Controlling soil erosion in a changing climate: evaluating suitable plant species in grassed waterway design
Lead Research Organisation:
Cranfield University
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Abstract
Grassed waterways (GWW) are a very effective soil erosion remediation strategy. With climate change however, some grass species, experiencing plant stress, may become less effective in retarding flow, improving infiltration and providing resistance against soil erosion. Soil is a precious resource and farmers want to preserve their soil and crop yield. Especially because the UK is expected to get more soil erosion from intensive storms, protecting our soils is a high priority. Crop growers are therefore very interested in finding out which grass species they best use when installing GWWs and how protective these grasses are under a changing climate.
This study involves (1) growing a couple of suitable grasses in growth rooms and testing for their resilience to water and drought stress, (2) performing erosion simulations in the lab with these grasses to study their resistance to erosion by intensive storms and (3) monitoring the performance of the most suitable species in GWWs on a test site on Asparagus fields.
This study involves (1) growing a couple of suitable grasses in growth rooms and testing for their resilience to water and drought stress, (2) performing erosion simulations in the lab with these grasses to study their resistance to erosion by intensive storms and (3) monitoring the performance of the most suitable species in GWWs on a test site on Asparagus fields.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Robert Simmons (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/R010218/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1955050 | Studentship | NE/R010218/1 | 25/09/2017 | 31/12/2021 |
| Description | It was found that the combinations of grass species used within this study were differently suited for erosion control in terms of plant physical traits. The grass species were grown in drought and flooded conditions as well as autumn and summer temperatures to assess their suitability for erosion control in different climates. The following species mixtures showed the best potential of soil erosion mitigation for summer were Conv (Lolium perenne and Festuca rubra), Fest_1+2+Conv (Festulolium cv prior, Festulolium bx511, Lolium perenne and Festuca rubra) and Fest_2 (Festulolium bx511). The following species showed the best potential for soil erosion mitigation in the autumn were Fest_1+2 (Festulolium cv prior and Festulolium bx511), Fest_1+2+Conv and Conv. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this research may effect which species or mixtures of grass species will be used for soil erosion control mitigation features such as grassed waterways and grass filter strips. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | BSSS Annual Conference (University of Sheffield, Sep 4-5th 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The British Society of Soil Science hosted their annual meeting where researchers presented their work relating to soil science. I presented my research in the form of an oral presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | BSSS early career researcher event (University of Sheffield, April 16-17th 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The BSSS ECR meeting consisted of students with topics related to soil science presenting their research. I presented my research in the form of a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | IECA Conference 2020 (Raleigh Convention Centre, North Carolina, Feb 23-26th 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I attended the international erosion control association conference where students, professors, industry professionals and policy makers came together to discuss soil erosion mitigation. I presented my research in the form of a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Lancaster University Research Forum (Lancaster University, 15th March 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | About 10 students and professors gathered together at Lancaster University to share their research into soil erosion mitigation. I presented my research as an oral presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | STARS 2019 Conference (Low Wood Bay Hotel, Lake Windermere, Jan 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Soils training and research studentships conference of 2019 bought together students and supervisors to share their research with each other. I presented my research in the form of a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | STARS 2020 Conference (Low Wood Bay Hotel, Lake Windermere, 20-22nd Jan 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Soils training and research studentships PhD students and supervisors attended a conference to share research as well as look at how research can be used in the media, industry and policy making. I presented my research in the form of a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |