Gupton Farm and Castlemartin Corse, Pembrokeshire (Soil and Water for National Trust)
The National Trust proposed to take part of their estate in Pembrokeshire out of tenancy and bring the management directly in hand. This was in order to restore part of the land back to wildlife habitat. The land comprised former sand dunes, dune slacks and related habitats that have been extensively damaged by intensive grazing and arable cultivation. In order to assess the range of potential habitats for restoration, we were engaged to undertake a very detailed soil survey of the land and to advise the Trust on the range of habitats that could be recreated. We found a vast range of soils ranging from dry sandy soils on one time sand dunes through very wet soils on spring lines and active water seepages to soils on deep peats. Cattle trampling of the wetter soils on slopes had opened up the springs leading to extensive gullying and soil erosion. The survey revealed the wide range of habitats that had been lost and indicated those areas where these habitats could be restored.
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