Jonathan Hopkins1, Nick Schurch2, Andy Sarjeant3, Catherine MacNeil3, Mags Currie1, Eilidh MacDonald3, Rachel Forrest3, Heather Smith3, Robin Clarke3
1 Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Department, The James Hutton Institute; 2 Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland; 3 Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Healthy, intact floodplains play an important role in mitigating extremes of water availability (droughts and floods) expected under climate change. Compared to other ecosystems, intact floodplains also support a disproportionately high biodiversity.
Floodplains often become detached from adjacent water courses by flood embankments resulting in a loss of these characteristics and reconnection through removing embankments can help to regain lost functions in river corridors. However, case studies of the effects on floodplain water levels and plant ecology remain rare.
The climate emergency presents a double challenge for public bodies as they reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and learn to adapt to the already changing climate. The Scottish government is committed to delivering a Just Transition to Net Zero by 2045 meaning that public entities must come up with innovative ways to meet these targets.
What is the problem?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms become resistance to drugs used to control or eradicate them. These drugs arguably paved the way for our modern lifestyle, where infections can be routinely treated and controlled to the point many are considered minor. It has also allowed complicated surgeries to be carried out without the risk of infection.
In an ever-changing world, it is essential that individuals are able to access, and act upon, the most relevant information and advice, and no more so than in agriculture. In this technologically-evolving age, finding information is not an issue, but finding information that is trustworthy, and in a format that is fit for purpose, can be challenging.
Alongside other activities, agriculture and food production are associated with the major pollutant gases, namely CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane) and N2O (nitrous oxide). Unsustainable practices increase emissions and can have a direct impact on the functioning and health of our ecosystems.
The importance of ecosystems and biodiversity to human well-being is now well established as they provide benefits such as timber, pollination and coastal protection.
It is also acknowledged that the goods and services from ecosystems are best conceptualised as being co-produced through the interactions of humans and nature, and because of this, different choices in site management will impact who will benefit or disbenefit, and how.
People will have different understandings about the range of benefits a woodland can offer, and some people might prefer one type of benefit over another. To understand how these factors are interconnected, researchers from The James Hutton Institute are researching woodlands in different parts of Scotland: in the Central Belt (North Lanarkshire), on the west coast (Argyll), and in the Highlands.
This report presents the results of a research workshop that was undertaken in relation to the Loch Arkaig Pine Forest.
People will have different understandings about the range of benefits a woodland can offer, and some people might prefer one type of benefit over another. To understand how these factors are interconnected, researchers from The James Hutton Institute are researching woodlands in different parts of Scotland: in the Central Belt (North Lanarkshire), on the west coast (Argyll), and in the Highlands.
This report presents the results of a research workshop that was undertaken in relation to the Glen Creran Woods.