As part of Scotland’s continued efforts to become the world’s first Hydro Nation – one that manages its water environment to the best advantage and uses its expertise at home and internationally - the James Hutton Institute has announced, on World Water Day 2019, the establishment of the Hydro Nation International Centre at its Aberdeen site with ongoing support from the Macaulay Development Trust.

Forests are the most important and versatile ecological infrastructure in Europe. Today, they cover 35% of the pan-European landscape, hosting an important share of biodiversity and providing products and services which support the resilience of rural areas and the wellbeing of urban ones. Forests also provide crucial ecosystem services, supporting the sustainability of critical resources like water and soil, and play a key role in adaptation and mitigation to climate change.

The James Hutton Institute has endorsed a statement sent to ministers and MPs calling on the UK to remain part of the EU’s cross-border funding programmes after Brexit. The campaign is supported by a wide range of public and private sector bodies, including councils, universities, enterprise agencies and charities. Transnational organisations and neighbouring regional and local authorities in France and Norway have also supported the statement.

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the James Hutton Institute and Scottish-based agritech business Intelligent Growth Solutions Limited (IGS) [5], has been distinguished with the highest grade of “Outstanding” by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Grading Panel in recognition of its excellence. The aim was to develop innovative crop systems that will produce high-quality products year-round with a limited environmental footprint.

Our annual Postgraduate Student Event, which showcases the excellent science being undertaken by postgraduate students at the James Hutton Institute, took place at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Birnam on Wednesday 6th March and Thursday 7th March 2019.

Lipids are an essential ingredient in a variety of industries including food and drink, health and biosciences, and play a fundamental role in biological functions such as storing energy, signaling and the structuring of our cell membranes. Nine delegates visited the James Hutton Institute in Dundee for a course in fatty acids and lipids run by the Institute's commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, and its specialist lipid analysis lab, Mylnefield Lipid Analysis.

Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and partner organisations are working to understand the mechanisms behind senescent sweetening, a problem responsible for considerable losses of potato crops during storage, particularly in the processing market.

Speaking at the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) Potato Winter Meeting 2019, Dr Rob Hancock, based within the Institute’s Cell and Molecular Sciences group, said: “This AHDB-funded project aims to define the biochemical pathways associated with senescent sweetening.

Recognising excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation, the eighth annual Nature of Scotland Awards are open for applications until 4 June, with the James Hutton Institute again sponsoring the Food and Farming category.

Entering the awards is free and applications are being sought across nine categories including 2 new awards for 2019: Coasts and Waters, Conservation Science, Community Initiative, Food and Farming, Innovation, Political Advocate of the Year, SNH Business, RSPB Species Champion and Youth and Education.

Allocation of land rights and struggles for access to land and natural resources are common worldwide. The rise of land reform on the political agenda following Scottish devolution in 1999 is commonly attributed to the relatively unregulated nature of Scottish land sales, and the concentration of private land ownership has implications for sustainable rural development.

Professor Lorna Dawson, head of Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and advisor to the SEFARI Strategic Research Programme, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), established in 1783, has announced 62 new UK and International Fellows. These Fellows will help the RSE to continue providing independent and expert advice to policymakers, support aspiring entrepreneurs, develop research capacity and leadership and engage with the public through events.