Richard Hewison

Research Assistant - Plant Ecology
Ecological Sciences
E: richard.hewison@hutton.ac.uk
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

Journals

Books

  • Aitkenhead, M.; Hewison, R. (2022) Official Handbook of the International Soil Judging Contest, July 27-31, 2022, Printed material used for teaching, shared online.
  • Mitchell, R.; Hewison, R.; Britton, A.; Pakeman, R.J.; Hester, A. (2016) Long-term changes in Scottish grassland plant communities., In: Pakeman, R.J. (ed.). Grassland Biodiversity. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp4-5.

Reports

  • Mitchell, R.; Fielding, D.; Hewison, R.; Jabloun, M.; Pakeman, R.; Rivington, M.; Taylor, A. (2023) Enhancing the Biodiversity of the Glen Lochay Estate Assessing the baseline and identifying options for potential future biodiversity management strategies and activities Report to Glen Lochay Estate, Report to Estate.
  • Hewison, R. L.; Aitkenhead, M. (2022) International Union of Soil Sciences World Congress 2022 Soil Judging Competition Stirling 26-31 July Summary of Soil Profiles, Article/data/site maps shared Google drive site with permissions access for participants and their supervisors/event organisers.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Butler, B.M. (2022) The Soils of the Isle of Arran with Special Reference to the Description and Classifcation of Soil Profiles visited on the WCSS Excursion on August 5th 2022, Document e mailed to participants following the excursion.
  • 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.; 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Pakeman, R.; Beaton, J.; Fielding, D.; Hewison, R.L.; McKeen, M.; Potts, J.; Quinzo-Ortega, L.; Stephen, T.Stephen, T.; Stockan, J. (2021) NatureScot Research Report 1254 Evaluation of the biodiversity outcomes of the 201420 SRDP Agri Environment Climate Scheme through a selection of case studies, NatureScot.
  • Hewison, R.L.; Nolan, A.J.; Riach, D.J.; Butler, B.M.; Beesley, L.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 143 – Glendoll Forest, 2020, Tay Forest District, East Region., Digital Soil Resources within ForesterWeb – Forest and Land Scotland GIS and Management Tool.
  • 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.; Donnelly, D. (2021) Soil Survey Digital Map Data and Reports, Scale 1:10,000, Volume 140 – Durris Forest North-East 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 139 – Weem and Glassie Blocks, 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.; 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.; 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.
  • Pakeman, R.J.; Beaton, J.; Fielding, D.; Hewison, R.; McKeen, M.; Potts, J.; Quinzo-Ortega, L.; Stephen, T.; Stockan, J. (2021) Evaluation of the biodiversity outcomes of the 2014-20 SRDP Agri-Environment Climate Scheme through a selection of case studies., Report to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Conference papers

  • Brooker, R.; Hewison, R.; Mitchell, C.; Newton, A.; Neilson, R.; Pakeman, R.; Raubach, S.; Shaw, P.; Verrall, S.; Karley, A. (2023) Crop mixtures as part of the sustainability toolbox for the distilling industry, World Distilled Spirits Conference, 9 May 2023, EICC, Edinburgh.
  • Hewison, R. L. (2022) Parent Materials in the Stirling District and their relationship with Landscape and Topography, Paper given at a Soil Judging Competition/Training Course.
  • Brooker, R.; Newton, A.; Pakeman, R.; Mitchell, C.; Hewison, R.; Karley, A. (2022) Identifying challenges and developing solutions lessons from participatory approaches to improving and promoting crop mixtures, Crop Production in Northern Britain Conference, 1-2 March 2022, Online.
  • 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

  • Mitchell, R.J.; Hewison, R.; Haghi, R.K.; Robertson, A.J.; Main, A.; Owen, J. (2020) Functional and ecosystem service differences between
    tree species implications for tree species replacement., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Edinburgh 14-17 December 2020, Online. (Poster)
  • Brooker, R.W.; Hewison, R.; Mitchell, C.; Newton, A.C.; Pakeman, R.J.; Schöb, C.; Karley, A.J. (2018) Crop mixtures., BES Annual Meeting 2018, Birmingham, 16-19 December. (Poster)
  • Holland, J.E.; Poggio, L.; Hewison, R.; Huang, J.; Taylor, J.; Triantafilis, J. (2017) High resolution estimation of peat depth using electromagnetic induction in a Scottish peatland., Pedometrics 2017, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 26 June – 1 July 2017. Book of Abstracts, p101.
  • Hewison, R.; Bell, J.: Nolan, A. (2014) ECN Soil Monitoring Protocols. To classify the soils at ECN sites, to characterise and quantify their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties and to quantify temporal changes in those properties., UK Environmental Change Network (ECN) 20 Year Symposium, Lancaster University, 12-13 May 2014.
  • Hewison, R.; Taylor, C. (2014) ECN Soil Solution Chemistry. Monitoring methods for assessing soil moisture and the chemical composition of soil solution at ECN sites across the UK., UK Environmental Change Network (ECN) 20 Year Symposium, Lancaster University, 12-13 May 2014.
  • 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.
  • 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.