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Hydrological Extremes, Coasts and Risk Management

CRW2023_02: Creating healthy and resilient river systems across Scotland: prioritising research and development gap opportunities for river woodlands.

Tree planting along riverside - Photo credit: Steve Addy

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Type of project: Capacity Building

Aim: The overall aim of this project is to prioritise the research and development (R&D) gap opportunities identified in the Riverwoods evidence review for creating healthy and resilient river systems through improved riparian and floodplain management in Scotland, and identify opportunities to address these gaps to enable investment in new and extended river woodlands, and improved/restored riverscape environments.

Project Status: Project in progress

 

CRW2024_05 Planning for water scarcity: building resilience and managing water for efficient irrigation

Field being irrigated with mountains in the background - Photo credit: JHI

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Type of project: Capacity Building Project

Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c. 9-month capacity building project to produce practical guidance for Scottish farmers and growers on how to effectively plan for water scarcity and manage water efficiently for irrigation, to increase resilience to water scarcity.

Budget: Funding available: £88,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).

Project Status: Project in procurement.

Water Scarcity in Scotland: Future Impact for Distilleries and Agriculture

Research led by The James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, the University of Aberdeen, and the British Geological Survey, highlights the increasing threat of water scarcity in Scotland due to climate change. Recently published in The Geographer (Winter 2024 edition, Adaption: Are we ready? And how far is it possible to adapt?), the study examines the potential impact on agriculture and distilleries.

Sharing Insights on Hydropower and Sediment Management

Great discussions were held this week at a hybrid hydro-sector dissemination event at the Advanced Research Centre (University of Glasgow), where Professor Richard Williams presented findings from the CREW project, “Environmentally effective and cost-efficient sediment management at impoundments.”

The team showcased their insightful project video, available here and also shared an infographic illustrating how river health relies on sediment flow (pictured).

The event also featured:

Increasing flood resilience: residential and community runoff retention solutions

Residential Street with community runoff retention solutions - Photo Credit: Abertay University

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In recent years there has been an increased awareness of the need to address surface water runoff in urban environments. This includes understanding where flood risks may arise, increase, or change in the future due to climate change and increased urban creep, the increased conversion of gardens and other vegetated areas which help to soak up rain. To support resilient surface water management in urban environments, the identification, efficacy, cost effectiveness and prioritisation of implementable flood risk management solutions is essential.

Water Scarcity in Scotland: Future Impact for Distilleries and Agriculture

A recent CREW project led by The James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, the University of Aberdeen, and the British Geological Survey, highlighted a pressing issue for Scotland: the increasing likelihood and duration of water scarcity events due to climate change. This project, focused on the impact of these changes on three critical sectors—crop production, livestock farming, and distilleries.

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

River Feshie near Aviemore - Photo Credit: Paul Glendell

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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.

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