Work Package Number: 3.4
Running Title: Methodologies to Assess Water Quality
Policy Context
The European Water Framework Directive will broaden the approach to water quality by
introducing the use of ecological objectives (in addition to existing chemical or pollutant
thresholds) for the assessment, protection and restoration of water quality. This presents
numerous research challenges to develop effective, workable ecological approaches,
including identification of undisturbed or “natural” reference conditions, and how to deal
with the uncertainty associated with natural (and climate change-induced) variation found
within ecological systems and communities.
The research contained within this Work Package will focus on freshwater and groundwater
systems of particular relevance to Scotland’s land type-land use combinations.
Required Outputs





Use of the ecosystem approach to assess ecological health (including biodiversity)
and status of water and methods to assess ecological impacts of diffuse pollution.
Linkages between chemical status and ecological status of water bodies.
Methodologies for the characterisation of diffuse pollution.
Methods for assessing the relative scale of present eutrophication and its past history.
Assessment of the ecological impacts of engineering work.
Impacts of Research
Research should lead to effective and workable methodologies for the assessment of
ecological status of water bodies in support of implementation of the Water Framework
Directive.
Linkages Anticipated




This WP will link closely with that on water management (WP 3.5) and biodiversity
(WPs 3.6. and 3.7).
Co-ordination of activity with other UK and EU research groups.
Linkage with research on water resource management and aquatic biodiversity.
Linkage with water policy (SE, UK and EU) and agencies (SEPA, SNIFFER, Scottish
Water, Fisheries Research Services).
Suggested Movement From Current Position

Introduce aquatic ecology expertise.

FORM WPD 001: WORK PACKAGE DETAILS
Section 1: Contacts and Organisations:
1.1 Title of SEERAD Programme
Environment – Land use and Rural Stewardship
1.2 Title of work package
Methodologies to assess Water Quality
1.3 Work package reference number
3.4
1.4 Work package manager details:
Title
Forename
Surname
Organisation Name
Department or Division
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
Address Line 3
Town/City
Country
Email
Telephone
FAX
Dr
Simon
Langan
Macaulay Institute
Craigiebuckler
Aberdeen AB15 8QH
UK
s.langan@macaulay.ac.uk
+44 1224 498200
+44 1224 311556
1.5 Organisations involved in work package and percentage contribution.
Organisation Name
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
1.6 Total work package cost (£K GBP).
4438.1
1.7 Duration of work package
5 years
1.8 Start date (dd/mm/yy)
01/04/06
1.9 End date (dd/mm/yy)
31/03/11
% Total WP cost
100
Section 2: Strategic Relevance.
Please note: Section 2 is designed to allow assessment of the strategic policy and end-user
relevance of the proposed work package by non-scientists. The information provided in this
section should be written in a style that someone with a standard level education in science
would find informative and accessible.
2.1 Overview. Summarise in approximately 500 words the proposed work and indicate how
it will address the required outputs, including the relevance of the proposed work to SEERAD
policy, end user(s), relevant sector(s) and to Scotland.
Our proposal is designed to contribute to the development of an effective and workable
framework for the assessment of ecological status of water bodies and impacts of land use
change. This will support implementation of the Water Framework Directive, and associated
legislation. The WFD specifically targets improvements in ecological status as its central
theme16 and our research will focus on identifying the processes which link the quality of the
water environment (both chemical and in relation to physical habitat) to the ecology that it
can sustain. A further requirement is the identification of targets for recovery, indicative of
ecological status in the absence of anthropogenic pressures. These outcomes are linked with
WP3.5 Management to Enhance Water Quality, where mitigation measures are investigated.
We propose to contribute to the Required Outputs through a structure of three modules,
interlinked within the WP and linked to the sister package WP3.5 and to others in Programme
3. These modules are;
i. Water quality and ecological function: This work will evaluate proposed measures of
aquatic ecosystem function; quantify the stochastic component of aquatic plant
distribution across a range of geographical scales; assess the utility of concepts such
as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL); and investigate the potential of a range of
indicators based on molecular, metabolic, microbiological, organic and inorganic
chemical criteria. It will contribute to a sound ecological underpinning of valuation of
water use and quality in WP 3.5.
ii. Catchment and riparian processes: This will provide quantitative information and
improved process representation of the mobilisation, transport and attenuation of
diffuse pollution, required to predict effects of land use on water quality. We will
focus our work in catchments indicative of a range of aquatic pollution pressures in
Scotland. It will aid the evaluation of Best Management Practices for pollution control
in WP 3.5
iii. Ecosystem resilience and recovery: This research will provide a systems based
approach to predicting the dynamics of whole catchment ecosystem response to land
use management and environmental change. This will be achieved by using the
methods, data and process understanding developed in modules (i) and (ii). It will
contribute the biophysical base for modelling of River Basin Management Planning in
WP 3.5.
The research in these modules will build on our existing expertise and data with an increasing
emphasis on ecological status. In order to provide sound evidence-based science that supports
policy, we consider that these modules need to be carried out within a consistent and long
term network of sampling and data collection (such as the Environmental Change Network).
The targeting of our activities will be, as far as possible, in consultation with a range of end
users and the primary decision makers at the relevant scale of economic activity (e.g. farmers,
water suppliers, Forestry Commission, estate managers) as well as Agencies such as Scottish
Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, water supply companies and
government. Prior to initiation of the research, together with Work Package 3.5, we will agree
a method of effective liaison with end-users and establish a Catchment Research Consultative
Group (CRCG). Further, more specific consultation with SEPA as a main end user and
collaborator will take place to ensure synergy in relation to methodological development,
target site selection, and WFD implementation timelines.
Through this research we will generate a better understanding of the links between land use
change, diffuse pollutant mobilisation and transport and ecosystem functioning at the
catchment scale. This will be achieved through the analysis and modelling of new data which
together with existing data will provide a strong scientific underpinning to the development
of policies required for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive as defined by
the outputs requested by SEERAD.
2.2 Outcomes. Describe the specific outcomes intended to arise from the proposed work
and explain how these will meet the “Required Outputs” given in the work package
specification. Outcomes could include products and technologies, advice, recommendations,
guidelines, protocols, IP and products, software and technology as well as scientific
knowledge.
Over the lifetime of the research programme we envisage the following outcomes;
Module i
 In conjunction with BioSS, develop new spatio-temporal statistical methods to enable
interpolation of water quality data in both space and time. It is envisaged that these
methods will provide a means of confidently estimating data for times and or sites
where information is either sparse or missing, thereby creating more robust data sets
from which ecological status can be assessed. These new methods will be used to
examine the influence of variability in water quality on selected ecological metrics
across new and existing site, regional and national data sets. This will include the
important long term data sets from the Macaulay Institute (ECN), SEPA and SNH.
RO 1 (Use of the ecosystem approach to assess ecological health and status of water
and methods to assess ecological impacts of diffuse pollution) and RO3
(Methodologies for the characterisation of diffuse pollution)
 The development of new spatial approaches to characterise the stochastic component
of aquatic plant distribution which will provide the context for app;ication of the
LEAFPACS biomonitoring tool, particularly the quantification of uncertainties. RO 2
(Chemical and ecological status), CCT2 (Biodiversity).
 The evaluation of new and proposed methods for measurement of ecological function
in relation to selected diffuse pollutants (N, P, Suspended Solids (SS), Dissolved
Organic Matter (DOM), Faecal Indicator Organisms (FIO)) such as molecular,
metabolic, community level microbiology, chemical and in-situ instrumental sensor
techniques. RO 1, RO 2.
Module ii
 Test novel particulate and soluble tracer methods to examine how flow routing, mean
residence times, water storage and mixing mechanisms affect surface and
groundwater catchment responses to diffuse pollution. This will provide information
that will enhance the ability to predict and better manage catchments at risk RO1,
CCT1.
 A multifunctional classification system and modelling approach for riparian zones as
attenuators of diffuse pollution and reservoirs of biodiversity. RO2, RO5 (Assessment
of the ecological impacts of engineering works), CCT2.
Module iii
 Enhanced understanding and quantification of the process link between source and
response in freshwater to coastal systems. RO1, RO3
 Undertake scenario analysis with respect to eutrophication, environmental change
and bathing waters for identifying and predicting ecosystem status and resilience. RO
4 (Methods for assessing the relative scale of present eutrophication and past
history).
 Development of linked palaeolimnological and modelling methodologies to determine
background standing water quality. RO 4
Across the three modules the research will:
 Contribute to the generation and interpretation of datasets for use by other researchers
and Agencies, and aim to optimise data collection between different stakeholders.
 During the course of the programme we will evolve a research capability to evaluate
the ecological impacts of engineering on aquatic ecosystems in collaboration with
other research providers.
 Provide guidance for WFD policymakers on justifiable restoration targets and
management objectives.
 Generate peer reviewed articles in leading scientific journals.
 Provide web based information, presentations, and contributions to trade and popular
press.
2.3 Benefits. Describe and if possible quantify the benefits which may arise from this
research through the application of the intended outcomes described in section 2.2. How will
the results/outcomes be used and who will benefit? The likely policy, socio-economic and
environmental impacts arising from this work should be identified.
Benefits from the proposed work will result from two aspects: firstly in planning and
conducting the research we will develop closer links and dialogue with a range of end-users.
We have initiated the formation of a Catchment Research Consultative Group (CRCG) to
include key stakeholder groups and collaborative research providers. This will maximise
opportunities for collaboration and ensure efficient use of resources such as environmental
data and collaborative study sites. This group will provide a key mechanism for two way
dialogue between researchers and major stakeholders, which is consistent with that proposed
in the joint MRP Knowledge Transfer Strategy, and that outlined for the Enhancing Water
Quality Objective (Section 2.4). Secondly, the research will contribute to the underpinning
scientific evidence and understanding which will assist in the implementation of water based
policies. Our end user community including fellow scientists, Agency and industry staff,
NGOs and land managers will have increased access to scientific knowledge on which to
develop strategies for management. We envisage the following benefits to end users arising
over the life time of this work package. The likely beneficiaries are summarised in Table 1.
Table 1: Potential benefits from Work Package 3.4
Outcome
Direct
Users
Scientific
community
Likely
beneficiaries
EC, Agencies,
Water Industry
Scientific
community
EC, Agencies,
Water Industry
Characterisation
of diffuse
pollution
Scientific
community,
Agencies
Farmers, Land
Managers
Improved real
time data capture
in catchments
Scientific
community
Agencies,
Public
Data &
understanding on
organic matter
dynamics
Water
Industry,
Scientists
Agencies,
Policy Makers
Development of
catchment scale
pollutant transfer
models
Catchment
and Land
Managers,
Policy Makers,
Agencies,
River Basin
Managers
Compliance with
WFD, Nitrates,
Bathing Waters
legislation
Data to evaluate
applicability of
concept of TMDL
Scientific
community,
Agencies
Management
tool for WFD,
OSPAR etc
Identification of
key attributes of
riparian zones
Outreach
organisation
s, Land
managers
Agencies
Agencies,
Water
Industry,
Planners
Agencies,
Land
Managers,
NGO
Policy Makers
Development of
measures of
ecosystem
function
Stochasticity in
aquatic plant
distribution
Development of a
protocol for
standing water
classification
Scenarios of
ecosystem
response
Time lags to
ecosystem
recovery
Agencies
Policy
Makers,
Agencies
Tourist
Industry,
Fisheries
Agencies,
Tourist
Industry,
Fisheries,
River Basin
Managers
Policy benefits
Compliance with
WFD, inform
Habitats
Directive
Compliance with
WFD, inform
Habitats
Directive.
Compliance with
WFD, Strategic
Environmental
Assessments
Compliance with
WFD through
environmental
monitoring
strategies
Enhanced
evidence base for
impacts of
climate change
GAEC
optimisation,
WFD
implementation
Identification of
reference
conditions, WFD
compliance
Targeted support
for mitigation
Development of
sustainable
targets for
recovery
Socio-economic
benefits
Improved target
setting
Environmental
benefits
Better links between
hydrochemistry and
ecology
Improved target
setting
Support for the
LEAFPACS
biomonitoring tool,
Biodiversity Action
Plans
More focused EQS
thresholds
Targeted
monitoring,
source
apportionment
Decision making
informed by
latest science
Kyoto
compliance,
treatment costs
for portable
supply
Efficient land
management,
Cost-effective
policy
implementation
Targeted
monitoring
Improved
environmental
assessment; more
robust data on impacts
of diffuse pollution
Modified nutrient
impacts, flux to sea,
climate change impact
Protection of waters,
enhanced biodiversity,
reduced public health
concerns
Robust ecological basis
for targets
Optimised land
use, cross
compliance
Increased habitat for
biodiversity, improved
water quality
Provision of
national standard
assessment
Better targeting of
resources for mitigation
More sustainable
water resource
use
Balancing
ecological
recovery with
social and
economic
pressures
Land use practices
better suited to
ecosystem health
Greater understanding
of timescales between
hydrochemistry and
ecology
2.4 Knowledge and technology transfer. Describe plans for knowledge and technology
transfer. Provide details of mechanisms, routes and timings of and audiences for knowledge
and technology transfer activities. Include brief details of dialogue with end user(s) who
have helped plan/focus the work.
The strategy for Knowledge Transfer for the Environment Programme as a whole and for this
WP has been developed around four key principles. These are:
 Sensitivity towards the audience and their needs. This includes initiating and
maintaining broad communication channels, awareness of policy and other drivers,
identification of research gaps and the priorities of relevant organisations
 Proactive engagement with the audience. To ensure two-way dialogue with the
relevant stakeholders.
 Delivery of appropriate outputs. To translate the outputs of research into a format that
is relevant and of value to end users.
 Feedback and learning from the engagement. To evaluate and learn from knowledge
transfer and outreach activities
In order to ensure appropriate knowledge and technology transfer arising from the research
activities under both Work Package 3.4 and 3.5, we propose a combined strategy for
engagement based around three key interactions, namely,
 Strategic research planning (3 year interaction expected)
 Applied research planning (annual)
 Applied solutions (as appropriate)
The intention is to build upon existing networks and partnerships between EC (DG
Environment and DG Research), National Agencies such as SEPA, SNH, Forestry
Commission, National Farmers Union of Scotland, NGOs, Fisheries Boards and Trusts, and
Landowners. SEPA, FRS, Scottish Water together with colleagues in CEH and Higher
Education Establishments
In the first instance the SEERAD Water Objective (9) will develop a Catchment Research
Consultative Group to develop a more consolidated interaction with stakeholder groups and
other water based research providers. The aim of this group is to ensure complementarity in
approach to developing research capability and focus in relation to water resource
management in Scotland. Initially SEERAD, the Scottish Executive Environment Group,
SEPA, FC, SNH, SNIFFER and Scottish Water will be invited to participate, broadening out
to wider stakeholder and research community as appropriate.
Relationships currently exist with stakeholders in many of the research and SEPA identified
priority catchments and this provides a unique Scotland wide network which can be built
upon. It will also be important that the existing networks and links with academics as end
users of our research continue to be developed. This will be promoted through having key
academics on consultative committees, joint research grant applications, collaborative fund
bidding into Research Councils and European funded research proposals. These arrangements
provide for a range of two way exchanges with academics, policy and Agency staff. The
format and operation of these steering and consultative groups will be the subject of
discussion in the first quarter of 2006.
A summary of the nature and type of technology transfer and dialogue activity is provided in
Table 2. Below we describe the range of knowledge transfer and how outputs will translate
into outcomes and give indicative timescales.
Strategic research planning
Proposed activities include:
 Engagement of key staff in collaborative horizon scanning with academics, Agencies,
SEERAD, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of UK
Government and the European Commission (DG Environment and DG Research).
 Involvement in National Stakeholder Fora to ensure engagement in the ‘roll-out’ and
consequences of new policy implementation.
From these activities it is expected that through greater co-ordination and streamlining of
research activities between the Main Research Providers (MRPs) and other UK Institutes
(e.g. CEH, Universities) we will add value, avoid duplication and enhance the International
component of the Scottish research science base.
It is intended that the activities highlighted above would operate on a cycle of engagement at
Programme Manager, and Objective Leader level. The aim would be to identify key areas of
research in the 3-5 year time horizon.
Applied research planning
Proposed activities include:
 Formalised engagement with key stakeholders through ‘start-up’ meetings on the
objectives of the modular research programme in relation to timescales of delivery,
optimisation of data collection, potential for the use of common sites, and for
feedback on the direction, timelines, and targets of current and emerging policy. The
aim would be to ensure that synergy between the MRP and Agencies was maximised.
 Involvement on National committees such as the Scottish Aquatic Environment
Monitoring Strategy which link agencies, NGOs and research providers. Key issues to
progress are ways to ensure synergy, reduce duplication and to provide scientific
understanding to the debate.
 Formalised engagement in the River Basin Planning process and development of
Management Plans in specific agreed locations including both catchment and coastal
interests.
It is intended to establish liaison groups focused on the present understanding of science
through which to implement policy, focused on shared knowledge of individual areas/sectors
of legislation or on Institutional targets such as River Basin Management Plans. The
Macaulay Institute has recently become closely involved in this respect in hosting a River
Dee Catchment Management Plan Officer and the East Grampian Coastal Partnership Officer
on behalf of a consortium of end-users.
Further active involvement of WP leaders, along with key implementation personnel from
Agencies, SEERAD and appropriate NGOs will be encouraged to discuss issues both within
the WP and also against the higher level activities being developed through the Programme
Level KT strategy. The timescale for this will be largely based on an annual cycle.
As part of a continued outreach programme we aim to host an annual “Water Day”
conference at the Macaulay Institute specifically targeted towards an identified stakeholder
group at which current science linked to policy implementation would be presented.
Mechanisms for feedback would be an important component of this engagement, in order to
highlight areas where knowledge, assessment, or tools are lacking, and to ensure that the
people from research, policy and industry have an environment in which to interact and
discuss key issues. We will also arrange an annual field based workshop to highlight
sampling networks, diffuse pollution issues and links between WP 3.4 and 3.5. We will
explore the potential for this organised collaboratively between SEPA, SAC and MLURI, for
example through contribution to the organisation of the biennial SAC/SEPA conference. The
outcome of this range of activities will be a greater efficiency in data collection and an
improved awareness of the relevance of the research for end users and stakeholders.
Applied solutions
These interactions are aimed at increasing the availability of scientific knowledge to
stakeholders and to respond to information requests on issues with less than a 12 month
timeline, and would include:
 Active involvement in on-going consultation in relation to River Basin Planning
through information exchange, advice on methodologies and approaches, data
availability and model or scenario analysis, and as an equitable stakeholder.
 Dissemination of SEERAD funded research initiatives through web based hosting and
e-newsletters, written in a style suitable for informed members of the public (e.g The
ECN website and newsletters).
 Active participation in end user meetings called on specific issues.
 Acting as an independent evaluator of the efficacy of any given programme and
measures or policy implementation.
 Formalising a list of specialists that could be contacted for information, opinion or
expert knowledge on key science areas. Such experts would make themselves
available for discussion with nominated and agreed Agency, NGO or industry liaison
officers.
 Contributing to the knowledge reservoir of the Macaulay Institute and this being made
available through the Institutes outreach activities including major displays at public
science festivals.
 It is anticipated that the outcome of the proposed research will provide a platform on
which specific contract research for e.g. SEERAD (through the Flexible Fund), SEPA
SNIFFFER, DEFRA can be undertaken. MRCS (the knowledge transfer company of
the Macaulay Institute) will be active in bidding for such contracts from the Agencies,
while MLURI will respond to relevant tenders from Government Departments.
 Opportunities will be explored by commercial subsidiaries for developing new
markets for the existing knowledge and for the knowledge to be generated from this
WP. Examples might include environmental consultancy or engineering companies
and the building industry. These activities will be funded from non-SEERAD sources.
The main outcome of this area of knowledge transfer is to increase the availability and
accessibility of research results, tools, methodologies and data produced under the SEERAD
programme of research. These activities and meetings will also provide appropriate two way
dialogue and the opportunity for feed-back from end-user experiences in using the research. It
is expected that engagement will be for a wide range of stakeholders and will provide
information pertinent to immediate or short term issues. As such there will be a formalised
list of thematic contact points for specified end-user groups, the composition and focus of
which will be reviewed on an annual basis. Similarly we will look to the Agencies and end
user community to nominate appropriate contact points for clarification of policy objectives,
structures and timescales. In all areas of KT there will be an increasing use of the WWW to
disseminate and capture information and data.
Table 2: Contribution to knowledge and technology transfer of activities in Work Package
3.4.
Key
interaction/contact
persons
Purpose of
interaction
Dialogue
Mechanisms
Frequency/
Timing
Check on
Effectiveness
EC, Agency , DEFRA,
SEERAD Staff, WP
leaders
Horizon Scanning
Workshop Format
Approx 3
yearly
Minuted Actions
Agency, SEERAD
Staff, Scottish Water,
Research providers
Research planning
and time tabling
Catchment
Research
Consultative Group
Annual
Minuted Actions
Agency Staff,
NGOs
Science Liaison
Groups
Meetings with
Agency Staff on
exchange of
ideas/issues
6 monthly
Enhanced
awareness, state of
knowledge
Agency Staff,
Stakeholders, River
Basin Managers
Shared knowledge
and understanding
Stakeholder Forum,
newsletters
As required
Development of
River Basin
Management Plans
Agency Staff,
Stakeholders
National
Committees
Meetings
As required
Enhanced
Awareness
EC, Agency Staff,
NGOs, Community
groups, Industry
Expert guidance
and information
exchange
Telephone & Email
As requested
Enquiry
information logged
and recorded
Agency Staff, NGOs
Evaluation
Written submission,
reports
As requested
Documentation
recorded
Agency Staff
NGOs
Industry
Shared knowledge
Conference, Annual
‘water day’ event
newsletters
Annually
CD ROM of
presentations and
discussion
Agency Staff, NGOs
Industry, general
public
Increased
awareness
Web-based
information on
SEERAD projects
6 monthly
Web hits recorded
General Public
Schools
Increased
awareness
Public science
festivals
Annually
Visitor numbers
recorded
These activities will be co-ordinated and partly financed by the Programme Level KT
strategy.
2.5 Contribution to cross-cutting themes. Describe how the proposed work will contribute
to the three cross-cutting themes set out in the SEERAD SRG Research Strategy: Responding
to Climate Change (CCT1); Protecting Biodiversity (CCT2) and Environmental; and Social
and Economic Sustainability of Rural Scotland (CCT3).
CCT1 Responding to climate change
 The long term data collected from the Environmental Change Network (ECN) sites
run by the Institute as part of a wider UK and European initiative are already
providing invaluable information for detecting change, such as reductions in sulphur
deposition. The continued collection and analysis of these ECN data using novel
statistical techniques will be an important contribution to detecting further
environmental change such as that brought about by climate.
 The development of process based catchment models incorporating a number of
climatic variables will allow for the evaluation of the impact of climate change on
biogeochemical cycles. The subsequent consequences of this on the generation of
diffuse pollutants and impacts on aquatic ecology will be central to the work package
contribution.
 Process-based models provide a mechanism through which to evaluate the impacts of
factors such as changes in rainfall intensity and storm variability, alterations in
thermal regimes and altered seasonality on stream flow generation and potential
flooding.
 In collaboration with WP3.2 we will aim to understand the controlling processes,
transport mechanisms, and ecological impacts of increased organic matter turnover in
soils and the production and loss of Dissolved Organic Carbon and nutrients to
receiving waters under different climate scenarios.
Together these will provide further data on the identification of drivers of change,
improved modelling methodologies and potential adaptation options for water
management as identified in the SEERAD illustrative outputs for CCT1.
CCT2 Protecting biodiversity
 The central components of this work package are the use of an ecosystem approach
and the development of a suite of approaches that link chemical change arising from
diffuse pollution with ecological response. Through this approach and the increased
understanding generated we will be able to provide objective evidence which can be
used to identify the controls and constraints on aquatic biodiversity.
 Module (ii) will provide evidence of the changes brought about by riparian
intervention management. Whilst this will primarily result in changes in water quality
it will have the additional benefit of creating a more diverse habitat. Joint research on
controls on biodiversity and management intervention in common habitat types
consisting of wetland and riparian areas will be undertaken between this work
package, WP 3.5 and WP 3.7.
 Through the research in this WP and together with WP 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 into process
linkages using an ecosystem approach we will be able to provide evidence on where
improvements in water quality and habitat through management have resulted in
contributions to increasing biodiversity. This has been identified by SEERAD as an
illustrative output for CCT2.
It is important to note that our study areas will include catchments which have been
designated as Special Areas of Conservation in recognition of their aquatic ecological
importance. We are in close discussion with the Fisheries Research Services to move our
current informal collaboration onto a more formal basis. To this end FRS have a proposal to
SEERAD to investigate the environmental constraints (water quality and habitat availability)
on salmonid populations based on one of the Macaulay Institute’s experimental catchments.
Over the life-time of the research programme we will endeavour to strengthen our capability
through further collaborations and the appointment of an hydro-ecologist (timetabled for
appointment in year 1 of the programme).
CCT3 Environmental, social and economic Sustainability of Rural Scotland
 The biophysical understanding of the nature and consequences of diffuse pollution
will contribute to the wider development of integrated economic, social and
environmental considerations in land-water management at the catchment scale.
 Understanding where in the landscape control measures to achieve good ecological
status may be implemented to be both efficient and acceptable, directly contributes to
the sustainability of rural areas and communities. Furthermore, the interactions
between WFD principles, CAP reform, Strategic Environmental Appraisals, land use
planning and nature conservation policy, will directly contribute to institutional
analyses that impact on rural sustainability; a theme explored in more detail in Work
Package 3.5. Together these will underpin the needs of the illustrative outputs in
relation to tools for policy development, development of best practice and contribute
to land management strategies.
 In addition, within Work Package 3.8 there is a specific component of the integrated
methods work that is based on biophysical processes which will draw significantly on
the understanding developed in the current work package. In the first instance this will
be achieved by joint research in relation to eutrophication and soil fertility
management choices by land managers.
At both a strategic level and during the research implementation increasing emphasis over the
five years of the research programme, will be given to the needs of meeting and developing
the issues related to the three cross cutting themes.
2.6 Contribution of work package to Programme. Describe how this work package
contributes and adds value to the overall Programme of which the work package is a part. If
applicable, briefly state how the proposed work adds value to other SEERAD programmes.
Water is an essential component of the environment and one of the largest pressures on this
resource is from diffuse pollution arising from land management. Consequently the
development of methods to assess water quality is critical to the whole of Programme 3:
Environment – Land Use and Rural Stewardship and its four main aims (shown in italics
below). For example, spatial and temporal variability in water quality provides an indicator of
the range of pressures that exist in the environment as a result of a number of drivers and
therefore will help ‘improve our knowledge of hazard identification and the threat that
various risks represent for the Scottish rural environment’. The interaction and degree to
which changes to water quality occur and have an impact on ecology will depend on the
biophysical processes that act to mediate the pressures. Since soils are intricately linked in
influencing water quality, WP 3.4 will collaborate closely with WP 3.2 - Risk-based
assessment of soil quality, on studies of organic matter (C) dynamics and nutrient
phosphorus fluxes, as well as the fate of other pollutants, by undertaking research in both
work packages at the same sites . Furthermore it is anticipated that as part of the work on the
National Soil Inventory in WP 3.2 information on sedimentation and nutrient supply in
catchments and soils will be characterised for use in the process understanding and modelling
development in this work package. In relation to WP 3.3 the maintenance of water quality has
been highlighted as a key function of soil. To progress this aspect a specific strand of work
examining the relationship between soil management, soil P status, export processes through
groundwater and surface water, and aquatic ecological condition has been incorporated.
Also, WP 3.4 will have links with specific elements of WP 3.6 – Functioning of Species,
Habitats and Ecosystems on linkages between above- and below-ground processes in
catchments, in general, and wetland riparian zones, in particular. Thus, close cooperation
between WP 3.4, and both WP 3.2 and 3.6, will advance our understanding of interacting
biophysical processes (biogeochemistry, hydrology and ecology – Figure 1), and contribute
significantly to a key aim of Programme 3 ‘integrative research to determine key factors
linked with function and resilience, and which lead to sustainability’.
Figure 1: Work Package 3.4 contributes to Programme 3 overall, through the basic
environmental science concerned with ‘Understanding biophysical processes and ecosystem
function’, which then integrates with social and economic science in ‘Developing strategies
for managing environmental change’.
In order to translate this improved understanding of fundamental biophysical processes into
strategies to manage environmental change the research will be placed in the social and
economic context of rural issues through close linkage with its ‘sister’ work package WP 3.5
– Management to Enhance Water Quality. The development of a range of methods in WP
3.4 module (i) to assist in the evaluation of ecosystem functioning in terms of goods and
services they provide, will furnish a link to valuation of water use and quality in WP 3.5
module (i). The improved quantification of transport routes and processes in module (ii) will
assist the efficacy, development and implementation of Best Management Practices dealt
with in WP 3.5 module (ii). The development of predictive models in module (iii) that can be
used in catchment management will provide the biophysical basis for River Basin
Management Planning research in WP 3.5 module (iii). WP 3.4 also has links to other
management orientated work packages, including WP 3.3 – Management to Enhance Soil
Function and Value in providing an understanding of nutrient cycling and how to limit soil
erosion in relation to water quality and catchment management. In turn this will facilitate a
wider appreciation of ‘the impact that different types of rural land uses have on natural
heritage and the environment’. The basic research on ecosystem resilience and recovery in
WP 3.4 is also very pertinent to studies of nutrient dynamics in sensitive montane, riparian
and wetland ecosystems proposed in WP3.7 – Managing Biodiversity Change. Finally
through interaction with WP 3.1 – Sustainable Farming Systems at the farm scale, and WP
3.8 - Protection and Enhancement of Landscapes and Rural Communities at the
landscape scale, WP 3.4 will inform the socio-economic modelling that will assist policy
advisors in finding an ‘appropriate balance between land uses such as agriculture,
environmental services, recreation and the preservation and enhancement of the natural
heritage’. The various linkages between WP 3.4 and other packages is summarised in Figure
2.
Figure 2 Summary of work package collaboration
WP3.8
Protection of landscapes &
rural communities
WP3.1
Sustainable Farming
WP3.4
Methods to
Assess water quality
Inform socio-economic modelling
through biophysical process
understanding
WP3.7
Managing biodiversity
change
a.
b.
Functioning of
Species Habitats &
Ecosystems
a. Shared sites
WP3.2
Risks based methods
of assessing soil
quality
1.
Water quality and
ecosystem function
2. Catchment and riparian
processes
3. Ecosystem resilience
and recovery
Changes in biodiversity of
riparian zones with time
Biodiversity of wetlands
WP3.6
a. Evaluation of BMPs at a
farm scale
WP 3.5
Management to enhance water quality
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Assessment of water quality standards
Shared study sites and catchments
Shared modelling framework
Ecological basis for evaluation
Targeted BMP evaluation
Riparian modelling and management
River Basin management and planning
a. Soil controls on DOM
b. Development of microbial
methods to waters
c. Resampling of riparian
soils
d. Calibration of national soil
hydrology database
WP3.3
Management of soils
a.
b.
Soil management in
relation to P loss
Shared modelling
framework (Orchestra)