Land and Water Resource Management

Assessing the socio-economic impacts of soil degradation on Scotland’s water environment

Scotland’s various policies to protect its soils from degradation create economic benefits. In this project the economic costs of soil degradation in Scotland were estimated. Using the best available data the impacts of soil compaction, sealing and contamination were assessed. The extent of these degradation processes was then used to calculate the costs across Scotland. Compacted soils can cost farmers £15 to £209 per ha in extra fuel use. The annual combined impact on crop yields and fuel use across Scotland is likely to cost between £25 million and £75 million.

Future Predictions of Water Scarcity in Scotland: Impacts to Distilleries and Agricultural Abstractors

Scotland’s climate is changing, and we expect to see further changes in seasonal precipitation patterns that may increase the frequency and severity of water scarcity conditions, including droughts. Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water scarcity and environmental stress (formally defined in Scotland as when river water levels are less than 5% of their normal flows, for more than 30 days). Overall, droughts are predicted to increase particularly in the eastern parts of Scotland.

Protecting Scotland's Lochs: Addressing the Threat of Algal Blooms

Scotland's lochs have long been cherished for their natural beauty, providing habitats for diverse wildlife and acting as beneficial recreational spaces for locals and tourists alike. However, these iconic water bodies face serious challenges such as climate change and nutrient run-off that threaten their ecological integrity and public health. 

Global temperatures are now approximately 1.5ᵒC higher than pre-industrial levels. Rising air and water temperatures, alongside shifting rainfall patterns, are changing our planet’s ecosystem.

Your Planet Your Future

Your Planet Your Future

Sowing Seeds for the Next generation    Careers for People and the Environment

Posted on behalf of Rachel Helliwell and Lorna Dawson

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