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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 34
Achieving multi-purpose nature-based solutions

This project is assessing and enhancing water-related ecosystem services of Nature-Based Solutions in catchments. We explore how NBS can work across multiple sectors and scales to achieve transformative change.

  • Water
  • 2022-2027
Climate change impacts on natural capital

This project aims to develop a Risk and Opportunities Assessement Framewowork to asses Natural Capital assets and impacts of climate change, by integrating multiple (qantitative and qualitative) data, to identify risk asset types and consequences on capacity for Nature-based Solutions.

  • Natural Capital
  • 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
Development and implementation of tools, strategies, and stakeholder engagement to understand threats and improve disease management in practice

The project is mitigating threats posed to key crops by new, emerging and endemic pests and pathogens, to protect Scotland’s industries and delivering integrated and sustainable crop protection strategies for Scottish growers.

  • Plant Disease
  • 2022-2027
Extending food production to Scotland’s underutilised lands
Edible plants growing in the wild

This project evaluates the potential of Scotland’s underutilised lands to contribute towards a sustainable food system and provide economic motivation to protect our natural capital. The focus is on wild species that can contribute towards sustainable food production, while meeting environment and biodiversity targets. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders provides a RoadMap that will meet cross-sector needs.

  • 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
Galvanising change via natural capital

The aim of this project is to produce constructive insights about the most productive venues (territorially and sectorally) and approaches (how and with and for whom) for using natural capital concepts and data to galvanise change for sustainability.

  • Natural Capital
  • 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
People and Nature

This is project identifies and evaluates interventions and approaches which facilitate transformative change in how Scottish biodiversity is framed, valued, and managed. It also explores how the benefits of Scotland's biodiversity can be harnessed and more equitably distributed.

  • Biodiversity
  • 2022-2027

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