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Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Upper Thames, United Kingdom

Last update
2026
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.
Latitude
51.4951
Longitude
0.573
Project
SpongeScapes
Transboundary
0
Photo gallery

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.
Project's 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 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.

Climate zone
cool temperate moist

Project scale
Micro
Project area
10
Area specifications
0,1 km² agriculture plot

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Name Key issues Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Contractual arrangements
0
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments
Part of wider plan
0
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments

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.

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments Order
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments Order
Driver
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English