Mr. John Robotham

My current research is focussed on evaluating the potential of Working with Natural Processes (WWNP) to mitigate water quality issues such as diffuse pollution in agricultural landscapes. The study system for my PhD project is the Littlestock Brook NFM (Natural Flood Management) pilot scheme in the Evenlode catchment of the Thames basin. This scheme includes the creation, installation and implementation of floodplain woodland, instream leaky barriers (woody dams), retention ponds, wetland areas, on-line ponds, and conservation agriculture practices. The Littlestock Brook waterbody is being intensively monitored through the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP) using a range of high-resolution environmental sensors and gauges. These data will enable us to better understand the functioning and multiple benefits of NFM in this hydrologically 'flashy', lowland catchment.

Keywords: hydrology, water quality, sediment dynamics, nutrient biogeochemistry, diffuse pollution, freshwater ecosystems, ecosystem services