Implications of rewilding for hydrological response in upland catchments

Rewilding is rapidly gaining popularity within the conservation sector as a method of protecting wildlife and habitats, yet the implications for biophysical processes across a range of ecosystems are not fully understood. It has often been suggested that rewilding of upland catchments through the reduction (or removal) of grazing, regeneration of native woodland cover, river restoration, etc. can help reduce runoff and sediment yields and so reduce downstream flood risk and associated costs such as water treatment and engineered flood defences. While there is anecdotal evidence to support such claims, there have been few studies directed at providing the required quantifiable evidence required to support wider policy on use of rewilding as a tool to reduce the impacts from increased hydro-meteorological risks associated with climate and land use change. In particular, there is a desire to better understand the differences in hydrological response to rainfall inputs between the Thirlmere and Ennerdale catchments in the English Lake District. There are major questions about whether changes to catchment management have influenced flood response and whether future changes might reduce downstream flood and sediment risks. This project will address this evidence gap through a combination of historical data analysis, remote sensing and hydro-meteorological monitoring in a paired catchment study in the English Lake District. Research will focus on two principal catchments; Thirlmere and Ennerdale, the latter being one of the UK’s premier upland rewilding projects while the former has suffered from flooding and associated high sediment yields in recent storms. The project will involve the installation of in-field instrumentation and monitoring equipment to complement existing facilities and records with associated fieldwork within both catchments. Data collected will be used to populate and parameterise predictive models. These will be used to estimate the likely costs/benefits of possible future land use policies (e.g. rewilding, business-as-usual, BREXIT, intensification, etc.) and the possible implications of climate change scenarios on future flood events. Models will be scaled-up across the rest of the Lake District. The project will work closely with project partners including United Utilities, The National Trust, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and Lake District National Park Authority.

Informal enquiries about the project should be sent to Steve Carver ([Email Address Removed])