Research

Graham is a Research Leader and Head of the Agroecology Group in the Ecological Sciences Department.  His research is focused on the relationship between ecosystems, farming, and food systems and addresses: (1) the conservation and restoration of functional biodiversity and ecosystem services; (2) the multi-functional performance of agroecosystems and agricultural production systems; and (3) agri-food system dynamics and transition paths.

The research includes studies of the dynamics of natural and semi-natural plant and animal populations, examining how they respond to changes in the arable environment and its management, and the impact of this on biodiversity and important ecosystem functions such as pest regulation, pollination, and primary production. This research has included studies of the spread and persistence of a novel plant traits and genes, the adaptive response of weed populations, mammal population behaviour, and the design of pest suppressive landscapes.

Building on this research, Dr Begg plays a key role in Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM) research at the James Hutton Institute (please see IPM@hutton website) and is convenor the IOBC-WPRS Working Group Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity.

Research is also being conducted into the longer-term impacts of farming on ecosystems and human health and wellbeing. A social-ecological approach is being followed that considers the complex interactions between humans and the environment, and the impact that these have on system ‘health’. This approach is being used to tackle individual problem/solution framings such as climate mitigation, agrobiodiversity loss, and nutritional, but is also enabling us to address these in combination, i.e. one system-many goals. Active engagement with system actors is a key aspect of this research. From establishing Farmer Clusters as living labs or using participatory approaches to build system models, the aim is to work together with stakeholders to have real-world impact.

Recent projects

  • HE ECONUTRI: Innovative concepts and technologies for ecologically sustainable nutrient management in agriculture aiming to prevent, mitigate and eliminate pollution in soils, water and air (2023-2027). European Commission. Co-Investigator
  • COMBINE: Co-designing and implementing best-fit farming practices (2022-2027). Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme. Co-Investigator
  • Identifying the causes of biodiversity change with specific references to the IPBES drivers (2022-2027). Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme. Co-Investigator
  • Global CFaH: NIHR Global Health Research Group on Community Food for Human Nutrition and Planetary Health in Small Islands (2022-2026). National Institute for Health Research. Co-Investigator
  • Co-creating agrobiodiversity knowledge with farming stakeholders in Malawi (2021-2022). Co-Investigator
  • H2020 FRAMEwork: Farmer clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across Europe (2020-2025). European Commission. Coordinator/Principle Investigator
  • H2020 IPMWORKS: An EU-wide farm network demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM strategies (2020-2024). European Commission. Co-Investigator
  • Economic and Social Research Council. COVID-19: Food and nutrition security during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Rivington (2020-2021). Co-Investigator
  • Feasibility of adopting climate-smart cropping in Kenyan smallholder farming (2020-2021). UKRI – Global Challenges Research Fund. Principle Investigator
  • A ‘real-world’ approach to predicting the impact of land-use policy (2019-2023). Macaulay Development Trust.  Principle Investigator
  • AgLand: New science to enable the design of agricultural landscapes that deliver multiple functions (2019-2023). NERC. Co-Investigator

Publications

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Mitchell, C.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.; Karley, A. (2018) An agroecological approach for weed, pest and disease management in Rubus plantations, In: Graham, J. & Brennan, R. (eds.) Raspberry: Breeding, Challenges and Advances. Springer International Publishing, Cham, 63-81
  • Squire, G.R.; Hawes, C.; Ianetta, P.P.M.; Karley, A.J.; Begg, G. (2016) Ecosystem services from croplands., In: Brooker, R., Hester, A. & Pakeman, R. (eds.). Ecosystem Services. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp24-25.

Technical / contract reports

  • Kuhfuss, L.; Attalla, L.; Begg, G.; Hawes, C.; Gimona, A.; Lozada-Ellison, L.; Martinat, S.; McKeen, M.; Pakeman, R.; Roberts, M.; Zuta, A. (2022) Exploring alternative agrienvironmental payment schemes for arable land in Scotland, Online report
  • Rivington, M.; Duckett, D.; Burgess, P.; Begg, G.; Iannetta, P.; Hawes, C.; Stewart, D. (2021) Post-COVID-19 land use options to achieve food security, healthy diets and a sustainable environment, Online.
  • Rivington, M.; Duckett, D.; Iannetta, P.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G.; Polhill, G.; Loades, K.; Newton, A.; Aitkenhead, M.; Lozada-Ellison, L.; Neilson, R.; Gandossi, G.; Stewart, D.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Udugbezi, E.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Benton, T.; King, R., Burgess, P. (2021) An overview assessment of the COVID19 pandemic on the UK food and nutrition security, Online.
  • Rivington, M.; Duckett, D.; P. Burgess; Begg, G.; Iannetta, P.; Hawes, C.; Stewart, D. (2021) Post-COVID-19 land use options to achieve food security, healthy diets and a sustainable environment: A report on the opportunities and constraints of UK food and land management options in terms of production potential and environmental impacts, The James Hutton Institute.
  • Rivington, M.; Duckett, D.; P. Burgess; Begg, G.; Iannetta, P.; Hawes, C.; Stewart, D. (2021) Post-COVID-19 land use options to achieve food security, healthy diets and a sustainable environment: A report on the opportunities and constraints of UK food and land management options in terms of production potential and environmental impacts, The James Hutton Institute.
  • Rivington, M.; King, R.; Duckett, D.; Iannetta, P.; G. Benton, T.; Burgess, P. J.; Hawes, C.; Wellesley, L.; Polhill, G.; Aitkenhead, M.; Lozada-Ellison, L. M.; Begg, G.; Williams, A. G.; Newton, A.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Neilson, R.; Watts, C. (2021) UK Food and nutrition security during and after the COVID19 pandemic Project Report and Recommendations, The James Hutton Institute.
  • Macleod, C.J.A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Begg, G.; Eastwood, A.; Fischer, A.; Lackova, P.; Kuhfuss. L.; Shortall, O.; Vinten, A.J.A.. (2020) Landscape level management case studies for ecological, economic and social outcomes: lessons learned., Research Briefing, James Hutton Institute
  • Kuhfuss, L.; Piras, S.; Flanigan, S.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G. (2019) Pro-environmental practices among farmers at a landscape scale: why and how? An interdisciplinary review of the literature., Report for RESAS (143b, deliverable D6), Interdisciplinary Review of Existing Landscape Scale Interventions Delivering multiple Benefits, 37pp.
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.; Black, K.; Hawes, C.; Karley, A.j.; James, E.K.; Maluk, M.; Newton, A.; Squire, G.R.; Walker, G.; White, P. (2017) Teaming up for good: intercropping and farming-science partnership at the James Hutton Institute., NGO Report for www.LEAF.org, 8 November 2017.
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.; Black, K.; Hawes, C.; Karley, A.J.; James, E.K.; Maluk, M.; Newton, A.C.; Squire, G.R.; Walker, G.; White, P.J. (2017) Sustainable legume systems for improved primary produce., SAB Annual Report, May 2017.
  • Squire, G.R.; Begg. G.S.; Quesada, N. (2017) Land use distribution map., In: Crowe, B. Good Food Stirling, Nourish Scotland Report, p17.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Brooker, R.; Pakeman, R.J.; Ellis, C.; George, T.; Iason, G.; Gilbert, L.; Artz, R,.R.E.; Irvine, R.J.; McVittie, A.; Newey, S.; Mitchell, R.; Gimona, A.; Fischer, A.; Begg, G.; Maxwell, J. (2017) Ecosystems and Land Use Stakeholders Engagement Group (ELSEG) Workshop Report., Workshop, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, 20 November 2017.
  • Brooker, R.; Aalders, I.H.; Ballingall, K.; Begg, G.; Birch, A.N.E.; Elliott, G.; Ellis, C.; Freitag, T.; Hawes, C.; Holland, J.; Holmes, B.; Hough, R.L.; Karley, A.; McCracken, D.; Mitchell, R.; Stockan, J.; Zadoks, R.; Albon, S.A.; Hester, A.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2013) Biotic and biophysical underpinning of ecosystem services in the Scottish context: a review., Published online as an outputs from WP 1.1 of the Ecosystem Services Theme of the SRP.
  • Squire, G.R.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; James, E.K.; Karley, A.J.; Young, M.W. (2011) Scotland’s wild arable plants., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2010, pp21-23.
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.S.; Wishart, J.; Young, M.W.; Karley, A.J.; Valentine, T.A.; Hawes, C.; Squire, G.R. (2006) Common wild plants as biodiversity indicators., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2006, pp42-43.
  • Squire, G.R.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G.S.; Elliott, M.J.; Parish, A.M.; Young, M.W.; Iannetta, P.P.M. (2004) Persistence of GM herbicide-tolerant plants., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp167-168.
  • Newton, A.C.; Bengough, A.G. ;Begg, G.S.; Swanston, J.S.; Hawes, C. (2003) The role and importance of canopy heterogeneity., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, pp125-127.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.S.; Brennan, R.M.; Fenton, B.; Gordon, S.C.; Griffiths, B.S.; Griffiths, D.W.; Hillier, J.; Malloch, G.; Squire, G.R.; Wheatley, R.E. (2002) Developing sustainable pest management strategies for a changing future., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp184-189.

Conference papers

  • Kuhfuss, L.; Piras, S.; Flanigan, S.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G. (2021) How to promote the collective uptake of agri-environmental schemes by farmers? A literature review., Landscape 2021 Conference: Diversity for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture, 20-22 September 2021, online presentation.
  • Karley, A.J.; Graham, J.; Mitchell, C.; Williams, C.; Mitchell, D.; Jennings, N.; Dolan, A.; McFarlane, S.; Prashar, A.; Begg, G.; Birch, A.N.E. (2018) IPM tools for pest and disease management in raspberry plantations., Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2018: The Dundee Conference, Environmental Management and Crop Production, Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee, 27-28 February 2018. Conference Proceedings, pp55-58.
  • Karley, A.J.; Mitchell, C.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Banks, G.; Ford, L.; Young, M.; Quesada, N.; Begg, G. (2017) Aphid infestations and biocontrol in cereal crops in Scotland: effects of winter cropping across three regions., 7th Meeting of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity in Conjunction with a British Ecological Society Agricultural Ecology Special Interest Group Meeting, Dundee, 29-31 March 2017. Landscape management for functional biodiversity IOBC-WPRS Bulletin, 122, 90-93.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Squire, G.R. (2016) IPM research into practice; a long time coming., The Dundee Conference: Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016, Dundee, 23-24 February 2016, pp15-16.
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.; James, E.K.; Smith, B.; Davies, C.; Karley, A.J.; Lopez del Egido, L.; Hawes, C.; Young, M.; Ramsay, G.; Birch, A.N.E.; Valentine, T.A.; Warburton-Brown, C.; Goldring, A.; Hughes, T.; Sprent, J.; Wolfe, M.; Rees, R.M. (2013) Sustainable intensification: a pivotal role for legume supported cropped systems., AAB/BeS-AeG Rethinking Farmed Systems in the UK, St. Catherine’s College University of Oxford, 18-19 December 2013. Co-organiser/Invited speaker. Aspects Applied Biology 121, 73-82.
  • Squire, G.R.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Karley, A.J. (2012) Impacts of GMHT crops on biodiversity and ecosystem services., MEACB Meeting of the European Advisory Committee on Biosafety. Paris, France, 13-14 December 2012.
  • Squire, G.R.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.; Karley, A.J. (2012) Impacts of GMHT crops on biodiversity and ecosystem services., MEACB Meeting of the European Advisory Committee on Biosafety, Paris, France, 13-14 December 2012.
  • Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Squire, G.R.; Young, M.W. (2011) Managing landscape cropping patterns in support of arable biodiversity., Association of Applied Biologists – Agricultural Ecology Research: It’s Role in Delivering Sustainable Farm Systems, Dundee, 15-16 June 2011 (Talk).
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.S. (2011) Agroecology research and crop protection: How integrated pest management can help to deliver more sustainable farming systems and increase global food security., Aspects of Applied Biology, Agricultural Ecology Research: Its role in delivering sustainable farm systems, Dundee, 15-16 June 2011, 109, pp19-23.
  • Begg, G.S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Young, M.W.; Squire, G.R. (2010) Engineering arable landscapes to balance the pros and cons of weeds., IOBC/wprs Working Group Meeting – Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity, Cambridge, 22 June – 1 July 2010.
  • Ivanovska, A.; Begg, G.S.; Todorovski, L.; Dzeroski, S. (2009) Equation-based models of oilseed rape population dynamics from an individual-based simulation model., Information Society. 12th International Multiconference, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubliana, Slovenia, 11-15 October 2009.
  • Bagavathiannan, M.V.; Gulden, RH.; Begg, G.S.; Van Acker, R.C. (2009) The demography of feral alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations occurring in Southern Manitoba, Canada., Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, 9-13 February 2009.
  • Squire, G.R.; Hawes, C.; Begg, G.S.; Karley, A.J.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Young, M.W. (2008) Cumulative impacts of GM herbicide-tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies., Theorie in der Ekologie 14, Bremen, Germany, 2-4 April 2008.
  • Begg, G.S.; Elliott, M.J.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Cullen, D.W.; Young, M.W.; Squire, G.R. (2007) Localised heterogeneity, gene flow and the persistence of transgenes from genetically modified oilseed rape., 3rd International Conference on Coexistence Between Genetically Modified (GM) and Non-GM based Agricultural Supply Chains, Seville, Spain, 20-21 November 2007, pp101-104.
  • Wishart, J.; Scriven, C.; Begg, G.S.; Neilson, R.; Valentine, T.A.; Squire, G.R.; Dale, M.F.B.; Iannetta, P.P.M. (2007) Nematode mediated Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) infection in time-to-flowering (TTF) variants of Capsella., Scottish Root Group, University of Aberdeen, 14 September 2007.
  • Wishart, J.; Scriven, C.; Begg, G.S.; Cullen, D.W.; Squire, G.R.; Dale, M.F.B.; Iannetta, P.P.M. (2007) Nematode mediated Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) infection in time-to-flowering (TTF) variants of Capsella., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Glasgow, 10-12 September 2007.
  • Wishart, J.; Begg, G.S.; Young, M.W.; Hackett, C.A.; Squire, G.R.; Iannetta, P.P.M. (2007) Molecular biology and ecology of flowering-time variants of Capsella., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Glasgow, 10-12 September 2007.
  • Newton, A.C.; Lyon, G.D.; Begg, G.S.; Zhan, J.; Guy, D.; Walters, D. (2006) Deployment strategies for crops with inducible resistance., Proceedings of the IOBC/wprs joint working group meetings: ‘Induced resistance to plants against insects and diseases’ and ‘Breeding for Resistance to Pests and Diseases’, Crete, 27-29 April 2006.
  • Newton, A.C.; Begg, G.S.; Swanston, J.S. (2006) The effects of spatial scaling in host heterogeneity on epidemics of a plant pathogen., COST 860 SUSVAR Workshop on Cereal Crop Diversity: Implications for Production and Products, La Besse, France, 12-15 June 2006.
  • Newton, A.C.; Begg, G.S.; Guy, D.C. (2006) Controlling leaf blights in practice with variety mixtures., 3rd International Barley Leaf Blight Workshop, Edmonton, Canada, 23-27 July 2006.
  • Begg, G.S.; Young, M.W.; Hawes, C.; Squire, G.R. (2005) Persistence and potential impact of a GMHT trait in oilseed rape., GMOs: Ecologial Dimensions, 73, 211-218.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G. (2003) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes plant breeding., Bulletin OILB/SROP 26.
  • Begg, G.S.; Young, M.W.; Hawes, C.; McNicol, J.W.; Squire, G.R. (2003) Modelling feral (volunteer) oilseed rape in relation to thresholds of impurity., Proceedings of the 1st European Conference on the Co-existence of Genetically Modified Crops with conventional Organic Crops, Denmark, 13-14 November 2003, pp169-171.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G.S. (2002) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: constraints to sustainable control through plant breeding and integrated crop management., Proceedings of IOBC Host Plant Resistance Workshop, Sweden, 8-12 December 2001.
  • Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Marshall, B.; D’Hertefeldt, T.; Ramsay, G.; Young, M.W.; Squire, G.R.; Wright, G.M. (2002) Dispersal and persistence of feral oilseed rape – mechanisms and consequences., ESF Working Group Meeting: Estimating and Managing Geneflow and Dispersal in GM Crops, Lille, France, 2-3 July 2002.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G.S. (2002) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: constraints to sustainable control through plant breeding., Acta Horticulturae, 585, 315-317.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G.S. (2001) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: a challenge for plant breeding and biotechnology., Proceedings of IOBC Soft Fruit IPM Meeting, Dundee, 2001.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Martino, S.; Rugani, B.; Begg, G.; Ovando Pol, P.; Ndlovu, T.; Petucco, C.; Petucco, C.; McHugh, N.; Simmons , A. (2022) Integrating Natural Capital in socioecological farm systems for gaining sustainability and wellbeing in EU farm clusters, Electronic booklet of the 4th ESP Europe Conference, 10-14 October 2022, Heraklion, Crete
  • Martino, S.; Begg, G.; Ndlovu, T.; Rugani , B.; Petucco , C.; Ovando Pol, P.; McHugh, M.; Simmons, A. (2022) Integrating Natural Capital into socioecological farm systems for gaining sustainability and wellbeing in EU farm clusters, Hutton Annual Research Symposium 2022, 24 November 2022, Altens Hotel, Aberdeen.
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.; Boath, A.; James, E.; Hawes, C.; Karley, A.J.; Maluk, M.; Ferrando Molina, F.; Newton, A.C.; Quilliam, R.; Squire, G. (2018) The potential of legume-supported food- and feed-chains to strengthen capacities for sustainable economic development., CECHR Annual Symposium, University of Dundee, Dundee, 21 May 2018.
  • Begg, G.S.; Dye, R.; Quesada, N. (2016) Agricultural landscapes – Landscape research for sustainable agriculture in the Hutton – Triple Poster., LEAF Farm Technical Day, Balruddery Farm, Dundee, 9 June 2016.
  • Squire, G.R.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Karley, A.J.; Begg, G.S. (2016) Sustainable deintensification., Problems and Solutions in Food Security – from Surf to Turf. Scottish Universities Insight Institute (SUII), University of Strathclyde Glasgow, 23-24 May 2016. Poster.
  • Squire, G.R.; Young, M.W.; Banks, G.; Ford, L.; Quesada Pizarro N.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Karley, A.J. (2016) Deintensify or die?, SRUC-SEPA Conference, What Future for our Farming Systems? Environmental Challenges and Integrated Solutions. Agriculture and the Environment XI, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh 1-2 March 2016.
  • Young, M.W.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Karley, A.J.; Squire, G.R. (2012) Modelling the utility of legumes: increasing the sustainability of arable yield and reducing the dependence on inorganic nitrogenous fertilisers., 2nd Annual Meeting of Legume Futures, University of Athens, 26-30 March 2012 (Poster).
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Young, M.W.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Karley, A.J.; Squire, G.R. (2012) Modelling the utility of legumes: increasing the sustainability of arable yield and reducing the dependence on inorganic nitrogenous fertilisers., 12th Congress of the European Society for Agronomy, Helsinki, Finland, 20-24 August 2012 (Poster).
  • Iannetta, P.P.M.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Squire, G.R.; Rees, R. (2010) Legume futures: for more diverse and sustainable farm systems., National Institute for Agricultural Botany, Cambridge, 15 July 2010. (Poster)
  • Squire, G.R.; Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Young, M.W. (2009) Ecological properties of weed communities., XIII Colloque International sur la Biologie des Mauvaises Herbes, Dijon, France, 8-10 September 2009, 85.
  • Toorop, P.E.; Begg, G.S.; Wishart, J.; Iannetta, P.P.M. (2008) Germination characters and myxospermy of shepherds purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic) time to flowering variants., 9th Conference on Seed Biology, Olszytn, Poland, 6-11 July 2008 (Abstract).
  • Newton, A.C.; Swanston, J.S.; Begg, G.S.; McNicol, J.W.; Hoad, S. (2003) Barley cultivar mixtures in theory and practice., Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2-7 February 2003 (Abstract).