Latest Briefing
 james hutton institute 345x250.jpg)
How investment in fundamental scientific research leads to practical outcomes
The societal benefits of funding applied scientific research – research which addresses a question that is immediately and directly relevant to an end user such as a farmer or policy maker – are clear. It is nearly always relatively straightforward to identify practical outcomes that emerge from such projects, making them highly attractive to funding bodies and industrial collaborations, particularly at a time of financial constraint. However, these applied outcomes frequently rely upon and develop previous fundamental research programmes for which practical outcomes were not immediately or obviously apparent at the time. This article describes how Scottish Government (SG) investment in a number of fundamental scientific areas at Main Research Providers (MRP), through the Strategic Research Programme has underpinned research which is now yielding practical outcomes that are making a difference in Scotland and beyond.
Read morePublished on 8 March 2016 in Food, health and wellbeing
Recent Briefings
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Contribution of Animal Health
Published on 26 July 2010 in Climate, water and energy , Food, health and wellbeing
How cost-effective are diffuse pollution measures in real agricultural landscapes?
The European Water Framework Directive (EC, 2000) requires Member States to set water quality objectives and identify cost-effective mitigation measures to achieve good ecological status (GES) for all waters in Europe. Read more
Published on 12 July 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
Insufficient Evidence For Culling Mountain Hares For Tick And Louping-Ill Virus (LIV) Control
Mountain hares and sheep have been implicated in transmitting the louping ill virus (LIV) to red grouse, which have been in long-term decline. Read more
Published on 29 June 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Understanding Public Attitudes For Biodiversity Management
Creating a 'greener' Scotland is one of the five strategic objectives underpinning the Scottish Government's work. Read more
Published on 16 June 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Species Translocations And Environmental Change: A Useful Tool For Biodiversity Conservation?
There is considerable evidence that as climate change progresses species are moving in order to track their preferred climate. Read more
Published on 11 June 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Understanding The Causes And Consequences Of Rarity In Scottish Plants
Conservation effort has commonly focussed on rare species. Although numerous factors such as land use or climate change may lead to rarity, becoming rare may itself reduce the chances of long-term species survival. Read more
Published on 11 June 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Scotland: The Contribution Of The Land Use Sector
Agriculture and the land use sector have an important role to play in the search for efficient means to tackle climate change. Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 in Climate, water and energy
Developing Conservation Strategies For The Chough In Scotland
Project looking at increasing knowledge of chough ecology on Islay and using it to develop a conservation policy. Read more
Published on 7 May 2010 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Potato Growers: Do You Know Your Enemy?
Understanding the late blight pathogen population helps potato growers manage disease . Read more
Published on 28 April 2010 in Sustainability and Communities
DNA Barcoding Of Liverworts - A Powerful Tool In Species Discovery
Trialling study at RBGE on barcoding different plant groups . Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 in Sustainability and Communities , Ecosystems and biodiversity
