Sediment Ecology Research Group

Thursday 8 September 2022

Research Centre:

Group Highlights

The Sediment Ecology Research Group (SERG), known popularly as “The Mud Lab” of the Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews specialises in the investigation of the ecology of aquatic systems, with emphasis on marine and estuarine coasts, shallow marine systems and salt marshes. These depositional systems are of international importance with regard to their ecology and for the ecosystem services that they provide. They are, however, often under significant industrial and demographic pressure and are continually responding to natural and anthropogenic changes. A major issue is the impact of global climate change on these sensitive systems. The SERG group has been working on these systems in The Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, France, USA, Australia and the UK.

In summary, SERG studies many aspects of the relationship between the organisms (biodiversity) and their environment. This includes aspects of eco-physiology (primary production, carbon flux, and nutrient turnover), ecology (biodiversity-functionality relationships, microphytobenthos and macrofaunal diversity) and particle dynamics (stability and erosion of sediments) of aquatic systems. This includes aspects of ecosystem engineering (bioturbation, biofilm development and surface stabilisation) and the theory of niche construction. More recently we have also been working on the links between biodiversity, ecosystem function, ecosystem service and valuation-policy-management approaches.

The group uses advanced techniques including PAM Fluorescence, in situ microcosm and mesocosms studies and flume systems. We have often developed new equipment (e.g CSM system and MagPi) to examine the biological mediation of sediment systems and some of these methods are now commercially available (CSM via ParTrac Ltd).

This work of SERG is of international importance to help improve management and legislative practises and understand the ecosystems service that they provide.

SERG has received European and national funding and co-operates with many international groups as well as UK universities and institutes.

Group website: https://serg.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/

Research

The work of SERG revolves around three main themes:

SERG also support a number of emerging areas, stand-alone projects and collaborations not directly related to these themes.

Projects

Currently, SERG members are involved in one or several of the following projects:

Group Members

Paterson, Prof David M.: [Group PI] Executive Director of MASTS: The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3472 (Sec)
Room: 1.11
Email: [email protected]

Blight, Dr Andrew: Lecturer
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3483
Email: [email protected]

Chocholek, Dr Melanie: Research Technician
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3483
Room: 1.10
Email: [email protected]

Defew, Dr Emma: Research Fellow
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3470
Room: 1.9
Email: [email protected]

Harkins, Ms Tanya: MASTS Finance Controller
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3613
Email: [email protected]

Kinnear (née Aspden), Dr Rebecca: SOTEAG Executive Officer
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3613
Room: 1.9
Email: [email protected]

Miles, Dr Will: SOTEAG Seabird Monitor
Phone: +44 (0)7511 75 4554
Email: [email protected]

Rimmer, Mr James: Postgraduate Student
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3469
Email: [email protected]

Runnacles Goodridge, Miss Heather: SOTEAG Engagement Officer
Email: [email protected]

Wilson, Gracie: Postgraduate Student
Email: [email protected]

Visiting scholars

Jack McLachlan, University of Maine

Internal collaborators

External collaborators

Publications

Books

Marine biodiversity futures and ecosystem functioning: frameworks, methodologies and integration.
Solan, M., Aspden, R. J. & Paterson, D. M., 2012, Oxford University Press. 240 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book

Intertidal flats: Ecosytem functioning of soft sediment systems.
Paterson, D. M., Aspden, R. J. & Black, K., 2009, Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach: Academic Press/Elsevier .
Research output: Book/Report › Book

Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
Heip, C., Hummel, H., van Avesaath, P., Arvantidis, C., Aspden, R. J., Austen, M., Boero, F., Bouma, T. J., Boxhall, G., Bucholz, F., Crowe, T., Delaney, A., Deprez, T., Emblow, C., Feral, J. P., Gasol, J. M., Gooday, A., Hardy, J., Ianora, A., Kraberg, A., & 11 othersMackenzie, B., Ojaveer, H., Paterson, D. M., Rumohr, H., Schiedek, D., Sokolowski, A., Somerfield, P., Sousa Pinto, I., Vincx, M., Weslawski, J. M. & Nash, R., 2009, None - self printed.
Research output: Book/Report › Book

Fossil and Recent Biofilms: A Natural History of Life on Earth
Krumbein, WE. (ed.), Paterson, DM. (ed.) & Zavarzin, GA. (ed.), 2003, Springer Dordrecht.
Research output: Book/Report › Book

Chapters

Carbon storage in UK intertidal environments
Austin, W. E. N., Smeaton, C., Ruranska, P., Paterson, D. M., Skov, M. W., Ladd, C. J. T., McMahon, L., Havelock, G. M., Gehrels, R., Mills, R., Barlow, N. L. M., Burden, A., Jones, L. & Garbutt, A., 7 Mar 2022, Challenges in estuarine and coastal science: Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association 50th anniversary volume. Humphreys, J. & Little, S. (eds.). Exeter: Pelagic Publishing
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Diatom biofilms: ecosystem engineering and niche construction
Paterson, D. M. & Hope, J. A., 20 Jul 2021, Diatom gliding motility. Manoylov, K., Cohn, S. & Gordon, R. (eds.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, p. 135-158 24 p. (Diatoms: biology and applications).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Intertidal Flats: Form and Function
Paterson, DM., Fortune, I., Aspden, RJ. & Black, KS., 2019, Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach, 2nd Edition. Perillo, GME., Wolanski, E., Cahoon, DR. & Hopkinson, CS. (eds.). p. 383-406 24 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Form, function and physics: The ecology of biogenic stabilization
Paterson, DM., Kenworthy, JM. & Hope, JA., 2017, River Sedimentation. Wieprecht, S., Haun, S., Weber, K., Noack, M. & Terheiden, K. (eds.). p. 3-8 6 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Form, function and physics: The ecology of biogenic stabilisation
Paterson, D. M., Kenworthy, J. M. & Hope, J. A., 1 Sept 2016, River sedimentation : Proc 13th International symposium of river sedimentation. Wieprecht, S., Haun, S., Weber, K., Noack, M. & Terheiden, K. (eds.). CRC Press, p. 3-8 5 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Ecosystem function and co-evolution of terminology in marine science and management
Paterson, DM., Defew, EC. & Jabour, J., 2012, Marine Biodiversity And Ecosystem Functioning: Frameworks, Methodologies, And Integration. Solan, M., Aspden, RJ. & Paterson, DM. (eds.). p. 24-33 10 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Magnetic Particle Induction and Its Importance in Biofilm Research
Anderson, AM., Spears, BM., Lubarsky, HV., Davidson, I., Gerbersdorf, SU. & Paterson, DM., 2011, Biomedical Engineering - Frontiers And Challenges. FazelRezai, R. (ed.). p. 189-216 28 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Biodynamics of Modern Marine Stromatolites
Paterson, D. M., Aspden, R. J. & Reid, P., 2010, Microbial Mats: Modern and Ancient Microorganisms in Stratified Systems: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology. Seckbach, J. & Oren, A. (eds.). NY: Springer, Vol. 14. p. 223-235 12 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Ooid Accreting Diatom Communities from the Modern Marine Stromatolites at Highborne Cay, Bahamas
Franks, J., Reid, R. P., Aspden, R. J., Underwood, GJC., Paterson, D. M., Prufert-Bebout, L. & Stoltz, JF., 2010, Microbial Mats: Modern and Ancient Microorganisms in Stratified Systems: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology. Seckbach, J. & Oren, A. (eds.). Springer, Vol. 14. p. 275-285
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Intertidal Flats: Ecosystem Functioning of Soft Sediment Systems
Paterson, D. M., Aspden, R. J. & Black, K. S., 2009, Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach . Perillo, G. M. E., Wolanski, E., Cahoon, D. R. & Brinson, M. M. (eds.). Elsevier, p. 317-338
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Articles

Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning
Knights, A. M., Lemasson, A. J., Firth, L. B., Bond, T., Claisse, J., Coolen, J. W. P., Copping, A., Dannheim, J., De Dominicis, M., Degraer, S., Elliott, M., Fernandes, P. G., Fowler, A. M., Frost, M., Henry, L-A., Hicks, N., Hyder, K., Jagerroos, S., Jones, D. O. B., Love, M., & 19 othersLynam, C. P., Macreadie, P. I., Marlow, J., Mavraki, N., McLean, D., Montagna, P. A., Paterson, D. M., Perrow, M., Porter, J., Russell, D. J. F., Bull, A. S., Schratzberger, M., Shipley, B., van Elden, S., Vanaverbeke, J., Want, A., Watson, S. C. L., Wilding, T. A. & Somerfield, P., Feb 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 352, 16 p., 119897.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?
Knights, A. M., Lemasson, A. J., Firth, L. B., Beaumont, N., Birchenough, S., Claisse, J., Coolen, J. W. P., Copping, A., De Dominicis, M., Degraer, S., Elliott, M., Fernandes, P. G., Fowler, A. M., Frost, M., Henry, L-A., Hicks, N., Hyder, K., Jagerroos, S., Love, M., Lynam, C., & 17 othersMacreadie, P. I., McLean, D., Marlow, J., Mavraki, N., Montagna, P. A., Paterson, D. M., Perrow, M. R., Porter, J., Bull, A. S., Schratzberger, M., Shipley, B., van Elden, S., Vanaverbeke, J., Want, A., Watson, S. C. L., Wilding, T. A. & Somerfield, P. J., Jan 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 350, 8 p., 119644.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Biological–physical interactions are fundamental to understanding and managing coastal dynamics
Solan, M., Spencer, T., Paterson, D. M., Unsworth, C. A., Christie, E. K., Blight, A. J., Brown, J., Brooks, H., Lichtman, I. D., Wei, X., Li, X., Thorne, P., Leyland, J., Godbold, J. A., Thompson, C., Williams, M. E., Plater, A., Moller, I. & Amoudry, L. O., 12 Jul 2023, In: Royal Society Open Science. 10, 7, 6 p., 230155.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
Herbert-Read, J. E., Thornton, A., Amon, D. J., Birchenough, S. N. R., Côté, I. M., Dias, M. P., Godley, B. J., Keith, S. A., McKinley, E., Peck, L. S., Calado, R., Defeo, O., Degraer, S., Johnston, E. L., Kaartokallio, H., Macreadie, P. I., Metaxas, A., Muthumbi, A. W. N., Obura, D. O., Paterson, D. M., & 10 othersPiola, A. R., Richardson, A. J., Schloss, I. R., Snelgrove, P. V. R., Stewart, B. D., Thompson, P. M., Watson, G. J., Worthington, T. A., Yasuhara, M. & Sutherland, W. J., Sept 2022, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 6, 9, p. 1262–1270 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity
McLean, D. L., Ferreira, L. C., Benthuysen, J. A., Miller, K. J., Schlappy, M-L., Ajemian, M. J., Berry, O., Birchenough, S. N. R., Bond, T., Boschetti, F., Bull, A. S., Claisse, J. T., Condie, S. A., Consoli, P., Coolen, J. W. P., Elliott, M., Fortune, I. S., Fowler, A. M., Gillanders, B. M., Harrison, H. B., & 26 othersHart, K. M., Henry, L-A., Hewitt, C. L., Hicks, N., Hock, K., Hyder, K., Love, M., Macreadie, P. I., Miller, R. J., Montevecchi, W. A., Nishimoto, M. M., Page, H. M., Paterson, D. M., Pattiaratchi, C. B., Pecl, G. T., Porter, J. S., Reeves, D. B., Riginos, C., Rouse, S., Russell, D. J. F., Sherman, C. D. H., Teilmann, J., Todd, V. L. G., Treml, E. A., Williamson, D. H. & Thums, M., 1 Jun 2022, In: Global Change Biology. 28, 11, p. 3515-3536 22 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

The response of microphytobenthos to physical disturbance, herbicide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles exposure
Rimmer, J., Hubas, C., Wyness, A. J., Jesus, B., Hartley, M., Blight, A. J., Prins, A. & Paterson, D., 1 Dec 2022, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 185, Part B, 10 p., 1134348.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Biological cohesion as the architect of bed movement under wave action
Chen, X., Zhang, C., Townend, I., Paterson, D. M., Gong, Z., Jiang, Q., Feng, Q. & Yu, X., 16 Mar 2021, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 48, 5, e2020GL092137.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Can we model cultural ecosystem services, and are we measuring the right things?
Jones, L., Boeri, M., Christie, M., Durance, I., Evans, K. L., Fletcher, D., Harrison, L., Jorgensen, A., Masante, D., McGinlay, J., Paterson, D. M., Schmucki, R., Short, C., Small, N., Southon, G., Stojanovic, T. & Waters, R., 26 Oct 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: People and Nature. Early View, 14 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Current- and wave- generated bedforms on mixed sand-clay intertidal flats: a new bedform phase diagram and implications for bed roughness and preservation potential
Baas, J., Malarkey, J., Litchman, I., Amoudry, L. O., Thorne, P., Hope, J. A., Peakall, J., Paterson, D., Bass, S. J., Cooke, R. D., Manning, A. J., Parsons, D. R. & Ye, L., 3 Nov 2021, In: Frontiers in Earth Science. 9, 27 p., 747567.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Ecosystem engineers drive differing microbial community composition in intertidal estuarine sediments
Wyness, A. J., Fortune, I., Blight, A. J., Browne, P., Hartley, M., Holden, M. & Paterson, D. M., 19 Feb 2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 2, 20 p., e0240952.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Other publications

Editorial: Advances and challenges in microphytobenthos research: from cell biology to coastal ecosystem function
Serôdio, J., Paterson, D. M., Méléder, V. & Vyverman, W., 12 Nov 2020, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 7, 3 p., 608729.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

VECTORS of change in the marine environment: Ecosystem and economic impacts and management implications
Austen, M. C., Crowe, T. P., Elliott, M., Paterson, D. M., Peck, M. A. & Piraino, S., 5 Feb 2018, In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 201, p. 1-6 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS ON THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF E. COLI IN INTERTIDAL SEDIMENTS
Wyness, A. J., Paterson, D. M., Defew, E. C., Avery, L. & Stutter, M., 2017.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster

Organizing, supporting and linking the world marine biodiversity research community
Costello, M. J., Archambault, P., Chavanich, S., Miloslavich, P., Paterson, D. M., Phang, S-M., Sousa Pinto, I., Pierrot-Bults, A., Song, S., Soto, E. H., Stenseth, N. C., Molodtsova, T. N. & Thorndyke, M., 10 Feb 2015, In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

Correction: The impact of ocean acidification on the functional morphology of foraminifera
Khanna, N., Godbold, J. A., Austin, W. E. N. & Paterson, D. M., 29 Jan 2014, In: PLoS One. 9, 1
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Muddy Sediment Erosion: Insights from Field Studies
Tolhurst, T. J., Black, K. S. & Paterson, D. M., Feb 2009, In: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. 135, 2, p. 73-87 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

Microbial interactions with physical sediment dynamics, and their significance for the interpretation of Earth's biological history
Noffke, N. & Paterson, D., Jan 2008, In: Geobiology. 6, p. 14 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems
Paterson, D. M., 2005, EOLSS.
Research output: Other contribution

A novel shear vane used to determine the evolution of hydraulic dredge tracks in sub-tidal marine sediments
Hauton, C. & Paterson, D. M., Aug 2003
Research output: Other contribution

Low temperature SEM imaging of polymer structure in artificial sediments and the implications regarding sediment stability
Perkins, R. G., Davidson, IR. & Paterson, D. M., 2003
Research output: Other contribution

Contact

Sediment Ecology Research Group
Scottish Oceans Institute
East Sands
St Andrews
KY16 8LB

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3472
Fax: +44 (0)1334 46 3443

Secretary: Jane Williamson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3441

Related themes:

Related Centre: