Summary
Summary
Sponge Scapes case study UK 07
Regenerative agriculture aims to improve the sponge function of the soil.
One location compares permanent grazing (perennial ryegrass) by cattle or sheep, including mob grazing, against mature broadleaf woodland (mix of native species including ash, sycamore and hawthorn) with low density grazing by deer. A second location compares different arable practices on silty clay soils over Chalk geology. In this case, one site uses a diverse crop rotation, with controlled traffic, min till and cover crops; the other site uses a grass ley in the crop rotation, along with min till during the cropped period.
Photo gallery
Overview
Year of issue
2026
Project
SpongeScapes
Location of the project
The Thames regenerative agriculture sites which we are studying are predominantly located on farms in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, UK. One location compares permanent grazing (perennial ryegrass) by cattle or sheep, including mob grazing, against mature broadleaf woodland (mix of native species including ash, sycamore and hawthorn) with low density grazing by deer. Both of these sites are on slowly permeable loamy/clayey soils over a Mudstone geology. A second location compares different arable practices on silty clay soils over Chalk geology.
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Buffer strips and hedges
Objectives
Innovative focused monitoring will be performed during the 4-year period of the project, including surveys of soil physical and hydraulic properties and use of the latest technology (e.g., Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensor stations and rovers). Results from these monitoring efforts will be used to provide guidance on how to further broaden the evidence-base of sponge measures by such innovative agricultural management techniques and inform better selection, design, monitoring, maintenance and ultimately effectiveness of measures and strategies. Special attention will be paid to the analysis of longevity of the measures, the need for monitoring and maintenance and co-benefits and trade-offs, particularly in terms of changes in soil organic matter for the Thames regenerative agriculture sites.
Involved partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Authority role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private property owners | — | Other | Private landowners and farm businesses. |
| Other | British geological Survey | — | The British Geological Survey is a world-leading geological survey and global geoscience organisation, focused on public-good science for government and research to understand earth and environmental processes. They are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative geoscientific data, information and knowledge to help society to use its natural resources responsibly, manage environmental change and be resilient to environmental hazards. |
| Other | Natural England | — | Natural England is an executive non-departemental public boby linked to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. |
| NGO | UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology | — | The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a leading independent research institute dedicated to understanding and transforming how we interact with the natural world. |
| Research institute / University | Rothamsted Research | — | Rothamsted Research is a world-leading, non-profit research centre focusing on strategic agricultural science for farmers & society worldwide. |
| Research institute / University | James Hutton Institute | — | James Hutton Institute is a world-leading independent scientific research organisation for land, crops, water and the environment. |
| — | Agrimetrics | — | Agrimetrics provides data and tools to agrifood businesses, researchers and policy-makers to address our most pressing global food challenges. |
| Other | Agrii | — | Agrii is a leading provider of agronomy services, technology and strategic advice and provide UK's farmers with expertise and support. |
| Other | Emorsgate Seeds | — | Producer of wild seeds in the British Isles. |
| Other | Indigro | — | Indigro is an agricultural consultancy business. |
| — | Syngenta | — | Syngenta Group's seeds, crop protection and nutrition products, agronomic solutions and digital services help farmers provide the world with healthy food, feed, fiber and fuel, while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. |
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate moist
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Micro
Project area
10
Project area specifications
0,1 km² agriculture plot
Financing
No information provided for this section.
Policy and Governance
Part of a wider plan
Yes
Public consultation
No
Has contractual arrangements
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Monitoring parameters
The Thames regenerative agriculture sites have a wealth of soil hydrological and meteorological data collected by previous and ongoing research projects (including LANDWISE over 2021, COSMOS-UK since 2013, UK-GHG-Flux-Network since 2017, and the UKCEH neutron probe database).Innovative focused monitoring will be performed during the 4-year period of the SpongeScapes project, including surveys of soil physical and hydraulic properties and use of the latest technology (e.g., Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensor stations and rovers). Results from these monitoring efforts will be used to provide guidance on how to further broaden the evidence-base of sponge measures by such innovative agricultural management techniques and inform better selection, design, monitoring, maintenance and ultimately effectiveness of measures and strategies. Special attention will be paid to the analysis of longevity of the measures, the need for monitoring and maintenance and co-benefits and trade-offs, particularly in terms of changes in soil organic matter for the Thames regenerative agriculture sites.
Lessons Learned
No information provided for this section.
Sources
No information provided for this section.