Soil and Land Management

contact:
Professor Jane Rickson

 

Specialist areas:

 

Soil is a fundamental and irreplaceable natural asset, providing the essential link between the land, air and water resources that make up our environment. Soils are hugely variable from region to region and even from field to field, and perform a number of functions:

  • Food, fibre and fuel production
  • Storage of water, carbon and nutrients
  • Environmental interactions (between soils, air and water)
  • Supporting ecological habitats and biodiversity
  • Protecting our cultural heritage and providing amenities
  • Providing a platform for built infrastructure

When soils are degraded (through erosion, compaction, loss of organic matter / soil biota, surface sealing or contamination), these functions can become damaged or even lost. However, appropriate soil and water engineering and land management practices will ensure soils are protected from these threats. The Soil and Land Management theme within NSRI aims to maintain and enhance its reputation as one of the leading centres for pure and applied research, consultancy and training in these issues.

Our approach is to understand the fundamental scientific principles which underpin the practices and policies of the sustainable management of soils and land for a range of end uses. The group comprises a multi-disciplinary team, including environmental, civil and agricultural engineers, soil scientists, geomorphologists, ecologists and hydrologists.

 

People:
Professor Jane Rickson;  Dr Lynda K Deeks;  Dr Ian Holman;  Dr Iain James;  Dr Cedric Kechavarzi;  Professor Mark Kibblewhite;  Miss Ceri Llewellyn;  Dr Abdul Mounem Mouazen;  Dr Mark Pawlett;  Mr Robert Read;  Dr Ruben Sakrabani;  Dr Robert Simmons;  Mr Robert Walker

 

Visiting staff:

Professor Brian Chambers, Professor Edward Youngs, Professor Peter Leeds-Harrison, Professor Roy Morgan, Professor Neil Humphries, Dr Mike Hann, Dr Richard Earl, Mr Alex Vickers

 

Research students:
Joanna Philpott, Boyan Kuang, Zaka Quraishi, Simon Parsons, Matt Caple, Stephanie Campbell, Guy Thallon, Amii Whelan.