DDM begins soil study on the British Virgin Islands
An in-depth analysis of the British Virgin Islands soil will take place over the next few weeks to build a database that will help with future planning and development of the territory.
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is carrying out the project funded by the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund (Darwin Plus).
The study will be conducted in partnership with other government agencies, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the University of Portsmouth.
DDM said the study would produce highly detailed and digitised maps for use across the public service, provide training in soil sampling and analysis, and help establish a soils laboratory at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Joseph Smith Abbott said detailed soil maps could improve decision-making regarding a wide range of topics, including erosion prevention and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, farming and food security, building construction, and waste management.
“This kind of work being done today really and truly allows us to prepare better ourselves to adapt to a changing environment,” Mr Smith Abbott said.
Officers from the DDM have been gathering soil samples around Tortola this week. The research is being led by a Professor of Geoinformatics and Disaster Risk Reduction from the University of Portsmouth, Richard Teeuw.
“Already, we are finding much more geological diversity than was previously understood,” Teeuw said. Throughout the project, soil sampling will continue on the four major islands in the Territory, as well as at critical sites for conservation on other sister islands.
DDM Director Jasen Penn said details about soil composition would help improve decision-making regarding risks like earthquakes and landslides. He also highlighted how the new soils laboratory would help improve future research in the Territory.
“This means that we as a Territory will be able to monitor change, carry out further research on our local soil, and of course, train others to continue this kind of work in the future,” Penn said.
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