Abstract
This project comprises four sub-projects that will provide an overview of current knowledge, explore potential ways to manage soils in a sustainable manner and identify gaps in the evidence base for Defra relating to soil functions, quality and degradation. The five principal outputs will provide evidence-based support for the implementation of the Soil Strategy for England. The objectives of the four sub-projects are: Objective A: To review the role of soil biota in soil fertility and quality, and explore approaches to influencing soil communities to enhance delivery of these functions. Objective B: To address the effects of soil degradation on the ability of soils to function and identify gaps in the evidence base and propose research requirements. Objective C: To review the overall costs and benefits of soil erosion measures and to identify cost-effective mitigation measures. Objective D: To provide a clear view of the current knowledge on the impacts of climate change on soil processes, functions and its relevance to England and Wales. A concise summary that synthesises the outputs of these sub-projects will also be produced. The overall project will be co-ordinated by Enviros Consulting Ltd. The detailed studies will be carried out by internationally-leading soil scientists from Cranfield University, the Cross-Institute Programme for Soils (Rothamsted Research/North Wyke), Lancaster University and NRI, Greenwich University. The approach to all four sub-projects will be to procure the most recent information to augment and update each of the teams' existing knowledge base. The key questions and issues raised within each of their briefs will be explored, and reviews and reports drafted. The teams will be made up from experts from the different organisations, ensuring a good cross-fertilisation of ideas, and there will be frequent communication within and between teams. A teleconference will be held between all members to discuss the findings before the final drafts are prepared and submitted to Defra for comment. A final review/report will be produced for each sub-project and a concise Executive Summary will be compiled to put the information and evidence gaps into the context of the Soil Strategy for England. The principal benefits arising from this work will be to: identify the ways that soil biota may be managed to potentially increase soil fertility and reduce external inputs; explore evidence on the impacts of soil degradation on soil functions; review the costs and benefits of mitigation measures used to reduce soil erosion; and review the potential impacts of climate change on soil processes, functions and biota. The outputs will be widely promulgated across the peer-reviewed and general literature. This work will significantly enhance the robustness and likely effectiveness of the Soil Strategy for England.
United Kingdom