News

Scotland Explores New Strategies to Monitor Freshwater and Wetland Ecosystems

A recent mid-project workshop has brought together leading experts to rethink how freshwater and wetland ecosystems are monitored across Scotland. The goal of this current CREW project is to create a more dynamic, resource-efficient approach to ecosystem health monitoring that aligns with Scotland’s commitment to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.

Participants from across 14 different organisations identified challenges with current Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) methods, which often assess habitats and species in isolation. This approach can overlook broader environmental pressures, such as climate change, diffuse pollution, and invasive species. As Scotland prepares for an expanded network of protected areas, experts called for a shift towards monitoring that considers entire landscapes and ecosystems.

Key recommendations from the workshop included using innovative technologies, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and remote sensing, to enhance data collection and analysis. Collaboration and data-sharing across organisations were emphasised as essential to optimising resources and addressing data gaps. Participants also highlighted the potential for citizen science initiatives to engage communities in monitoring efforts.

CREW would like to thank the research team (the University of Dundee) and the Project Steering Group (NatureScot, SEPA and the Scottish Government) for their continued efforts on this project which will be completed in the new year.

For more information, please visit the project page.