Dr Beth Scott

Web Links

MS_ABERDEEN is an information document with links to Marine Scotland Science (formally FRS) and School of Biological Sciences current research profiles and details of  MSS cruise information, ROAMEs, and seminar series / discussion groups for both insitutions.

Find out more about our MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/fisheco

Share the adventure of at-sea research on our NERC CMARHAB Project on the James Cook http://cmarhab.blogspot.com/  See our work highlighted in the lastest EU Projects magazine 'A pragmatic approach to defining marine habitat'.

See how science is advanced by clever collaboration in the 'Great Minds' travelling exhibition (from Dynamic Earth Edinburgh, to Satrosphere, Aberdeen) of the research project on tidal renewable energy and seabird behaviour that Alan Owen (RGU) and I are currently running.

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Research Interests

Marine ecosystem studies focusing on the functional linkages between oceanographic processes, flexible individual life history traits and population dynamics. In particular using Individual Based Models (IBM) as tools that explore the variation in individual growth, maturation and reproductive output with temporal and spatial overlap in food resources. Identifying the critical life history stages and marine habitats where predator and prey species overlap and focusing on the physical features (or anthropogenic factors) that can enhance or destroy these linkages. 

3 Main Research Themes

1.  Individual Based Modelling (IBM) and full life cycle effects of climate change  (food and temperature) on daily/seasonal fish growth and annual reproductive potential.

2.  Identifying and defining characteristics for spatially distinct limited areas of sub-surface production that are likely to be highly influential on trophic linkages from physics (winds/ temperature / sunlight) through primary, secondary production. Understanding the exact mechanisms allows exploring the links between the growth and reproductive capacity of most important  commercial / or key prey fish species to the physical aspects of these areas

3.  Understanding the detailed temporal and spatial characteristics of the usage of these areas by frequent foraging of top predators. This will be pursued using concurrent sub-surface structures and surface or tagged animal observation.  The sub-surface structures are linked to the understanding of detailed vertical water mass characteristics needed for the tidal renewable industry and hence most of this work is in collaboration with RGU engineers.

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Current Research

Theme 1: Impact of temperature on overwinter condition and reproductive potential of sandeel.  This is a Scottish Executive & FRS funded grant. The project will establish the necessary parameters for an individual based model for sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) growth, this project involves the estimation of resting metabolic rates and the relative energy investment between soma and gonads over a natural range in temperature.  

Theme 2 & 3: Using oceanographic characteristics and predator-prey behaviours to define critical marine habitats.   This NERC funded project brings together University of Aberdeen with Proudman Oceanographic Laboratories , FRS , CEFAS and JNCC  as well the Marine Resource Assessment Group and the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation and will be a participant of the NERC Oceans2025, Shelf Seas Process, on board the new RRS James Cook in the Celtic Sea during the summer of 2008. The success of the Ecosystem Approach, the sustainable use of fishing areas and the delineation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) all require a fundamental understanding of the mechanistic links between oceanographic properties, fish, top predators and fisheries activities. This requires multi-disciplinary, multi-trophic research to define critical marine habitats where multiple species of predators (including fishermen) are most likely to forage for their prey. This project tests two hypotheses concerning the underlying mechanistic forcing that may be occurring in newly identified areas with disproportionately high abundances of top predators (seabirds, marine mammals and fishing activity) and high levels of sub-surface chlorophyll. The identification of a sub-surface feature that correlates with predator (marine mammal, seabird, fish and human) activity would have important implications as it would allow predictive definitions of spatial (and temporal) locations where higher prevalence of top predators and fish were expected. This level of understanding will allow more precise spatial (and temporal) management of fishing effort, a decrease in the variance of fish abundance estimation, and increased knowledge for the locations of MPAs. To test these hypotheses we will use a unique survey framework which can provide the synoptic measurement of many components of the ecosystem. This approach requires departure from standard survey methods and validation of the new survey designs.  

Theme 3: Ecological Impact of Small Scale Tidal Renewable Devices.  Through a NERC PhD and funding from SNH this project will begin in Oct of 2008. It is calculated that 34% of the UK's electricity demand could be generated from tidal currents alone. However, there are two major stumbling blocks to achieving these targets, First, the environmental impacts of tidal stream energy extraction are not yet understood  (Scott 2007) and second, the expense of large projects and lack of transmission infrastructure availability are stalling any progress.  Our research addresses both these issues by simultaneously testing the efficiency of a small scale tidal device which requires no foundations, developed by Robert Gordon University (Owen & Bryden 2005), while recording the flow characteristics of tidal currents and observing possible positive, negative or neutral relationships with the associated marine wildlife (seabird, seal and cetacean) behaviour. 

See the summary of our workshop: Tidal Energy and the Marine Environment.

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Collaborations

Dr. Jonathan Sharples, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratories 

Dr. Peter Wright, Marine Scotland (FRS Marine Lab Aberdeen)

Dr. Alan Owen, Robert Gordon University

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Research Grants

2008-11 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) 'Potential Ecological Impact of a Small Scale Tidal Renewable Device on the Isle of May'.

2008-10  NERC Sustainable Marine Bio-Resources (SMB) Grant 'Do oceanographic characteristics and predator-prey behaviours define critical marine habitats?'  (CMarHab).  

2007-8 Scottish Executive & FRS Grant 'Impact of temperature on overwinter condition and reproductive potential of sandeel'

2005-6 SHEFC Knowledge Transfer Grant 'Sensitivity of ecosystems to tidal renewable energy extraction'

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Teaching Responsibilities

Programme Coordinator  MSc/MRes in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology: Concepts and Practices for Ecosystem-based Management                http://www.abdn.ac.uk/fisheco

Lecturing  Z03508    Marine Ecology and Ecosystems                             

Lecturing  Z03303    Animal Population Ecology                       

Lecturing  Z04808    Marine Benthic Ecology                            

Lecturing  Z04518    Marine and Fisheries Biology                                 

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External Responsibilities

University representative for the enhancement of collaborative research programmes with Marine Scotland.

Scientific Advisory Committee of Scottish Natural Heritage

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Current Post-Docs / PhDs and MSc/MRes

Current Post-Docs

Dr. Clare B. Embling.   NERC Sustainable  Marine Bioresources.   Critical Marine Foraging Habitats (CMarHab) http://cmarhab.blogspot.com/

PhD Students

J. VanderKooij, CEFAS (part-time) Jan 2005-

I. Katora (Marie Currie) Oct 2006 -

C. Beattie (NERC) Oct 2007 -

J. Brown (Falkland Island Government fishery Lab) Jan 2008-

T. Smith, (NERC) Oct 2008 

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Past Post-Docs/PhDs and MSc/MRes

Past Post-Docs

Dr. Phil Boulcott   (Marine Scotland, Aberdeen)

Dr. Bruce McAdam (Postdoc in Iceland)

Dr. James Oprwood  (Marine Scotland, Pitlochry)

Past MSc/MRes

James (Jim) Elliot  2004-05 (British Antarctic Survey, BAS)

David Vale 2005-06 (HartleyAnderdson)

Sarah Dolman  2006-07 (Whales and Dolphin Conservation Society, WDCS)

Emma Hazard 2007-08 (English Nature)

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Selected Publications

2008

Katara, I., Illian, J., Pierce, G.J., Scott, B. and Wang, J., 2008. Atmospheric forcing on chlorophyll concentration in the Mediterranean. Hydrobiologia, 612(1), pp. 33-48.

Van der Kooij, J., Scott, B.E. and Mackinson, S., 2008. The effects of environmental factors on daytime sandeel distribution and abundance on the Dogger Bank. Journal of Sea Research, 60(3), pp. 201-209.

2007

Scott, B.E. 2007 A Renewable Engineer's Essential Guide to Marine Ecology.   Oceans 07 Eurpean Internationl Conference. Jun 18-21 2007,  Aberdeen, Scotland,  Oceans 2007 Europe  Vol 1-3 pages 157-159

MacLeod,C.D, Santos, M.B., Reid, R.J., Scott, B.E., and Pierce, G.J. 2007. Linking sandeel consumption and the likelihood of starvation in harbour porpoises in the Scottish North Sea: Could climate change mean more starving porpoises? Biology Letters, 3(2), pp. 185-188.

Wanless, S., Frederiksen, M.,  Daunt, F., Scott, B.E. and Harris, M.P. 2007.  Black-legged kittiwakes as indicators of environmental change in the North Sea: evidence from long-term studies. Progress in Oceanography 72:30-38.

2006 - 2001

Scott, B.E., G. Marteinsdottir, P.Wright and O.S. Kjesbu. 2006. Effects of population structure, condition and temporal dynamics of flexible life history traits on reproductive output in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Ecol. Model.  191:383-415 

Scott, B.E., Sharples, J., Wanless, S., Ross O., Frederiksen, M. and Daunt, F. 2006. The use of biologically meaningful oceanographic indices to separate the effects of climate and fisheries on seabird breeding success. In: Top predators in marine ecosystems: Their role in monitoring and management (eds I Boyd, S Wanless & C.J. Camphuysen) Conservation Biology 12, Zoological Society of London, Cambridge University Press, UK. Bio_meaning_ocean.pdf

Sharples, J., Ross O.N., Scott, B.E., Greenstreet, S., Fraser, H. 2006. Inter-annual variability in the timing of stratification and the spring bloom in the North-western North Sea. Continental Shelf Research. 26:733-75.

Camphuysen, C.J., Scott, B.E and Wanless, S.2006. Distribution and foraging interactions of seabirds and marine mammals in the North Sea: multi-species foraging assemblages and habitat-specific feeding strategies. In: Top predators in marine ecosystems: Their role in monitoring and management (Eds I Boyd, S Wanless & C.J. Camphuysen) Conservation Biology 12, Zoological Society of London, Cambridge University Press, UK. CJ_Scott_Wanless.pdf

Greenstreet, S., Armstrong, E., Mosegaard, H., Jensen, H., Gibb, I., Fraser, H. Scott, B.E, Holland, G. and Sharples, J. 2006. Variation in the abundance of sandeels Ammodytes marinus off southeast Scotland: an evaluation of area-closure fisheries management and stock abundance assessment methods. ICES J. Mar. Sci.63:1530-1550. 

 Daunt, F., S. Wanless, G. Peters, S. Benvenuti, J. Sharples, J. D. Grémillet and B. E. Scott. 2006. Impacts of oceanography on the foraging dynamics of seabirds in the North Sea. In: Top predators in marine ecosystems: Their role in monitoring and management (eds I Boyd, S Wanless & C.J. Camphuysen) Conservation Biology 12, Zoological Society of London, Cambridge University Press, UK

Hedger R.D., MacKenzie E., Heath M.R., Wright P.J., Scott B.E., Gallego A. and Andrews, J.  2004.  Analysis of the spatial distributions of mature cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) abundance in the North Sea (1980-1999) using Generalised Additive Models. Fish. Res. 70:17-25.

Daunt F.^, G. Peters, B.E Scott, D. Grémillet& S. Wanless.  2003. Rapid-response recorders reveal interplay between marine physics and seabird behaviour.  Mar. Ecol.  Prog. Ser 255:283-288.

pre-2001

Scott, B.E., G. Marteinsdottir  and P. Wright,  1999. The potential effects of maternal factors on spawning stock-recruitment relationships under varying fishing pressure. Can J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 56:1882-1890. BS_CJFAS.pdf

Heath, M., B.E. Scott and A.D. Bryant, 1997. Modelling the growth of herring from four different stocks in the North Sea. Journal of Sea Research 38: 413-436.

Ollason, J.G., A.D. Bryant, P.M. Davis, B.E. Scott and M.L. Tasker, 1997. Predicting seabird distributions in the North Sea: the consequences of being hungry. ICES J. Mar. Sci. 54:507-517.

Scott, B.E., 1995. Oceanographic features that define the habitat of Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus). Fisheries Oceanography  4:147-157.

Scott, B.E., and J.B. Marlieave. 1995. Habitat shifts in late-stage Pacific Herring Larvae: Associations with shoreline fronts.  Proceedings of the Seventh Pacific Coast Herring Workshop, January 27-28, 1994. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2060:  pp 69-75.

Lambin, X., C.J. Krebs and B.E. Scott, 1993. Spacing system of the Tundra vole (Microtus oecomonus) during the breeding season in Canada's western Arctic. Can. J. Zool. 70, 2068-2072

Borden,  J.H., Conn, J.E., L.M. Friskie, B.E. Scott, L. Chong, H.D. Pierce, Jr., and A.C. Oehlschlager, 1983. Semiochemicals for the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in British Columbia; baited-tree studies. Can. J. For. Res. 13:325-333.

Conn, J.E., J.H. Borden, B.E. Scott, L.M. Friskie, H.D. Pierce, Jr., and A.C. Oehlschlager, 1983. Semiochemicals for the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in British Columbia; field trapping studies. Can. J. For. Res. 13:320-324.

Published Conference Papers

Scott, B.E., G. Marteinsdottir, P. Wright and O. Kjesbu. 1999.Sensitivity of potential recruitment to stock structure in the presence of temporally varying survival. ICES CM 1999/Y:02,  ICES - Annual Science Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, 27 Sept. – 6 Oct., 1999

MacKenzie B, Heath M, Ådlandsvik A,  Backhaus J,  Bogstad B, Gallego A, Godø B, Gudmundsdottir A, Harms I, Heilmann J, Jonsson S, Kjesbu O, McKenzie E,  Marteinsdottir G, Nielsen E, Scott BE, Strugnell G, Stefansson G, Thorsen A, Visser A, Wright P. (1999). Overview of the EU FAIR project 'STEREO' (Stock Effects on Recruitment Relationships). ICES CM 1999/Y:10,  ICES - Annual Science Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, 27 Sept. – 6 Oct., 1999

 Heath MR, Galleago A, Hislop JRG, Needle C, Scott BE and Wright PJ (1999). The importance of the late pelagic and demersal settlement phases for recruitment dynamics in North Sea haddock. ICES CM 1999/Y:11, ICES - Annual Science Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, 27 Sept. – 6 Oct., 1999

Other reports and commissions (available upon request)

 BBC Radio 4 Wild Blue Britain Episode 4 Predators 

Understanding Marine Foodweb Processes: An Ecosystem approach to sustainable sandeel fisheries in the North Sea. 2005. C.J. Camphuysen (Editor). IMPRESS (Interactions between the Marine environment, predators and prey: implications for sustainable sandeel fisheries) Final Report EU Q5RS-2000-30864, NIOZ-Rapport 2005-5, pp 240.

An operational model of the effects of stock structure and spatio-temporal factors on recruitment. 2003. Final Report of the EU-STEREO Project FAIR -CT98-4122. Fisheries Research Services Contract Report No 10/03, pp 374.

Workshop on Gadoid Stocks in the North Sea during the 1960's and 1970's. The Fourth ICES/GLOBEC Backwards-facing Workshop. 2001. ICES Co-operative Research Report. No.244, pp.55.

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