Current Research
Title
Pedogenesis on the Sefton Coastal Dunes
Undertaken by
Jennifer Millington
Project Description
The British coastline is a vital national heritage. Therefore, it is very important to have an understanding of the complexity of the coastal system and subsequent responses to rapid environmental change, such as coastal erosion, rising sea levels and climatic change. The geomorphological processes active on this part of the coast, along with a sound knowledge on the local habitat environments and their location in relation to the coast, have previously been recognised. This project aims to bring together these two issues, which have generally been kept separate, to determine how the habitat environments will adjust and migrate in response to the changing coastal landforms and sea level rise. The soil system is an essential component of the coastal environment and is fundamental to the understanding of the complex range of environmental, ecological and hydrological processes and for contributing towards their efficient and effective environmental management. The nature and extent of soil development in the Sefton dune environments, ranging from open dune to slack areas, will be investigated in this project as a major determinant of the content and availability of nutrients and water available to plants, therefore determining the habitat environment of a specific area. In regard to future duneland ecological management, analyses and comparisons of the characteristics of both the modern soils and the now buried soils of the past will be carried out throughout the entire Sefton dune system, with an aim to model habitat migration patterns. This soil study on the Sefton coastal dunes will meet a number of strategic objectives: 1. Provide fundamental information to the understanding of environmental processes active on the coast. 2. Contribute to effective management strategies. 3. Actively inform the public of the value of the soil resource as an integral component of the coastal system
Click here to view the Year 1 annual report document
Author of Research
Jennifer Millington
Date of research
Began April 2006. Expected to finish March 2009
What subject area does this cover?
Soils and hydrology
What area(s) of the coast does this cover (if applicable)?
Entire dune environment from south of Green Beach to north of the River Alt mouth
What level was the research undertaken at?
Ph.D
Priority
Essential
If you wish to make further enquiries about this project please email research@seftoncoast.org.uk stating the title of the project and your interest in the project.
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