Professor Ross Cameron

BSc, PhD

School of Architecture and Landscape

Professor of Environmental Horticulture

A profile photo of Ross Cameron
Profile picture of A profile photo of Ross Cameron
r.w.cameron@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0614
Arts Tower

Full contact details

Professor Ross Cameron
School of Architecture and Landscape
Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile

I am a landscape horticulturalist specializing in the use and value of landscape plants.

My current research interests centre around green infrastructure and climate change mitigation, with a strong emphasis on providing recommendations on plant species choice with respect to ecosystem function (city cooling, thermal insulation, flood tolerance, biodiversity enhancement).

This includes currently supervising PhD projects on improving the thermal performance of buildings through appropriate plant selection e.g. on both green walls and green roofs.

I am also interested in identifying those plant species robust enough to tolerate urban conditions (both current and future), whilst meeting their specifications for performance. Recent studies include investigations into Mediterranean species that tolerate winter flooding, and how warmer autumns affect the development of young ornamental trees.

Research interests
  • Benefits of urban plants as determined by plant species choice
  • Gardens / Gardening for health and well-being
  • Climate change and urban plants
  • Green walls and building insulation
  • Landscape plants and urban water management

Developing more sustainable landscape management techniques is a key driver in much of my research, and I have been involved in a number of projects investigating more efficient use of resources (water, organic waste streams as soil amendments, alternative growing media and energy).

I led a DEFRA LINK project - Efficient use of water in horticulture which proposed a 2/3 reduction in water use during the production of ornamental plants. This project involved 14 partner organizations and was rated 9/10 by DEFRA one of the highest-ranking scores at the time.

I have also more recently conducted projects evaluating the use of grey water for landscape applications. I work closely with industry partners, for example, the Horticultural Trades Association on the carbon footprint of plant production and maintenance; and the Royal Horticultural Society on maximizing invertebrate biodiversity through the appropriate use of garden ornamentals.

As a landscape horticulturalist, I also am very keen to understand more about how people relate to the landscape and what sorts of plant-based designs provide strong resonance with the public and why?

I am particularly interested in the relationship between plants, naturalistic landscapes and human well-being. As such I have worked on a number of consultations with stakeholders in this field, including MIND, the horticultural therapy charity THRIVE, The Royal Neurological Hospital and the Landscape Institute.

Funded Research Projects

  • 2011 National Horticultural Fellowship (HDC/EMT/ HTA) Nutrient management in ornamentals
  • 2011 Establishment and management of Malaysian landscape ornamentals (Malaysian Gov.)
  • 2010 Evaluating the potential of the non-grass lawn (various sponsors)
  • 2010 Green roof plant species for the Mediterranean climate (Portuguese Gov.)
  • 2010 RHS KTP Plants for BUGS
  • 2008 HTA Investigating the environmental impacts of gardening in the UK
  • 2007 HDC Optimising leaf defoliation in young trees
  • 2007 Grantscape- Market development for lower grade composts
  • 2006 HDC Bedding plants benchmarking current transport
  • 2006 RHS Waterlogging intolerance and its remediation in Mediterranean plants
  • 2004-2011 RHS Physiological development in garden plants.
  • 2003-2011 HTA Reviews for Plant for life
  • 2002 DEFRA Conventional and biotechnological genetic improvement of hardy nursery stock
  • 2002 DEFRA To identify and overcome constraints to the efficient and consistent production of HNS in the UK.
  • 2002 EU Framework Programme V. Improving Fraxinus (Ash) productivity for European needs by testing, selection, propagation and promotion of improved genetic resources.
  • 2002 DEFRA Hortlink Improving the control and efficiency of water use in container-grown hardy ornamental nursery stock.

Areas of Potential Research Degree Supervision

  • Landscape plants and ecosystem services
  • Plant adaptation to stress
  • Habitat Management
  • Plant-people relationships
Publications

Books

  • Cameron R & Hitchmough J (2016) Environmental Horticulture: Science and Management of Green Landscapes. Croydon: Cabi.
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Journal articles

  • McLaughlin CL, Blanu禳a T, Cameron R, Lukac M, Pfuderer S & Bishop J (2026) . Landscape and Urban Planning, 266, 105522-105522.
  • Kim EH, Hitchmough J, Cameron RW, Bahn V & Schrodt F (2025) . Ecology and Evolution, 15(3).
  • Liu Z, Cheng KY, Amati M, Jim CY, Hua C, Yokohari M, Cameron R & Ng E (2025) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 105.
  • Yin D, Wang D, Jiang B, Song W, Xin S, Chen Y, Chen Y & Cameron R (2024) . Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 71(4).
  • Qi H, Dempsey N & Cameron R (2024) . Arboricultural Journal, 46(4), 292-304.
  • Farris S, Zhang L, Dempsey N, McEwan K, Hoyle H & Cameron R (2024) . Cities & Health.
  • Zhang L, Dempsey N & Cameron R (2024) . Landscape and Urban Planning, 248.
  • Kunasingam P, Clayden A & Cameron R (2024) . Building and Environment, 256.
  • Farris S, Dempsey N, McEwan K, Hoyle H & Cameron R (2024) . PLOS ONE, 19(2).
  • Griffiths A, Chalmin-Pui L & Cameron R (2023) . Acta Horticulturae, 1374, 155-164.
  • Kim EH, Hitchmough JD, Cameron RW, Schrodt F, Martin KWE & Cubey R (2023) . Science of The Total Environment, 902.
  • Nur Hannah Ismail S, Stovin V & Cameron RWF (2023) . Urban Ecosystems, 26(6), 1709-1724.
  • Redondo Berm繳dez MDC, Chakraborty R, Cameron RW, Inkson BJ & Val Martin M (2023) . Sustainability, 15(2).
  • Cameron R (2023) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 80.
  • Zhang L, Dempsey N & Cameron R (2023) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 79.
  • Chalmin-Pui LS, Griffiths A, Roe J & Cameron R (2023) . Leisure Sciences, 45(8), 787-807.
  • Rani MS, Cameron R, Schroth O & Lange E (2022) . International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 36(12), 2549-2562.
  • Redondo-Berm繳dez MDC, Jorgensen A, Cameron RW & ValMartin M (2022) . Nature-Based Solutions, 2.
  • Robinson JM, Watkins H, Man I, Liddicoat C, Cameron R, Parker B, Cruz M & Meagher L (2021) . Architectural Research Quarterly, 25(4), 292-303.
  • Redondo-Berm繳dez MDC, Gulenc IT, Cameron RW & Inkson BJ (2021) . Environmental Pollution, 288.
  • Robinson JM, Cameron R & Jorgensen A (2021) . Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
  • Robinson JM, Cameron R & Parker B (2021) . Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9.
  • Robinson JM, Cando-Dumancela C, Antwis RE, Cameron R, Liddicoat C, Poudel R, Weinstein P & Breed MF (2021) . Scientific Reports, 11.
  • Chalmin-Pui LS, Griffiths A, Roe J, Heaton T & Cameron R (2021) . Cities, 112.
  • Robinson JM, Brindley P, Cameron R, MacCarthy D & Jorgensen A (2021) . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5).
  • Chalmin-Pui LS, Roe J, Griffiths A, Smyth N, Heaton T, Clayden A & Cameron R (2021) . Landscape and Urban Planning, 205, ---.
  • Robinson JM, Cando-Dumancela C, Liddicoat C, Weinstein P, Cameron R & Breed MF (2020) . Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(11).
  • Mohd Idris NI & Cameron RWF (2020) . The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 95(6), 734-745.
  • Robinson JM & Cameron R (2020) . Frontiers in Psychology, 11.
  • Robinson JM, Jorgensen A, Cameron R & Brindley P (2020) . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10).
  • Cameron RWF, Brindley P, Mears M, McEwan K, Ferguson F, Sheffield D, Jorgensen A, Riley J, Goodrick J, Ballard L & Richardson M (2020) . Urban Ecosystems, 23(2), 301-317.
  • Ibrahim R, Clayden A & Cameron R (2020) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 49.
  • Watkins JHR, Cameron RWF, Sj繹man H & Hitchmough JD (2020) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 48.
  • McEwan K, Ferguson F, Richardson M & Cameron R (2020) . Landscape and Urban Planning, 194.
  • Lewis E, Phoenix GK, Alexander P, David J & Cameron RWF (2019) . Urban Ecosystems, 22(5), 841-854.
  • Chalmin-Pui LS, Griffiths A, Roe JJ & Cameron RWF (2019) . Challenges, 10(2), 37-37.
  • Blanusa T, Garratt M, Cathcart-James M, Hunt L & Cameron RWF (2019) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 44.
  • Rani MS, Lange E, Cameron R & Schroth O (2019) . Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 4, 33-41.
  • Brindley PG, Cameron R, Ersoy E, Jorgensen A & Maheswaran R (2019) . Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 39, 45-54.
  • Rani M, Lange E, Cameron R & Schroth O (2018) . Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 2018(3), 23-33.
  • Cameron RW, Taylor J, Salih E & Emmett M (2017) . ISHS Acta Horticulturae.
  • Al Farsi KAAY, Lupton D, Hitchmough JD & Cameron RWF (2017) . Journal of Arid Environments, 147, 40-53.
  • Vaz Monteiro M, Blanu禳a T, Verhoef A, Richardson M, Hadley P & Cameron RWF (2017) . Energy and Buildings, 141, 56-68.
  • Cameron RW & Blanusa T (2016) . Annals of Botany, 118(3), 377-391.
  • Vaz Monteiro M, Blanu禳a T, Verhoef A, Hadley P & Cameron RW (2016) . Australian Journal of Botany, 64(1), 32-44.
  • Vaz Monteiro M, Hadley P, Blanusa T & Cameron RWF (2016) . Acta Horticulturae(1108), 339-344.
  • Taylor JE, Cameron RWF & Emmett MR (2016) . Acta Horticulturae(1108), 353-359.
  • Mohd Idris NI & Cameron RWF (2016) . Acta Horticulturae(1108), 213-220.
  • Cameron RWF, Taylor J & Emmett M (2015) . Building and Environment, 92, 111-121.
  • Wagstaffe J, Cameron R, Hadley P & Bisgrove R (2014) . Scientia Horticulturae, 175, 236-242.
  • Cameron RWF, Taylor JE & Emmett MR (2014) . Building and Environment, 73, 198-207.
  • Blanusa T, Vaz Monteiro MM, Vysini E, Li Y, Fantozzi F & Cameron RWF (2012) . Building and Environment.
  • Cameron RWF, Blanu禳a T, Taylor JE, Salisbury A, Halstead AJ, Henricot B & Thompson K (2012) . Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 11(2), 129-137.
  • King CM, Robinson JS & Cameron RW (2012) Flooding tolerance in four 'Garrigue' landscape plants: Implications for their future use in the urban landscapes of north-west Europe?. Landscape and Urban Planning.
  • Cameron RWF, Blanu禳a T, Taylor JE, Salisbury A, Halstead AJ, Henricot B & Thompson K (2012) The domestic garden - Its contribution to urban green infrastructure. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening.
  • Sharp RG, Else MA, Davies WJ & Cameron RW (2010) . Scientia Horticulturae, 124(2), 231-238.
  • Blanusa T, Kostoulas G & Cameron RWF (2010) Sub-irrigation of Petunia: benefits in dry summers. Acta Horticulturae, 881, 457-462.
  • Cameron RW, King CM & Robinson S (2010) Ornamental Mediterranean plants in the UK: Root adaptations to hypoxia and anoxia.. Acta Horticulturae, 881, 469-474.
  • Rose GA & Cameron RWF (2009) Chill unit models for blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars Ben Gairn, Ben Hope and Ben Tirran.. Scientia Horticulturae, 122, 654-657.
  • Sharp RD, Else MA, Cameron RWF & Davies WJ (2009) Water deficits promote flowering in Rhododendron via regulation of pre and post initiation development.. Scientia Horticulturae, 120, 511-517.
  • Blanusa T, Vysini E & Cameron RWF (2009) Growth and flowering of Petunia and Impatiens: Effects of competition and reduced water content within a container.. Hortscience, 44, 1302-1307.
  • Cameron RW, Harrison-Murray RS, Fordham M, Wilkinson S, Davies W, Atkinson C & Else M (2008) Regulated irrigation of woody ornamentals to improve plant quality and precondition against drought stress.. Annals of Applied Biology, 153, 49-61.
  • Taylor N, Blanusa T & Cameron RWF (2008) Shoot dieback in clipped young Golden Leyland (Cupressocyparis leylandii) trees - a physiological mechanism?. Arboricultural Journal, 31, 109-122.
  • Blanusa T, Papadogiannakis E, Tanner R & Cameron RWF (2007) . Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 82(4), 521-528.
  • Cameron RWF, Harrison-Murray RS, Atkinson CJ & Judd HL (2006) . Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 81(3), 435-443.
  • Cameron RWF, Harrison-Murray RS, Judd HL, Marks TR, Ford YY & Bates CHA (2005) . Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 80(2), 245-253.
  • Watkins H, Hirons A, Sj繹man H, Cameron R & Hitchmough JD () . Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3.
  • Robinson JM, Cando-Dumancela C, Antwis RE, Cameron R, Liddicoat C, Poudel R, Weinstein P & Breed MF () .
  • Al Farsi K, Cameron RW, Hitchmough J & Lupton D () Assessing the effects of drought and temperature on the establishment of Juniperus seravschanica saplings in Northern Oman. Sibbaldia: the Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, 14, 37-53.
  • Kim EH, Cameron RW, Hirons A & Hitchmough JD () Relating Plant Hydraulics and Traits in the Context of Climatic Niche.
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Book chapters

  • Zhai X, Cameron R & Lange E (2023) , The Urban Book Series (pp. 285-299). Springer International Publishing
  • Cameron RWF (2017) , Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences (pp. 228-235). Elsevier
  • Cameron RWF (2017) , Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences (pp. 186-192). Elsevier
  • Cameron RW (2015) Health, well-being and socio-cultural benefits In Ingram DS, Vince-Prue D & Gregory P (Ed.), Science and the Garden: The Scientific Basis of Horticultural Practice, 3rd Edition 392 pages December 2015, Wiley-Blackwell Wiley.
  • Cameron RWF (2014) , Horticulture: Plants for People and Places, Volume 2 (pp. 763-786). Springer Netherlands
  • Cameron RWF (2014) , Horticulture: Plants for People and Places, Volume 3 (pp. 1001-1023). Springer Netherlands
  • Cameron RWF (2014) , Horticulture Plants for People and Places Volume 2 Environmental Horticulture (pp. 763-786).
  • Cameron RWF (2014) , Horticulture Plants for People and Places Volume 3 Social Horticulture (pp. 1001-1023).
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Conference proceedings

  • McLaughlin CL, Blanu禳a T, Cameron RW, Lukac M, Hadley J & Bishop J (2025) . Acta Horticulturae, Vol. 1(1429) (pp 225-232). Wisley, United Kingdom, 25 September 2024 - 25 September 2024.
  • Cameron RW, del Carmen Redondo-Berm繳dez M, Kunasingam P, Ismail SNH, Lu Z, Farris S, Zhang L, Chmiewliski E & Chalmin-Pui L (2025) . Acta Horticulturae, Vol. 1(1429) (pp 13-24). Wisley, United Kingdom, 25 September 2024 - 25 September 2024.
  • Kim EH, Hitchmough JD & Cameron RW (2025) . Acta Horticulturae, Vol. 1(1429) (pp 199-208). Wisley, United Kingdom, 25 September 2024 - 25 September 2024.
  • Ismail SNH, Cameron R & Stovin V (2018) Improving the functionality of the sponge Does plant choice matter?. SUDSnet International Conference. Coventry, UK, 30 August 2018 - 31 August 2018.
  • Ismail SNH, Cameron R & Stovin V (2018) Evapo-transpiration traits of ground cover landscape plants that aid stormwater management in urban areas. World Green Infrastructure Congress, 4 June 2018 - 6 June 2018.
  • Ismail SNH, Stovin VR & Cameron RWF (2017) Rainfall interception and retention by different vegetation covers under simulated rainfall. Proceedings of Green Infrastructure: Nature Based Solutions for Sustainable and Resilient Cities, 4 April 2017 - 7 April 2017.
  • Cameron RWF, Wilkinson S, Davies WJ, Harrison-Murray RS, Dunstan D & Burgess C (2004) . Acta Horticulturae, Vol. 630 (pp 305-312)
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Preprints

  • Kim EH, Cameron RW, Hirons A & Hitchmough JD () .
  • Robinson JM, Brindley P, Cameron R, MacCarthy D & Jorgensen A () .
  • Robinson JM, Cando-Dumancela C, Liddicoat C, Weinstein P, Cameron R & Breed MF () .
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Research group

Designed Ecology

Teaching interests
  • Director of Research
  • Director Centre for Urban Biodiversity, University of Reading - 2008 onwards
  • Director Student Career Development
  • Deputy Director Centre for Horticulture and Landscape - 2002 onwards
  • Admission Tutor - B.Sc. Biological Sciences 2006-2010
  • External Examiner University of Greenwich 2008
Teaching activities
  • LSC 235 Landscape Ecology - Habitat Survey Techniques
  • LSC 335 Landscape Ecology - Habitat Creation and Restoration
  • LSC 5210 Habitat Management
  • LSC 6008 Greenspace Maintenance
  • LSC 6023 Research Methods in Landscape
  • LSC 6024 Contemporary Issues in Landscape Research
  • LSC 6150 Appreciation of Landscape
Professional activities and memberships

Memberships

Academic Member of the (Royal Chartered Body for Landscape Architects in the United Kingdom).
Invited scientific advisor to:

  • The Agriculture and Horticultural Development Council. (Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture Panel)
  • The Royal Horticultural Society.
  • The Plant for Life and Greening the UK initiatives.
  • Thrive (UKs largest Horticultural Therapy Charity). 2003-2011

Extra Mural and Professional Activities

My professional activities are focused around climate change adaptation and more efficient use of resources, with advice being sought by Government and Industry.

For example, my work with the Greening the UK initiative has informed DEFRAs latest white paper and policy formation in general. In addition, I have had direct engagement with 3 different UK Secretaries of State in the last 2 years and 4 invitations to attend parliamentary committees.

My contribution to impact extends to numerous media appearances and broadcasts, including national radio and television. I have also won a number of awards for my teaching and contributions to enhancing student employability.

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