Hydrological Extremes, Coasts and Risk Management

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.

CREW Science Policy Fellowships Boost Evidence-Based Decision Making for Flood Resilience in Scotland

CREW has initiated Science Policy Fellowships aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and policy implementation. These fellowships enable Scotland's research community to advocate for critical, evidence-based science that addresses water-related policy, regulatory, and industry needs. 

The fellowships are part of CREW's broader strategy, which balances a 'research-push' workstream with a 'policy-pull' approach to facilitate expert knowledge exchange.

Navigating the Depths: Monitoring Scottish Freshwater Fish Populations

Scotland’s freshwater lochs are complex ecosystems teeming with life. They are home to an array of fish species, which are crucial to the ecological health of these habitats. Effectively monitoring these fish populations in such vast water bodies poses a challenge that requires innovative solutions and effective collaboration. As pressures from human activities such as large-scale hydro-electric developments mount, the monitoring, understanding and safeguarding of Scotland’s freshwater fish is increasingly important.

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

Building Public Health Resilience to Fluvial Flooding in Scotland

Climate change is increasing our exposure to fluvial flooding in Scotland. Physical and mental health are negatively impacted by flooding, with the greatest health impacts in the UK and Scotland on mental health. This CREW Policy Brief reviews the literature on the public health impacts of fluvial flooding, including physical and mental health impacts, and identifies factors that influence health resilience to flooding. 

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