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Oliver Ray

My project is testing the feasibility of using soil volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as biomarkers of overall soil health. There are currently no standardised metrics for assessing soil health, but with regenerative farming practices being increasingly promoted as a means of restoring degraded soils, it would be useful if soil VOCs could form parts of those metrics. I will be sampling on a farm in the Cotswolds which is currently trialling both regenerative and conventional; practices. 

I am also interested in birds, and when on the farm I hope to spot linnets, yellowhammers, and grey partridges!