Professor Andy Smith

Professor of Forest Ecology

Contact info

Location: Room 205, Environment Centre Wales, School of Environmental & Natural Sciences, Bangor University

Email: a.r.smith@bangor.ac.uk

Phone:+44 (0)1248 382297

Web: LinkedIn, ResearchGate, GoogleScholar, ResearcherID, PlumX

I research and teach forest ecology, biogeochemistry and plant-soil interactions with emphasis on species diversity and ecosystem function in undisturbed and managed ecosystems. I'm particlarly interested in belowground processes and the study of root biology, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and biogeochemical cycling; subjects that I have researched in a variety of climate change manipulation experiments that include elevated CO2 and climatic extremes (via altered precipitation and temperature regimes) in forest and upland ecosystems. I previously held the positions of Climate Change Impact Scientist at NERCs Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (2011-2013), and postdoctoral researcher at Bangor University (2010-2011). In my early career at the Medical Research Council, Cambridge and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge I focused on the development of novel molecular and bioinformatics techniques for the nematode (Caenorhabiditis elegans) and human genome sequencing projects.

I co-direct, with Prof Lui Shuguang, research activities at the Bangor University-Central South University of Forestry and Technology Joint Research Centre in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. I'm the PI of the forest diversity experiment (BangorDiverse) based at the Henfaes Research Centre, Abergwyngregyn that investigates the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function. BangorDiverse is part of the largest network (TreeDivNet) of biodviersity experiments worldwide, and was established in 2004 with 92 plots of alder (Alnus glutinosa L.), birch (Betula pendula Roth.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), and oak (Quercus robur L.) planted in monoculture, and two and three species mixtures using a fully replicated (n=4) design. I also manage and conducted research on silvopastoral agroforestry at the Henfaes Research Centre that focuses on the role agroforestry has in sustainably delivering food security whilst maintaining ecological complexity and the provision of ecosystem services (public goods). I lead the nutrient manipulation work package of the large (£3.7M) NERC project (QUINTUS) an investigation of N & P stoichiometry in temperate forests exposed to ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2 at the BIFoR FACE facility. I am a Co-I on the UKRI Treescapes project Understanding Memory of UK Treescapes for Better Resilience and Adaptation (MEMBRA) that is investigating abiotic and biotic stress induced epigenetic changes in trees and whether these changes are passed on to future generations. And I am PI of the Tree Production Innovation Fund project Development of Regenerative Tree Nursery Practice (2023-2025) that is investigating the use of municipal green waste as sustainable source of organic matter for compost use in horticulture. I was the PI of the Sêr Cymru NRN-LCEE research cluster Multi-Land that researched the evidence-base around Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity and Ecosystem Service Resilience in Multifunctional Landscapes. 

Research Areas:

  1. Article › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    Sustained impact of drought on wet shrublands mediated by soil physical changes

    Dominguez, M. T., Sowerby, A., Smith, A. R., Robinson, D. A., Van Baarsel, S., Mills, R. T., Marshall, M. R., Koller, E., Lebron, I., Hall, J. & Emmett, B. A., 18 Dec 2014, In: Biogeochemistry. 122, 2-3, p. 151-163

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  3. Published

    Temperature dependence of soil respiration modulated by thresholds in soil water availability across European shrubland ecosystems

    Lellei-Kovács, E., Botta-Dukat, Z., de Dato, G., Estiarte, M., Guidolotti, G., Kopittke, G. R., Kovács-Láng, E., Kröel-Dulay, G., Steeben Larsen, K., Penuelas, J., Smith, A., Sowerby, A., Tietema, A. & Scmidt, I. K., Dec 2016, In: Ecosystems. 19, 8, p. 1460-1477

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  4. Published

    Trace element composition of tree fodder and potential nutritional use for livestock

    Kendall, N., Smith, J., Whistance, L., Stergiadis, S., Stoate, C., Chesshire, H. & Smith, A., Aug 2021, In: Livestock Science. 250, 104560.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  5. Published

    Traits of dominant species and soil properties co -regulate soil microbial communities across land restoration types in a subtropical plateau region of Southwest China

    University, Y., China, K., Duan, C., Smith, A. R. & Jones, D. L., 15 Jun 2020, In: Ecological Engineering. 153

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  6. Published

    Tree diversity effects on soil microbial biomass and respiration are context dependent across forest diversity experiments

    Cesarz, S., Craven, D., Auge, H., Bruelheide, H., Castagneyrol, B., Gutknecht, J., Hector, A., Jactel, H., Koricheva, J., Messier, C., Muys, B., O'Brien, M. J., Paquette, A., Ponette, Q., Potvin, C., Reich, P., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Smith, A., Verheyen, K. & Eisenhauer, N., May 2022, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 31, 5, p. 872-885

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  7. Published

    Tree species diversity interacts with elevated CO2 to induce a greater root system response

    Smith, A. R., Lukac, M., Bambrick, M., Miglietta, F. & Godbold, D. L., 1 Jan 2013, In: Global Change Biology. 19, 1, p. 217-228

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  8. Published

    Tree species identity influences the vertical distribution of labile and recalcitrant carbon in a temperate deciduous forest soil

    Ahmed, I. U., Smith, A. R., Jones, D. L. & Godbold, D. L., 26 Jul 2015, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 359, p. 352-360

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  9. Published

    Variation in root morphology amongst tree species influences soil hydraulic conductivity and macroporosity

    Webb, B., Robinson, D., Marshall, M., Ford, H., Pagella, T., Healey, J. & Smith, A., 1 Nov 2022, In: Geoderma. 425, 116057.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  10. Paper › Research › Not peer-reviewed
  11. Published

    BangorFACE: Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on broadleaf trees

    Lukac, M., Smith, A., Brook, R. M., Turner, G., Bambrick, M., Hoosbeek, M., Miglietta, F. & Godbold, D. L., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  12. Article › Research
  13. Published

    Trees, water storage and flooding in upland agricultural landscapes: why do we need to know more?

    Ford, H., Smith, A., Pagella, T. & Healey, J., 1 Apr 2016, Forestry & Timber News, April 2016, p. 27-28.

    Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

  14. Other contribution › Research › Not peer-reviewed
  15. Published

    Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme (ERAMMP): ERAMMP Report-32: National Forest in Wales - Evidence Review. Report to Welsh Government (Contract C210/2016/2017)

    Beauchamp, K., Jenkins, T., Alison, J., Bathgate, S., Bell, C., Braban, C. F., Broome, A., Bursnell, M., Burton, V., Dickie, I. A., Doick, K. J., Evans, C. D., Fitch, A., Griffiths, R., Hall, C., Healey, J., Jones, L., Keith, A. M., Kerr, G., Kuyer, J., Maskell, L. C., Matthews, R. W., Morison, J., Nicoll, B., Nisbet, T., O'Brien, L., Old, G. H., Pagella, T., Perks, M. P., Robinson, D. A., Saraev, V., Smart, S. M., Smith, A., Siriwardena, G. M., Swetnam, R. D., Thomas, A. R. C., Tye, A., Valatin, G., Warren-Thomas, E., Wong, J. & Emmett, B. A., 28 Aug 2020, 46 p. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology .

    Research output: Other contribution

  16. Published

    Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme (ERAMMP). ERAMMP Report-37: National Forest in Wales - Evidence Review Annex-5: Ecosystem Services. Report to Welsh Government (Contract C210/2016/2017)

    Beauchamp, K., O'Brien, L., Hall, C., Swetnam, R. D., Jenkins, T., Doick, K. J., Nisbet, T., Old, G. H., Evans, C. D., Nicoll, B., Jones, L., Braban, C. F., Robinson, D. A., Burton, V., Dickie, I. A., Tye, A., Smith, A., Pagella, T. & Perks, M. P., 28 Aug 2020, 90 p. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology .

    Research output: Other contribution

  17. Published

    Tree leaves as supplementary feed for ruminant livestock

    Kendall, N., Smith, J., Whistance, L., Stergiadis, S., Stoate, C., Chesshire, H. & Smith, A., 1 Nov 2019, 4 p. Woodland Trust Research Briefing

    Research output: Other contribution

  18. Commissioned report › Research › Not peer-reviewed
  19. Published

    Science to Policy: Impacts of trees on farm ecosystem services

    Wiik, E., Toberman, H., Ford, H., Webb, B., Healey, J., Pagella, T., Marley, C. & Smith, A., 19 Mar 2019, Ser Cymru National Research Network for Low Carbon, Energy and Environment. 8 p.

    Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

  20. Review article › Research › Peer-reviewed
  21. Published

    Genome sequence of the nematode C-elegans: A platform for investigating biology

    C. elegans sequencing consortium & Smith, A., 11 Dec 1998, In: Science. 282, 5396, p. 2012-2018

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

  22. Published

    How the worm was won - the C-elegans genome sequencing project

    C. elegans sequencing consortium & Smith, A., Feb 1999, In: Trends in Genetics. 15, 2, p. 51-58

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

  23. Published

    Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome

    International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium & Smith, A., 15 Feb 2001, In: Nature. 409, 6822, p. 860-921

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

  24. Published

    Role of forested land for natural flood management in the UK: A review

    Cooper, M., Patil, S., Nisbet, T., Thomas, H., Smith, A. & McDonald, M., Sept 2021, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water. 8, 5, e1541.

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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