Dr Helen Harper

Tutor, Geography

helen.hallang@swansea.ac.uk

Research Links

About

I study the response of northern alpine permafrost regions to climatic changes over various spatiotemporal scales. The focus of my research is on permafrost- and vegetation dynamics and carbon release. I use palynology (pollen analysis) to reconstruct late Holocene vegetation assemblages, and satellite remote sensing to model past (decadal scale) land surface temperatures and surface greenness (NDVI). I am also interested in the controls that different ecosystem properties and geomorphological processes have on carbon release from the ground surface in periglacial environments. My main study area is Jotunheimen in southern Norway.

I hold a PhD in Physical Geography (Swansea University, 2022), an MSc in Ecosystem Services (University of Edinburgh, 2015) and a BA in Geography and Development Studies (King’s College London, 2013).

Areas Of Expertise

Arctic and alpine ecology
Palynology
Permafrost dynamics
Satellite remote sensing

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Taught modules:

GEG100 Geographical skills

GEG132 Introduction to Earth Systems

GEG133 Natural Hazards and Society

GEG277 Geographical Methods and Approaches

GEG278 Data Analysis and Dissertation Preparation Skills

GEG252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Exploring Geographical Themes in Swansea and south Wales

Publications

Research Highlights

Matthews, J., Haselberger, S., Hill, J., Owen, G., Winkler, S., Hiemstra, J., & Harper, H. (2020). Snow-avalanche boulder fans in Jotunheimen, southern Norway: Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating, geomorphometrics, dynamics and evolution. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 102(2), 118-140.
https://doi.org/10.1080/04353676.2020.1762365, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53840
Harper, H., Hiemstra, J., Los, S., Matthews, J., & Froyd, C. (2020). Carbon dioxide emissions from periglacial patterned ground under changing permafrost conditions and shrub encroachment in an alpine landscape, Jotunheimen, Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 31(4), 524-537.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54383
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078
Harper, H., Froyd, C., Hiemstra, J., & Los, S. (2022). Tree line shifts, changing vegetation assemblages and permafrost dynamics on Galdhøpiggen (Jotunheimen, Norway) over the past ~4400 years. The Holocene, 32(4), 308-320.
https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836211066591, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59122
Harper, H., Los, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2022). Permafrost, thermal conditions and vegetation patterns since the mid-20^th century: A remote sensing approach applied to Jotunheimen, Norway. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 46(5), 716-736.
https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59990
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756

All Research

Journal Articles

Harper, H., Los, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2022). Permafrost, thermal conditions and vegetation patterns since the mid-20^th century: A remote sensing approach applied to Jotunheimen, Norway. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 46(5), 716-736.
https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59990
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756
Harper, H., Froyd, C., Hiemstra, J., & Los, S. (2022). Tree line shifts, changing vegetation assemblages and permafrost dynamics on Galdhøpiggen (Jotunheimen, Norway) over the past ~4400 years. The Holocene, 32(4), 308-320.
https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836211066591, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59122
Harper, H., Hiemstra, J., Los, S., Matthews, J., & Froyd, C. (2020). Carbon dioxide emissions from periglacial patterned ground under changing permafrost conditions and shrub encroachment in an alpine landscape, Jotunheimen, Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 31(4), 524-537.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54383
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078
Matthews, J., Haselberger, S., Hill, J., Owen, G., Winkler, S., Hiemstra, J., & Harper, H. (2020). Snow-avalanche boulder fans in Jotunheimen, southern Norway: Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating, geomorphometrics, dynamics and evolution. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 102(2), 118-140.
https://doi.org/10.1080/04353676.2020.1762365, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53840

Taught Modules

GE-007 Foundation Physical and Environmental Geography

This module complements topics taught in the Foundation Human Geography module (GE-008), to give an understanding of physical geography and the environment. The module considers the impacts of physical geography processes on human habitation, and how humans might mitigate against the effects of nature's extreme events. It also examines the complex issues surrounding human impacts on the landscape. Foundation Physical & Environmental Geography will pave the way for students to study Geography at Level 4 (Year 1).
GEG100 Geographical skills

The aim of this module is to introduce the participants to essential geographical skills. These invaluable skills will become enhanced throughout their degree at Swansea University. Participants should be able to apply these techniques in a wide variety of environments and contexts. Skills covered include essay writing, data analysis and map making
GEG252V Geographical Fieldwork skills: Vancouver

The module is concerned with identifying and defining geographical questions within the Vancouver and southern British Columbia context and applying relevant geographical skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features of Vancouver and southern British Columbia. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on either the physical or human geography on the region and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory lectures in Swansea during teaching block 2 and a two-week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2 into the first week of the Easter vacation.