Earth System Sciences
The Theme in Earth System Sciences has been set up to exploit the synergies in the University's disciplinary strengths in this area, to inspire new research linkages which will enhance its reputation and increase its ability to attract interdisciplinary funding in Earth Systems Science.
Six areas underpin the core activity of increasing our ability to predict environmental change, understanding the causes of variability and linking together understanding on a large range of spatial and temporal scales.
These are:
Current cross-disciplinary research :
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrrestrial Ecosystems brings together research in The Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling (CGAM) and Agriculture.
Growing activity in cross- school Crops and Climate research led to a Royal Society Discussion Meeting on Food Crops in a Changing Climate, led by Dr Andy Challinor of CGAM and Dr Tim Wheeler, Agriculture.
More information:
Observing the Earth System
Strong links between Maths, ESSC and DARC/Meteorology already exist in the area of data assimilation in both the atmosphere and the ocean. Dr Sarah Dance’s work on data assimiliation at mesoscales will strengthen links between Maths and Meteorology. Further developments are in the area of Earth Radiation Budget, satellite missions such as GERB, CLOUDSAT and EarthCARE and aircraft campaigns. Reading has the potential and expertise to become a leader in Europe in the use of Earth Observation
The Urban Environment
There are a range of activities in aspects of the urban environment, including:
- Joint Centre for Mesoscale Meteorology hosts activity between Meteorology and the Met Office.
- Meteorology has significant links with Arup engineering consultants: through them Dr Stephen Belcher is leading a large bid to DTI for integrated modelling of the urban environment.
- Meteorology is organising a UK wide workshop on urban atmospheric modelling
- Links between Meteorology and Construction Management & Engineering to develop urban modelling and between Meteorology and Maths by Professor Simon Chandler-Wilde on noise propagation
The Ocean Environment
There are significant links between Maths, ESSC and Meteorology
Activity in Ocean Sciences is strengthening in Meteorology and CGAM
Water in the Earth System
The new Leverhulme
grant on Water and Civilisation in Jordan provides a strong link between the Schools of Maths, Meteorology and Physics and of Human and Environmental Sciences.
Future proposals include:
- Joint work involving the School of Human and Environmental Sciences and the Hadley centre (Reading) unit on climate-glacier links in the Caucuasus
- NERC’s Flood-Risk from Extreme Events (FREE) programme to come on stream late 2005/early 2006
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