Dr Ross Cameron

BSc. PhD.

 Senior Lecturer Landscape Management,
Ecology & Design

Telephone: 0114 222 0614
Room 12.6

email: r.w.cameron@sheffield.ac.uk

Biography

I am a landscape horticulturalist specializing in the use and value of landscape plants. I graduated with a BSc in Horticulture (Amenity), followed by a PhD investigating Cold tolerance in Rhododendron (both degrees at the University of Strathclyde / Scottish Agricultural College).

Having been bitten by the research ‘bug’ in my PhD my first salaried position was with Horticultural Research International (HRI-East Malling), where I was appointed a Research Team Leader working on the propagation and production of hardy ornamental nursery stock. This continued the theme of how plants responded to stressful environments (and how environments could be made less stressful to enable ‘difficult to propagate’ species to root successfully). During this period my interest grew on how plants utilized their resources and conducted research into more sustainable use of these resources, with a number of research projects focusing on water management and improving crop quality (e.g. promoting more compact ornamental plants with better flower coverage, whilst using less water). Determining practical ways in which growers could optimize the horticultural performance of their crops was a key driver, and a number of research projects were funded by the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and DEFRA, as well as pan-European Framework programmes. This close collaboration with industry resulted in my appointment in 1997 as ‘DEFRA’s ‘National Specialist’ for nursery stock production.

After 10 years as a Government research scientist, in 2002 I moved into academia, by becoming a lecturer in Landscape Management at the University of Reading. My research portfolio then broadened to include the role ornamental plants play within the landscape, focusing particularly on their environmental and ecological roles, but also developing interests on the relationship between people and plants (well-being, social and economic issues). Through this, I became a science advisor to two initiatives (PlantforLife / Greening the UK.) aimed at collating information on the relationship between plants and people, and raising awareness to the ‘eco-system services’ plants provide. This has resulted in a wide range of media activities as well as presentations to Parliamentary Committees. In 2011, I moved to the University of Sheffield, taking up the post of Senior Lecturer in Landscape Management, Ecology and Design.

Research Areas

My current research interests centre around green infrastructure and climate change mitigation, with a strong emphasis on providing recommendations on plant species choice with respect to eco-system function (city cooling, thermal insulation, flood tolerance, biodiversity enhancement, etc.). This includes currently supervising PhD projects on improving the thermal performance of buildings through appropriate plant selection e.g. on both green walls and green roofs. I am also interested in identifying those plant species robust enough to tolerate urban conditions (both current and future), whilst meeting their specifications for performance. Recent studies include investigations into Mediterranean species that tolerate winter flooding, and how warmer autumns affect development of young ornamental trees.
Developing more sustainable landscape management techniques is also a key driver in much of my research, and I have been involved in a number of projects investigating more efficient use of resources (water, organic waste streams as soil amendments, alternative growing media and energy). I led a DEFRA LINK project - Efficient use of water in horticulture which proposed a 2/3 reduction in water use during the production of ornamental plants. This project involved 14 partner organizations and was rated 9/10 by DEFRA – one of the highest ranking scores at the time. I have also more recently conducted projects evaluating the use of grey water for landscape applications. I work closely with industry partners, for example the Horticultural Trades Association on the ‘carbon footprint’ of plant production and maintenance; and the Royal Horticultural Society on maximizing invertebrate biodiversity through appropriate use of garden ornamentals.

As a landscape horticulturalist, I also am very keen to understand more about how people relate to the landscape and what sorts of plant-based designs provide strong resonance with the public and why? I am particularly interested the relationship between plants, ‘naturalistic’ landscapes and human well-being. As such I have worked on a number of consultations with stakeholders in this field, including MIND, the horticultural therapy charity THRIVE, The Royal Neurological Hospital and the Landscape Institute.

Funded Research Projects

2011 National Horticultural Fellowship (HDC/EMT/ HTA) – Nutrient management in ornamentals
2011 Establishment and management of Malaysian landscape ornamentals (Malaysian Gov.)
2010 Evaluating the potential of the non-grass lawn (various sponsors)
2010 Green roof plant species for the Mediterranean climate (Portuguese Gov.)
2010 RHS KTP – Plants for BUGS
2008 HTA Investigating the environmental impacts of gardening in the UK
2007 HDC Optimising leaf defoliation in young trees
2007 Grantscape- Market development for lower grade composts
2006 HDC Bedding plants – benchmarking current transport
2006 RHS Waterlogging intolerance and its remediation in Mediterranean plants
2004-2011 RHS Physiological development in garden plants.
2003-2011 HTA Reviews for ‘Plant for life’
2002 DEFRA Conventional and biotechnological genetic improvement of hardy nursery stock
2002 DEFRA To identify and overcome constraints to the efficient and consistent production of HNS in the UK.
2002 EU Framework Programme V. Improving Fraxinus (Ash) productivity for European needs by testing, selection, propagation and promotion of improved genetic resources.
2002 DEFRA Hortlink Improving the control and efficiency of water use in container-grown hardy ornamental nursery stock.

Areas of Potential Research Degree Supervision

Landscape plants and ecosystem services
Plant adaptation to stress
Habitat Management
Plant-people relationships

Memberships

Academic Member of the Landscape Institute (Royal Chartered Body for Landscape Architects in the United Kingdom).
Invited scientific ‘advisor’ to:
-The Agriculture and Horticultural Development Council. (Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture Panel)
-The Royal Horticultural Society.
-The ‘Plant for Life’ and ‘Greening the UK’ initiatives.
-Thrive (UK’s largest Horticultural Therapy Charity). 2003-2011

Academic Responsibilities

Director – Centre for Urban Biodiversity, University of Reading - 2008 onwards
Director – Student Career Development
Deputy Director – Centre for Horticulture and Landscape - 2002 onwards
Admission Tutor - B.Sc. Biological Sciences 2006-2010
External Examiner – University of Greenwich 2008-

Teaching Responsibilities

The dynamic nature of landscape architecture results in a highly rewarding teaching experience, not least, due to the opportunity to engage with students from diverse backgrounds with a wide-range of interests and viewpoints. Most of my teaching involves students taking theoretical knowledge and applying it in practice. The learning environment is often ‘outdoors in the field’, designed to stimulate and provoke thought, as well as encourage students to develop problem solving strategies.

Current Modules

LSC 210 Techniques in Landscape 2 – Habitats and Communities:

This includes understanding and classifying plant community structures and their importance in providing habitat for wildlife. Students gain experience in surveying and assessing a variety of different habitat types.

LSC 315 Restoration Ecology and Vegetation Management:

This module deals with strategies to improve the ecological richness particularly of degraded or poorly managed landscapes. Students become familiar with the key approaches to manage plant communities for nature conservation and biodiversity. They also gain valuable experience in developing site management plans and understanding the requirement to engage effectively with relevant ‘stake-holders’.

Previous modules (University of Reading)

Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management
Ecology; Species & their Interactions
Habitat Management
Landscapes for Amenity & Sport
Community & Landscape
Landscape and Sustainability
Living Landscapes (Urban green infrastructure and ecology)
The Contemporary British Landscape
Landscape Management Techniques
Landscape Management Systems
Amenity Turf Management
Amenity Horticulture

Extra Mural and Professional Activities

My professional activities are focused around climate change adaptation and more efficient use of resources, with advice being sought by Government and Industry. For example, my work with the ‘Greening the UK’ initiative has informed DEFRA’s latest white paper and policy formation in general. In addition, I have had direct engagement with 3 different UK Secretaries of State in the last 2 years and 4 invitations to attend parliamentary committees.
My contribution to impact extends to numerous media appearances and broadcasts, including national radio and television. I have also won a number of awards for my teaching and contributions to enhancing student employability.