Prof David Paterson
Executive Director of MASTS
Professor
Research areas
Ecology, biodiversity and dynamics of marine systems
My research concerns the ecology and dynamics of marine systems with a strong focus on the "biodiversity-ecosystem function" debate and the dynamics of marine microbiota. This work is supported by extensive field studies and laboratory mesocosms often using multiple stressors. This adds aspects of climate change research including the combined effects of temperature and CO2 on system response. The primary productivity of coastal systems is an important functional response and is also under investigation using fluorescence techniques. This work includes interdisciplinary studies of "biogenic stabilisation" by microbes and microphytobenthos, through the extracellular polymers produced by biofilms that increase the critical threshold for sediment re-suspension. We have also developed novel techniques to measure the stability of sediments in situ, and the relative adhesion capacity of different biofilms and surfaces. Recently, we have also been using molecular techniques to examine the effects of both natural (e.g. bioturbation) and anthropogenic (e.g. toxins, plastics, climate change) stressors on marine microbial systems. This is now encompassing work with industry on the ecology of man-made offshore structures (oil and gas installations and wind farms).
Selected publications
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Biomineralization of heavy metals based on urea transport and hydrolysis within a new bacterial isolate, B. intermedia TSBOI
Hu, X., Yu, C., Li, X., Zou, J., Du, Y. & Paterson, D. M., 5 May 2024, In: Journal of Hazardous Materials . 469, 11 p., 134049.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning
Knights, A. M., Lemasson, A. J., Firth, L. B., Bond, T., Claisse, J., Coolen, J. W. P., Copping, A., Dannheim, J., De Dominicis, M., Degraer, S., Elliott, M., Fernandes, P. G., Fowler, A. M., Frost, M., Henry, L.-A., Hicks, N., Hyder, K., Jagerroos, S., Jones, D. O. B. & Love, M. & 19 others, , Feb 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 352, 16 p., 119897.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Differential mediation of biogeochemical processes through bioturbation by fiddler and sesarmid mangrove crabs
Yang, Y., Liang, Q., Peng, Y. & Paterson, D. M., Feb 2025, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 211, 117431.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Haven or hell? A perspective on the ecology of offshore oil and gas platforms
Fortune, I. S., Madgett, A. S., Bull, A. S., Hicks, N., Love, M. S. & Paterson, D., 18 Apr 2024, In: PLOS Sustainability and Transformation. 3, 4, 32 p., e0000104.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Multidecadal changes in coastal benthic species composition and ecosystem functioning occur independently of temperature-driven community shifts
Armitage, P., Burrows, M. T., Rimmer, J. E. V., Blight, A. J. & Paterson, D. M., 27 Aug 2024, In: Global Change Biology. 30, 8, 19 p., e17482.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?
Knights, A. M., Lemasson, A. J., Firth, L. B., Beaumont, N., Birchenough, S., Claisse, J., Coolen, J. W. P., Copping, A., De Dominicis, M., Degraer, S., Elliott, M., Fernandes, P. G., Fowler, A. M., Frost, M., Henry, L.-A., Hicks, N., Hyder, K., Jagerroos, S., Love, M. & Lynam, C. & 17 others, , Jan 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 350, 8 p., 119644.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Biological–physical interactions are fundamental to understanding and managing coastal dynamics
Solan, M., Spencer, T., Paterson, D. M., Unsworth, C. A., Christie, E. K., Blight, A. J., Brown, J., Brooks, H., Lichtman, I. D., Wei, X., Li, X., Thorne, P., Leyland, J., Godbold, J. A., Thompson, C., Williams, M. E., Plater, A., Moller, I. & Amoudry, L. O., 12 Jul 2023, In: Royal Society Open Science. 10, 7, 6 p., 230155.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
Herbert-Read, J. E., Thornton, A., Amon, D. J., Birchenough, S. N. R., Côté, I. M., Dias, M. P., Godley, B. J., Keith, S. A., McKinley, E., Peck, L. S., Calado, R., Defeo, O., Degraer, S., Johnston, E. L., Kaartokallio, H., Macreadie, P. I., Metaxas, A., Muthumbi, A. W. N., Obura, D. O. & Paterson, D. M. & 10 others, , Sept 2022, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 6, 9, p. 1262–1270 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Carbon storage in UK intertidal environments
Austin, W. E. N., Smeaton, C., Ruranska, P., Paterson, D. M., Skov, M. W., Ladd, C. J. T., McMahon, L., Havelock, G. M., Gehrels, R., Mills, R., Barlow, N. L. M., Burden, A., Jones, L. & Garbutt, A., 7 Mar 2022, Challenges in estuarine and coastal science. Humphreys, J. & Little, S. (eds.). Exeter: Pelagic Publishing, 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Open access
Current- and wave- generated bedforms on mixed sand-clay intertidal flats: a new bedform phase diagram and implications for bed roughness and preservation potential
Baas, J., Malarkey, J., Litchman, I., Amoudry, L. O., Thorne, P., Hope, J. A., Peakall, J., Paterson, D., Bass, S. J., Cooke, R. D., Manning, A. J., Parsons, D. R. & Ye, L., 3 Nov 2021, In: Frontiers in Earth Science. 9, 27 p., 747567.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review