Models describing the relative contributions of phosphorus (P) from different sources to water bodies (source apportionment) are key tools in determining priorities for mitigation strategies within the River Basin Management Planning process under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Previous source apportionment was simplistic because it was based on total P loads, even though not all P loading has the same ecological significance due to the form or timing of the loading.
The relationship between flow and ecological health is an indirect one. Individual species and ecological communities respond to physical variables such as flow velocity, wetted habitat area, depth, and stream power. However, these variables are related to flow and, due to the fact that it is more easily measured, flow has been treated as a variable which can support the determination of ecological status or, for heavily modified water bodies, ecological potential by the UK environment agencies.
It can take 500 years to replace 25 mm (1 inch) of top soil, yet in the UK it is estimated that 2.9 million tonnes of soil are eroded each year, and soil quality is diminished by poor practices.
The Scottish Government (SG) funds a development officer post at Education Scotland, to help embed resilience thinking and resources (located on the Ready for Emergencies website) within the Curriculum for Excellence delivered in Scottish schools. This includes teaching on: the causes of extreme weather; its impact on communities (specifically flooding); and the ways in which individuals and communities can adapt to and mitigate the impact of related emergencies.
Wastewater treatment works in Scotland have evolved substantially in the past 20 years. Investments were designed to protect the environment from the adverse effects of urban waste water discharges and were not specifically focused on odour control. Odours continued to present issues at some sites, and in 2005, a statutory Code of Practice for odour control at sewage works in Scotland was published by the Scottish Executive.
There is a need to increase awareness of the benefits that water provides and how our actions can help protect and improve them. Concerns over water quality and quantity are increasing around the world and these are exacerbated by climate change and other pressures. Arguably, and having a plentiful supply of water from rainfall, Scotland has not been severely affected by these issues. Consequently there is a perception that public understanding of water and the benefits provided is often low.
Industrial estates have long been recognised as significant sources of pollution. Most were built prior to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) being a requirement for new developments, and many have surface water drainage systems conveying the surface water directly to the nearest watercourse. Despite decades of work towards solutions, there remain long-term diffuse pollution problems identified by SEPA ecological monitoring at many sites downstream of industrial estates.
Scotland is seen as leading the way in the implementation of the Floods Directive, particularly with respect to natural flood management (NFM). There is a significant amount of work taking place across Scotland in order to deliver NFM projects and there is a clear need for knowledge exchange (e.g. sharing data and experiences) to aid coordination and avoid duplication. Knowledge exchange is vital if Local Authorities decide to take NFM projects forward to delivery on the ground.
Various studies have shown that land cover in urban areas tends to become more impermeable (e.g. front gardens are paved over) over time; this is often referred to as urban creep. Urban creep is likely to be a significant factor in surface water flood risk in the future. In order to manage flood risk sustainably now and in the future, we need to be able to quantify the rates of urban creep. Various studies have been carried out in the UK in relation to observed rates of urban creep, although few of these were undertaken in Scotland.
Good quality water in shellfish production areas is essential to ensuring a good quality product which is safe for human consumption. The shellfish industry in Scotland helps support fragile remote rural economic communities and also has significant potential for growth, actively supported by Scottish Government.
