Role of ditch networks in agricultural landscapes to mitigate flooding and diffuse pollution
- Reference no.
- ECOWILD-25-IP
- Closing date
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This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details, and for a full list of projects offered under this programme, please visit: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/ The agricultural landscape is a patchwork of different land covers. Fields are often separated by artificial drainage ditches, dug historically to make land more productive. However, as we move to more balanced multi-functional landscapes, with a greater emphasis on ecosystem services, the role these ditches play is crucial at a network and catchment scale. Management and maintenance e.g. vegetation cutting, ditch blocking, can provide flood and water quality control. This project brings together expertise in relevant topics in an experienced and supportive supervisor team to investigate the problems/stressors, hydrological functioning, and management solutions that ditches can provide in agricultural landscapes. The project will provide opportunity for the student to gain knowledge and skills relating to agricultural and ditch systems. Fieldwork skills will be developed to collect a range of hydrological and chemical related data, including experimental design, fieldwork campaign planning and sensor technology aspects. There is also opportunity for the student to develop numerical modelling skills e.g. hydrological/hydraulic models, to upscale from local ditches to ditch networks and catchment scale impacts. Most importantly, the project will provide the relaxed environment for the student to be creative, show initiative and build confidence in their ability to lead a research project. Most hydrological studies on ditches focus on local scale processes and impacts. The novelty of this PhD is the focus on ditches as a network and system rather than isolated features. Questions such as (1) how water propagates through the network, in terms of lag times and flow volumes, are important in understanding how they function; (2) how ditches contribute water to main watercourses, where, when and what relative proportions? will allow greater understanding of the system; and (3) how ditches can be used as Nature-based Solutions, and how their design, management and maintenance can optimise these functions. Flood Risk and watercourse pollution are growing challenges in the 21st century due to climate change, agricultural intensification and urbanisation stressors. Ditches may look small, minor components of a river network, but dynamic expansion during storms results in them acting as rapid conveyors of large amounts of water, pollutants and sediment from over a wide proportion of catchments into main rivers causing flooding and related problems downstream. Flooding damages alone are up to £1.1billion per year on average in the UK. Nature-based Solutions, such as managing ditches, can help mitigate these challenges and work with nature to develop sustainable solutions.
Funding This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees for Home students and provide an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (£19,795 in 2025-26) for the 44 months duration of the project. International candidates may apply but if successful, will need to demonstrate that they (or their supervisory team) have co-funding to cover the difference between home and international fees to be eligible. The difference in fees varies by programme. The current difference for 2024/25 academic year is approximately £20,000 per year.
Supervisors Dr Ian Pattison – Heriot Watt University Professor Chris Spray – Tweed Forum Dr Kelly Redeker – University of York Eligibility This project is available to home and overseas students*. Applicants typically should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters’ qualification or similar experience. Essential Skills:
It is noted that you don’t need experience of all three of these skills as the project is flexible to work with the successful student to tailor it to their experience, current skills and interests, providing training opportunities to address any needs. We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process. *Due to CDT funding rules and Institutional policies, there is a cap on the number of scholarships that can be awarded to international students. Once this limit has been reached, ECOWILD CDT scholarship will only be awarded to students who are eligible for Home fee status.
English Language Requirements Overseas students must be able to provide proof of their ability in the English language. We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0, or a TOEFL certificate with an overall score of at least 85, including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21. Alternatively, if you have received an English-taught Bachelors or Masters degree from one of the countries listed on the UK Government Guidance under ‘Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English’, and it was obtained less than two years from your intended start date, you should provide evidence of your award that clearly states it was delivered and assessed in English language.
How to Apply For information on how to apply, please visit the ECOWILD website: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/how-to-apply/
For project specific enquiries, please contact i.pattison@hw.ac.uk For general enquiries or technical support with your application, please contact ecowild@hw.ac.uk
Timelines The closing date for applications is 5pm GMT Thursday 9th January, and applicants must be available to start in October 2025.
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