 2007.
  • 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.
  • Toberman, H.; Freeman, C.; Evans, C.; Artz, R.R.E. (2006) The effects of summer drought on phenol oxidase activity and soluble phenolic carbon release in an upland Welsh heathland., Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), 1st, Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p49. Abstract.
  • Trinder, C.; Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D. (2005) Decomposition of plant litter at different water tables in a cut-over peatland., First Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists (European Charter), Bangor, Wales, 5-7 January 2006, p42. Abstract.
  • Trinder, C.J.; Artz, R.R.E.; Johnson, D. (2005) Decomposition rates of plant litter at three different water tables in a cut-over peatland., BES Annual Meeting, Hatfield, 5-7 September, 2005. Abstracts.
  • 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.

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