Joanna Clark (1978 - 4 August 2022) was professor of

environmental science Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physics, biology, and geography (including ecology, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geograp ...

at the University of Reading. She worked on aspects of carbon and water cycles in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems from test-tube to catchment scale. She is founder and was director of the Loddon Observatory, which aims to bring together academia, charities, public sector and business to support sustainable societies.

Education and research career

Clark completed a BSc in geography at the University of Durham in 1999, followed by an MSc in monitoring, modelling and management of environmental change at

King's College London King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public research university located in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. In 1836, King's ...

in 2000. She completed a PhD in physical geography at the University of Leeds in 2005, before undertaking postdoctoral research associate positions at Leeds, Bangor and Imperial College London. She moved to the University of Reading in 2010.

Carbon and water cycle research

Clark's research is focussed on understanding the interactions between water, carbon and other

biogeochemical cycle A biogeochemical cycle (or more generally a cycle of matter) is the pathway by which a chemical substance cycles (is turned over or moves through) the biotic and the abiotic compartments of Earth. The biotic compartment is the biosphere and the ...

s within terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. She has specific interests in peatland biogeochemistry. Clark uses lab simulation experiments, field monitoring, modelling and remote sensing. Her work on natural

flood management Flood control methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters."Flood Control", MSN Encarta, 2008 (see below: Further reading). Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water level ...

uses natural land-based measures to reduce the risk of flooding for communities. Clark's work with the water sector has addressed issues relating to continued supply of clean water in face of growing population, ageing infrastructure and the impacts of climate change. Clark has also promoted the use of

agroforestry Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland. Trees produce a wide range of useful and marketable products from fruits/nuts, medicines, wood products, etc. This intentional ...

for removal of

greenhouse gas A greenhouse gas (GHG or GhG) is a gas that Absorption (electromagnetic radiation), absorbs and Emission (electromagnetic radiation), emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse ...

es from the atmosphere.

Recognition and service

*Editor for

PeerJ ''PeerJ'' is an open access peer-reviewed scientific mega journal covering research in the biological and medical sciences. It is published by a company of the same name that was co-founded by CEO Jason Hoyt (formerly at Mendeley) and publisher Pet ...

*Member of the editorial board for

Scientific Reports ''Scientific Reports'' is a peer-reviewed open-access scientific mega journal published by Nature Portfolio, covering all areas of the natural sciences. The journal was established in 2011. The journal states that their aim is to assess solely th ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Joanna 1978 births 2022 deaths Environmental scientists Alumni of Durham University Alumni of King's College London Alumni of the University of Leeds Academics of the University of Reading Place of birth missing Place of death missing 21st-century British earth scientists British women earth scientists