Dr Oscar Kennedy-Blundell (he, him, his)

I am a physical geographer with strong interests in terrestrial environmental processes, particularly with regards to carbon cycling and the potential to enhance carbon sequestration. To date, my research has focussed on fire regimes in upland UK environments, though I have also taken part in research in glacial, forested and riverine environments. I have experience with contemporary sample analysis (e.g. water quality, vegetation surveys, soil erosion), palaeoenvironmental research (e.g. peat core pollen analysis) and GIS analysis (e.g. flood mapping and modelling). 

My thesis research looked at the characteristics of pyrogenic carbon (charcoal) produced in UK peatland fires, as well as their degradation trends when exposed to environmental conditions. Pyrogenic carbon has been shown to have the potential to act as a long term terrestrial carbon store. Whilst extensive wildfire and pyrogenic carbon research has been carried out in commonly considered fire-prone environments, the UK has recieved relatively limited research attention particularly with regards to the pyrogenic carbon produced in these settings. 

I am also strongly interested in the effects of different land management practices on ecosystem processes and I have contributed to work evaluating methods to increase soil carbon stocks in UK agricultural settings (and mitigation efforts more broadly).

My current research as a postdoctoral research associate builds on the insights of my PhD research (e.g. PyC characteristics and degradation trends) by considering PyC in Brazilian Amazon carbon cycling in JULES.