Annual Report 2010
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Annual Report 2010 THE MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Annual Report 2010 The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Annual Report 2010 ISBN: 978-0-902701-09-0 © The Macaulay Land Use Research Institue, September 2010 Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH Tel +44 (0) 1224 395000 Fax +44 (0) 1224 395010 macaulay.ac.uk A SCOTTISH CHARITABLE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE - REGISTERED IN EDINBURGH – No SCO16190 REGISTERED OFFICE: MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CRAIGIEBUCKLER, ABERDEEN, AB15 8QH SCOTLAND, CHARITY No: 11922, VAT REGISTRATION No: GB 266 8932 11 THE MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Executive Editor Professor Richard Aspinall Associate Editor Clare Neely Scientific Editors Dr Dick Birnie, Professor Colin Campbell, Dr Tony Craig, Dr Bob Ferrier, Dr Pete Goddard, Professor David Miller, Dr Robin Matthews, Professor Bill Slee Technical Editors Carol Bisset, Dr Andy Midwood Graphics and Production John Brown, Pat Carnegie Photography David Riley 3 4 THE MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute is an international centre for scientific research and consultancy on the: l Economic, social and environmental consequences of rural land uses l Impacts of potential changes in policy, management, climate and pollution for the management of natural resources, and sustainable rural development Our research provides new and impartial knowledge that contributes to environmental and rural development policy, both in Scotland and internationally and we are committed to ensuring that this knowledge is shared and effectively communicated to all interested parties. We are internationally recognised as a leader in land use research and we transfer our skills and experience through collaborations within over 40 countries worldwide. A Times Higher Education survey recently ranked the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute as being the second most influential Scottish institution in the fields of environmental and ecological sciences, and ranked in the top 20 UK institutions in these fields.* These rankings are based on data from the Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators which covers journal articles published between January 2000 and February 2010. The majority of our research is commissioned by the Scottish Government, but we also provide research and consultancy services to a wide range of organisations involved in natural resource management. In addition to our core research programmes we provide research and consultancy services to a wide range of organisations. Although many of these are primarily involved in natural resource management we also provide specialist commercial analytical services for industrial sectors as diverse as oil and gas, and food. Our extensive state-of-the-art laboratory facilities test more than 50,000 samples a year and earn an additional £1 million annually from commercial analytical work. Last year the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute competitively won over £5 million in new research contracts from projects totalling nearly £16 million. The Institute’s founder Dr T.B. Macaulay *http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=412625&c=1 5 Board of Governors Chairman: Michael Gibson Eric Baird Shireen Chambers Professor Brian Clark Professor Nigel Curry Helen Dickinson Julia Brown Bob Kay Dr Laura Meagher Dr George Paterson Franceska van Dijk Professor Alan Werritty 6 Contents Board of Governors 6 Contents 7 Chief Executive’s Introduction 8 Chairman’s Introduction 9 Scientific Research Themes: l Assessing and Enhancing Soil Quality 10 l Managing Water Resources 20 l Understanding Biodiversity 30 l Changing Landscapes 38 l Society and Countryside 50 l Local Responses to Climate Change 60 Analytical Group 68 Partners and Partnership Projects 70 International Research Projects and Collaborations 72 Macaulay Scientific Consulting Limited 76 Research Station News 78 Open Doors 2009 84 MLURI in the Media 88 Events and Seminars 94 The 33rd Macaulay Lecture 96 Education and Outreach 98 Summary Financial Statements 100 Grants Awarded 104 Publications 108 Editorial Responsibilities 130 Staff List 131 Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Connections 136 7 Chief Executive’s Introduction generation and planning, long-term growth in our income. This has changes in Scotland’s soils, among allowed us to make new investments. other topics. This Report contains a For example, we have invested in series of examples of this inter- our world class laboratory facilities, disciplinary research. These examples including an increase in our Scanning all reflect our broad-based inter- Electron Microscope (SEM) capability. disciplinary approach which combines The new SEM has already been used physical, biological, social and economic for analysis of ash from Eyjafjallajökull sciences. The research we carry out in Iceland. We also continue to invest The Macaulay Land Use Research is directly relevant to contemporary in our research stations and soils data Institute is now in its 80th year. Founded social, economic and environmental as parts of the long-term foundation in 1930 by Dr. T. B. Macaulay as the issues and represents our concern to of the Institute. Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, provide primary scientific evidence and later expanded in 1987 through supporting the development of public From our relatively small beginnings merger with the Hill Farming Research policy and for the wider public good. 80 years ago, the Macaulay Land Use Organisation, the Institute’s original Our research is relevant not only in Research Institute is now a major mission was to support the develop- Scotland, but also in the UK, EU and international research and consultancy ment of agriculture and promote internationally. business with a staff of around 300. rural livelihoods in Scotland. I hope In the financial year covered by this that you will agree that we have not only Our commitment to communication of Report, income was around £14.9 remained true to our roots but also have science and scientific understanding is million with an overall surplus of £0.9 come a long way over those 80 years. another key element of our approach. million. The competitive strength of We aim to get our research into the the Institute is reflected in us recently The need for science that supports places where it can make a differ- winning £5 million worth of new our original mission is perhaps even ence. This is shown clearly by both our research contract income. With a real stronger today. Global and regional education and outreach activities and year on year decline in our income from population growth and environ- the shifting balance of our publications. the Scottish Government this trend for mental and economic changes have As in any leading scientific organisation increased external income through made achieving the productive use peer-reviewed scientific articles remain research, consultancy and commercial and management of land and water a core requirement, but we also contracts will need to continue to resources critical to meeting social, recognise that other activities are increase into the future. A strong environmental and economic priorities. needed in terms of relationship build- performance from our trading company We must find ways of achieving high ing and personal communications with Macaulay Scientific Consultancy Ltd levels of production without compro- our many and diverse stakeholders. is an important part of our future mising environmental quality. The financial viability. work of the Institute remains dedicated In addition to carrying out research to providing scientific insights that we are also responding to changes in The Macaulay Land Use Research help us to meet these national and the ways we work, in the ways we are Institute is a quality brand. It is a international priorities. funded, and in the ways that we engage business in good heart. We look forward with society. The Scottish Government to a successful future where our research Over the period covered in this remains our largest customer and continues to make a real and positive Annual Report, Institute staff have been partner but we are also active in impact. I hope that you will enjoy actively involved in interdisciplinary contract research, consultancy and reading this Annual Report. research that informs policy and guides commercial work. Our funding reflects management decisions and options in this range of activity – and the success of areas as diverse as land use, climate our staff in diversifying the income base change, river basin planning and water of the Institute. As a result, and despite Richard Aspinall management, recreational use of the general economic situation, the last Chief Executive Scotland’s landscapes, renewable energy several years have seen significant 8 Chairman’s Introduction Government to frame future policy and to understand the implications of it for its citizens and businesses. Finally the world class facilities in our laboratories provide analytical services to a wide range of commercial customers and the solutions based approach of many of our scientists makes them much sought after as consultants both This is a very exiting time for the nationally and internationally. Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. The imminent prospect of joining with The Macaulay’s scientists are at the the Scottish Crop Research Institute heart of this work, but they would not be will lead to a new institute, the able to function effectively without