The control of water pollution and sedimentation needs to be based on the correct identification of source areas of sediment, a knowledge of the processes by which water and sediment are moved over the land surface, and an understanding of how these processes are affected by the physical environment and socio-economic factors. 

Soil conservation can be achieved through within-field and catchment management by targeting erosion control measures at critical locations in the landscape, producing appropriate designs and gaining the support of interested groups and organisations for their implementation. 

At a glance

  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost

    £1,400

Course structure

Lectures incorporating class discussion supplemented by case studies.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Describe the processes of soil erosion, and of sediment transport and deposition,
  • Define the environmental impacts of soil erosion, and the need for erosion control and soil conservation,
  • Evaluate erosion risk at a field and catchment scale and identify potential sources and sinks of sediment,
  • Make appropriate decisions on selection of soil conservation approaches to control erosion, based on a fundamental understanding of erosion processes,
  • Select appropriate input parameter values to apply erosion models to predict current erosion status and evaluate different conservation measures,
  • Design an erosion control strategy for an individual farm, taking account of its location within a catchment and socio-economic conditions,
  • Manage a soil conservation project, set by an external client, which requires, using problem solving techniques, writing a consultancy-style report and meeting deadlines set.

Core content

  • Definitions and agents of water and wind erosion,
  • On and offsite consequences ad impacts of erosion,
  • Erosion processes: Detachment, entrainment, transport and deposition,
  • Rainfall erosivity,
  • Soil erodibility,
  • Slope and landcover/management factors affecting erosion,
  • Role of grass roots for erosion control,
  • Soil compaction and role in runoff generation,
  • Socio-economic, regulatory and policy contexts of soil erosion control,
  • Soil conservation approaches including, soil management, agronomic measures, waterway design, cover crops and terraces,
  • Soil conservation planning integrating technical and consultation-based multi-stakeholder approaches.

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.