Dr Alan Puttock
Lecturer in Applied Nature Based Solutions (Water)
A.K.Puttock@exeter.ac.uk
CREWW Building
Overview
Environmental scientist and ecohydrologist taking an interdisciplinary approach to research into nature-based solutions and landscape restoration. Skillset combines: hydrological and ecological empirical data collection, laboratory analysis, remote sensing, modelling, geographical information systems and social science. Seeking to undertake applied research in collaboration with a wide range of project partners to ensure research has international academic and non-academic impact.
Currently working across a suite of research projects with the key overarching aims of developing policy and management relevant understanding to: (1) Optimise the implementation of nature-based/natural flood management solutions to hydrological extremes, creating more resilient landscapes (2) maximise the benefits and minimise the conflicts associated with landscape restoration, catchment management and species reintroductions.
Alan is also a member of The Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW). CREWW conducts research into some of the most pressing environmental challenges in our time - namely how we can manage our precious natural resources in ways which are sustainable, innovative and resilient. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/creww/
Broad research interests:
Ecohydrology; nature-based solutions; natural flood management; landscape restoration; species reintroductions; soil erosion; water quality; biogeochemical cycling; land use and environmental change; environmental ecosystem services
Qualifications
BSc Physical Geography (University of Exeter)
MSc Sustainable Development and Environmental Change (University of Exeter)
PhD (University of Exeter and Rothamsted Research, North Wyke)
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Environmental scientist and ecohydrologist taking an interdisciplinary approach to research into nature-based solutions and landscape restoration. Skillset combines: hydrological and ecological empirical data collection, laboratory analysis, remote sensing, modelling, geographical information systems and social science. Seeking to undertake applied research in collaboration with a wide range of project partners to ensure research has international academic and non-academic impact.
Research projects
Beaver Projects
Beavers act as ecohydrological engineers and it is believed they could play an important role in the management of water resources. To inform the debate surrounding the reintroduction of beavers in the United Kingdom, it is essential to understand the impacts beavers have upon hydrology and associated ecosystem services including: flood risk management, water quality and drinking water provision.
Working with a broad range of project partners, we are undertaking interdisciplinary research to quantify the environmental impacts of beaver reintroduction at trial reintroduction sites including projects in: Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Knepp Estate, Holnicote Estate and the Forest of Dean.
We are also undertaking a broad range of research to inform policy with regard to beaver reintroduction nationally.
Devon Resilience Innovation Project
Collaborating with Environment Agency and Devon County Council on one of 25 national government Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes seeking to demonstrate how innovative actions can improve resilience to flooding. This project involves the supervision of two PhD students seeking to optimise and upscale the implementation of natural flood management/nature-based solution approaches in flashy rapid response catchments.
River Otter Beaver Trial
In 2015 Natural England granted a five year licence to monitor beavers living wild upon the River Otter, Devon. The impacts of Eurasian Beaver upon English river systems are currently poorly understood, with the outcome of this pilot study having significant implications for river restoration and management. This project, the first of its kind in England, is monitoring the impacts of beavers upon the River Otter catchment.
The River Otter Beaver Trial is led by Devon Wildlife Trust working in partnership with The University of Exeter, the Derek Gow Consultancy, and Clinton Devon Estates. Funding for the ROBT comes from Devon Wildlife Trust, the Royal Society for Wildlife Trusts, Peter de Haan Charitable Trust, University of Exeter and from the generous donations from the public made to the Devon Beaver Appeal.
Ottery St Mary Natural Flood Management Project
As part of the government’s 25 year plan and the Environment Agency’s working with natural processes strategies, DEFRA is supporting partnership organisations to undertake natural flood management schemes locally, combined with evidence gathering and monitoring to increase national understanding. Hydrological monitoring is being undertaken to determine the role played by interventions (woody debris dams, forest planting, in field attenuation structures) allowing comparison with other catchment management strategies. This project is also now part of the Devon Resilience innovation Project supported by Devon County Council.
Key Previous Research Projects
Culm Grasslands Project
Culm grasslands (or Rhôs pastures), are an internationally important example of semi-natural wet pasture, which can provide multiple ecosystem services. However, these landscapes have been heavily impacted by land use change, resulting in a significant reduction in their spatial extent. It is believed that the restoration of Culm grassland could deliver multiple benefits for water and soil resources in South West England. Ecosystem services provided by Culm grassland might include: improved water storage, flood risk management, cleaner water, enhanced carbon storage and improved biodiversity.
This study seeks to increase understanding of the hydrological functioning, soil and water quality of Culm grasslands. In so doing, it will establish a solid knowledge base, from which management of these critical landscapes can progress. The work is funded as a partnership project between Devon Wildlife Trust (Working Wetlands), the Environment Agency and the UK Higher Education Innovation fund.
Mires Project
This project is based in Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks in the south west of the UK and is primarily funded by South West Water. The research will establish an evidence base for the effectiveness of moorland restoration across Exmoor and Dartmoor between 2010 and 2020. The project involves a number of monitoring sites, where high-resolution sensor networks and samplers are deployed to quantify changes in water table depths, discharge and water quality as a function of restoration (primarily ditch blocking).
Links
Publications
Journal articles
Chapters
Reports
Supervision / Group
Postgraduate researchers
- Mehdi Bagheri Gavkosh
- G Bradbury
- Chryssa Brown
- Hugh Graham