Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N008065/1
Woody debris effects on upland river hydromorphological processes
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor LE Brown, University of Leeds, Sch of Geography
- Grant held at:
- University of Leeds, Sch of Geography
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Community Ecology
- Hydrological Processes
- Sediment/Sedimentary Processes
- Earth Surface Processes
- Water Quality
- Abstract:
- Many European river basins have historically experienced severe land clearance, and river management for navigation and to aid flow conveyance, leaving watercourses devoid of large (>1m length) woody debris. This is a problem because wood plays a major role in river dynamics, so without it rivers are altered hydrologically and geomorphologically. Natural accumulations of large wood are often associated with physical habitat changes (depth, velocity, organic matter retention) which can have benefits for moderating flow peak timing and magnitude downstream. Recommendations for wood management/reintroduction in UK headwater rivers are available from the Env. Agency but these are based largely on lowland river studies. The extent to which these are transferrable to upland localities is unclear given the typically steeper gradients, coarser substrata and flashier flow regimes of upland rivers. Introducing wood structures and promoting natural accumulations in upland rivers could have benefits for delaying flow peaks to downstream areas via modification of channel morphology, and with localised flood risk less of an issue given sparse human populations and typically low intensity farming in these areas compared to lowland areas. However, there has so far been very little research in the UK on the effects of wood placement in upland rivers. A more complete understanding of upland river hydromorphological response to woody debris is vital if river managers are to develop more effective restoration and management schemes. Optimising river restoration is critical because schemes are costly, but if successful potentially provide disproportionate benefits to society by: increasing water storage thus resilience to extreme climatic events, and; improving geomorphology, water quality and biodiversity which have to be managed to comply with EU level policies (e.g. the Water Framework Directive). This CASE studentship will link with a commercial consultancy called Jeremy Benn Associates (JBA) who have major interests in upland river restoration and who will collaborate with the University of Leeds to train the student in relevant methods for project planning/design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination. A charity called the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) will also be involved as a project partner, providing further expertise in upland river management and training opportunities for the student. The project's main aims are to: (i) quantify the response of upland river hydrological and geomorphological processes to woody debris accumulations and structures, (ii) evaluate the effects of upland river woody debris accumulations/structures versus responses to wood in rivers in other parts of the UK (via collation of existing data from river restoration practitioners), and (iii) ultimately contribute new data to a quantitative evidence-base for upland river management policy. The combination of scientific and real-world management challenges makes the project collaboration highly challenging for the student. The student, who will conduct a science-related PhD, will gain training in how that science impacts river management, on the ground decisions and also the policy framework that consultancies and the Rivers Trusts are working under. A typical river restoration scheme costs tens of thousands of pounds, and river restoration generally is a major worldwide industry with in excess of $1Billion spent annually in the US alone (Bernhardt et al., 2005; Science). Recently in the UK, Defra spent GBP-92M as part of the catchment restoration fund. The science evidence developed in this project will contribute towards future spending being targeted effectively, while at the same time providing tangible outcomes that will add significantly to the management of UK river systems primarily in terms of flood control but with additional benefits likely for fisheries and biodiversity.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N008065/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £86,776
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £16,957 | £58,822 | £11,000 |
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