Author: katberry

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BioLink: Below-ground biodiversity and ecosystem function in European Forests, 4th-7th November 2014, Reading

Martin Lukac will lead a new EU COST Action on “Linking below-ground biodiversity and ecosystem function in European forests (BioLink)”.  

The first meeting will be in Reading from 4th-7th November 21014, and aims to establish a vibrant community of scientists interested in the role of soil biodiversity in ecosystem service provision, particularly in tree dominated systems. PhD students and early stage researchers who wish to establish contacts with experts throughout Europe are welcome to submit a poster abstract. Funding is available to support students.

Please get in touch with Martin if you are interested in attending (m.lukac@reading.ac.uk).

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New report out today looks at growing cashews in Ghana and the effects on local people, food security and poverty alleviation

The work was led by Dr Ruth Evans, Department of Geography and Environmental Science in collaboration with Dr. Simon Mariwah and Dr. Barima Antwi, Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Ghana (funded by IIF and SHES, University of Reading).

For more information, check out the summary or full report and take a look at the video produced about the project.

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Dr Hilary Geoghegan Opens RGS’s Mid-Term Postgraduate Conference

Around 80 postgraduate students are gathering in Loughborough today to kick-off a two-day conference, in which they will test new ideas and strengthen their theories.

The Mid-Term Conference, organised each year by the Society’s Postgraduate Forum, gives budding researchers the opportunity to present papers in a supportive environment.

Our very own Dr Hilary Geoghegan opened the conference with some wise words to the students in attendance. “We are all part of the discipline of geography,” she said. “Find and hold on to your passion for geography, engage with others within and beyond academia, be enthusiastic about your research and think creatively about what it is to be an early-career geographer in the 21st century.”

Click here to read more details.

Follow the conference on Twitter using the hashtag #PGFmidterm.

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Soil Research Centre Photo Competition 2013

The Soil Research Centre is pleased to announced the winners of the 2013 SRC Photo Competition:

First Prize

Photo Title: Cambisol with erosion gully due to improper management and an increased rainfall.  (Olive grove in Mediterranean area)

Author: Maria Luisa Fernandez  (PhD in Environmental Science)

Second Prize

Photo Title: Collecting soil samples for analysis of phytoliths, charcoal and stable carbon isotopes, to learn more about the environmental impact of pre-Colombian Amazon cultures.

Author: Dr Frank Mayle  (Reader in Ecosystems Ecology)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Highly Commended

Photo Title: Removing a soil block sample from an archaeological hearth in Iraqi Kurdistan for export to the University of Reading for microscopic analysis of stratified soil deposits.

Author: Sarah Elliott (PhD Archaeology)

Highly Commended 1

Photo Title: Soil sampling on a small-scale mining site in the Western Region of Ghana.  Taken on fieldwork which aims to look at the impact of mining on forest carbon stocks.  Some miners couldn’t understand why I wanted soil, but wasn’t interested in gold!

Author: Mark Hirons (PhD in Agriculture)

Highly Commended 2

The winning pictures are also on display at the SRC website:

http://www.reading.ac.uk/soil-research-centre/Awards/src-photo-competition-2013.aspx

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

SRC will soon invite submissions for the 2014 Photo Competition.

 

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British Society of Soil Science Award Winners 2013

Winner of the BSc Disseration Competition

The winner of the Best BSc Dissertation in Soil Science was Ruth Harris.

Harris-BSSS-Presentation_w

Ruth was presented with the award on the 5th of July (Summer Graduation 2013) by Dr Steve Robinson, Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science.

The award recognises the exceptional dedication and commitment Ruth has put into her dissertation, entitled: ‘What are the effects of soil stripping with respect to heathland regeneration and what implication does this have for habitat management?’ Ruth has been an outstanding student who has just graduated from Reading with a First Class Degree in Environmental Science.

Congratulations to Ruth Harris and thanks to everyone who participated!

Winner of the MSC Dissertation Competition

The winner of this award will be announced in December.

Sponsored by the British Society of Soil Science

http://www.soils.org.uk/pages/home

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