Fixing the Fens

Marquand's work is just one piece of the puzzle. Being low-lying, in many cases below sea-level, the Fens are not only contributing to climate change - but very vulnerable to it. Rivers sit higher than the land, bounded by banks, which makes flooding a threat.

This problem will become worse as sea level rises with global warming, making it harder for the rivers to get out to sea. And if the sea overcomes coastal defences, the arable land could be ruined for decades by salt water.

"The low rainfall of the Fens means climate change is already causing uncertainty about water supplies for both farming and domestic use. Add to these challenges the huge loss of biodiversity caused by changes in land use, and the wider economic and public health challenges of the region: this problem is much bigger and more complicated than anybody imagined," says Dr Laurie Friday. "And it's urgent," she adds:

"What happens in the Fens affects climate change, and affects our food supply - it affects everybody."

Dr Laurie Friday, Centre for Landscape Regeneration

Friday is one of three Programme Managers of Cambridge's new Centre for Landscape Regeneration, of which Marquand is a member. The £10 million programme is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of NERC's £40-million Changing The Environment countryside regeneration project to safeguard the UK's most important ecosystems and agricultural land.

"This funding provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," says Friday. "If we take a really transformative view of the region and change how farming is done, how does this change the job market? How might the water system work better in the future - can we create reservoirs that also provide recreational facilities and promote biodiversity?

"We're trying to work out how all the organisations with an interest in the Fens can sort out these issues from a joined-up perspective."

One year into the programme, the multi-disciplinary Centre has brought together experienced researchers from across the University of Cambridge, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the RSPB and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). Early career researchers are being recruited to focus on the challenge from a wide range of perspectives. And connections are being built with the many organisations and projects currently at work in the Fens, including the Environment Agency, the National Farmers Union, and the Wildlife Trusts.

"Farmers have their own ideas, and we can help quantify those," adds Marquand. "One farmer-led group, Fenland SOIL, is keen to try things like changing the water regime or growing new crops.

"Farmers want to know more about what's affecting their soil, and how it could be managed better."

"Some are already trialling changing the level of the water table, but it's more practical in some set-ups than others."

"As well as lending our expertise, we're gathering their views on how they'd like to see this land managed in future," he adds. "And we're helping to connect them into this big web of people so that their ideas are part of the wider considerations."

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