Dr Martin Coombes

Martin is a biogeomorphologist with broad interests in the two-way interactions between organisms and the physical environment. Much of his research is interdisciplinary and focusses on:

• Rock breakdown processes, controls and laboratory simulation. This includes the interactive effects of temperature, moisture, salt and organisms in the weathering of rock coast landscapes and building stone, and increasingly in a context of climate change;
• The bioprotective roles and biodiversity value of epilithic plants and animals. This includes research on barnacles, seaweed and mussels at the coast and the impact of plants (both good and bad) on historic buildings and ruins;
• Nature-based approaches to coastal engineering and built heritage conservation. This interest stems from Martin’s PhD research on the role of biogeomorphological processes in shaping colonisation and biodiversity patterns on coastal rocks and sea defence structures. More recently, his work has focussed on how nature can best be integrated with the conservation of historic buildings and their wider setting.
• Biogeomorphology. Martin has a particular interest in the theoretical development of biogeomorphology as a sub-discipline of geomorphology and the parallel concept of 'ecosystem engineering'.

Previously, Martin was a Departmental Lecturer in Physical Geography here in Oxford and a Lecturer at Worcester College and St Hilda's College. He supervises undergraduate students undertaking their dissertation projects and has supervised doctoral research as part of the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA).

Martin is a member of the Oxford Resilient Buildings and Landscapes Lab (OxRBL) and the Landscape Dynamics research cluster. As part of the Built Heritage Research Initiative, a collaboration between SoGE and the Getty Conservation Institute, he is currently leading research under the ‘learning from nature’ strand, with a focus on stone biodeterioration and bioprotection by non-vascular plants. As well as pursuing his core interests in biogeomorphology, he continues to work in collaboration with heritage organisations on climate change resilience and nature-based approaches to building conservation. Other interests include all aspects of ‘heritage horticulture’, particularly the cultural and environmental values of historic walled gardens in the UK.

Recent Graduate Research Students