An innovative survey of Scotland’s mountain hares involving volunteer citizen scientists has been hailed as a success in a new report published today.

Last year, hillwalkers, bird and mammal surveyors and other outdoor enthusiasts took part in a novel on-the-ground national survey, recording sightings using a free smartphone app called Mammal Mapper when out and about, to shed more light on the distribution and numbers of the charismatic animals.

Research by James Hutton Institute and Heriot-Watt University scientists has carried out the first review of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Scotland’s waters.

By Prof Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, James Hutton Institute

Last week in the Queen’s speech, it was announced that the UK Government would be bringing forward a new Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding Bill). Unless you work in the agricultural sector, the significance of this may have prompted a ‘so what? moment for most readers.

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP, visited the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee campus to discuss the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, which sets out a clear commitment to support a more progressive wellbeing economy agenda and provides Scotland with an opportunity for global leadership.

Ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity on Sunday 22nd May, Dr Kenneth Loades stresses the importance of preserving biodiversity.

There is nothing better than waking up early on a warm summer morning to hear a variety of birdsong. What might be a little alarming, however, is that estimates from the Natural History Museum suggest that 600 million birds have been lost across Europe since 1980 – with the house sparrow population declining by some 247 million.

Dr Rebekka Artz, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences department, has been included in the inaugural ENDS Power List, which names the 100 UK environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact in the past two years as nominated by their colleagues, customers, and competitors.

A series of Fascination of Plants Day events across Aberdeen will take place from the 14th to the 21st of May to highlight the impact of climate change on the natural world, featuring a range of activities from plant sales to sessions demonstrating how plants can help fight climate change.

The programme is part of the biannual Fascination of Plants Day, which encourages people to learn more about the importance of plants and plant science from providing the air we breathe to the sustainable production of nutritious food.

A Hutton scientific study summarising six years of agricultural research undertaken for the Scottish Government highlights the impact of the use of ecological principles in agriculture on sustainability, resilience, and provision of ecosystem functions.

The synthesis demonstrates that diversification of agricultural systems can enhance a wide range of important ecosystem functions including, critically, greater resilience to abiotic and biotic stress.

Dr Mike Rivington, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Information and Computational Sciences department, has contributed evidence to a session of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the war in Ukraine and its impact on food supply and security in Scotland and beyond.

From one little seed planted in soil, many things can arise: our food, feed, paper, medicines, chemicals, energy and an enjoyable landscape – pretty much everything we need to survive on this planet.

On Wednesday 18^th May, join scientific institutions, universities, botanical gardens, museums, schools, farmers and businesses all around the world and take part in Fascination of Plants Day. The event seeks to plant virtual ‘seeds’ in our minds to highlight the critical role of plants in our everyday lives.