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Research

Research

A multi-million pound programme of strategic research delivered over five years providing science and evidence to support policymakers and its partners. Informed by strong partnerships and the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. Science at the heart of society contributing to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland and beyond.

Plant and Animal Health

Protecting Plant and Animal Health to underpin our globally competitive economy and ambition to be a Good Food Nation

Sustainable Food Supply System

Leading the way to a Sustainable Food System and Supply contributing to the economy, livelihoods and the health of Scotland

Human Impacts on the Environment

Supporting the large-scale and coordinated transition to net zero and reduction of Human Impacts on the Environment

Natural Resources

Protecting, valuing and optimising the multiple benefits we recieve from our vital Natural Resources

Rural Futures

Committed to empowered, inclusive and resilient Rural Futures for Scotland’s rural and island communities

Ongoing research (2022-2027)

Displaying 1 - 10 of 39
Agriculture climate and carbon

This project provides new approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from agriculture and land use in Scotland, establishes a database of management activities contributing to the mitigation of GHG emissions, investigate new approaches to GHG mitigation, and assess the potential for land management activities to contribute to carbon sequestration. Engagement with stakeholders will explore barriers to uptake of mitigation measures.

  • Agricultural Greenhouse Gases
  • 2022-2027
CentrePeat

This project delivers underpinning and integrated research for: (i) emission factor updates and activity data, (ii) the development of a specific Peatland Monitoring Framework, (iii) improved Natural Capital accounting, further development of the Peatland Code, and (v) improved carbon auditing tools that include climate risk assessments.

  • Soils
  • 2022-2027
Co-designing and implementing best-fit farming practices

The project assesses the influence of trigger events on basic and best-fit practices. New approaches for influencing farmer behaviour are being co-designed with farmers and industry stakeholders, empirically tested through applied agroecology, parasitology and experimental economics, and promoted through on-farm demonstrations, workshops, training events and multimedia campaigns. 

  • Improving Agricultural Practice
  • 2022-2027
Crop Improvement for sustainable production in a changing environment

Changing environmental conditions necessitate adaptations in Scottish agriculture. This project investigates the development of crop species that are resilient to combinations of environmental stresses whilst using resources more efficiently. We test the hypothesis that utilisation of latent diversity in crop species can improve both resource efficiency and stress tolerance. 

  • Crop Improvement
  • 2022-2027
Drivers and barriers for adopting healthy and sustainable food swaps in young adults

This project aims to identify the most effective food swaps, based on an individual’s diet, that makes their shopping basket more healthy and environmentally sustainable; and monitor in real-time whether physiological, psychological and environmental factors, at an individual level, affect the adoption of such food swaps and make individual diets healthier and more environmentally sustainable, in young adults. 

  • Food & Drink Improvements
  • 2022-2027
Exploring barley diversity for resilience and sustainability

We explore the biological consequences and potential practical applications of natural genetic variation found in the primary barley genepool to address future priorities in low carbon cereal agriculture. This is a contemporary barley genetics, genomics and informatics research project focused on scientific discovery and impactful translational biology. 

  • Crop Improvement
  • 2022-2027
Feeding and breeding strategies for climate resilient and sustainable dairying

We are working with Holstein cows from representative genetic lines and typical feeding systems to investigate relationships between milk production, efficiency and the ability to withstand the effects of climate change on feed supply and composition. We are developing new measures of feed variability, describe it for typical feeding systems and investigate effects on milk production and cow health. This is done with diets designed to reduce C footprints.  Our aim is to develop optimal breeding and management strategies for climate smart production, climate resilience and enhanced...

  • Livestock Improvement
  • 2022-2027
Habitat management and restoration

This project assesses how specific land uses and management activities affect biodiversity and ecosystem services to inform land use policy.

  • Biodiversity
  • 2022-2027
Identifying the causes of biodiversity change with specific references to the Intergovernmental Science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services drivers

The aim of this project is to identify how the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) drivers affect key parts of Scotland’s biodiversity.

  • Biodiversity
  • 2022-2027
Improving livestock productivity and sustainability through management and genetics

This project investigates how age, grazing management, early life events and tolerance to parasites affects livestock productivity and associated environmental impact.

  • Livestock Improvement
  • 2022-2027

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