Dr Rene Van Der Wal
Senior Lecturer
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Personal Details
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Biography
1987-1993 Biology study at Groningen University, the Netherlands
1993-1997 PhD: relation between vegetation succession and herbivory, Groningen University
1998-2001 Ecologist at CEH Banchory (Higher Scientific Officer)
2001-2007 Ecologist at CEH Banchory (Senior Scientific Officer)
2007-2011 Senior lecturer at Aberdeen University (within Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability)
2011-present Reader at Aberdeen University (within ACES)
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Research Interests
René van der Wal is a senior scientist with great interest in soil-plant-herbivore interactions. His studies aim to provide innovative perspectives on ecosystem function and diversity by using a field experimental approach, connecting above and belowground ecosystem components, working at different spatial scales and integrating disciplines across the natural sciences. As many of his research questions are either influenced by or central to people, an increasing part of his work is conducted in close collaboration with social and environmental economic scientists and involves a wide range of stakeholders and/or members of the general public. Although earlier work focused largely on plant species dynamics in temperate ecosystems, his current studies take place in a wide range of ecosystems including temperate mountain, forest, moorland and island ecosystems and arctic tundra. These studies centre on the causes and consequences of ecosystem perturbations from changes in land-use, nitrogen enrichment, climate change and invasive species, thereby crosscutting traditional disciplines and trophic levels, whilst also acknowledging connectivity between terrestrial and marine or freshwater environments. He currently leads an array of studies, which involve both PhD and post-doctoral researchers, as well as bringing in specialist knowledge as a partner in larger research projects.
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Current Research
Long-term studies:
- Variability of Plant-herbivore-soil interactions in high-arctic Spitsbergen - Semmeldalen (since 1997)
- How grazing and nitrogen deposition impact montane moss heath - Glas Maol (since 1999)
- Seabirds, rabbits, soil foodwebs and plant species change - Isle of May (since 2003)
- Ecology and management of the non-native invasive tree mallow - Craigleith (since 2004)
Other studies:
EPSRC grant (Rural Digital Hub): Digital innovation and the management, use and conservation of Natural Resources www.dotrural.co.uk. Composite projects are:
- Digital conservation: Digital innovation in the promotion of volunteer interest and involvement in nature conservation programmes (in partnership with the RSPB (red kite reintroducitons) and the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.
- wikiRivers: Exploiting digital technologies to enable effective communication of river water levels (in partnership with the Scottish Environment Projection Agency)
- MinkApp: Developing digital tools to enable large-scale community-based nature conservation action (in partnership with Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland)
- WiSE: Wildlife Smartcam for Environmental monitoring (in partnership with the James Hutton Institute and Trinity College Dublin)
NERC grant: Understanding determinants of plant invasiveness: a case study on tree mallow (post doc Louise Ross, with Hefin Jones, Cardiff University)
Effects of climate and land-use change on cuckoos (Chloe Denerley; RSPB studentship with Steve Redpath and Jerry Wilson, RSPB)
The use of digital technology in traditional landscapes' (Gina Maffey; dot.rural studentship with Mark Reed, Justin Irvine (Macaulay Institute), Steve Redpath & Chris Mellish)
Enhancing carbon sequestration through grazing management (Stuart Smith; BBSRC studentship with David Johnson, Robin Pakeman (Macaulay Institute) & Sarah Woodin.
Changes in snow lie and herbivore population regulation in an arctic Ecosystem (Helen Anderson; College of Live Sciences and Medicine studentship with Sarah Woodin, Jesper Madsen (NERI Denmark and Christiaane Huebner, Svalbard Science Forum).
Rewilding (Koen Arts, ACES studentship with A. Fischer, Macaulay Institute)
Understanding public perceptions of non-native species: values and discourses (Sebastian Selge, ACES studentship with A. Fischer, Macaulay Institute)
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Research Grants
Currently active grants/projects
- Rural Digital Economy Research Hub (EPSRC/ESRC/AHRC/MRC grant with Farrington, Edwards et. al. (Lead of the Natural Resource Conservation theme)
- UK National Ecosystem Assessment - Lead Author of the Chapter 'Mountains, Moorlands and Heaths'
- Understanding determinants of plant invasiveness: a case study on tree mallow Lavatera arborea (NERC)
- Inclusive biodiversity management on Craigleith island: implementation of tree mallow control (SNH)
Previous grants (selected)
- Collaborative frameworks in land management: A case study on integrated deer management (RELU with J. Irvine et al.)
- Developing methodologies for assessing diffuse deer impacts in the wider countryside (SEERAD with J. Irvine et al.2008)
- Restoring biodiversity of island ecosystems; inclusive management to combat alien plant invasion (Scottish Executive; Biodiversity action grant scheme, 2005-07)
- Do herbivores decrease tundra carbon sink strength by reducing the moss layer? (NERC grant with S. Woodin, M. Sommerkorn, 2005)
- FRagility of Arctic Goose habitat: Impacts of Land use, conservation and Elevated temperatures.(FRAGILE - EU 5th framework, with Huiskes et al., 2004-06)
- Does resource partitioning maintain plant species diversity in nitrogen limited ecosystems? (NERC small grant with R. Bardgett, 2004)
- How herbivory and light mediate moss-sedge interactions (NERC grant, 2001)
- Herbivore impact on soil temperature and plant species diversity in the Arctic (NERC grant, 2000)
Currently active studentships
- See under Research activities
Previous studentships:
- Assessing the potential for recovery of degraded montane heathlands (Heather Armitage; SNH studentship with A. Britton, I. Pearce, S. Woodin, Aberdeen Univ.)
- Anthropogenic influences on carbon dynamics in peatland (Pauline Currey; ACES studentship with R. Artz, L. Dawson, D. Johnson, C. Freeman, Aberdeen Univ.)
- Ecosystem engineers of the tundra? The effects of pink footed geese on arctic ecosystem biodiversity (James Speed; NERC studentship with I.S. Jónsdóttir, S. Woodin, Aberdeen Univ.)
- Limits to tree driven changes in soil biodiversity in Scotland (Uffe Nielsen; ACES studentship with G. Osler, C. Campbell & D. Burslem, Aberdeen Univ.). Uffe currently works as a Post Doctoral Fellow at Colorado University
- The role of mosses in Arctic vegetation (Jemma Gornall; NERC studentship with S.Woodin, I Jonsdottir, Aberdeen Univ. 2002-04). Jemma currently works as Climate Impact Scientist at the Met Office, Exeter, UK
- Keystone plant species and ecosystem function: mechanisms by which trees control soil food webs (Aidan Keith; NERC studentship with G. Osler, S. Chapman, D. Burslem, Aberdeen Univ. 2004-6). Aidan currently works as Soil Scientist at CEH Lancaster
- The role of seabirds in orchestrating island food (Dan Wright; NERC studentship with R. Bardgett, Lancaster Univ. 2003-05). Dan currently works as 6th form teacher in Preston
- Understanding the mechanisms behind nitrogen deposition impacts on montane Racomitrium heath (Imogen Pearce; part-time CEH studentship with S. Woodin, Aberdeen Univ. 1999-2004)
- How soil fauna influence plant-microbial competition for N in arctic ecosystems (Stephen Dutton; NERC studentship with R. Bardgett, Lancaster Univ. 2001-02)
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Teaching Responsibilities
- Coordinator of the MSc Ecology/MRes Ecology and Environmental Sustainability programmes (with Dave Johnson)
- Coordinator of the MRes course 'Statistics for Complex Designs' (with Alex Douglas and David Lusseau)
- Coordinator of the MRes course 'Foundations of Environmental Governance' (with Ben Davies)
- Coordinator of the MRes module 'Controlled Environment Research Project'
Teaching on (only larger contributions provided):
- 1st year interdisciplinary (6th Century) course 'Sustainability'
- 3rd year course 'Plant-Animal Interactions'
Recent publications:
2011
Selge S, Fischer A, Van der Wal R. Public and professional views on invasive non-native species - a qualitative social scientific investigation. Biological Conservation in press.
Sjögersten S, Van der Wal R & Woodin SJ (2011). Impacts of grazing and climate warming on C pools and decomposition rates in arctic environments. Ecosystems – in press.
Armitage H, Britton A, Van der Wal R, Pearce I, Thompson D, Woodin S (2011). Nitrogen deposition enhances moss growth but leads to overall decline in habitat condition in a mountain moss-sedge heath. Global Change Biology – in press.
Dandy N, Van der Wal R (2011) Shared appreciation of woodland landscapes by land management professionals and lay people: an exploration through field-based interactive photo-elicitation. Landscape and Urban Planning 102: 43–53.
Arts K, Fischer A & Van der Wal R (2011). Wilderness: home to hazard and the promise of paradise; Exploring wilderness desire and rejection in a cultural-historical study of De Hoge Veluwe, the Netherlands. Landscape Research – in press.
Gornall JL, Woodin SJ, Jónsdóttir IS & Van der Wal R (2011) Balancing positive and negative plant interactions: how mosses structure vascular plant communities. Oecologia 166, 769-782.
Armitage HF, Britton AJ, Woodin SJ & Van der Wal R (2011) Assessing the recovery potential of alpine moss-sedge heath: Reciprocal transplants along a nitrogen deposition gradient. Environmental Pollution 159: 140-147
2010
Currey PM, Johnson D, Dawson LA, Van der Wal R, Thornton B, Sheppard LJ, Leith ID & Artz RRE (2010) Five years of simulated atmospheric nitrogen deposition have only subtle effects on the fate of newly synthesized carbon in Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum. Soil Biol Biochem 16: 2307-2321.
Nielsen UN, Osler GHR, Campbell CD, Neilson R, Burslem DFRP, Van der Wal R (2010) The enigma of soil animal species diversity revisited: The role of small-scale heterogeneity. Public Library of Science One 5, e11567.
Sjögersten S, Van der Wal R, Loonen MJJE & Woodin SJ (2010) Recovery of ecosystem carbon fluxes and storage from herbivory. Biogeochemistry – in press.
Sjögersten S, Kuijper DPJ, Loonen MJJE, , Huiskes A, Van der Wal R, Woodin SJ (2010) Nitrogen transfer between herbivores and their forage species disrupted by the moss layer. Polar biology 33:1195–1203.
Speed JDM, Cooper EJ, Jónsdóttir IS, Van der Wal R, Woodin SJ (2010) Plant community properties predict vegetation resilience to herbivore disturbance in the Arctic. Journal of Ecology 98: 1002–1013.
Wright DG, Van der Wal R, Wanless S & Bardgett RD (2010) Factors affecting island food webs: the impacts of seabird nutrient enrichment and grazing on the soil food web. Soil Biol Biochem 42: 592-600.
Speed JDM, Woodin SJ, Tømmervik H, & Van der Wal R (2010) Extrapolating herbivore induced carbon loss across an arctic landscape. Polar Biology 33: 789–797.
Nielsen UN, Osler GHR, Campbell CD, Burslem DFRP & Van der Wal R (2010) The influence of vegetation type, soil properties and precipitation on the composition of soil mite and microbial communities at the landscape scale. Journal of Biogeography 37: 1317–1328.
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Selected Publications
2009
Post E, Forchhammer MC, Bret-Harte S, Callaghan TV, Christensen TR, Elberling B, Fox AD, Gilg O, Hik DS, Høye TT, Ims RA, Jeppesen E, Klein DR, Madsen J, McGuire AD, Rysgaard S, Schindler DE, Stirling I, Tamstorf MP, Tyler NJC, Van der Wal R, Welker J, Wookey PA, Schmidt NM & Aastrup P (2009). Ecological dynamics across the Arctic associated with recent climate change. Science 325: 135-137.
Gornall JL, Woodin SJ, Jónsdóttir IS & Van der Wal R (2009) Herbivore impacts to the moss layer determines tundra ecosystem response to grazing and warming. Oecologia – on line.
Woodin SJ, Van der Wal R, Sommerkorn M & Gornall JL (2009) Differential allocation of carbon in mosses and grasses governs ecosystem sequestration: A 13C tracer study in the high Arctic. New Phytologist – on line
Nielsen UN, Osler GHR, CampbellCD, Burslem DFRP & Van der Wal R (2009) The influence of vegetation type, soil properties and precipitation on the composition of soil mite and microbial communities at the landscape scale. Journal of Biogeography – in press.
Speed JDM, Van der Wal R & Woodin S (2009). Do nitrogen concentration and forage quality of moss increase with latitude? Research Letters in Ecology on line.
Van der Wal R & Hessen DO (2009). Analogous aquatic and terrestrial food webs in the high Arctic: the structuring force of a harsh climate. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 231-240.
Irvine RJ, Fiorini S, Yearley S, McLeod J, Turner A, Armstrong H, White PCL & Van der Wal R (2009). Can managers inform models? Integrating local knowledge into models of red deer habitat use. Journal of Applied Ecology 46: 344-352.
Speed JDM, Woodin SJ, Tømmervik H, Tamsdorf MP & Van der Wal R (2009). Predicting the foraging extent and ecosystem disturbance of an increasing herbivore population. Ecosystems 12: 349-359.
Keith AM, Brooker RW, Osler GHR, Chapman SJ, Burslem DFRP & Van der Wal R (2009). Strong impacts of belowground tree inputs on soil nematode functional composition. Soil Biol Biochem 41: 1060-1065.
Van der Wal R, Fischer A, MarquissM, RedpathS & Wanless S (2009). Is bigger necessarily better for environmental research? Scientometrics 78: 317-322.
2008
Van der Wal R, Truscott A, Pearce I, Cole L, Harris M & Wanless S (2008) Multiple anthropogenic changes cause biodiversity loss from plant invasion. Global Change Biology 14: 1428-1436.
Keith AM, Van der Wal R, Brooker RW, Osler GHR, Chapman SJ, Burslem DFRP & Elston DA (2008). Increasing litter diversity reduces variability in a decomposer system. Ecology - in press.
White R, Fischer A, Marshall K, Travis J, Webb T, Di Falco S, Redpath S & Van der Wal R (2008). Integration of social, economic and ecological perspectives to resolve biodiversity conflicts: development of a conceptual framework. Land Use Policy 26: 242-253.Sjögersten S, Van der Wal R & Woodin SJ (2008). Habitat sensitivity determines herbivory controls over CO2 fluxes in a warmer arctic. Ecology 89: 2103-2116.
Nielsen UN, Osler GHR, Campbell CD, Van der Wal R & Burslem DFRP (2008). Soil pore volume and the abundance of soil mites in two contrasting habitats.Soil Biol Biochem 40: 1538-1541.Van der Wal R & Palmer SCF. Breeding success of farmland wading birds depressed by interaction between grazing and predation. Biology Letters 4: 256-258.2008
Pearce ISK & Van der Wal R (2008). Interpreting nitrogen pollution thresholds for sensitive habitats: the importance of Concentration versus Dose. Environmental Pollution 152: 253-256.
2007
Gornall J, Woodin SJ, Jónsdóttir IS & Van der Wal R (2007) Arctic mosses govern belowground environment and ecosystem processes. Oecologia 153: 931-941.
Bardgett RD, Van der Wal R, Jónsdóttir IS, Quirk H & Dutton S (2007). Spatial and temporal variability in high Arctic plant and soil nitrogen pools. Soil Biol Biochem 39: 2129-2137.
Scott D, Welch D, Van der Wal R & Elston D (2007). Long-term decline of the montane moss Racomitrium lanuginosum following increased utilisation by sheep. Journal of Applied Vegetation Science 10: 229-238.
Fischer A. & Van der Wal R (2007) Invasive plant suppresses charismatic seabird: the construction of attitudes towards biodiversity management options. Biological Conservation 135: 256-267.
2006 and before
Van der Wal R, Sjögersten S, Woodin SJ, Cooper E, Jónsdóttir IS, Kuijper D, Fox T & Huiskes A (2006). Spring feeding by pink-footed geese reduces carbon stocks and sink strength in tundra ecosystems. Global Change Biology 13: 539-545.
Keith AM, Van der Wal R, Brooker RW, Osler GH, Chapman SJ & Burslem DFRP (2006). Birch invasion of moorland increases nematode diversity and trophic complexity. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 38: 3421-3430.
Sjögersten S, Woodin SJ & Van der Wal R (2006) Small-scale hydrological variation determines landscape CO2 fluxes in the high Arctic. Biogeochemistry 80: 205-216.
Ayres E, Van der Wal R, Sommerkorn M & Bardgett RD (2006). Mosses take up nitrogen directly from the soil. Biology Letters 2: 286-288.
Van der Wal R (2006) Do herbivores cause habitat degradation or vegetation state transition? Evidence from the tundra. Oikos 114: 177-186.
Van der Wal R (2005) Plant-Animal Interactions. Pp 1649-1650 in Nuttal M. Encyclopedia of the Arctic, Vol 3. Routledge, New York.
Van der Wal R, Pearce ISK & Brooker RW (2005) Mosses and the struggle for light in a nitrogen-polluted world. Oecologia 142: 159-168..
Van der Wal R, Bardgett RD, Harrison KA & Stien A (2004).Vertebrate herbivores and ecosystem control: cascading effects of faeces on tundra ecosystems. Ecography 27: 242-252.
Van der Wal R & Brooker R (2004) Herbivore impact on soil temperature and the abundance of grasses in arctic ecosystems. Functional Ecology 18: 77-86.
Pearce ISK, Woodin SJ & Van der Wal R (2003) Physiological and growth responses of the montane bryophyte Racomitrium lanuginosum to atmospheric nitrogen deposition. New Phytologist 160: 145-155.
Brooker R & Van der Wal R (2003) Can soil temperature direct the composition of high arctic plant communities? Journal of Vegetation Science 14: 535-542.
Van der Wal R, Pearce I, Brooker R, Scott D, Welch D & Woodin S (2003). Interplay between nitrogen deposition and grazing causes habitat degradation. Ecology Letters 6: 141-146.
Skarpe C & Van der Wal R (2002) Effects of simulated browsing and length of growing season on leaf characteristics and flowering in a deciduous arctic shrub. Journal of Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research 34: 282-286.
Pearce, ISK & Van der Wal R (2002) Effects of nitrogen deposition on growth and survival of montane Racomitrium lanuginosum heath. Biological Conservation 104: 83-89.
Van der Wal R, Brooker R, Cooper E & Langvatn R (2001) Differential effects of reindeer on high Arctic lichens. Journal of Vegetation Science 12: 705-710.
Kunst P, Van der Wal R & Van Wieren S (2001) Home ranges of brown hare in a natural salt marsh: comparisons with agricultural systems. Acta Theriologica 46: 287-294.
Dormann C & Van der Wal R (2001) The impact of soil nematodes on salt-marsh plants: a pilot experiment. Journal of Coastal Research 17: 383-388.
Van der Wal R, Van Lieshout SMJ & Loonen MJJE (2001) Herbivore impact on soil temperature and arctic plant growth. Polar Biology 24: 29-32.
Van der Wal R, Irvine J, Stien A, Shepherd N & Albon SD (2000) Faecal avoidance and the risk of infection by nematodes in a natural population of reindeer. Oecologia 124: 19-25.
Dormann CF,Van der Wal R & Bakker JP (2000) Competition and herbivory during salt-marsh succession: the importance of forb growth strategy. Journal of Ecology 88: 571-583.
Van der Wal R, Madan N, Van Lieshout S, Dormann C, Langvatn R & Albon SD (2000) Trading Forage Quality for Quantity? Plant phenology and patch choice by Svalbard reindeer: Oecologia 123: 108-115.
Van der Wal R, Egas M, Van der Veen A & Bakker JP (2000) Effects of resource competition and herbivory on plant performance along a natural productivity gradient. Journal of Ecology 88: 317-330.
Van der Wal R, Van Lieshout S, Bos D & Drent RH (2000) Are spring staging Brent Geese evicted by vegetation succession?. Ecography 23: 60-69.
Van der Wal R, Van Wijnen HJ, Van Wieren S, Beucher O & Bos D (2000) On facilitation between herbivores: how brent geese profit from brown hares. Ecology 81: 969-980.
Bakker L, Van der Wal R, Esselink P & Siepel A (1999) Exploitation of a new staging area in the Dutch Wadden Sea by Greylag Geese Anser anser: the importance of food-plant dynamics. Ardea 87: 1-13.
Wilson DJ, Van der Wal R, Chang E, Jensen A & Jefferies RL (1999) Urea hydrolysis and nitrification in arctic salt-marsh soils: Possible constraints on the growth of forage plants. Ecoscience 6: 72-78.
Van Wijnen H, Van der Wal R & Bakker JP (1999) The impact of herbivores on nitrogen mineralization rate: consequences for salt-marsh succession. Oecologia 118: 225-231.
Drent RH & Van der Wal R (1999) Cyclic grazing in vertebrates and the manipulation of the food resource in Olff H, Brown VK & Drent RH (Editors) Pp 271-299. Herbivores between Plants and Predators. Blackwell Science.
Huisman J, Grover JP, Van der Wal R & Van Andel J (1999) Competition for light, plant-species replacement and herbivore abundance along productivity gradients. in Olff H, Brown VK & Drent RH (Editors) Pp 239-269. Herbivores between Plants and Predators. Blackwell Science.
Van der Wal R, Kunst P & Drent RH (1998) Interactions between hare and brent goose in a salt marsh system: evidence for food competition? Oecologia 117: 227-234.
Van der Wal R & Loonen MJJE (1998) Goose droppings as food for reindeer. Canadian Journal of Zoology 76: 1117-1122.
Van der Wal R, Van der Koppel J & Sagel M (1998) On the relation between herbivore foraging efficiency and plant standing crop: an experiment with barnacle geese. Oikos 82: 123-130.
Bakker JP, Esselink P, Van der Wal R & Dijkema KS (1997) Options for restoration and management of coastal salt marshes in Europe. Pp 286-322 in Urbansky KM, Webb NR & Edwards PJ (Editors) Restoration Ecology and Sustainable Development. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Van de Koppel J, Huisman J, Van der Wal R & Olff H (1996) Patterns of herbivory along a productivity gradient: an emperical and theoretical investigation. Ecology 77: 736-745.
Graveland J & Van der Wal R (1995) Decline in snail abundance due to soil acidification caused eggshell defects in forest passerines. Oecologia 105: 351-360.
Graveland J, Van der Wal R, Van Balen JH & Van Noordwijk AJ (1994) Poor reproduction in forest passerines from decline of snail abundance on acidified soils. Nature 368: 446-448.
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