CREW code: CRW2022_05

Theme: Land and Water Resource Management

Type of project: Capacity Building

Project status: Complete

This project aimed to compile an evidence base and offer recommendations informing policy and practice regarding how land use changes may impact the amount of water available to private water supplies (PWS). The focus was on the impacts to water availability from emerging land use trends of tree planting (afforestation and agroforestry) and wind farm development in Scotland.

The project involved a review of the available scientific evidence and a review of international PWS policies and practices considering PWS in relation to tree planting and wind farm development, and stakeholder engagement. Key findings included that tree planting effects on water availability vary widely based on a complex set of inter-related factors, such as timing, spatial orientation, extent of planting, tree species, and landscape characteristics, including previous land use. Agroforestry effects are generally smaller than for afforestation, but they are more sensitive to specific planting details. Wind farm effects also depend on landscape factors and specific characteristics like type, number, and density of turbines, with limited research available for Scottish landscapes.

The key findings of the project emphasize the need for better data, data availability, integrated policies, and stakeholder engagement to prevent negative impacts on PWS amidst changing land use change trends.

This project has completed. Click here to visit the publication page to view the project outputs.