Research Activities
See below for some of the projects we support. We actively encourage research with the trust and associated reserves. Please get in touch if you want to know more and click here for more information and our prospectus!
Process-based model to determine relationships between novel crop rotations and pollinators
MSc Project
Kongpoom Varunrot
Although declines in pollinator diversity are well known, there is less clarity about the real impacts on abundance and pollination services. The regenerative approach at the Leckford estate offers a promising management strategy which seeks to enhance semi-natural habitats and enrich floral resources. Therefore, exploring how land management changes are impacting pollination populations piqued the interests for the following aims and objectives. With the assistance of a state-of-the-art process-based pollinator model, ‘Poll4pop’, this study aims to determine the relationships between novel crop rotations and pollinator.
populations throughout the lifespan of such rotations. This will involve modelling how these rotations will impact the foraging process and population growths of bees so we can also identity impacts to pollination services to the estate and its environments. Accomplishment of these objectives will hope to detect opportunities for delivering a sustainable approach whilst maintaining profitable crop yields.
Pollinator Identification Workshop
Stuart Roberts
Stuart ran a pollinator training workshop at our field centre which helped train four volunteers. We are now aiming to set up these volunteers as local champions to regularly survey local habitats on the Estate. We’re keen to engage other volunteers for a future workshop, so please contact us if this is of interest.