ARSF - GB07/03 project: Modelling Soil Hydrology and Biodiversity as
Affected by Microtopography. Led by: Dr. John Scullion, Institute of Biological Sciences, Edward Llwyd Building, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA. Location: Rhos, South Wales, UK.

LiDAR and CASI werre flown over Rhos pasture communities, sites of species-rich semi-natural wet grassland with complex soil hydrology and microtopography features. The flight data was reconciled with detailed ground-based soil and vegetation surveys in order to model the hydrological regimes in effect. Microtopography is intricately linked to soil development and moisture regime, and these factors influence vegetation community development. Variation in soil moisture across small spatial areas can produce sharp community transitions and encourage biodiversity. The overall aim of the research was to develop a system for modelling the hydrology and vegetation community development at these sites, predicting areas of high diversity or those presenting suitable conditions for the re-establishment of particular communities. The work has potential applications in habitat conservation and restoration.