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SEERAD Programme of Agricultural, Biological and Related Research 2002-2003
THEME 5: SYSTEMS AND SOCIO-ECONOMICS
SUMMARY OF COSTS:
Estimated Recurrent Cost ( k)
02/03 |
5.1 Ecology | 2966 |
| 5.1.1 Plant Ecology | 1682 |
| 5.1.2 Grazing Ecology | 1284 |
5.2 Biodiversity & Conservation | 645 |
5.3 Land Use | 3261 |
| 5.3.1 Farming Systems | 2296 |
| 5.3.2 Modelling, Data Collection & Interpretation | 965 |
5.4 Mathematical Support | 841 |
5.5 Socio-Economic Studies: Rural Economy | 1015 |
TOTAL | 8728 |
THEME 5: SYSTEMS AND SOCIO-ECONOMICS
Theme 5 provides a strategic research programme that integrates the activities of the previous four Themes. It includes research activities at large geographical scales, and builds the human sciences, sociology and economics, into the research programme. Theme 5 is of particular relevance to those forming policy in the areas of land-use, conservation, and the rural economy, as it combines biological research at a meaningful scale with an appreciation of socio-economic impacts.
The ecological research activities of the programme are focussed on the extensive Scottish uplands, with knowledge from the soil research in Theme 1 and plant science in Theme 2 integrated into Theme 5.1.1 (plant ecology) projects. The programme of grazing ecology (Theme 5.1.2) takes the animal nutrition, animal physiology and animal behaviour research in Themes 3 and 4 and combines it with the plant ecology to form a critical mass of projects that address issues of particular importance to Scotland. These include the impact and management of red deer and sheep. It is anticipated that following Agenda 2000 this sub-theme will provide vital information to manage and protect the Scottish uplands.
The upland ecology work is extended by research on biodiversity and conservation (Theme 5.2), where the ecology of natural and unmanaged ecosystems in Scotland is studied. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) contributes significantly to the Department's biodiversity and conservation activities and its scientists undertake a significant amount of botanical research overseas. This research combines descriptive accounts of species found in key geographical regions with an interpretation of the economic and biological significance of these species and often results in the development of conservation strategies where the end users are sometimes in Scotland but are frequently located overseas.
Scotland has a unique and varied pattern of land use and management and this is reflected in the research contained in Theme 5.3 (land use). The programme of farming systems research (Theme 5.3.1) builds on the Department's unique ability to fund research across disciplines and scales. Farm systems research utilises the underpinning science to develop farm management systems that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The Department supports a strong programme of research into land use, including the development of new methods for the collection, modelling and interpretation of land use information (Theme 5.3.2). This information continues to prove valuable to all those involved in planning and managing the Scottish environment.
Following the review of SEERAD strategy in 1998/99, it was decided that there should be an increased emphasis within the programme of research on the socio-economic aspects of the research portfolio. This programme of research (Theme 5.5) also includes policy evaluations, economic evaluations, policy modelling and scenario testing.
5.1 Ecology
The ecological aspects of the programme are based on a broad area of plant ecological research. This work focuses on upland plant communities that characterise the natural and semi-natural areas of much of Scotland. In addition, there is work on fertile, lowland swards, such as those found in the important dairy areas of Scotland. The plant ecology research feeds into grazing ecology research. This research addresses problems of specific interest within Scotland concerning upland sheep management and over-grazing by deer. It includes studies of herbivore diet and diet selection, the development of herbivory models and management tools, and research on extensive management systems.
5.1.1 Plant Ecology
The programme of plant ecological research provides the framework for studies on plant systems of Scottish interest, particularly extensive upland systems, which can be developed. These provide the knowledge of resource provision and heterogeneity that can provide information for the programme of grazing ecology. An expanding area of activity covered in this Theme is aimed at understanding the linkage between arable land management and biodiversity. Modelling is a key component of this research and examines links between the phenotypic trait space in several ecosystems (barley, brassica and wild raspberry) at a range of scales of patch (10m) and field (1000m). Research covered here seeks to identify what characteristics are required for a sustainable arable system and to identify genotypes which meet these criteria. The research thus links with the plant genetics work covered in Theme 2 and should inform future breeding programmes.
MLU/701/00 | Adaptation of upland grasses to herbivory and excretal returns, and consequences for plant competition. | 378 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/706/00 | Investigate the spatio-temporal interactions between herbivore populations, plant communities and soil resources. | 39 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/767/01 | Plant species and plant community responses to grazing in grassland systems. | 374 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/768/01 | Prediction of the impact of environmental and anthropogenic drivers of change in structurally and functionally diverse vegetation. | 225 |
| (03/04) | |
SCR/538/00 | Optimising production and biodiversity of arable plants and invertebrates at patch and landscape scales. | 188 |
| (03/04) | |
SCR/539/00 | Self organisation of plant and canopy architecture in barley and feral brassicas: trade-off's between production and defence. | 219 |
| (03/03) | |
SCR/571/01 | Ecological management and biotechnology. | 100 |
| (03/04) | |
SCR/587/02 | Optimising production and biodiversity of arable plants and invertebrates at patch and landscape scales: II, Invertebrates. | 159 |
| (03/04) | |
5.1.2 Grazing Ecology
SEERAD-funded research on grazing ecology provides the theoretical and practical information that allows land managers to develop informed management strategies for deer, sheep and cattle. Activities in this programme range from studies of deer ranging behaviour using GPS systems, studies of diet selection and preference, to the development of decision support tools.
FEL/002/01 | Ecology of disease: spatial hierarchy and agricultural systems biosecurity. (FF) | 79 |
| (01/07) | |
MLU/704/00 | Inter-relationships between nutrition, behaviour and diet diversity. | 461 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/705/00 | Investigate the role of behavioural processes in determining the relationship between the spatial distribution of animal populations and their resources. | 243 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/769/01 | The behavioural determinants of the redistribution of nutrients in grazed ecosystems. | 71 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/771/01 | The development of a methodology for predicting the impacts of grazing and trampling by large herbivores using field-based and remote sensing approaches. | 103 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/772/01 | Development of a decision support tool (WoodDeer) to aid the management of deer in woodlands and in the uplands of Scotland. | 66 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/791/01 | Modelling the consequences of nutritional variation between individual herbivores for population dynamics. | 53 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/906/02 | Sexual segregation in wild ungulates: understanding the mechanisms involved, the implications for habitat use and the consequences for the management of red deer. | 74 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/907/02 | Ecological traits of insects and their responses to changes in vegetation structure caused by grazing herbivores. | 22 |
| (03/05) | |
SAC/270/00 | Plant structural complexity and spatial heterogeneity and their impact on the agricultural and biodiversity value of acid grassland systems. | 112 |
| (03/05) | |
5.2 Biodiversity & Conservation
The SEERAD-funded programme of research on biodiversity and conservation now comprises work on both Scottish and overseas habitats and species following the inclusion of the research programme from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). Floristics research is undertaken at a geographical level to understand species distribution within defined regions. Key regions for these studies are in the Far East (China, Bhutan and Pakistan), the Arabian Peninsula and South America (Chile and Brazil). In many cases this SEERAD-funded research forms part of a larger international effort. For example, botanists world-wide are collaborating to produce
The Flora of China that will describe more than 30,000 species of vascular plants, accounting for 14% of the world's flora. The work is often aimed at assisting countries rich in biodiversity to develop strategies to conserve their biological diversity and to implement the Biodiversity Convention. This can include work on the assessment of conservation status or the development of a framework for the sustainable development of these resources. Research is also undertaken closer to home for example, to understand the distribution of lower plants in Scotland. This programme builds on the background of ecological research shown in Theme 5.1 and develops our understanding of the unique natural heritage of Scotland, allowing us to better manage this fragile resource. Two new collaborative projects focusing on different aspects of biodiversity have been commissioned, one examining the effect of grazing management on upland bird diversity, whilst the second project looks at the biodiversity of willow scrub in a range of habitats.
BSS/837/01
MLU/837/01
RBG/837/01
SAC/837/01
SCR/837/01 | Biodiversity: taxonomy, genetics and ecology of sub-arctic willow scrub. (FF)
(12/04) | 3
31
59
28
58 |
CEH/836/01
MLU/836/01
RPB/836/01
SAC/836/01 | Effects of grazing management on upland bird population: disentangling habitat structure and arthropod food supply at appropriate spatial scales (GRUB). (FF)
(12/04) | 54
94
1
50 |
CEH/001/00 | Biodiversity in roadside verges. (FF) | 74 |
| (01/04) | |
CPA/001/02 | Sustainable arable farming for an improved environment (SAFFIE). (FF-LINK) | 50 |
| (12/06) | |
ITE/004/99 | Impact of white-tailed eagles on sheep farming on Mull. (FF) | 26 |
| (09/02) | |
MLU/789/01 | Processes and biodiversity at different ecological levels in woodland ecosystems (PROBECO). | 237 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/790/01 | Scaling up from rhizosphere to ecosystem. | 42 |
| (03/04) | |
RBG/010/99 | Flora of China. | - |
| (03/04) | |
RBG/013/99 | Plant speciation and conservation biology on oceanic islands. | - |
| (03/04) | |
RBG/024/99 | Conifer conservation programme. | - |
| (03/03) | - |
RBG/025/99 | Conservation genetics of scarce Scottish and European plants. | - |
| (03/04) | |
RBG/034/99 | Floristics, conservation and management of the Cerrado biome of Brazil. | - |
| (03/04) | |
RBG/042/01 | Tree diversity and agroforestry development in the Peruvian Amazon. | - |
| (09/03) | |
RBG/043/01 | Morphological and molecular systematics of the S.E. Asian Sterculiaceae. | - |
| (03/03) | |
RBG/044/01 | Taxonomic revisions in Sapotaceae. | - |
| (03/06) | |
RBG/047/02 | Locating long term glacial refugia in Europe: autopolyploid complexes in
Asplenium as a model system. | - |
| (12/02) | |
RBG/048/02 | Systematics and floristics of the
Pedicularis L. (Scrophulariaceae). | - |
| (03/05) | |
RBG/051/02 | Evolutionary genetics of Caledonian
Araucaria. | - |
| (01/05) | |
RBG/054/02 | Preservation, rehabilitation and utilisation of Vietnamese montane forests. | - |
| (05/04) | |
RBG/055/02 | An integrated conservation programme for threatened, endemic forest species in Chile. | - |
| (03/05) | |
SNH/002/01 | Mink eradication to protect priority birds in the Western Isles. (FF) | 30 |
| (06/06) | |
SNH/003/01 | Marine biodiversity and climate change. (FF) | 15 |
| (03/05) | |
5.3 Land Use
5.3.1 Farming Systems
There is a diversity of farming activities taking place within Scotland reflecting the variety of soil and climatic conditions, as well as market, economic and social influences. Research within this theme covers a number of important systems all relevant in Scotland. A number of the studies relate to organic farming systems where nutrient budgeting and nutrient flows are an important element of the work. The organics research forms part of a wider programme on the development of environmentally-friendly farming practices. For example, the 3-D farming project, which is funded through the LINK programme, aims to manage field margins in order to increase the abundance, diversity and impact of beneficial insects. Other research is concerned with building effective decision support tools for increasing the efficiency, in both economic and environmental terms, of agricultural enterprises. The studies also cover important animal health and welfare issues within animal based systems. Also listed here is the Department's funding towards the Farm Scale Evaluation trials, where the possible impact of GM crops on natural biodiversity is being examined. The Department is also funding research looking at the management of herbicide-tolerant GM crops and data from related work looking at landscape gene flow is also relevant to GM crops. Social aspects of farming and other land uses are described in sub-theme 5.5.
IAC/003/00 | 3-D farming: making biodiversity work for the farmer. (FF-LINK) | 51 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/587/97 | Effect of change in grazing pressure of sheep on erosion and vegetation cover on Trotternish, Skye. (FF) | 39 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/716/00 | Matching animal genotype to extensive production systems: implications for nutrition, welfare and product quality. | 198 |
| (03/03) | |
MLU/766/01 | Concentrations of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) in Scottish soils and herbage, and their bioaccumulation in sheep. | 77 |
| (03/04) | |
NIB/001/99 | Botanical and rotational implications of genetically modified herbicide tolerance (Bright). (FF-LINK) | 35 |
| (03/03) | |
QDE/001/99 | Farm scale evaluations of the impact of the management of GM herbicide tolerant oil-seed rape and maize on farmland wildlife. (FF) | 200 |
| (09/03) | |
ROS/002/99 | QTL identification and utilisation in sheep sire referencing scheme. (FF-LINK) | 41 |
| (09/03) | |
SAC/114/96 | Development of methods to predict growth, efficiency and carcass composition of different sheep genotypes in different production systems. | 203 |
| (09/03) | |
SAC/123/96 | Sustainable breeding strategies for hill sheep. (FF) | 169 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/132/97 | Development of an environmentally acceptable programme for an arable rotation based on autumn-sown crops and using the COIRE approach (En-COIRE). | 170 |
| (08/03 | |
SAC/191/98 | Development of an extensive, high output system of sheep production for cool wet environments. | 45 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/242/99 | Developing effective suckler cow replacement strategies. (FF-LINK) | 55 |
| (09/03) | |
SAC/257/00 | Resource use in organic farming. | 276 |
| (03/05) | |
SAC/260/00 | Environmental consequences relating to the introduction of transgenic rapeseed into agricultural ecosystems. | 162 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/269/00 | Resource use in grassland-based dairy systems. | 130 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/289/01 | Hill farming and environmental objectives. | 28 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/295/01 | Factors affecting the availability and profitability of farmland bird food resources. | 107 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/326/02 | Benchmarking multi-functionality within Scottish farming. | 37 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/328/02 | Modelling weed population dynamics and control in organic agriculture. | 49 |
| (03/05) | |
SAC/332/02 | Decision support tools to enhance farm animal health, wellbeing and biosecurity. | 118 |
| (03/05) | |
SCR/568/00 | Significance and mechanisms of landscape-scale gene flow. (FF) | 88 |
| (07/03) | |
UAB/008/99 | Effects of staff training and development on indices of animal welfare, health, performance and profitability of dairy farms. (FF) | 6 |
| (07/02) | |
WWT/001/01 | Effects of foot and mouth disease on farming practice on the Solway in 2001, and the consequences for the Svalbard barnacle goose population in winter 2001- 02 and subsequently. (FF) | 12 |
| (08/03) | |
5.3.2 Modelling, Data Collection & Interpretation
Much research activity, particularly within the study of land use, produces large data sets of information. This needs to be carefully and accurately analysed in order to yield maximum benefit and understanding. Studies within this Theme include a number of different types of project which are aimed at developing effective methodologies or systems for complex data analysis. These range from assessing satellite imagery for detecting land use change, to statistical methods for generating realistic weather patterns for predictive modelling of plant growth.
BSS/033/02 | Spatial and temporal models. | 85 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/608/98 | Framework for evaluation and assessment of regional land use scenarios (FEARLUS). | 124 |
| (03/03) | |
MLU/709/00 | Case studies of land use change in Scotland. | 45 |
| (12/03) | |
MLU/710/00 | Empirical modelling of land use change: a Bayesian statistical approach. | 115 |
| (03/03) | |
MLU/718/00 | Development of decision support tools for strategic farm-scale multiple-objective land use planning. | 215 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/793/01 | Development of an operational methodology to extract physiological and morphological characteristics from semi-natural vegetation canopies using radar data. | 66 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/910/02 | Effective monitoring of landscape changes. | 93 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/911/02 | Visualisation tools for participation in the management of landscape change. | 84 |
| 03/05 | |
MLU/912/02 | Assessing the potential use of land cover of Scotland data for mapping land quality in the context of a revised LFASS. (FF) | 84 |
| (06/02) | |
SAC/315/01 | Crop fertiliser requirements in relation to nitrate vulnerable zones in Scotland. (FF) | 9 |
| (09/02) | |
UHE/001/01 | Adaptation of EMA to Scottish agriculture. (FF) | 45 |
| (03/03) | |
5.4 Mathematical Support
Much of the research within the SEERAD programme requires considerable support from statistical and biomathematical analyses in order to draw clear understanding and sound conclusions. A number of studies listed here are funded to develop a strong basis of statistical expertise for application throughout the programme but also to address new and exciting questions in the field of biomathematics
per se. Mathematical and computational methodologies are progressing markedly and the application of these to biological problems is important and essential for rapid progress and understanding.
BSS/029/00 | Research, consultancy and training in biomathematics and statistics in support of SERAD-sponsored R&D. | 508 |
| (03/03) | |
BSS/031/01 | Methods and software for statistical genomics and bioinformatics: development, benchmarking and training. | 107 |
| (03/05) | |
BSS/032/01 | Mathematical and statistical techniques for models of complex interacting systems. | 98 |
| (03/05) | |
QBB/005/99 | BBSRC - MAFS Initiatives. (FF) | 58 |
| (09/03) | |
SAC/319/01 | Increasing technology transfer efficiency by modelling variation in biological systems. | 70 |
| (03/04) | |
5.5 Socio-Economic Studies: Rural Economy
Scotland has a particularly fragile rural landscape consisting largely of Less Favoured Areas. Much of this is also very desirable in scenic terms. The economy of the rural areas in Scotland is consequently also fragile and must maintain the delicate balance between economic and environmental sustainability. Studies within this Theme address both sides of this equation: effective management of the natural heritage and the impact of social and policy influences on this, and the improvement of the economic output of the rural industries. A variety of studies addressing a number of aspects of each of these areas are included here. Many of the projects include modelling, economic and socio-economic analyses.
CRU/002/02 | Evaluation of national planning guideline (NPPG) 15. (FF) | 10 |
| (02/03) | |
FEL/003/02 | To assess and exchange the role of scientific data, expert opinion and local knowledge in supporting end users involved in policy formation, evaluation and implementation related to the environment and natural heritage in Scotland. (FF) | 41 |
| (06/07) | |
HID/001/02 | Special advisor to the nature and strength of public preferences to the output of agricultural systems project. (FF) | - |
| (09/03) | |
LUC/001/01 | New directions for land management schemes in Scotland's National Parks. (FF) | 3 |
| (09/02) | |
MLU/788/01 | Development of socio-economic methods to synthesise stakeholder priorities - using implementation of the Water Framework Directive as a case study. | 178 |
| (03/04) | |
MLU/908/02 | Developing socio-economic tools for environmental management: sustainability and drivers of change. | 162 |
| (03/05) | |
MLU/909/02 | Economic analysis of factors influencing rural development. | 149 |
| (03/05) | |
QDH/001/02 | Berry Scotland - scientific co-ordinator. (FF) | 14 |
| (06/04) | |
SAC/217/99 | Implications of supply chain developments, including efficient consumer response and category management, for the Scottish agri-food industry. | 10 |
| (09/02) | |
SAC/262/00 | Maintaining a competitive position in the Scottish organic fresh food market. | 13 |
| (09/02) | |
SAC/283/01 | Animals and welfare in Scottish rural recreation and tourism attractions. | 27 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/288/01 | Participatory investigation into public involvement in the environmental planning process: a case study approach. | 30 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/290/01 | Formulation of a domestic impact model for rural tourism. | 22 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/294/01 | Transition in Scottish agriculture: its ability to compete, adapt and survive. | 30 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/298/01 | Investigation into the relationships between community cohesion and the uptake of rural development opportunities. | 31 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/303/01 | The economic value of animal welfare: choice modelling for preference based attribute selection. | 36 |
| (03/03) | |
SAC/317/01 | Occurrence, management and perception of risk associated with Paratuberculosis in cattle. | 55 |
| (06/04) | |
SAC/318/01 | The social construction and economic value of food borne risk perceptions: the case of genetically modified food ingredients. | 61 |
| (06/04) | |
SAC/324/02 | Business networks and supply chains in rural and peripheral Scotland. | 48 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/325/02 | Exploring the market niche for sustainable nature-based tourism in Scotland. | 36 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/327/02 | Changing recreational use of the countryside: estimating activities, consumption modes and environmental impacts. | 31 |
| (03/04) | |
SAC/338/02 | Farm business and environmental audit proposals. (FF) | 22 |
| (01/03) | |
UAB/011/01 | Demand for Agricultural Capital/ Diversification schemes. (FF) | 6 |
| (11/02) | |
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