Emeritus Professor
Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Professor of Soil SciencePhD - Sheffield BSc - Aberdeen
Applied soil science, including:
land evaluation techniques computer mapping of soil properties micromorphology soil analysis for archaeology
Broad Subject Area of Current Research Soil micromorphology with special reference to effects of past cultivation practices; legacy of contamination from manuring in the past; soils and archaeology Current Activities: Appointed by the Scottish Government to Chair the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Editor-in-Chief Soil Use and Management (Wileys-Blackwells on behalf of the British Society of Soil Science)
The Nature, distribution and significance of carbon soils.
PI:
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–
Investigations at Pinkie.
PI:
Funded by: C F A Archaeology Ltd
–
Blue Skies PhD Support Student: Ben Pears
PI: Professor Donald Davidson
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–
The impact of waste disposal from the late Medieval Burghs on local soils
PI: Professor Donald Davidson
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–
Book Chapter
Adderley WP, Wilson C, Simpson I & Davidson D (2010) Anthropogenic Features. In: Stoops G, Marcelino V & Mees F (eds.) Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 577-596. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.editors/716493/description#description
Article
Davidson D, Wilson C, Lemos IS & Theocharopoulos SP (2010) Tell formation processes as indicated from geoarchaeological and geochemical investigations at Xeropolis, Euboea, Greece. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37 (7), pp. 1564-1571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.01.017
Website Content
Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeology (SASSA)
Davidson D, Wilson C, Pollard E, Cairns D, Cowie J & Blunn M (2009) Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeology (SASSA). 2009. www.sassa.org.uk.
Article
Wilson C & Davidson D (2009) An evaluation of the site specificity of soil elemental signatures for identifying and interpreting former functional areas. Journal of Archaeological Science, 36 (10), pp. 2327-2334. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03054403; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2009.06.022
Article
A Mobile Knowledge Management and Decision Support Tool for Soil Analysis
Cowie J, Cairns D, Blunn M, Wilson C, Pollard E & Davidson D (2009) A Mobile Knowledge Management and Decision Support Tool for Soil Analysis. International Journal of Information Management, 29 (5), pp. 397-406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2009.02.004
Article
Donaldson MP, Edwards KJ, Meharg AA, Deacon C & Davidson D (2009) Land use history of Village Bay, Hirta, St Kilda World Heritage Site: A palynological investigation of plaggen soils. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 153 (1-2), pp. 46-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2008.06.005
Article
Thomas J, Simpson I & Davidson D (2008) GIS mapping of anthropogenic soils in Scotland: investigating the location and vulnerability of Scottish plagen-type soils. Atti della Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali - Memorie serie A, 112, pp. 85-90. http://www.stsn.it/serAvolCXII.htm
Article
Adesodun JK, Davidson D & Mbagwu JSC (2008) Soil quality assessment of an oil-contaminated tropical Alfisol amended with organic wastes using image analysis of pore space. Geoderma, 146 (1-2), pp. 166-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.05.013
Article
Adesodun JK, Davidson D & Mbagwu JSC (2008) Soil faunal activity of an oil-polluted tropical alfisol amended with organic wastes as determined by micromorphological observations. Applied Soil Ecology, 39 (1), pp. 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2007.11.006
Article
Wilson C, Davidson D & Cresser MS (2008) Multi-element soil analysis: an assessment of its potential as an aid to archaeological interpretation. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35 (2), pp. 412-424. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03054403; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2007.04.006
Book Chapter
Mobile decision making and knowledge management: supporting geoarchaelogists in the field
Blunn M, Cowie J, Cairns D, Wilson C & Davidson D (2007) Mobile decision making and knowledge management: supporting geoarchaelogists in the field. In: Cardoso J, Cordeiro J & Filipe J (eds.) ICEIS 2007 - Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems Volume AIDSS June 12-16, 2007, Funchal, Portugal. ICEIS - International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems conference series. Denmark: Interaction Design Foundation, pp. 57-62. http://www.interaction-design.org/references/conferences/iceis_2007_-_proceedings_of_the_ninth_international_conference_on_enterprise_information_systems_volume_aidss.html
Article
Wilson C, Davidson D & Cresser MS (2007) Evaluating the use of multi-element soil analysis in archaeology: a study of a postmedieval croft (Olligarth) in Shetland. Atti della Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali - Memorie serie A, 112, pp. 69-79. http://www.stsn.it/serAvolCXII.htm
Article
The identification and significance of inputs to Anthrosols in North-West Europe
Davidson D, Dercon G, Simpson I, Dalsgaard K, Spek T & Plant DA (2007) The identification and significance of inputs to Anthrosols in North-West Europe. Atti della Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali - Memorie serie A, 112, pp. 79-83. http://www.stsn.it/serAvolCXII.htm
Article
The legacy of past manuring practices on soil contamination in remote rural areas
Davidson D, Wilson C, Meharg AA, Deacon C & Edwards KJ (2007) The legacy of past manuring practices on soil contamination in remote rural areas. Environment International, 33 (1), pp. 78-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2006.07.001
Article
Quantifying the threat to archaeological sites from the erosion of cultivated soil
Wilkinson K, Tyler A, Davidson D & Grieve I (2006) Quantifying the threat to archaeological sites from the erosion of cultivated soil. Antiquity, 80 (309), pp. 658-670. http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/080/ant0800658.htm
Article
Wilson C, Bacon JR, Cresser MS & Davidson D (2006) Lead isotope ratios as a means of sourcing anthropogenic lead in archaeological soils: A pilot study of an abandoned Shetland croft. Archaeometry, 48 (3), pp. 501-509. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2006.00269.x
Article
Wilson C, Cresser M & Davidson D (2006) Sequential element extraction of soils from abandoned farms: an investigation of the partitioning of anthropogenic element inputs from historic land use. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 8 (4), pp. 439-444. https://doi.org/10.1039/b516614d
Article
Historic landscape management: a validation of quantitative soil thin-section analyses
Adderley WP, Simpson I & Davidson D (2006) Historic landscape management: a validation of quantitative soil thin-section analyses. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33 (3), pp. 320-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2005.07.016
Article
Guttmann EB, Simpson I, Davidson D & Dockrill SJ (2006) The Management of Arable Land from Prehistory to the Present: Case Studies from the Northern Isles of Scotland. Geoarchaeology, 21 (1), pp. 61-92. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.20089
Article
Developing SASSA: a Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeologists
Wilson C, Davidson D, Pollard E, Cowie J, Cairns D & Blunn M (2005) Developing SASSA: a Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeologists. Internet Archaeology, (25). https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.25.4
Book Chapter
Manuring practices in antiquity: a review of the evidence
Guttmann EB, Simpson I & Davidson D (2005) Manuring practices in antiquity: a review of the evidence. In: Smith D, Brickley M & Smith W (eds.) Fertile Ground: Papers in Honour of Susan Limbrey. Symposia of the Association for Environmental Archaeology, 22. Oxford: Oxbow Books, pp. 68-76. http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/fertile-ground.html
Book Chapter
The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and spatial pattern in early landscapes
Davidson D & Simpson I (2005) The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and spatial pattern in early landscapes. In: Wiens J & Moss M (eds.) Issues and Perspectives in Landscape Ecology. Cambridge Studies in Landscape Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 152-158. http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/life-sciences/ecology-and-conservation/issues-and-perspectives-landscape-ecology#
Book Chapter
Lancaster S, Simpson I & Davidson D (2005) Soil micomorphology. In: Bradley R (ed.) The Moon and the Bonfire: An investigation of three stone circles in north-east Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, pp. 42-46, 68-72.
Article
Wilson C, Davidson D & Cresser M (2005) An evaluation of multielement analysis of historic soil contamination to differentiate space use and former function in and around abandoned farms. Holocene, 15 (7), pp. 1094-1099. https://doi.org/10.1191/0959683605hl881rr
Article
Dercon G, Davidson D, Dalsgaard K, Simpson I, Spek T & Thomas J (2005) Formation of sandy anthropogenic soils in NW Europe: Identification of inputs based on particle size distribution. CATENA, 59 (3), pp. 341-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2004.08.001
Article
Davidson D, Bruneau PMC, Grieve I & Wilson C (2004) Micromorphological assessment of the effect of liming on faunal excrement in an upland grassland soil. Applied Soil Ecology, 26 (3), pp. 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2004.01.006
Article
Priorities towards national-level soil protection: a survey of soil stakeholders in Scotland
Adderley WP, Davidson D, Salt C, Grieve I & Hopkins D (2004) Priorities towards national-level soil protection: a survey of soil stakeholders in Scotland. Soil Use and Management, 20 (2), pp. 190-194. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118773243/abstract; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00356.x
Conference Proceeding
Thomas J, Simpson I, Davidson D & Gauld JH (2003) GIS mapping of anthropogenic soils in Scotland: investigating the location and vulnerability of Scottish plaggen soil deposits. In: Boschian (ed.) Second International Conference on Soils and Archaeology. Second International Conference on Soils and Archaeology, Pisa, Italy, 12.05.2003-15.05.2003. Pisa: G, pp. 127-128.
Article
Colour description and quantification in mosaic images of soil thin sections
Adderley WP, Simpson I & Davidson D (2002) Colour description and quantification in mosaic images of soil thin sections. Geoderma, 108 (3-4), pp. 181-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7061%2802%2900123-4
Research Report
Issues associated with the development of a Soil Protection Strategy for Scotland
Adderley WP, Davidson D, Grieve I, Hopkins D & Salt C (2001) Issues associated with the development of a Soil Protection Strategy for Scotland. Scottish Executive. Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department.
Conference Proceeding
Quantitative micro-pedofeature analysis within archaeological soils ~ past manuring practices
Adderley WP, Simpson I & Davidson D (2001) Quantitative micro-pedofeature analysis within archaeological soils ~ past manuring practices. In: Bautista P & Barba L (eds.) Archaeometry 2000: Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium on Archaeometry Mexico City, May 15-19 2000. Archaeometry 2000: 32nd International Symposium on Archaeometry, Mexico City, 15.05.2000-19.05.2000. Mexico City: UNAM. http://www.ims.demokritos.gr/ISA/ISA_symposium_info.php?SYMP=32&PHPSESSID=f7d39ba0d900674375dd88e686a39132
Book Chapter
Archaeology and soil micromorphology
Davidson D & Simpson I (2001) Archaeology and soil micromorphology. In: Brothwell D & Pollard A (eds.) Handbook of Archaeological Sciences. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 167-177. http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470014768.html
Article
In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields
Tyler A, Davidson D & Grieve I (2001) In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields. Soil Use and Management, 17 (2), pp. 88-96. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2001.tb00013.x/pdf; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2001.tb00013.x
Article
The extent and significance of bioturbation on Cs-137 distributions in upland soils
Tyler A, Carter S, Davidson D, Long DJ & Tipping R (2001) The extent and significance of bioturbation on Cs-137 distributions in upland soils. CATENA, 43 (2), pp. 81-99. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0341816200001272; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162%2800%2900127-2
Book Chapter
The replication of pollen stratigraphies in soil pollen profiles: a test
Long DJ, Tipping R, Carter S, Davidson D, Boag B & Tyler A (2000) The replication of pollen stratigraphies in soil pollen profiles: a test. In: Harley M, Morton C & Blackmore S (eds.) Pollen and Spores: Morphology and Biology. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, pp. 481-497. http://www.kewbooks.co.uk/asps/ShowDetails.asp?id=21
Conference Proceeding
Adderley WP, Simpson I, Lockheart MJ, Evershed RP & Davidson D (2000) Modelling traditional manuring practices in the North Atlantic context: Soil sustainability of a Shetland island community?. In: Rees R, Ball B, Watson C & Campbell C (eds.) Sustainable Management of Soil Organic Matter. 'The Sustainable Management of Soil Organic Matter': British Society of Soil Science Annual Meeting 1999, Edinburgh, 15.09.1999-17.09.1999. Wallingford: CAB International, pp. 173-179. http://bookshop.cabi.org/default.aspx?site=191&page=2633&pid=1486
Book Chapter
Palaeosols of the Clava Cairns
Simpson I & Davidson D (2000) Palaeosols of the Clava Cairns. In: Bradley R (ed.) The Good Stones: A New Investigation of the Clava Cairns. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series, 17. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries Scotland, pp. 89-96.
Article
Adderley WP, Simpson I, Lockheart MJ, Evershed RP & Davidson D (2000) Modeling Traditional Manuring Practice: Soil Organic Matter Sustainability of an Early Shetland Community?. Human Ecology, 28 (3), pp. 415-431. https://doi.org/10.1023/A%3A1007057531680
Poster
Soils and the historical dimension of agrarian sustainability
Adderley WP, Simpson I & Davidson D (2000) Soils and the historical dimension of agrarian sustainability. EURESCO conference 2000: The ecological setting of Europe: from the past to the future - European Agriculture on its way from the past to modern time, Höör, Sweden, 16.09.2000-21.09.2000.
Poster
Quantitative micro-pedofeature analysis within archaeological soils ~ past manuring practices
Adderley WP, Simpson I & Davidson D (2000) Quantitative micro-pedofeature analysis within archaeological soils ~ past manuring practices. 32nd International Symposium on Archaeometry, Mexico City, 15.05.2000-19.05.2000. http://www.ims.demokritos.gr/ISA/ISA_symposium_info.php?SYMP=32&PHPSESSID=e073cfa0863972273f9290e7be641b67
Book Chapter
Testing the potential of soil-stratigraphic palynology in podsols
Tipping R, Long DJ, Carter S, Davidson D, Tyler A & Boag B (1999) Testing the potential of soil-stratigraphic palynology in podsols. In: Pollard A (ed.) Geoarchaeology: exploration, environments, resources. Geological Society Special Publication, 165. Bath: Geological Society of London, pp. 79-90. http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/en/Publications/Bookshop/Search/SP165.aspx?ec_trk=followlist&ec_trk_data=Search; https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.165.01.06
Book Chapter
The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and spatial pattern in early landscapes
Davidson D & Simpson I (1999) The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and spatial pattern in early landscapes. In: Wiens J & Moss M (eds.) Issues in Landscape Ecology. Guelph, Ontario: International Association of Landscape Ecology, pp. 55-58.
Article
Davidson D, Carter S, Boag B, Long DJ, Tipping R & Tyler A (1999) Analysis of pollen in soils: processes of incorporation and redistribution of pollen in five soil profile types. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 31 (5), pp. 643-653. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071798001230; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717%2898%2900123-0
Book Chapter
Palaeosols of the Cleaven Dyke
Simpson I & Davidson D (1998) Palaeosols of the Cleaven Dyke. In: Barclay G & Maxwell G (eds.) The Cleaven Dyke and Littleour: Monuments in the Neolithic of Tayside. Society of Antiquaries for Scotland Monograph Series, 13. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries for Scotland, pp. 36-42.
Article
Archaeological sites: Assessment of erosion risk
Davidson D, Grieve I, Tyler A, Barclay GJ & Maxwell GS (1998) Archaeological sites: Assessment of erosion risk. Journal of Archaeological Science, 25 (9), pp. 857-860. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440397902235; https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1997.0223
Article
Carter S, Tipping R, Davidson D, Long DJ & Tyler A (1997) A multiproxy approach to the function of postmedieval ridge-and-furrow cultivation in upland northern Britain. Holocene, 7 (4), pp. 447-456. http://hol.sagepub.com/content/7/4/447; https://doi.org/10.1177/095968369700700407
Book Chapter
Soil pollen analysis: a new approach to understanding the stratigraphic integrity of data
Tipping R, Carter S, Davidson D, Long DJ & Tyler A (1997) Soil pollen analysis: a new approach to understanding the stratigraphic integrity of data. In: Sinclair A (ed.) Archaeological Sciences 1995. Oxbow Monographs in Archaeology. Oxford: Oxbow Books, pp. 221-232. http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/archaeological-sciences-1995.html
Article
The Cleaven Dyke: A Neolithic cursus monument/bank barrow in Tayside region, Scotland
Barclay GJ, Simpson I & Davidson D (1995) The Cleaven Dyke: A Neolithic cursus monument/bank barrow in Tayside region, Scotland. Antiquity, 69 (263), pp. 317-326. http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/ant/069/Ant0690317.htm