Contents 04 Support for proposed Dundee life sciences innovation district 06 Awards, Accolades & Appointments 08 Loss of tree species has cumulative impact on biodiversity 10 Beavering away to restore Scotland’s rivers 12 Outrage and optimism in the face of the climate crisis: watch the 43rd TB Macaulay Lecture 14 Barley scientists of the future get £9m boost 16 Plants for the Future: sustainable and innovative agricultural systems 18Why Covid is not a good stress test of our food supply chains’ resilience 20 Plans afoot for UK’s first purpose-built greenhouse gas observatory in Scotland 16 10 14 13 2 Hutton Highlights February 2022 3 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 Time to roll up our sleeves Welcome to the first Hutton Highlights of 2022. This is also the first edition since COP26, where some historic decisions were taken but which also left us feeling there is so much more to do, and urgently. The profile for climate action gained around the COP26 summit must not be allowed to dwindle just because it’s slipped down the news agenda: it remains a clear and present threat to people everywhere and demands individual as well as political action. Biodiversity and the crisis it faces will get its turn in the media spotlight and public consciousness this year as COP15 approaches. As we said in the BBC Resolutions programme at New Year, we need to re-think our relationship with Nature. The climate, the nature crisis and the pandemic are all symptoms of over consumption and this is the latest Inconvenient Truth we all have to grapple with. At the James Hutton Institute, our job is to provide scientific evidence of what the likely trajectory is, how we avoid the worst and take the best opportunities. Our science has a purpose, and as ever, the stories in Highlights provide a snapshot of how we are providing insight and understanding to help create a more sustainable and enriching world for future generations. We thank all our partners and hope you not only enjoy this edition but share any feedback and ideas arising. Comments? SEFARI activity Introduction Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of The James Hutton Institute /company/james-hutton-institute Our colleagues Zisis Gagkas and Rupert Hough have completed highly successful Fellowships: Zisis with RESAS to establish the potential of spatially referenced data to support the evolution of land-based policy in Scotland; Rupert with Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) on approaches and requirements for monitoring environmental standards compliance in support of ESS’ statutory role within Scotland. A Responsive Opportunity project adding climate research to the virtual tours platform has been completed and is being used extensively to promote institutes’ expertise and national capabilities. Gateway is building a legacy from the wide engagement at COP26 events, such as SEFARI Innovation for Climate Research as part of the COP26 UK Presidency Pavilion. Hutton’s Mags Currie co-led a panel debate on Rural Just Transitions as part of the Scottish Government COP26 programme. In addition, Gateway worked with Hutton people to chair or lead a series of workshops and panel discussions with Centres of Expertise including a panel debate on the role of the Centres of Expertise in delivering climate action, a debate on vector-borne animal and plant disease in the face of climate change, and a workshop on effective working within the science-policy interface. With a new Strategic Research Programme for the Scottish Government in the offing, 2022 looks to be full of interest and opportunity . SEFARI Gateway has been recommissioned and is set to become a Centre of Expertise. As well as preparing for the transition, Gateway is also bringing various projects - many involving Hutton colleagues - to their conclusion.
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