Summary
The session will explore how ecological professionals can better incorporate an understanding of soil and soil health into assessments, design, and delivery of biodiversity projects. The session will highlight practical approaches, policy alignment, and opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.
Description
Soils have historically been under-valued and under-appreciated, and as a result have been damaged, degraded and even disposed of to landfill. Successful habitat creation, restoration or translocation, including delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), requires a focus on the available soil resources and their health, both matching habitat requirements to soil characteristics and ensuring the process and aims drive soil health and all the additional benefits which come with that, such as carbon sequestration and rainfall infiltration.
The characteristics of a soil in any given location is the unique outcome of the soil forming factors operating in that location – parent material (solid and drift geology), topography, climate, land use/management and time. Matching habitats to the available soil resources is key to success, and highlights why soils need to be considered as early as possible to avoid habitats being proposed which cannot be sustained or which would require excessive management post-creation. The session will provide an overview of soils – what they are, their key characteristics and how they function, when healthy, to support the delivery of ecosystem services. Examples of habitat creation and restoration projects in Wales and more widely across the UK will be used to showcase the information, planning and supervision required to make these a success through ensuring getting the soils right is central to the project.
The session will also highlight information sources available and how collaboration at each stage of a project can support a successful outcome and deliver positive responses from key stakeholders.
Dr Bruce Lascelles is UK Director for Sustainable Land Management at Arcadis, a Past President and Fellow of the British society of soil Science (BSSS), and President Elect of the International Union of Soil Sciences. Bruce has 35 years’ technical and business management expertise and focuses on the survey and understanding of soils and on the interaction of the physical and biological worlds in relation to land use change. Bruce is a strong and active advocate for soils and the physical environment as a whole and supports a number of organisations around engagement and knowledge in this area.
Dr Jess Potts is an accomplished soil scientist with extensive experience in soil management, agricultural land classification, and environmental impact assessments. She has a strong background in technical analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination across high-profile infrastructure schemes. With a PhD in Soil and Environmental Science, Jess combines academic expertise with practical field experience, delivering tailored solutions for clients in both public and private sectors.
Please contact membernetworks@cieem.net if you experience any difficulties during the booking process
