Project Description
Supervisors
Prof Brian Reid, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Dr Amii Harwood, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Mr Steve Kilham, Greenworld Sales Ltd
Background
Over the last century, agriculture has caused soil erosion and the loss of soil organic carbon on an enormous scale. These losses have damaged the delivery key soil ecosystem services; including, soil carbon storage per se, soil biodiversity, soil resilience to climate change, soil fertility and increased flood risk. In June 2019, the UK Government declared “what no country can stand, is the loss of its soil and its fertility, and therefore, there is an emergency”.
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2019/jul/11/its-time-we-stopped-treating-soil-like-dirt-video).
This research is timely as it aligns with global aspirations (4 Per Mil Initiative https://www.4p1000.org/) to build soil carbon stocks for climate change mitigation. The research will key into the rethinking of UK agricultural payment policy; that, under the ELM System, will allocate agri-payments for the delivery of public “goods” (i.e. soil ecosystem services).
Methodology
Working with the CASE Partner (Greenworld), the research will instate field trials to quantify the influence of paper crumble (PC; a by-product of waste paper recycling) on soil carbon, soil quality and the delivery of manifold soil services. Measurements, to evaluate key physical, chemical and biological attributes will be made at these trials over the course of the PhD. Using this data, the research will apply environmental economic tools and GIS to translate measurements (relating to soil carbon gains and their influence upon soil services) to create regional and national visualisation of holistic SES benefit associated with PC application to dissimilar soils. The project and its outputs will be of immediate interest to DEFRA. Though links to this Agency impact will be realised.
Training
Training will be provided in research design, the assessment of soil physical, chemical and biological properties, GIS and environmental economics. The student will gain first-hand experience of instrumentation to assess soil nutrients and biological functioning and visualisation tools to communicate science effectively.
Person specification
Applicants should have i) experience of analysis of environmental media (soil, water etc) and field-based research, and ii) an aptitude/willingness, to combine natural science with environmental economics and geographic systems. Suitable degrees include: environmental science, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, earth-science, geography, ecology.