Documents

This study investigated whether peatland restoration increases liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) risk to livestock. Conducted in Shetland with NatureScot and local crofters, the research combined diagnostic testing (faecal egg counts), habitat surveys, and molecular testing of mud snails (Galba truncatula). Restored peatlands were found to be acidic, waterlogged, and largely mud-free, making them unsuitable for the snail host. Consequently, infection risk on restored sites was low, with fluke presence confined to marginal grazing areas such as paths and drains.

We show how much Scotland’s climate has already changed and how it may potentially change in the future, including extremes what this means for Scotland’s Natural Capital. Outputs achieved substantial impact through raising awareness amongst policy teams, agencies and businesses. It achieved capacity building within policy teams and politicians and associated conceptual change though recognition of urgency for action due to improved understanding of the scale of change and spatial and temporal variability of climate impacts and consequences.

SPICE (Social Prescribing for Improving Communities’ Eating Practices) explores the feasibility of embedding a brief, MAP-informed (Motivation–Action–Prompts model) healthy eating intervention within Aberdeen’s social prescribing service. Co-designed with Link Practitioners and informed by GP questionnaires, as well as interviews with community food providers and their service users, the intervention addresses food insecurity and poor diet through person-centred, non-judgmental conversations.

Living Labs (LL) seek to enable people living in remote, rural and island communities to tackle place-based challenges. Through an inherently action-based and participative approach, the research supports dialogue between different layers of governance. LLs respond to the needs of communities and aim to understand the effectiveness of interventions implemented in them, revealing new insights into well-known problems and including lesser heard voices.

The assessment of carbon stores, flood mitigation potential and bird, bat and small mammal occurrence within characteristic upland farmland, semi-natural and natural habitats is allowing the multiple environmental benefits arising from different habitats on upland farms to be better understood. A particular focus has been put on the innovative use of acoustic sensors and camera-traps to assess biodiversity and digital sensors to monitor water levels.

In response to growing concerns about biodiversity loss in agriculture, SEFARI scientists are evaluating the environmental impacts of antiparasitic treatments used in UK livestock farming. These essential veterinary medicines, whilst critical for animal health and welfare, can adversely affect non-target species such as dung beetles, soil and aquatic fauna. Insects contribute to healthy farm ecosystems including nutrient cycling, soil health, pest suppression and serving as a food source for wildlife.

Team members of the SRP-funded Healthy Soils for a Green Recovery project are supporting a transition towards Regenerative Agriculture in Scotland. Working with leading experts, practitioners, and using data from SRP-funded projects such as Healthy Soils, team members led the writing of and contributed to an influential evidenced-based British Ecological Society report and a UK government POSTNote on Regenerative Agriculture. Primary impact was achieved through report outcomes being clearly reflected in the 2025 Scottish Government Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture.

Cattle Tracing System (CTS) data analysis underpins a series of evidence papers to policymakers. Initial analysis informed a conceptual paper on opportunities for the introduction increased conditionality in the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme.  Bespoke analysis was then undertaken for the SSBSS Reform Stakeholder Group in helping it form advice on scheme design to officials and Ministers.

Integrated technologies are used to improve livestock productivity and welfare, making it easier for farmers to track individuals and individual responses. Two different systems are being developed: one using in abattoir real-time imaging technologies to assess carcass traits and quality, giving moderate-high accuracy and the second one based on a calf ear-tag sensor combined with environmental and automatic feeder data. Different models and algorithms are being built and tested to (1) remove subjectivity from the carcass grading process and (2) build a comprehensive system to predict calf disease.