Change of course for flagships
AGRO has been asked to carry out major research efforts within the area of mini wetlands. This means an adjustment of our strategy affecting two flagships in particular.
AGRO will get a new major task in connection with drainage measures. Erik Steen Kristensen told this to the 44 participants on the second day of the SeniorVIP meeting held at Flakkebjerg on 2-3 November 2016.
- The Ministry of Environment and Food has asked us to carry out a major research task concerning drainage measures in which we among other things must focus on mini wetlands with matrices. It is a new client – the Danish Agency for Water and Nature Management (SVANA) – who is the principal commissioner of this task, Erik Steen Kristensen explained.
Flagships’ direction more clear
In the agricultural package it is specifically mentioned that Aarhus University must carry out research into measures, and this also appears from the most recent contract between AU and the Ministry of Environment and Food. Now there is an intensified focus on mini wetlands with matrices (filters).
AGRO’s tasks in connection with the agricultural package are described in slide No. 6 of Erik Steen Kristensen’s presentation, which can be found on the O drive at this address: O:\ST_AGRO\Faelles\SeniorVIP 2016 præsentationer.
The new research project will affect AGRO’s strategy. It is especially the course of the two flagships Sustainable Nutrient Management and Soil Functions, which will become clearer. These two flagships will not be launched until next year anyway.
- One of the advantages of the new task is that it makes it clearer which course the two flagships must follow. This task also strengthens the part of our strategy that relates to the flagships initiating key projects that at the same time strengthen public sector consultancy. Our having a flexible strategy means that it can take changes such as these into account without extensive adjustments, Erik Steen Kristensen says.
We must get off to a fast start
On a practical level we must hit the ground running. The research needs must be analysed and described no later than November 2016.
- Making a detailed project description is a matter of urgency. It must be available by the end of November. The description will be made in a close collaboration with the relevant employees and they have already been contacted, Erik Steen Kristensen explains.
The purpose of the project is to create more knowledge and collaboration concerning research and implementation of drainage measures, among other things making a temporary assessment of impact and economy of mini wetlands with filter matrices. See slide No. 8 for more details regarding AGRO’s plans for mini wetlands with matrices.
The schedule for this can be seen on slide No. 16. As it appears from this schedule, trial hosts must be found as quickly as possible in the new year with whom full-scale mini wetlands with matrices can be established. The full-scale systems must be established during the summer of 2017. These must be located so that they represent relevant geographic and economic conditions. Data from them must be collected and analysed in the period between August 2017 and May 2020.