Managed realignment sites have a lower abundance plant species in comparison to natural saltmarshes, although natural saltmarshes might be Influenced by grazing. This project will assess the differences in vegetation and sediment properties at sites with different grazing and land use practices to improve comparisons between natural and restored sites.
Department: Geography & Environmental Science
Supervised by: Jonathan Dale
Managed realignment, where coastal flood defences are breached to introduce tidal inundation to the coastal hinterland, is a popular coastal management strategy used to restore saltmarsh environments. Despite the popularity of managed realignment, there is increasing evidence that restored sites have a lower abundance and diversity of key plant species in comparison to natural saltmarshes, used as reference sites. These differences have been associated with the sediment in managed realignment sites being more compact, resulting in poor drainage and anoxic conditions. However, comparisons between managed realignment and natural reference saltmarshes might be influenced by intensive land management practices such as grazing. It has been suggested that grazing alters the properties of the sediment, including the bulk density, carbon storage and redox potential, and accretion rates. In addition, the vegetation richness, cover, and height have been shown to be affected. However, little consideration has been given to the impact of grazing on the colonisation and development of saltmarsh in managed realignment sites, or the influence of grazing on natural sites when comparing natural reference and restored saltmarshes. This project will address this knowledge gap through an assessment of the differences in vegetation and sediment properties, both within and outside a managed realignment site on the Ribble Estuary, Lancashire, at sites with different grazing and land management practices. Results will be used to develop an understanding of the influence post-breach management has on the colonisation and development of saltmarsh in managed realignment sites to allow for more appropriate comparisons between natural and restored sites to be made. This will further the understanding of site evolution, leading to improvements in the design and implementation of future managed realignment sites.
The student will plan and participate in the field campaign. The student will then lead the subsequent laboratory analysis on the samples collected. The project will involve the following steps: Step 1: Plan and implementing the field campaign (Week 1 to Week 2). The student will decide on sampling locations based on site morphology and land use management, and conduct vegetation surveys and collect samples during the field campaign Step 2: Prepare samples for laboratory analysis (Week 2 to Week 4). This will involve drying, crushing, and weighing out samples for bulk sediment property (organic content, grain size, moisture content), carbon storage and redox potential analysis. Step 3: Conduct analysis on samples and data (Week 4 to Week 6). The student will then conduct analysis, under supervision, of the sediment properties, redox sensitive elements using an Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and carbon storage using a Flash Carbon analyser. The student will then, with support, analyse the data.
• Knowledge of geochemistry and estuarine processes. • Experience with, or a willingness to quickly learn about, sampling in the field and working in a laboratory environment
• Skills in analytical procedures, primary data collection in the field and laboratory analysis • Quantitative data management and analysis • Fieldwork skills including assessing risk and working ethically.
Russell Building, Whiteknights Campus
Predominantly 9 am to 5 pm, but some flexibility will be required for fieldwork days
Monday 19 June 2023 - Friday 28 July 2023
The deadline to apply for this opportunity is the end of the day on Wednesday 31 May 2023. Students should submit their CV and Cover Letter directly to the Project Supervisor by emailing: j.j.dale@reading.ac.uk.