- A519 Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584798
- thomas.murphy@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Thomas Murphy
Lecturer in Environmental Sciences
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Biography
Biography
Early career researcher (ECR) interested in the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to tackle local and global environmental issues. I am a lecturer in Environmental Sciences. For more information about my work, visit:
Qualifications
Greenwalls Industrial Research Fellow (2020 - 2023) - Low Carbon Devon project - University of Plymouth& European Regional Development Fund. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/sustainability-hub-low-carbon-devon
PhD(2016 - 2020)- University of Plymouth & UK Environment Agency:
PhD(2016 - 2020)- University of Plymouth & UK Environment Agency:
- Thesis title - Optimising oak woodland establishment into UK upland pastures in the context of climate change; and the role of oak woodland in soil hydrological recovery for natural flood management. .
Bsc (2012 - 2016)- Environmental science(Hons) with extended year. First Class. University of Plymouth:
- Thesis title - Using a novel methodology to determine the environmental mechanisms governing the performance of native trees at an establishing woodland.
Professional membership
- British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)
- British Ecological Society (BES)
- International Oak Society (IOS)
Roles on external bodies
Moor Trees (2016 - present)- https://moortrees.org/
- Trustee
- Science and monitoring,
- Vision for Dartmoor.
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
I lecture and support students on BSc Environmental Science/Environmental Management & Sustainability on modules: ENVS1008, ENVS1009, ENVS1010, ENVS2002, ENVS2004, ENVS3001/3, ENVM3001/3.
I lecture and support students on Foundation Environmental Science - Urban Ecosystems.
I supervise MSc Environmental consultancy and Sustainable Environmental Management projects.
I co-supervise two PhD projects:
I lecture and support students on Foundation Environmental Science - Urban Ecosystems.
I supervise MSc Environmental consultancy and Sustainable Environmental Management projects.
I co-supervise two PhD projects:
- Katerina Chernyuk - 'Restoring Atlantic Oakwoods in Ireland and Great Britain – Strategies and Perceptions'
- Ndabezinhle Maposa - 'An evaluation of the opportunities and public benefits from expansion of Temperate Rainforests (TR) in UK protected landscapes'.
Research
Research
Research interests
Nature-based Solutions
I am an early career scientist. My research looks at plant-soil interactions to better manage nature-based solution (NbS) interventions. I study how best native woodland restoration, and greenwalls can support to support outcomes of carbon net zero, biodiversity net gain and sustainable environmental management.
Participatory monitoring- my work explores citizen science methodologies to foster science engagement and data collection and I have developed participatory monitoring approaches associated with native woodland creation.
Multi-disciplinary- I collaborate on projects which span subject boundaries and discipline divides to ensure research is impactful and solutions focused. I welcome opportunities to work together with partners from outside physical sciences.
Participatory monitoring- my work explores citizen science methodologies to foster science engagement and data collection and I have developed participatory monitoring approaches associated with native woodland creation.
Multi-disciplinary- I collaborate on projects which span subject boundaries and discipline divides to ensure research is impactful and solutions focused. I welcome opportunities to work together with partners from outside physical sciences.
Projects
Trees for Climate - Creative Associates 2021 - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/institutes/sustainable-earth/creative-associates/trees-for-climate
Expanding Temperate Rainforests - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/study-shows-how-temperate-rainforests-can-aid-the-fight-against-climate-change
Climate science- https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/future-rainfall-could-far-outweigh-current-climate-predictions-study-suggests
Native woodland - soil hydrology- https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/new-woodlands-can-help-reduce-flooding-risk-within-15-years
Livingwalls- https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/living-walls-can-reduce-heat-lost-from-buildings-by-over-30-study-shows
Research groups
Lead
applied Nature-based Solutions Research Interest Group (aNbS RIG) - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/sustainable-earth/applied-nature-based-solutions-research-interest-group
Member
BGC - Bio-geochemistry - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/biogeochemistry
Ecology & Evolution - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/ecology-and-evolution-research-group
Member
BGC - Bio-geochemistry - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/biogeochemistry
Ecology & Evolution - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/ecology-and-evolution-research-group
Other research
Moor Trees - Surveys and monitoring using citizen science - https://moortrees.org/our-work/woodland-surveys-and-research/
Grants & contracts
Murphy TR, Whitehead N, Fox M, Wilson T. (2024) Livingwalls for NetZero (LNZ): A live research and engagement project. Net Zero Solutions Fund - £7,500
Murphy TR, Chernyuk K, Roszkowski M, Lewin S, Maposa N, Lunt PH, Buckley J. (2024) State of Temperate Rainforest mapping and report: SW England. South West Rainforest Alliance - £15,000
Murphy TR, Aljafer N (2023) Growing in Small Spaces project. Enterprize R & D Solutions Fund - £ £17,468.20
Glegg G, Wilson O, Murphy TR, Lewin S, Castle D (2023) DARCEE project. NERC Growing Roots: Environmental science public engagement 2023 - 24 - £ 10,000
Whitehead M, Murphy TR (2022) - Piloting Precision Pastoralism: moving upland agriculture into a big data world. Seale Hayne Educational Trust - £ 3,409.77
Murphy TR, Kelly C, Kilburn J. (2022) Mapping Treescape Narratives (MTN). Sustainable Earth Institute - Small Collaborative Award- £ 3,000.
Murphy TR, Smith D (2021) SEI Creative Associates - 'Trees for Climate: an emergency Help-guide' - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/institutes/sustainable-earth/creative-associates/trees-for-climate. £4,000.
Murphy TR, Lunt P - Dartmoor Headwaters Project. Environment Agency. 2018. £18,000.
Murphy TR - Santander Seed-Corn Research Scholarship. 2017. £1,000.
Glegg G, Wilson O, Murphy TR, Lewin S, Castle D (2023) DARCEE project. NERC Growing Roots: Environmental science public engagement 2023 - 24 - £ 10,000
Whitehead M, Murphy TR (2022) - Piloting Precision Pastoralism: moving upland agriculture into a big data world. Seale Hayne Educational Trust - £ 3,409.77
Murphy TR, Kelly C, Kilburn J. (2022) Mapping Treescape Narratives (MTN). Sustainable Earth Institute - Small Collaborative Award- £ 3,000.
Murphy TR, Smith D (2021) SEI Creative Associates - 'Trees for Climate: an emergency Help-guide' - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/institutes/sustainable-earth/creative-associates/trees-for-climate. £4,000.
Murphy TR, Lunt P - Dartmoor Headwaters Project. Environment Agency. 2018. £18,000.
Murphy TR - Santander Seed-Corn Research Scholarship. 2017. £1,000.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2024) 'Soil saturation limits early oak establishment in upland pastures for restoration of Atlantic oak woodlands' Forest Ecology and Management 561, 121895-121895 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Comparing the thermal conductivity of three artificial soils under differing moisture and density conditions for use in green infrastructure' Soil Use and Management , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Understanding the thermal benefits of retrofitting ‘living walls’ to existing buildings' Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering 175, (2) 53-53 , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Optimizing opportunities for oak woodland expansion into upland pastures' Ecological Solutions and Evidence 3, (1) , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Living wall systems for improved thermal performance of existing buildings' Building and Environment 207, , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Native woodland establishment improves soil hydrological functioning in
UK
upland pastoral catchments' Land Degradation & Development 32, (2) 1034-1045 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Deviation between projected and observed precipitation trends greater with altitude' Climate Research , DOI Open access
Presentations and posters
Murphy TR, Hanley M, Ellis J, Lunt P (2020) Factors affecting native oak establishment in UK upland pasture vary through early life history (Webinar presentation). Nature Based Solutions (NbS) – Digital dialogues www.nbsguidelines.info
Other Publications
Popular Science:
Murphy TR (2022) Restoring Forgotten Rainforests – The Case to Expand and Re-Connect ‘Atlantic’ Oak Woodlands - Moor Trees blog https://moortrees.org/restoring-forgotten-rainforests/
Murphy TR(2020) Ten year woodland surveys - Moor Trees Newsletter, Autumn edition, pp 5 (edited by Wisbey, N).
Murphy TR(2018) Wistmans wood – examing the response of oak trees to climate in a special woodland. Moor Trees Newsletter, Spring edition, pp 5.
Murphy TR(2015) Research on tree stress at Howton Down. Moor Trees Newsletter, Autumn edition, pp 4.
Murphy TR (2022) Restoring Forgotten Rainforests – The Case to Expand and Re-Connect ‘Atlantic’ Oak Woodlands - Moor Trees blog https://moortrees.org/restoring-forgotten-rainforests/
Murphy TR(2020) Ten year woodland surveys - Moor Trees Newsletter, Autumn edition, pp 5 (edited by Wisbey, N).
Murphy TR(2018) Wistmans wood – examing the response of oak trees to climate in a special woodland. Moor Trees Newsletter, Spring edition, pp 5.
Murphy TR(2015) Research on tree stress at Howton Down. Moor Trees Newsletter, Autumn edition, pp 4.
Personal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
Murphy TR (2021) Native Woodland creation as a 'Nature-based Solution' - Nature based Solutions (NbS) - Future Plymouth 2030 webinar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUIvwhkF3CQ&t=2435s
Murphy TR(2021) Optimising Greenwalls - Biodiversity & Carbon Sequestration - Future Plymouth 2030 webinar - https://www.futureplymouth2030.co.uk/webinars/7-biodiversity-carbon-sequestration
Murphy TR(2020) Moor Trees woodland surveys - Key note speech at Moor Trees Annual General Meeting - online.
Murphy TR (2020) Why plant trees? - Plymouth Tree Partnership (PTP). Sustainability Hub, Kirkby Lodge, Plymouth, UK.
Murphy TR(2019) Slowing the flow - conference speech. British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) Early Career Researcher (ECR) conference, Sheffield, UK. - Prize for best talk.
Murphy TR (2018) At the limits of growth? – Evidence for impacts of recent cimate change on the growth of Quercus roburin relic upland Atlantic oak woodland, Wistmans Wood, Dartmoor National Park. Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography 8: 45. World conference on Ecology, Berlin, Germany. doi:10.4172/2157-7625-C1-032.
Murphy TR(2016) Woodland & climate change - Key note speech at Moor Trees Annual General Meeting, Woodah farm, Devon, UK
Conferences organised
Mapping Treescape Narratives workshop (July 2022) Lukesland Cafe, Harford, Dartmoor.
Grey to Green: Exploring opportunities for green roofs and walls - (1st November 2021) https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/grey-to-green
Green Wall Practitioner Help Guide:
A practical help guide event for all green wall practitioners - (5th October 2021)
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/sustainability-hub-low-carbon-devon/green-wall-practitioner-workshop
Natural Flood Management day - (14th July 2019) -
Bringing climate change and natural flood management science to local stakeholders and hearing from flood affected residents. Venue - Buckfastleigh Town Hall - Support from Buckfastleigh Flood Action Group and UK Environment Agency.
Other academic activities
Woodland on Dartmoor (19th August 2018) - The potential benefits of woodland for Natural Flood Management. Venue - Dendles Waste - field trip to discuss climate change and land management in UK uplands - Support from Moor Trees (Moortrees.org).
Additional information
Media appearances:BBC Radio Four - Farming Today - tree planting targets - Spring 2023
BBC Radio Devon - Multiple appearances
BBC Radio Devon - Multiple appearances