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Water, soil, and their sustainable management

This research theme is dedicated to evaluating how climate change affects soil ecosystems and hydrological processes, tackling urgent challenges in sustainable land-use systems and agro-ecosystems.

Emphasizing efficient resource management and the mitigation of environmental pollutants, the research aims to ensure the production of high-quality, nutritious food while adapting to ongoing climate change.

“With growing water scarcity and concerns about climate change, new technologies must be developed to conserve our limited freshwater supplies while increasing crop productivity.â€
—Professor Viacheslav Adamchuk

Research highlights

  • Bioresource engineer Professor Viacheslav Adamchuk develops new sensing technologies capable of mapping soil and plant attributes while moving across an agricultural field. This precision agriculture approach allows farmers to treat specific field and crop areas according to need, which minimizes environmental degradation and increases farm profitability.
  • William Dawson Scholar Jan Adamowski’s research in the areas of statistical hydrology and water resources engineering and management is truly international, with collaborations in over 30 countries. His particular focus is on the development of artificial intelligence and participatory water management systems.
  • Distinguished James Ã山ǿ¼é Professor Chandra Madramootoo, internationally recognized water expert and founding director of the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management, studies water management, irrigation and drainage in agricultural environments, as well as the impacts of water management practices on greenhouse gas emissions. His research focuses on the design, development and testing of technologies and field practices that can conserve water, and increase food and nutrition security under water-limiting conditions.
  • Brace Associate Professor in Irrigation Zhiming Qi’s research ranges from field experimentation to computer modelling. He investigates hydrological processes, environmental quality and crop yields under various management practices and climate scenarios and develops computer models to address emerging concerns such as carbon sequestration and climate change.

Sustainable agro-ecosystems require efficient use of water, nutrients and energy to produce high quality, nutritious food for the world’s population. Yet, soil and water systems are increasingly exposed to pollutants like pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and microplastics.

We evaluate impacts on the resilience and productivity of soil ecosystems and their supporting hydrological processes, and the role of ecosystem management in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

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