Short accessible briefing summaring current academic thinking and evidence on the value of water resources. It considers the Scottish context and examines how the value of water resources might be developed. Produced for the stage 3 debate for the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill which took place in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 27th February.

This short report summarises the documented impacts of riparian invasive non-native plant species Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum and its hybrids), Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens grandulifera), and Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) on freshwater habitats and species.

This research builds on the current evidence base showing a salutogentic (i.e. health improving) benefit of green space (termed “green health”). Based on this evidence we posited that water settings (blue space) should hold similar health benefits, i.e. offer opportunities for increased physical activity and recreation; afford opportunities for social contact – planned or impromptu; and promote psychological restoration and stress reduction.

There is increasing interest in exploring the health and well-being impacts of water in the environment (blue health), including the potential of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) to enhance amenity for residents. Blue health research is relatively new, and the purpose of this project was to review the literature and draw together any research evidence about the health impacts of SUDS.

This research reviews the evidence base for both positive and negative relationships between water in the landscape, health and well-being (termed blue health). Water is important for human health, both physiologically and psychologically; however, much of the research on blue health has focused on pathogenic associations between water and health i.e. the effects of environmental toxicology and poor water quality on disease and illness.

Scotland’s rivers, coasts and seas provide a critical resource for a range of human activities. In the past, links between human activities and the environment have been poorly managed, leading to a legacy of degradation. Global changes are giving rise to a range of new challenges such as increased flooding from sea level rise and storminess and proliferation of invasive or non-native species. Catchments are inextricably linked to coasts by the flow of materials, energy, nutrients and species through the medium of water.

In the last decade, catchment management has seen a wealth of new “top-down” legislation and policy initiatives, such as the EU Water Framework Directive, to take forward emerging demands for better integration and delivery of multiple benefits for society and the environment at the catchment scale. In parallel, there has been a growth of “bottom up” initiatives, some of these now representing advanced integrated approaches to Integrated Catchment Management (ICM), for example, Tweed Forum, the West Country Rivers Trust and the Association of Rivers Trusts.

This 6 page report describes a survey which examines views and insights related to integrated catchment management. Integrated catchment management (ICM) is a popular way of managing our resources, and entails making various connections between sectors, stakeholders, policy and practitioners. Making all these connections is challenging. Part of the CATCH II project aimed to elicit views about connecting insights, processes and planning for the delivery of integrated catchment management (ICM), from a variety of stakeholders connected with planning and implementing of ICM.

In the last decade, catchment management has seen a wealth of new “top-down” legislation and policy initiatives, such as the EU Water Framework Directive, to take forward emerging demands for better integration and delivery of multiple benefits for society and the environment at the catchment scale. In parallel, there has been a growth of “bottom up” 

A farmer focus group was held on 22nd February 2012 to share knowledge and understanding of diffuse pollution issues and management opportunities in the Water of Fail catchment, Ayrshire. The aims of this evening workshop were to: (I) update the farming community in the Water of Fail catchment on findings from the recent SEPA one-to-one visits; (II) raise awareness about potential funding opportunities for implementing on-farm measures to reduce diffuse pollution impacts; and (III) share