Hutton Highlights, February 2021

February 2021 3 New year, new hope, same need for science The COVID19 pandemic has continued to occupy everyone’s efforts but also refocus our minds on how we build a better more resilient world. This and other world events and new leadership and new geopolitical arrangements all give impetus to meeting the global challenges we address on the climate and nature crisis in the year ahead. COP26 on Climate but also COP15 on Biodiversity will mean these subjects we study will be at top of the world agenda. As we enter a new year and celebrate 10-year anniversary of the James Hutton Institute and 100 years of scientific research with our legacy institutions 2021 is a big year for us. Remembering our roots in the past brings me to acknowledge the passing of Professor John Hillman and the huge contribution he made to our present-day identity. He will be missed very much and remembered fondly and with great admiration and gratitude. The year ahead will see us break ground on new infrastructure investment in Invergowrie with the Tay Cities Deal funding and at Craigiebuckler with the help of the MDT will start the process of opening up our campuses to work with even more people than before and deliver exciting new science-based solutions that address the opportunities and needs of the future. We also welcome our new Chair Ian Gambles and several new board members. The pandemic has reminded everyone how science can solve difficult problems and guide us to a better future and at the Hutton we recognise it is the interplay of social and natural sciences that best informs the decisions and opportunities we need to take. This issue highlights the latest examples of how we are doing this and as always we look forward to engaging on this and all we do. Thank you to everyone working so hard in such a difficult situation and for continuing to achieve so much. Comments? SEFARI activity Introduction Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute SEFARI Gateway continues to support COVID-19 responsive approaches as 2021 arrives, as well as maintaining momentum on knowledge exchange and partnership working. In November one of SEFARI’s first Think Tank projects won the innovation category at the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards. The project established a new way to help understand and conserve genetic diversity in some of Scotland’s most iconic wild species. In recently funded projects, a Think Tank is assisting the Scottish Land Commission advise Scottish Ministers on what spatial data is needed to underpin effective Regional Land Use Partnerships. A range of new Fellowship appointments – on water resources, agro-ecology and spatial data in land policy - have also been recently awarded to Hutton. Contents 04 2021, International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 06 Awards, Accolades & Appointments 10 New research on grouse moors and gamekeepers 12 Innovative camera trapping technique provides insight into small mammal population 14 FoodLAND: boosting the nutrition performance of local food systems in Africa 10 12 20 16 HydroGlen: transforming Glensaugh farm into a renewable powerhouse 18 Mountain hares’ increased camouflage mismatch due to climate change says research 20 Barley pan-genome: scientists unravel diversity of domesticated barley 22 Heads up - the answer lies under our feet 16 2 Hutton Highlights The James Hutton Institute magazine team Gillian Stirton, Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Adam Walker, Sarah Horne editor@hutton.ac.uk The James Hutton Institute is a well-respected and globally recognised research organisation delivering fundamental and applied science to drive the sustainable use of land and natural resources. @JamesHuttonInst /JamesHuttonInstitute /JamesHuttonInstitute /company/james-hutton-institute SEFARI’s Responsive Opportunity Funded projects with Hutton colleagues have helped farmers experience in-field events virtually, and created a new tool to remotely access research. School and family educational resources have been widely sought during lockdowns so an education booklet promoting SEFARI’s widely recognised online education resources has been added to the growing list of #LeadingIdeas briefings. Recent case studies from, or co-written by, Hutton colleagues are detailed on SEFARI’s website and the next Responsive Opportunity Fund call will be launched in mid-February. Prof John Hillman: in memoriam