Prof Jason Kirby
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
Email: J.R.Kirby@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 2410
Professor Jason Kirby is the Director of the School of Biological and Environmental Science and a Professor in Physical Geography.
My research Interests include:
Holocene sea-level changes and coastal evolution
Quaternary micropalaeontology (pollen, diatoms and foraminifera)
Sediments in coastal systems
Vegetation history, palaeoecology, and the use of fungal spores as indicators of herbivory
My research on reconstructing past environmental change includes:
Holocene sea-level change and coastal evolution.
My main aims are to investigate the causes and effects of sea-level changes on a variety of temporal and spatial scales, utilising intertidal sediment records. A particular focus is the use of saltmarsh records as a means to explore past relative sea-level changes in the last few thousand years. This involves the analysis of diatoms and foraminifera preserved in the sediment that can be quantitatively related to a former sea level. When combined with a good chronology (typically derived from radiocarbon analyses and other geochemical markers) a high-resolution sea-level record can be derived for the past few thousand years or so. I am also interested in longer-term relative sea-level records, and the influence of former ice sheets on sea-level rise and vertical land movement (induced by former ice and ocean loading on the Earth’s surface). I have also worked on coastal evolution and floodplain development using litho- and biostratigraphic techniques in back barrier coastal environments (e.g. Dungeness and Romney Marsh) and inner estuary perimarine settings (e.g. Humber estuary).
Vegetation history and palaeoecology.
My interests here broadly involve using pollen to investigate how groundwater level changes are expressed in vegetation successional pathways, and how these relate to sea-level changes. I have studied fen carr peat as a means to reconstruct Holocene vegetation history, non-analogue habitats and human impact. Recent projects have explored the efficacy of coprophilous fungi as an indicator of Quaternary landscape change, particularly relating to animals.
My research on contemporary coastal systems includes response of intertidal foreshores to waves, tides and storm events, and the management of sedimentation problems in ports and harbours, and the in situ bioremediation of contaminants.
Teaching:
I teach on Environmental Change and Coastal Management modules and contribute to other undergraduate modules in the area of physical geography and environmental science.
Degrees
1999, University of Hull, United Kingdom, PhD 'Holocene floodplain vegetation dynamics and sea-level change in the lower Aire valley, Yorkshire'
1994, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, BSc (Hons) Geography
Certifications
2016, Advance HE, United Kingdom, Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy
Academic appointments
School Director, School of Biological & Environmental Science, Liverpool John Moores University, 2020 - present
Subject Head - Geography & Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - 2020
Programme Leader - Geography, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2007 - 2013
Lecturer, Biological & Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2004 - 2007
Post Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Plymouth University, 2000 - 2002
Journal article
van Asperen EN, Kirby JR, Shaw HE. 2023. Multi-proxy evidence for woodland clearance in northeast Northumberland (England) during the Iron Age Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Kirby JR, Garrett E, Gehrels WR. 2023. Holocene relative sea-level changes in northwest Ireland: An empirical test for glacial isostatic adjustment models The Holocene, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Polrot A, Kirby JR, Olorunniji FJ, Birkett JW, Sharples GP. 2022. iChip increases the success of cultivation of TBT-resistant and TBT-degrading bacteria from estuarine sediment World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 38 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Dowdall L, Bowe C, Kirby JR. 2022. The Natural Capital approach: A framework for the successful recovery of nature in estuaries Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Best L, Kirby JR, Selby K. 2022. System responses to Holocene relative sea-level rise and sediment supply in a macrotidal estuary Holocene, :1-13 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Polrot A, Kirby JR, Birkett JW, Sharples GP. 2021. Combining sediment management and bioremediation in muddy ports and harbours: A review. Environmental Pollution, 289 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Waller M, Kirby J. 2020. Coastal peat-beds and peatlands of the southern North Sea: their past, present and future Biological Reviews, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Van Asperen EN, Kirby JR, Shaw HE. 2020. Relating dung fungal spore influx rates to animal density in a temperate environment: Implications for palaeoecological studies The Holocene, 30 :218-232 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Hamilton CA, Kirby JR, Lane TP, Plater AJ, Waller MP. 2019. Sediment supply and barrier dynamics as driving mechanisms of Holocene coastal change for the southern North Sea basin Quaternary International, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Shaw TA, Plater AJ, Kirby JR, Roy K, Holgate S, Tutman P, Cahill N, Horton BP. 2018. Tectonic influences on late Holocene relative sea levels from the central-eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia Quaternary Science Reviews, 200 :262-275 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Gonzalez S, Metcalfe S, Leng M, Huddart D, Kirby J. 2016. Early- Mid Pleistocene environments in the Valsequillo Basin, Central Mexico: a reassessment JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, 31 :325-336 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Shaw TA, Kirby JR, Holgate S, Tutman P, Plater AJ. 2016. CONTEMPORARY SALT-MARSH FORAMINIFERAL DISTRIBUTION FROM THE ADRIATIC COAST OF CROATIA AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR SEA-LEVEL STUDIES JOURNAL OF FORAMINIFERAL RESEARCH, 46 :314-332 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Van Asperen EN, Kirby JR, Hunt CO. 2016. The effect of preparation methods on dung fungal spores: Implications for recognition of megafaunal populations REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Stringer C, Kirby JR, Wilkinson DM. 2014. Combining palaeoecological and historical approaches to investigating post-medieval land use change at Sandford Mire, Cumbria, North West England, UK Journal of Wetland Archaeology, 14 :74-90 DOI Publisher Url
Valentine J, Davis SR, Kirby JR, Wilkinson DM. 2013. The use of testate amoebae in monitoring peatland restoration management: Case studies from North West England and Ireland. Acta Protozoologica, 52 :129-145
Mills H, Kirby JR, Holgate, S , Plater AJ. 2013. The distribution of contemporary saltmarsh foraminifera in a macrotidal estuary: an assessment of their viability for sea-level studies Journal of Ecosystem and Ecography, 3 DOI
Valentine J, Davis SR, Kirby JR, Wilkinson DM. 2013. The Use of Testate Amoebae in Monitoring Peatland Restoration Management: Case Studies from North West England and Ireland ACTA PROTOZOOLOGICA, 52 :129-145 DOI Author Url
Valentine J, Murphy D, Kirby JR, Clare J, Wilkinson DM. 2013. Postglacial environmental history of the West Cumbrian coastal plain: New palaeoecological data from Gutterby. Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archeological Society, 103 :5-15
Valentine J, Davis SR, Kirby JR, Wilkinson DM. 2013. The use of testate amoebae in monitoring peatland restoration management: Case studies from North West England and Ireland. Acta Protozoologica, 52 :129-145
Valentine J, Murphy D, Kirby JR , Clare T, Wilkinson DM. 2013. Postglacial environmental history of the west Cumbrian coastal plain: new palaeoecological data from Gutterby Transactions of the Cumbrian and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society,
Edwards KJ, Schofield JE, Kirby JR, Cook GT. 2011. Problematic but promising ponds? Palaeoenvironmental evidence from the Norse Eastern Settlement of Greenland JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, 26 :854-865 DOI Author Url
Kirby JR, Wilkinson JP. 2011. Sea-level change: from satellites to saltmarshes Teaching Earth Sciences, 35 :41-45
Bennett M, Gonzalez S, Huddart D, Kirby JR, Toole E. 2010. Probable Neolithic footprints preserved in inter-tidal peat at Kenfig, South Wales (UK) Proceedings of the Geologists Association, 121 :66-76 DOI
Kirby JR, Kirby R. 2008. Medium timescale stability of tidal mudflats in Bridgwater Bay, Bristol Channel, UK: Influence of tides, waves and climate CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH, 28 :2615-2629 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Gerhrels WR, Marshall WA, Gehrels MJ, Larsen G, Kirby JR, Eiríksson J, Heinemeier J, Shimmield T. 2007. Erratum: Rapid sea-level rise in the North Atlantic Ocean since the first half of the nineteenth century (The Holocene 16(7) 955) Holocene, 17 :419-420 DOI Publisher Url
Gehrels WR, Marshall WA, Gehrels MJ, Larsen G, Kirby JR, Eiriksson J, Heinemeier J, Shimmield T. 2006. Rapid sea-level rise in the North Atlantic Ocean since the first half of the nineteenth century HOLOCENE, 16 :949-965 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Gehrels WR, Szkornik K, Bartholdy J, Kirby JR, Bradley SL, Marshall WA, Heinemeier J, Pedersen JBT. 2006. Late Holocene sea-level changes and isostasy in western Denmark QUATERNARY RESEARCH, 66 :288-302 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Plater AJ, Kirby JR. 2006. The potential for perimarine wetlands as an ecohydrological and phytotechnological management tool in the Guadiana Estuary, Portugal. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 70 :98-108 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Szkornik K, Kirby JR, Gehrels WR. 2006. Salt-marsh distributions in Ho Bugt (western Denmark) and the development of a transfer function for reconstructing Holocene sea-level changes Marine Geology, 235 :137-150 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Gehrels WR, Kirby JR, Prokoph A, Newnham RM, Achterberg EP, Evans EH, Black S, Scott DB. 2005. Onset of rapid sea-level rise in the western Atlantic Ocean. Quaternary Science Reviews, 24 :2083-2100 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Gehrels WR, Milne GA, Kirby JR, Patterson RT, Belknap DF. 2004. Late Holocene sea-level changes and isostatic crustal movements in Atlantic Canada QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL, 120 :79-89 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Lillie, M , Page, N , Kirby JR, Grifiths, H . 2003. Neolithic-Bronze Age landscape development at Machynys, Llanelli. Archaeology in Wales, 43 :45-57
Evans JR, Kirby JR, Long AJ. 2001. The litho-and biostratigraphy of a late Holocene tidal channel in Romney Marsh, southern England Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 112 :111-130 DOI Publisher Url
Lloyd JM, Shennan I, Kirby JR, Rutherford MM. 1999. Holocene relative sea-level changes in the inner Solway Firth QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL, 60 :83-105 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Shennan I, Long AJ, Rutherford MM, Innes JB, Green FM, Kirby JR, Walker KJ. 1998. Erratum: Tidal marsh stratigraphy, sea-level change and large earthquake-II: Submergene events during the last 3500 years at Netarts Bay, Oregon, U.S.A. (Quaternary Science Reviews (1998) 17 (365-393)) Quaternary Science Reviews, 17 :1209 DOI Publisher Url
Long AJ, Innes JB, Kirby JR, Lloyd JM, Rutherford MM, Shennan I, Tooley MJ. 1998. Holocene sea-level change and coastal evolution in the Humber estuary, eastern England: an assessment of rapid coastal change HOLOCENE, 8 :229-247 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
SHENNAN I, LONG AJ, RUTHERFORD MM, Kirby JR, INNES JB, GREEN FM, WALKER KJ. 1998. TIDAL MARSH STRATIGRAPHY, SEA-LEVEL CHANGE AND LARGE EARTHQUAKES—II: SUBMERGENCE EVENTS DURING THE LAST 3500 YEARS AT NETARTS BAY, OREGON, USA Quaternary Science Reviews, 17 :365-393 DOI Publisher Url
Edwards KJ, Schofield JES, Kirby JR, Cook G. Problematic but promising ponds: Palaeoenvironmental evidence from the Norse Eastern Settlement of Greenland Journal of Quaternary Science, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Internet publication
Lane T, Kirby J. 2022. Sea level: a view from the past Publisher Url
Chapters
Pratolongo P, Leonardi N, Kirby JR, Plater AJ. 2019. Temperate Coastal Wetlands: Morphology, Sediment Processes and Plant Communities. Perillo GME, Wolanski E, Cahoon D, Hopkinson, C.S. . Coastal Wetlands, An Integrated Ecosystem Approach. Second Edition. :105-152 Elsevier DOI Publisher Url
Polrot A, Kirby JR, Birkett J, Jenkinson I, Sharples G. 2018. Steps towards the sustainable management of sediment in ports and harbours Heidkamp CP, Morrissey J. Towards Coastal Resilience and Sustainability :262-275 Routledge 9780815358633 DOI Publisher Url
Plater AJ, Kirby JR, Boyle JR, Shaw TA, Mills H. 2015. Loss On Ignition and Organic content Shennan I, Long AJ, Horton BP. Handbook of Sea-Level Research DOI Publisher Url
Plater AJ, Kirby JR. 2012. Sea-Level Change and Coastal Geomorphic Response Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science 3 :39-72 9780123747112 DOI Publisher Url
Kirby JR, Clarke D, Shaw TA, Toole E. 2010. The Mid-Late Holocene Evolution of Southern Walland Marsh and the Origin of the ‘Midley Sand’ Waller MP, Edwards E, Barber L. Romney Marsh: Persistence and Change in a Coastal Lowland :23-51 Romney Marsh Research Trust. Sevenoaks 978-09566575-0-3 Publisher Url Public Url
Pratolongo P, Kirby JR, Plater AJ, Brinson MM. 2009. Temperate Coastal Wetlands: Morphology, Sediment Processes and Plant Communities. Perillo GME, Wolanski E, Cahoon DR, Brinson MM. Coastal wetlands, An Integrated Ecosystem Approach. Elsevier Science Ltd 9780444531032
Waller MP, Kirby JR. 2002. Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene environmental change in the Romney Marsh Region: New evidence from Tilling Green, Rye. Long AJ, Hipkin S, Clarke H. Romney Marsh: Coastal and Landscape Change through the Ages Monograph 56 :22-39 Oxford University School of Archaeology
Evans JR, Kirby JR. 2002. Reconstructing Late Holocene intertidal environments and channel networks: a review of the role of benthic foraminifera biostratigraphy on Romney Marsh, Southern England and potential for future research. Long AJ, Hipkin S, Clarke H. Romney Marsh: Coastal and Landscape Change through the Ages Monograph 56 :75-83 Oxford University School of Archaeology
Kirby JR, Gearey BR. 2001. Pattern and process of Holocene vegetation and wetland development in the Humber lowlands. Atherden M. Wetlands in the Landscape: Archaeology, Conservation, Heritage :41-67 PLACE Research Centre. York
Kirby JR. 2001. Regional Late-Quaternary marine and perimarine records Bateman MD, Buckland P, Frederick CD, Whitehouse N. The Quaternary of Eastern Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire: Field Guide :25-34 Quaternary Research Association. London
Van de Noort R, Lillie M, Taylor DM, Kirby JR. 1998. The Roman Period landscape at Scaftworth Van de Noort R, Ellis S. Wetland Heritage of the Humberhead Levels :409-428 Humber Wetlands Project. Hull
Public engagement:
Other: Please specify in text box below, KS3 school children, Carbon cycle workshop, Workshop facilitator, LJMU, Mini-Big Bang STEM Event. 2018
Research Grants Awarded:
Quaternary Research Association, Identifying grazing impacts on the palaeoecological record II, Helen Shaw, Grant value (£): 1,050, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2018
SEMASO, Marine bioremediation and carbon reduction using Active Nautical Depth, Grant value (£): 17,400, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2017
NERC, Meso-scale barrier estuary behaviour in response to sea-level rise, storms and sediment supply, Grant value (£): 6,150, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2017
Quaternary Research Association, Identifying grazing impacts on the palaeoecological record, Eline van Asperen, Grant value (£): 945, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2017
MOD/Landmarc Services, Geomorphological research strategy for Lydd Ranges, Dungeness, Kent., Grant value (£): 6,500, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2015
Natural England, Designing site specific mitigation measures for Dungeness SSSI, Grant value (£): 7,500, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2014
Rugby Portobello Trust, St Marys Bay Geomorphological Survey, Grant value (£): 9,400. 2013
NERC, Holocene palaeoclimate and vegetation history of north-west England, Professor Richard Chiverrell, Univeristy of Liverpool, Grant value (£): 4,640, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2012
Conference organisation:
Sea Level and Coastal Change QRA Research Group, Organiser, https://www.dur.ac.uk/geography/slacc/2017-liverpool/. 2017
Teaching qualification:
Senior Fellow Advance HE. 2016
Editorial boards:
Acta Adriatica, Editorial Board Member, http://jadran.izor.hr/acta/. 2016
External PGR examinations performed:
Durham University, MPhil, Late Glacial to Holocene relative sea-level change in Assynt, north west Scotland. 2015
Membership of professional bodies:
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Royal Geographical Society. 2012
Member, Quaternary Research Association.