|
Project properties |
|
| Title | Food forest in development (thesis or internship) |
| Group | Farming Systems Ecology |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Kees van Veluw |
| Examiner(s) | prof |
| Contact info | kees.vanveluw@wur.nl
Joris van der Kamp (joris@future-farmers.net) |
| Begin date | 2017/01/01 |
| End date | 2019/12/31 |
| Description | On a site near Winterswijk (in the East of the Netherlands), we will develop a food forest (7000m2) and an organic small fruit harvest garden (5000 m2). This will offer a unique chance to do a baseline measurement as nothing has been developed yet. The soil on the site is a special (and difficult) one as it has a thick impermeable till (dutch: keileem) layer at around 0,4 – 1,2 meter depth. This layer causes the stagnation of water but also limits availability of water in summer.
We would be interested to have a decent study of the soil on the site. The depth of the till layer is variable, and also other soil parameters may vary. A good soil map of the site would help us to in the design of the food forest. Furthermore, we think that it is very valuable to have a baseline measurement. What is the current situation of the soil? You can think of soil organic matter, soil nutrients, soil structure, soil life, or other parameters. It would be interesting to use this baseline later on to see how the site has been developing over years. Optional: - In case this is of interest to you, you can also help with the design of the food forest. - It would also be interesting to use models to predict the development of the site into the future. How will soil carbon stocks and carbon stocks in above ground biomass develop? This research project will include several elements: Soil Mapping, Soil Sampling (and its design), Lab work (analyses of the soil samples) and potentially carbon stocks modelling or food forest design. We are looking for one (or two) international or Dutch student(s) with a strong background in Soil Science. Preferably you have a strong interest in Food Forests/Permaculture. We offer: a research location on one of the most beautiful places of the Netherlands and a (very basic) place to stay overnight. |
| Used skills | - soil mapping
- soil sampling (and its design) - lab work (analyses of the soil samples) - potentially carbon stocks modelling - food forest design |
| Requirements | - student with strong background in soil science
- preferably you have a strong interest in Food Forests/Permaculture |