GIS & Landscape Modelling 

We specialise in refined higher-tier landscape risk assessments to assist obtaining registrations for chemicals in Europe. We have extensive capability in environmental modelling, spatial analysis and geographical information systems (GIS) development and application. We implement this skill set to assist in policy support and the development of refined higher-tier exposure/risk assessments for government bodies and commercial organisations.

We have capability in all aspects of spatial data capture, integration, development, analysis and visualisation, the development and application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). We are highly skilled in the full suite of ESRI GIS software on PC platforms. The services offered include:

  • Primary data acquisition through either traditional field survey techniques combined with GPS, or remote sensing including the acquisition, rectification and interpretation of satellite imagery and aerial photography;
  • Development of small scale (large aerial extent) agrienvironment datasets, through the collation, development and integration of primary and secondary data;
  • Data analysis, including multivariate statistical techniques, the statistical analysis of spatial data including geostatistics and interpolation procedures, and understanding of the effects of generalisation, data uncertainty, and processes of error propagation in geographical analyses;
  • Customisation of commercial GIS, and the development of bespoke GIS software for integration with environment models;
  • Visualisation using both interactive platforms and traditional paper mapping, at all scales.

Our environmental systems capability is underpinned by expertise in exposure modelling, catchment hydrology, soil science, agriculture, ecology, agrometeorology, statistical experiment design and statistical analyses of spatial data, including geostatistics and interpolation procedures.


Recent Studies :

  • Whittle Dene Project: Conducted to support ongoing research into catchment scale modelling assessments under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). For additional information please visit http://www.whittledene.org/
  • Groundwater vulnerability assessment across Europe to target future borehole monitoring campaigns under directive 91/414/EEC
  • Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: Conducted for Defra to collect information on effects of NVZ on both surface and groundwater sites. A model developed to assess the effects of NVZ measures on field sites. Upscaled model to catchment scale to investigate effect of NVZs on England as a whole
  • Aquatic Ecosystems in the UK Agricultural Landscape: An assessment of the distribution of surface water bodies and landscape classes in the UK. The identification of the regulatory implications of this work on pesticide risk assessment and risk management (Defra contract PN0931)