C. H. Gimingham
Encyclopedia
Charles Henry Gimingham OBE
FRSE
FIBiol
, born 28 April 1923, is a British
applied botanist, Patron of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
, past President of the British Ecological Society
, and a world authority on heathlands and heathers
.
, Hertfordshire
, and Muriel Elizabeth (née Blake). He was named after his grandfather, another Charles Henry Gimingham, an eminent British entomologist who was President of the Association of Applied Biologists.
, Holt
, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge
, where he was an open Scholar and graduated BA
in 1944, then at Aberdeen University, graduating Doctor of Philosophy
.
, Minister of St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen
, and they have three daughters.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
FRSE
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
FIBiol
Institute of Biology
The Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
, born 28 April 1923, is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
applied botanist, Patron of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is the professional body which represents and supports ecologists and environmental managers, mainly in the United Kingdom but increasingly in Ireland and Europe, and the rest of the world....
, past President of the British Ecological Society
British Ecological Society
The British Ecological Society is a learned society in the field of ecology that was founded in 1913. It was the first ecological society in the world. The society's original objective was "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense" and this remains the central theme guiding...
, and a world authority on heathlands and heathers
Calluna
Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. It is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to tall, or rarely to and taller, and is found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade...
.
Background
Gimingham is the son of Conrad Theodore Gimingham, of HarpendenHarpenden
Harpenden is a town in Hertfordshire, England.The town's total population is just under 30,000.-Geography and administration:There are two civil parishes: Harpenden and Harpenden Rural....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, and Muriel Elizabeth (née Blake). He was named after his grandfather, another Charles Henry Gimingham, an eminent British entomologist who was President of the Association of Applied Biologists.
Education
Gimingham was educated at Gresham's SchoolGresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, Holt
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
, where he was an open Scholar and graduated BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1944, then at Aberdeen University, graduating Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
.
Outline of Career
- Research Assistant, Imperial College, London, 1944–1945
- Research Assistant, University of AberdeenUniversity of AberdeenThe University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, 1946–1948 - Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, 1948–1961
- Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, 1961–1964
- Reader in Botany, University of Aberdeen, 1964-1969
- Professor of Botany, University of Aberdeen, 1969-1981
- Regius Professor of Botany, University of Aberdeen, 1981-1988
- Editorial Board, Botanical Journal of Scotland
- Member, Governing Body of Aberdeen College of Education, 1979–1987
- Convenor of English NatureEnglish NatureEnglish Nature was the United Kingdom government agency that promoted the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places throughout England between 1990 and 2006...
Heathlands Committee, 1981–1995 - Member, Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1980–92
- Member, Board of Management, Hill Farming Research Organisation, 1981–1987
- Member, Council of Management, Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, 1983–1987
- Member, Governing Body of Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, 1987–1990
- Member, Advisory Board of Robert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon UniversityRobert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
Heritage Unit - Member, Scientific Advisory Committee of Scottish Natural HeritageScottish Natural HeritageScottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
, 1996–1999 - Member, Scientific Advisory Panel of RSK Environment Ltd
- Member, Mar Lodge Estate Management Committee of National Trust for ScotlandNational Trust for ScotlandThe National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
- Editor of the Outline Studies in Ecology series
Honours
- 1961: Fellow of the Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
- 1967: Fellow of the Institute of BiologyInstitute of BiologyThe Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
- 1974: Member of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- 1977: ScDScd-In medicine:* Schnyder corneal dystrophy* Semen collection device* Sequential compression device an intermittent pneumatic compression system intended to reduce blood clot formation* Sickle-cell disease...
degree, Cambridge University - 1982–1984: President of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh
- 1986: President of the British Ecological SocietyBritish Ecological SocietyThe British Ecological Society is a learned society in the field of ecology that was founded in 1913. It was the first ecological society in the world. The society's original objective was "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense" and this remains the central theme guiding...
- 1988: Emeritus Professor, University of AberdeenUniversity of AberdeenThe University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
- 1990: Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- 2000: Patron of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
- 2004: Honorary British Fellow, Botanical Society of Scotland
- 2004: President of the Heather Trust
- 2004: Honorary Member of the British Ecological SocietyBritish Ecological SocietyThe British Ecological Society is a learned society in the field of ecology that was founded in 1913. It was the first ecological society in the world. The society's original objective was "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense" and this remains the central theme guiding...
Family
In 1948, Gimingham married Elizabeth Caroline, the only daughter of the Rev. J. Wilson Baird, DDDoctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
, Minister of St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, and they have three daughters.
Books
- Ecology of Heathlands (Chapman and Hall, London, 1972) ISBN 0412104601
- An Introduction to Heathland Ecology (Oliver & Boyd, 1975) ISBN 0050028766
- Methods for the Measurement of the Primary Production of Grassland (with C. Milner, R. E. Hughes, G. R. Miller and R. O. Slayter, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1968) ISBN 0397601832
- The Lowland Heathland Management Handbook (English Nature, Peterborough, 1992)
- Ecology, Conservation and Land Use of the Cairngorms (Packard Publishing, 1999, ed.) ISBN 1853411175
Publications
- A Note on Water-Table, Sand Movement and Plant Distribution in a North African Oasis
- Tussock Formation in Ammophila arenaria (with P. Greig-Smith and A. R. Gemmell, New Phytologist, Vol. 46, 1947)
- The Use of Life Form and Growth Form in the Analysis of Community Structure as Illustrated by a Comparison of Two Dune Communities (Journal of Ecology, 1951)
- Investigation of Correlations between Growth Form and Habitat in Mosses (with Miss E.M. Burnett, British Bryological Society, 1952)
- Development of a Soil Microflora in Relation to Plant Succession on Sand- Dunes, Including the Rhizosphere Flora Associated with Colonizing Species (with D. M. Webley and D. J. Eastwood, Journal of Ecology, 1952)
- A Note on the Behaviour of Ammophila arenaria (L) Link. in relation to sand-dune formation (with A. R Gemmell and P. Greig-Smith, Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 1953)
- Ecological Studies on Growth-Form in Bryophytes: I. Correlations Between Growth-Form and Habitat (with Evelyn M. Birse, Journal of Ecology, 1957)
- Biological Flora of the British Isles: Calluna vulgaris (Journal of Ecology, 1960)
- Calluna Salisb. (Journal of Ecology, 1960)
- North European Heath Communities: A Network of Variation (Journal of Ecology, 1961)
- The Effects of Fire on Regeneration of Calluna Vulgaris (with E. Whittaker, Journal of Ecology, 1962)
- Litter Production by Calluna Vulgaris (L.) Hull (with E. Cormack, Journal of Ecology, 1964)
- The Monoculture of Heather Calluna Vulgaris and its effects on Hill Grazings (1960)
- Vegetative Regeneration of Calluna Vulgaris after Fire (with A. J. Kayll, Journal of Ecology, Vol. 53, 1965)
- Interpretation of a Vegetational Mosaic on Limestone in the Island of Gotland (with N. M. Pritchard and R. M. Cormack, Journal of Ecology, 1966)
- Quantitative Community Analysis and Bryophyte Ecology on Signy Island (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1967)
- The Description and Interpretation of Cyclical Processes in a Heath Community: I. Vegetational Change in Relation to the Calluna Cycle (with P. Barclay-Estrup, Journal of Ecology, 1969)
- The Morphology of Vegetative Regeneration in Calluna vulgaris (with B. F. Mohamed, New Phytologist, 1970)
- The Loch of Strathbeg (with W. R. P. Bourne, N. C. Morgan and R. H. Britton, Nature 242, 1973)
- Some Effects of Fire and Grazing on Heath Vegetation (with R.J. Hobbs, Bulletin of Ecology, 1980)
- Conservation: European Heathlands (in Ecosystems of the World, ed. R.L. Sprecht, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1981)
- The Effects of Planting Technique on the Growth of Ammophila arenaria (with R. J. Hobbs and W. T. Band, Journal of Applied Ecology, 1983)
- Ecological Effects of Heather Burning: I. Water Infiltration, Moisture Retention and Porosity of Surface Soil (with A. U. Mallik and A. A. Rahman, Journal of Ecology, 1984)
- Germination and Establishment of Seedlings in Different Phases of the Calluna Life-Cycle in a Scottish Heathland (with E. Dehullu, Vegetatio, 1984)
- Studies on Fire in Scottish Heathland Communities: I. Fire Characteristics (with R. J. Hobbs, Journal of Ecology, 1984)
- Studies on Fire in Scottish Heathland Communities II. Post-Fire Vegetation Development (with R. J. Hobbs, Journal of Ecology, 1984)
- Studies on Fire in Scottish Heathland Communities: III. Vital Attributes of the Species (with R. J. Hobbs and A. U. Mallik, Journal of Ecology, 1984)
- The Use of Thermocolour Pyrometers in the Study of Heath Fire Behaviour (with R. J. Hobbs and J. E. P. Currall, Journal of Ecology, 1984)
- Ecological Effects of Heather Burning: II Effects on Seed Germination and Vegetative Regeneration (with A. U. Mallik, Journal of Ecology, 1985)
- Vegetation, Fire and Herbivore Interactions in Heathland (with R. J. Hobbs, Advances in Ecological Research, 1987)
- Harnessing the Winds of Change: Heathland Ecology in Retrospect and Prospect: Presidential Address to the British Ecological Society, December 1986 (Journal of Ecology, 1987)
- Experimental Investigation of Bryophyte Interactions on a Dry Heathland (with E. Scandrett, Journal of Ecology, 1989)
- A Model of Calluna Population-Dynamics - the Effects of Varying Seed and Vegetative Regeneration (with E. Scandrett, Vegetatio, 1989)
- Coastal Sand Dunes, proceedings of the Symposium organised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (with W Ritchie, BB Willetts and AJ Willis, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1989)
- Succession from Heather Moorland to Birch Woodland: I Experimental Alteration of Specific Environmental Conditions in the Field (with A. J. Hester and J. Miles, Journal of Ecology, 1991)
- Succession from Heather Moorland to Birch Woodland: II Growth and Competition Between Vaccinium Myrtillus, Deschampsia Flexuosa and Agrostis Capillaris (with A. J. Hester and J. Miles, Journal of Ecology, 1991)
- The Effect of Heather Beetle Lochmaea Suturalis on Vegetation in a Wet Heath in NE Scotland (with Eurig Scandrett, Ecography, 1991)
- Succession from Heather Moorland to Birch Woodland: III Seed Availability, Germination and Early Growth (with A. J. Hester and J. Miles, Journal of Ecology, 1991)
- Seed-Shedding in a Scottish Heath Community (with P. Barclay-Estrup, Journal of Vegetation Science, 1994)
- An Overview of Scottish Habitats (Botanical Journal of Scotland, 2002)