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Project Code [2007-S-LS-1-S1]

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Project title

Interactions of soil Hydrology, land use and climate change and their impact on soil quality (SoilH)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Gerard Kiely

Project Abstract

The project proposes to establish a network of benchmark sites throughout Ireland using existing national sites for the measurement of soil hydrological properties and the establishment of a hydrological classification of Irish soils. A process based soil hydrological model (GEOTOP) will be employed and developed with modules for erosion, surface sealing, compaction, landslides and loss of organic matter. The model will be used to elucidate the interactions between soil hydrology, land use and climate change (with climate projections from the IPCC fourth assessment). These outputs will be combined with Irish geo-spatial data to develop a GIS-based risk assessment tool to predict impacts on soil quality based on hydrology, land use and climate change. The project will take existing data on soil properties and add value by revisiting a number of national sites to sample/analyse for additional hydrological properties The soil hydrological model GEOTOP with modules on the five soil threats along with geo-spatial data used in the interaction and GIS modelling will also be archived with the EPA along with new soils data. A new Irish soil hydrological classification will be developed and archived with the EPA as will the GIS-based risk assessment tool and manuals predicting impacts on soil quality. Enhanced soils research capacity and national and international collaboration will be delivered through the recruitment of one post-doctoral fellow and two PhD students. A final report with at least six peer-reviewed papers is proposed.

Grant Approved

�499,907.30

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Soils and Land-Use

Start Date

01/03/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/03/2011