We completed sampling surveys to better understand soil health on the Abbeystead Estate, helping to inform land management decisions and further improve outcomes for enhancing the environment, including biodiversity, conservation, reducing pollution and flood management.

Samples were taken at three sites between 10 and 50 acres in size with different habitats from established hay meadow, wader ground as well as a more intensively managed dairy farm.

The samples were analysed to assess their structure, chemistry, organic matter, biology and water infiltration and retention.

The surveys showed low input areas of land, which are more sensitively managed by the estate, had the

healthiest soils and stored more carbon, had greater biodiversity, helped to reduce the risk of flooding and better supported food production.