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Physical Geography/Environmental Science/Geoscience (3)

Constructed Farm Wetlands (CFWs) for remediation of farmyard runoff: water treatment efficiency, ecological value and cost-effectiveness

Authors: Fabrice GOURIVEAU, Kate HEAL, Graham RUSSELL, Andy VINTEN

Date/projected finish date: September 2005 – August 2008

Application/Subject area(s): Water pollution remediation, Ecological Engineering

Project Type: PhD Thesis

Summary/Abstract:

Farmyard runoff is a major source of water pollution that affects bathing water quality, causes eutrophication and degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and incurs considerable costs. Constructed Farm Wetlands (CFWs), systems made of vegetated ponds through which water flows and gets cleaned, are recommended for remediation of farmyard runoff. However, many questions remain on their long-term treatment efficiency, optimal design and cost-effectiveness.

The main aims of this study are to: 1) evaluate the treatment performance of CFWs, 2) assess their ecological value; 3) assess their cost and 4) propose guidelines for their design, construction and aftercare.

Research is focusing on two CFWs built in south-east Scotland and receiving runoff from farmyards, roofs, tracks, middens and silage pits. The removal or storage of pollutants such as nitrate, phosphorus or bacteria is assessed by monitoring flow and water chemistry at the inlet and outlet of the wetlands and by analysing sediments. The ecological value of the ponds is evaluated y monitoring vegetation and aquatic invertebrates. Moreover, q questionnaires are given to farmers to collect data on farm practices, wetland maintenance, and assess farmers’ acceptance of these treatment systems. Finally, the real costs involved in the construction of wetlands are being detailed.

This study will provide recommendations for the design and maintenance of constructed farm wetlands to increase their water treatment efficiency, enhance their ecological value and reduce their cost.

Mini abstract:

Constructed Farm Wetlands (CFWs), semi-natural systems made of vegetated ponds through which water flows and gets cleaned, are recommended for decontamination of farmyard runoff in Scotland.

This study investigates their water treatment performance, ecological value and cost, involving water and sediment sampling, vegetation and invertebrate surveys and interviews with farmers and experts.

It will provide recommendations for the design and maintenance of constructed farm wetlands to increase their water treatment efficiency, enhance their ecological value and reduce their cost.

Datasets used: Ordnance Survey Collection (Classic and Carto).

I used Digimap mainly to create maps of my field sites, locate constructed wetlands, locate places were interviews with farmers were carried out, study the hydrology of the catchments, map water sampling points, etc.

Funders and or Institution: University of Edinburgh, David Kinloch Michie Studentship, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Small Project Grant and Elisabeth Sinclair Grant.

Images (click to enlarge):

Figure 1" Kennetsideheads Treatment Pond

Figure 2: Old Castles Wetland (2007)

A study into the interactions between estuarine sediments and the dominant currents in the Fal Estuary, UK

Author: Hayley Jane Essex

Date/projected finish date: November 2006

Application/Subject area(s): Oceanography/sedimentology

Project Type: undergraduate research project

Summary/Abstract: The Fal estuary possesses a complex physical structure, with interactions between tidal and riverine flows, and the additional impact of sea waves. These are, for the most part the driving force of sediment distribution with the estuary, controlling the grain size, structures and content of the sediment. The main impact of the bathymetry upon the currents is that caused by human interference; the dredging of the main channel is the best example of this.

Datasets used: Encarta; to obtain a base map of the study area on which to plot sediment and current distribution in the Fal estuary.

Funders and or Institution: University of Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science

Estimating Personal Exposure to Air Pollution on School Journeys

Author: Dr. Duncan Whyatt, Gemma Davies

Department of Geography, Lancaster University

Date/projected finish date: January–December 2007

Application/Subject area(s): Air Pollution Modelling, Geography, Environmental Science

Project Type:  ESRC Small Research Grant

Summary/Abstract:

As part of a one year study aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of school journeys we are combining individual route data (derived from GPS) with modelled estimates of air pollution in a GIS environment. Our aim is to derive better estimates of personal exposure to air pollution based on the detailed integration of these data in time and space.

The air pollution modelling focuses primarily on road sources of pollution. Road centre lines and road widths have been captured from OS MasterMap data (downloaded from the EDINA Digimap site) and incorporated into the model. OS Profile DTM data has also been used to create a terrain file for the study area and to calculate gradients for selected road segments. Raster maps at a range of scales have also been used to provide context for the study as it has progressed.

Initial results show great variation in personal exposure to air pollution based on routes taken and mode/speed of travel.

Datasets used: Profile DTM, MasterMap, Colour Raster maps 1:10,000, 1:25,000 and 1:50,000

Funders and or Institution: Funded by Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Images (click to view larger images):

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Studying the morphology and sedimentology of drumlins in order to determine their process-form relationship". Jake Cope, Durham University
• "Extent of modification of Scottish landscape by ice sheet & mountain glaciation". Dr V. Haynes, University of Stirling.
• "Developing a history of human influence on the River Exe, Devon". John Taylor, University of Exeter
• "PhD in urban water sustainability funded by EU SWITCH project, using the OS map as a base layer in arcGIS", Weblink: www.switchurbanwater.eu. Ewan Last, University of Birmingham
• "EPSRC Designing Dynamic Displays with Supportive Evaluation Techniques, part of this project is about evaluating different methods of zooming into geographic datasets". Tim Gamble, University of Sheffield.
• "'The effects that the fluctuating flow rates of the Afon Aeron have on the faecal indicator loading in the coastal area of Aberaeron: Investigation of the differing effects of base & high flow events". Jamie Williams, University of Aberdeen.
• "Modelling phosphorus levels in the Tamar Catchment using GIS". Tom Rigden, University of Plymouth.

Human Geography/Business/Sociology (4)

Mapping sustainability indicators to create a sustainability atlas for business in the South West of England.

Author: Alice Dalton

Date/projected finish date: September 2009

Application/Subject area(s): Urban land economics and sustainable accessibility; Geographic Information System (GIS) data visualisation

Project Type: PhD

Summary/Abstract:

The aim of the research is to investigate the sustainability of office locations for small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The Digimap data is used for network analysis and accessibility mapping at the local level in order to produce indices of sustainability for areas in South West England. The outputs of the analysis feed into a visualisation tool, presented using Digimap OS raster mapping. This research intends to explore the sustainability of business location decision-making, highlighting choices made in the past and possibilities for the future.

Datasets used: OS Meridian 1:50 000; OS MasterMap ITN; OS MasterMap Topography; OS 1:50 000 raster

Funders and Institution: University of the West of England (Bristol), funded under the Great Western Research initiative set up by the South West of England Regional Development Agency

The contribution of 'Sustainable' New Developments to Sustainable Lifestyles: An Evaluation of Schemes in the UK

Author: Professor Katie Williams, Dr Carol Dair, Morag Lindsay

Date/projected finish date:October 2007

Application/Subject area(s): Sustainable urban environment

Project Type: i.e. undergraduate dissertation/MSc/PhD. Four year research project with a PhD studentship attached

Summary/Abstract:

The original aim of the project was to examine whether sustainable urban environments engender sustainable behaviour and lifestyles, and if not why not. Eight sustainable behaviours, and the associated physical features that could enable them, were established. One of the physical features was the design of the layout of the developments (in order that we could analyse the impact on movement in the developments). To gain an understanding of how the streets in a new development connected with existing street networks we used the downloaded maps in a GIS program and space syntax theory. The maps were also used to identify what type of street pattern was prevalent in each of the case studies, e.g. cul-de-sacs, grid, deformed grid.

Datasets used: Land-Line and OS MasterMap

Funders and or Institution: Funded by EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), grant reference GR/S20529/01, see http://www.city-form.com/

Carried out at Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Images (click to view larger images):

Alpine Close, Maidenhead

Moseley Row, Greenwich Millennium Village, Greenwich

The Staiths South Bank, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

An Ethnoarchaeology of Analogy: Monuments in their context, Past and Present

Alternative Title: Monumental Space

Author: Benjamin Manktelow

Date/projected finish date: Winter 2006

Application/Subject area(s):

Project Type: Research project

Summary/Abstract:

Investigation into modern monumental space and its 'experience' as possible insight into the past.

This project was an attempt to gain meaningful information from the contemporary 'western' world and then relate this to how archaeologists have formulated their analogies and interpretations of the past paying specific attention to the Neolithic and the considerable corpus of work that has been written. The theme being that of What Is A Monument? The research was worked up as a critical evaluation of Ethnoarchaeology.

Datasets used: Ordnance Survey Collection

Funders and or Institution: University of Wales, Lampeter

Centralised Database for Mobile Pedestrian Navigation System and Location-Based Services with Enhanced Positioning

Author:  Suleiman Almasri

Date/projected finish date: August 2008

Application/Subject area(s): Mobile GIS and Location Based Services

Project Type: PhD

Summary/Abstract:

Location Based Services (LBS) provide resources and information depending on the user’s location. In This project, three issues related to LBS establishment -as mobile information and pedestrian navigation system- will been addressed: the accuracy of positioning, the volume size of data, and data presentation. The proposed system allows the end users to access vital, accurate and updated information based on their location. Since this location is not fully accurate, particularly in the urban environments where users are most likely use this system, a new algorithm combines correction data available from SISNeT is  utilized on the information received from Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to enhance the positioning accuracy. Moreover, to overcome the volume of data problem, a new mechanism is used to allow the users to load only the data of the town they are travelling to (Zone based), and not the entire Geographical Information System (GIS) database, depending on their user-profile as well (e.g. businessman, tourist, etc.). Most of the LBS users are facing problems in dealing with maps; an alternative technique is proposed, which allows providing information in a form of photos, voice and short videos. The system is useful to help pedestrians to obtain information on the move anytime anywhere, and enhance their quality of life. Also it can be configured to provide information to help disabled people.

Institution: Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK.

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Towards Healthy Living Wessex, Looking at Health and its relationships to location", Funded by Lottery Funds and Healthy Living Alliance. Chris Franklin, UWE
• "Factors influencing the effective regeneration of Salix myrsinit es on Meall Mor and recommendations for management" - published in the Scrubbers bulletin in the Autumn 2007. Jon Watkins
• "EPSRC funded project on Dynamic analysis of road traffic flow", By:Ben, UCL.
• "PhD project looking at the potential to develop renewable energy in Gwynedd". Gwenith Hughes
• "To what extent are crime and deprivation linked: An example from Kent and Canterbury". Ricarda Lummer
• "An investigation into how mobility deprivation impacts on the lives of young people in a school catchment area in rural South Northamptonshire". Jemma Grant, University of Northampton
• "Geographical constraints that students face when going from home to university. Funded by the ESRC and UCAS. Examining the application stages through to admissions with the use of regional and postcode level analysis". Joanna Papageorgiou, University of Bristol.
• "PhD research on the impacts of large-scale distributed electricity generation (such as solar panels and wind turbines on houses) on the electricity distribution network: Modelling the network in Loughborough". Ian Richardson, University of Loughborough.

Geology (1)

Hydrogeological Investigation of a Carboniferous Limestone aquifer near Rest Bay

Author: David Aled Jones

Date: May-Aug 2007

Subject area: Geology

Project Type: MSc Thesis

Summary/Abstract:

The hydrogeological understanding of the Carboniferous Limestone aquifer near Rest Bay, and the mechanisms responsible for the groundwater quality deterioration observed are poorly understood.

Based on a review of previous studies an initial conceptualisation of the hydrogeological system was generated, which in conjunction with a critical review of previously collected data highlighted the need for further groundwater level and quality data, and a greater understanding of the geological structure.

A 3 month data collection exercise was undertaken between May – August 2007, to assess the spatial and temporal changes in groundwater level and quality and to collect further information on the geological structure.

Groundwater levels were found to be spatially variable, with the majority responding semi-diurnally to tidal pressure upon the aquifer and also responding to rainfall events. Groundwater quality was also spatially and temporally variable, with the worst quality generally observed in boreholes which had been subjected to abstraction.

Based on the available data the mechanism of quality deterioration was identified as the natural fluctuation of the fresh/saltwater interface beneath the site in response to tidal changes and variability in the freshwater discharges through the system. The primary control on the distribution of groundwater levels and quality is the presence of fractured/fissured horizons intercepted by the boreholes and their connection with the brackish transition zone of the fresh/saltwater interface.

An updated conceptualisation has been generated but the hydrogeological understanding is still incomplete due to the lack of information on the presence and orientation of the fractured/fissured horizons. Further investigation is needed to better understand these horizons and their control on the system.

Datasets used: Digimap Historic County Series, 1 1st Revision. Publish Year Start: 1900. Tile Name: 48ss87nw. County: Glamorganshire, 1:10,560.

Others: Geology Digimap, Carto

Aims and Objectives:

Historical maps were used as part of the desk study process to investigate the possible former land uses of the study area from late 19th Century to present day. Aim was to investigate if there had been any land uses which may have contributed to the groundwater quality deterioration recorded within the study area

Results:

The historic Digimap highlighted the greenfield nature of the site and confirmed that there appeared to be no historical site uses which may have contributed to the groundwater quality deterioration.

Extract from Chapter 3, highlighting the historic map used:

3.2 Land Use

The golf course opened in 1895. The surrounding area has undergone little change with time, with the predominant land-use still comprising open fields. An early historic map from 1900 (Fig.3.3) shows the golf course and the undeveloped nature of its surroundings. The Rest convalescent home is present and there is also a small quarry located to the immediate west of the home

(click image to enlarge)

Between 1900 and 1971 the only significant change recorded is the development of the golf clubhouse, which appears by 1918, and the appearance of a few properties to the east and south east of the study area.

Other noted Titles in this category:

• "The Hydrogeology of Bromate Contamination in the Hertfordshire Chalk". Simon Cook, UCL
• "Structural geology mapping along the Carrick shoreline, SW Scotland". Sam Weatherley, University of Oxford.
• "An investigation into the intrusive versus effusive origin of an andesite succession in the Ordovician Borrowdale Volcanic Group". Richard Moakes, University of Leicester
• "Geological Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed quarry that will be sited near Ladybower Dam in the Peak District". Katherine Phillips, University of Manchester.

Archaeology (4)

Stonehenge Riverside Project

Author: Mark Dover (Data Manager).

Projected finish date: 2010

Application/Subject areas: Archaeological Project Planning and Landscape Research.

Project Type: Collaborative Research Project

Summary/Abstract:

The Stonehenge Riverside project is a major collaborative research project conducted by five UK universities, and aimed at unravelling the prehistoric development of the Stonehenge landscape, resulting in a better understanding of the development of the prehistoric monumental complex, and its relationship to developing residential and subsistence practices.  The work program consists of targeted archaeological excavations of the major monuments, including Durrington Walls, Woodhenge,  Cursus, and the environs around Stonehenge and it's Avenue,  based on extensive geophysical surveys and supported by a wider Landscape study region of 170 sq km.

The Digimap data is a fundamental part of the project's Geographic Information System (ESRI ArcGIS),  as a vital pre-excavation planning tool, a framework to display archaeological information and the Digital Terrain Models derived from Profile and Panorama data support the landscape study's phenomenological research.

Without access to EDINA Digimap Data, considering the project's remit and size, commercial sources would have cost in the region of £100,000.

Datasets Used:

• OS: OS Land-Line.Plus
• OS Meridian 1:50 000
• OS Strategi 1:250 000
• OS 1:10 000 Scale Raster
• OS 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster
• OS 1:50 000 Scale Colour Raster
• OS Land-Form Profile 1:10 000
• OS Land-Form PROFILE DTM 1:10 000
• OS Land-Form PANORAMA, 1:50 000
• OS Land-Form PANORAMA DTM 1:50 000
• OS Boundary-Line .shp
• GB National Boundaries .shp
• GB National Grids .shp
• Historic Digimap: County Series  1:10 560 (more to download in future)
• Geology Digimap: BGS data 1:50 000

Institutions: The Data Manager post is based within the Centre for Archaeology, Anthropology and Heritage, School of Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University. The partner universities are;  Bournemouth University (Kate Welham),  Bristol University (Josh Pollard), Manchester University (Julian Thomas, Colin Richards), Sheffield University (Mike Parker-Pearson),  and University College London (Chris Tilley).

Funding: The data manager post is funded from the project's 4 year Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grant.

Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/research/stonehenge

Image (click to enlarge):

The Distribution of Romano-British pottery in Hampshire and West Sussex

Author: Jonathan Dicks

Date: 2007/8

Application area: Archaeology

Application to other subject areas: Archaeologist interested in the social/economics of Romano-British England in the first to fourth centuries

Project Type: PhD thesis

Summary: This study using Geographic Information Systems was to produce spatial relations of Romano-British villas within the landscape

Datasets used: Land-Line.Plus, Strategi, and Land-Form PANORAMA DTM from Digimap. Source: Digimap and Aerial photographs plus lots of uniquely created data

Aims & Objectives:

The brief description of project goals were to produce spatial representation of the landscape as it might of existed during to Romano-British period of history and to identify any social/economic trends that might be present by investigating the relationship of the villas in the landscape

Changing Beliefs: The Archaeology of the East Anglian Conversion

Author: Richard Hoggett

Date/projected finish date: May 2007

Subject area(s): Archaeology/History

Project Type:  PhD

Summary:

This thesis explores the historical and archaeological evidence for the coming of Christianity to Anglo-Saxon East Anglia. In particular, it examines the mechanisms by which the new religion may have spread and assesses the speed and scale of its adoption. Part I of the thesis provides a broad context for the questions being asked of the East Anglian material, critiques archaeological approaches to the study of religion and pays particular attention to the ways in which the emergence of Christianity might be recognised in the archaeological record.

Part II presents the pertinent data from Anglo-Saxon East Anglia. First, a detailed examination is made of the historical evidence, primarily the material presented by Bede in the Historia Ecclesiastica. Secondly, an exploration is presented of the various ways we might combine documentary, architectural and archaeological sources to identify Anglo-Saxon churches founded as a part of the conversion process. Finally, the East Anglian burial record, comprising some 200 Early and Middle Saxon cemeteries, is presented and analysed.

Part III of the thesis synthesises these data and uses them to give an account of the East Anglian conversion. Attention is paid to the missionary stations established by the early churchmen, many of which were sited within disused Roman enclosures or in topographically distinct locations. Of the burial rites practised during the conversion period, the cessation of cremation and the changing use of grave-goods are both shown to be particularly strong indicators of conversion, while broader consideration of the conversion-period landscape demonstrates that the conversion caused a great upheaval in the sites chosen for Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. Ultimately, the archaeological evidence demonstrates that, far from being the preserve of the upper classes, the adoption of Christianity throughout the East Anglian kingdom was rapid, widespread and popular.

Datasets used: County boundaries. Ancient and modern parishes. Digital terrain models. Hydrology from OS LandLine. Combined with datasets of my own making and those derived from the Norfolk and Suffolk Historic Environment Records.

Image (click to enlarge):

Early Saxon Cemeteries

Funders and or Institution: Funded by a post-graduate scholarship from the School of History, University of East Anglia.

Water sources in archaeology and as indicators of social change – their significance, value and preservation, with particular reference to Oxfordshire.

Author: Jill Hind

Date/projected finish date: October 2009

Application/Subject area(s): Archaeology

Project Type: i.e. dissertation/MSc/PhD. DPhil

Summary/Abstract:

The remains of early water supplies are significantly underrepresented in the archaeological records and in designations, probably because their significance is not well understood. This thesis attempts to demonstrate the contribution which surviving features, mainly of post-medieval date, can make to our understanding of the development of water technology and its place in social history. The control of water provision is an important issue for rural and urban communities. The range of different geologies across Oxfordshire also enables its effect on water supply to be explored.

Institution: University of Oxford

Datasets used: I hope to use the modern OS base map; geology data; older editions of OS; generate my own data sets for distributions of my sites

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Bannaventa Roman Town, geophysical survey, funded by CLASP". Peter Masters, University of Cranfield
• "Re-appraisal of the Bronze Age barrow cemeteries of the South Dorset Ridgeway". Roy Nicholls, University of Bournemouth
• "Geophysical Survey of a Roman Villa at West Challow, Oxfordshire, with English Heritage". William Wintle, University of Oxford.
• "Where Rivers Meet: Landscape, Ritual, Settlement and the Archaeology of River Gravels. Funded through the EH rebursed ALSF". Tim Evans, University of York.
• "Iron Mines in Somerset, an examination of iron mining and smelting in mediaeval and later Somerset". Ryan Gibson, University of Bristol

History/Literature/Language (2)

Border Ballads as Living Tradition

Author: Poppy Holden

Date/projected finish date: 2009

Application/Subject area(s): Music, Ethnography

Project Type: PhD

Summary: Tracing the bloody history of the border ballads.

At first glance, it seems obvious what a border ballad is. We might assume that the border is between England and Scotland, because those published books with ‘border ballads’ in the title tend to be collections of song texts which come from this area. But if we venture a little further, we enter a territory as full of confusion as the wild Scottish borders of history. There are many borders, even in the UK: the ones between England/Scotland, England/Wales, Northeast Scotland/Highlands: – and the border between Mexico and the United States has its own tradition of popular song. The ballads from the Scottish borders where, from 1286 to 1603, the lands were lawless and life was lived at red alert from cradle to grave, are a living record of the powerful emotions of people enduring constant strife. These emotions are still powerful, and if you want to enter a border ballad singing competition, whether in Alnwick, Kelso, Morpeth, Newcastleton or Rothbury, you will find that passions run high, and nothing is straightforward.

Institution: Newcastle University

Dictionary of Scottish Place-Names

Author: Professor W. F. H. Nicolaisen with Dr Maggie Scott

Application/Subject area(s): Onomastics/Linguistics/History

Project Type: general research

Summary/Abstract: Professor W. F. H. Nicolaisen is Scotland's leading expert on place-name studies and has been collecting material relating to the origins and history of Scotland's place-names for many years.  His forthcoming Dictionary of Scottish Place-Names will be an invaluable resource for linguists and historians, and for all those with an interest in Scotland's culture.

Datasets used: Ordnance Survey Collection, Historic Digimap, Geology Digimap. And: Professor Nicolaisen's extensive collection of early place-name forms and other historical collections of place-name spellings derived from the work of other researchers in the field

Institution: Scottish Language Dictionaries & The Association for Scottish Literary Studies.

Links: Scottish Language Dictionaries - www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk

Keyword definitions: Onomastics = name studies

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Dispersions and positions of the castles of East Anglia". James Stephen Butler, UEA
• "Community Bynames of North Uist, Western Isles", forthcoming in the onomastics journal NOMINA. Ellen Bramwell, University of Glasgow

Ecology/Biology/zoology (3)

Understanding the causes of urban house sparrow population decline

Author: Lorna. M. Shaw

Projected finish date: October 2008

Application area: Ecology and Conservation

Project Type:  PhD Studentship

Summary:

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a common and widespread species, and is one of the most well known birds to visit gardens in the UK. The species is particularly adapted to living alongside human habitation, and it is estimated that two thirds of the UK house sparrow population is found in urban areas. However, house sparrow populations have been declining in many urban areas since the mid 1980s. The overall population of house sparrows is estimated to have declined from approximately 13 million pairs in the early 1970s to around 6 million pairs by the late 1990s. The house sparrow is now red listed as a species of conservation concern in the UK, and as a species of European conservation concern.

This PhD aims to look at the factors affecting house sparrow populations on a nation-wide, and on a more localised scale.  The study will centre around the observation that sparrow declines appear to be greatest in more affluent areas of cities, and will attempt to discover reasons for this. At a national scale, sparrow census data from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) will be compared with socio-economic data obtained from the Office for National Statistics, across a number of UK urban centres. At a more localised scale, data on house sparrows in the Bristol area of the UK will be compared to habitat and environmental information in order to identify factors that may have caused the decline.

Supervisory Team: Prof. Matthew Evans (University of Exeter, Tremough Campus); Dr Dan Chamberlain (British Trust for Ornithology).

Datasets used: OS boundary line data, National grids, and OS meridian data.

Digimap data is being used in GIS to identify suitable sites for analysis within UK urban boundaries, and to overlay data that I have collected, and BTO data to visually compare the distribution of urban house sparrows with socioeconomic data gathered according to UK administrative boundaries.

Funding body: NERC funded blue skies CASE studentship, in association with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Institution: University of Exeter, profile page.

Anthropogenic influences on the water vole Arvicola terrestris – do proximity to urban settlements or naturalness of water bodies influence habitat preference?

Author: Tom J.M. Hayek

Date: 13/06/2007

Application/subject areas: Ecology – use of GIS software

Project type: Undergraduate

Summary: An investigation into whether certain anthropogenic factors influence distribution of water voles.  Using a set of presence/absence survey results gathered over 3 years, data points were mapped against distance from urban areas (defined as per the 2001 UK census survey).  An assessment was also made of distribution in relation to “naturalness” of the water bodies surveyed (i.e. how managed or man-made they were).  With a few minor exceptions, it was found that neither of these factors significantly influenced water vole distribution, with the species if anything favouring closer proximity to urban areas.

Datasets used: The data sets were taken from 229 surveys conducted within East Yorkshire between 2000 and 2003 by Jon Traill (Wetlands and Wildlife Officer for The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust), and volunteers under his supervision.  The raw data were processed by the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre (NEYEDC) and transformed into dbf file format for use with the ArcGIS software package.  The resolution of the map tiles for East Yorkshire was at 1:25000.

Institution: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Hull, Scarborough Campus - http://www.hull.ac.uk/cems/

Images (click to enlarge):

Map showing urban areas of East Yorkshire (1,500+ residents), 1km buffers around them and survey sites (positive and negative results)

View of the Aire and Calder Navigation and Dutch River to the south-west of Goole, East Yorkshire showing positive and negative survey sites

 

GIS & Remote Sensing for Biologists (Online Lecture Series)

Title: GIS and remote sensing for biologists.

Author: Nick Brown

Website Link: http://storage.plants.ox.ac.uk/eb/ (Note: This link no longer works - 22/09/08).

Project Type: Teaching.

Institution: University of Oxford

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Regional patterns of veterinary disease in Scotland – funded SEERAD". Ben Mccormick, Scottish Agricultural College.
• "PhD oak gallwasps, NERC funded". Richard Challis, The University of Edinburgh
• "PhD, RSPB funded – Ecological development of Nigg Bay managed realignment site". Amy Cowther, University of Stirling. Website: http://www.sbes.stir.ac.uk/people/postgrads/crowther.html
• "Exploring the potential of restored landfill sites for supporting assemblages of pollinating insects". Sam Tarrant, University of Northampton.
• "Using GPS to examine distribution of dog urinations and sites". James Webster, University of Durham

Epidemiology/Medicine/Health (2)

Relative risk of heart disease for different ethnic groups based on UKBORDERS

Title: Relative Risk of Cardiovascular Disease among Ethnic Groups

Author: Lixun Liu, Robin Flowerdew, Chris Dibben

Date/projected finish date: October, 2007

Application/Subject area(s): Health Geography

Project Type: PhD

Summary/Abstract: Ethnicity is an important dimension in our understanding of health inequalities. Improving the health of ethnic minority groups is a central component of the UK government's agenda to reduce social exclusion and inequalities in health (London Health Observatory, 2005). Many surveys and research have highlighted health inequalities among ethnic groups, particularly for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little work has been done to examine the ethnic inequalities and relative risk of cardiovascular disease for the whole England, especially at lower geographical level rather than country level, in a finer classification of ethnicity rather than the generalization of ethnic groups. In this study, the health inequalities and relative risk of CVD for ethnic groups were illustrated and presented at local authority level in the form of Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR), which being more than 100 means higher (excess) risk. However, some of the crude SIRs for ethnic minorities are extremely high and not very stable due to the very small number of population of certain ethnic groups in those areas, leading to overestimation of relative risk. Empirical Bayes method was employed to smooth these unstable SIRs. The smoothed SIRs showed great difference of relative risk of cardiovascular disease for different ethnic groups across local authorities, particularly in London, the most ethnic diversity city in the UK.

Datasets used: The UKBORDERS dataset is downloaded from EDINA Digimap, English Districts 2001

The cardiovascular disease incidence data are extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics

Funders and or Institution: School of Geography & Geoscience, the University of St Andrews

Image (click to enlarge):

• LixunLiu_Map2-1.pdf (download PDF)
• LixunLiu_Map2-1.pdf (download PDF)

Environmental and social influences on physical activity

Author: Jenna Panter, Andy Jones, Esther van Sluijs, Flo Harrison, Natalia Jones

Date/projected finish date: December 2008

Application/Subject area (s): Epidemiology, GIS, health promotion

Project Type: Research project and PhD projects

Summary/Abstract: The project uses data from two cohorts of participants, adults from the EPIC- Norfolk (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer) study and newly created cohort of children aged 9-10 years (SPEEDY). Most participants from the two cohorts live in Norfolk. The team are examining the association between the physical activity patterns of these participants and the surrounding environment. GIS data are being used to create a wide range of measures of the environment, including land use, crime levels and accessibility to parks, shopping facilities, and bus stops. All of the work is being undertaken using ArcGIS.

Datasets used: OS MasterMap Topographic and Integrated Transport Network (ITN) layers which have recently been made available through the Digimap service have been used. The ITN dataset has been used to examine network distance between participants and facilities. The accessibility measures were calculated using the Network Analyst extension in ArcGIS. OS MasterMap topographical datasets have also been used as the basis for creating measures of land use. Data sets from UKBORDERS are being used to gather a wide variety of census data regarding housing, unemployment, and car ownership. New data layers have been created using the 1:10 000 Colour Raster data as a backdrop for digitising and checking existing data sources.

Funders and Institution: The project is being undertaken at the University of East Anglia and the MRC Epidemiology Unit Cambridge. The funders for this project are National Preventive Research Initiative (NPRI).

Image (click to enlarge):

Land use map derived from OS MasterMap data

Other Noted Titles in this category:

• "Population usage rates of Accidence and Emergency Attendance in the West Midlands". Gavin Rudge, University of Birmingham

Design/Engineering/Planning (3)

GIS toolkits for understanding socio-economic impacts of Mega Urban Transport Projects (MUTPs) on urban communities.

Author: Varina Delrieu

Date/projected finish date: January 2010

Application/Subject area(s): GIS & Urban Transport Planning

Project Type:  PhD research

Summary/Abstract: My research assesses the impacts Mega Urban Transport Projects (MUTPs) have on urban communities by exploring changes in socio-demographic profile, accessibility, deprivation and land-value over time. I am interested in sustainable development and want to know to what extent we can visually explore issues such as social-cohesion and affordability. I use the GIS to spatially analyse data at the smallest spatio-temporal scale and look at ways that the results can be mapped to help urban planners evaluate and appraise an MUTP. My case-studies are communities along the high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Datasets used:

Raster Data: LandForm PANORAMA DTM

Transport infrastructure vector data: Strategi (1:250,000), Meridian 2 (1:50,000)

Boundary polygon data: Census administrative boundaries, county and country data.

Funders and or Institution: The OMEGA Centre for Mega Projects in Transport and Development, Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, funded by SEEDA

Image (click to enlarge):

Figure 1: 2001 Ward-level polygons around the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Line-Haul and the four main 'hubs' in SE England.

The Landscape of George Muller's 'New Orphan Houses', Ashley Down, Bristol

Author: Paige Johnson

Date/projected finish date: May 2007

Application/Subject area(s): Garden History

Project Type:  i.e. undergraduate dissertation/MSc/PhD. master's course thesis

Summary/Abstract: The Reverend George Muller's Orphan Houses were founded in Bristol in 1835 and by 1870 accommodated 2,050 children, most of whom had lost their parents due to tuberculosis.  World famous in their day, the grounds and houses (still visible on Ashley Down) have been largely forgotten. I combined information from old photographs and eyewitness descriptions with the 1st Edition OS maps to create new maps of the landscape in which I was able to define the areas occupied by productive, decorative and play spaces; providing new insight into how the gardens supported the mission and function of the Orphan Houses.  Most of the available outdoor space was given over to the production of vegetables which composed an important part of the children's diet and helped fulfil Muller's commitment to never make a request for funds except in prayer.  The designated play spaces near each house demonstrated an enlightened approach to the needs of indigent children, and were early examples of children's playgrounds.  Small decorative areas of ornamental planting at each house softened their austere architecture and were apparently tended by the children, one of whom later wrote 'the first love of gardening I learned at Number 5 (orphan house) with my little flower garden'.  Access to the historical Digimap series was essential to  delineating this fascinating landscape.

Datasets used: 1st Edition (c. 1889) OS maps

Funders and or Institution: University of Bristol

Image (click to enlarge):

Productive spaces (vegetable gardens) are shown in green, playgrounds are in purple.

'Artists in Residence' - designing housing in Byker for around 25 artists.

Author: Hannah Salat Groves

Date: December 2006

Subject: Architecture

Project type: undergraduate

Summary: I am studying Architecture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. I and many other students used Digimap to map out our given sites; the best example being the one for the Byker project, as it reads above; designing housing for the project 'Artists in Residence'.

Institution: Architecture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Other Noted Titles in this Category:

• "Successful Suburban Town Centres A study of the relationship between morphology, sociability, economics and accessibility, Funded by EPSRC", Weblink: http://www.sstc.ucl.ac.uk/. Muki Haklay, UCL.
• "Traffic signal design Using Land-Line to obtain junction geometry and spacing and to mark up new design", Ben Cove, University of Napier
• "Mechanical engineering MSc renewable energy project looking at validity of small hydro scheme at Low Sizergh farm near Kendal, Cumbria". Jon Winchester, University of Lancaster
• "Atelier 9, Bunker Architecture - project focussing on Harwich in Essex, and in particular a decommissioned MOD base at Beacon Hill, near Dovercourt - site plans and characteristics". Tim Elen
• "Harveys Foundry Trust and University College Falmouth project for Spatial Design students - project looked at the regeneration of the partially derelict UNESCO World Heritage site". Andrew Harbert, University of Falmouth
• "State of the Art Modelling of Hydrogen Infrastructure Development for the UK". K. Mcgeevor
• "Re-design of a development of a scrap yard in Leith that had a historical use as a railway thoroughfare". Caroline Oakley, Edinburgh College of Art