Newcastle University

Research Interests

Keywords: rivers, wetlands, ecology, conservation management, fluvial geomorphology

Andy Large is Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography. He obtained his D.Phil. at the University of Ulster, his research topic being the peatland resources of Counties Fermanagh, Leitrim and Cavan, Ireland. Prior to his arrival at Newcastle in 1994, he worked for four and a half years in the Freshwater Environments Group of the Department of Geography at Loughborough University of Technology; here his interests diversified into the ecology and management of running water environments.

Research interests

Process-led fluvial hydrosystem conservation and management with a view to gaining an insight into the response of biotic communities to variations in geomorphological forcing on different time and spatial scales. My work involves the study of sediment transport processes in the UK and further afield, focusing particularly on vegetation and meso-scale changes over contemporary timescales. Of interest here is the identification and study of critical thresholds in order to understand patterns and effects of natural within-system variability and the effects of human influence and perturbation.

Timescales

1. Annual to decadal – geomorphology, hydrochemistry, ecology, but also incorporating event-based change.

2. Centennial to millennial- longer term system evolution, focusing on floodplain and wetland systems.

Disciplines

1. Physical:
i) Inter-relationships between hydrology, geomorphology and ecology in river-floodplain systems;
ii) Fluvial dynamics and of seasonal and ephemeral river systems, focusing on South African examples
(iii) Development of innovative sediment budgeting methodologies

2. Biological:
(i) Ecohydrology of instream, riparian and wetland systems
(ii) Sensitivity of vegetation communities to mineral extraction;
iii) Effects of system disturbance on macroinvertebrate communities and their spatial responses (a. changes in abundance and composition; b. migration, refugial populations);
iv) Ecology and management of invasive aquatic plants

Current Work

1. Long-term regional gravel-bed research programme (with collaborators in National centre for Geocomputation, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Massey University, New Zealand, and the Universities of Salford and Gloucestershire) examining sediment transfers and morphological adjustment in gravel-bed rivers in Northumberland and Cumbria.

Methodologies include total station survey, differential GPS and DEM generation. Currently work is being developed to incorporate:

2. Airborne LiDAR as a tool for modelling linkages between patch dynamics and community response to system change

(ARSF funding granted Jan 2004, data received October 2006).

Associated with this data acquisition is a phase of detailed ground-truthing using TLS sideways scanning laser equipment (Salford collaborators) and differential GPS. The reasearch is aimed at accurately quantifying the precision of airborne LiDAR imagery of river environments - something lacking until now. This is a necessary step in tackling scaling-up issues in applied fluvial geomorphology from the habitat scale to the reach and beyond (needed for incorporation of ecological integrity in the EU Water Framework Directives.

Previous studies by Large and others have quantified the applicability of LiDAR data for reach-scale topographic mapping of gravel-bed channel systems. To model interactions between the macro-scale system drivers (hydrology, sediment movement) and the biotic communities on the meso-scale (geomorphological unit, response to individual events) the requirement is for an integrated mapping approach by augmenting LiDAR using appropriately georeferenced ground survey. The central focus of this research programme is quantification of the 'properties of patchiness’ and how these influence river corridor processes and habitat availability and biodiversity.

Earlier approaches have focused on attributes such as patch geometry and sediment accrual, but have ignored the influence of this on habitat change. Research objectives include elucidating temporal aspects of patch formation, persistence and function, determining feedback mechanisms between patchiness, instream processes and biotic diversity and linking hydrological processes with ‘ex-channel habitat’ including the wider floodplain.

3. Earthwatch-funded research into proglacial river systems in Skeidarajokull, southeast Iceland.

These systems are of interest due to the dynamic nature of the glacial system associated with sub-ice volcanism in the Vatnajokull ice sheet. In the research location, periodic, high-magnitude floods (jokullhlaups) impact on a 1500 sq. km sandur, reworking large sections of the outwash plain. The research examines outwash channels of different character (related in turn to variation in ice margin form) and is establishing baselines for assessment of future jokullhlaup impact).

Future Research

Reach-scale quantification of biotope distribution in gravel-bed rivers.

Rapid assessment of instream habitat heterogeneity and development of methodologies to assess (i) critical/sensitive reaches and (ii) critical channel components including edges and flow refugia for biota.

Postgraduate Supervision

Keywords: rivers, wetlands, ecology, conservation management, fluvial geomorphology, environmental services

In summary, 5 successful PhD candidates since 2001, one currently in post, three externally-examined PhD theses (UK and South Africa), one externally-examined Masters thesis (Salford University).

(a) Completed PhD supervision:

J.A. Cotton (2001). Geomorphology and palaeoecology of late Holocene floodplain environments in the River Irthing, Cumbria, UK. Newcastle University.

D.J. Milan (2001) Sand and gravel transport through a riffle-pool sequence. Newcastle University.

M.E. Toriman (2002). Investigations into channel instability and river morphological change: the Langat River, penninsular Malaysia. Newcastle University.

W.M. Mayes (2003). Limestone extraction and wetland environments: Hydrological and ecological interactions. Newcastle University.

Karami, G.K. (2003). Assessment of heterogeneity and flow systems in karstic aquifers using pumping test data. Newcastle University

(b): Current supervision:

Floriane Clement. Driving forces for deforestation in northern Vietnam. PhD thesis, Newcastle University.

(c) External examiner for the following PhD and Masters theses:

Jones, K. (2007). Ecological effects of beaver. PhD thesis, University of Stirling.

Toogood, S. (2005). Grassland management in the Pevensey levels. PhD thesis, University of Brighton.

Rivers-Moore, N. (2003). Temperature and fish distribution in the Sabie River: towards the development of an Adaptive Management Tool. PhD thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Kossman, J. (2005). Geomorphic effects of an extreme flood event on the Sabie River, South Africa. M.Sc thesis, Salford University.

(d) Internal examiner for the following PhD theses since 2001:

McAlister, C.R. (2002). Monitoring and modelling mire ecohydrology. PhD thesis, University of Newcastle.

Wittenberg, L. (2002). Structural patterns and bed stability of humid temperate, Mediterranean and semi-arid gravel bed rivers. PhD thesis, University of Newcastle.

Bolton, L. (2003). The application of excitation-emission fluorescence spectrophotometry to the monitoring of dissolved organic matter in upland catchments in the United Kingdom. Newcastle University.

Porritt, Ina (2007). Environmental Services. Thesis to be defended May 2007.

Esteem Indicators

Book Review Editor, and member of Editorial Board, River Research and Application.

Guest Editor for forthcoming edition of River Research and Application.

External Examiner, University of Brighton 2007-2010.

Secretary to Scientific Organising Committee, Tenth International Symposium of Regulated Streams, University of Stirling, 14-18 August 2006.

Projects

• Immediate Geomorphical Impact and Fluvial System Response to the Cumbria Floods
  Project Leader(s): Prof. Andy Russell; Dr Andy Large
• Impacts and Dynamics of Volcanically-Generated Jokulhlaups, Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland
  Project Leader(s): Prof. Andy Russell; Dr Andy Large
• The September 2008 Floods in North East England: Characteristics & Immediate Impact on River Morphology
  Project Leader(s): Andy Large, Andy Russell

Undergraduate Teaching

Module leader for the following Undergraduate modules:

GEO1095 Study Skills for Physical Geographers (Stage 1)
GEO2037 Physical Geography Field course (Stage 2)
GEO3037 Physical Geography Field course (Stage 3)
GEO3069 River Management (Stage 3)

I also teach on the following Undergraduate modules:

GEO1007 Geographical Imaginations (Stage 1)
GEO1012 Introduction to Earth Sciences (Stage 1)
GEO2048 Field and lab techniques in Physical Geography (Stage 2)
GEO3099 Dissertation

Postgraduate Teaching

(e) Taught Masters courses (Faculty of SAGE):

CIV8052 Flood Risk Management

CIV9056 Sustainable Management of the Water Environment

CIV9058 Hydroecology

• Orr H, Large ARG, Newson M, Walsh CL. A predictive typology for characterising hydromorphology. Geomorphology 2008, 100(1-2), 32-40.
• Gilvear D, Willby N, Kemp P, Large ARG. Riverine hydroecology: Advances in research and applications.. River Research and Applications 2008. , 24(5), 473-475.
• Mayes WM, Younger PL, Batty LC, Large ARG. Caustic / vitriolic: wetland treatment at extremes of pH. In: 2nd International Symposium on Wetland Pollutant Dynamics and Control, WETPOL 2007. 2007, Tartu, Estonia: Publicationes Institute Geographici Universitatis Tartuensis.
• Russell AJ, Gregory AG, Large ARG, Fleisher PJ, Harris T. Tunnel channel formation during the November 1996 jökulhlaup, Skeiðarárjökull, Iceland. Annals of Glaciology 2007, 45(1), 95-103.
• Large ARG, Mayes W, Newson M, Parkin G. Using long-term monitoring of fen hydrology and vegetation to underpin wetland restoration strategies. Applied Vegetation Science 2007, 10(3), 417-428.
• Clément F, Amezaga JM, Orange D, DucToan T, Large ARG, Calder IR. An institutional approach for understanding farmers strategies and land management. In: Survival of the Commons: Mounting challenges and new realities. 2006, Bali, Indonesia: IASCP.
• Newson M, Large ARG. 'Natural' rivers, 'hydromorphological quality' and river restoration: A challenging new agenda for applied fluvial geomorphology. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2006, 31(13), 1606-1624.
• Fuller IC, Large ARG, Heritage GL, Milan DJ, Charlton ME. Derivation of annual reach-scale sediment transfers in the River Coquet, Northumberland, UK. In: Blum MD; Marriott SB; Leclair SF, ed. Fluvial Sedimentology VII. 2005, pp. 61-74.
• Large ARG, Newson M. Hydromorphological Quality - a policy template for channel design in river restoration.. In: Anderson M, ed. Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences. Chichester: John Wiley, 2005.
• Mayes W, Large A, Younger P. The impact of pumped water from a de-watered Magnesian limestone quarry on an adjacent wetland: Thrislington, County Durham, UK. Environmental Pollution 2005, 138(3), 444-455.
• Heritage G, Large ARG, Moon B, Jewitt GPW. Channel hydraulics and geomorphic effects of an extreme flood event on the Sabie River, South Africa. Catena 2004, 58(2), 151-181.
• Calder IR, Batchelor C, Quibell G, Gosain A, Jewitt GPW, Bosch J, Large ARG, Amezaga JM, Hope RA, James PM, Simpson E, Garratt J, Bailey RA, Kirby C. Global Governance of Water and the Blue Revolution - Can we achieve better outcomes from land and water policies?. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium: Global Governance of Water: Water and Human Security. 2004, UN House, Tokyo, Japan.
• Charlton ME, Large ARG, Fuller IC. Application of airborne lidar in river environments: The River Coquet, Northumberland, UK. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2003, 28(3), 299-306.
• Heritage G, Large ARG, Moon B, Birkhead A. Estimating extreme flood magnitude in bedrock-influenced channels using representative reach-based channel resistance data. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography 2003, 85(1), 1-11.
• Chappell A, Heritage G, Fuller I, Large ARG, Milan D. Geostatistical analysis of ground-survey elevation data to elucidate spatial and temporal river channel change. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2003, 28(4), 349-370.
• Fuller I, Large ARG, Milan D. Quantifying channel development and sediment transfer following chute cutoff in a wandering gravel-bed river. Geomorphology 2003, 54(3-4), 307-323.
• Fuller IC, Large ARG, Charlton ME, Heritage GL, Milan DJ. Reach-scale sediment transfers: An evaluation of two morphological budgeting approaches. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2003, 28(8), 889-903.
• Fuller IC, Passmore DG, Heritage GL, Large ARG, Milan DJ, Brewer PA. Annual sediment budgets in an unstable gravel-bed river: the River Coquet, northern England. In: Jones SJ; Frostick LE, ed. Geological Society Special Publication. 2002, pp. 115-132.
• Fuller IC, Passmore DG, Heritage GL, Large ARG, Milan DJ, Brewer PA. Annual sediment budgets in an unstable gravel-bed river: the River Coquet, northern England. In: Sediment Flux to Basins: Causes, Controls and Consequences. 2002, Southampton, UK: Geological Society.
• Milan DJ, Heritage GL, Large ARG. Tracer pebble entrainment and deposition loci: influence of flow character and implications for riffle-pool maintenance. In: Jones, S.J. and Frostick, L.E., ed. Geological Society Special Publication. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2002, pp. 133-148.
• Fuller IC, Passmore DG, Large ARG, Heritage GL, Charlton ME, Brewer PA. Annual sediment budgets in an unstable gravel bed river; the River Coquet, northern England. In: Millennium Flux: Sediment Supply to Basins. 2001, University of Southampton: Southampton Oceanography Centre School of Ocean and Earth Sciences.
• Milan DJ, Heritage GL, Large ARG. Influence of flow magnitude and duration upon tracer movement through pool-riffle-bar topography. In: Fifth International Gravel-Bed Rivers 2000 Workshop. 2001, Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological Society.
• Large ARG. Reversing spontaneous succession to protect high-value vegetation: Assessment of two Scottish mires using rapid survey techniques. Applied Vegetation Science 2001, 4(1), 103-110.
• Milan DJ, Heritage GL, Large ARG, Charlton ME. Stage dependent variability in tractive force distribution through a riffle-pool sequence. Catena 2001, 44(2), 85-109.
• Heritage GL, Moon BP, Large ARG, Rowntree M. The February 2000 floods on the Sabie River, South Africa: an examination of their magnitude and frequency.. Koedoe 2001, (44), 37-44.
• Milan DJ, Heritage GL, Large ARG. Magnetic tracing of sand through a riffle-pool sequence.. In: Fifth International Gravel-Bed Rivers Workshop. 2000, Christchurch: New Zealand Hydrological Society.
• Heritage GL, Milan DJ, Large ARG, Fuller IC. Reach-scale sediment and barform dynamics of the wandering gravel-bed river Nent, Cumbria, UK.. In: 5th International Gravel-Bed Rivers Workshop. 2000, Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological Society.
• Large ARG, Cotton JA, Heritage GL, Passmore DG. Biotic response to late Holocene floodplain evolution in the River Irthing catchment, Cumbria. 1999.
• Cotton JC, Heritage G, Large ARG, Passmore DG. Biotic response to late Holocene floodplain evolution in the River Irthing catchment, Cumbria.. In: Alexander J; Marriott S, ed. Floodplains; interdisciplinary approaches.. London: Geological Society, 1999, pp. 163-178.
• Milan D, Heritage G, Large ARG, Brunsdon C. Influence of particle shape and sorting upon sample size estimates for a coarse-grained upland stream. Sedimentary Geology 1999, 129(1-2), 85-100.
• Large ARG, Prach K. Plants and water in streams and rivers. In: Baird AJ; Wilby RL, ed. Eco-Hydrology, Plants and water in terrestrial and aquatic environments. London: Routledge, 1999, pp. 237-268.
• Large ARG, Prach K. Ecology of the floodplain of the regulated River Trent: implications for rehabilitation. In: Bailey RL; Jose P;Sherwood B, ed. United Kingdom Floodplains. Ottley: Smith Settle, 1998, pp. 409-422.
• Pygott JR, Large ARG. Problems associated with the degradation of rivers in the Northumbria and Yorkshire Region and initiatives to achieve rehabilitation. In: de Waal LC; Large ARG; Wade PM, ed. Rehabilitation of rivers: Principles and Practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1998, pp. 159-170.
• Wade PM, Large ARG, de Waal LC. Rehabilitation of degraded river habitat: an introduction. In: de Waal LC; Large ARG; Wade PM, ed. Rehabilitation of Rivers Principles and Implementation. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1998, pp. 1-10.
• de Waal LC, Large ARG, Wade PM. Rehabilitation of rivers: Principles and Practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1998.
• Large ARG. Environmental science: The natural environment and human impact by Andrew Jackson and Julie Jackson. Area 1997. , 29(3), 279-280.
• Large ARG. Floodplain Rivers: Hydrological Processes and Ecological Significance. Wallingford, Oxfordshire: British Hydrological Society, 1997.
• Prach K, Jeník J, Large ARG. Floodplain Ecology and Management: The Luznice River in the Trebon Biosphere Reserve, central Europe. Amsterdam: SPB-Academic Publishing, 1996.
• Large A, Petts G. Historical channel - Floodplain dynamics along the River Trent: Implications for river rehabilitation. Applied Geography 1996. , 16(3), 191-209.
• Bornette G, Large ARG. Groundwater surface water ecotones at the upstream part of confluences in former river channels. Hydrobiologia: the international journal on limnology and marine sciences 1995, 310(2), 123-137.
• de Waal LC, Large ARG, Gippel CJ, Wade PM. River and floodplain rehabilitation in Western Europe: opportunities and constraints.. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 1995, 101, 679-693.
• Large ARG, Prach K, Bickerton MA, Wade PM. Alteration of patch boundaries on the floodplain of the regulated River Trent, UK. River Research and Applications: an international journal devoted to river research and management 1994, 9(1), 71-78.
• Large ARG, Petts GE, Wilby RL, Greenwood MT. Restoration of floodplains: a UK perspective.. European Water Pollution Control 1993, 3, 44-53.
• Large ARG, Hamilton AC. The distribution, extent and causes of peat loss in central and north-west Ireland.. Applied Geography 1991, 11(4), 309-326.
• Dunning SA, Large ARG, Russell AJ, Duller R, Meriaux AS, Roberts M, Woodward J, Lim M. Catastrophic outburst floods triggered by the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland. Nature Geoscience 2012. In Preparation.
• Dunning SA, Large ARG, Russell AJ, Duller R, Meriaux AS, Roberts M, Woodward J, Lim M. Catastrophic outburst floods triggered by the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption, Iceland. Nature Geoscience 2012. In Preparation.
• Large ARG. Current and future challenges in managing natural system variability for river conservation in European river basins. In: Boon, P.J., Raven, P.J, ed. River Conservation and Management. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2012, pp.381-399.
• Large ARG. Reversing Spontaneous Succession to Protect High-Value Vegetation: Assessment of Two Scottish Mires Using Rapid Survey Techniques. Journal of Vegetation Science 2001, 4(1), 103-110.