Dr Wes Fraser

PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons), BSc, PCTHE

Reader in Physical Geography

School of Law and Social Sciences

Teaching and supervision

Courses

Geography (BA (Hons), BSc (Hons))

Modules taught

GEOG4002: Introduction to Physical Geography
GEOG4006: Investigating Geography
GEOG4007: Introduction to Geographical Skills and Techniques
GEOG5002: Global Change
GEOG5003: Advanced Research Skills*
GEOG5006: Earth Systems
GEOG6002: Climate Change*
GEOG6013: Oceans and the Marine Environment*
GEOG6015: Sustainable Futures
GEOG6012: Geography Dissertation

Key focus on delivering teaching in field and laboratory settings, as well as computer-based practical work.

Research

My primary interest is in Plant-Environment chemical interactions. Specifically the way in which plants alter their chemistry in relation to changes in environmental factors, eg changes in ultraviolet (UV) radiation as part of the spectrum of incoming solar radiation. I developed novel biogeochemical proxy for determining past levels of UV based on changes in chemistry locked in pollen and spores released from plants as part of their natural reproductive cycle. This proxy has been applied to variety of situations and timeframes, ranging from deep geological time to the present-day, and across different spatial scales. I am also interested in the way plants have played a part in shaping the world over geological time, including influencing rates of global chemical weathering at the time of plants invading the terrestrial realm approximately 470 million years ago.

Groups

Human Origins and Palaeo Environments (HOPE)

Projects

Publications

Journal articles

Jardine PE, Kent MS, Fraser WT, Knorr K-H, Lomax BH, Uncovering a phylogenetic signal in plant biopolymer chemistry: a comparison of sporopollenin isolation approaches for use in palynological research
Palaeontology 66 (6) (2023) ISSN: 0031-0239 eISSN: 1475-4983 Uncovering a phylogenetic signal in plant biopolymer chemistry: a comparison of sporopollenin isolation approaches for use in palynological research Open Access version on RADAR
Li,u F, Peng H, Marshall JEA, Lomax BH, Bomfleur B, Kent MS, Fraser WT, Jardine PE, Dying in the Sun: direct evidence for elevated UV-B radiation at the end-Permian mass extinction
Science Advances 9 (1) (2023) ISSN: 2375-2548 eISSN: 2375-2548 Dying in the Sun: direct evidence for elevated UV-B radiation at the end-Permian mass extinction Open Access version on RADAR
Pogge von Strandmann PAE, Liu X, Liu C-Y, Wilson DJ, Hammond SJ, Tarbuck G, Aristilde L, Krause AJ, Fraser WT, Lithium isotope behaviour during basalt weathering experiments amended with organic acids
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 328 (2022) pp.37-57 ISSN: 0016-7037 eISSN: 1872-9533 Lithium isotope behaviour during basalt weathering experiments amended with organic acids Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Hoorn C, Beer MAM, Barbolini N, Woutersen A, Bogota-Angel G, Gosling WD, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Huang H, Sciumbata M, He H, Dupont-Niven G , Sporopollenin chemistry and its durability in the geological record: an integration of extant and fossil chemical data across the seed plants.
Palaeontology 64 (2) (2021) pp.285-305 ISSN: 0031-0239 eISSN: 1475-4983 Sporopollenin chemistry and its durability in the geological record: an integration of extant and fossil chemical data across the seed plants. Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Fraser WT, Gosling WD, Roberts CN, Eastwood WJ, Lomax BH, Proxy reconstruction of ultraviolet-B irradiance at the Earth’s surface, and its relationship with solar activity and ozone thickness
Holocene 30 (1) (2020) pp.155-161 ISSN: 0959-6836 eISSN: 1477-0911 Proxy reconstruction of ultraviolet-B irradiance at the Earth’s surface, and its relationship with solar activity and ozone thickness Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Fraser WT, Gosling WD, Roberts CN, Eastwood WJ, Lomax BH, Proxy reconstruction of ultraviolet-B irradiance at the Earth's surface, and its relationship with solar acticity and ozone thickness.
Holocene 30 (1) (2019) pp.155-161 ISSN: 0959-6836 Proxy reconstruction of ultraviolet-B irradiance at the Earth's surface, and its relationship with solar acticity and ozone thickness. Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Kent M, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Ginkgo leaf cuticle chemistry across changing pCO2 regimes.
Paläontologische Zeitschrift 93 (3) (2019) pp.549-558 ISSN: 0031-0220 eISSN: 1867-6812 Ginkgo leaf cuticle chemistry across changing pCO2 regimes. Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Gosling WD, Lomax BH, Julier ACM, Fraser WT, Chemotaxonomy of domesticated grasses: a pathway to understanding the origins of agriculture.
Journal of Micropalaeontology 38 (1) (2019) pp.83-95 ISSN: 0262-821X eISSN: 2041-4978 Chemotaxonomy of domesticated grasses: a pathway to understanding the origins of agriculture. Open Access version on RADAR
Pogge von Strandmann PAE, Fraser WT, Hammond SJ, Tarbuck G, Wood IG, Oelker EH, Murphy MJ, Experimental determination of Li isotope behaviour during basalt weathering.
Chemical Geology 517 (2019) pp.34-43 ISSN: 0009-2541 Experimental determination of Li isotope behaviour during basalt weathering. Open Access version on RADAR
Julier ACM, Jardine PE, Adu-Bredu S, Coe AL, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Malhi Y, Moore S, Gosliing WD, Variability in modern pollen rain from moist and wet tropical forest plots in Ghana, West Africa
Grana 58 (1) (2019) pp.45-62 ISSN: 0017-3134 eISSN: 1651-2049 Variability in modern pollen rain from moist and wet tropical forest plots in Ghana, West Africa Open Access version on RADAR
Kemp DB, Fraser WT, Izumi K, Stratigraphic completeness and resolution in an ancient mudrock succession
Sedimentology 65 (6) (2018) pp.1875-1890 ISSN: 0037-0746 eISSN: 1365-3091 Stratigraphic completeness and resolution in an ancient mudrock succession Open Access version on RADAR
Gosling WD, Julier ACM, Adu-Bredu A, Djagbletey GD, Fraser WT, Jardine PE, Lomax BH, Malhi Y, Manu EA, Mayle FE, Moore S, Pollen-vegetation richness and diversity relationships in the tropics
Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 27 (2) (2018) pp.411-418 ISSN: 0939-6314 eISSN: 1617-6278 Pollen-vegetation richness and diversity relationships in the tropics Open Access version on RADAR
Julier ACM, Jardine PE, Adu-Bredu S, Coe AL, Duah-Gyamfi A, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Malhi Y, Moore S, Owusu-Afriyie K, Gosling WD, The modern pollen-vegetation relationships of a tropical forest-savannah mosaic landscape, Ghana, West Africa
Palynology 42 (3) (2017) pp.324-338 ISSN: 0191-6122 eISSN: 1558-9188 The modern pollen-vegetation relationships of a tropical forest-savannah mosaic landscape, Ghana, West Africa Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Abernethy AJ, Lomax BH, Gosling WD, Fraser WT, Shedding light on sporopollenin chemistry, with reference to UV reconstructions
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 238 (2017) pp.1-6 ISSN: 0034-6667 Shedding light on sporopollenin chemistry, with reference to UV reconstructions Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Sephton MA, Shanahan TM, Miller CS, Gosling WD, Pollen and spores as biological recorders of past ultraviolet irradiance
Scientific Reports 6 (2016) ISSN: 2045-2322 Pollen and spores as biological recorders of past ultraviolet irradiance Open Access version on RADAR
Julier ACM, Jardine PE, Coe AL, Gosling WD, Lomax BH, Fraser WT, Chemotaxonomy as a tool for interpreting the cryptic diversity of Poaceae pollen
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 235 (2016) pp.140-147 ISSN: 0034-6667 Chemotaxonomy as a tool for interpreting the cryptic diversity of Poaceae pollen Open Access version on RADAR
Lomax BH, Fraser WT, Palaeoproxies: Botanical monitors and recorders of atmospheric change.
Plant, Cell and Environment 58 (5) (2015) pp.759-768 ISSN: 0140-7791
Mangalassery S, Mooney SJ, Sparkes DL, Fraser WT, Sjögersten S, Impacts of zero tillage on soil enzyme activities, microbial characteristics and organic matter functional chemistry in temperate soils.
European Journal of Soil Biology 68 (2015) pp.9-17 ISSN: 1164-5563
Fraser WT, Blei E, Fry SC, Newman MK, Reay DS, Smith KA, McLeod AR, Emission of methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and short-chain hydrocarbons from vegetation foliage under ultraviolet irradiation.
Plant, Cell and Environment 38 (5) (2015) pp.980-989 ISSN: 0140-7791
Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Jardine PE, Gosling WD, Sephton MA, Pollen and spores as a passive monitor of ultraviolet radiation
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 2 (2014) ISSN: 2296-701X Pollen and spores as a passive monitor of ultraviolet radiation Open Access version on RADAR
Jardine PE, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Gosling WD, The impact of oxidation on spore and pollen chemistry
Journal of Micropalaeontology 34 (2014) pp.139-149 ISSN: 0262-821X
Fraser WT, Watson JS, Sephton MA, Lomax BH, Harrington G, Gosling WD, Self S, Changes in spore chemistry and appearance with increasing maturity
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 201 (2013) pp.41-46 ISSN: 0034-6667
Lomax, B H, Fraser W T, Harrington G J, Blackmore S, Sephton M A, Harris N B W, A novel palaeoaltimetry proxy based on spore and pollen wall chemistry
Earth and Planetary Science Letters 353-354 (-) (2012) pp.22-28 ISSN: 0012-821X
Fraser W T, Scott A C, Forbes A E S, Glasspool I J, Plotnick R E, Kenig F, Lomax B H, Evolutionary stasis of sporopollenin biochemistry revealed by unaltered carboniferous spores
New Phytologist 196 (2) (2012) pp.397-401 ISSN: 0028-646X
Watson J S, Fraser W T, Sephton M A, Formation of a polyalkyl macromolecule from the hydrolysable component within sporopollenin during heating/pyrolysis experiments with Lycopodium spores
Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 95 (May) (2012) pp.138-144 ISSN: 0165-2370
Fraser W T, Sephton M A, Watson J S, Self S, Lomax B H, James D I, Wellman C H, Callaghan T V, Beerling D J, UV-B absorbing pigments in spores: Biochemical responses to shade in a high-latitude birch forest and implications for sporopollenin-based proxies of past environmental change
Polar Research 30 (-) (2011) pp.8312- ISSN: 0800-0395 UV-B absorbing pigments in spores: Biochemical responses to shade in a high-latitude birch forest and implications for sporopollenin-based proxies of past environmental change Open Access version on RADAR
Lomax B H, Fraser W T, Sephton M A, Callaghan T V, Self S, Pyle J A, Wellman C H, Beerling D J, Plant spore walls as a record of long-term changes in ultraviolet-B radiation
Nature Geoscience 1 (9) (2008) pp.592-596 ISSN: 1752-0894
Lindgren P, Parnell J, Norman C, Mark DF, Baron M, Ormö J, Sturkell E, Conliffe J, Fraser WT, Formation of uranium-thorium-rich bitumen nodules in the Lockne impact structure, Sweden: A mechanism for carbon concentration at impact sites.
Meteoritics & Planetary Science (2007) ISSN: 1086-9379
Watson JS, Sephton MA, Sephton SV, Beerling DJ, Self S, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Gilmour I, Wellman CH, Rapid determination of spore chemistry using thermochemolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 2007 (6) (2007) pp.689-694 ISSN: 1474-905X

Further details

Organic geochemist specialising in the reconstruction of past ultraviolet (UV) radiation regimes using chemical signatures locked within the walls of spores and pollen. Additional interests include greenhouse gas emissions from vegetation, the variation of UV within the environment and the micrometeorology of wall faces.