| Description | Research Activity |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | February 24, 2003 |
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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE TO CUSTODIANS OF CHANGE REPORT
FURTHER DETAILS OF RESEARCH ACTIVITY
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This document provides further details on the research identified in Annex A of the
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE TO CUSTODIANS OF CHANGE REPORT.
Climate Change
ABRG sponsors a strategic science base that contributes to scientific understanding of key ecosystem processes important in greenhouse gas emissions from a range of sources including agriculture, and other rural land uses. This research will provide a better basis for understanding the impact of climate change on the habitats, wildlife and water resources of Scotland as well as the challenges and opportunities that will arise for agriculture. Research focused specifically on the topics identified includes the support of two upland sites, and associated research on soils and biodiversity, as part of the UK Environmental Change Network (funded jointly with DEFRA and NERC) and a project studying the application of microbial soil quality indicators in the context of environmental change.
An important additional contribution to understanding the impacts of climate change will be experimental and modelling-based projects to be funded from the Flexible Fund commencing in 2003 (see also paragraphs 18 and 19).
Future Role of Agriculture
In order to inform debate on the future role of agriculture, ABRG is already currently engaged in research into the public's perceptions of agriculture and their expectations for the future. This research recognises the importance of participatory approaches to research such as citizens' juries and stakeholder analysis. It includes the use of focus groups, drawn from the Scottish public, to identify a range of contemporary concerns in relation to agriculture and rural issues, exploring public perceptions of food and farming, and the development of novel methods to identify the interests of different groups. Research outcomes will inform all stakeholders involved in this debate. Outcomes from these studies will also inform future policy and research. We will continue to commit resources to this emerging area of research, as appropriate, by engaging the sponsored bodies and use of the flexible fund. Projects are as follows:
The source, relative loadings and transport paths of farm-derived nutrients and faecal pathogens;
Slurry or Farmyard Manures (FYM) are a potential source of both farm-derived nutrients and faecal pathogens and ABRG is currently funding research in both of these areas.
Collaborative research on the biology and epidemiology of faecal pathogens in livestock is being conducted in conjunction with DEFRA, FSA Scotland and others. ABRG supports a substantial programme of research that aims to improve our understanding of the passage, processing, storage and breakdown of both nutrients and faecal pathogens in soils as part of the transport from source to watercourse. The value of this research programme in 2002-03 is approximately 1.3 M. This includes research on a) the consequences of FYM usage on agricultural soils, b) the movement of nutrients and pathogens through soils and c) the microbial processes that contribute to soil nutrient availability. ABRG is also funding research to determine the levels of bacteria in farmyard drainage systems, how these respond to rainfall events and farmyard operations, and the subsequent effects upon downstream water quality. Projects are as follows:
UAB/007/99 - Survival and dispersal of
E. coli O157 in Scottish agricultural soils, and potential for contamination of private water supplies. (Cost 156k). Final report accepted 6 November 2002. This project developed a rapid (one day) and sensitive test for detection of
E. coli O157:H7 in soils and water and proved through its use in a field setting that transport of
E. coli O157 into soil from slurry commences rapidly (within 2 minutes) after application of (artificial) rain. It demonstrated greater survival of
E. coli in soils at 5
oC than 15
oC and a strong influence of drying and additional effect of UV on reduction of
E. coli input from slurry into soils. The presence of root and earthworm and other types of by-pass pore greatly influenced the leaching of cells through soils, whereas movement through actual soil matrix is low.
Finally, farm management practices can influence the movement of pathogens and nutrients into the environment and ABRG will shortly be commissioning research to determine the potential environmental benefits and disbenefits of the increasingly common use of woodchip corrals for holding beef cattle in Scotland.
The multiple benefits of various types, layouts and widths of field margins in a representative range of Scottish conditions
ABRG is currently funding 4 relevant research projects at total cost to SEERAD of 791,000:
These projects will examine how cereal and grassland farming systems, including those in Scotland, can be designed to be more environmentally friendly. Part of this work will look at how best to establish and manage different types of field margins in cereals, break crops and grassland. The work will also study the potential benefits of field margins for the diversity of plants, insects and other wildlife (particularly birds), the control of crop pests by natural predators, reduction in the application of crop pesticides and impact upon crop yield and economics.
The research will produce practical guidelines on costs, benefits and best practice for enhancing and managing biodiversity in field margins, aimed at farmers and landowners. The direct involvement of commercial farms, agricultural levy bodies and advisory organisations in various aspects of the research will also help to disseminate this information.
A large proportion of the current research is funded at a UK level in conjunction with DEFRA and industry (via the LINK research process). ABRG will continue dialogue with other funders and research organisations to develop future research in this area.
Sustainable farm drainage systems and farm wetlands
ABRG is currently funding three research and/or advisory projects:
These will improve the understanding and management of farm drainage systems and their impact upon water quality in Scotland. A specialist advisor (co-funded by ABRG, WWF (Scotland) and SNH) is being funded to help Scottish farmers of small livestock units dispose of excess manures and slurries with minimal risk of pollution. The role of the advisor is to facilitate the uptake of good practice by farmers to protect and enhance the water environment through providing advice and training to existing agricultural advisory services. The advisor has already drawn up the Four Point Plan. This will allow farmers to produce: 1) a simple farm 'gate' nutrient budget plan, which will be used as part of a plan to allow farmers to spread manures and slurries to maximise crop uptake and minimise waste and pollution; 2) a simple waste management plan, which will be used to help farmers plan the disposal of their excess manures and slurries to avoid and minimise pollution; and 3) a simple water audit, which will allow farmers to apply low cost measures to reduce dirty water pollution risks being created in the farmyard. The Four Point Plan will also contain a simple guidance note on better water margin management, to reduce water pollution and promote habitat enlargement. The special advisor will also be involved in activities ranging from providing information and advice on best practice water management for agriculture, to developing and running training programmes to promote best practice, to promoting a 'natural river management' approach, and to communicating with key players, such as the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, the Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards, the RSPB, the Scottish Crofters Union, etc.
ABRG is also funding the adaptation of a computer-based decision-support system (Environmental Management for Agriculture) to Scottish agriculture, which will also assist in the management of farmyard wastes completion in Summer 2003.
Finally, research into the optimal conditions for biological treatment of contaminated farm water and dairy washings, including the use of farm reedbeds and wetlands is also underway. This research is due to finish in March 2003 and will report to the Department in June 2003.
A continuing comparative monitoring and analysis of conventional, organic and intermediate farming systems
There are many forms of farming activities taking place in Scotland today, reflecting the variety of soil and climatic conditions, as well as market, economic and social influences. SEERAD-funded research on organics is currently some 500k per annum and forms part of a wider programme on the development of a range of environmentally-friendly, farming practices that meet market needs.
ABRG will continue to support research, which characterises and evaluates environmental and economic benefits from various farming activities, in particular environmentally friendly systems. ABRG intends to commission a study to assess what knowledge is currently available and of relevance to Scottish farming conditions, and where there are gaps which must be addressed to provide a reliable base for future research and policy development. The study will involve dialogue with a range of stakeholders with interests in organic farming including organic producers, government policy-makers, research funders and agencies, and non-governmental organisations (for example, NFUS, SOPA, SNH, Linking Environment and Farming - LEAF).
Effective, practical guidance on planning agricultural landscapes
It is recognised that agricultural land has a multitude of functions. While much is still given over to food yield, the increasing consumer preference is for quality rather than quantity with a growing emphasis on the environmental impacts of food production. Alongside its traditional function, the rural landscape is a natural heritage resource, is central to environmental, conservation and biodiversity issues and is a major asset for tourism and leisure. Current research addresses the need for greater public participation in landscape planning. Two projects are being funded:
MLU/911/02 Visualisation tools for participation in the management of landscape change. Final report due March 2005. Total cost 192k. Looks at the relationship between visual qualities and other landscape functions in order to support improved decisions on the management of Scotland's landscapes. The final output will be a set of visualisation tools, developed with the help of stakeholders, that will enable all end-users to answer "what if" questions relating to different future scenarios of land use. The research is relevant to three articles (9, 22 and 33) of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The continued development of automated systems for monitoring landscape change, both land use and land cover change is being undertaken in project MLU/910/02. This will help both in the development of policy, e.g. in the identification of areas for the targeting of appropriate funding, and also for tracking policy effects, e.g. monitoring the impact of changes in agri-environment support schemes on a certain area. SNH, are already aware of, and expressed an interest in, this research and we will seek to identify with them further opportunities for developing and funding this area.
The implications of climate change for agricultural systems
ABRG has previously funded a considerable body of work in this area and now intends to commission a scoping study to consider how this might be updated in the light of contemporary modelling of climate change. This will include considering the likely impacts of predicted change upon Scottish agriculture, and specific requirements for future research.
ABRG is also funding a review of existing schemes to monitor changes in biodiversity, including that within agricultural systems. The work will also identify areas where monitoring needs to be developed. We are also co-funding work with English Nature (Monarch II project) which will develop generic approaches to modelling climate-induced change in species distributions. Future work will also be commissioned to incorporate new knowledge on the impacts of climate change into Biodiversity Action Plans.
Best practice in promoting co-operative action
Co-operative action requires enthusiasm and commitment in people who may have either very similar or radically conflicting agendas. ABRG is currently funding three projects that aim to develop the best approach to this. The research will focus on the development of methods to explore the motivations of all stakeholders (scientists, policy colleagues and the general public), and enhance their involvement, dialogue and co-operation in the development and implementation of environment and natural heritage policy. The work will use particular case studies, including the Water Framework Directive and the environmental planning process. SNH, are already aware of, and expressed an interest in, this research and we will seek to identify with them further opportunities for developing and funding this area.
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.' This project is investigating methods to enhance dialogue between scientists, policy colleagues and the general public, and is developing approaches to evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of specific land use scenarios. Final report due June 2007. Total cost 305k.
MLU/788/01: 'Development of socio-economic methods to synthesise stakeholder priorities - using implementation of the Water Framework Directive as a case study.' Using the Water Framework Directive, this project is investigating how to ensure that the full range of (often conflicting) values and positions concerning a decision or likely response to a policy change are taken into account. Final report due March 2004. Total cost 436k.
SAC/288/01: 'Participatory investigation into public involvement in the Environmental Planning process: a case study approach.' This project is using case studies to identify the extent to which members of the rural community are able to and wish to become involved in the planning process, and the motivation behind their willingness to participate in terms of community development. Final report due March 2003. Total cost 61k.