The overall aim of the project was to review the effectiveness of standard mitigation measures to maintain the hydrological conditions within peat soils and wetland habitats. The findings of this work will assist the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to provide knowledge and guidance to developers in relation to appropriate construction techniques and enhance practice around avoidance, impact minimisation, habitat creation and restoration.

Wetlands can be defined as areas of marsh, fen, or peatland with permanent or temporary water (brackish or freshwater). They cover an estimated 2 million hectares of Scotland’s land area from uplands to the coastline and are important for sequestering carbon, providing habitat, storing water, and maintaining biodiversity.

Beavers are well known for their ability to transform the environment through dam building and other activities. This report provides an evidence review of the role of beavers in modifying physical processes, and the potential benefits they may bring for Scottish rivers, streams and water resources. It will inform the dialogue on the benefits and limitations of beaver expansion in Scotland, including where trade-offs are required.

As the need for onshore wind energy expands, such climate adaptation measures may have unintended and potentially significant influences on how fish respond when situated next to rivers or streams. The aim of this project was to examine evidence of potential impacts of shadow flicker, from wind turbine blades, on Atlantic salmon in the context of species conservation management and climate mitigation strategy in Scotland.

This project was developed to downscale aspects of Scotland’s country-scale phosphorus (P) mass balance by looking at potential for regional recycling. The research firstly examined the background context of P sustainability in terms of recycled P sources, usage opportunities and constraints via a literature review.

The aim of this study was to better understand the likely impacts of climate change (amount, frequency, and distribution of precipitation) on Private Water Supplies (PWS) in Scotland. In particular, the consequences on PWS resilience to water shortages in order to assess changes in vulnerability due to reduced quantity of water as a result of climate change.

Factoring ecological significance of sources into phosphorus source apportionment: Phase 2

Fine sediments (particles 2mm) in rivers and streams generally result from land management activities such as forestry, agriculture or development. Their ecological effects can be highly damaging (Owenes et al., 2005). In suspension, fine particles interfere with biological processes (e.g. reduced sunlight penetration impairs plant growth) and behaviours (e.g. restricting the ability to find prey). When deposited, fine sediments can smother the riverbed and restrict the infiltration of oxygen-rich free-flowing water.