Modelling soil physical and biogeochemical processes
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Unlisted
Abstract
Models are an important means to improve our understanding through the testing of different hypotheses and scenarios. In this project we seek to apply integrated knowledge in the form of computer simulation models of soil function and agroecosystem productivity.
Specific modelling targets:
1. A model of the formation and movement of DOC and DON in soil that will allow us to explore (i) the movement of these potential pollutants out of soil, (ii) the role played by dissolved organic matter in altering the physical environment of soil and (iii) the role played by DOC and DON in nutrient dynamics and organic matter turnover (in conjunction with PCB)
2. A combined model of the effects of drought, strong soil and nutrient stresses on plants growing in soils that will allow us to explore the interacting effects of these stresses in agricultural ecosystems (in conjunction with WRW)
3. Development of a mathematical framework to compare the validity of hypotheses that are expressed as models and that allows the design of optimised experiments to test those hypotheses.
Specific modelling targets:
1. A model of the formation and movement of DOC and DON in soil that will allow us to explore (i) the movement of these potential pollutants out of soil, (ii) the role played by dissolved organic matter in altering the physical environment of soil and (iii) the role played by DOC and DON in nutrient dynamics and organic matter turnover (in conjunction with PCB)
2. A combined model of the effects of drought, strong soil and nutrient stresses on plants growing in soils that will allow us to explore the interacting effects of these stresses in agricultural ecosystems (in conjunction with WRW)
3. Development of a mathematical framework to compare the validity of hypotheses that are expressed as models and that allows the design of optimised experiments to test those hypotheses.
Publications
Bhogal A
(2011)
Effects of recent and accumulated livestock manure carbon additions on soil fertility and quality
in European Journal of Soil Science
Bird N
(2009)
Modeling Dynamic Fragmentation of Soil
in Vadose Zone Journal
Glendining M
(2009)
Is it possible to increase the sustainability of arable and ruminant agriculture by reducing inputs?
in Agricultural Systems
Glendining M
(2011)
Pedotransfer functions for estimating total soil nitrogen up to the global scale
in European Journal of Soil Science
Gregory A
(2012)
An assessment of a new model of dynamic fragmentation of soil with test data
in Soil and Tillage Research
Hathaway-Jenkins L
(2011)
A comparison of soil and water properties in organic and conventional farming systems in England Comparing soil and water properties between farming systems
in Soil Use and Management
Morell F
(2011)
Root respiration of barley in a semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystem: field and modelling approaches
in Plant and Soil
Papadopoulos A
(2009)
Combining Spatial Resolutions in the Multiscale Analysis of Soil Pore-Size Distributions
in Vadose Zone Journal
Papadopoulos A
(2008)
Fractal Analysis of Pore Roughness in Images of Soil Using the Slit Island Method
in Vadose Zone Journal
| Description | Adding organic matter diverted to soil cannot be used to offset carbon emissions unless the original destination of the amendment is taken into account Sustainable agricultural systems need to take account of the value of natural land brought into production |
| Exploitation Route | Ongoing work is developing a theory of Sustainable Intensification of agriculture |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | BBSRC ISP S2N ASSIST |
| Amount | £8,500,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | BBSRC NERC ISP NC |
| Amount | £5,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 03/2022 |