Andrea Britton

Plant Ecologist
Ecological Sciences
E: andrea.britton@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)
Andrea Britton is a senior post-doctoral research scientist in the Ecological Sciences Group and leads the Air Quality Topic for the Scottish Government Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Programme. Andrea is a plant and soil ecologist with over 20 years’ experience of working on a wide range of applied ecological research topics. Her primary interests lie in the biodiversity and functioning of upland and especially alpine ecosystems, and the changes occurring in these ecosystems as a result of human influences including pollutant (nitrogen and sulphur) deposition and climate change.

Research

The impact of nitrogen deposition on upland and alpine ecosystems has been a long-running theme in Andrea’s research. Nitrogen deposition is one of the leading causes of habitat degradation and biodiversity loss in the UK and Andrea’s research quantifies these impacts, develops methods for monitoring them and explores the potential for mitigation or recovery. This area of work is strongly policy relevant and applied and contributes to the evidence base underpinning UK air pollution policy and to the development of critical loads for nitrogen deposition used to set pollution reduction targets across Europe.

Currently, Andrea is leading the Nitrogen Impacts in Natural Ecosystems (NINE) project within the Scottish Government Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Programme. This project aims to improve understanding of how nitrogen deposition interacts with climate change to impact biodiversity and ecosystem function in Scottish semi-natural habitats, with a particular focus on alpine and forest habitats and below ground biodiversity. The research uses a variety of approaches at different scales, from short-term studies manipulating nitrogen inputs and climate under controlled conditions in the laboratory, to a long-term field-based experiment at Culardoch in the Cairngorm Mountains, and country-wide surveys of above and below ground biodiversity using both traditional and molecular methods.

Andrea also has a keen interest in the exploration of Scottish alpine biodiversity, both above and below ground, and in developing understanding of how biodiversity is influenced by the environment and relates to ecological function. This area of work is supported by traditional taxonomic skills with groups such as bryophytes and lichens which have particular importance in UK alpine habitats and utilises modern molecular methods to uncover alpine soil biodiversity across a wide range of taxa. Recent work at Ben Avon in the Cairngorms has started to reveal the magnitude of soil biodiversity in Scottish alpine habitats and explore how this relates to important soil functions such as carbon and nutrient storage.

Exploration and monitoring of biodiversity in alpine habitats present particular challenges due to the time required to access remote mountain areas. In a recent pilot study in the Cairngorms National Park, Andrea and colleagues worked with plant conservation charity Plantlife to test the potential for citizen science surveys of alpine soil biodiversity using molecular methods. This highly successful pilot demonstrated great scope for engaging with the hill walking public and is currently being expanded to the national scale as the Mountain Heights, Hidden Depths project which forms part of the Scottish Government Research project Scotland’s biodiversity: people, data and monitoring.

 

Publications

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Roberts, D.; Torrance, L.; Stirton, G.; Britton, A.J.; Craig, C.-A.; Kyle, C; Newman, C.; Macaulay, C.; Fielding, D.; Watson, H.; Pohle, I.; Robertson, J.; Maxwell, J.; Irvine, K.; Sutherland, L-A.; Dawson, L.A.; Shepherd, L.; Miller, P.; Ellis, R.; Richards, S.; Blok, V.; Hackett, C.; Kettle, H. (2018) Women in Science, The James Hutton Institute, 25pp
  • Hester, A.; Ross, L.; Britton, A. (2016) Drivers of long-term biodiversity change – key Scottish habitats in a European context., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 9, pp20-21.
  • Britton, A.; Mitchell, R.; Taylor A. (2016) Cascading effects of nitrogen pollution on biodiversity and ecosystem function in alpine systems., In: Irvine, R.J. (ed.) Biodiversity and Upland Management. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Chapter 10, pp22-23.
  • Mitchell, R.; Hewison, R.; Britton, A.; Pakeman, R.J.; Hester, A. (2016) Long-term changes in Scottish grassland plant communities., In: Pakeman, R.J. (ed.). Grassland Biodiversity. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, pp4-5.
  • Britton, A.J. (2008) The montane heathland lichen guide., Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen.

Technical / contract reports

  • Perring, M.; Rowe, E.; Arrigoni, E.; Bidartondo, M.; Britton, A.; Field, C.; Gilliam, F.; Grenier, M.; Hayes, F.; Jones, L.; Jones, M.; Kowal, J.; Marcham, L.; Risser, H.; Stevens, C.; Suz, L.M.; Wilkins, K.; Howlett, R.; Zappala, S.; Simpson, C.; Russell, Z. (2024) Scoping Future Research for Air Pollution Recovery Indicators, JNCC
  • Colley, K.; Chen, J.; Somervail, P.; Britton, A.; Miller, D. (2024) Key household behaviours impacting on outdoor air quality, The Scottish Government
  • Pakeman, R.J.; Britton, A.; Hawes, C.; Stockan, J.; Stutter, M.; Wilkinson, M.; Artz, R.; Brooker, R.; Mitchell, R.; Addy, S. (2023) Calldown Request – James Hutton Institute – Reviewing priority actions according to their impact on halting biodiversity decline in the delivery plan for Scotlands Biodiversity Strategy, Report to NatureScot.
  • Britton, A.; Fielding, D.; Pakeman, R. (2023) Nitrogen mitigation: A review of nitrogen deposition impacts and mitigation potential in Scottish seminatural ecosystems, Zenodo.
  • Britton, A.; Fielding, D.; Pakeman, R. (2023) Nitrogen and climate: A review of the interactive effects of nitrogen deposition and climate change on Scottish semi-natural ecosystems, Zenodo.
  • Baggaley, N.; Britton, A.; Sandison, F.; Lilly, A.; Stutter, M.; Rees, RM.; Reed, M.; Buckingham , S. (2022) Understanding carbon sequestration from nature-based solutions, ClimateXChange Report 2022
  • Baggaley, N.; Britton, A.; Sandison, F.; Lilly, A.; Stutter, M.; Rees, R.M.; Reed, M.; Bukingham, S. (2022) Understanding carbon sequestration from nature-based solutions, ClimateXChange Report.
  • Bobbink, R.; Loran, C.; Tomassen, H.; Aazem, K.; Aherne, J.; Alonso, R.; Ashwood, F.; Augustin, S.; Bak, J.; Bakkestuen, V.; Braun, S.; Britton, A.; Brouwer, E.; Caporn, S.; Chuman, T.; De Wit, H.; De Witte, L.; Dirnböck, T.; Field, C.; García Gómez, H.; Geupel, M.; Velle, L. G.; Hiltbrunner, E.; James, A. C.; Jones, L.; Karlsson, P. E.; Kohli, L.; Manninen, S.; May, L.; Meier, R.; Perring, M.; Prescher, A.; Remke, E.; Roth, T.; Scheuschner, T.; Ssymank, A.; Stevens, C.; Thrane, J.; Tömmervik, H.; Tresch, S.; Ukonmaanaho, L.; Van den Berg, L.; Vanguelova, E.; Wilkins, K.; Zappala, S. (2022) Review and revision of empirical critical loads of nitrogen for Europe, German Environment Agency
  • Baggaley, N.; Britton, A.; Barnes, A.; Buckingham, S.; Holland, J.; Lilly, A.; Pakeman, R.; Rees, B.; Taylor, A.; Yeluripati, J. (2021) Understanding carbon sequestration in upland habitats, Climate x Change Research Report.
  • Taylor, A.F.S.; Britton, A.J.; Stockan, J.A. (2021) Conservation translocation for ecosystem restoration., Report to NatureScot.
  • Hester, A.J.; Aguado, S.; Britton, A.J. (2020) Analysing habitat patch size and connectivity at a national level for Scotland – data assessment part 2: HabMoS., James Hutton Institute, 29pp.
  • Britton, A.J.; Ross, L.C. (2018) Towards the development of a nitrogen deposition decision framework for vegetation assessment in Scotland., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No.958, 69pp.
  • Britton, A.J. (2017) Suitability of large-scale data holdings for analysis of driver impacts on soil properties., Unpublished Report, The James Hutton Institute, September 2017, 11pp.
  • Caporn, S.; Field, C.; Payne, R.; Dise, N.; Britton, A.J.; Emmett, B.; Jones, L.; Phoenix, G.; Power, S.; Sheppard, L.; Stevens, C. (2016) Assessing the effects of small increments of atmospheric nitrogen deposition (above the critical load) on semi-natural habitats of conservation importance., Natural England Commissioned Reports Number 210.
  • Jones, L.; Hall, J.; Strachan, I.; Field, C.; Rowe, E.; Stevens, C.J.; Capor, S.J.M.; Mitchell, R.; Britton, A.; Smith, R.; Bealey, B.; Masante, D.; Hewison, R.; Hicks, K. (2015) Developing a decision framework to attribute atmospheric nitrogen deposition as a threat to or cause of unfavourable habitat condition on protected sites ‘AND-UP’. Final Report., JNCC Contract Report, February 2015
  • Britton, A.J.; Mitchell, R.J.; Potts, J.M.; Genney, D.R. (2013) Development of a surveillance scheme for priority lichens in Scotland., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.567, 177pp.
  • Rowe, E.C.; Jones, L.; Stevens, C.J.; Vieno, M.; Dore, A.J.; Hall, J.; Sutton, M.; Mills, G.; Evans, C.D.; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Mitchell, R.J.; Caporn, S.J.; Dise, N.B.; Field, C.; Emmett, B.A. (2013) Measures to evaluate benefits to UK semi-natural habitats of reductions in nitrogen deposition., Final Report on REBEND Project. Defra Tender Reference: AQ0823. CEH Project: NEC04307.
  • Demars, B.O.L.; Britton, A.J. (2011) Assessing the impacts of small scale hydroelectric schemes on rare bryophytes and lichens., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No 421, Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness.
  • Brooker, R.W.; Britton, A.J.; Gimona, A.; Lennon, J.J.; Littlewood, N.A. (2011) Literature review: species translocations as a tool for biodiversity conservation during climate change., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No.440, Inverness.
  • Emmett, B.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Caporn, S.; Carroll, J.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Henrys, P.; Hester, A.J.; Hughes, H.; Jones, L.; Kivimaki, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, R.; Mills, L.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Pilkington, M.; Pitman, R.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A.; Williams, B.L. (2010) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of eutrophication and acidification on terrestrial ecosystems. Annual Report 2010., Annual Contract Report to Defra.
  • Emmett, B.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hester, A.J.; Hughes, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, L.; Mills, R.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A.;Williams, B.P. (2009) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. Annual Report 2009., Annual Contract Report to DEFRA.
  • Black, H.I.J.; Britton, A.J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Langan, S.J.; Taylor, A.F.S.; Booth P.D. (2009) To establish soil indicators to assess the impact of atmospheric deposition on environmentally senstive areas., Consultancy Service, SEPA.
  • Emmett, B.; Cooper, J.R.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.; Carroll, J.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hester, A.J. Hughes, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, L.; Mills, R.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A. (2008) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. Annual Report 2008., Annual Contract Report to DEFRA.
  • Pakeman, R.J.; Beale, C.M.; Britton, A.J.; Brooker, R.W.; Iason, G.R.; Langan, S.J.; Littlewood, N.A; Westaway, S. (2008) Evaluation of UK Biodiversity Action plan revised targets for Scotland., Report to Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Britton, A.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2008) Vegetation monitoring of Rum natura habitats., Final Report to Scottish Natural Heritage.
  • Britton, A.J.; Pakeman, R.J. (2008) Vegetation monitoring of Rum natural habitats: final report., Contract Report to SNH.
  • Emmett, B.A.; Williams, B.L.; Ashmore, M.; Britton, A.J.; Broadmeadow, M.; Bullock, J.; Cape, J.N.; Caporn, S.J.M.; Carroll, J.A.; Cresser, M.S.; Crossley, A.; de Lange, I.; Edmondson, J.; Evans, C.; Fowler, D.; Grant, H.; Green, E.R.; Green, S.; Griffiths, (2007) Terrestrial Umbrella Final Report, 2007., Report to NERC-DEFRA, Project Number C02613, Contract Number CPEA 18, July 2007.
  • Emmett, B.A.; Williams, B.L.; Ashmore, M.; Britton, A.J.; Broadmeadow, M.; Bullock, J.; Cape, J.N.; Caporn, S.J.M.; Carroll, J.A.; Cresser, M.S.; Crossley, A.; de Lange, I.; Edmondson, J.; Evans, C.; Fowler, D.; Grant, H.; Gren, E.R.; Green, S.; Griffiths, (2006) Terrestrial Umbrella Annual Report 2006., Report to NERC-DEFRA, Project No. CO2613, July 2006, Contract No. CPEA 18, July 2006.
  • Emmett, B.A.; Williams, B.L.; Ashmore, M.; Benham, S.; Britton, AJ..; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.J.M.; Carroll, J.; Cresser, M.; Cresswell, N.; Crossley, A.; Edmondson, J.; Grant, H.; Green, E.; Green, S.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hinton, C.; Hughes, S.; Jones, A.; Jones, M.; Leake, J.; Lee, J.; Leith, I.; Oakley, S.; Ostle, N.; Power, S.; Price, E.A.C.; Ray, N.; Reynolds, B.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, R.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Vanguelova, E.; Williams, D.; Wildig, J. (2005) Terrestrial Umbrella Annual Report, 2005., Contract Report to DEFRA, Project No. C02613, July 2005.
  • Armitage, H.A.; Pearce, I.S.K.; Britton, A.J. (2005) The impact of grazing and nitrogen deposition on the condition of Racomitrium lanuginosum on the Carneddau Mountains, North Wales., Contract Report to Countryside Council for Wales, Final Report, February 2005, 45pp. Contract No. C00691NEW, FC 73-01-453.

Conference papers

  • Caporn, S.; Field, C.; Nise, N.; Payne, R.; Britton, A.J.; Emmett, B.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hughes, S.; Jones, L.; Lees, S.; Leith, I.; Shepherd, L.; Pheonix, G.; Power, S.; Southon, G.; Stevens, C. (2012) Pollution and climate influences on plant communities across UK peatlands., 14th International Peat Congress, Peatlands in Balance, Stockholm, Sweden, 3-8 June 2012. Extended abstract No 404, 6pp.
  • Britton, A.J.; Hester, A.J.; Beale, C.; Hewison, R.L.; Towers, W. (2010) Drivers of biodiversity change in british alpine habitats., Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Britton, A.J. (2006) Effects of nitrogen addition and management on nutrient uptake and growth of dwarf shrubs in low-alpine heathland., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Oxford, 5-7 September 2006.
  • Britton, A.J.; Fisher, J.M.; Baillie, G. (2005) The effects of nitrogen deposition on mountain vegetation: the importance of geology., In: Mountains of Northern Europe: Conservation, Management, People and Nature (eds. D.B.A. Thompson, M.F. Price and C.A. Galbraith). The Stationery Office Ltd., Edinburgh. pp121-126.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Britton, A.; Ewan, K.; Whyte, A.; Freitag, T.; Robinson, L.; White, D.; Morton, I.; Taylor, A. (2022) Going underground unleashing the power of citizen cience and eDNA to explore alpine soil biodiversity, International Mountain Conference 2022, 11 – 15 September 2022, Innsbruck, Austria.
  • Taylor, A. F. S.; Fielding, D.; Freitag, T.; Oddi, L.; Robinson, L.; van Paassen, J.; White, D.; Britton, A. J. (2022) Spatial congruity across six kingdoms of alpine biodiversity, International Mountain Conference 2022, 11 – 15 September 2022, Innsbruck, Austria.
  • Broyd, R.C.; Mills, R.T.E.; Britton, A.J.; Taylor, A.F.S.; Ostle, N.J. (2019) Functional ecology of alpine soils under changing snow cover regimes., International Mountain Conference 2019, Innsbruck, 8-12 September 2019. (Poster)
  • Britton, A.J.; Freitag, T.; Oddi, L.; Fielding, D.; van Paassen, J.; White, D.; Robinson, L.; Taylor, A.F.S. (2019) Topography drives heterogeneity in alpine soil function., International Mountain Conference 2019, Innsbruck, 8-12 September 2019. (Poster)
  • Bhatti, N.; Mitchell, R.J.; Britton, A.J.; Cornulier, T.; Potts, J.; Woodin, S.; Genney, D. (2018) Developing monitoring tools for conservation priority lichen species., British Ecological Society (BES) Annual Conference, Birmingham, 16-19 December 2018.
  • Bhatti, N.; Britton, A.J.; Cornulier, T.; Genney, D.; Mitchell, R.; Potts, J.; Woodin, S. (2017) Investigating detection rates: developing tools for monitoring data-deficient, conservation-priority lichen species., British Ecological Society Conference 2017, Ecology Across Borders, Ghent, Belgium, 11-14 December 2017. (Poster)
  • Broyd, R.C.; Mills, R.T.E.; Britton, A.J.; Taylor, A.F.S.; Ostle, N.J. (2017) Snow cover and carbon stocks in oceanic-alpine ecosystems., British Ecological Society Winter Meeting 2017, Ghent, 11-14 December 2017, p59. (Poster)
  • Oddi, L.; Britton, A.J.; Freitag, T.; van Paassen, J.; Taylor, A.F.S. (2017) Microbial community activity along gradients of snow lie in the Scottish Highlands., British Ecological Society Winter Meeting 2017, Ghent, 11-14 December 2017, p60. (Poster)
  • van Paassen, J.G.; Woodin, S.J.; Britton, A.J.; Street, L.E.; Johnson, D.; Coupar, A. (2017) Phosphorus addition increases carbon assimilation in Scottish upland ecosystems., British Ecological Society Winter Meeting 2017, Ghent, 11-14 December 2017, p60. (Poster)
  • Mitchell, R.J.; Britton, A.J.; Potts, J.; Genney, D.R. (2014) Are expectations for biodiversity monitoring realistic?, Protecting Scotland’s Biodiversity: Monitoring in Action Joint BES/CIEEM/STG Meeting, Edinburgh, 2-3 October 2014.
  • Mitchell, R.J.; Britton, A.J.; Potts, J.; Genney, D.R. (2014) Are expectations for biodiversity monitoring realistic?., Joint BES/SFE Annual Meeting, Lille, France, 9-12 December 2014.
  • Brooker, R.W.; Britton, A.J.; Eastwood, A.; Ellis, C.; Genney, D.; Gimona, A.; Poggio, L. (2013) Translocations for conservation during climate change: An adaptation case study., PEER Science for the Environment Meeting, Aarhus, Denmark, 2-4 October 2013. Poster.
  • Brooker, R.W.; Britton, A.J.; Eastwood, A.; Ellis, C.; Genney, D.; Gimona, A.; Poggio, L. (2013) Translocations for conservation during climate change: an adaptation case study, The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges for Science, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, 19-20 September 2013. Poster
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Papanikolaou, N.D. (2012) Response of soil waters to changes in climate, nitrogen deposition and land management in an alpine heathland., EUROSOIL 2012, Soil Science for the Benefit of Mankind and Environment, 4th International Congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), Bari, Italy, 2-6 July 2012.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A.; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S.; Coull, M.C.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) Controls on soil solution nitrogen along an altitudinal gradient in the Scottish uplands., European Geophysical Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria. 23-27 April 2012.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S; Coull, M.C. (2010) Can environmental traits be used to understand nitrogen leaching?, Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M. (2010) The interactive effects of N deposition and land management on nutrient fluxes in a Scottish alpine heathland., Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibb, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., British Society of Soil Science Conference Panel.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Hester, A.J.; Britton, A.J.; Beale, C.M.; Towers, W.; Hewison, R.L. (2008) Biodiversity losses in Scottish alpine vegetation: What are the key drivers?, EURECO-GFOE Conference, Leipzig, Germany, 14-18 September 2008.