This course will inform you of the processes of soil erosion, and of sediment transport and deposition.

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 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

What you will learn

On successful completion of this short course you will:

  • Understand the processes of soil erosion, and of sediment transport and deposition
  • Appreciate the environmental impacts of soil erosion, and the need for erosion control and soil conservation
  • Evaluate erosion risk in a catchment and identify potential sources and sinks of sediment
  • Make appropriate decisions on erosion control, based on a fundamental understanding of the 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
  • Gain experience of managing 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

  • Runoff and sediment production in drainage basins; erosion processes - mechanics of raindrop splash, overland flow, rill flow, gully erosion; sediment delivery to water bodies; strategies for erosion control
  • Rainfall erosivity
  • Soil erodibility
  • Soil loss prediction: USLE; Modified MMF; SERAM-DST
  • Land use planning
  • Soil conservation planning integrating technical and consultation-based multi-stakeholder approaches
  • Soil erosion control by engineering structures (terraces and waterways), agronomic methods on arable and grassland, soil management, including conservation tillage techniques; agroforestry; gully erosion control.

Upgrade to a professional qualification

Cranfield credits are available for this short course which you can put towards selected Cranfield degrees. Find out more about short course credit points.

Speakers

Concessions

20% discount for Cranfield alumni, 10% discount for colleagues of alumni
£1,340 - Professional/trade association discount
£1,280 - Multiple bookings*

* Minimum of 5 delegates

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

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.