Alex leads research into how sustainable garden and ornamental land‑use practices influence soil and vegetation carbon dynamics. His work focuses on understanding strategies that minimise greenhouse gas emissions while optimising carbon capture and long‑term carbon storage to support climate‑positive horticulture.
I quantify soil and vegetation carbon balances (including carbon sequestration, storage and emissions) across a range of ornamental and garden vegetation types, working at multiple scales including domestic gardens, field‑scale trials and RHS Gardens. My research aims to identify ways in which changes in land use (e.g. trees, cultivated mixed borders, wild flowerbeds) and sustainable management practices can enhance the permanence and stability of carbon storage, while minimising emissions in garden and ornamental landscapes. By generating robust, science‑based evidence, this work will underpin climate‑positive horticulture and directly support the RHS Sustainability Strategy, particularly the ambition to become Climate Positive by 2030 under Nature Target 1, contributing to broader goals of achieving Net Positive outcomes for both nature and people.
“I am inspired by the chance to shape an evidence‑based future for gardens – where every space is managed with purpose, every choice benefits people, and every action helps sustain the planet.”
Research into soil and vegetation carbon balances in UK gardens and ornamental landscapes is essential for uncovering nature‑based solutions to climate change. Emerging evidence shows that urban green spaces such as gardens and parks can, in some cases, store carbon at densities comparable to tropical rainforests – yet this potential remains significantly under‑studied. While woodlands and peatlands often dominate climate and land‑use discussions, the UK’s gardens, spanning more than 400,000 hectares, represent a vast and often overlooked resource for carbon sequestration, long‑term carbon storage and emission reduction. In this context, my research at the RHS focuses on understanding how different garden land‑use types and day‑to‑day management practices influence the ability of soils and vegetation to capture and retain carbon. This work is critical for supporting the UK’s pathway to net‑zero emissions by 2050. Gardens and ornamental landscapes can act as powerful carbon sinks, particularly when managed in ways that enrich soil health and promote diverse, resilient plant communities. By comparing varied planting categories – lawns, cultivated mixed borders, trees and wildflower areas – my research identifies which designs and maintenance regimes most effectively enhance carbon sequestration while minimising emissions from activities such as mowing, fertilising and soil disturbance. Ultimately, this research will provide the evidence needed to guide gardeners, designers and land managers toward sustainable practices that maximise carbon benefits. By revealing the true climate change mitigation potential of UK gardens, the work helps place domestic landscapes at the heart of national sustainability strategies, transforming everyday spaces into active contributors to climate mitigation.
Commissioned reports:
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.
