Joined ERI: November 2006

Background

• BSc (Hons) Landscape Ecology, The University of Northumbria at Newcastle, July 2001

• MSc Geomorphology and Environmental Change, The University of Durham, November 2002

• PhD Physical Geography, title ' Natural Revegetation of Eroded Blanket Peat: Implications for Blanket Bog Restoration', The University of Manchester, June 2007

Research Interests

My main research interest is in the geoecological development of Northern Peatland systems, particularly those that have gone through major alterations due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.   In the past this has included understanding the role of large deposited peat blocks in the functioning of peatland stream ecosystems to more recently looking at how the morphology of eroded peat gullies controls the subsequent recolonisation and development of their plant communities.  I have recently undertaken some exploratory palaeoecological work to look at the possible causes for both the degradation and changes in plant communities in higher altitude (300-500 m asl) Watershed Mire catchments.  This work is being incorporated into several research grant applications to form part of a larger project on the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on the long-term development of peatland ecological communities. 

In addition I have research interests in the long-term sustainability and functioning of peatland and other upland ecosystems.  I am currently involved (with CEH, Edinburgh) in a long-term project looking at the role of management in previously afforested blanket bog on carbon fluxes at the Cross Lochs catchment in Sutherland.  In addition I have being working on a research grant project with Richard Lindsay (UEL) to look at the role of occult deposition in the functioning of Sphagnum-based communities.  I am always keen to develop new collaborations, therefore please feel free to contact me to discuss potential projects or ideas. 

Selected Publications

• Crowe, S.K., Evans, M.G. and Allott, T. M. (2008) Geomorphological controls on the re-vegetation of erosion gullies in blanket peat: Implications for bog restoration. Mires and Peat Journal, 3. (http://www.mires-and-peat.net/map03/map_03_01.pdf)

• Crowe, S. K and Warburton, J. (2007) significance of large peat blocks for river channel habitat and stream organic budgets. Mires and Peat 2: 1-15. (http://www.mires-and-peat.net/map02/map_02_04.pdf)

• Evans, M., Allott, T., Crowe, S. and Liddaman, L. (2005) Understanding gully blocking in deep peat. In Understanding Gully Blocking in Deep Peat, Moor for the Future Report No.4

Selected Presentations

•Crowe, S. K, Evans, M. G. and Allott, T. E. Physical controls on the development of plant communities in eroded blanket bog gullies.  Poster presented at the workshop on International Perspectives on Peatland Degradation and Management, The University of Manchester, June 2007

•Crowe, S. K., Evans, M. G. and Allott, T. E. Classification and characterization of eroded peat gullies: High Peak Estate, Southern Pennines, UK. Oral presentation at the RGS-IGB Annual Conference, London, September 2006.

• Crowe, S. K. Revegetated peat gully systems: classification and characterization, Poster presented at the EGU Annual Conference, Vienna, Austria, April 2006.

• Crowe, S. K. Recent and Historic Natural Gully Revegetation in the High Peak Estate, Peak District NP: A natural analogue approach, Oral presentation at the RGS-IGB/BRG Workshop Blanket Bog in the Peak District NP: The scope for restoration. Edale, Derbyshire, April 2005.

• Crowe, S. K. Geomorphological Controls on the Revegetation of Gullies in Blanket Peat: Implications for Bog Restoration. Oral presentation at the IGU-UK/BGRG Joint Conference, Glasgow, August 2004.

Other Info:

Membership of the British Ecological Society and British Society for Geomorphology

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and member of the associated Biogeography Research Group.

Currently also working towards Summer Mountain Leader Award

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