Hutton Highlights October 2021 - New Tayside partnership is one of seven Climate Beacons for COP26 How can trees help reduce UK greenhouse gas ...
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Hutton Highlights October 2021 New Tayside partnership is one of seven Climate Beacons for COP26 How can trees help reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions? Hutton scientists welcome National Food Strategy report
Contents
04 New Scottish
knowledge portal to
offer access to wealth of
research
06 Awards, Accolades &
Appointments
08 Building work
underway on Barley 08
Hub and Advanced
Plant Growth Centre
10 How can trees help
reduce UK greenhouse
gas emissions?
12 Support to protect 11 20
Scotland’s coastlines
14 Funding boost for nature
and climate adaptation in
Deeside
16 Seaweed feed researcher
shortlisted for prestigious
KTP leadership award
18 Hutton scientists
welcome National Food
Strategy report
20 National Islands Plan
survey paints mixed
picture of life in Scottish
islands
17 22
The James Hutton Institute is a well-respected and globally recognised research The James Hutton Institute magazine team
organisation delivering fundamental and applied science to drive the sustainable Gillian Stirton, Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo,
use of land and natural resources. Adam Walker, Sarah Horne
editor@hutton.ac.uk
@JamesHuttonInst /JamesHuttonInstitute /JamesHuttonInstitute /company/james-hutton-institute
2 Hutton Highlights
Introduction
Looking ahead
to COP26
Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of
The James Hutton Institute
Welcome to the latest edition of Hutton getting the consensus around the Paris works at Invergowrie. These together with
Highlights, published just ahead of the Agreement and for her Climate Optimism. investments at Craigiebuckler will open up
COP26 in Glasgow which we hope so Our own approach has been changing to our campuses even more and will mean
much will define a decade of action to match this outlook with more emphasis we are working with a even wider range
tackle the climate and nature crisis we all on the most transformative solutions and of people and businesses to undertake the
face. by undertaking more Action Research actions needed and to bring about a better
where we test interventions at larger scale future for next generation. As always do
This edition features work on the threats working with the people most affected get in touch on any of the following pages
we face due to climate breakdown but also such as the Beltie Burn Restoration project, to let us know what you think and how we
some of the solutions. At COP26 with our that has been nominated for a Nature can do more.
partners the Macaulay Development Trust of Scotland Award, and the whole farm
we will be privileged to host Christiana systems change we are researching on our
Figures as the TB Macaulay Lecturer. farms. We are also undergoing our own
She is renowned for her tireless work on transformation with major new building
SEFARI activity
Showcasing Scotland’s science and innovation at COP26.
Two Hutton staff members will lead new SEFARI Fellowships. Rupert Hough is working with Environmental
Standards Scotland, a new independent body, to establish post-Brexit environmental governance arrangements
in Scotland; while Mohamed Jabloun will partner the Scottish Government in efforts to establish a crop yield-
prediction model and map for Scotland.
A new booklet has been published highlighting the impacts of the Centres of Expertise who provide responsive work on
climate change, animal disease outbreaks, plant health, water, knowledge exchange and impact.
Gateway has been successful in winning several bids to hold events during COP26 and will work with the UK and
Scottish governments, Scotland Food and Drink and EU Clima on Blue and Green Zone events as well as developing a
University of Glasgow knowledge exchange event with the Centres of Expertise. Additional COP26-focussed activities
include supporting the Climate Beacons Tayside project and various related innovative knowledge exchange projects.
One such Innovate KE project, led by colleagues Lorna Cole (SRUC) and Lorna Dawson (Hutton & SEFARI Gateway) is
adding climate change research examples to the already popular SEFARI virtual farm tours which are available on Google
Earth. Also don’t forget there is still time to submit your water videos in the CREW led ‘Waterwall in Motion’ competition
to highlight how Scotland, as a Hydro Nation, is leading the way in water-inspired activities, research, technology and
management.
Comments? October 2021 3
News Highlights
New Scottish knowledge portal to offer access to
wealth of research
A new website which brings together thousands of research Research Scotland is helping to present a fuller picture of work
publications - from centuries back to the present day - has that has been previously been produced and identifying gaps
been launched by six Scottish Government funded partners. where further research is required across some of our big
global societal issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.”
The new Research Scotland portal unites publications from
Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Hutton, Marine Dr David Kenyon, Head of Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular
Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, SASA and the Biology at SASA and the Scottish Government Head of
Moredun Research Institute. It will make it easier for members Professional Development for Science, noted that the Research
of the public to access full-text research on areas like climate Scotland website provides unrivalled access to a wealth of
change, biodiversity loss and the state of our waters and historical data held by these world class research institutions.
oceans in one place, free of charge. “I strongly believe that science funded by the Scottish
Government is done so on behalf of the Scottish people and
The publications available date from as long ago as 1683 therefore it is vital to facilitate access to its outcomes,” he said.
and range from the Hortus medicus edinburgensis, the first
catalogue of plants growing in the Botanic Garden, to the Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said
outputs from current publicly funded research. An example that by bringing these important publications together into
of the wealth of research available through the new portal one single platform, Research Scotland would make it easier
is a paper on the spatial distribution of marine litter on the for researchers and the public to find and use our data. “It will
northwest European continental shelf. The study looks at present a fuller picture of previously-produced work and help
how the prevailing wind direction impacts on how much identify gaps where further research is needed across some
litter is washed on to, and off from, beaches in Scotland. This of our big global social issues, including climate change and
information can be used, alongside monitoring data from a biodiversity loss.”
citizen science programme run by the Marine Conservation
Society that measures the amount of litter on beaches, to Research Scotland is hosted by the Scottish Confederation of
help managers and policy makers measure the success of litter University & Research Libraries (SCURL) Shared Service at the
reduction strategies. University of Edinburgh.
RBGE’s Dr Lorna Mitchell, Research Scotland project lead, said:
“By bringing together publications into one single platform,
4 Hutton Highlights
New Tayside partnership is one of seven Climate
Beacons for COP26
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to support one of audiences to explore and co-produce ways to imagine and
seven Climate Beacons taking shape across Scotland in the deliver a better, more sustainable future’.
run-up to and beyond the UN COP26 Conference in Glasgow
this November. Climate Beacons for COP26 is an initiative of Creative Carbon
Scotland, a charitable organisation that works with individuals,
The Institute has joined forces with Dundee Rep and Scottish organisations and strategic bodies across the cultural and
Dance Theatre, V&A Dundee, Dundee Museum of Transport sustainability sectors to harness culture’s vital role in achieving
and other partners in the region to bring collective cultural a more environmentally sustainable Scotland.
and environmental knowledge and skills to bear on the climate
change challenges Tayside communities face. The project aims Find out more at www.climatebeacons.com.
to help everyone understand how climate change will affect
them personally and what they can do to reduce it.
Across Scotland more than 30 environmental, cultural and
heritage organisations are coming together with the same
goal, and the Institute is pleased to be involved in the Tayside
Beacon.
‘Climate Beacons’ are being established in Argyll, Caithness
& East Sutherland, Fife, Inverclyde, Midlothian and the
Outer Hebrides with themes include Scotland’s temperate
rainforests, industrial heritage, water, adaptation to climate
change, land use, biodiversity, green jobs, and the recovery
from COVID-19.
The partnership will create a 12-month pilot ‘utilising design-
led innovation and methodologies with a wide range of
Nature of Scotland Awards shortlist 2021
announced
Celebrating the inspirational people, projects, groups and Finalists for the Nature of Scotland Food and Farming Award
organisations working hard to protect Scotland’s precious 2021 are:
natural heritage, the shortlist has now been announced for
the Nature of Scotland Awards 2021, including finalists for • Kinclune Organic Nature Farm
the Food and Farming category sponsored by Hutton.
• Nature Friendly Farming Network
The shortlist for the 2021 awards represents a cross-section of
• Propagate (Scotland)
businesses, charities, the public sector and individuals working
towards conserving the country’s unique wildlife and natural • Spital Tower Sustainability - integrated plans for the future
environment.
Winners will be
Food has a big environmental footprint; from how we grow
announced at a
it, to the amount we waste. However, some individuals,
ceremony on 17
businesses and organisations are doing things differently,
November.
reducing their own environmental impact and helping
consumers make good food choices, from wildlife-friendly
farmers to farm shops, cafes and caterers carefully sourcing
ingredients and reducing food waste. The Food and Farming
award celebrates these sustainable food champions.
Comments? October 2020 5
Awards, Accolades &
Appointments
New appointment to James Hutton Institute board of directors:
Prof Chris Gilligan
The Institute has appointed the Head of Epidemiology and
Modelling Group in the department of Plant Sciences at the
University of Cambridge, Professor Chris Gilligan, to its Board.
Professor Gilligan’s current research is focused on
establishing and testing a theoretical framework that
identifies the mechanisms that control invasion, persistence,
scaling and variability of epidemics within changing
agricultural and natural landscapes.
Applications of his work range from large-scale pandemics of
major crops (wheat, cassava, banana, citrus), tree diseases
(sudden oak death, ash dieback) through pesticide resistance
and genetical control to biocontrol in sustainable agricultural
systems, and to the design of intervention strategies for exotic
pathogen threats to the UK and sub-Saharan Africa.
Professor Gilligan brings insights into the strategic priorities for
Hutton science, impact and into the open science agenda, as “Chris brings to Hutton not only a distinguished track record in
well as computational science expertise to the Board. scientific research but also proven thought leadership in the
Having been on the BBSRC Council and served on many grant wider scientific and policy arena. His appointment is testimony
funding panels he is well connected to the BBSRC and UKRI to the growing strength and reputation of our Institute, and
and has been an advisor to government, including as Chair of we all look forward to working with him” enthuses Dr Ian
DEFRA’s Science Advisory Council. Gambles, chair of the Hutton Board.
Alongside the relevant science, Prof Gilligan brings a wealth “The mission of the James Hutton places it nationally and
of Board governance experience from -among others - the internationally at the forefront of the application of natural
Natural History Museum Board, chairing the UK Joint Nature and social science for land management, sustainable
Conservation Committee and the Board of Royal Botanic and healthy food production and food security, against a
Gardens Kew. background climate change and decline in biodiversity decline”
Professor Gilligan commented.
He has strong links with foundations such as the Gates
Foundation and has a specific interest in how young scientists For further information about Professor Gilligan, visit his staff
are incentivised and mobilised to respond to current science page on the University of Cambridge’s website.
needs.
Rebekka Artz gains NatureScot secondment
We are pleased to announce that Dr Rebekka Artz will be working on secondment as NatureScot’s Peatland Action Manager
– Technical Advice. Rebekka will be leading NatureScot’s work to provide leadership in high standards of restoration across
Scotland. She will manage the Technical Team - providing specialist advice, developing guidance and promoting good practice
that provides the foundations for successful restoration of peatland habitats.
Rebekka will be undertaking this secondment from 1st October till end of March 2023, whilst continuing a reduced role as
Research Leader for Restoration and Adaptive Management at the Institute.
This is an exciting appointment: providing an opportunity to develop greater links between the Hutton and NatureScot and
provide a collaborative approach to delivering peatland restoration across Scotland that is underpinned by the latest science.
6 Hutton Highlights
Dr Ruth Mitchell appointed to Glensaugh Farm – home to UK’s
Trees and Woodlands Science first climate-positive business
Advisory Group incubator?
Dr Ruth Mitchell, a Plant Soil Ecologist at the James Hutton The Macaulay Development Trust is funding a study is
Institute’s Ecological Sciences department, has been underway to assess the feasibility of establishing the UK’s
appointed as a member of the Department for Environment, first climate-positive business incubator at Glensaugh
Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Trees and Woodlands Science Farm. Traditionally, business incubators select early-
Advisory Group (TAW-SAG). stage companies that show promise and nurture them to
maximise their chances of financial success. This feasibility
The group was established in April 2021 and provides expert study will explore the opportunities for new commercial
scientific input, challenge and assurance to Defra on the use ventures at Glensaugh, which will build on its agricultural,
of evidence and analysis to support woodland creation and infrastructure, and knowledge resources.
improve woodland management.
The project is linked to the overall strategy of Glensaugh
TAW-SAG will provide balanced scientific advice to the to be a climate-positive farm. In Scotland, agriculture and
England tree planting programme, ensuring that Defra related land use generate about a quarter of all greenhouse
receives input from a wide range of scientific experts and gas emissions and the Glensaugh initiative will test and
disciplines. demonstrate approaches that could pave the way for other
farmers and land managers to adopt more sustainable
Upon her appointment, Dr Ruth Mitchell said: “I am delighted approaches.
to take up this role. Much of the research carried out at the
Hutton is relevant to the topics we will be discussing within A key to success in climate-positive farming is recognising
the group. I look forward to working with others in the group the full complexity of societal costs and benefits from the
to help ensure that tree and woodland policies are based on process of farming. The incubator project is similarly exploring
the best available scientific evidence.” different business models of economic activity relevant for
sustainable land-use and is considering how success would be
Dr Mitchell leads the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Group defined in this context.
within the Ecological Sciences department at the Institute.
She also leads the Natural Assets Theme for Scottish The types of businesses attached to the incubator could
Government Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Strategic include, for example, new circular economy opportunities
Research Programme. based on waste materials from farming and novel lower
carbon alternatives to traditional products and services.
Her research focuses on the impact of pressures on above
and below ground biodiversity and habitat restoration. The study is being led by Antonia White, who joined the
Recently she has focussed her work on assessing the wider James Hutton Institute in July for 6 months. Antonia’s
environmental impacts of tree diseases. background is in supporting innovation in both the private
and public sectors. She is the co-founder of a company
Dr Mitchell is a member of the British Ecological Society’s specialising in wearable sensors to monitor livestock health
Scottish Policy Group and NatureScot’s Science Advisory and welfare. Early in her career she was also involved in
Committee. projects with the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and the
Forestry Commission Wildlife and Conservation Branch.
The feasibility study is due to be completed at the end of
the year. For more information or to contribute to the study,
please contact Antonia at Antonia.white@huttonltd.com
Comments? October 2021 7
Building work underway on
Barley Hub and Advanced Plant
Growth Centre
Building work is finally underway on the International Barley Hub (IBH) and Advanced Plant Growth
Centre (APGC) at the Institute. The two plant science innovation centres are being supported by £45
million from the UK Government and £17 million from the Scottish Government under the £700 million,
10-year Tay Cities Deal.
With completion expected in early 2024, the centres will will lead to new productions systems like vertical farming,
bring together industry and science to expedite solutions more accurately model climate change and its implications for
for the food and drink industry in the face of climate change plant and crop products such as food, pharma etc, and support
and COVID-19 disruptions. The multi-million developments food security through crop storage.”
comprise state-of-the-art science, farm and field facilities,
and a new access road. They are being delivered by By helping develop new varieties and cultivation systems
Oberlanders and Wellwood Leslie Architects and construction that can cope with future climate change, and indeed new
business McLaughlin & Harvey under the Scape Major Works uses for the crop, the £35m International Barley Hub seeks to
UK Framework. secure the long-term future of the barley sector. The project
is underpinned by decades of research at the James Hutton
To mark the commencement of the works formally, a breaking- Institute and partners, including the University of Dundee,
ground ceremony was held at the Invergowrie campus, SRUC and Abertay University, the Rowett Institute and others.
conducted by Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Businesses and sectoral interest groups such as the Scotch
Rural Affairs and Islands and Iain Stewart MP, Under Secretary Whisky Research Institute, Maltsters Association of GB, and
of State for Scotland, along with project stakeholders and the National Farmers Union Scotland form part of the project
supporters. consortium’s demand side.
Professor James Brosnan, Chair of the International Barley The £27m Advanced Plant Growth Centre aims to revolutionise
Hub, commented on “the real excitement and optimism about crop production systems to produce food locally, 365 days
formally marking the physical beginning of the International a year, with less environmental impact. Such systems can
Barley Hub.” The IBH complements the existing spirit of be completely independent of the weather or availability of
collaboration in the barley supply chain and will provide the agricultural land, for example, indoor vertical farms using LED
answers to our shared climate challenges through applied lights that have full environmental control and are located
scientific excellence, he says. “This is indeed a significant close to the population on unused derelict land. APGC will
milestone to have reached, and we look forward to seeing this support a rapidly expanding industry with 25% annual growth
project become a reality.” and an estimated worth of $12bn by 2026.
Advanced Plant Growth Centre Director Prof Derek Stewart Combined, the two projects aim to create over 470 jobs in
added: “Today’s milestone reflects the aim of the APGC to the Tayside region and a further 2,200 jobs across the wider
break new ground in many areas related to our quality of life. Scottish and UK economy, demonstrating the true national
This Centre will allow us to develop and translate science that importance of the two initiatives.
8 Hutton Highlights
Glensaugh Climate-Positive Farming Initiative
Agriculture and related land use contribute significantly to This video also forms part of a new SEFARI Gateway funded
GHG emissions in many countries of the world – and this Virtual Tour created for COP26 to showcase innovative
sector has a major role to play in urgently addressing ‘net research from across the SEFARI organisations - look out for
zero’ targets through transformational changes in land use the official launch on 21st October.
and land management. Hutton’s Climate-Positive Farming
Initiative at its Glensaugh Farm tackles the linked climate
and biodiversity crises with a combination of research,
transformative farming and technological innovations. A
key to success is recognising and understanding the whole
system and the multiple costs and benefits of different land
management choices - to environment, society and the
economy.
In the latest video, Initiative Manager Prof Alison Hester
takes you ‘out onto the farm’ for an overview of some of the
headline issues and activities.
New research highlights farmer attitudes on dairy
production systems
New research on the attitudes of people working in the UK “They liked working with cows outside. They liked letting the
dairy sector has revealed that many dairy farmers believe cows out in spring, they liked being outside in nature and
cows should graze for part of the year. Findings of the ‘Cows some of them had the view that their cows liked to graze.
eat grass, don’t they?’ study, funded by the British Academy
and the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks “I think in the industry the question of grazing or year-round
(EPIC), shine a light on the perspectives of those working housing has become quite controversial because year-round
in the UK dairy industry, touching upon economic, animal housing has been condemned by animal welfare charities and
welfare and mental health aspects. grazing is seen as something that’s demanded by the public
who are out of touch with farming. So, my research suggests
The research was based on surveys and interviews with that grazing needn’t been seen as such a ‘politicised’ issue
UK dairy farmers and key industry stakeholders to explore within the industry. Farmers I spoke to who wanted their cows
attitudes towards indoor and grazing systems. 19% of to graze generally didn’t have a negative attitude towards
respondents housed their cows all year round, while 68% of housed systems,” Dr Shortall added.
Scottish dairy farmer respondents thought cows should graze
for part of the year. The study shows reluctance in the UK industry to market milk
as grass-fed because it’s seen as divisive and pandering to the
Lead researcher Dr Orla Shortall, based at the Institute, said public who don’t understand the issues. However, farmers who
this was a surprising finding: “The mainstream view among key took part in the research had a more pragmatic and positive
stakeholders was that differences between systems – grazing attitude to grass-fed labels than key stakeholders.
or indoor – don’t matter for animal welfare, economic or
environmental outcomes, but management is more important. “When the UK is negotiating trade deals with other countries,
they don’t need to shy away from the importance or value of
“I was surprised when most respondents to the Scottish survey grazing in the dairy industry. And with farmer mental health
thought that cows should graze. This view did coexist with the being a live issue, if farmers get meaning and enjoyment from
view in the survey that stock keeping was more important than spending time outside with their cows, that’s also something
system for welfare, and management was more important worth celebrating,” Dr Shortall concluded.
than system for economic outcomes.
The ‘Cows eat grass, don’t they?’ UK report is available at
According to Dr Shortall, some of the reasons given by GB https://bit.ly/CEGDTUKreport and a summary of the findings
farmers for preferring cows to graze were primarily linked to can be accessed at https://bit.ly/CEGDTUKsummary.
their experience working with cows outside.
Comments? October 2021 9
How can trees help reduce UK
greenhouse gas emissions?
Institute researchers will contribute to one of six research teams developing new tools and approaches
to help trees and woodlands adapt to climate change and enable the UK to reach net zero greenhouse gas
emissions.
Trees, woodlands and forests help remove greenhouse gases The Future of UK Treescapes programme will contribute its
from the atmosphere and nurture biodiversity. Scotland is evidence to help policymakers and land managers expand our
currently covered by 19% woodland with the UK Government treescapes and reach this target.
pledging to plant millions of trees every year over the coming
decades. Supporting and championing the projects are the Programme
Ambassadors, Professor Clive Potter of the Centre for
Expanding the UK’s trees, woodlands and forests will play Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, and Dr Julie
an important role in realising the Government’s ambition to Urquhart of the Countryside & Community Research Institute
achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, at the University of Gloucestershire.
treescapes also need to become more resilient to pressures
such as changing climate, disease, and competing demands for “Threats to and vital role of treescapes have never been
land in order to reverse decades of decline in biodiversity and clearer. The government is creating ambitious policies and
environmental quality. targets to help increase tree cover and manage tree health,
but better evidence of how to achieve this is crucial in
The projects involved in the Future of UK Treescapes underpinning the success of such initiatives” adds Professor
programme will receive a share of £10.5 million from UK Potter.
Research and Innovation (UKRI) to understand how local
authorities are meeting their tree planting targets, improving “We wanted to encourage new interdisciplinary collaborations
wellbeing and capturing greenhouse gases. The research that would develop potential pioneering projects that will
outcomes will also provide an insight into the value of trees to shape and deepen our understanding of the environmental,
people and the planet. social, cultural and economic value of trees, woods and
forests to society for years to come. This programme and its
The Hutton research team will co-lead work to determine the projects is the partnering with stakeholders from policy, land
rates at which some of our most important tree species are ownership and civil society, to ensure the outcomes have
able to adapt to a changing environment. It will also examine if direct application to achieving climate change, nature recovery
interventions needed to increase trees’ adaptation also affect and wellbeing goals” elaborates Dr Urquhart.
the communities associated with them.
The six projects are led by the University of York, Manchester
“The species associated with trees are crucial to how they Metropolitan University, Loughborough University, the
function. If interventions bias in favour of pathogens or University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester and
disease-vectors, then we could be increasing the risks to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
our trees” explains Ecological Sciences researcher Dr Jenni
Stockan.
This November, the UK Government will host the COP26
climate negotiations in Glasgow where countries will be
expected to set out their plans for reaching net zero by 2050.
10 Hutton HighlightsNew review of evidence linking the
environment and mental health
An Environmental Science and Mental Health Review “People have really valued connecting with nature during
commissioned by NERC and led by social scientists at lockdowns and there are well-documented links between
the Institute has highlighted the potential contribution nature and wellbeing, but there are still knowledge gaps in our
environmental science can make to mental health research understanding, for example, what it is about the environment
and innovation. It found a wide range of research projects that provides the benefit. It’s clear that more integrated
that have highlighted correlations between adverse cross-disciplinary research is needed if we’re to make the
environmental factors and mental health issues. For example, right decisions - both for the health of the environment, and
a scoping review and series of workshops identified links the health and wellbeing of people who benefit from it” says
between oil spills and post-traumatic stress disorder, aircraft Caroline Culshaw, NERC Head of Healthy Environment.
noise and delayed reading ability in primary school children,
and air pollution and psychotic episodes in teenagers. Katherine Irvine is a Senior Researcher in environmental
psychology and conservation behaviour at Hutton and led the
At the same time, other studies have looked at the positive review. It comprised a wide-ranging scoping exercise, looked
effects of a healthy natural environment on humans – such as at other systematic reviews of previous research and over 200
how natural river catchment areas and flows are crucial for individual studies, and ran workshops which identified 16 case
cultural and societal wellbeing in India, or how natural gardens studies showing advances in academic understanding of the
can alleviate work-related stress. nexus between environmental science and mental health.
The report concludes that a great deal of research over “Although there has been a plethora of work considering links
the years has brought environmental science and mental between mental health and the environment much of this is
health studies together, but there remain many gaps in our piecemeal and focused on specific aspects of the environment
knowledge and a need to do more. or mental health” explains Katherine. “This review has
provided a critical understanding of gaps in the knowledge
Among the report’s specific conclusions and recommendations base to prioritise future action. One of the promising
are: opportunities emerging from the work is for the development
of a community of practice amongst researchers, policy makers
• Most existing studies have come from the perspective of and practitioners focused on a more holistic approach to
mental health. There is a clear opportunity to integrate environment-mental health connections”
environmental science and mental health research more
closely, to improve understanding further. Visit the Valuing Nature website to read the report.
• There has been a greater research focus on mental ill-
health than on maintaining or improving good mental
health and wellbeing, which would add important insights
for decisions about our living environment.
• Many environmental/wellbeing issues are complex, and
there is a need for more research which involves multiple
disciplines – whether bio-medical, environmental, social,
economic, or psychological.
• Establishing causality in mental health research is
challenging. Finding new ways for research to work with
large data sets, including knowing where they are, linking
them and sharing data, could bring major benefits.
• Longer-term studies would help us to understand the
impacts of environmental issues over time - not just after
an incident - as well as causal relationships.
Comments? October 2021 11Support to protect Scotland’s coastlines
An estimated £1.2 billion of Scotland’s buildings, transport infrastructure, cultural and natural heritage
may be at risk of coastal erosion by 2050, according to new research funded by the Centre of Expertise
for Waters (CREW), a partnership between the James Hutton Institute and Scottish higher education and
research institutes.
As part of the Scottish Government’s Dynamic Coast project, The Dynamic Coast maps will be a valuable tool in our fight
the University of Glasgow has developed new maps to serve against climate change, and we are now preparing guidance to
as a coastal change adaptation planning tool for government, help local authorities produce new adaptation plans.
agencies, local authorities as well as communities and
businesses. “Here in Montrose, up to 80 metres of beach has eroded
since the 1980s and a further 120 metres could erode over
With evidence from the maps, the government is encouraging the next 40 years, breaching the main dune ridge. Angus
local authorities to prepare coastal adaptation plans, Council is working with local stakeholders, including Montrose
supported by an additional £12 million of investment. In Port Authority and Montrose Golf links to identify the most
recognition of the heightened landscape of climate-related risk sustainable solution for the town.
in Scotland, Dynamic Coast will form part of a wider national
programme to build resilience. “COP26 in Glasgow represents the world’s best chance –
perhaps one of our last chances – to avert the worst impacts
Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson visited the sand dunes of climate change. However, even in the best-case scenario
in Montrose, which help protect the town from coastal for global emissions reductions it is clear that we must also be
flooding and erosion. Mr Matheson said: “I welcome the preparing for the impacts that are already locked in. By doing
publication of Dynamic Coast 2 which shows us that at least this we can deliver on the principles of the Paris Agreement
£20 billion of assets, road, rail and residential property, lie with lasting action to secure a net-zero and climate-resilient
within 50 metres of our coast. With nature protecting some future in a way that is fair and just for everyone.”
£14.5 billion of these assets, maintaining our natural coastal
defences must be a key part of our resilience and adaptation “CREW is delighted to have supported the development and
strategies. launch of the Dynamic Coast project. This nationally significant
research will assist decision-makers and others to understand
“We are already locked into future sea-level rise and how Scotland’s coastal assets need to adapt to the pressures
therefore we must plan for the worst-case scenario on the of climate change and improve our collective resilience in the
coast. Modelling suggests however that we will see erosion face of this challenge” says Director of the Centre of Expertise
influencing the majority of shores this decade. for Waters, Professor Bob Ferrier.
“This latest research highlights that natural defences like sand
dunes, protect three times as much value in roads, railways
and buildings than sea walls do” argues NatureScot Climate
Change Director Nick Halfhide. “That’s why we must invest in
Scotland’s nature. Nature based solutions are essential in our
response to the twin crises of nature loss and climate change
and, with COP26 coming to Glasgow, there’s no better time for
Scotland to take ambitious action”
12 Hutton HighlightsSafeguarding Scotland’s bulb
and potato sector
A major new project will tackle pests in potatoes through the protection of clean land and the
management of land already infested with pests.
The project will focus specifically on tackling potato cyst standards for nematodes back in 2010, data gathered over
nematode (PCN), which is becoming an increasing challenge subsequent years has shown the growing threat of PCN to the
with its presence in some fields across Scotland. It will be led seed potato sector and a reduction in the availability of clean
by Scotland’s Plant Health Centre (PHC) and will receive £2.2 land,” he explains.
million of Scottish Government funding over five years, of
which £470,000 this year. “As effective crop protection products become ever more
restricted this project, managed by the Plant Health Centre
It follows the PHC-chaired working group set up in 2020 to and supported by the Scottish Government, is essential for the
identify a strategy to deal with PCN, which brought together future economic sustainability of the potato seed industry.”
more than 50 industry, government and academic partners.
The group published a report outlining key recommendations, Scottish seed potato and bulb sectors are annually worth £112
which the new project team spanning Hutton, Scotland’s Rural million and £7 million, respectively, to the rural economy.
College, Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland, SoilEssentials,
To maintain tuber quality and limit spread of PCN, legislation
Scottish Agronomy and Science and Advice for Scottish
prevents seed potatoes from being grown in fields where it is
Agriculture, will now implement.
present in the soil.
Minister for Environment, Biodiversity & Land Reform Mairi
PCN also affects flower bulbs and limits their exports to other
McAllan said: “This project is hugely important to the sector
countries. This limitation has led to a decline in land available
and the sector is hugely important to Scotland. It is predicted
for growing potato seed and bulbs, with estimated production
that if co-ordinated action is not taken now, Scotland’s bulb
losses of £25 million per annum for seed potatoes and a
and potato industries may no longer be viable in the next 30
possible end to the seed industry by 2045.
years due to the reduction in available non-infested land. We
cannot let this happen.” The project will begin with a detailed economic assessment to
fully investigate the financial consequences of PCN in Scotland
Prof Ian Toth of the James Hutton Institute led the working
and desk studies to better understand the reasons for the
group and will lead the new project. “This is a fantastic
increase in PCN and the knowledge and tools that are available
example of how Scottish industry, government and academia
to tackle it. New sources of PCN resistance will be sought to
can work together to solve important Scottish issues,” he said.
help produce new resistant cultivars and other sustainable
Archie Gibson of Agrico UK Ltd, who was key to bringing the control options will be tested. The work will culminate in the
PCN issue to the fore, said the project had been years in the production of a computer-based decisions support tool for the
making. “Following the introduction of harmonised soil testing industry.
Comments? October 2021 13Funding boost for nature and
climate adaptation in Deeside
Large-scale conservation work across the Dee catchment has The funding will enable a variety of restoration activities in
been given the green light thanks to a major cash injection of the Dee catchment, including reuniting areas of the river
over half a million pounds. A variety of projects comprising with its floodplain to reduce flood risk. The Dee valley will
floodplain restoration, woodland expansion and peatland also benefit from the £17 million of woodland expansion and
restoration will benefit both people and nature, boosting peatland restoration planned for the National Park – hoped to
the region’s resilience to climate change, while improving deliver an additional 5,000 hectares of hill and riverside trees
habitats for biodiversity. between 2023 and 2028, and restore around 4,625 hectares of
peatland.
As part of a network of 22 projects across the Cairngorms
National Park totalling some £43 million of funding from Damaged peatlands contribute significant amounts to
several sources including the National Lottery Heritage Fund greenhouse gas emissions, and add particulate and dissolved
and Scottish Government, the work in the Dee, Spey and Esk carbon to rivers. These effects are worsened during periods
catchments will comprise a two-year development phase, to of warmer weather and drought. “We are monitoring these
drive projects forward to a ‘shovel-ready’ stage, followed by a emissions from eroded peatlands in the upper Dee catchment,
five-year delivery phase of action on the ground. as well as the hydrology, before and after restoration work
on the peatlands, to test whether restoration reduces carbon
Susan Cooksley, Dee Catchment Partnership and freshwater emissions and restores hydrological functioning” explains Dr
ecologist at Hutton, will be spending a substantial part of her Rebekka Artz, a Hutton researcher and expert in peatland
working week on the river restoration projects. “This funding ecosystems and restoration.
will enable extensive, landscape-scale restoration, the like of
which we’ve not seen since the Pearls in Peril project of 2015” Conservation Officer for the Cairngorms National Park, Sally
she enthuses. Mackenzie, worked with all three of the National Park’s river
catchment partnerships to create an attractive bid for the
River restoration involves managing a river and its tributaries ‘Nature Based Solutions’ component of the funding from
to reinstate natural processes that will restore biodiversity, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and was instrumental in
for the benefit of people and wildlife, as Susan explains: “The their success. “I’m delighted we have secured this funding
Dee is an important habitat for Atlantic salmon, freshwater for the National Park, and for Deeside” she notes. “All three
pearl mussel and otter, and is a designated Special Area of partnerships worked tirelessly to make their case for the
Conservation to protect these populations, meaning that any urgent need for habitat restoration and increased climate
proposed works in the area must give special consideration resilience across the area. It’s vital that these funding
to these natural habitats. But species such as salmon and opportunities continue so we can build on the work done
the pearl mussel are now significantly diminished in the river, so far, and help to create a climate-resilient National Park
so restoration projects are more important than ever, as the that serves the needs of both people and nature, and helps
climate warms and biodiversity struggles to adapt.” Scotland meet its international biodiversity commitments by
2030 and beyond.”
14 Hutton HighlightsDee Catchment Partnership shortlisted for Nature of
Scotland Award
The partnership that looks after the river Dee catchment in Salmon Fishery Board, NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park
north-east Scotland is a finalist in the Nature of Scotland Authority, Scottish Forestry, SEPA, Hutton and Aberdeen
Awards. Shortlisted for the Climate Action Award, the Harbour Board.
Hutton-supported Dee Catchment Partnership has been
recognised for the group’s recent efforts in restoring the The Nature of Scotland awards celebrate the inspirational
Easter Beltie Burn near Torphins. people, projects, groups and organisations working hard to
protect Scotland’s precious natural heritage. The shortlist for
Partnership Manager Dr Susan Cooksley led the three-month the 2021 awards represents a cross-section of businesses,
Beltie Burn restoration project with Edwin Third from the charities, the public sector and individuals working towards
Dee District Salmon Fishery Board. “Our partnership exists conserving the country’s unique wildlife and natural
to promote, facilitate and deliver collaborative projects environment.
that conserve the unique biodiversity and natural beauty of
Deeside, and the restoration at Easter Beltie is doing exactly Finalists for the Nature and Climate Action Award 2021 are:
that, creating a new area of wild beauty that is a habitat for a
• Aberdeen City Council - Woodlands, Wetlands &
rich diversity of wildlife” she said.
Wildflowers
Funded by NatureScot’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the
• Restoring rivers, sustaining livelihoods – Tweed’s nature-
restoration of the Beltie has been a huge success – salmon
based climate solutions
were seen spawning before the last of the diggers had even
left the site. The water from the previously-straightened • River Calder Restoration - Flowing into the Future
channel now flows through three specially created wetland
pools, and onwards downstream through a gently meandering • The Easter Beltie Restoration
course and the site is already home to kingfisher, dipper,
• Wetland farming for climate adaptation - Seawater
heron, badger and otter.
Solutions ltd
The Partnership brings together Aberdeen City Council,
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 17 November.
Aberdeenshire Council, River Dee Trust and Dee District
High Commissioner of Kenya visits Hutton Dundee site
The Institute was delighted to welcome a visit by His “This was a great opportunity to discuss the collaborations we
Excellency Mr Manoah Esipisu, High Commissioner of Kenya have with Kenyan institutions, particularly on potatoes” said
to the UK, and his team to our Dundee site. Dr Jonathan Snape, “I look forward to discussing these topics
again in future and looking at what potential there might be
The visit, set up through James Hutton Limited’s membership for further synergies.”
of the Scottish Africa Business Association was an opportunity
for Mr Esipisu to gain insight into the work both James Hutton
Limited and the James Hutton Institute carry out in Africa,
with the added perspective of the upcoming COP26 meeting in
Glasgow.
During his visit, Mr Esipisu met with Professor Lesley Torrance,
Director of Science, and Dr Jonathan Snape, Head of James
Hutton Limited, to discuss topics including the Institute’s
potato breeding programme and collaborations with Kenya’s
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and
others in the region.
The visitors also received a tour of Intelligent Growth
Solutions’ Crop Research Centre, located at the Institute’s site
in Dundee, where they were received by the Chief Executive
Officer of IGS Limited, David Farquhar.
Comments? October 2021 15Seaweed feed researcher shortlisted for prestigious KTP leadership award David Beattie, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) researcher exploring how seaweed-based feeds can help achieve benefits in Scotland’s premium animal feeds sector, was shortlisted for a Knowledge Transfer Network “Best of the Best Award”, in the Future Leader category. KTP projects are designed to drive innovation for UK businesses and organisations. The Awards, held annually by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), shine a light on the most innovative projects. The Future Leader category celebrates the achievements of KTP Associates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, recognising those who have surpassed expectations. It is well-known that seaweeds are eaten by ruminants in the wild. There is evidence of improved meat quality, health and digestion in animals fed with seaweed. David’s project aims to pinpoint the ideal seaweeds needed to provide an improved, high quality animal feed product. By using only locally sourced UK seaweeds, David’s project also aims to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Environmental benefits would Hutton researcher Dr Gordon McDougall, a part of David’s KTP arise from reduced greenhouse gas production both in transit team, noted that “Only 2 % of the ~600 active KTP projects and on farm. Moreover, increased seaweed cultivation has the make it this far. This highlights the hard work of the team and potential to contribute to the development of sustainable, UK David’s stand-out performance to drive this project from idea based coastal supply chains. to potential reality. David commented: “My KTP journey began in early 2019 as a “The next stages are to develop our prototypes into Bioscience graduate. Back then I did not expect to be standing commercial scale products that can be delivered at scale where I am now, however, I am proud that our efforts are through Davidsons and start to provide both economic and getting the recognition I feel they thoroughly deserve. environmental benefits” “Thanks to the KTP framework we overcame significant KTPs create a dynamic three-way partnership between a difficulties in our work through the global pandemic. By pairing company, a talented Graduate (the KTP Associate who acts the drive of a forward-looking company in Davidsons Animal as the Project Manager) and an expert academic team - in Feeds with the tact and problem-solving capabilities of the this case, the James Hutton Institute through Dr Gordon James Hutton Institute, we have come through in a strong McDougall, KTP associate David Beattie, and Gary Dow of position to implement real change in our industry. I’m grateful Davidsons Animal Feeds. to have been shortlisted as a future leader at these prestigious awards and am excited to carry this project through to its final The award ultimately went to a researcher from Reading stages.” University. 16 Hutton Highlights
Sustainability, wellbeing and social
innovation in marginalised mountain areas
Scientists from around the world came together at the 6th Forum Carpaticum to present their research
and discuss the sustainable development of the Carpathian region and mountain areas more generally.
The event was organised online with the support of The session advanced the knowledge of the role, power, and
institutions including the James Hutton Institute and the place of social innovation in the development of Carpathian
SIMRA network and this year brought together policy socio-ecological systems, seeking to provide innovative
representatives from Carpathian countries, environmental solutions for green recovery and sustainability considerations,
NGOs working with local and regional authorities, and local and innovative ideas potentially useful for policy makers
stakeholders. and practice communities of different levels, with the aim
of building the resilience to challenges (from local to global)
Hutton researcher Prof Maria Nijnik led a Forum session on faced by marginalised mountain areas.
social innovation. “Interest in social innovation has been rising,
especially in marginalized and mountain areas. We see social Session leaders made recommendations to the Carpathian
innovation becoming particularly relevant in the Carpathian Convention leadership, emphasising that social innovation has
Mountains, where market imperfections and a shortage of the potential to promote sustainable development and help
public funding are key obstacles to transforming sustainability” stem processes that lead to marginalisation. In the context
she explains. of these recommendations, Prof Nijnik stressed that it is
important to analyse, design and deliver the means for public
Social innovation is seen as a driving force and a means to and private sectors to work better together to develop social
promote sustainable development. As a product of policy innovation initiatives, and examine how various partnerships
discourse, social innovation can lead to the promotion of and collaborations can enhance, scale-up and scale-out social
civic values, delivery of support to communities, improved innovations.
sustainability in the use of natural assets and advanced
resilience of socio-ecological systems.
Findings from inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research addressing social innovation in mountain settings included:
• how social innovation can offer transformative opportunities to mountain regions;
• on communities’ empowerment through carbon forestry initiatives in Slovakia;
• impacts of social innovation on inequalities in mountain–lowland relationships in the Swiss Alps;
• citizen science and adopting Living Lab approaches to foster sustainability transformations in Romania and
• how social innovation can foster biodiversity conservation through participatory management in protected areas of the
Carpathians.
Comments? October 2021 17Hutton scientists welcome National Food
Strategy report
A recently-published report on the UK’s National Food Strategy calls on the UK Government to commit to
a landmark package of reforms to build a better food system for a healthier nation.
The report sets out how poor diets contribute to around will create business opportunities for primary and secondary
64,000 deaths a year in England alone and cost the economy food production wastes and co-product valorisation. Cell-
an estimated £74 billion. It also warns that production and cultured meat is still at a very early stage and has attracted
supply methods are destroying the environment, in turn both huge commercial and social media, not necessarily good
threatening food security. The food we eat accounts for in terms of the latter. Scientifically this could be viable, and we
around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and is the need to put any personal prejudices to one side: it needs to be
leading cause of biodiversity destruction. shown to work or not,” he says.
The document also describes how people’s diets will need Prof Stewart also believes there are brilliant opportunities in
to change over the next ten years to meet the Government’s precision and soil-less agriculture. “We have only scratched
existing targets on health, climate and nature. By 2032, fruit the potential of these systems. With vertical farming, or more
and vegetable consumption will have to increase by 30%, and widely controlled environment agriculture, we can increase
fibre consumption by 50%, while consumption of food high in nutritional density; create and maintain enhanced sensory
saturated fat, salt and sugar will have to go down by 25%, and experiences that can reduce salt and sugar inputs; reduced
meat consumption should reduce by 30%. water and nutrient inputs; adopt renewable and off-grid
energy for production - all of this with production 24/7, 365
The report calls for the introduction of the world’s first Sugar days a year.”
and Salt Reformulation Tax, with some of the money being
used to expand free school meals and support the diets of On the sugar and salt taxation proposals, Prof Stewart says
those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods. It also there would have to be worked models with the implications
proposes that food education should be central to the national for all strata in society as these could disproportionately
curriculum, and the protection of food standards in any new impact upon those on low incomes, with limited access to
trade deals. appealing fresh produce.
“The terms of reference state that the scope is England but “The proposed ‘Community Eatwell’ programme to support
considering that policy responsibility for food and health is those on low incomes to improve their diets may go some way
largely devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve this. In Scotland the Best Start Foods programme is
effectively this means conjoined, or at the very least, aligned a new Scottish benefit providing help to people and families on
policy, legislation and, where necessary, taxation,” observes low incomes. The benefit, a pre-loaded payment card, is paid
Professor Derek Stewart, Director of Hutton’s Advanced Plant to women who are pregnant and families who have children
Growth Centre. aged up to 3 years old, with the aim of supporting good
nutritional choices early in a child’s life.”
“The transformative ask that 30% of our land is protected for
nature by 2030 is hugely significant and requires reference Dr Elizabeth Dinnie, a social researcher at the Institute,
to policy alignment. This is doable but there will be a need welcomed the depth and breadth of the report, and
for transformative business models as this will be truly particularly the objective to create a long-term shift in food
transformative for agriculture if it is to be achieved. culture. “Creating a cultural change in our attitudes towards
food includes connecting people with the ways in which food is
“The proposal also requires a lot from our rural industries, in produced, not only by farmers but in gardens, allotments and
that some areas of farmland would have to be repurposed or community spaces,” she says.
adapted so that they actively sequester carbon. In reference
to GHG reduction, I would highlight the transformative action “There’s untapped potential for urban agriculture to shift food
in renewable energy in Scotland that will see it lead the way in systems in sustainable directions; local producers need to be
terms of decarbonised energy production, helping the ability incentivised to develop horticulture that delivers meaningful
of food industries to reduce their emissions.” local employment, reduces food miles and makes food local
again. Public procurement from local suppliers, as suggested
Professor Stewart says a shift to the production of protein in the recommendations, is a way to incentivise local growers,
crops would also need an associated uplift in processing along with strengthening routes to market for small businesses
technologies. “Insect protein really does need to be considered by encouraging market gardening around our towns and cities
within a full system if only as a feedstock for well managed and making land available for commercial growing.”
livestock, as it delivers to the circular bioeconomy agenda and
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