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conservation

October 10, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are seeking views from anyone involved in habitat restoration or creation, from across the UK. Through a survey devised in partnership with Scotland’s Plant Health Centre and NatureScot, Hutton...
October 10, 2021
Chris Scott-Park, of Portnellan Farm, on the banks of Loch Lomond, has been chosen as the winner of the final NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant of the Year for 2021. Originally a successful organic beef business and winners of the James Hutton...
September 9, 2021
An all-female team of scientists from the James Hutton Institute travelled to Shetland to install the most northerly micrometeorological station in the UK to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from eroded peatland. The station, set up on a site...
September 9, 2021
Celebrating the inspirational people, projects, groups and organisations working hard to protect Scotland’s precious natural heritage, the shortlist has now been announced for the Nature of Scotland Awards 2021, including finalists for the...
August 8, 2021
Large-scale conservation work across the Dee catchment has been given the green light thanks to a major cash injection of over half a million pounds. A variety of projects comprising floodplain restoration, woodland expansion and peatland...
July 7, 2021
Scientists from all over the world have come together in the 6th Forum Carpaticum to present their research and discuss the sustainable development of the Carpathian region and mountain areas more generally. The event was organised online by the...
June 6, 2021
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to support one of seven Climate Beacons that are taking shape across Scotland in the run-up to and beyond the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference that’s happening in Glasgow this November.
May 5, 2021
The public are invited to discover the wonderful world of plants and the people who work with them at an upcoming event at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, co-organised by scientists at the James Hutton Institute. ‘Plant Power...
May 5, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has announced the appointment of Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, to its Board of Directors as a non-executive director. Sir Paul held the position of Clerk and Chief...
April 4, 2021
Substantial cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved by raising water levels in agricultural peatlands, according to a new study co-authored by James Hutton Institute scientists and published in the journal Nature. Peatlands...
March 3, 2021
Volunteers are wanted for the first on-the-ground national survey to shed light on the distribution and numbers of Scottish mountain hares. The survey, which is launched today and will carry on throughout 2021, is calling on hillwalkers,...
March 3, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has welcomed the publication of the new 10-year UK Plant Science Research Strategy. The document provides a framework for research and skills development to ensure UK plant science can play a strong role in solving...
March 3, 2021
What is the true value of water in Scotland and what does it mean to you? On Monday 22nd March, the Hydro Nation International Centre, supported by the Scottish Government and the James Hutton Institute are hosting a free online celebration of...
March 3, 2021
A recent study published in Conservation Letters co-authored by a James Hutton Institute ecologist has investigated the number of women and the geographic distribution among the 1051 top-publishing authors in 13 leading journals in ecology and...
February 2, 2021
Tomnah’a Market Garden, a community-focused enterprise located at Comrie Croft in Perthshire, has been declared the winner of the NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant Farm Business of the Year for 2020. Tomnah’a is run by Cristy Gilbert,...
February 2, 2021
December 12, 2020
Mountain hares in Scotland show increasing camouflage mismatch due to less snowy winters, according to a new study carried out by an international research team including the James Hutton Institute. Mountain hares are one of multiple species...
December 12, 2020
A scientific team featuring researchers of the James Hutton Institute and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) has scooped the Innovation Award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2020. Led by Royal Botanic Garden...
November 11, 2020
Scotland boasts a hugely varied coastline and a rich offering of inland waters in both rural and urban settings which host an amazing array of riches, come in all shapes and sizes, and are greatly valued and cherished by communities and visitors...
November 11, 2020
We hear about ‘climate change’ and ‘biodiversity loss’ all the time these days. We hear considerably less about how to tackle them, so it’s time to shout about a project that does just that. The restoration of the...
November 11, 2020
How can we use the Natural Capital Protocol (NCP) to help land managers when considering agricultural land use decisions? How can the NCP contribute to ongoing initiatives to test natural capital approaches in land-based business in Scotland?...
November 11, 2020
The global use of personal protection equipment (PPE) has skyrocketed due to COVID-19, propelling the industry to revenues of more than £8bn in the UK alone, and although a coronavirus vaccine now seems closer, PPE is likely to remain a...
November 11, 2020
Moorland management in Scotland has come under the spotlight in a series of reports assessing the socio-economic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors and the employment rights of gamekeepers.
September 9, 2020
Despite encouraging progress in several areas, the health of the natural world is suffering badly and getting worse. Eight transformative changes are, therefore, urgently needed to ensure human wellbeing and save the planet, the UN warns in a...
September 9, 2020
A straightened burn in Deeside will be restored to a meandering stream channel this month, in a bid to enrich habitats for wildlife and improve the natural environment.
August 8, 2020
British and Indian experts are joining forces to investigate the impact that releasing antibiotics from antibiotic manufacturing into India’s waterways has on the spread of potentially fatal drug-resistant infections. An estimated 58,000...
July 7, 2020
New research by an international research team including ecologists at the James Hutton Institute has produced the most comprehensive long-term image of the state of biodiversity across Europe, showing -among a number of findings –...
April 4, 2020
The UK has seen an unprecedented upsurge in gardening during the current lockdown, and as the nation finds itself restricted in time spent outside of their homes, it is only natural to try and make the best of the green areas which we can access...
April 4, 2020
“Society's priorities must be human health and the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we also need to be thinking ahead to the resumption of conservation practice and education. There is an opportunity here to remind people of...
January 1, 2020
Professor Rob Brooker has been appointed to the leadership of the Ecological Sciences department at the James Hutton Institute, following the departure of Dr Helaina Black, who has become an Honorary Associate of the Institute. The group...
December 12, 2019
Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer, managers of Lynbreck Croft, have picked up the Nature of Scotland 2019 Food and Farming Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for their success in establishing a 150-acre mixed habitat croft enterprise...
June 6, 2019
Did you know 92 per cent of people worldwide do not breathe clean air, and that air pollution costs the global economy US$5 trillion every year in welfare costs? Also, are you familiar with the impact of ground-level ozone pollution on staple...
May 5, 2019
Green-fingered families could all become plant scientists for the day this weekend as the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee host a celebration of the power of plants. Every breath we take and every meal we eat owes a debt to...
May 5, 2019
Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark new report from the Intergovernmental...
April 4, 2019
Come and spend a fun family day at Mylnefield Farm! The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2019 on 9 June.
March 3, 2019
Young filmmakers with a passion for nature are being sought for a new competition that aims to encourage businesses to see the benefits of the natural world. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital (SFNC), of...
March 3, 2019
An eight-year-old campaigner, a social media whizz kid, a budding nature detective and several keen camera trappers have all been recognised as 2019 Young Wildlife Champions by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership, in a drive to...
March 3, 2019
Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin (University of Stirling) will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Buzz Pollination”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee (and screened to the Institute’s Aberdeen...
January 1, 2019
Monitoring and evaluation are key elements in the adaptive management of our ecosystems, the process of learning from new experiences and insights to improve how we manage the environment. A research consortium led by the James Hutton Institute...
December 12, 2018
  What is the story with woodlands in the Cairngorms National Park? Or should we say, what are the stories, as there are many threads of stories of actual, former or speculative woodlands weaving in and out that make this area what it...
November 11, 2018
John Dalziel, of Common Farm in East Ayrshire, has picked up the Nature of Scotland 2018 Food and Farming Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for his efforts to integrate wildlife conservation into his successful farming ...
November 11, 2018
Alasdair Lemon from Buglife will deliver this Entomological Club seminar entitled “Marvellous Mud Snails”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee (and screened to the Institute’s Aberdeen site).
June 6, 2018
The UK Alpine Ecology Network was formed in 2018 as a means of bringing together scientists, conservationists and land managers with an interest in the ecology of alpine ecosystems across the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in...
April 4, 2018
A new short film produced by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership and acclaimed wildlife photographer Pete Cairns offers a glimpse of the incredible biodiversity that the North East of Scotland has to offer, from dolphins and humpback...
April 4, 2018
Norman Defoe will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Fleas”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen (and screened to the Institute’s Dundee site). Fleas are of medical and veterinary...
March 3, 2018
Popular green spaces in Aberdeen are set to become even greener with the planting of almost 5,000 trees, in an initiative co-ordinated and delivered by the River Dee Trust and the James Hutton Institute-supported Dee Catchment Partnership....
March 3, 2018
Come and spend a fun family day at Glensaugh Farm! The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2018 on 10 June.
March 3, 2018
Professor Steve Albon, an Honorary Research Associate of the James Hutton Institute, has been appointed a member of a new expert panel established by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to examine complex issues related to deer management in the...
January 1, 2018
A report published today and co-authored by James Hutton Institute scientists recommends ways to count mountain hares. The scientific study compared a range of methods to count individuals, and determined the most effective, reliable and cost-...
December 12, 2017
Professor Alison Hester, of our Ecological Sciences group, has been appointed as member of a new independently-led group which aims to ensure grouse moor management practices are not only sustainable but are legally compliant. The group has...
November 11, 2017
The James Hutton Institute was proud to present an award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh last week. As sponsor of the Food & Farming category, the Institute supports the awards’ promotion of '...
October 10, 2017
The team behind Scotland’s Environment Web, a James Hutton Institute-supported website aiming to be a ‘one-stop’ resource to access a variety of information resources on the Scottish environment, have launched a newly redesigned...
June 6, 2017
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) is an essential part of the process of adaptive management, the process of learning from our actions in order to update and improve future ecosystem management.  Across Europe we have a number of...
May 5, 2017
May 5, 2017
  Come and spend a fun family day on the farm!
April 4, 2017
Plant Power - a fascinating day for all the family!
February 2, 2017
Scotland’s environment faces many challenges including a changing climate, invasive species, pollution and changes in the way our land and seas are managed, and ecological research is at the heart of solutions to help policymakers,...
December 12, 2016

Peat Surveys: Knock Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Knock Moss, Wigtownshire
December 12, 2016

Peat Surveys: Elsie Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Elsie Moss, Aberdeenshire
December 12, 2016
Peat Deposit: Fiag Plantation, Highland
December 12, 2016
Peat Deposit: Wyndford Moss, Aberdeenshire
November 11, 2016
The inventiveness and effort of staff at the James Hutton Institute were recognised with a score of awards - including the top prize - at the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards, held at the Crieff Hydro with over 300 guests from...
November 11, 2016
Summary of Peat Deposit Depths, and Land Cover in 1988
November 11, 2016
Peat Deposit: Blacklaw Bog, South Lanarkshire
November 11, 2016
A practical ‘magic margins’ solution to soil erosion devised by the James Hutton Institute’s Farm, Field & Glasshouse team won the Innovation Award at the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2016 Awards prizegiving ceremony, held at the...
November 11, 2016
Peat Deposit: Awhirk Moss, Wigtownshire
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Drumbreck Moss, North Lanarkshire
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Drumbow Moss, North Lanarkshire
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Dirskelpin Moss, Wigtownshire
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Nutberry Moss and Dornock Flow, Dumfriesshire Survey: 1967
September 9, 2016

Peat Surveys: Creca Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Creca Moss, Dumfriesshire
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Gartur Moss, Stirlingshire
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Cranley Bog, South Lanarkshire
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Harburn and Cobbinshaw Bogs, West Lothian
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Backhill of Bush Moss, Kirkudbrightshire
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Mindork Moss, Wigtownshire
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: Glims Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Glims Moss, Orkney
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: White Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: White Moss, Orkney
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: Dornal Bog (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Dornal Bog, Wigtownshire
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Threepwood Moss, Roxburghshire
June 6, 2016
Maps of the distribution of surveys of peat deposits by the Scottish Peat Committee and Macaulay Institute Peat Surveys (since 1984)
April 4, 2016
Scotland’s Environment Web, a website that aims to be a ‘one-stop’ resource to access a variety of information resources on the Scottish environment, has been shortlisted for the LIFE Citizens’ Award for Environment at the...
January 1, 2016
Juliette Dinning will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Dragonflies and damselflies of north east Scotland”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen (and screened to the Institute’s...
January 1, 2016
Dr Jenni Stockan from the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences Group, James Hutton Institute, will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Dispelling the myths: a new look at wood ants”. It will be held at the...
December 12, 2015
The MRES report provides a review of recent and ongoing work relevant to ecosystem service mapping in Scotland. It provides a reference resource for future research and a list of example methodologies used in this area, while at the same time...
November 11, 2015
The Cairngorms Peatland Restoration project has won the Nature of Scotland 2015 Innovation Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for its efforts in restoring peatlands that provide homes to a variety of plants and animals, reduce...
November 11, 2015
The winners of the Nature of Scotland 2015 awards - organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to recognise the very best efforts made for the benefit of nature conservation in Scotland - will be announced tomorrow (19th...
June 6, 2015
April 4, 2015
Wednesday 27th May 14:45 - 18:30 (Session SS6)
March 3, 2015
Land use and ecological surveys are urgently required to assess the ecology of pollinating insects within and around agricultural systems in India. That is one of the aims of the UK-Indian Initiative in Agroecology, whose first meeting at the...
March 3, 2015
This seminar by Professor Gabriele Bammer will discuss our ability to contribute effectively to the resolution of complex real-world problems, and will propose the development of a new science discipline around integration and implementation....
January 1, 2015

Books and Book Chapters (Research Page)

Water Ecosystem Services - A Global Perspective
November 11, 2014
Conservation heroes from across the country were honoured last night at the third annual RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards, where Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, presented the Innovation Award to the Native...
October 10, 2014
Introduction to Soils Exploring Scotland's Soils
October 10, 2014
Learn more about soils & climate change
October 10, 2014
The James Hutton Institute is organising this conference which is a component of the European project E-CLIC. Delegates from all over the UK will gather to discuss the challenges posed by the European Landscape Convention (ELC) in relation to...
September 9, 2014
International agricultural journalists had a unique opportunity to see environmental science in action at the James Hutton Institute farm at Glensaugh, as part of the activities organised during the International Federation of Agricultural...
August 8, 2014
Data from spatial monitoring of water quality provided parameter sets for validation of catchment scale models. These have been used in a number of externally funded research projects including REFRESH.
August 8, 2014
Tarland modelling                         Hydraulic models help to predict where flooding might occur, how severe it might...
July 7, 2014
Monitoring of Scotland’s wildlife in some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the country has been transformed thanks to a new ‘smart camera’ developed by experts at the James Hutton Institute and the University of...
July 7, 2014
Despite many decades of research within protected area landscapes, many protected area management organisations struggle to use scientific expertise in their management and decision making processes. The project has been funded by the Macaulay...
June 6, 2014
Aim: to maintain active engagement with HEP stakeholders and researchers Our research aims to support sustainable HEP development and therefore needs to be designed and executed in partnership with conservation managers and HEP operators and...
June 6, 2014
On the whole, Scotland’s environment is of good quality and there have been many significant improvements in recent years. However, the 2014 State of the Environment Report clearly shows that some habitats and species are under threat, and...
April 4, 2014
Hydropower plays a key role in Scotland’s renewable energy contributions and renewables targets for 2015 (50%) and 2020 (100%). Our research is supporting the sustainable planning, development and management of this resource. We are...
March 3, 2014
As part of our work on behalf of the Scottish Government, the European Union and a range of other funders, members of staff in the Safeguarding Natural Capital theme produce and contribute to a variety of outputs, a range of which you can see...
January 1, 2014
A workshop was held at Birnam Arts and Conference Centre on 20 November 2013 to provide an update on research being conducted as part of the Vibrant Rural Communities theme of the Food, Land and People Strategic Research programme, funded by...
December 12, 2013
Project aim The overall goal of the project ‘Hunting for Sustainability’ was to assess the social, cultural, economic and ecological functions and impacts of hunting across a broad range of contexts in Europe and Africa. Funding was...
December 12, 2013
The aim of TESS is to investigate the role of community-based transition initiatives in fostering a more low-carbon and sustainable Europe. TESS is a European Union project funded under the Seventh Framework Programme, and...
December 12, 2013
Project aims This project looks at the management of conflicts:
December 12, 2013

Foodscapes (Project)

Project aim Foodscapes aims to explore how arts intervention and cultural engagement can help address social and economic exclusion, food poverty, and sustainability. It has been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council/Economic and...
December 12, 2013
Project aim  This project aims to understand the relationship between gender, wellbeing and greenspace. It is funded through the Scottish Government and runs from 2011 until 2016. It is part of the RESAS Theme 8 WP8.3 work on ‘...
December 12, 2013
Project aim This project explored existing examples of the Ecosystem Approach, to identify implications for future equitable and holistic natural resource management. 
November 11, 2013
A promising area for managing insect pests is through improved understanding of the importance of microbes associated with insects. Many insect species rely on symbiotic bacteria for their survival and these ‘hidden players’ residing...
November 11, 2013
November 11, 2013
Exploiting genetic variation in the ability of plants to resist or tolerate attack by pests and pathogens has long been a focus of crop breeding programmes, although the genetic basis for plant resistance is often poorly-understood. However,...
November 11, 2013

Ecosystem services (Research Page)

Natural Capital is the resource from which Ecosystem Services, i.e. what an ecosystem 'does' or provides that ultimately gives some benefit to humans, are generated. We often think of these services in 4 categories:
October 10, 2013
Expertise and capability at the James Hutton institute, Dundee
June 6, 2013
June 6, 2013

Scottish Rivers Handbook (Research Page)

The Scottish Rivers Handbook has been produced by the James Hutton Institute and the University of Stirling for CREW, the Centre of Expertise for Waters. It is an accessible, fully illustrated 36 page book providing an overview of the physical...
June 6, 2013

People (Research Page)

Valuation and governance of natural capital Looking at natural capital inherently requires looking at the relationships between humans and their natural environment. The concept of ‘capital’ implies that components of the natural...
June 6, 2013

Biodiversity (Research Page)

The term biodiversity describes the diversity of life on Earth. Diversity can occur at a number of levels of biological organisation, from genes, through to individuals, populations, species, communities and entire ecosystems.
June 6, 2013

Land (Research Page)

Landscapes and regions are where many natural processes and human activities interact and potentially conflict in different ways, giving complex challenges for sustainable management. Managing landscapes has to satisfy multiple purposes and has...
June 6, 2013

Soil Capital (Research Page)

Soils underpin a multitude of ecosystem goods and services that are not only vital to peoples’ livelihoods and Society in general, but also to Earth’s regulating systems.
April 4, 2013

BaBU Review (Research Page)

The Biotic and Biophysical Underpinning of Ecosystem Services in the Scottish Context  review was carried out to help deliver increased understanding of the linkages between the primary ecological and evolutionary processes, ecosystem...
March 3, 2013
Peatlands provide vital services to society, such as helping to mitigate climate change, providing clean water and supporting biodiversity and tourism, but are currently under threat. Peatlands are an ideal case study for valuing nature...
March 3, 2013
This project was conducted as part of the Valuing Nature Network funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It brought together a team of soil scientists, ecologists, modellers and economists. The aim was to develop an...
March 3, 2013
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to deliver good ecological status (GES) for Europe’s waters. It includes economic principles, such as the use of cost-effectiveness analysis of measures to achieve GES and of derogation on grounds of...
March 3, 2013
Co-construction of a common understanding between scientist, practitioners, land managers and other stakeholders brings knowledge from different disciplines and stakeholders that is crucial for a better understanding of the linkages between...
March 3, 2013
March 3, 2013
Guidance and advice for improving implementation and increasing uptake of measures to improve water quality in Scotland The Scotland River Basin Management Plan (2010) requires implementation of programmes of measures to support achievement of...
February 2, 2013

URflood: Funders (Research Page)
February 2, 2013

URflood: Links (Research Page)

Partners The James Hutton Institute Suomen ympäristökeskus (Finnish Environment Institute) University College Dublin
February 2, 2013

URflood: Partners (Research Page)

The James Hutton Institute
February 2, 2013

URflood: Case Studies (Research Page)

Please use the links below to read more about the country specific case studies
February 2, 2013
The aims of the project will be delivered via the following work packages:
February 2, 2013

URflood: Key Questions (Research Page)
October 10, 2012
October 10, 2012
October 10, 2012
August 8, 2012
Evidence suggests that mountain hare numbers have declined in recent years; however the extent of this decline and whether this represents a long-term decline or is the low phase of a synchronised population cycle is not clear.
August 8, 2012
Estimating animal abundance or density is a central requirement in ecology and remains one of the most challenging areas of wildlife management. Methods of estimating animal numbers must be tailored to the survey objectives, habitat and species.
August 8, 2012
Anthropogenic pressure and climate change are generating an increasingly fragmented landscape in which natural mountain hare populations are becoming more isolated and subsequently prone to greater risk of local extinction due to stochastic...
August 8, 2012
Natural populations are often exploited for subsistence or commerce. However, our ability to sustain exploited populations is often inadequate due to limitations in our understanding of critical biological processes, poor demographic data, and...
August 8, 2012
What affect do intestinal parasites and food availability have on mountain hare population dynamics?
August 8, 2012
The distribution of Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) in Scotland (2006/07)
July 7, 2012
Background and rationale
July 7, 2012
Background Small mammals, such as the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), are a known food source for birds of prey such as barn owls and species of harrier, and rare large mammals such as pine marten, polecats and wildcats. Wood mice may also...
July 7, 2012
Background and rationale
July 7, 2012
Background and rationale
July 7, 2012
Opportunities PhD opportunity joint with University of Surrey on pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and anaerobic digestion
July 7, 2012

HAPE Core researchers (Research Page)

 
July 7, 2012

HAP-E@Hutton (Research Page)

The core research group in the Centre for Human and Animal Pathogens in the Environment (HAP-E) at the James Hutton Institute studies the following pathogen-environment systems.
June 6, 2012

Mountain hares (Research Page)

The Scottish mountain hare, Lepus timidus scoticus, is a subspecies of the mountain hare Lepus timidus and is native to the Highlands of Scotland. Although widespread throughout Scotland, they are typically more numerous in central and eastern...
May 5, 2012
May 5, 2012
Since the release of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ecosystems have become widely recognised as natural capital assets supporting and supplying services which are highly valuable to humans. There is a growing appreciation of the important...
May 5, 2012
Scotland has water resources of generally high quality and with adequate volume to meet current demands. However, these resources are not uniformly distributed and there are significant pressures on both quantity and quality in certain regions....
May 5, 2012
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are working on a number of ways to tighten nutrient cycles. This involves a combination of knowledge into how to reuse societies 'wastes' such as sewage effluent discharges as valuable nutrient...
May 5, 2012

Water and food security (Research Page)

Water shortages and drought are the greatest threats facing global food security. At the James Hutton Institute we use a combination of plant and soil sciences to identify crop traits and crop production systems that can maintain crop yield and...
April 4, 2012
Isotopes
March 3, 2012
If you would like to be part of the Ecosystem Approach Working Group (EAWG) there are three membership types.
March 3, 2012

EAWG Resources (Research Page)

Outputs and documents from meetings Please got to the meetings page to see the reports made from our EAWG meetings and the accompanying meeting documents.
March 3, 2012

EAWG Meetings (Research Page)

Main EAWG workshops are held once per year, with other meetings arranged as required. See below for more information about individual meetings, including copies of presentations and papers. Documents are in pdf format. EAWG5 - Ecosystem Service...
March 3, 2012
The Ecosystem Approach Working Group (EAWG) is part of the Ecosystem Services Theme, which is one of eight themes in the Scottish Government’s two strategic research programmes Environmental Change and Food and Rural Industries (2011-2016...
March 3, 2012
This group aims to improve knowledge of biogeochemical and hydrological cycles, and their role in ecosystem functions and services. To do this we study chemical, physical, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of soil...
February 2, 2012

Soil diversity (Research Page)

The complexity of the soil system with many large gradients including nutrients and gases such as oxygen drive a massive diversity below ground. It has been estimated that there are over 40,000 different organisms contained within a gram of soil...
February 2, 2012
Soil plays a vital role in controlling the flow of water and chemicals between the atmosphere and the earth. As water passes through the soil it is filtered by plants, bacteria, fungi and soil particles, which remove various minerals and...
February 2, 2012
COMET-LA was a project coordinated by the University of Cordoba and funded under the European Commission Framework Programme 7. The acronym stands for “COmmunity-based Management of EnvironmenTal challenges in Latin America”. The...
December 12, 2011
December 12, 2011

Tools (Research Page)

We are developing systems for live imaging of plant processes. We develop new substrate that facilitate observation of roots and apply a range of imaging techniques to make quantitative measurements. We have developed OPT and...
December 12, 2011

Plant systems modelling (Research Page)
December 12, 2011

Plant Soil Ecology (Research Page)

Increasing global demand for food, feed and energy crops requires sustainable intensification of agriculture, which must occur without impact on biodiversity or the environment. We have a strong research team that integrates knowledge of...
October 10, 2011
Many antifouling paints, applied to ships’ hulls and other marine structures, contain copper (Cu) as an active ingredient. As a result many European waterways are becoming increasingly Cu contaminated. This work is investigating the effects...
October 10, 2011

Coastal soils (Research Page)

A number of Scotland's rarer soils are found at or near the coast. Perhaps the best known are the sandy soils of the machair of the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the west Highlands. The soils are calcareous - which in itself is very rare...
October 10, 2011
Salt marsh occurs in the intertidal zone and has a number of functions including a filter for pollutants, protecting coasts from flooding and providing habitat for a number of salt tolerant species. More recently it has been recognised salt...
October 10, 2011

Carbon cycling (Research Page)

We are collaborating with staff at Oceanlab (Aberdeen University) in a number of projects, mainly involved with carbon cycling, covering both estuaries and the deep sea. This work is fundamental as deep sea sediments cover over half of the earths...
October 10, 2011

Ecosystem functioning (Research Page)

Studies are continuing into land run-off and coastal ecosystem functioning and the subsequent increased turbidity and particle loading in the water column. To better understand the biogeochemical processes occurring in sandy intertidal...
October 10, 2011

Analytical Services (Research Page)

Our Analytical Group carries out a range of analyses on marine and estuarine sediments. We quantify analytes such as heavy/toxic metals, organotin compounds (now banned as antifouling agents on boats) and a range of persistent organic pollutants....
October 10, 2011
This work is examining the potential for increased food production in the Ythan catchment and its likely impacts on meeting nature conservation obligations, using the ecosystem approach. The ecosystem approach is a management tool to conserve our...
October 10, 2011
October 10, 2011
The NCC Sand Dune Survey of Scotland which took place from 1975-1977 has since been digitised and is currently being used for two projects.
October 10, 2011
The East Grampian Coastal Partnership is a group of individuals, with representatives from local authorities, industry, conservation bodies, recreation and tourism groups, local residents and many others with an interest in the future wellbeing of...
October 10, 2011
To optimise the potential of Scotland’s natural assets and provide local responses to global change, we must build on existing work and continually improve our knowledge to support strategic needs and enable well informed decision making....
October 10, 2011
Climate change has the potential to have significant impacts on our coastal communities through increased storm events and sea level rise. An evaluation tool has been developed to compare Scotland’s coastal management policies against...
October 10, 2011
Pathogens from agricultural run-off and sewage effluent are transported to beaches where they can cause non-compliance with bathing water standards. Intensification of livestock-based agriculture and climate change may exacerbate this; with...
October 10, 2011
Scotland’s sand dune vegetation has been assessed to investigate species distribution in relation to ecological variables. The response of the vegetation is modelled to assess if ecosystem processes and species distribution are related to...
October 10, 2011
Public attitudes towards biodiversity and its management are poorly understood, raising concerns over the effectiveness of public participation in biodiversity policy making. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with members of the public to...
October 10, 2011
The link between natural environments and their restoration has been the focus of much research including its importance for human wellbeing. We are carrying out a series of studies looking at community perceptions of renewable energy...
October 10, 2011
Scotland’s natural assets provide a wealth of goods and services which are of benefit to human wellbeing, such as food, fuel, climate regulation and recreation opportunities. To ensure a sustainable future we must balance our economic and...
October 10, 2011
Our work in this area reflects the external pressures Scotland is facing and explores how we can adapt to global changes such as demographic shifts, social attitudes, global trade and climate change. The impacts of which, are generally out with...
October 10, 2011
March 3, 2011

Kerry Waylen (Member of Staff)

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The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.