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Prof. Angela Gallego-Sala

Prof. Angela Gallego-Sala

Professor In Ecosystems and Biogeochemical Cycles

 5873

 +44 (0) 1392 725873

 Laver Building 807

 

Laver Building, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter, EX4 4QE, UK

Overview

I am a biogeochemist with expertise in climatic regulation of carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. My particular area of expertise is peatlands and I have targeted my research to peatlands situated in different climatic zones to build a global perspective. I am also well placed to bridge empirical field/laboratory methods and global modelling. My career aim is to elucidate the unique role of peatlands in the Earth System covering multiple time horizons, e.g. from peat inception and accumulation over the Holocene, through to the potential impacts of enhanced peatland emissions accelerating climate change, with clear policy-relevance for avoiding dangerous climate change. I use a variety of methods in order to achieve this, including gas flux measurements, the paleo-record, modelling and biogeochemistry.

I was recently awarded an ERC Consolidator grant (TroPeaCC) focussed on tropical peatland carbon cycling. This work will complement a NERC funded project entitled: "ICAAP: Increased Carbon Accumulation in Arctic Peatlands". I am co-I in two exciting grants, both studying different aspects of tropical peatlands: "KaLi: Multiple risks associated with drought and peatland fires in Indonesian Borneo" (GCRF funded) and "Ecosystem Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics of Tropical Peatland (EDANDOTP)" funded by the Malaysian Oil Palm Board.

I was previously involved in a NERC-funded project entitled “Peatlands and the global carbon cycle during the past millennium: an assessment using observations and models”. I previously worked in Lund, Sweden, modelling the dynamic interactions of fire, vegetation, climate and human population in Mediterranean areas as part of the FUME European project. Earlier on, I worked at the University of Bristol, on a project entitled “Climate Change and the Uplands” commissioned by the Environment Agency, to study the implications of climate change for peatland soils in the UK and the effects on ecosystem services including carbon storage, flooding and water quality.

Previously, I worked towards a PhD funded by NERC with a CASE studentship entitled “Temperature effects on trace gas production and uptake in aerobic and anaerobic soils” at the University of Bristol

Qualifications

PhD in Biogeochemistry of Peatlands. University of Bristol
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Canterbury Christ Church University
MSc. Degree in Chemistry. University of Kent
BSc. Degree in Chemistry. Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Research group links

Research

Research interests

I am a biogeochemist and I study peatlands, in particular, I am interesting in the role they play in the C cycle and also in the management of these beautiful ecosystems in order to preserve all of the ecosystem services and invisible benefits they provide. I currently I have projects that span the whole globe from the poles (Arctic, Antarctic) to the tropics (S America, SE Asia, Africa, Australia). I also used a variety of different methods that ranges from palaeo-biogeochemistry to present-day fluxes and future forecasting using models.

1) Understanding the processes driving functioning of peatland ecosystems and the carbon exchanges at the global scale in order to be able to predict their fate in a changing climate. Within this research area, I run a number of on-going projects:

i)               The Arctic peatland carbon sink is the focus of the recently awarded NERC-funded project that started in 2019. This project will shed light into the conditions necessary for new peatland expansion in new areas of the Arctic that are now suitable for plant growth due to the lengthening of the growing season. Additionally, the project will explore the response of existing sub-Arctic peatlands to the amplified warming they are experiencing. I am a project partners in two parallel projects also investigating similar topics: an MSB-FRA project: Peat expansion in Arcit Tundra (TundraPEAT) led by Zicheng Yu, US. and a project funded by the Finnish Academy led by Minna Valiranta (Response of high-latitude peatlands to past and recent warming - predictions for future climate feedbacks).

ii)             The tropical peatland carbon sink is the focus of the ERC Consolidator grant that will start soon. I will work on the key questions: environmental and climatic controls on peatland extent, controls on carbon accumulation rates and also on methane emissions from tropical peatlands. All are these are areas in which our knowledge is limited. This project proposes to use the palaeo record, modern day fluxes and modelling as complementary tools. This work is also complemented by the grant in which I am a Co-I: “Ecosystem Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics of Tropical Peatlands” funded by the Malaysian Oil Palm Board led by Tim Hill.

iii)            Past changes and Antarctic science – I am the main supervisor in a PhD project reconstructing quaternary changes in wind over the Southern Ocean in order to understand how the ocean C sink has changed in the past (student: Alex Whittle, co-supervisors Dan Charman, Dom Hodgson and Stephen Roberts). Additionally, I am also involved in a project to reconstruct temperatures using the peatland record and GDGTs in Antarctic samples (with David Naafs, Bristol and Stephen Roberts at BAS).

iv)            Biogeochemistry of peatlands – I am a co-supervisor in a current PhD project working on biomarkers of methanogenic archaea and the development of proxies to understand past changes in the decomposition processes in peatlands based at the University of Bristol (Jerome Blewett: supervised by Dr Naafs and Prof Pancost and myself). And I also co-supervise a PhD project based in Bristol (Anne Eberle: supervised by Casey Bryce) working on Actic peatlands on a project entitled: "How do redox and temperature fluctuations influence mineral protection of organic matter during permafrost thaw?"

2) Peatland management, restoration and land use change impacts on peatland ecosystem functioning. The knowledge derived from the following projects will hopefully be useful in assessing ecosystem service provision and management of peatlands.

i)              Peatland ecosystem services in the UK– I currently supervise a project on sphagnum reintroduction in Exmoor peatlands, funded by SWW (student: Paul Tansley), co-supervised by Morag Angus. I am also co-supervisor of a PhD student based at Bristol working in the Welsh peatlands on a project entitled: "Assessing the impact of Black Mountains peatland restoration on freshwater ecosystems" (student: Fin Ring-Hrubesh) supervised by Casey Bryce. I was also a co-I of a UK-focussed project funded by NERC: “Identifying potential tipping points in the benefits derived from the UK's land ecosystems” that has recently finished and was led by Tim Lenton.

ii)               Peatland restoration and ecosystem services in the tropics - I am co-I on a GCRF funded project led by Frank Van Veen (KaLi: Multiple Risks associated with drought and peatland fires in Indonesian Borneo. I supervis a PhD project "Understanding the role of fire in Amazonian forests and peatlands", student: Yuwan Wang - funded by QUEX. I am a project partner in a large project understanding effects of land use change and restoration in Indonesia (funded by the Australian Research Council, with Prof Moss). I recently supervised a M Res student (Kennedy Lewis) with Tim Hill working on impacts of oil palm plantations on the biomass stored in Malaysian peatlands.

 

Research grants

  • 2020 European Research Council
    TroPeaCC: Tropical Peatlands and the Carbon Cycle. Tropical peatlands are the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world and they store the equivalent of ~10 years of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Despite their importance, crucial questions remain about carbon cycling in tropical peatlands and improving understanding is critical as they are at high risk from climate change and drainage for oil palm cultivation. TroPeaCC will provide a step-change gain in our understanding of tropical peatland functioning and in projecting their response to climate change. PI Gallego-Sala will use her unique background that bridges peatland modelling and observations to deliver a novel interdisciplinary approach to tackle four outstanding questions about tropical peatlands: Q1: What controls the geographical distribution of peatlands in the tropics? TASK1: To assess the tropical peatland extent using a combination of models Q2: How large is the tropical peatland CO2 sink and what are its main climatic drivers? TASK2: To characterize the drivers of carbon accumulation rates in tropical peatlands using the palaeo-archive. Q3: How large is the methane flux in tropical peatlands? What are the main controls at the intercontinental scale? TASK3: To determine the main controls on methane fluxes in tropical peatlands, using eddy covariance, chamber-based gas flux measurements, and ground penetrating radar. Q4: What is the overall carbon balance of tropical peatlands and how will this change in the future? TASK4: To forecast future changes of the extent of tropical peatlands, of the carbon sink and of methane emissions, using the results of Tasks 1-3 to parameterise and evaluate a global dynamic vegetation model that includes tropical peatlands for the first time. The interdisciplinary approach will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the role of tropical peatlands in the global carbon cycle, allowing their inclusion in earth system models, and informing management decisions to optimise provision of multiple ecosystem services.
  • 2020 Global Challenges Research Fund
    Kali: Multiple risks associated with drought and peatland fires in Indonesian Borneo (GCRF). A multidisciplinary approach to find ways of mitigating the impacts associated with drought and fires in Indonesia.
  • 2019 NERC
    ICAAP: Increased Carbon Accumulation in Arctic Peatlands. The over-arching aim of the project is to test the hypothesis that changes in the Arctic peatland C pool will help mitigate future warming, taking account of both changes in accumulation rates and changes in the extent of peatlands.
  • 2019 Malaysian Oil Palm Board
    Ecosystem Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics of Tropical Peatland (EDANDOTP). Investigating the impacts of Oil Palm Plantations on tropical peatlands of peninsural Malaysia.
  • 2016 NERC
    Identifying potential tipping points in the benefits derived from the UK's land ecosystems NERC Valuing Nature Programme - Tipping points
  • 2015 South West Water
    Mires Project: Understanding the impact of moorland restoration on water quantity, quality and gas fluxes. Phase II
  • 2015 EU Marie Curie Training Grant
    EU2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellowship - Anne Quillet. PEATMOD: PEATland modelling for global carbon cycle and climate models PI with Angela Gallego-Sala. €195,455
  • 2010 NERC Std Grant
    Millipeat - Peatlands and the Global Carbon Cycle during the Past Millennium: a Global assessment using observations and models

Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Publications by category

Journal articles

Treat CC, Jones MC, Camill P, Gallego-Sala AV, Garneau M, Harden JW, Hugelius G, Klein ES, Kokfelt U, Kuhry P, et al (In Press). Effects of permafrost aggradation on peat properties as determined from a pan-arctic synthesis of plant macrofossils. Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences, 120 Abstract.  Full text.
Cooper CL, Swindles GT, Watson ET, Savov IP, Galka M, Gallego-Sala AV, Borken W (In Press). Evaluating tephrochronology in the permafrost peatlands of Northern Sweden. Quaternary Geochronology Full text.
Loisel J, Gallego-Sala A, Amesbury M, Roland T, Charman D (In Press). Expert assessment of future vulnerability of the global peatland carbon sink. Nature Climate Change Full text.
New SL, Belcher C, Hudspith VA, Gallego-Sala AV (In Press). Holocene fire history: can evidence of peat burning be found in the palaeo-archive?. Mires and Peat, 18, 1-11. Abstract.  Full text.
Naafs BDA, Inglis GN, Zheng Y, Amesbury MJ, Biester H, Bindler R, Blewett J, Burrows MA, del Castillo Torres D, Chambers FM, et al (In Press). Introducing global peat-specific temperature and pH calibrations based on brGDGT bacterial lipids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Full text.
Zhang H, Amesbury M, Piilo S, Garneau M, Gallego-Sala A, Väliranta M (In Press). Recent changes in peatland testate amoeba functional traits and hydrology within a replicated site network in northwestern Québec, Canada. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, section Paleoecology Full text.
Piilo SR, Zhang H, Garneau M, Gallego-Sala AV, Amesbury M, Väliranta M (In Press). Recent peat and carbon accumulation following the Little Ice Age in northwestern Québec, Canada. Environmental Research Letters Full text.
Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Inglis GN, Pancost RD (In Press). Refining the global branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (brGDGT) soil temperature calibration. Organic Geochemistry Full text.
Davis TW, Prentice IC, Stocker BD, Whitely RJ, Wang H, Evans BJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Sykes MT, Cramer W (In Press). Simple Process-Led Algorithms for Simulating Habitats (SPLASH v.1.0): Robust Indices of Radiation, Evapotranspiration and Plant-Available Moisture.  Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Piilo S, Amesbury M, Charman D, Gallego-Sala AV, Väliranta M (In Press). The role of climate change in regulating Arctic permafrost peatland hydrological and vegetation change over the last millennium. Quaternary Science Reviews Full text.
Bohn TJ, Melton JR, Ito A, Kleinen T, Spahni R, Stocker BD, Zhang B, Zhu X, Schroeder. R, Glagolev MV, et al (In Press). WETCHIMP-WSL: intercomparison of wetland methane emissions models over West Siberia. Biogeosciences Discuss., 12, 1907-1973. Abstract.  Full text.
Lewis K, Rumpang E, Kho LK, McCalmont J, Teh YA, Gallego-Sala A, Hill TC (2020). An assessment of oil palm plantation aboveground biomass stocks on tropical peat using destructive and non-destructive methods. Scientific Reports, 10(1). Abstract.  Full text.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2020). Effects of temperature and pH on archaeal membrane lipid distributions in freshwater wetlands. Organic Geochemistry, 148, 104080-104080. Full text.
Ritchie P, Smith G, Davis K, Fezzi C, Halleck-Vega S, Harper A, Boulton C, Binner A, Day B, Gallego-Sala A, et al (2020). Shifts in national land use and food production in Great Britain after a climate tipping point. Nature Food, 1, 76-83. Full text.
Martínez Cortizas A, López-Costas O, Orme L, Mighall T, Kylander ME, Bindler R, Gallego Sala Á (2019). Holocene atmospheric dust deposition in NW Spain. The Holocene, 30(4), 507-518. Abstract.  Full text.
Young DM, Baird AJ, Charman DJ, Evans CD, Gallego-Sala AV, Gill PJ, Hughes PDM, Morris PJ, Swindles GT (2019). Misinterpreting carbon accumulation rates in records from near-surface peat. Sci Rep, 9(1). Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Amesbury MJ, Gallego-Sala A, Loisel J (2019). Peatlands as prolific carbon sinks. Nature Geoscience, 12(11), 880-881. Full text.
Whittle A, Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Hodgson DA, Perren BB, Roberts SJ, Gallego-Sala AV (2019). Salt-Enrichment Impact on Biomass Production in a Natural Population of Peatland Dwelling Arcellinida and Euglyphida (Testate Amoebae). Microb Ecol, 78(2), 534-538. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Harrison ME, Ottay JB, D’Arcy LJ, Cheyne SM, Anggodo, Belcher C, Cole L, Dohong A, Ermiasi Y, Feldpausch T, et al (2019). Tropical forest and peatland conservation in Indonesia: Challenges and directions. People and Nature, 2(1), 4-28. Full text.
Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Mullan DJ, Payne RJ, Roland TP, Amesbury MJ, Lamentowicz M, Turner TE, Gallego-Sala A, Sim T, et al (2019). Widespread drying of European peatlands in recent centuries. Nature Geoscience, 12(11), 922-928. Full text.
Inglis GN, Naafs BDA, Zheng Y, Schellekens J, Pancost RD, Amesbury MJ, Biester H, Bindler R, Blewett J, Burrows MA, et al (2019). delta C-13 values of bacterial hopanoids and leaf waxes as tracers for methanotrophy in peatlands. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 260, 244-256. Author URL.
Inglis GN, Naafs BDA, Zheng Y, McClymont EL, Evershed RP, Pancost RD, the T-GRES Peat Database collaborators (2018). Distributions of geohopanoids in peat: Implications for the use of hopanoid-based proxies in natural archives. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 224, 249-261. Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Gallego-Sala AV, Amesbury M, Charman D, Piilo SR, Väliranta M (2018). Inconsistent response of Arctic permafrost peatland carbon accumulation to warm climate phases. Global Biogeochemical Cycles Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Charman D, Brewer S, Page SE, Prentice IC, Friedlingstein P, Moreton S, Amesbury MJ, Beilman DW, Björck S, et al (2018). Latitudinal limits to the predicted increase of the peatland carbon sink with warming. Nature Climate Change, 8, 907-913. Full text.
Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Whitney B, Galloway JM, Gałka M, Gallego-Sala AV, Macumber AL, Mullan D, Smith MW, Amesbury MJ, et al (2017). Ecosystem state shifts during long-term development of an Amazonian peatland. Global Change Biology Abstract.  Full text.
Davis TW, Prentice IC, Stocker BD, Thomas RT, Whitley RJ, Wang H, Evans BJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Sykes MT, Cramer W, et al (2017). Simple process-led algorithms for simulating habitats (SPLASH v.1.0): Robust indices of radiation, evapotranspiration and plant-available moisture. Geoscientific Model Development, 10(2), 689-708. Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Amesbury MJ, Ronkainen T, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Valiranta M (2017). Testate amoeba as palaeohydrological indicators in the permafrost peatlands of north-east European Russia and Finnish Lapland. Journal of Quaternary Science Abstract.  Full text.
Gałka M, Szal M, Watson EJ, Gallego-Sala A, Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Roland TP, Edward Turner T, Swindles GT (2017). Vegetation Succession, Carbon Accumulation and Hydrological Change in Subarctic Peatlands, Abisko, Northern Sweden. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 28(4), 589-604. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Harrison SP, Li G, Prentice IC (2016). Climate-driven expansion of blanket bogs in Britain during the Holocene. Climate of the Past, 12(1), 129-136. Abstract.  Full text.
Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Newnham RM, Loader NJ, Goodrich J, Royles J, Campbell DI, Keller ED, Baisden WT, Roland TP, et al (2015). Can oxygen stable isotopes be used to track precipitation moisture source in vascular plant-dominated peatlands?. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 430, 149-159. Abstract.
Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Newnham RM, Loader NJ, Goodrich JP, Royles J, Campbell DI, Roland TP, Gallego-Sala A (2015). Carbon stable isotopes as a palaeoclimate proxy in vascular plant dominated peatlands. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 164, 161-174. Abstract.
Xing W, Bao K, Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Zhang Z, Gao C, Lu X, Wang G (2015). Climate Controls on carbon accumulation in peatlands of Northeast China. Quaternary Science Reviews, 115, 78-88. Abstract.
Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Harrison SP, Li G, Prentice IC (2015). Climate-driven expansion of blanket bogs in Britain during the Holocene. Clim. Past Discuss., 11, 4811-4832. Abstract.  Full text.
Charman DJ, Amesbury MJ, Hinchliffe W, Hughes PDM, Mallon G, Blake WH, Daley TJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Mauquoy D (2015). Drivers of Holocene peatland carbon accumulation across a climate gradient in northeastern North America. Quaternary Science Reviews, 121, 110-119. Abstract.  Full text.
Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Mullan D, Watson EJ, Turner E, Roland TP, Amesbury MJ, Kokfelt U, Schoning K, Pratte S, et al (2015). The long-term fate of permafrost peatlands under rapid climate warming. Scientific Reports, 5 Abstract.  Full text.
Bohn TJ, Melton JR, Ito A, Kleinen T, Spahni R, Stocker BD, Zhang B, Zhu X, Schroeder R, Glagolev MV, et al (2015). WETCHIMP-WSL: Intercomparison of wetland methane emissions models over West Siberia. Biogeosciences, 12(11), 3321-3349. Abstract.  Full text.
Swindles GT, Reczuga M, Lamentowicz M, Raby CL, Turner TE, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Valderrama E, Williams C, Draper F, et al (2014). Ecology of Testate Amoebae in an Amazonian Peatland and Development of a Transfer Function for Palaeohydrological Reconstruction. Microbial Ecology: an international journal Abstract.
Swindles GT, Reczuga M, Lamentowicz M, Raby CL, Turner TE, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala A, Valderrama E, Williams C, Draper F, et al (2014). Ecology of Testate Amoebae in an Amazonian Peatland and Development of a Transfer Function for Palaeohydrological Reconstruction. Microbial Ecology, 68(2), 284-298. Abstract.  Full text.
Holmquist JR, MacDonald GM, Gallego-Sala AV (2014). Peatland Initiation, Carbon Accumulation, and 2 ka Depth in the James Bay Lowland and Adjacent Regions. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 46(1), 19-39. Abstract.  Full text.
Regnier P, Friedlingstein P, Ciais P, Mackenzie FT, Gruber N, Janssens IA, Laruelle GG, Lauerwald R, Luyssaert S, Andersson AJ, et al (2013). Anthropogenic perturbation of the carbon fluxes from land to ocean. Nature Geoscience, 6(8), 597-607. Abstract.  Full text.
Charman DJ, Beilman DW, Blaauw M, Booth RK, Brewer S, Chambers FM, Christen JA, Gallego-Sala A, Harrison SP, Hughes PDM, et al (2013). Climate-related changes in peatland carbon accumulation during the last millennium. Biogeosciences, 10(2), 929-944. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Prentice C (2012). Blanket peat biome endangered by climate change. Nature Climate Change Abstract.  Full text.
Loisel J, Gallego-Sala AV, Yu Z (2012). Global-scale pattern of peatland Sphagnum growth driven by photosynthetically active radiation and growing season length. Biogeosciences, 9(7), 2737-2746. Abstract.  Full text.
Leifeld J, Steffens M, Galego-Sala A (2012). Sensitivity of peatland carbon loss to organic matter quality. Geophysical Research Letters, 39(14), n/a-n/a. Full text.
Clark JM, Gallego-Sala AV, Allott TEH, Chapman SJ, Farewell T, Freeman C, House JI, Orr HG, Prentice IC, Smith P, et al (2010). Assessing the vulnerability of blanket peat to climate change using an ensemble of statistical bioclimatic envelope models. Climate Research, 45(1), 131-150. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Clark JM, House JI, Orr HG, Prentice IC, Smith P, Farewell T, Chapman SJ (2010). Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain. Climate Research, 45(1), 151-162. Abstract.  Full text.
House JI, Orr HG, Clark JM, Gallego-Sala AV, Freeman C, Prentice IC, Smith P (2010). Climate change and the British Uplands: Evidence for decision-making. Climate Research, 45(1), 3-12. Abstract.  Full text.
Clark JM, Billett MF, Coyle M, Croft S, Daniels S, Evans CD, Evans M, Freeman C, Gallego-Sala AV, Heinemeyer A, et al (2010). Model inter-comparison between statistical and dynamic model assessments of the long-term stability of blanket PEAT in great britain (1940-2099). Climate Research, 45(1), 227-248. Abstract.  Full text.
Nisbet RER, Fisher R, Nimmo RH, Bendall DS, Crill PM, Gallego-Sala AV, Hornibrook ERC, López-Juez E, Lowry D, Nisbet PBR, et al (2009). Emission of methane from plants. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1660), 1347-1354. Abstract.
Nisbet RER, Fisher R, Nimmo RH, Bendall DS, Crill PM, Gallego-Sala AV, Hornibrook ERC, López-Juez E, Lowry D, Nisbet PBR, et al (2009). Emission of methane from plants. Proc Biol Sci, 276(1660), 1347-1354. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Hornibrook ERC, Bowes HL, Culbert A, Gallego-Sala AV (2009). Methanotrophy potential versus methane supply by pore water diffusion in peatlands. Biogeosciences, 6(8), 1491-1504. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Kennedy KM, Chadwick AV, Niemeier D, Becker KD (1999). An EXAFS and computer modelling study of calcium titanite. RADIATION EFFECTS AND DEFECTS IN SOLIDS, 151(1-4), 13-19. Author URL.
Gallego-Sala AV, Kennedy KM, Chadwick AV, Niemeier D, Becker KD (1999). EXAFS and computer modelling study of calcium titanite. Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids, 151(1), 13-19. Abstract.  Full text.

Chapters

Gallego-Sala AV, Booth RK, Charman DJ, Prentice IC, Yu Z (2016). Peatlands and Climate Change. In Bonn A, Allott T, Evans M, Joosten H, Stoneman R (Eds.) Peatland Restoration and Ecosystem Services Science, Policy and Practice, Cambridge University Press. Abstract.  Full text.
Friedlingstein P, Gallego-Sala AV, Blyth EM, Hewer FE, Seneviratne SI, Spessa A, Suntharalingam P, Scholze M (2009). The earth system feedbacks that matter for contemporary climate. In  (Ed) Understanding the Earth System: Global Change Science for Application, 102-128.  Abstract.  Full text.

Conferences

Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.

Publications by year

In Press

Treat CC, Jones MC, Camill P, Gallego-Sala AV, Garneau M, Harden JW, Hugelius G, Klein ES, Kokfelt U, Kuhry P, et al (In Press). Effects of permafrost aggradation on peat properties as determined from a pan-arctic synthesis of plant macrofossils. Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences, 120 Abstract.  Full text.
Cooper CL, Swindles GT, Watson ET, Savov IP, Galka M, Gallego-Sala AV, Borken W (In Press). Evaluating tephrochronology in the permafrost peatlands of Northern Sweden. Quaternary Geochronology Full text.
Loisel J, Gallego-Sala A, Amesbury M, Roland T, Charman D (In Press). Expert assessment of future vulnerability of the global peatland carbon sink. Nature Climate Change Full text.
New SL, Belcher C, Hudspith VA, Gallego-Sala AV (In Press). Holocene fire history: can evidence of peat burning be found in the palaeo-archive?. Mires and Peat, 18, 1-11. Abstract.  Full text.
Naafs BDA, Inglis GN, Zheng Y, Amesbury MJ, Biester H, Bindler R, Blewett J, Burrows MA, del Castillo Torres D, Chambers FM, et al (In Press). Introducing global peat-specific temperature and pH calibrations based on brGDGT bacterial lipids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Full text.
Zhang H, Amesbury M, Piilo S, Garneau M, Gallego-Sala A, Väliranta M (In Press). Recent changes in peatland testate amoeba functional traits and hydrology within a replicated site network in northwestern Québec, Canada. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, section Paleoecology Full text.
Piilo SR, Zhang H, Garneau M, Gallego-Sala AV, Amesbury M, Väliranta M (In Press). Recent peat and carbon accumulation following the Little Ice Age in northwestern Québec, Canada. Environmental Research Letters Full text.
Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Inglis GN, Pancost RD (In Press). Refining the global branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (brGDGT) soil temperature calibration. Organic Geochemistry Full text.
Davis TW, Prentice IC, Stocker BD, Whitely RJ, Wang H, Evans BJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Sykes MT, Cramer W (In Press). Simple Process-Led Algorithms for Simulating Habitats (SPLASH v.1.0): Robust Indices of Radiation, Evapotranspiration and Plant-Available Moisture.  Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Piilo S, Amesbury M, Charman D, Gallego-Sala AV, Väliranta M (In Press). The role of climate change in regulating Arctic permafrost peatland hydrological and vegetation change over the last millennium. Quaternary Science Reviews Full text.
Bohn TJ, Melton JR, Ito A, Kleinen T, Spahni R, Stocker BD, Zhang B, Zhu X, Schroeder. R, Glagolev MV, et al (In Press). WETCHIMP-WSL: intercomparison of wetland methane emissions models over West Siberia. Biogeosciences Discuss., 12, 1907-1973. Abstract.  Full text.

2020

Lewis K, Rumpang E, Kho LK, McCalmont J, Teh YA, Gallego-Sala A, Hill TC (2020). An assessment of oil palm plantation aboveground biomass stocks on tropical peat using destructive and non-destructive methods. Scientific Reports, 10(1). Abstract.  Full text.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2020). Effects of temperature and pH on archaeal membrane lipid distributions in freshwater wetlands. Organic Geochemistry, 148, 104080-104080. Full text.
Ritchie P, Smith G, Davis K, Fezzi C, Halleck-Vega S, Harper A, Boulton C, Binner A, Day B, Gallego-Sala A, et al (2020). Shifts in national land use and food production in Great Britain after a climate tipping point. Nature Food, 1, 76-83. Full text.

2019

Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.
Blewett J, Naafs BDA, Gallego-Sala AV, Pancost RD (2019). A novel proxy based on archaeal lipids for tropical terrestrial temperatures in ancient greenhouse climates.
Martínez Cortizas A, López-Costas O, Orme L, Mighall T, Kylander ME, Bindler R, Gallego Sala Á (2019). Holocene atmospheric dust deposition in NW Spain. The Holocene, 30(4), 507-518. Abstract.  Full text.
Young DM, Baird AJ, Charman DJ, Evans CD, Gallego-Sala AV, Gill PJ, Hughes PDM, Morris PJ, Swindles GT (2019). Misinterpreting carbon accumulation rates in records from near-surface peat. Sci Rep, 9(1). Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Amesbury MJ, Gallego-Sala A, Loisel J (2019). Peatlands as prolific carbon sinks. Nature Geoscience, 12(11), 880-881. Full text.
Whittle A, Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Hodgson DA, Perren BB, Roberts SJ, Gallego-Sala AV (2019). Salt-Enrichment Impact on Biomass Production in a Natural Population of Peatland Dwelling Arcellinida and Euglyphida (Testate Amoebae). Microb Ecol, 78(2), 534-538. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Harrison ME, Ottay JB, D’Arcy LJ, Cheyne SM, Anggodo, Belcher C, Cole L, Dohong A, Ermiasi Y, Feldpausch T, et al (2019). Tropical forest and peatland conservation in Indonesia: Challenges and directions. People and Nature, 2(1), 4-28. Full text.
Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Mullan DJ, Payne RJ, Roland TP, Amesbury MJ, Lamentowicz M, Turner TE, Gallego-Sala A, Sim T, et al (2019). Widespread drying of European peatlands in recent centuries. Nature Geoscience, 12(11), 922-928. Full text.
Inglis GN, Naafs BDA, Zheng Y, Schellekens J, Pancost RD, Amesbury MJ, Biester H, Bindler R, Blewett J, Burrows MA, et al (2019). delta C-13 values of bacterial hopanoids and leaf waxes as tracers for methanotrophy in peatlands. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 260, 244-256. Author URL.

2018

Inglis GN, Naafs BDA, Zheng Y, McClymont EL, Evershed RP, Pancost RD, the T-GRES Peat Database collaborators (2018). Distributions of geohopanoids in peat: Implications for the use of hopanoid-based proxies in natural archives. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 224, 249-261. Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Gallego-Sala AV, Amesbury M, Charman D, Piilo SR, Väliranta M (2018). Inconsistent response of Arctic permafrost peatland carbon accumulation to warm climate phases. Global Biogeochemical Cycles Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Charman D, Brewer S, Page SE, Prentice IC, Friedlingstein P, Moreton S, Amesbury MJ, Beilman DW, Björck S, et al (2018). Latitudinal limits to the predicted increase of the peatland carbon sink with warming. Nature Climate Change, 8, 907-913. Full text.

2017

Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Whitney B, Galloway JM, Gałka M, Gallego-Sala AV, Macumber AL, Mullan D, Smith MW, Amesbury MJ, et al (2017). Ecosystem state shifts during long-term development of an Amazonian peatland. Global Change Biology Abstract.  Full text.
Davis TW, Prentice IC, Stocker BD, Thomas RT, Whitley RJ, Wang H, Evans BJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Sykes MT, Cramer W, et al (2017). Simple process-led algorithms for simulating habitats (SPLASH v.1.0): Robust indices of radiation, evapotranspiration and plant-available moisture. Geoscientific Model Development, 10(2), 689-708. Abstract.  Full text.
Zhang H, Amesbury MJ, Ronkainen T, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Valiranta M (2017). Testate amoeba as palaeohydrological indicators in the permafrost peatlands of north-east European Russia and Finnish Lapland. Journal of Quaternary Science Abstract.  Full text.
Gałka M, Szal M, Watson EJ, Gallego-Sala A, Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Roland TP, Edward Turner T, Swindles GT (2017). Vegetation Succession, Carbon Accumulation and Hydrological Change in Subarctic Peatlands, Abisko, Northern Sweden. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 28(4), 589-604. Abstract.  Full text.

2016

Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Harrison SP, Li G, Prentice IC (2016). Climate-driven expansion of blanket bogs in Britain during the Holocene. Climate of the Past, 12(1), 129-136. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Booth RK, Charman DJ, Prentice IC, Yu Z (2016). Peatlands and Climate Change. In Bonn A, Allott T, Evans M, Joosten H, Stoneman R (Eds.) Peatland Restoration and Ecosystem Services Science, Policy and Practice, Cambridge University Press. Abstract.  Full text.

2015

Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Newnham RM, Loader NJ, Goodrich J, Royles J, Campbell DI, Keller ED, Baisden WT, Roland TP, et al (2015). Can oxygen stable isotopes be used to track precipitation moisture source in vascular plant-dominated peatlands?. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 430, 149-159. Abstract.
Amesbury MJ, Charman DJ, Newnham RM, Loader NJ, Goodrich JP, Royles J, Campbell DI, Roland TP, Gallego-Sala A (2015). Carbon stable isotopes as a palaeoclimate proxy in vascular plant dominated peatlands. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 164, 161-174. Abstract.
Xing W, Bao K, Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Zhang Z, Gao C, Lu X, Wang G (2015). Climate Controls on carbon accumulation in peatlands of Northeast China. Quaternary Science Reviews, 115, 78-88. Abstract.
Gallego-Sala AV, Charman DJ, Harrison SP, Li G, Prentice IC (2015). Climate-driven expansion of blanket bogs in Britain during the Holocene. Clim. Past Discuss., 11, 4811-4832. Abstract.  Full text.
Charman DJ, Amesbury MJ, Hinchliffe W, Hughes PDM, Mallon G, Blake WH, Daley TJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Mauquoy D (2015). Drivers of Holocene peatland carbon accumulation across a climate gradient in northeastern North America. Quaternary Science Reviews, 121, 110-119. Abstract.  Full text.
Swindles GT, Morris PJ, Mullan D, Watson EJ, Turner E, Roland TP, Amesbury MJ, Kokfelt U, Schoning K, Pratte S, et al (2015). The long-term fate of permafrost peatlands under rapid climate warming. Scientific Reports, 5 Abstract.  Full text.
Bohn TJ, Melton JR, Ito A, Kleinen T, Spahni R, Stocker BD, Zhang B, Zhu X, Schroeder R, Glagolev MV, et al (2015). WETCHIMP-WSL: Intercomparison of wetland methane emissions models over West Siberia. Biogeosciences, 12(11), 3321-3349. Abstract.  Full text.

2014

Swindles GT, Reczuga M, Lamentowicz M, Raby CL, Turner TE, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala AV, Valderrama E, Williams C, Draper F, et al (2014). Ecology of Testate Amoebae in an Amazonian Peatland and Development of a Transfer Function for Palaeohydrological Reconstruction. Microbial Ecology: an international journal Abstract.
Swindles GT, Reczuga M, Lamentowicz M, Raby CL, Turner TE, Charman DJ, Gallego-Sala A, Valderrama E, Williams C, Draper F, et al (2014). Ecology of Testate Amoebae in an Amazonian Peatland and Development of a Transfer Function for Palaeohydrological Reconstruction. Microbial Ecology, 68(2), 284-298. Abstract.  Full text.
Holmquist JR, MacDonald GM, Gallego-Sala AV (2014). Peatland Initiation, Carbon Accumulation, and 2 ka Depth in the James Bay Lowland and Adjacent Regions. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 46(1), 19-39. Abstract.  Full text.

2013

Regnier P, Friedlingstein P, Ciais P, Mackenzie FT, Gruber N, Janssens IA, Laruelle GG, Lauerwald R, Luyssaert S, Andersson AJ, et al (2013). Anthropogenic perturbation of the carbon fluxes from land to ocean. Nature Geoscience, 6(8), 597-607. Abstract.  Full text.
Charman DJ, Beilman DW, Blaauw M, Booth RK, Brewer S, Chambers FM, Christen JA, Gallego-Sala A, Harrison SP, Hughes PDM, et al (2013). Climate-related changes in peatland carbon accumulation during the last millennium. Biogeosciences, 10(2), 929-944. Abstract.  Full text.

2012

Gallego-Sala AV, Prentice C (2012). Blanket peat biome endangered by climate change. Nature Climate Change Abstract.  Full text.
Loisel J, Gallego-Sala AV, Yu Z (2012). Global-scale pattern of peatland Sphagnum growth driven by photosynthetically active radiation and growing season length. Biogeosciences, 9(7), 2737-2746. Abstract.  Full text.
Leifeld J, Steffens M, Galego-Sala A (2012). Sensitivity of peatland carbon loss to organic matter quality. Geophysical Research Letters, 39(14), n/a-n/a. Full text.

2010

Clark JM, Gallego-Sala AV, Allott TEH, Chapman SJ, Farewell T, Freeman C, House JI, Orr HG, Prentice IC, Smith P, et al (2010). Assessing the vulnerability of blanket peat to climate change using an ensemble of statistical bioclimatic envelope models. Climate Research, 45(1), 131-150. Abstract.  Full text.
Gallego-Sala AV, Clark JM, House JI, Orr HG, Prentice IC, Smith P, Farewell T, Chapman SJ (2010). Bioclimatic envelope model of climate change impacts on blanket peatland distribution in Great Britain. Climate Research, 45(1), 151-162. Abstract.  Full text.
House JI, Orr HG, Clark JM, Gallego-Sala AV, Freeman C, Prentice IC, Smith P (2010). Climate change and the British Uplands: Evidence for decision-making. Climate Research, 45(1), 3-12. Abstract.  Full text.
Clark JM, Billett MF, Coyle M, Croft S, Daniels S, Evans CD, Evans M, Freeman C, Gallego-Sala AV, Heinemeyer A, et al (2010). Model inter-comparison between statistical and dynamic model assessments of the long-term stability of blanket PEAT in great britain (1940-2099). Climate Research, 45(1), 227-248. Abstract.  Full text.

2009

Nisbet RER, Fisher R, Nimmo RH, Bendall DS, Crill PM, Gallego-Sala AV, Hornibrook ERC, López-Juez E, Lowry D, Nisbet PBR, et al (2009). Emission of methane from plants. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1660), 1347-1354. Abstract.
Nisbet RER, Fisher R, Nimmo RH, Bendall DS, Crill PM, Gallego-Sala AV, Hornibrook ERC, López-Juez E, Lowry D, Nisbet PBR, et al (2009). Emission of methane from plants. Proc Biol Sci, 276(1660), 1347-1354. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Hornibrook ERC, Bowes HL, Culbert A, Gallego-Sala AV (2009). Methanotrophy potential versus methane supply by pore water diffusion in peatlands. Biogeosciences, 6(8), 1491-1504. Abstract.  Full text.
Friedlingstein P, Gallego-Sala AV, Blyth EM, Hewer FE, Seneviratne SI, Spessa A, Suntharalingam P, Scholze M (2009). The earth system feedbacks that matter for contemporary climate. In  (Ed) Understanding the Earth System: Global Change Science for Application, 102-128.  Abstract.  Full text.

1999

Gallego-Sala AV, Kennedy KM, Chadwick AV, Niemeier D, Becker KD (1999). An EXAFS and computer modelling study of calcium titanite. RADIATION EFFECTS AND DEFECTS IN SOLIDS, 151(1-4), 13-19. Author URL.
Gallego-Sala AV, Kennedy KM, Chadwick AV, Niemeier D, Becker KD (1999). EXAFS and computer modelling study of calcium titanite. Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids, 151(1), 13-19. Abstract.  Full text.

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

Co-Leader of the PAGES C-PEAT working group

Member of the Expert Panel [W&T8] for the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO).


International recognition, such as international research collaborations, visiting research posts in overseas institutions, involvement at senior levels in international research associations, acting as referee for national and international research councils.

Teaching

I am the Programme Director for our Study Abroad and European Study Programmes.
 

 

 

 

Modules

2020/21


Supervision / Group

Research Fellows

  • Katherine Crichton is a postodoctoral fellow in "ICAAP: Increased Accumulation in Arctic Peatlands" working on the remote sensing and modelling aspects of the project.

Postgraduate researchers

  • Jerome Blewett graduated from the University of Manchester in 2017 with an MSci in Earth Sciences. He characterised the macromolecular and lipid biomarker composition of permafrost organic matter from North-East Siberia. Jerome started a PhD in the Organic Geochemistry Unit at the University of Bristol in 2017. This combined genomic and lipidomic project is funded by NERC, and is supervised by Prof Pancost, Dr Naafs, Prof Alexandre Anesio and Dr Angela Gallego-Sala.
  • Alex Channon will be studying a M by Res entitled: "Identifying ecohydrological conditions driving lateral spread in Arctic peatlands"
  • Anne Eberle has won a GW4+ scholarship to do a PhD entitled: "How do redox and temperature fluctuations influence mineral protection of organic matter during permafrost thaw?". She is based in Bristol, main supervisor is Casey Bryce.
  • Teemu Juselius is studying a PhD on peatland dynamics at high latitudes under the supervision of Prof. Minna Valiranta
  • Fin Ring-Hrubesh is studying towards a PhD, and his project is entitled: "Assessing the impact of Black Mountains peatland restoration on freshwater ecosystems". His main supervisor is Casey Bryce, at University of Bristol
  • Paul Tansley is studying a PhD on "Sphagnum re-introduction in restored peatlands" as part of the wider Mires project.
  • Yuwan Wang is studing a PhD entitled: "Forests, peat, and past fires: understanding the drivers of past fire in Amazonian forests"
  • Alex Whittle was a Master by Research student working on Late Quaternary changes in the Westerly Winds in Marion Island. He is now finishing a PhD (intake: September 2016) on Late Quaternary changes in the Westerly Winds over the Southern Ocean. NERC Case studentship with the British Antarctic Survey. Co-supervisors: Dan Charman, UoE, and Dominic Hodgson, BAS.
  • Rowan Williams will be studying towards a M by Res entitled: "Comparing vegetation distributions in South American tropical peatlands"

Research Technicians

  • Alex Channon is working as a graduate research technician for ICAAP: Increased Carbon Accumulation in Arctic Peatlands.

Alumni

  • Pia Benaud worked on the "Mires Project" on methane emissions monitoring from restored peatlands.
  • Jamie Charlton worked as an intern on a project modelling the extent of tropical montane peatlands. CLES Funded. Co-supervisor Lauren Parry - University of Glasgow.
  • Gemma Dooling Associate Research Fellow working on methane and carbon dioxide monitoring in restored peatlands of Dartmoor and Exmoor. This is part of the Mires Extension project funded by South West Water.
  • Naomi Gatis Associate Research Fellow working on methane and carbon dioxide monitoring in restored peatlands of Dartmoor and Exmoor. This is part of the Mires Extension project funded by South West Water.
  • Katie Jamson was working on a project entitled: "Forests, peat, and fires: understanding the drivers of past fire in Amazonian forests." She has now completed a MSc at the University of Bristol, and will soon be moving to Calgary to start a PhD.
  • Kennedy Lewis finished a Masters by Research at the University of Exeter focusing on "L-band radar as a tool to Monitor changes in Above Ground Biomass following Oil Palm plantation expansion in tropical peatland forests".She is now working on a PhD on the Braz
  • Stacey New completed a MSc thesis entitled: Holocene fire history in peatlands: can evidence of peat burning be found in the palaeo-archive?, and is now working towards a PhD under the joint supervision of Claire Belcher and Ted Feldspauch.
  • Lisa Orme was a Research Technician working on the NERC funded millipeat project. Her main responsibilities: 210Pb dating, building age depth models, database. She progressed onto a lectureship in Maynooth, Ireland.
  • Anne Quillet won a Marie SkŁodowska-Curie Fellowship entitled PEATland modelling for global carbon cycle and climate models.She is now a postdoctoral fellow at Reading University.
  • Paul Ritchie worked on a NERC funded project "Tipping points in UK ecosystem services" led by Tim Lenton. He is now moved to a new position as a postdoc in Maths at Exeter.
  • Hui Zhang studied a PhD entitled "Long-term high latitude peatland and carbon dynamics". Based at University of Helsinki. Main supervisor: Minna Valiranta, UoH. Co-supervisor: Matt Amesbury, UoE.Hui is now a postdoc at the University of Helinski.

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