Research at Carymoor Environmental Centre

Research at Carymoor

Through the generosity of Wyvern Environmental Trust we are able to support a series of regionally and nationally important research projects:

Bath Spa University College: Experimental grassland field system
Staff and students are undertaking research into establishing species-rich grassland on the clay capping the landfill.
More information Contact e-mails : David Watson & Elaine Sage

Staffordshire University: An investigation into the underlying microbial factors governing plant recruitment and competition in a grassland creation scheme on a capped landfill site.
The aim of this investigation is to gain an understanding of the underlying factors governing plant recruitment and competition through the study of vesicular-arbuscular mycorhiza (AM) and its relationship with other soil characteristics (including organic content, earthworm activity, bulk density) in order to provide an insight into how grassland creation and restoration techniques can be improved to reflect a more natural community structure. More information

Bournemouth University & Yeovil College: Impact of surface drainage landforming on revegetation of capped landfill
This experimental plot is design to investigate the manipulation of surface substrate contours to provide a variety of soil microclimates. The objective of this research is to record germination and establishment rates of a herb rich grass mix sown directly onto the substrate. As the site progresses, the introduction of additional species through natural succession will also be recorded. More information

Butterfly Conservation: Butterfly habitat creation
Butterfly Conservation is creating a variety of experimental habitats to attract a wide range of butterfly species. This is a three year project with an obvious benefit long term to the species diversity of the site. More information

Contacts: Andrew George tel 01373 812270 or Dudley Cheeseman tel 01458 251451

Reading University: Landforming and habitat creation
The School of Plant Sciences at Reading University is conducting PhD research into new approaches to designing wildlife habitats and landscapes on post-use landfill sites using a variety of substrates and topographies. More information

Short-rotation willow coppice
Long Ashton Research Station will be testing the performance of different varieties of willow in extracting minerals and metals from soil.

Contact: Kevin Lindegard

Thanks to Ashridge Trees for donating trees and shrubs for our woodland creation project.