The Early Career Researcher (ECR)
workshop at UKCEH was a transformative experience, blending hands-on fieldwork,
collaborative learning, and impactful presentations. It provided an exceptional
platform to explore cutting-edge environmental solutions and to network with
researchers from diverse disciplines.
One of the highlights of my presentation, titled "A Water Stressed Islet in Indian Ocean and Lessons from its Hydrology in Practice: Groundwater Dynamics alongside Community Engagement," made a significant impact at the British Hydrological Society (BHS) Conference at the University of Oxford.
It impressed the British hydrological and geological community, fostering engaging discussions and thoughtful feedback. This milestone highlighted the value of my research in hydrogeology and water governance. The experience underscored the importance of clear communication in making research accessible and impactful.
In addition to the conference,
the workshop included field visits that brought research to life. For instance,
we explored flood risk reduction through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) at
the River Evenlode catchment, guided by the Wild
Oxfordshire initiative. Witnessing how natural interventions like wetlands
and re-meandered rivers can mitigate floods while promoting biodiversity was
inspiring and underscored the importance of integrating nature into
environmental management.
Nature-Based Solutions
Techniques I Learned
The visit introduced me to
several key techniques used to manage flood risk and improve the landscape’s
hydrological capacity:
- Restoring Woodland and Hedgerows: I learned that planting native trees and hedgerows not only increases water absorption but also stabilizes soil and slows water flow into rivers. Tree roots play a critical role in reducing peak flood levels downstream, while providing essential habitats for wildlife.
- Restoring & Reconnecting Floodplains: Floodplains act as natural storage areas for excess water, alleviating the burden on river channels. This approach was fascinating to see in action, as it reduces flood risks in nearby urban and agricultural areas.
- Wetland Creation: I witnessed how wetlands act like sponges, absorbing and retaining floodwaters while improving water quality. These areas also serve as vital habitats for diverse species, emphasizing the interconnectedness of hydrology and biodiversity.
- Leaky Dams and Woody Debris: I learned about the construction of leaky dams using natural materials like logs and branches. These structures are strategically placed to slow water flow, reducing the velocity of floodwaters and encouraging gradual infiltration into the soil.
- Soil Management Improvements: Collaborating with local farmers is key to improving soil health. Techniques such as reduced tillage and cover cropping help soils retain more water and reduce surface runoff. It was eye-opening to see how sustainable farming practices can contribute to flood management.
Broader Implications of What I
Learned
These techniques extend beyond
flood management, providing co-benefits that I found particularly inspiring:
- Biodiversity Enhancement: Restoring natural habitats attracts a wide range of species, contributing to healthier ecosystems.
- Water Quality Improvement: Slowing water flow reduces sediment and nutrient pollution, resulting in cleaner rivers.
- Community Engagement: Involving local stakeholders fosters resilience against climate change and strengthens the relationship between communities and their environment.
The workshop also provided
valuable hands-on experience in soil sampling at the EU
SpongeScapes UK field sites (SpongeScapes
project). Soil is often the unsung hero of water management, but
through my hands-on involvement in the EU SpongeScapes UK field sites, I came
to appreciate how its structure and composition directly affect a landscape’s
ability to absorb, store, and filter water. I learned that soil sampling
provides crucial insights into:
- Water retention capacity: Understanding how soil acts as a natural sponge.
- Nutrient content and soil health: Informing strategies for sustainable land management.
- Soil permeability and infiltration rates: Assessing water flow and flood mitigation potential.
- Carbon storage potential: Exploring soil’s role in climate resilience.
These parameters are integral to
designing nature-based solutions that enhance water management and soil health.
- Soil Sampling Process: Participating in the soil sampling process at SpongeScapes field sites was a transformative experience that taught me essential techniques and deepened my understanding of soil’s role in flood management.
- Site Selection and Preparation: I learned how to carefully select sites that represented diverse land-use types such as agricultural fields, forests, and wetlands and in different existence (i.e, traffic/un-traffic). This selection process highlighted how soil properties differ across landscapes and why context-specific solutions are important.
- Sampling Techniques: Using core samplers, I acquired the skill of extracting soil samples at varying depths to capture a comprehensive soil profile. This stratified approach taught me how to assess differences in water retention and organic matter across soil layers, which is essential for understanding soil’s functional capacity.
- On-Site Observations: During fieldwork, I observed and recorded key soil characteristics such as texture, color, and moisture content. These observations helped me develop an eye for assessing soil health and its immediate potential for water retention.
- Laboratory Analysis: After collecting the samples, I worked on preparing them for laboratory testing. I gained experience analyzing parameters like porosity, organic carbon content, and infiltration rates, which revealed critical insights into the soil’s ability to mitigate flooding and support ecosystem services.
Another practical highlight was
the installation of flow monitoring instrumentation at the proposed Watlington
Natural Flood Management (NFM) scheme, part of a government-funded
initiative. Contributing to this project gave me experience with
hydrological monitoring tools and showed the role of real-time data in
designing and evaluating NFM interventions. The involvement and support of the
local community in these efforts also stood out, demonstrating the importance
of collaboration in implementing effective solutions. This experience improved
my technical skills and showed the value of combining research with
community-driven approaches to flood risk management.
Exploring floodplain
functioning across different parts of the River Thames has deepened my
understanding of these landscapes as critical buffers against flooding.
Observing their geomorphological and ecological features has reinforced for me
how vital floodplains are in managing water flows and sediment dispersal.
Additionally, studying floodplain evolution in different headwaters of the
Thames has provided valuable insights into their dynamics and long-term
development.
During the field visit, I gained
valuable insights into cutting-edge monitoring networks and techniques that are
pivotal for understanding and managing environmental processes. The
introduction to COSMOS-UK, a cosmic-ray
soil moisture monitoring network, highlighted an innovative approach to
tracking soil moisture across the UK, emphasizing its significance for
hydrological and agricultural studies. Additionally, learning about the UK
Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Flux Network (UK-SCAPE) provided
a deeper understanding of its role in monitoring carbon and methane fluxes,
offering crucial perspectives on climate system feedbacks and their
implications for climate change research.
At the Wallingford Met Site, I explored advanced methodologies for measuring local weather conditions, which are essential for accurately predicting and interpreting hydrological processes. This exposure underscored the importance of integrating state-of-the-art technologies and networks in environmental research to address complex climate and hydrological challenges effectively.
Overall, the ECR workshop at UKCEH provided a unique blend of practical skills, scientific exploration, and professional development. Presenting at the BHS conference was an empowering experience, and the fieldwork and training sessions deepened my knowledge of nature-based solutions, hydrological instrumentation, and monitoring networks.
