Policy and Research Briefs
The briefs described on this page are either hosted on the knowledgescotland website, or are available for direct download (pdf format).
- Embedding the value of the natural environment in decision-making - overcoming barriers and encouraging enablers. (PDF file: 614 KB) A 6-page briefing jointly produced with John Turnpenny (University of East Anglia) and Duncan Russel (University of Exeter) to synthesise insights from our work on the Ecosystem Approach and their NEA Follow On project.
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Scotland's water-based ecosystem services. (PDF file: 756 KB)
Article on how the Ecosystem Approach might facilitate management of water resources, originally published in 'The Geographer' magazine. -
What drives divergence from chronosequence-based predictions of birch forest succession? (PDF file: 290 KB).
Short discussion paper on the results of a long-term study of a low diversity birch forest succession. -
Eco-what?! The need for Clarity and Consistency in Communication Using Ecosystem Terminology
Short note on the potential conflicting use of the word 'ecosystem' within the Natural Resource Management sphere.
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Plant Traits, Functional Diversity, and Ecosystem Services
Short note on understanding the role of biodiversity in delivering ecosystem processes and functions. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 7 (PDF file: 2,441 KB)
An overall summary of the Projects findings. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 6 (PDF file: 5,165 KB)
Brief on mapping physical and visual access to green spaces. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 5 (PDF file: 1,907 KB)
Brief on a community engagement case study carried out around Finlathen Park in Dundee. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 4 (PDF file: 1,746 KB)
Brief on urban green space and wellbeing, particularly perceptions of what green space is. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 3 (PDF file: 1,663 KB)
Brief on relationships between urban green space location and stress. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 2 (PDF file: 1,936 KB)
Brief on links between green space quantity and stress and wellbeing. -
Green Health Project: Information Note 1 (PDF file: 1,231 KB)
Brief on relationships between access to green space, mortality and morbity.
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Implementing an Ecosystem Approach in Aberdeenshire
Summarises the results of a governance and policy analysis for Aberdeenshire, which has been used to support Aberdeenshire Council with the first stage of the Regional Land Use Pilot project.
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Experiences of implementing an Ecosystem Approach in a Scottish context (PDF file: 131 KB)
Summarises some of the issues raised for future policies and funding programmes seeking to use an ecosystem approach, based on the experiences of 24 projects across the UK and Ireland. A longer version, with more discussion on implementing an ecosystem approach and the implications of the findings, is also available. (PDF file: 152 KB)
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Biodiversity and food production (PDF file: 205 KB)
A summary from the BaBU report on the links between biodiversity and the ability to sustain food production.
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Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (PDF file: 204 KB)
A summary from the BaBU report on the links between biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services.
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Long term land use change on the Machair
A study on the impacts of land use change on biodiversity on the Machair.
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Bracken and the asulam ban
Analysis of the potential impacts of the banning of the use of herbicide asulam on bracken population (external link).
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The value of Scotland's water resources (PDF file: 1.5 MB)
Summarises current academic thinking and evidence on the value of water resources. It considers the Scottish context and examines how the value of water resources might be developed.
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Impacts of nitrogen deposition on upland and alpine ecosystems (PDF file: 119 KB)
Describes some of the impacts of N on vegetation, fungi, soil and water processes in these import and fragile ecosystems. - Logie Burn reach scale river restoration case study (PDF file: 527 KB) Summarises initial results from monitoring restoration of 160 m reach of the lower Logie Burn, a straightened stream in Aberdeenshire, was reconnected to relict meanders to restore its meandering morphology, river habitat and riparian habitat diversity.