Potential Masters Projects

Details to follow.

Details to follow.

Details to follow.

Delivery Plan Objectives: 

TBC

Background

The Manx shearwater colony on the island of Rum is globally important, holding some 30% of world population. The drivers of population size and trends for this population are complex and include both intrinsic and extrinsic factors operating within the colony and in the birds' marine range, which includes wintering and prebreeding areas in the western Atlantic. At the colony, factors influencing breeding success include flooding of nest burrows during heavy rainfall and depredation of eggs or chicks by brown rats. Levels of rat activity at the colony may also be affected by climatic factors (e.g. winter temperatures). The development of large offshore wind farms (OWF) within the birds' foraging ranges may also impact birds from this population. A Bayesian state-space model of the colony population dynamics has recently been developed by Jason Matthiopoulos (under a ScotMer https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-renewable-energy/science-and-research/contract). 

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

The aim of this MSc project would be: 

a) to use the model framework to further explore how proximate factors, in particular rainfall patterns at the colony during the breeding season, may influence colony dynamics. Technically, this task can be thought of as an apportioning of the empirically inferred dispersion (the random effects), into the contributions of covariates. 

b) to use the model framework to explore potential population outcomes under various scenarios of future change, including pulse and press perturbations (potentially operating in tandem) to key demographic parameters.

Project timescale limitations

None specified

Are there any particular skills required

Experience of modelling.

Project title: Biodiversity – Evaluating biodiversity responses to peatland restoration

Background:

Peatland ACTION has supported on-the-ground peatland restoration across Scotland since 2012 with funding provided by the Scottish Government. Peatlands in good condition provide important ecosystem services such as storing and sequestering carbon, improving downstream water quality, regulating water flow, and supporting unique and specialised biodiversity. However, peatlands lose these benefits once degraded, and 75% of peatlands are currently degraded. We need to understand the effectiveness of peatland restoration in preventing further degradation and enabling recovery of the peatland ecosystem. This project would evaluate biodiversity responses to peatland restoration.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words):

Biodiversity monitoring under Peatland ACTION has largely focused on vegetation and habitat condition but would benefit from studies of other taxa such as microbes, invertebrates, birds and mammals. The focus of this project is flexible, and the study taxa could be driven by the interests and experience of the student and their university supervisor. The project could involve desk or laboratory exploration and/or an element of fieldwork. Data analysis would compare biodiversity of the target group on peatland sites (blanket bog and/or raised bog) that have had restoration management and on matched degraded control sites that have not been restored. Peatland ACTION can facilitate site selection and access, which could involve sites with multiple phases of planned or completed restoration.

Project timescale limitations: 

Some limitations may be imposed by the availability of suitable sites. 

Are there any particular skills required: 

• Data analysis including statistics
• GIS
• A relevant background in geography, environmental science or similar.

Project title: Understanding carbon stocks and carbon sequestration in one of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy’s large-scale nature restoration landscapes.

Background:

A large proportion of Scotland’s GHG emissions come from the land, including from degraded habitats such as many of our peatlands. Restoring nature such as through the expansion of natural woodlands, and restoration of existing habitats that are degraded offers potential to boost the ability of the land to sequester carbon.

Several large-scale/catchment-scale nature restoration projects are being put in place at present, as foreseen under the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan 2026-2030. Some of these will be exemplar landscapes that may function as living labs. An area of interest in the carbon held in habitats in the landscape and how this may be boosted through nature restoration.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words):

This study is envisaged as a first step towards gathering evidence on carbon and habitats in these landscapes. 

Aim: Assess existing carbon stocks in the landscape and potential from restoration in peatlands and woodlands

We would envisage the study having three components;

1. Calculate carbon stocks and carbon sequestration/GHG emissions in
2. peatlands, woodlands in landscape and potential increase from habitat restoration ii) (optional) other habitats excl impacts of restoration
3. Compare landscape tools that have a carbon module (and compare on carbon) to help understand the relative merits of each one for application in the exemplar landscape– underpinning datasets/evidence, input required, outputs
4. Discuss assumptions made, gaps in evidence/constraints around data availability and reliability and identify research that could be undertaken in the landscape to improve knowledge.

The student will need the carbon sequestration/GHG emissions per hectare and will refer to evidence from literature and methodologies such as found in carbon codes. Reviews of evidence on carbon and habitats are already available. It is an area of work we are familiar with and we can guide the student accordingly. Because of evidence gaps, there will be need to develop assumptions such as for some woodland habitat types.

GIS analysis will be required to identify the area of the various habitats found in the landscape, and their condition for peatland. NatureScot GIS’ Team will undertake the analysis so that the student has access to data when they start. The student will be able to use map layers in NatureScot’ information systems but will not be given full desktop GIS.

The study does not involve field work though there could be merit in the student visiting the landscape. The objectives and outline of the visit(s) would need to be discussed.

As a direct application, the study once completed could help inform prioritisation of restoration in the exemplar landscape(s) through the development of dashboard enabling users to explore spatial datasets (not included in this study).

Project timescale limitations: 

None in particular but it would be useful to have the outputs end 2026.

Delivery Plan Objectives:

Continue to evaluate and promote the contribution of nature-based solutions to climate adaptation, nature recovery and community well-being and resilience

Background

Wee Forests are dense woodlands planted in a small area, recreating the natural structure of a forest in miniature. There are currently around 32 Wee Forests in Scotland. They are planted, maintained and monitored with the help of local volunteers, businesses and schools. They are planted using the Miyawaki method developed in Japan. The main purposes of Wee Forests are:

• To increase biodiversity in urban areas
• To engage people, particularly young people, in nature restoration and to provide an outdoor education resource close to where people live to support climate and nature literacy

Barriers to delivering more Wee Forests include the perceived high cost of establishing them using the Miyawaki method and scepticism from foresters that the Miyawaki method (which involves deep digging and nutrient enrichment) is appropriate for urban forests in Scotland.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

Provide a description of the project including:

• The aim of the project is to calculate the carbon footprint of establishing and maintaining a Wee Forest using the Miyawaki method. This will then be compared to the amount of carbon a typical Wee Forest in Scotland is likely to capture during its maturation phase, up to 120 years
• The work will be largely desk based involving interviews with individuals who have managed the planting of Wee Forests. There may be some fieldwork involved to ground truth accounts of the species distribution and methods used
• Fieldwork will be confined to the central belt of Scotland
• NatureScot will provide locations of all the Wee Forests in Scotland and relevant contact details for each Wee Forest
• Outputs will include a report setting out the carbon footprint of a ‘typical’ Wee Forest in Scotland compared to estimates of the carbon footprint of other types of urban woodland of a similar size. Amongst other things, the report will calculate the time it takes for a maturing Wee Forest to sequester the carbon equivalent to the GHG emissions involved in establishing the forest (e.g. vehicle movements, embodied carbon in fencing, emissions from digging etc.).

Project timescale limitations

The project does not have to take place at any particular time of year, but it would be advantageous to be able to visit Wee Forests while the trees are still in leaf.

Are there any particular skills required

Students should be able to identify the most common trees and shrubs in Scotland and be able to calculate the carbon footprint of different activities using standard approaches.

Delivery Plan Objectives: 

9 – Inspire People to Connect with Nature

Background

Over 80% of Scotland's people live in towns and cities, so nature-positive management of urban greenspaces has a role to play in helping people to connect with nature as part of their everyday lives, as set out in our “Ambition for nature-rich towns and cities”. The SBS Delivery Plan, Action 13.1 requires us to “Ensure that by 2030 every park, reserve or publicly owned green space has a management and maintenance plan that reflects the Open Space Strategy and Local Biodiversity Action Plan outcomes”. The Climate Emergency adds an extra dimension and weight to this. One potential obstacle to introducing more biodiversity into the urban space is the perception that greenspaces with a more relaxed management for nature are neglected and reflect badly on the local area, that they are unsafe, and/or that they harbour pests for dogwalkers and their pets. Although the majority of the public is generally supportive, experience shows that sometimes all it takes is one complaint to undo all the efforts for biodiversity in a whole park or area.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

The project has two aims:

1. To investigate current perceptions on greenspace management for biodiversity amongst Local Authority professionals, elected members and the public, and their interrelationships, and
2. To increase acceptance levels of nature-positive greenspace management.

The project will require a literature review of attitudes and perceived barriers to managing greenspaces for biodiversity over time.  Ideally, surveys of council professionals, elected members and the public could also be undertaken.

Changes in greenspace management practice are happening across Scotland, so there is scope for the project to be developed across many local authority areas. It could focus on a range of places from smaller communities and towns in rural areas to larger cities as well greenspace types (e.g. road and path verges and roundabouts, formal parks and gardens, cemeteries etc). 

NatureScot will provide lists of contacts of planners and biodiversity officers, but councillors will have to be researched by the student themselves.

The desired output will be a report on the findings of the desk-based research, the survey, and conclusions on any persisting barriers, their relative impact on the delivery of biodiversity-friendly greenspace management, and (if appropriate) suggestions on ways to overcome them.

Project timescale limitations

There is no particular time of year this needs to take place.

Are there any particular skills required

Some knowledge of social science and people survey methods is required, as well as some understanding of urban nature and/or planning issues.

Are there better techniques for building tracks/drainage systems on steep ground? Current good practice guidance is laid out in a number of documents, both of SNH origin and from others. Construction in the uplands however, remains a challenging undertaking. What improvements can be proposed on design and mitigation to minimise impacts on landscape, drainage and ecology – for example, what is the most effective means of reinstating steeply cut batters?

Delivery Plan Objectives

This project would support our objective to engage and influence planning and other regulatory systems to ensure they deliver nature and climate by helping identify opportunities and challenges for nature during green hydrogen developments.

Background

In order to help achieve net zero, the Scottish Government have set a target of 5 GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045.  Increasingly green hydrogen proposals are being proposed as part of this yet we have still to fully understand the opportunities and challenges for nature that they pose.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

The aim of the project is understand what opportunities and challenges green hydrogen projects pose.

This could involve both desk-based and field research in order to pull together a minimum of five case studies identifying the opportunities and challenges. The location of these case studies should be within Scotland.

NatureScot can provide details of any advice it has given on the chosen projects. It would also be useful to review Environmental Impact Assessments and other responses from other bodies to understand other impacts or opportunities for nature.

By having a selection of case studies, NatureScot can then feed the results into forthcoming guidance on hydrogen and use lessons learned in other areas of work.

Project timescale limitations

The project can take place at any time of year.

Delivery Plan Objectives

This project would support our objective to engage and influence planning and other regulatory systems to ensure they deliver nature and climate by helping to protect peatland habitats during wind farm development.

Background

Onshore wind farm sites are often located in upland environments where peatlands are present. Sites should be designed to avoid disturbing peatlands wherever possible but this still means that some peat is excavated. National Planning Framework 4 Policy 5 requires that sites need to be restored and enhanced  into a functioning peatland system capable of achieving carbon sequestration. This is significant challenge when reinstating the verges of wind farm tracks and hard standing areas with a variety of methods during handling and storage currently employed to varying successes.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

The aim of the project is understand what methods are currently employed, the rational for the chosen methods, how the different methods have impacted the adjacent peatland habitat and details of any mitigation.

This will require both desk-based and field research in order to pull together a minimum of five case studies. The location of these case studies should be within Scotland.

NatureScot can provide details of any advice it has given on the chosen projects. It would also be useful to review the Environmental Impact Assessments and contractor plans and specifications to understand the rational for the chosen method and any subsequent environmental impacts and mitigation.

By having a selection of case studies, NatureScot can then feed the results into forthcoming guidance on the protection of peatlands and use lessons learned in other areas of work.

Project timescale limitations

The project can take place at any time of year.

Delivery Plan Objectives

This project would support our objective to engage and influence planning and other regulatory systems to ensure they deliver nature and climate by helping to understand a possible opportunity to further protect habitats during wind farm development.

Background

The Scottish Government have ambitious targets to increase onshore wind production. Many of these sites are located in upland areas on sensitive sites. Gravity bases for turbines requires significant excavations whereas the use of piled turbine bases can reduce the size of excavation.

Description of proposed research (max 250 words)

The aim of the project is to understand what the differences in environmental impact are between gravity bases and piled bases during the life of a windfarm from construction, repowering and decommissioning.

This would mainly involve desk-based research in order to pull together a minimum of three case studies identifying why the type of base was chosen, what environmental impacts occurred and what mitigation was used to address these impacts. There may be opportunities for field research where it would be useful to understand any on-site implementation aspects. The location of these case studies should be within the UK preferably in an upland environment however other sites may be considered.

NatureScot can provide details of any advice it has given on the chosen projects. It would also be useful to review the Environmental Impact Assessments and contractor plans and specifications to understand the rational for the chosen design and any subsequent environmental impacts and mitigation.

By having a selection of case studies, NatureScot can then feed the results into forthcoming guidance and use lessons learned in other areas of work.

Project timescale limitations

The project can take place at any time of year.

Under SPP 2010 the onus is on demonstrating minimisation of impact by avoidance in layout design and in construction methods, plus compensatory enhancement of degraded habitats / creation of new peatland habitats.  Can an equitable means of dividing up the sectoral carbon budgets (as allocated by the Committee on Climate Change) be devised for application to development management?   Presumably local authority contributions to emissions under Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) are for actual development – is it worth also considering projected emissions that already have consent but are not yet built?