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Department of Geography

Staff Profile

Dr Jeff Warburton

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 33 41952
Fax: +44 (0)191 33 41801
Room number: 219

(email at jeff.warburton@durham.ac.uk)

Biography

My research is concerned primarily with fluvial geomorphology, sediment budgets, shallow landslides, mountain sediment systems and geocryology. Work is in progress on sediment transfer processes in upland and mountain streams in northern England. This research is closely allied to investigations of upland peat erosion. Particular emphasis is placed on the transport of peat blocks, mass movements and wind erosion of bare peat. Interest in peat mass movemnts is part of a wider interet in shallow landslides in upland areas. Current investigations into geocryology are focussed on characterising upland frost climates and process monitoring of active frost-sorted patterned ground. I have a continued interest in hydraulic modelling of braided gravel-bed rivers and geomorphological laboratory experiments. As part of a more general interest in sediment transfer and the geomorphology of coarse-bed mountain streams and upland bedrock rivers. I am involved in several longer-term projects in Colorado and New Zealand.

I have served on the Executive Committee of the British Geomorphological Research Group and together with Dave Higgitt I was Joint-Chair of the BGRG Working Group on Upland Sediment Budgets. In 2000 I was made a Millennium fellow for my work on 'Understanding the Landscape of the North Pennines'.

Research Groups

  • Catchment, River and Hillslope Science (CRHS)

Research Projects

Research Interests

  • Experimental geomorphology
  • Geocryology
  • Geomorphology of braided rivers and mountain streams
  • Mountain sediment systems

Selected Publications

Journal papers: academic

  • Warburton, J. & Evans, M. Geomorphic, sedimentary, and potential palaeoenvironmental significance of peat blocks in alluvial river systems. Geomorphology. 2011;130:101-114.
  • Johnson, R.M., Warburton, J., Mills, A.J. & Winter, C. Evaluating the significance of event and post-event sediment dynamics in a first order tributary using multiple sediment budgets. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography. 2010;92:189-209.
  • Beylich, A.A., Lamoureux, S.F., Decaulne, A., Dixon, J.C., Orwin, J.F., Otto, J.C., Overeem, I., SÆmundson,Þ, Warburton, J. & Zwolinski, Z. Sedimentary fluxes and budgets in changing cold environments: the global IAG/AIG sediment budgets in cold environments (SEDIBUD) programme. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography. 2010;92:151-153.
  • Milledge, D.G., Lane, S.N. & Warburton, J. Optimisation of stereo-matching algorithms using extant DEM data. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. 2009;75:323-333.
  • Worrall, F., Burt, T.P., Rowson, J.G., Warburton, J. & Adamson, J.K. The multi-annual carbon budget of a peat-covered catchment. Science of The Total Environment. 2009;407:4084-4094.
  • Dykes, A.P., Warburton, J., Nichol, D., Doherty, G.K. & Scott, M.J. Discussion of "A5 Llyn Ogwen peatslide, Capel Curig, North Wales" by D. Nichol, G.K. Doherty & M.J. Scott, Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 40, 293–299. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. 2008;41.:123-126.
  • Cox, N.J., Warburton, J., Armstrong, A. & Holliday, V.J. Fitting concentration and load rating curves with generalized linear models. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2008;33:25-39.
  • Wishart, D., Warburton, J. & Bracken, L. Gravel extraction and planform change in a wandering gravel-bed river: The River Wear, Nothern England. Geomorphology. 2008;94:131-152.
  • Johnson, R.M., Warburton, J. & Mills, A.J. Hillslope-channel sediment transfer in a slope failure event: Wet Swine Gill, Lake District, northern England. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2008;33:394-413.
  • Holliday, V.J., Warburton, J. & Higgitt, D.L. Historic and contemporary sediment transfer in an upland Pennine catchment, UK. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2008;33:2139-2155.
  • Warburton, J., Beylich, A.A., Etienne, S., Etzemuller, B., Gordeev, V.V., Kayhko, J., Rachold, V., Russell, A.J., Schmidt, H.-H., Saemundsson, P & Tweed, F.S. Editorial Sediment budgets and rates of sediment transfer across cold environments in Europe: introduction and background to the European Science Foundation (ESF) Network - Sedimenary Source-to-Sink-Fluxes in Cold Environments (SEDIFLUX). Geografiska Annaler. 2007;89A:1-3.
  • Dykes, A.P. & Warburton, J. Mass movements in peat: A formal classification scheme. Geomorphology. 2007;86:73-93.
  • Warburton, J. Sediment budgets and rates of sediment transfer across cold environments in Europe: a commentary. Geografiska Annaler. 2007;89:95-100.
  • Dykes, A.P. & Warburton, J. Significance of geomorphological and subsurface drainage controls on failures of peat-covered hillslopes triggered by extreme rainfall. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2007;32:1841-1862.
  • Crowe, S.K. & Warburton, J. Significance of large peat blocks for river channel habitat and stream organic budgets. Mires and Peat. 2007;2:1-15.
  • Foulds, S.A. & Warburton, J. Significance of wind-driven rain (wind-splash) in the erosion of blanket peat. Geomorphology. 2007;83:183-192.
  • Foulds, S.A. & Warburton, J. Wind erosion of blanket peat during a short period of surface desiccation (North Pennines, Norhtern England). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2007;32:481-488.
  • Evans, M., Warburton, J. & Yang, J. Eroding blanket peat catchments: Global and local implications of upland organic sediment budgets. Geomorphology. 2006;79:45-57.
  • Beylich, A. A., Etienne, S., Etxelmüler, B., Gordeev, V. V., Käyhkö, J., Rachold, V., Russell, A. J., Schmidt, K.-H., Sæmundsson, þ., Tweed, F. S. & Warburton, J. The European Science Foundation (ESF) Network SEDIFLUX - An introduction and overview. Geomorphology. 2006;80:3-7.
  • Johnson, R. M. & Warburton, J. Variability in sediment supply, transfer and deposition in an upland torrent system: Iron Crag, Lake District, Northern England. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2006;31:844-861.
  • Oakley, R. A., Green, M., Carling, P. A., Lee, M. W. E., Sear, D. A & Warburton, J. Grain-shape analysis - a new method of determining representative particle shapes for populations of natural grains. Journal of Sedimentary Research. 2005;75:1065-1073.
  • Evans, M. & Warburton, J. Sediment budget for an eroding peat-moorland catchment in northern England. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2005;30:557-577.
  • Beylich, A. A., Etienne, S., Etxelmüler, B., Gordeev, V. V., Käyhkö, J., Rachold, V., Russell, A. J., Schmidt, K.-H., Sæmundsson, þ., Tweed, F. S. & Warburton, J. Sedimentary Source-to-Sink Fluxes in Cold Environments - Information on the European Science Foundation (ESF) Network SEDIFLUX. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie N. F. 2005;Suppl.-Vol 138:229-234.
  • Beylich, A.A., Etienne, S., Etzelmuller, B., Gordeev, V.V., Kayhko, J., Rachold, V., Russell, A.J., Schmidt, K.-H., Saemundsson, P., Tweed, F.S. & Warburton, J. Sedimentary Source-to-Sink-Fluxes in Cold Environments - Information on the European Science Foundation (ESF) Network SEDIFLUX. Zietschrift fur Geomorphologie, N.F. 2005;138:229-234.
  • Warburton, J., Holden, J. & Mills, A.J. Hydrological controls of surficial mass movements in peat. Earth Science Reviews. 2004;67:139-156.
  • J. Warburton, D. Higgitt & A. Mills Anatomy of a Pennine peat slide, Northern England. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2003;28:457-473.
  • Worrall, F., Reed, M., Warburton, J. & Burt, T. Carbon budget for a British upland peat catchment. The Science of the Total Environment. 2003;312:133-146.
  • J. Warburton, M.G. Evans & R.M. Johnson Discussion - 'The extent of soil erosion in Upland England and Wales'. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2003;28:219-223.
  • V.J. Holliday, D.L. Higgitt, J. Warburton & S. White Reconstructing upland sediment budgets in ungauged catchments from reservoir sedimentation and rainfall records calibrated using short-term streamflow monitoring. Erosion prediction in Ungauged Basins. 2003;279:59-67.
  • Warburton, J. Wind-splash erosion of bare peat on UK upland moorlands. Catena. 2003;52:191-207.
  • R.M. Johnson & J. Warburton Annual sediment budget of a UK mountain torrent. Geografiska Annaler. 2002;84A:73-88.
  • R.M. Johnson & J. Warburton Flooding and geomorphic impacts in a mountain torrent: Raise Beck, Central Lake District, England. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2002;27:945-969.
  • Worrall, F., Burt, T.P., Jaeban, R.Y., Warburton, J. & Shedden, R. Release of dissolved organic carbon from upland peat. Hydrological Processes. 2002;16:3487-3504.
  • Warburton, J., Danks, M. & Wishart, D. Stability of an upland gravel-bed stream, Swinhope Burn, Northern England. Catena. 2002;49:309-329.
  • D. Wishart & J. Warburton An assessment of blanket mire degradation and peatland gully development in the Cheviot Hills, Northumberland. Scottish Geographical Journal. 2001;117:185-206.
  • M. Evans & J. Warburton Transport and dispersal of organic debris (peat blocks) in upland fluvial systems. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2001;26:1087-1102.

Books: sections

  • Warburton, J. Mountain Environments. In: Perry, C. & Taylor, K. Environmental Sedimentology. Oxford: Blackwell; 2006:32-74.
  • J. Warburton Contributing Areas. In: A. Goudie Encyclopedia of Geomorphology. Routledge; 2004:185-188.
  • J. Warburton First order streams. In: A. Goudie Encyclopedia of Geomorphology. Routledge; 2004:370-372.
  • R.M. Johnson & J. Warburton Regional assessment of contemporary debris flow activity in Lake District mountain catchments, north England: occurrence, scale and process. In: D. Rickenmann & G.L. Chen Debris-flow Hazards Mitigation: Mechanics, Predication and Assessment. Millpress; 2003:965-976.
  • Burt, T.P., Warburton, J. & Allison, R.J. Eroding upland landscapes? Past, present and future perspectives. In: Burt, T.P., Thompson, D.B.A. & Warburton, J. The British Uplands: Dynamics of change. Peterborough.: JNCC; 2002:60-66.
  • Higgitt, D.L. & Warburton, J. GPS: A tool for mapping the uplands. In: Burt, T.P., Thompson, D.B.A. & Warburton, J. The British Uplands: Dynamics of Change. JNCC; 2002:134-135.
  • Danks, M. & Warburton, J. Historical river channel change - Swinhope Burn, Upper Weardale. In: Burt, T.P., Thompson, D.B.A. & Warburton, J. The British Uplands: Dynamics of Change. JNCC; 2002:125-126.
  • A. Mills, J. Warburton & D.L. Higgitt Peat mass movements: a World and regional database. In: T.P. Burt, D.B.A. Thompson & J. Warburton The British Uplands: Dynamics of Change. JNCC; 2002:166-167.
  • Johnson, R.M., Warburton, J. & Burt, T.P. Torrent erosion in Lake District mountain cathments. In: Burt, T.P., Thompson, D.B.A. & Warburton, J. The British Uplands: Dynamics of Change. Peterborough.: JNCC; 2002:139-140.
  • J. Warburton, G. Marrs, M. Macklin, J. Woodward & E. Meldrum A 300 year history of flooding in an Andean mountain river system: the Rio Alizos, Southern Bolivia. In: D. Maddy, M. Macklin & J. Woodard River Basin Sediment Systems: Archives of Environmental Change. Balkema; 2001:297-323.
  • Higgitt, D. L., Warburton, J. & Evans, M. Sediment transfer in upland environments. In: Higgitt, D. L. & Lee, E. Geomorphological Processes and Landscape Change: Britain in the Last 1000 years. Blackwell; 2001.
  • Macklin, M., Maas, G., Warburton, J., Woodward, J., Meldrum, E. & Preston, D. Una historia de la formacion de los paisajes de Tarija. In: Beck, S, Paniagua, N. & Peston Historia, Ambientey Sociedad en Tarija, Bolivia. 2001:1-7.

Edited works: conference proceedings

  • Johnson, R. & Warburton, J. Episodic discharge of coarse sediment in a mountain torrent. Dundee.: Sediment Dynamics and the Hydromorphology of Fluvial Systems; 2006.

Reports: official

  • Beylich, A.A. & Warburton, J. Analysis of Source-to-Sink-Fluxes and Sediment Budgets in Changing High-Latitude and High-Altitude Cold Environments: SEDIFLUX Manual. 2007;1-158.
  • Burt, T.P., Thompson, D.B.A. & Warburton, J. The British Uplands: Dynamics of Change. 2002.

Show all publications

Media Contacts

Available for media contact about:

  • Earth Sciences: Damage caused by flooding and landslides in mounatain areas, particularly the UK
  • Geography: Damage caused by flooding and landslides in mounatain areas, particularly the UK
  • Environmental change: Damage caused by flooding and landslides in mounatain areas, particularly the UK
  • Landscape systems: Damage caused by flooding and landslides in mounatain areas, particularly the UK
  • Environment: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands
  • Landscape & buildings: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands
  • Weather & climate: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands
  • Geography: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands
  • Environmental change: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands
  • Landscape systems: Peat erosion and recent environmental change in the uplands

Grants Awarded

  • 1999: European Union Framework 4: WARMICE Water Management in a Changing Environment: Impacts of Sediment on Sustainability, 450000 ECU, 1999-2001. Lead Institution: University of Durham - S. White (co-ordinator), D. Higgitt, J. Warburton. Partner Institutions, Institute of Pyrenean Ecology, Spain; Institute of Water Management and Hydraulic Engineering, Austria.

Supervises