Long-term Geomorphological Monitoring

Guidelines

Long-term geomorphological monitoring represents an important but neglected area of research. The aim of this fund is to provide small sums of money (up to around £200 p.a.) to non-postgraduate members of BSG to establish and maintain long-term monitoring sites (for at least 10 years). The requirements for a successful application are that it is demonstrated that long-term monitoring can provide crucial information that is presently unavailable. Data collected under this scheme are expected to be made available to members of the BSG and applicants will need to demonstrate how they will facilitate this. Procedures for application are set out below.

Forms

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Application and Monitoring Procedures for BSG Long-Term Geomorphological Monitoring Projects

1. BSG Long-Term Geomorphological Monitoring projects normally have a 10 year funded life beginning at the AGM after application and approval.
   
2. The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 November.
   
3. Applicants should submit 5 copies of the application form and supporting case. This should be no more than 4 sides of A4 in 12 point font and include details of the purpose and justification for the monitoring project (including timeliness), the location, the techniques to be used, expected outcomes and the strategy for data/product sharing.
   
4. Applications should be sent to: BSG Administrative Assistant, RGS-IBG, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.
   
5. On the first working day after the deadline, a copy of all complete applications will be forwarded to each of the members of the Research Sub-Committee and to the Honorary Secretary.
   
6. If the Research Sub-Committee members require more information, the Chair of the Research Sub-Committee will request the information from the applicant within 3 weeks of the deadline. Any such information must be provided within 6 weeks of the original deadline. Within 12 weeks of the deadline the Chair will notify the Honorary Secretary of the Research Sub-Committee’s recommendations.
   
7. The Executive Committee will consider the Research Sub-Committee’s recommendations at the May (second) EC meeting and the Honorary Secretary will write to each applicant with the result of their submission within 1 week of the May EC meeting. The title of the new Long-Term Geomorphological Monitoring Project will be announced at the next AGM.
   
8. Once the Project has been approved at the May EC meeting, the lead applicant may write to the Honorary Treasurer requesting the first year’s funds in readiness for the initiation of activity following the next AGM.
   
9. The lead applicant is required to submit an annual report, outlining scientific activity and the expenditure of BSG funds, in hard copy to the address in para. 4 and in electronic form to bsg@rgs.org. This must be submitted at least one month prior to the AGM.
   
10. Reports will be forwarded to members of the Research Sub-Committee and to the Honorary Secretary and will be considered by the EC at the pre-AGM EC meeting. If the report is approved, the Honorary Secretary will forward it to the Geophemera editor and BSG webmaster for publication. If the reports are deemed unsatisfactory, the Honorary Secretary will write to the author with comments. Approval of the report is a pre-requisite for release of funds for the following year.
    
11. The Report of the Chair of the Research Sub-Committee to the AGM will include an overview of the success of BSG-sponsored projects.
    
12. In the final year of the life of the project, it is expected that the outcomes of the monitoring programme will be submitted for publication in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.