Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Expertise
My research centres on marine microbes, in particular phytoplankton, their grazers and their cycling of nutrients. Work over the last 10 years has concentrated on harmful phytoplankton and their implications for shellfish and finfish aquaculture and human health.
I have a background in physics but have become increasingly interested in phytoplankton since I first started to attempt to model their growth as an undergraduate.
I now have wide interests related to marine microbes and marine biogeochemistry in terms of better understanding the factors that govern cell growth, interactions between organisms and the cycling of carbon and nutrient in marine pelagic environments.
Currently the main focus of my research is related to harmful algal blooms (HABs). These events are caused by a range of phytoplankton genera and can negatively impact human, other mammal or fish health through the production of natural biotoxins and other mechanisms. My research centers of how the physical/chemical/biological environment governs these HAB events. We are using this increased understanding to develop methods, including models and other risk assessment tools, that provide early warning of HAB events for aquaculture, regulators and the public.
Current projects
Combining Autonomous observations and Models for Predicting and Understanding Shelf seas (CAMPUS): This project aims to deliver an improved evidence-base for ecosystem-based marine management and to identify a cost-effective optimised observing network. Funded by NERC. 2018-21.
Predicting Risk and Impact of Harmful Events on the Aquaculture Sector (PRIMROSE): This project with partners in Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Spain and Portugal is developing common methodologies for better harmful algal bloom and biotoxin early warning for European aquaculture. Funded by NWE Interreg. 2017-20
Arctic Productivity in the seasonal Ice Zone (Arctic PRIZE): We are investigating the seasonally and spatially varying relationship between sea ice, water column structure, light, nutrients and phytoplankton productivity and the roles they play in structuring energy transfer to pelagic zooplankton and benthic megafauna. Funded by NERC. 2017-21
Satellite-based water quality bulletins for shellfish farms to support managememt decisions (Shelleye-2): We are evaluating the use of satellites for high biomass harmful algal bloom identification and early warning. Funded by NERC. 2017-19
Risk Assessing Harmful Algal Generated Biotoxin Events: We produce weekly HAB and biotoxin risk assessments that are made available through the habreports.org web site. Funded by the European Fisheries Fund. 2017-19
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Predator prey interactions between the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina and the marine haptophyte Isochrysis galbana, University of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jan 1993
Bachelor of Science, N/A, University of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jan 1989
Keywords
- Prosperity from Ecosystems
- harmful algal blooms
- Marine Processes and Climate
- marine phytoplankton
- nutrient cycling
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Network
Projects
- 1 Finished
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NPP WATER: Warning of Algal Toxin Events to Support Aquaculture in the Northern Periphery Programme Coastal Zone Region
Raine, R., Shelmerdine, R. L., Stone, D., Davidson, K., Gard, E., Naustvoll, L., Henderson, R. & Gubbins, M.
1/01/09 → 31/12/13
Project: Research
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CAMPUS Science in Action
Ciavatta, S., Fernand, L., Aleynik, D., Davidson, K., Skakala, J., Morales_Maqueda, M., Kay, S., Grossberg, S., Ford, D., Rinaldi, G., Smyth, T., Holt, J. & Heard, J., 1 May 2022, 28 p. Plymouth Marine Laboratory.Research output: Other contribution
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure) -
Different Observational Methods and the Detection of Seasonal and Atlantic Influence Upon Phytoplankton Communities in the Western Barents Sea
Orkney, A., Davidson, K., Mitchell, E., Henley, S. F. & Bouman, H. A., 4 May 2022, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 9, 20 p., 2022.860773.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Downloads (Pure) -
Editorial: Current challenges in providing early warning of harmful algal and microbiological risk to aquaculture
Neira Del Río, P., Mateus, M., Silke, J. & Davidson, K., 27 Jul 2022, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 9:973925, 3 p., 9:973925.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile21 Downloads (Pure) -
FFHF Climate change working group project – SOP. Towards a standardised phytoplankton monitoring operating procedure for the finfish sector.
Weeks, R., Bresnan, E., Davidson, K. & Whyte, C., 1 Aug 2022, 16 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile15 Downloads (Pure) -
Novel Methodologies for Providing In Situ Data to HAB Early Warning Systems in the European Atlantic Area: The PRIMROSE Experience
Ruiz-villarreal, M., Sourisseau, M., Anderson, P., Cusack, C., Neira, P., Silke, J., Rodriguez, F., Ben-gigirey, B., Whyte, C., Giraudeau-potel, S., Quemener, L., Arthur, G. & Davidson, K., 14 Apr 2022, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 9Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
Optimizing the Connectivity of Salmon Farms: Role of Exposure to Wind, Tides, and Isolation
Aleynik, D., Adams, T. & Davidson, K., 28 Nov 2022, Global Blue Economy: Analysis, Developments, and Challenges . Islam, M. N. & Bartell, S. M. (eds.). 1st ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Vol. 1. p. 61-86 25 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Current Status of Forecasting Toxic Harmful Algae for the North-East Atlantic Shellfish Aquaculture Industry
Fernandes-salvador, J. A., Davidson, K., Sourisseau, M., Revilla, M., Schmidt, W., Clarke, D., Miller, P. I., Arce, P., Fernández, R., Maman, L., Silva, A., Whyte, C., Mateo, M., Neira, P., Mateus, M., Ruiz-villarreal, M., Ferrer, L. & Silke, J., 10 Jun 2021, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 8, 25 p., 666583.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile19 Citations (Scopus)30 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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HABreports: Online early warning of harmful algal and biotoxin risk for the Scottish shellfish and finfish aquaculture industries
Keith Davidson (Speaker)
23 Feb 2022Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
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Modelling and Prediction of harmful algal blooms
Keith Davidson (Organiser)
9 May 2022 → 12 May 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference
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Modelling and Prediction of harmful algal blooms
Keith Davidson (Chair)
9 May 2022 → 12 May 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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Modelling and prediction of HABs in Scotland
Keith Davidson (Speaker)
10 May 2022Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
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Aquaculture UK 2022
Keith Davidson (Participant)
3 May 2022 → 5 May 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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GlobalHAB symposium on automated in situobservations of plankton
Keith Davidson (Organiser)
22 Aug 2022 → 26 Aug 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference
Press/Media
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SEAFOOD PRODUCERS FIGHT BACK WITH NEW EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
9/11/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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SEAFOOD SHETLAND RECEIVES GRANT FOR HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM PROJECT
15/07/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Harmful algal bloom warning system will be first of its kind in UK
5/07/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Argyll academic recognised with Professorship
Mark Inall, John Howe & Keith Davidson
19/05/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Geologist who created maritime course forOban made a professor
Mark Inall, John Howe & Keith Davidson
18/05/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Oban scientist recognised for groundbreaking research
Keith Davidson & Bhavani Narayanaswamy
28/05/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Will lockdown give farmers a better view of blooms?
27/04/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
Impacts
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FSA Phytoplantkon Monitoring
Keith Davidson (Participant), Sarah Swan (Participant) & Callum Whyte (Participant)
Impact: Economic or commercial Impacts
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HAB bulletins
Keith Davidson (Participant), Callum Whyte (Participant) & Arlene Ditchfield (Participant)
Impact: Economic or commercial Impacts