1. Mélanie Élouise Bennet
PhD Student
University of East Anglia, School of Biological Sciences
John Innes Centre, Dept. Molecular Mircobiology
Chairman, UEA Gardening Group
m.bennet@uea.ac.uk

2. The gasification + combined heat and
power generator at the University of
East Anglia

3. My work at UEA:
I test the potential toxicity of biochar
from the UEA combined heat and
power gasification unit on plant growth.
The aim is to ultimately develop a pilot
field trial in Norkolk and begin
delivering bespoke support to farmers
and environmental/land managers.

4. The On-Farm Carbon Cycle
2
CO for biochar in agriculture
2
CO
Biomass C
CO + H
Syngas
C

5. Soil biodiversity – microbial
My work at JIC community analysis
• Harvest • Harvest
Planted
• Top up • Top up
• Add BC + • Add BC +
90% 90% 90%
Nutrients Nutrients
10% • Grow G2 10% • Grow G3 10%
Unplanted
• Harvest • Harvest
• Top up • Top up
90% • Add BC + 90% • Add BC + 90%
Nutrients Nutrients
10% • Grow G2 10% • Grow G3 10%
Generation 1 Generation 2 Generation 3

6. Soil biodiversity – microbial
My work at JIC community analysis

7. UEA Gardening Club In May 2011, the university have
opened the first campus allotment-
type gardening scheme for staff and
students. The site contains approx.
55 plots (5 m x 10 m), shaded
polytunnels, industrial glasshouses
as well a shed and kitchen facilities.
We are all very excited about this
new development!
I am very excited about my new role as
chairman of the UEA Gardening Group. I
hope that we can develop biodiversity
conservation, beekeeping and
potentially small biochar trials on-site in
the near future.

8. SAPling School Allotment
Project
The school was very happy to start work
on the project. We managed to get
funding, build the allotment and win
several Lord Mayor awards within the
space of 8 months.
The allotment provided opportunities for
In 2008, during my undergraduate art-based learning in conjunction with
studies, I wanted to do something that community groups, and further “green”
would really help my local community. I development of the school land.
was regularly volunteering to teach
science activities at Chapelbreak Infant A biodiversity forest, several outdoor
School and felt the would benefit from classrooms, duck enclosure and were
developing this further by buidling a created following the success of
playground allotment. SAPlings.

9. SAPling School Allotment Project

10. SAPling School Allotment Project