Assessment of Natural Water Retention Measures in Reducing Flood Risk

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This is a project within the multi-disciplinary EPSRC and ESRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) on Quantification and Management of Risk & Uncertainty in Complex Systems & Environments, within the Institute for Risk and Uncertainty. The studentship is granted for 4 years and includes, in the first year, a Master in Decision Making under Risk & Uncertainty. The project includes extensive collaboration with prime industry to build an optimal basis for employability.

Concern over flood risk and the impacts of flooding in rural and urban areas in the UK has been further exacerbated by recent flooding events throughout the country and the increased pressures from climate change. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the potential of natural flood management measures (e.g. woodland creation, buffer ponds, wetlands) to intercept and slow down the flow of water to streams and rivers. In this context, these natural water retention measures (NWRM) have been used successfully to reduce flood risk by reducing surface runoff, while at the same time having additional benefits such as reduced soil erosion and leaching which can impact on soil quality, water resources and water quality. However little has been done to understand which water retention measures will be the most appropriate/effective under different climate change scenarios. Such information is crucial for future flood protection planning, and the implementation of cost-beneficial, and effective flood mitigation measures in areas susceptible to flooding, such as the Somerset Levels.

Therefore, the studentship will focus on providing a catchment-scale characterisation of the most appropriate/effective natural water retention measures. In collaboration with Arup, the successful applicant will evaluate the impact of different combinations of NWRM on flood risk, and assess the associated socio-economic impacts, under different climate change scenarios. The student will use a modelling approach that simulates how changes in land cover due to NWRM’s impact upon soil properties and surface runoff transfer, and how they ultimately affect flood risk. Through this modelling approach, the research will provide a geographical characterisation of the most appropriate measures or sets of measures in terms of reduction of flood risk for the UK. Thus, the studentship will develop an invaluable flood management tool that helps guide decision makers in future flood protection planning.

The studentship will involve the following specific objectives:
• Develop an existing hydrological model (LISFLOOD) to integrate existing spatial land-use and hydrological parameter data (available through Arup) in order to predict flood risk at a catchment-scale.
• Use the developed model to simulate future scenarios of natural water retention measures.
• Assess the impacts of each measure/set of measures according to their affect on catchment-scale hydrology, and their resulting impact on risk of flood inundation.
• Develop and apply future scenarios of storm regime, due to climate change, in terms of timing (i.e. seasonality), duration, frequency and magnitude of rainfall.
• Evaluate the socio-economic implications of the identified impacts and, where possible, assess potential additional benefits such as improvement of water resources availability, water quality, reduction of soil erosion, etc.

Requirements

Applicants should have a background in Environmental Sciences (Geography, Geology or Environmental Sciences), Engineering (preferably Civil, Environmental or Mechanical), or in 2 relevant fields of the Mathematical Sciences. The project requires a good numerical background and a keen interest to work at the interface of environmental, modelling and statistical approaches. The student should have a willingness to interact with Environmental Scientists and Engineers. To be eligible for funding, you must either be a U.K. citizen or a European Union national who has been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to starting the course. The project, as well developing skills applicable in an academic setting, will deliver excellent training in the knowledge required to work in a wide variety of environmentally-facing careers, including those with the EA, Natural England or DEFRA, as well as Environmental and Civil Engineering Consultancies.