Scientific Advisory Committee meeting – 25 March 2025 – 69th meeting

https://www.nature.scot/doc/scientific-advisory-committee-meeting-25-march-2025-69th-meeting

Scientific Advisory Committee: Sixty Ninth Meeting – 25 March 2025

At: Edinburgh (virtual option available)

Agenda - Open Session

Further information on items in this agenda can be obtained from NatureScot in advance of the meeting, and a member of the public may make a written representation on any item to the Committee up to 24 hours in advance.  If that is not possible it will be tabled at the meeting.  For further information please contact: Paul Robertson, Nature & Climate Change Director Support Team, [email protected]

  1. Welcome, apologies for absence and declarations of interest                                                11.00
     
  2. Minutes, action points and matters arising from the meeting held on 1 October 2024    11.05                                                    

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, update the SAC on  action points and other matters arising.

  1. Oral update on NatureScot Board business                                                                                11.10

Chair to update the Committee

Discussion Papers

  1. AI-aided horizon scan                                                                                                                       11.30

(Clive Mitchell) (SAC/2025/03/01)

  1. Future climate scenarios and implications for species                                                            11:55

(Clive Mitchell) (SAC/2025/03/02)

  1. Monitoring to Deliver Healthy Ecosystems                                                                                 12:20

(Ben Ross and Dave Genney) (SAC/2025/03/03)

  1. Considering ethics in our science and evidence work                                                             12:45

(Alex Mackay) (SAC/2025/03/04)

Lunch                                                                                                                                   13:05 – 13:50

  1. Freshwater pearl mussel conservation and management                                                    13:50

(Chris Donald) (SAC/2025/03/05)

  1. Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and The Flow Country World Heritage Site (WHS)                                                                                                                                         14:10

(Clive Mitchell) (SAC/2025/03/06)

  1. Information and update papers                                                                                                 14:30

(Short papers presented for information and for SAC members’ questions for clarification).

SAC/2025/03/Info01 Update on sub-groups and other business (Erin Garner)

SAC/2025/03/Info02 Science and Evidence Leadership Programme update (Alex Mackay)

SAC/2025/03/Info03 Development of Scottish Government’s Strategy for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research 2027-2032 (Alex Mackay)

  1. AOB                                                                                                                                                14:45

 

End of Open Session

 

Document downloads

SAC Meeting - 25 March - AI-aided horizon scan

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Future climate scenarios and implications for species

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Monitoring to Deliver Healthy Ecosystems

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Considering ethics in our science and evidence work

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Freshwater pearl mussel conservation and management

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and The Flow Country World Heritage Site (WHS)

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Update on sub-groups and other business (info paper)

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Science and Evidence Leadership Programme update (info paper)

docx,

SAC meeting – 25 March – Development of Scottish Government’s Strategy for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research 2027-2032 (info paper)

docx,