Dr Ed Rowe

Biogeochemical Modeller

Current work

My work focuses on predicting changes in ecosystems resulting from nitrogen pollution, using species niche models and dynamic models of soil and vegetation. Measurements of soil and floristic change are vital for model testing, and I managed the measurement of available nitrogen in the UK Countryside Survey. I provide advice to UK Government bodies on limiting air pollution damage to ecosystems, within policy processes such as the UNECE – CLRTAP convention.

I am the champion for Biogeochemistry Objective 2.4 within the CEH Delivery Plan, to “develop model frameworks to predict future impact of environmental drivers and their interactions at local, regional and global scales including the quantification of uncertainty”.

Research interests

As well as my research into nitrogen dynamics in natural and agricultural ecosystems, I am interested in how models are used to develop scientific understanding and policy advice. All scientists develop and test models, but modelling tends to be left to scientists who are comfortable with programming. Models can encapsulate disciplinary knowledge, but must be well-structured and documented for this knowledge to be useful to other disciplines. Thus apparently technical issues such as program design or choice of language are critical to making science more participatory.

Brief CV

• 2004 to date: Biogeochemical Modeller, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
• 2002-04: Scientist, Plant Production Systems group, Wageningen University
• 2000-02: Restoration Ecologist, Bangor University
• 1996-99, PhD: The safety-net role of tree roots, Wye College, London
• 1994-95: Ethnobotanical Researcher, Univ. of Chiapas, Mexico
• 1991-92: MSc Biological Computation, York
• 1986-89: BA Pure and Applied Biology, St Catherine’s College, Oxford

Selected publications

See also the NERC Open Research Archive.

Rowe, E.C., Emmett, B.A., Smart, S.M. and Frogbrook, Z.L. (2011). A new net mineralizable nitrogen assay improves predictions of floristic composition. Journal of Vegetation Science 22: 251-261.

Williamson, J,C., Rowe, E.C., Healey, J.R., Holliman, P., Jones, D.L. and Nason, N. (2011). Alleviation of both water and nutrient limitations is necessary to accelerate ecological restoration of waste rock tips. Restoration Ecology 19: 194-204.

Smart, S.M., Scott, W.A., Whitaker, J., Hill, M.O., Roy, D.B., Critchley, C.N., Marini, L., Evans, C., Emmett, B.A., Rowe, E.C., Crowe, A., Le Duc, M. and Marrs, R.H. (2010). Empirical realised niche models for British higher and lower plants – development and preliminary testing. Journal of Vegetation Science 21: 643-656.

Rowe, E.C., Emmett, B.A. and Smart, S.M. (2009). A single metric for defining biodiversity damage using Habitats Directive criteria. In: Hettelingh, J.-P., Posch, M. and Slootweg, J. (eds.) CCE Status Report 2009, pp. 101-108. ICP Modelling and Mapping Coordination Centre for Effects.

Rowe, E.C., Smart, S.M., Kennedy, V.H., Emmett, B.A. and Evans, C.D. (2008). Nitrogen deposition increases the acquisition of phosphorus and potassium by heather Calluna vulgaris. Environmental Pollution 155: 201-207.

Rowe, E.C., Evans, C.D., Emmett, B,A, Reynolds, B., Helliwell, R.C., Curtis, C. and Coull, M.C. (2006). Vegetation type affects the relationship between soil carbon to nitrogen ratio and nitrogen leaching. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 177: 335-347.

Rowe, E.C., van Noordwijk, M., Suprayogo, D. and Cadisch, G. (2006). Variable responses of the depth of tree nitrogen uptake to pruning and competition. Tree Physiology. 26:1529–1535.

Rowe, E.C., Healey, J.R., Edwards-Jones, G., Hills, J., Howells, M. and Jones, D.L. (2006). Fertilizer application during primary succession changes the structure of plant and herbivore communities. Biological Conservation.131: 510-522.

Rowe, E.C., van Wijk, M., de Ridder, N. and Giller, K.E. (2006). Nutrient allocation strategies across a simplified heterogeneous African smallholder farm. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 116: 60-71.

Rowe, E.C., Moldan, F., Emmett, B.A., Evans, C.D. and Hellsten, S. (2005). Model chains for assessing the impacts of nitrogen on soils, waters and biodiversity: a review. Defra, Project No. CPEA 19. Available from the Critical Loads website.