Visit to South Devon Coast and National Park upland moors (i.e. Dartmoor and Exmoor)

On Tuesday 19 November, my supervisor (Duncan Russel) and me made a long tour through Devon, which is in the south west of England, to visit possible sites which we will study as cases for the BASE project (i.e. the South Devon Coast and National Park upland moors). We first visited the South Devon Coast, and passed along Dawlish and Teignmouth. The coast here suffers from erosion, and the sandy beaches are nearly gone. There is a railway along the coast, which provides a double function being an infrastructure connection as well as a sea wall protecting the inhabitants behind it against flooding. Due to rising sea levels, and coastal erosion, the railway has become increasingly under pressure. The question rises what to do next? If the railway would be relocated more land inwards, there might be less incentive to maintain and preserve the sea wall; how will the houses be protected in future? Who decides about possible relocation of the railway? Which impacts may be expected if the railway stays or if it would be relocated? The sandy beaches along the South Devon Coast have typically attracted a lot of tourism. As the sandy beaches are eroding, there is also a question how tourism will respond to that. And subsequently, how the villages and towns which used to profit from beach tourism will respond. In our study, we will look into these kinds of issues. Here a photo of the coast at Dawlish (photos by Duncan Russel).

Flood risks for the villages and towns at South Devon Coast are also under influence of peak run-off from the stream upwards situated upland moors. The peat layer in the upland moors (i.e. Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park) absorbs and then slowly releases water from precipitation; functioning as a sponge and naturally protecting the downstream areas from peak run-offs. This peat layer provides a habitat for specific flora and fauna. The landscape of the upland moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor is typically highly appreciated for its recreational value. Under influence of increasing temperature and intensive grazing regimes (by sheep, cattle and ponies), the peat layer of the upland moors is expected to decompose and shrink. When this peat layer becomes thinner it will be less able to hold water. As a consequence - together with events of peak precipitation - chances of flash floods are likely to increase. The peat layer may also decompose when agricultural uses increase in the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Who are in charge of the management of this peat layer in the upland moors? Which adaptations or interventions may be developed to address the influence of climate changes (such as changes in temperature and precipitation)? Who would decide about these possible interventions and their implementation? Here a photo of Dartmoor National Park (with the view in the direction of Teignmouth) and of Exmoor National Park (nearby Lynton) (photos by Duncan Russel).

Getting started

A week and two days ago, I physically arrived in Exeter (Devon, UK) to start working here on the postdoc project. The first couple of days were mainly filled with practicalities and arranging all sorts of administrative things – which actually went quite smooth, thanks to the fantastic helpfulness and friendliness of everyone here! The Exeterians have certainly made a good impression in making me feel welcome as a an employee, and as a new habitant of their city! 

Here a picture of me behind my new desk (the upper picture), and a picture of my new office mate, Hannah Chiswell (in lower picture, who also took this pictures): 

After the first few days, my attention started to shift to the content of my tasks for the BASE project. The first task will be oriented towards preparing for a workshop in Delft (the Netherlands), 27 and 28 November. This preparation means rapidly informing myself on two cases in Devon; one being about the South Devon Coast (mostly Dawlish and Dartmouth), and one being about ecosystem services in Exmoor National Park. Coming Tuesday, the 19^th, my supervisor Duncan Russel will show me the two case study sites. (Duncan is a senior lecturer here in Exeter in politics of climate change and sustainable futures.) I have not visited these sites before, and am very much looking forward to it.

On Thursday, I was able to attend the weekly lunch seminar session on Environment & Sustainability, from the group of Neil Adger (who is a professor in human geography and environmental social sciences, also here in Exeter). I was hoping and looking forward to attending some lectures, presentations or discussions sessions here in Exeter; but it feels so nice to have found a weekly seminar series in my research field so soon and even in the same building.