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Dr David Johnson

Senior lecturer

 

Personal Details

Telephone:

+44 (0)1224 273857

Fax:

01224 272703

E-mail:

d.johnson@abdn.ac.uk

Personal website:

www.aberdeenmycorrhizas.com

Address:

Rm 1:24,
School of Biological Sciences,
Cruickshank building,
University of Aberdeen,
St. Machar Drive,
Aberdeen AB24 3UU
UK

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Biography

Ph.D. University of Sheffield 1998

M.Sc. Soil Science. University of Aberdeen 1994.

B.Sc. (Hons.) Environmental technology. University of Sunderland 1993

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Research Interests

I am interested in:

1. Quantifying carbon transfer between plants and soils.

2. The importance of both intra- and inter-specific diversity of plants and microbes in regulating ecosystem functioning.

3. The impact of nitrogen deposition and global climate change on semi-natural ecosystems

4. Above-below ground interactions, such as how seabirds affect terrestrial plant communities; plant to plant communication of aphid attack; plant-mycorrhiza-invertebrate-microbe interactions.

5. The ecology of mycorrhizal fungi.

These interests are addressed using stable and radioisotope tracers in a range of ecosystems including native Scots pine woodland, species-rich semi-natural limestone grassland, peatlands, montane heaths and cropped systems.

Funding is mainly from NERC and BBSRC.

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Current Research

Current research students:

 

1.    M. F. Ahmad Ramli, Malaysian Government funded. "Phosphorus turnover in organic soils". 2008-2011.

2.    Z. Babikova, NERC Open CASE. "How do interactions between herbivores and mycorrhizal fungi regulate production of plant signalling compounds and parasitoid behaviour?" (with Prof J Pickett FRS and Dr T Bruce, Rothamsted Research and Dr L Gilbert, Macaulay Institute). 2009-2012.

3.    S. Smith, BBSRC "Enhancing carbon sequestration through grazing management" (with Dr R van der Wal and Dr S Woodin). 2009-2012.

4.    R. Tajuddin, Malaysian Government. "Role of specialist and generalist ectomycorrhizal fungi in forests" (with Prof I Alexander). 2009-2012.

5.    L. Moore, NERC. "Interactions between ectomycorrhizal fungi and lower plants" (with Dr S Woodin). 2010-2014.

6.    B. Khan, British Council Commonwealth Scholarship. "Interactions between arsenic and mycorrhizal fungi in agroforestry crops" (with Prof AA Meharg). 2010-2014.

7.    A. van den Bos, James Hutton Institute/University of Aberdeen. "Effects of differential disturbance on arbuscular mycorrhizal community structure and function" (With Dr Tim Daniell and Dr Alison Bennett, JHI).

 

Completed studentships:

1.    C. J. Trinder, BBSRC funded. "Carbon cycling in regenerating peatlands". (With Dr RRE Artz, Macaulay Institute). 2004-2007.

2.    N. Papanikolaou, DEFRA/Macaulay Institute. "Impacts of increased nitrogen deposition on carbon and nutrient dynamics in montane ecosystems". 2004-2007.

3.    M. T. Prendergast, NERC funded. Does carbon flux from mycorrhizal fungi stimulate N2O production in soils? (With Dr EM Baggs) 2005-2008.

4.    P. Currey, 6th Century/Macaulay funded. Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands. (With Dr RRE Artz, Macaulay Institute). 2005 -2009.

5.    E. Siasou, 6th Century/Greek Government. Interactions among a soil-borne pathogen, mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria (With Prof K Killham and Dr D Standing). 2006-2010.

6.    A. Wilkinson, NERC funded. "Regulation of soil respiration by mycorrhizal fungi-does diversity matter? (with Prof Ian Alexander) 2007-2010.

7. U. Kritzler, NERC Open CASE. "The significance of ericoid mycorrhizal mycelium for carbon turnover in heathland" (with Prof I Alexander and Dr RRE Artz, Macaulay Institute). 2008-2012.

8. S. Popoola, Self funded "Interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and crop pathogens in inter-cropped farming system-implications for phosphorus uptake". 2008-2011.

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Collaborations

Centre for Plants and the Environment, University of Western Sydney

ECOS, at EPFL Lausanne

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Research Grants

 

"The importance of intra- and interspecific diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi on ecosystem functioning" October 2011-Sept 2014. NERC Standard. Value £516,797. NE/I014527/1.

"Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to carbon fluxes in grassland in response to climate manipulation" May 2011-October 2011. NERC Small. Value £64,928. NE/I017097/1.

"Linkages between plant functional diversity, soil biological communities and ecosystem services in agricultural grassland" June 2011-May 2016. BBSRC Responsive. Value: ~£1.5M (Aberdeen £353,238). PI: Prof RD Bardgett.

"Contribution of plant intraspecific diversity to carbon turnover in grassland" May 2010-January 2011. NERC Small Grant. Value: £51,426. NE/H010939/1.

"How do interactions between herbivores and mycorrhizal fungi regulate production of plant signalling compounds and parasitoid behaviour?" October 2009-March 2013. NERC Open CASE. Value £65,937. NE/G012008/1.

"Unravelling the functional diversity of fungi in ericaceous hair roots" NERC Small Grant (with Prof IJ Alexander). July 2009-October 2010. Value: £53,059. NE/G010404/1.

"The significance of ericoid mycorrhizal mycelium for carbon turnover in heathland" October 2008-March 2012. NERC Open CASE. Value £67,173. NE/F013760/1.

"Can plant genotypic diversity select for mycorrhizal fungal diversity in grasslands?" Royal Society. June 2006-May 2007. Value: £7700.

"Mycorrhizal interactions in native pinewoods: are ericoid and ectomycorrhizal fungi genetically and functionally distinct?" October 2004-October 2009. NERC Standard (with Prof IJ Alexander) Value: £291,966. NE/C003128/1.

"Influence of soil mesofaunal communities on carbon flux to ectomycorrhizal fungi and saprotrophic microorganisms" September 2004-September 2006. Funding: NERC. Value: £50,483. NE/C507510/1

NERC Advanced Fellowship. "Does below ground carbon allocation drive soil biodiversity in Boreal forests?" Sept. 2003-Sept 2008.  Value: £243,604. NER/J/S/2002/00652

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Teaching Responsibilities

Postgraduate:

Programme coordinator (with Rene ven der Wal) of MSc Ecology/MRes Environmental Sustainability

Coordinator for PL5504 Biology and Ecology of Mycorrhizas and EK5502 Advanced Ecological Concepts

Contribute to BI5009 Experimental Design and Analysis, EV5004 Microbial Ecology and PL5303 Ecosystem Processes

Undergraduate:

Biology for Undergraduates; Ecosystem Processes; Plant Diversity

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External Responsibilities

Full member NERC Peer Review College (2008-).

Board of Advisors, New Phytologist.

NERC Tropical Forests working Group

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Publications

  • Smith, SW., Robertson, AJ., Meharg, AA., Pakeman, RJ., Johnson, D., Woodin, SJ. & Van Der Wal, R. Milling plant and soil material in plastic tubes over-estimates carbon and under-estimates nitrogen concentrations, Article, 2013, Plant and Soil, ISSN/ISBN: 0032-079X
  • Johnson, D. Underground signals carried through common mycelial networks warn neighbouring plants of aphid attack, Article, 2013, Ecology Letters
  • Wilkinson, A., Alexander, I. & Johnson, D. Genotype identity determines productivity and CO2 efflux across a genotype-species gradient of ectomycorrhizal fungi, Article, 2012, Fungal ecology, 5, 5, pp571 - 580, ISSN/ISBN: 1754-5048
  • Bragazza, L., Buttler, A., Habermacher, J., Brancaleoni, L., Gerdol, R., Fritze, H., Hanajik, P., Laiho, R. & Johnson, D. High nitrogen deposition alters the decomposition of bog plant litter and reduces carbon accumulation, Article, 2012, Global Change Biology, 18, 3, pp1163 - 1172, ISSN/ISBN: 1354-1013
  • Drigo, B., Anderson, IC., Kannangara, GSK., Cairney, JWG. & Johnson, D. Rapid incorporation of carbon from ectomycorrhizal mycelial necromass into soil fungal communities, Article, 2012, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 49, pp4 - 10, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Palacio, S., Johnson, D., Escudero, A. & Montserrat-Marti, G. Root colonisation by AM fungi differs between gypsum specialist and non-specialist plants, Article, 2012, Journal of Arid Environments, 76, pp128 - 132, ISSN/ISBN: 0140-1963
  • Wilkinson, A., Solan, M., Alexander, I. & Johnson, D. Species richness and nitrogen supply regulate the productivity and respiration of ectomycorrhizal fungi in pure culture, Article, 2012, Fungal ecology, 5, 2, pp211 - 222, ISSN/ISBN: 1754-5048
  • Johnson, D., Martin, F., Cairney, JWG. & Anderson, IC. The importance of individuals, Scientific review, 2012, New Phytologist, 194, 3, pp614 - 628, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Grelet, G., Johnson, D., Vralstad, T., Alexander, IJ. & Anderson, IC. Corrigendum: New insights into the mycorrhizal Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate: spatial structure and co-colonization of ectomycorrhizal and ericoid roots (vol 188, pg 210, 2010), Article, 2011, New Phytologist, 189, 2 - 643, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Johnson, D., Vachon, J., Britton, AJ. & Helliwell, RC. Drought alters carbon fluxes in alpine snowbed ecosystems through contrasting impacts on graminoids and forbs, Article, 2011, New Phytologist, 190, 3, pp740 - 749, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Currey, PM., Johnson, D., Dawson, LA., van der Wal, R., Thornton, B., Sheppard, LJ., Leith, ID. & Artz, RRE. Five years of simulated atmospheric nitrogen deposition have only subtle effects on the fate of newly synthesized carbon in Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum, Article, 2011, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 3, pp495 - 502, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Siasou, E., Standing, DB. & Johnson, D. Interactions among the take all fungus, mycorrhizal fungi and pseudomonads, Other, 2011
  • Prendergast-Miller, MT., Baggs, EM. & Johnson, D. Nitrous oxide production by the ectomycorrhizal fungi Paxillus involutus and Tylospora fibrillosa, Article, 2011, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 316, 1, pp31 - 35, ISSN/ISBN: 0168-6496
  • Prendergast-Miller, MT., Baggs, EM. & Johnson, D. Nitrous oxide production by the ectomycorrhizal fungi Paxillus involutus and Tylospora fibrillosa, Article, 2011, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 316, 1, pp31 - 35, ISSN/ISBN: 0378-1097
  • Wilkinson, A., Alexander, IJ. & Johnson, D. Species richness of ectomycorrhizal hyphal necromass increases soil CO2 efflux under laboratory conditions, Article, 2011, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 6, pp1350 - 1355, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Johnson, D., Moore, L., Green, S., Leith, ID. & Sheppard, LJ. Direct and indirect effects of ammonia, ammonium and nitrate on phosphatase activity and carbon fluxes from decomposing litter in peatland, Article, 2010, Environmental Pollution, 158, 10, pp3157 - 3163, ISSN/ISBN: 0269-7491
  • Wilkinson, A., Solan, M., Taylor, AFS., Alexander, IJ. & Johnson, D. Intraspecific Diversity Regulates Fungal Productivity and Respiration, Article, 2010, PLoS ONE, 5, 9, ISSN/ISBN: 1932-6203
  • Orwin, KH., Buckland, SM., Johnson, D., Turner, BL., Smart, S., Oakley, S. & Bardgett, RD. Linkages of plant traits to soil properties and the functioning of temperate grassland, Article, 2010, Journal of Ecology, 98, 5, pp1074 - 1083, ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0477
  • Kritzler, UH. & Johnson, D. Mineralisation of carbon and plant uptake of phosphorus from microbially-derived organic matter in response to 19 years simulated nitrogen deposition, Article, 2010, Plant and Soil, 326, 1-2, pp311 - 319, ISSN/ISBN: 0032-079X
  • Grelet, G., Johnson, D., Vralstad, T., Alexander, IJ. & Anderson, IC. New insights into the mycorrhizal Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate, Article, 2010, New Phytologist, 188, 1, pp210 - 222, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Papanikolaou, N., Britton, AJ., Helliwell, RC. & Johnson, D. Nitrogen deposition, vegetation burning and climate warming act independently on microbial community structure and enzyme activity associated with decomposing litter in low-alpine heath, Article, 2010, Global Change Biology, 16, 11, pp3120 - 3132, ISSN/ISBN: 1354-1013
  • Johnson, D., Anderson, IC., Williams, A., Whitlock, R. & Grime, JP. Plant genotypic diversity does not beget root-fungal species diversity, Article, 2010, Plant and Soil, 336, 1-2, pp107 - 111, ISSN/ISBN: 0032-079X
  • Currey, PM., Johnson, D., Sheppard, LJ., Leith, ID., Toberman, H., van der Wal, R., Dawson, LA. & Artz, RRE. Turnover of labile and recalcitrant soil carbon differ in response to nitrate and ammonium deposition in an ombrotrophic peatland, Article, 2010, Global Change Biology, 16, 8, pp2307 - 2321, ISSN/ISBN: 1354-1013
  • Trinder, CJ., Johnson, D. & Artz, R. Litter type, but not plant cover, regulates initial litter decomposition and fungal community structure in a recolonising cutover peatland, Article, 2009, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41, 3, pp651 - 655, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Siasou, E., Standing, DB., Killham, K. & Johnson, D. Mycorrhizal fungi increase biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Article, 2009, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41, pp1341 - 1343, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Grelet, G., Johnson, D., Paterson, E., Anderson, IC. & Alexander, IJ. Reciprocal carbon and nitrogen transfer between an ericaceous dwarf shrub and fungi isolated from Piceirhiza bicolorata ectomycorrhizas, Article, 2009, New Phytologist, 182, 2, pp359 - 366, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Siasou, E., Standing, DB., Killham, K. & Johnson, D. What is the role of carbon from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on bacterial antibiotic production?, Poster, 2009
  • Trinder, CJ., Artz, R. & Johnson, D. Contribution of plant photosynthate to soil respiration and dissolved organic carbon in a naturally recolonising cutover peatland, Article, 2008, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 7, pp1622 - 1628, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Siasou, E., Standing, DB., Killham, K. & Johnson, D. Does carbon flow from mycorrhizal fungi stimulate bacterial antibiotic production?, Poster, 2008
  • Trinder, CJ., Johnson, D. & Artz, R. Interactions among fungal community structure, litter decomposition and depth of water table in a cutover peatland, Article, 2008, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 64, 3, pp433 - 448, ISSN/ISBN: 0168-6496
  • Trinder, CJ., Johnson, D. & Artz, R. Interactions among fungal community structure, litter decomposition and depth of water table in a cutover peatland, Article, 2008, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 64, 3, pp433 - 448, ISSN/ISBN: 0378-1097
  • Phuyal, M., Artz, RRE., Sheppard, L., Leith, ID. & Johnson, D. Long-term nitrogen deposition increases phosphorus limitation of bryophytes in an ombrotrophic bog, Article, 2008, Plant Ecology, 196, 1, pp111 - 121
  • Yan, W., Artz, R. & Johnson, D. Species-specific effects of plants colonising cutover peatlands on patterns of carbon source utilisation by soil microorganisms, Article, 2008, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40, 2, pp544 - 549, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Siasou, E., Banerjee, S., Standing, DB., Killham, K. & Johnson, D. Interactions between Gaeumannomyces graminis, DAPG and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in wheat rhizosphere., Poster, 2007
  • Leake, JR., Ostle, NJ., Rangel-Castro, JI. & Johnson, D. Carbon fluxes from plants through soil organisms determined by field (CO2)-C-13 pulse-labelling in an upland grassland, Article, 2006, Applied Soil Ecology, 33, 2, pp152 - 175, ISSN/ISBN: 0929-1393
  • Foereid, B., Dawson, LA., Johnson, D. & Rangel-Castro, JI. Fate of carbon in upland grassland subjected to liming using in situ (CO2)-C-13 pulse-labelling, Article, 2006, Plant and Soil, 287, 1-2, pp301 - 311, ISSN/ISBN: 0032-079X
  • Pilkington, MG., caporn, SJM., Carroll, JA., Cresswell, N., Lee, JA., Emmett, BA. & Johnson, D. Effects of increased deposition of atmospheric nitrogen on an upland Calluna moor: N and P transformations, Article, 2005, Environmental Pollution, 135, 3, pp469 - 480, ISSN/ISBN: 0269-7491
  • Johnson, D., IJdo, M., Genney, DR., Anderson, IC. & Alexander, IJ. How do plants regulate the function, community structure and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi?, Article, 2005, Journal of Experimental Botany, 56, 417, pp1751 - 1760, ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0957
  • Leake, JR., Johnson, D., Donnelly, DP., Boddy, L. & Read, DJ. Is diversity of mycorrhizal fungi important for ecosystem functioning?, Chapter, 2005, Biological Diversity and Function in Soils, pp216 - 235
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR. & Read, D. Liming and nitrogen fertilization affects phosphatase activities, microbial biomass and mycorrhizal colonisation in an upland grassland, Article, 2005, Plant and Soil, 271, pp157 - 164, ISSN/ISBN: 0032-079X
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR. & Read, DJ. Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in carbon and nutrient cycling, Chapter, 2005, Fungi in the Environment
  • Johnson, D., Krsek, M., Wellington, EMH., Stott, AW., Cole, L., Bardgett, RD., Read, DJ. & Leake, JR. Soil invertebrates disrupt carbon flow through fungal networks, Article, 2005, Science, 309, 5737, pp1047 - 1047, ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075
  • Johnson, D. Underworld Connections, Article, 2005, Biologist, 52, 3, pp155 - 160, ISSN/ISBN: 0006-3347
  • Johnson, D., Vandenkoornhuyse, PJ., Leake, JR., Gilbert, L., Booth, RE., Grime, JP., Young, JPW. & Read, D. Plant communities affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and community composition in grassland microcosms, Article, 2004, New Phytologist, 161, pp503 - 516, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Johnson, D., Campbell, CD., Lee, JA., Callaghan, T. & Gwynn-Jones, D. Elevated UV-B radiation affects Arctic soil microbial communities, Letter, 2003, Nature, 423, pp138 - 138, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-0836
  • Johnson, D., Booth, RE., Whiteley, AS., Bailey, MJ., Read, D., Grime, JP. & Leake, JR. Plant community composition affects the biomass, activity and diversity of soil microorganisms in reconstituted calcareous grassland, Article, 2003, European Journal of Soil Science, 54, pp671 - 678, ISSN/ISBN: 1351-0754
  • Johnson, D. Response of terrestrial microorganisms to ultraviolet-B radiation in ecosystems, Article, 2003, Research in Microbiology, 154, pp315 - 320, ISSN/ISBN: 0923-2508
  • Carroll, JA., Caporn, SJM., Johnson, D., Morecroft, MD. & Lee, JA. The interactions between plant growth, vegetation structure and soil processes in semi-natural acidic and calcareous grasslands receiving long-term inputs of simulated pollutant nitrogen deposition, Article, 2003, Environmental Pollution, 121, pp363 - 376, ISSN/ISBN: 0269-7491
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR., Ostle, N., Ineson, P. & Read, D. In situ 13CO2 pulse-labelling of upland grassland demonstrates a rapid pathway of carbon flux from arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelia to the soil, Article, 2002, New Phytologist, 153, 2, pp327 - 334, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Johnson, D., Campbell, CD., Lee, JA., Callaghan, T. & Gwynn-Jones, D. Arctic microorganisms respond more to elevated UV-B radiation than CO2, Article, 2002, Nature, 416, pp82 - 83, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-0836
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR. & Read, D. Transfer of recent photosynthate into mycorrhizal mycelium of an upland grassland: short-term respiratory losses and accumulation of 14C, Article, 2002, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 34, pp1521 - 1524, ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR. & Read, DJ. Novel in-growth core system enables functional studies of grassland mycorrhizal mycelial networks, Article, 2001, New Phytologist, 152, 3, pp555 - 562, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Carroll, JA., Johnson, D., Morecroft, M., Taylor, AFS., Caporn, SJM. & Lee, JA. The effect of long-term nitrogen additions on the bryophyte cover of upland acidic grasslands, Article, 2000, Journal of bryology, 22, pp83 - 89, ISSN/ISBN: 0373-6687
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR. & Lee, JA. The effects of quantity and duration of simulated pollutant nitrogen deposition on root-surface phosphatase activities in calcareous and acid grasslands: a bioassay approach, Article, 1999, New Phytologist, 141, 3, pp433 - 442, ISSN/ISBN: 0028-646X
  • Johnson, D., Leake, JR., Lee, JA. & Campbell, CD. Changes in soil microbial biomass and microbial activities in response to 7 years simulated pollutant nitrogen deposition on a heathland and two grasslands, Article, 1998, Environmental Pollution, 103, 2-3, pp239 - 250, ISSN/ISBN: 0269-7491
  • Green, N., Johnson, D. & Wilkins, BT. Factors affecting the transfer of radionuclides to sheep grazing on pastures reclaimed from the sea, Article, 1996, Journal of environmental radioactivity, 30, 2, pp173 - 183, ISSN/ISBN: 0265-931X

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