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Soil erosion model for Tristan da Cunha 2019

Abstract

Over the last few years, Tristan has suffered some major events of soil erosion. These events have destroyed a significant area of the pasture land upon which the inhabitants rely, and are a potential threat to water security and safety of the settlement. The mechanism for this erosion is not clear, however it is thought that that vegetation at the top of the cliffs (the edge of The Base) is becoming saturated and the water is seeping in between the soil and the unconsolidated layers of volcanic material, pooling until it reaches a sheer zone, causing the soil to slump. Factors effecting the distribution and severity of these events include the geology, biophysical properties, land use, ecology and climate found on the island.

This study was undertaken as part of a programme of Natural Capital Assessments (NCAs) in the UK's South Atlantic Overseas Territories implemented by JNCC and conducted by SAERI. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK Government through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), the work sits under the Environmental Resilience programme which includes objectives to integrate natural capital considerations into economic and social development planning.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2019·04·01

Citation
Williams, J., Medcalf, K., Ties, S., Smith, N. 2019. Soil erosion model for Tristan da Cunha. Natural Capital in the UK’s Overseas Territories Report Series – Supplementary Report (South Atlantic Region).  Contracted report to JNCC.

Lineage
Contracted report to JNCC as part of the 'Natural Capital in the Caribbean and South Atlantic Overseas Territories: Valuation, Vulnerability and Monitoring Change' project.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC distributor

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Open, cite source of data

Metadata date 2021·01·18

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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