Agricultural practice is plagued by intractable and challenging welfare issues, which are increasingly the focus of consumer attention and legislative restrictions, such as separation of mothers and offspring, use of painful procedures, chronic disease issues and the confinement of animals in limited space or with limited opportunities to express natural behaviour. This work seeks to resolve these chronic issues through adoption of new techniques, novel approaches and implementation of innovative technology. 

This project identifies emerging research on natural capital metrics and values from across Scottish Government research in areas including greenspace, water, soils, and biodiversity. Remaining, priority, valuation gaps are being filled and natural capital risks and opportunities will be mapped. 

This project is generating a new practical understanding of how current Scottish food production matches or differs compared to consumption patterns of Scottish households. We are using the information about the mismatch between local supply and demand to identify opportunities for increased food security and generating insights between what is produced and what should be consumed based on recommendations. We are also identifying how climate change may affect the local food supply and discuss how to deliver increased resilience. 

This project focuses on the ecosystem services supplied by Scotland’s agricultural soils. These services are linked to emerging soil health indicators and being valued. The outcomes of the project are informing natural capital accounts and identifying the contribution of soils to Scotland’s economy and national wellbeing.