Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R007527/1
The impact of tracks on peatland hydrological functioning
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor J Holden, University of Leeds, Sch of Geography
- Grant held at:
- University of Leeds, Sch of Geography
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Flow pathways
- Peatlands
- Hydrological Processes
- Abstract:
- Peatlands have multiple uses with access roads/tracks across peatlands being important worldwide. However, little is known in the scientific literature about impacts of tracks on peatland hydrological function and how layout & design can minimise damage. Peatlands cover around 15% of the UK, and are common in upland areas. Natural England (NE) and other regulatory agencies are facing increased requests for permissions to install tracks for activities such as windfarms, moorland game bird management & conservation management. NE, as an evidence based organisation, urgently need evidence to inform legal consent decisions that will be accepted by the landowner community. This novel & challenging project will determine how different types of tracks/roads on peatlands influence hydrological pathways and function. The project also seeks to understand the impacts of track removal on peatland function, since many track consents over the past decade have been temporary due to the lack of evidence. The impetus for the project came from NE. The project will provide insights into how to minimise damage and directly provide the CASE partner NE with urgently needed decisionmaking evidence on track layout and types to reduce impacts on hydrological function and downstream flood peaks. The research combines fieldwork and modelling to enable the findings to be upscaled and to allow maximum impact from the project. The collaboration between the University of Leeds (UL) & NE provides an outstanding training experience for a student. The student will be trained in the field by the CASE partner on methods used for site condition assessments, habitat survey, regulatory frameworks, and methods used to determine consents for landowners. This will enable the student to understand how their project can be best used to inform NE practice & advice. The project will also use direct routes to government in policy formation via senior NE staff. Dissemination (field demonstrations, workshops & policy briefs) will occur for upland stakeholder forums such as Peatland Partnerships (e.g. North Pennines AONB Partnership) which typically bring together conservation bodies, water companies, SMEs, charities such as RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Moorland Association, national parks and local authorities. The collaborating team will develop media releases (the student will undertake media training) as well as encourage student involvement with NE public engagement activities including citizen science. The very best student will be selected for the project based on wide advertising, & a rigorous & fair selection process. The training programme will be split 50-50 between NE & UoL & 9 months out of the 48 will be taken up with training activity including at least 4.5 months at the CASE partner. Training will cover core areas of the VITAE Researcher Development Statement providing transferable skills in additional to specialist & interdisciplinary training. Training will be supported by NE policy staff as well as field staff ensuring collaboration provides upskilling in field skills, management & consent decisions & policy impact pathways. The student will join water@leeds, one of the largest interdisciplinary water research centres in the world providing a stimulating environment for researcher development across disciplines and exposure to PhD cohorts working across industry & the third sector. The student will also have access to cohort and personal training within the Leeds-York NERC SPHERES DTP. A compulsory programme of personal, professional & career training will be delivered via a university-wide programme, the NERC SPHERES DTP and dedicated subject-based hubs offering discipline-specific programmes such as hillslope hydrology, modelling and plant ecology. The student will achieve Chartered Status with the Institute of Water & Environmental Management during the PhD programme ensuring external recognition & increasing employability.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R007527/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £89,780
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £17,479 | £11,000 | £61,301 |
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