Land Reclamation and Restoration MSc

• Tim Brewer

GIS is an important technology for handling geographic data and has a wide application for studies of the environment. GIS is widely used in many courses, modules, and group and personal projects.  This module therefore provides the opportunity to develop GIS skills that will be of use within your course and in later employment.

• GIS theory - data structures; data formats; data storage; data standards; spatial and non-spatial data; spatial querying; analysis techniques – reclassification, overlay, proximity, mensuration, visualisation, map algebra; hardware and software; system specification; projections; datums; spheriods.
• ArcGIS - overview of ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcCatalog; ArcToolbox, Spatial Analyst.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Describe the functional components of a GIS.
• Define system specifications including projections, data and process modelling.
• Organise, using appropriate data structures, geographic data within a GIS.
• Analyse data and prepare digital databases using GIS software.
• Summarise, using maps and tables, the results of GIS based analyses. 

• Dr Jacqueline Hannam

Food security, environmental protection and landscape restoration depend upon effective management of soil, plant and water interactions in the environment.  This module will focus on a fundamental understanding of the science of soil systems and how decisions in land management affect the soil functions related to food production and land restoration.

• Soil functions, ecosystem goods and services.
• Plant responses to solar radiation, temperature, drought and aeration stress.
• Soil texture, bulk density, soil moisture t, porosity and structure.
• Soil chemistry: Nutrients, pH, CEC, salinity and the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles.
• Soil organisms: diversity and functional importance.
• Soil sampling and soil diversity in the field and landscape (LRR).
• Soil-based concepts of ecological restoration and principles of Agricultural Land Classification (LRR).
• Land capability for agricultural production, inputs and yields (FFS).
• Innovations for agricultural production (FFS).

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Describe the role of soil systems in the context of soil functions and ecosystem services.
• Explain the principal responses of plants to the climatic environment.
• Quantify key soil physical properties.
• Assess the role and contribution of soils in nutrient availability and cycling.
• Describe the functional role of soil biology in soil systems.
• Evaluate the impact of soil management and agricultural innovation in agricultural production (FFS).
• Create a soil assessment in the context of land restoration (LRR).

• Dr Sarah De Baets

Land restoration and reclamation practices in relation to improving soil structural conditions for optimal crop growth and prevention of soil resource losses must be grounded on an understanding of principles from soil science, bio-science and engineering. In addition, effective land restoration and reclamation must also consider the theoretical and practical principles underlying the successful management of soil organic carbon and the application of nutrients and organic manures to land.

• Reasons for tillage and soil management in land restoration and reclamation.
• Basics of soil mechanics: shear strength of soil & Mohr-Coulomb equation, effect of texture, moisture content and bulk density on soil strength; Soil plasticity, Consistency and Atterberg limits.
• Defining and assessing soil structure. Mechanics, assessment and alleviation of soil compaction.
• Soil Bio-EngineeringMicrobiological, chemical and physical changes in soil during storage.
• Risk assessment and treatment of contaminated land.
• Contaminated land and remediation technologies.
• Dynamics and management of soil carbon nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients in the context of effective land restoration and reclamation.
• Organic manures, properties and management; Risk assessments of wastes spread to land contaminant sources, loadings and impacts.
• Principles of Phytoremediation.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Quantify soil strength and slope failure and apply this to the physical management of soil.
• Assess soil stability and plasticity.
• Quantify soil compaction and advise strategies to minimise compaction and/or rectify the problem.
• Describe the routes to soil physical and biological damage and devise strategies to minimise degradation and ecosystem disruption.
• Evaluate suitable technologies for the remediation of different types of contaminated land.
• Evaluate the dynamics of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus as major nutrients in soils.
• Identify the pathways of contaminants in soils and their impacts to the ecosystem.
• Implement suitable strategies to reduce pollution in soils taking into account the associated risks.
• Identify organic wastes, their nutrient contents and risks associated with their application to land.

• Professor Ronald Corstanje

“Landscape ecology emphasizes the interactions between spatial patterns and ecological processes, that is, the causes and consequences of spatial heterogeneity in a range of scales” (Turner et al. 2001). Landscape ecology provides a foundational framework for problem solving, decision making and planning in land restoration, ecological conservation and natural resources management. It covers topics related to structure, function and change, and it provides the necessary tools to select the appropriate methods to test spatial hypothesis and solve problems at multiple scales. This module is designed to introduce you to a variety of tools that measure and quantify landscape components at different scales, and to understand them in the context of their field of expertise priorities and regulations.



 

• Introduction to landscape ecology
• Landscape elements (e.g. mosaics, corridor and patches)
• Landscape metrics (e.g. spatial pattern metrics)
• Landscape fragmentation, connectivity, scale and hierarchy
• Species population and sampling, and National vegetation classification
• Introduction to point pattern analysis: Ripley’s K Function
• Spatial aggregation

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Explain the key elements of a landscape.
• Discuss the importance of scale in landscape ecology related questions.
• Design strategies to quantify spatial patterns, spatial structures, and species at the relevant scales.
• Select the appropriate quantitative methods to test spatial hypotheses, solve problems, inform monitoring programs, and interpret the findings in the context of conservation priorities and conservation law.
• Evaluate monitoring data to guide decision making in ecosystem management.

• Professor Jim Harris

Successful ecological restoration and rehabilitation requires an integrated understanding of the ecological parameters of a site, together with the physical, chemical, and biotic factors that may influence desired outcomes. However, restoration objectives also need appreciation of the historical context of the site, as well as possible social considerations that may limit the desired outcomes. In short ecological restoration is frequently ‘the art of balancing the possible’. This module covers the breadth of considerations required for ecological restoration and gives you the opportunity to undertake analysis of management planning at both site and landscape scales.

• The principles of ecological restoration.
• Abiotic and biotic controls on community composition.
• Practical techniques for effective habitat creation and restoration.
• Habitat management for faunal conservation.
• Effects of changes in climate and land use on conservation practices.
• Habitat case studies; for example wetland, grassland, woodland, heathland, riparian buffer strips.
• Importance of scale for reconstruction of habitats.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Discuss the principles underlying restoration ecology and ecological restoration in local, national and global contexts;
• Identify the environmental and biological controls on plant community composition and ecosystem structure;
• Describe the mechanisms underlying natural successional patterns in vegetation communities, as well as human-induced changes in habitat-type.
• Relate habitat management to ecosystem function.
• At different scales, plan ecosystem creation or restoration based on the biotic and abiotic context of the area.
• Design and assess the feasibility and appropriateness of a habitat restoration scheme.  

• Dr Robert Simmons

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.

• 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. 

On successful completion of this module you should 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. 

• Dr Paul Burgess

Human population growth and increased resource use per capita is placing unsustainable demands on the global ecosystem. This module explores sustainability using three approaches. The “Ecosystem Service” approach provides a framework for society to address key environmental issues such as food production, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water use.  The “Circular Economy” approach refers to the development of “restorative” industrial systems that are grounded on the lessons of non-linear, feedback-rich ecosystems.  The third approach is to explore the nexus between renewable energy, food, and other ecosystem services using per capita energy and food consumption. This module introduces and critiques the three approaches and examines their application to resolve real-world problems and create commercial opportunities.

• Moving from an “Empty World” to a “Full World”.
• The Ecosystem Service Approach (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and UK National Ecosystem Assessment).
• Ecosystem processes and succession; the role of energy; feedback systems; biodiversity and system restoration.
• Using an ecosystem approach: quantifying trade-offs and synergies; improving water and nutrient management, reducing greenhouse gases emissions, enhancing stability, resistance and resilience.
• Introduction to the circular economy: opportunities for businesses; opportunities for consumers.
• How design, manufacturing practice and management can contribute to a circular economy.
• Case study: trade-offs, synergies, and opportunities to enhance well-being and ecosystem service provision in terms of energy, food, feed and wood for a case study area.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Critique the “ecosystem services”, “circular economy”, and “per capita energy use” approaches.
• Critique associated terms such as “human well-being”, “sustainability”, and “biodiversity”.
• Explain the role of energy and feed-back systems in natural systems.
• Explain how an ecosystem service approach can help society to identify and make decisions regarding the use of ecological resources, with a focus on biodiversity, greenhouse gases, nutrient loss, and water use.
• Explain how we can enhance the stability, resistance and resilience of natural systems.
• Explain how the “circular economy” provides commercial opportunities.
• Explain how industrial activities such as design and manufacturing can promote a circular economy.
• Use a per capita approach to explore the synergies between food, feed, wood, and renewable energy production to guide decision making and identify opportunities in the context of a case-study.

• Tim Brewer

Deriving digital elevation models and ortho imagery is an important application of remote sensing data for many areas of spatial work. This module introduces you to techniques for the extraction of topographic information from remotely sensed data using digital photogrammetry techniques. Image interpretation is also a vital skill required in many image based mapping projects. The concepts and techniques of image interpretation will also be introduced and practised.

• Topographic maps and remote sensing images: map scale and content, image sources and interpretation methods, accuracy issues. 
• Aerial imagery in the context of other remote sensing systems. Physics of light: principles of recording the image. Stereoscopy and parallax. Geometry: scale variation, relief displacement, tilts.
• Geometry of vertical aerial imagery: geometry, co-ordinate axes, scale, measurement. 
• Digital photogrammetry.  Digital elevation models.  Structure from Motion.
• Satellite photogrammetry.
• Air photo mosaics and orthophotos.
• Interpretation: principles and factors.  Applied interpretation: geology, geomorphology, vegetation, soils, urban structures.  Flight planning.  API project management and implementation.
• Recent developments - UAV imagery, scanning existing photography.

 

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Explain the geometry and spectral properties of vertical aerial photographs.
• Explain the basic principles of digital photogrammetry.
• Use aerial photographs in the interpretation of the physical and human environments.
• Extract elevation data from stereo pairs.
• Derive orthophotography from standard frame aerial photography.

• Dr Lynda Deeks

Improvement of land quality and the reclamation of degraded land are needed to ensure the sustainable delivery of ecosystem goods and services. Landscapes can be engineered to deliver these services by application of a base understanding of fundamental environmental properties and interrelationships of soil, vegetation and water. This understanding is grounded in basic soil physics, hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnics and agronomy. Land managers and engineers can design and implement appropriate land, water and vegetation management through interventions such as drainage, soil conservation, slope stabilisation and irrigation. This understanding and skills set are also the basis for management of projects involving land forming, reclamation, restoration and protection, which require selection, design, engineering and maintenance of appropriate structures.

• Managing plant and soil water status through estimates of crop water requirements; development of field water budget. Evapotranspiration, drainage, runoff, seepage, soil water storage, and capillary rise.
• Concept of land capability and land quality, criteria used for assessing land capability and its classification. USDA scheme, Canadian Land Inventory.
• Slope stability; mechanisms of slope failure. The stability of shallow slope failures, Taylor’s stability numbers.
• Slope stabilisation principles and processes.
• Landscape design, land forming, earth moving and landscape modification. Top and sub soil management and vegetation establishment. Design of earth embankment storage dams.
• Hydrology; peak and catchment yield, design of runoff.
• Hydraulics calculation of channel discharge capacity using Manning‟s Equation (and others). The design of channels, waterways weirs, spillways, culverts and control structures.
• Drainage; drainage machinery selection and performance, types of drainage problems and their recognition. Design for water table control: use of Hooghoudt and Glover Dumm equations and the Ernst equation for sub irrigation design; the Miers approach; practical issues of drainage design: selection of materials, drainage maintenance, pipe surround, backfill and pipe sizing.
• Managing plant and soil water status through estimates of crop water requirements; development of field water budget. Evapotranspiration, drainage, runoff, seepage, soil water storage, and capillary rise.
• Crop responses to salinity and sodicity; management of saline and sodic soils; the leaching process.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Explain the concept of land capability and carry out land capability classification.
• Calculate the stability of slopes and design of simple support and stabilisation processes.
• Undertake an erosion survey and risk assessment.
• Design earthworks for landforming, landscaping and water storage.
• Calculate runoff and yield for catchment.
• Design channels/ waterways and simple hydraulic structures.
• Design appropriate water table control systems for drainage and sub irrigation.
• Calculate irrigation requirements for crops and soil water deficits in different environments.

• Tim Brewer

Land planning and its "human dimension" are fundamental aspects of managing the physical and human environments.  Knowledge of and correct application of land planning methodologies and solutions is vital for sustainable management of what are often limited resources.  Management of the landscape requires evaluation of potentially many options. Constraints and opportunities are provided by the physical and human environment, and this module will highlight different methods that can be used to provide land resource planners with the data required to formulate sustainable plans. Often a range of options are possible and techniques to select optimum solutions will be covered.

• Planning context for land resource planning.
• Ecosystem services as part of land resource planning.
• Land classification systems: Land capability classification, land suitability classification, Agricultural Land Classification, parametric methods, landscape assessment.
• Erosion survey and risk assessment.
• Incorporating a modelling approach: soil erosion modelling.
• Resource optimisation methods to inform planning options.
• Horizon scanning for future land resource planning.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Assess the planning context within which land planning will operate.
• Design surveys to address land planning issues.
• Practice techniques designed to provide data for land planning.
• Evaluate classification systems to identify appropriateness for issues of interest.
• Formulate land planning recommendations, adopting standard practice.
• Select optimum use of resources within the context of landscape management.
• Demonstrate teamwork to fulfil exercise objectives and practice oral presentation (as part of the module).