What will become of Scotland's moors?

"It was particularly timely to contribute to one of the world’s leading map publishing organisation following on from the 70th anniversary of the Institute being given responsibility for the national mapping of Scotland’s soils"

Research by James Hutton Institute scientists to explore issues associated with land use in Scotland has been featured in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine.

The article, titled “What Will Become of Scotland Moors?”, discusses the future of Scottish moors amid ongoing debates over class, culture and nature.

In the piece, author Cathy Newman speaks to a number of experts including the Institute’s Professor Alison Hester, Science Challenge Leader on protection and enhancement of the resilience of ecosystems for multiple benefits.

Along with stunning images, the article includes characteristically high quality maps in support of its discussion of the pressures on Scotland's moorlands, using the James Hutton Institute national databases of land cover and peatlands.

Professor David Miller, the Institute's Knowledge Exchange Coordinator and who collaborated on the maps with the magazine, together with colleagues Margaret McKeen and Andrew Nolan, said: "All of us have collected and admired the iconic maps of the National Geographic Magazine for many years.

“That made the experience of collaborating with the cartographic team at the Magazine even more rewarding following their approach to the Institute for advice on the data we publish on some of Scotland's most prized natural assets.

“It was particularly timely to contribute to one of the world’s leading map publishing organisation following on from the 70^th anniversary of the Institute being given responsibility for the national mapping of Scotland’s soils, which are now publicly accessible online.”

The article is available to read on the National Geographic Magazine website. 

More information about Scotland's moorlands, peatlands and soils is available on the Scotland's Soils website and in our Learning resources.