Rooting for sustainable performance
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- University of Aberdeen (Lead Research Organisation)
- Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) (Collaboration)
- Hawassa University (Collaboration)
- James Hutton Institute (Collaboration)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS (Collaboration)
- Taiyuan University of Technology (Collaboration)
- University of Hong Kong (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Paul Hallett (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Zhong X
(2020)
A laboratory study to disentangle hydrological, mechanical and structural mechanisms of soil stabilization by plant mucilage between eroding and depositional zones of a slope
in European Journal of Soil Science
Zhang C
(2019)
Root moisture content influence on root tensile tests of herbaceous plants
in CATENA
Vereecken H
(2016)
Modeling Soil Processes: Review, Key Challenges, and New Perspectives
in Vadose Zone Journal
Meurer K
(2020)
A framework for modelling soil structure dynamics induced by biological activity.
in Global change biology
Lin H
(2019)
Imparting water repellency in completely decomposed granite with Tung oil
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Liang T.
(2017)
Scaling of the reinforcement of soil slopes by living plants in a geotechnical centrifuge
in ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Liang T
(2017)
Scaling of the reinforcement of soil slopes by living plants in a geotechnical centrifuge
in Ecological Engineering
Liang T
(2018)
Physical Modelling in Geotechnics
Hallett P
(2016)
Thematic Issue on the Hydrological Effects of the Vegetation-Soil Complex
in Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics
Guo Y
(2021)
A systematic analysis and review of the impacts of afforestation on soil quality indicators as modified by climate zone, forest type and age.
in The Science of the total environment
Cantón Y
(2018)
Biohydrology-Walking on drylands and swimming through pores
in Ecohydrology
| Description | Most of these findings will be reported in the Lead PI submission from Prof Glyn Bengough. We have complemented this work by exploring how root-soil interface properties influence pull-out behaviour by plant roots, and other research exploring how plant roots change soil physical structure over time. I was co-author on a paper by Dr Liang on using printed 3D structures to mimic plant roots for scaling experiments in a geotechnical centrifuge. With Dr Chaobo Zhang we explored how drying of roots affected mechanical behaviour, identifying a large source of environmental variability that may affect slope stabilisation. In collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, Department of Civil Engineering, we hosted Mr Honglie Lin, a student of Dr Sergio Lourenco for a one month visit. During this collaboration we conducted work on treating soil on slopes to change hydrophobicity, focussing on plant toxicity impacts that would influence vegetation establishment. We are also using expertise on root reinforcement of soils to extend to understanding gully erosion mitigation by vegetation in Ethiopia. This research commenced in 2020 so there are no data to report. |
| Exploitation Route | The PI (Bengough) provided a more detailed report. At Aberdeen we have taken findings from this research to explore plant biodiversity impacts on changes to soil physical behaviour, including mechanical reinforcement by roots. There is currently a NERC funded DTP student working on this topic. The research is also informing gully erosion prevention in the ESRC RALENTIR project. |
| Sectors | Construction,Environment,Transport |
| URL | https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/projects/rooting-for-sustainable-performance-joint-with-universities-of-ab |
| Description | Collaboration with China (Dr Chaobo Zhang, Taiyjun University) used findings from this study to explore slope destabilisation mechanisms due to drying of plant roots. This has subsequently been applied by Dr Zhang to explore engineered slopes in China in collaboration with land conservation experts. Industry panel benefitted from new research on use of vegetation to stabilise slopes. This was achieved by direct involvement in annual meetings and by acting as an advisory panel. Please see the more detailed entry from Prof Glyn Bengough who is the lead PI on the lead project - EP/M020355/1. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Construction,Environment,Transport |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Diamond Light Synchrotron Session |
| Amount | £700 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MT12525 (Hallett) Visualising the movement of plant roots and the impact on soils |
| Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2016 |
| End | 11/2016 |
| Description | Reducing land degradation and carbon loss from Ethiopia's soils to strengthen livelihoods and resilience (RALENTIR) |
| Amount | £920,774 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ES/T003073/1 |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | SitS NSF-UKRI: Wireless In-Situ Soil Sensing Network for Future Sustainable Agriculture |
| Amount | £239,632 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/T011068/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | CREW Soil Structure and Drainage Study |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This is broad scale project examining soil structure across Scottish agricultural fields. It provides information on the state of soils and constraints that may be experienced by plant roots. The surface degradation of the soils is relevant to understanding ecoengineering options as per the EPSRC project. It also informs on the structural condition of soils for agriculture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Paul Hallett is PI on this CREW project. The data will be used to inform the NERC CZO, BBSRC SARISA and EPSRC Slopes projects. |
| Impact | This work trained catchment managers in identifying soil structure and drainage problems on farms. The data informed public policy on soil degradation and flood impacts during winter months. Given the very wet 2015/2016 winter that resulted in widespread flooding, the results are very relevant to environmental sustainability. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | CREW Soil Structure and Drainage Study |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This is broad scale project examining soil structure across Scottish agricultural fields. It provides information on the state of soils and constraints that may be experienced by plant roots. The surface degradation of the soils is relevant to understanding ecoengineering options as per the EPSRC project. It also informs on the structural condition of soils for agriculture. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Paul Hallett is PI on this CREW project. The data will be used to inform the NERC CZO, BBSRC SARISA and EPSRC Slopes projects. |
| Impact | This work trained catchment managers in identifying soil structure and drainage problems on farms. The data informed public policy on soil degradation and flood impacts during winter months. Given the very wet 2015/2016 winter that resulted in widespread flooding, the results are very relevant to environmental sustainability. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | China Scholarship Council - Visiting Researcher - Dr Chaobo Zhang |
| Organisation | Taiyuan University of Technology |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | 1 year visit to the University of Aberdeen. Research is exploring the mechanical reinforcement of soils by plant roots, focussing on the impact of mucilage on root-soil interface properties and pull-out mechanics. Work bridges ongoing research in BBSRC Rhizosphere by Design project and EPSRC Rooting for Sustainable Performance. We are providing mechanical testing equipment and discussing experimental approaches. Treatments are informed from our RCUK research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Zhang conducts research on vegetation reinforcement of slopes in China. |
| Impact | We anticipate two publications from this work. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Collaboration - Hydrophobic soils for slope stabilisation |
| Organisation | University of Hong Kong |
| Department | Department of Civil Engineering |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Dr Sergio Lourenco is the project lead. Work is being conducted in Hong Kong. We provide support in soil physics, biology and root-soil interactions. 2016-2019 General Research Fund (HK Research Grants Council), Durable synthetic water repellent soils for sustainable ground infrastructure, PI Lourenço, Co-I's: Dr Johnny Cheuk (AECOM HK), Prof Paul Hallett & Prof Graeme Paton (Aberdeen University), Dr Albert Yeung (HKU), HKD676k |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Sergio Lourenco is the project lead. Work is being conducted in Hong Kong. We provide support in soil physics, biology and root-soil interactions. A team of scientists and engineers with expertise in soil mechanics, soil science and microbiology, consisting of Dr Sérgio Lourenço (SL), Prof. Paul Hallett (PH), Prof. Graeme Paton (GP) and Dr Johnny Cheuk (JC), will implement this research. The first step in the development of durable synthetic water repellency is to identify time-stable water repellent treatments. Three approaches will be examined: impregnating an initially wettable soil with organic coatings such as dissolved organic carbon; changing the surface chemistry with silanes; and enhancing water repellency by altering soil particle attributes (shape and size). In the second step, the spatial and temporal evolution of the treated soils will be tracked by monitoring their response to forced degradation and to microbiology and vegetation scenarios similar to those they would be exposed to in the field. This will identify the limit conditions under which water repellency will revert to its original (wettable) state and the controlling underlying processes such as deposition of wettable particles, growth of microbial biomass and physico-chemical transformations. This research will provide Hong Kong with a novel technology for constructing water-tight barriers and fills that is both inexpensive and reliant on an abundant local resource - soils. Our research will verify its stability, so that perceived risks to practical implementation are identified and alleviated. |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary: geotechnical engineering, toxicology, soil science, eco engineering |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Lin Hongjie, PhD student placement |
| Organisation | University of Hong Kong |
| Department | Department of Civil Engineering |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Hongjie Lie spent one month at the University of Aberdeen exploring a new slope stabilisation technology that made soil hydrophobic by adding amendments. We taught him ecotoxicity assessments (joint with Prof Graeme Paton) and also methods to measure hydrophobicity in soil. He was integrated into 2 research groups in Aberdeen to expose him to the research of different labs. He provided a talk and we discussed his research project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We collaborate with the University of Hong Kong on developing technologies to improve slope stability by making soils hydrophobic. This work is led by Dr Sergio Lourenco in the The University of Hong Kong, Department of Civil Engineering. They provided all the samples used in this exchange. Prof Paton and I serve as collaborative scientists on this work. |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary: Civil engineering, soil biology, soil physics, root:soil interactions. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | NERC El Nino BREAD |
| Organisation | Hawassa University |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is a NERC El Nino project where we are exploring the impact of organic resource amendment and cropping practice on soil properties. The work from the EPSRC project provides fundamental information to help with understanding how plants contribute to soil stabilisation under hydrological stress (drought and flash floods), as well as allow the soil to absorb more rainfall. |
| Collaborator Contribution | My group leads the research on soil biophysical measurements to be used in ecosystem modelling. A group from the Southern Agricultural Research Institute are performing measurements on the ground. |
| Impact | Stakeholder workshops in Ethiopia. Presentations to NERC. A special issue of a journal is underway. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | NERC El Nino BREAD |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Department | Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This is a NERC El Nino project where we are exploring the impact of organic resource amendment and cropping practice on soil properties. The work from the EPSRC project provides fundamental information to help with understanding how plants contribute to soil stabilisation under hydrological stress (drought and flash floods), as well as allow the soil to absorb more rainfall. |
| Collaborator Contribution | My group leads the research on soil biophysical measurements to be used in ecosystem modelling. A group from the Southern Agricultural Research Institute are performing measurements on the ground. |
| Impact | Stakeholder workshops in Ethiopia. Presentations to NERC. A special issue of a journal is underway. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | NERC El Nino BREAD |
| Organisation | Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This is a NERC El Nino project where we are exploring the impact of organic resource amendment and cropping practice on soil properties. The work from the EPSRC project provides fundamental information to help with understanding how plants contribute to soil stabilisation under hydrological stress (drought and flash floods), as well as allow the soil to absorb more rainfall. |
| Collaborator Contribution | My group leads the research on soil biophysical measurements to be used in ecosystem modelling. A group from the Southern Agricultural Research Institute are performing measurements on the ground. |
| Impact | Stakeholder workshops in Ethiopia. Presentations to NERC. A special issue of a journal is underway. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | NERC SUPER CDT PhD student - Water quality risks from soil structure degradation in Scotland |
| Organisation | University of the Highlands and Islands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PhD project exploring how soil structure changes by management affect hydrological processes. Sensors will be deployed in field experiments. The research will encompass field-based measurements of soil and water physical and chemical properties, and laboratory column studies where soil structural degradation can be manipulated and hydrochemical processes measured accurately. The following objectives will be addressed: 1. To use rapid visual assays of soil structural degradation to assess its occurrence across selected catchments in Scotland, broadening previous surveys to include the highlands and organic soils. 2. To obtain quantitative measurements of soil physical and hydrochemical properties at field scale between degraded and less degraded areas. 3. To measure impacts of soil structural degradation on catchment water quality. 4. To explore how rapid stresses, such as physical disruption by tillage or rapid rewetting of dry soil, influence hydrochemical processes. The studentship offers training in both field and laboratory approaches, provided by a multidisciplinary supervisory team in soil physics and hydrochemistry. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise on sensors and use of new technologies. Potential use of sites for field deployment of NERC/NSF sensors. |
| Impact | Commences October 2022. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | PhD Student - Post-tillage soil structural evolution and pore space dynamics |
| Organisation | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Co-supervisor of PhD student - "Post-tillage soil structural evolution and pore space dynamics" Expertise on soil mechanics and structure dynamics. Visit to University of Aberdeen to conduct research on rheology and indentation mechanics of soil using specialist equipment and approaches. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Thomas Keller is the lead supervisor of this project. |
| Impact | Student training. Multidisciplinary between soil physics, imaging and agronomy. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | EGU2017- Make the rhizosphere great again: microbes build walls in soil that roots pay for by Paul Hallett et al. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | PICO presentation in session SSS4.16 - Unravelling soil-biota interactions using micro-scale analyses: |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | International Society of Root Research Medal Lecture 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The ISRR2017 medal lecture invites an eminent scientist who explores root-soil interactions to Dundee to present a lecture, preceded by talks and poster sessions by predominantly early career researchers. This year the invited speaker was Prof Michelle Watt from Juelich. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.hutton.ac.uk/events/root-rhizosphere-workshop-and-2017-isrr-dundee-medal-lecture-root-res... |
| Description | Invited seminar to ETH Zurich |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Paul Hallett provided a talk on how soil structure interacts with plants. This drew on both agronomic and engineering applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | NERC Planet Earth Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article in the NERC Planet Earth magazine, written by journalist Julia Horton. This covered a range of projects conducted by University of Aberdeen scientists on tropical agriculture. The work draws on both our direct research in tropical countries and strategic research on plant-soil interactions, so it cuts across P. Hallett's funding portfolio. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.nerc.ac.uk/planetearth/stories/1879/ |
| Description | NERC UnEarthed |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | NERC UnEarthed was a large event that attracted over 3000 people. There were two days dedicated to school visits and 2 days when there was free entry to the general public. During our free interactive showcase - UnEarthed - at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh (17-19 November), families and adults could explore the tools used to make science happen and see the extraordinary work of our scientists. Our exhibit focussed on a range of research projects in tropical ecosystems, specifically on the impacts of agriculture and strategies that could be taken to minimize environmental impacts. The text we used to attract visitors was: Emerging from a Scottish forest you stumble across an orangutan in her nest, with drone footage of her natural habitat. What can this have to do with Scotland? Your food choices affect her habitat, other tropical regions, and the livelihoods of local people. A grocery basket will show you how much of what you eat is tropical. Guess the water used and greenhouse gases emitted producing this food, and then measure it yourself with a gas meter and carbon calculator. Our research is finding solutions to make this food more sustainable and to protect the livelihoods of people living in vulnerable tropical regions. The most important tropical food is rice. You will see how rice can be selected to grow better with less water by reaching deeper soil with its roots. The other major solution is improving tropical soils. By adding carbon, we will show how they can be restored. Our man dressed as an orangutan was a highlight with kids. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.nerc.ac.uk/latest/events/archive/unearthed/ |