Prof David Paterson

Executive Director of MASTS

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3467
Email: dp1@st-andrews.ac.uk

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 CO₂on 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

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., Piola, A. R., Richardson, A. J., Schloss, I. R., Snelgrove, P. V. R., Stewart, B. D., Thompson, P. M., Watson, G. J., Worthington, T. A., Yasuhara, M. & Sutherland, W. J., Sep 2022, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 6, 9, p. 1262–1270 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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: Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association 50th anniversary volume. Humphreys, J. & Little, S. (eds.). Exeter: Pelagic Publishing
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Open access

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity
McLean, D. L., Ferreira, L. C., Benthuysen, J. A., Miller, K. J., Schlappy, M-L., Ajemian, M. J., Berry, O., Birchenough, S. N. R., Bond, T., Boschetti, F., Bull, A. S., Claisse, J. T., Condie, S. A., Consoli, P., Coolen, J. W. P., Elliott, M., Fortune, I. S., Fowler, A. M., Gillanders, B. M., Harrison, H. B., Hart, K. M., Henry, L-A., Hewitt, C. L., Hicks, N., Hock, K., Hyder, K., Love, M., Macreadie, P. I., Miller, R. J., Montevecchi, W. A., Nishimoto, M. M., Page, H. M., Paterson, D. M., Pattiaratchi, C. B., Pecl, G. T., Porter, J. S., Reeves, D. B., Riginos, C., Rouse, S., Russell, D. J. F., Sherman, C. D. H., Teilmann, J., Todd, V. L. G., Treml, E. A., Williamson, D. H. & Thums, M., 1 Jun 2022, In: Global Change Biology. 28, 11, p. 3515-3536 22 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open access

The response of microphytobenthos to physical disturbance, herbicide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles exposure
Rimmer, J., Hubas, C., Wyness, A. J., Jesus, B., Hartley, M., Blight, A. J., Prins, A. & Paterson, D., 1 Dec 2022, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 185, Part B, 10 p., 1134348.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Biological cohesion as the architect of bed movement under wave action
Chen, X., Zhang, C., Townend, I., Paterson, D. M., Gong, Z., Jiang, Q., Feng, Q. & Yu, X., 16 Mar 2021, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 48, 5, e2020GL092137.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Can we model cultural ecosystem services, and are we measuring the right things?
Jones, L., Boeri, M., Christie, M., Durance, I., Evans, K. L., Fletcher, D., Harrison, L., Jorgensen, A., Masante, D., McGinlay, J., Paterson, D. M., Schmucki, R., Short, C., Small, N., Southon, G., Stojanovic, T. & Waters, R., 26 Oct 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: People and Nature. Early View, 14 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Diatom Biofilms: Ecosystem Engineering and Niche Construction
Paterson, D. M. & Hope, J. A., 1 Jan 2021, Diatom Gliding Motility. John Wiley and Sons, p. 135-158 24 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Open access

Ecosystem engineers drive differing microbial community composition in intertidal estuarine sediments
Wyness, A. J., Fortune, I., Blight, A. J., Browne, P., Hartley, M., Holden, M. & Paterson, D. M., 19 Feb 2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 2, 20 p., e0240952.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Biomediation of submarine sediment gravity flow dynamics
Craig, M. J., Baas, J. H., Amos, K. J., Strachan, L. J., Manning, A. J., Paterson, D. M., Hope, J. A., Nodder, S. D. & Baker, M. L., Jan 2020, In: Geology. 48, 1, p. 72-76
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Editorial: Advances and challenges in microphytobenthos research: from cell biology to coastal ecosystem function
Serôdio, J., Paterson, D. M., Méléder, V. & Vyverman, W., 12 Nov 2020, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 7, 3 p., 608729.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

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