Developing Your Dissertation Ideas
If you are seeking to deliver an impactful dissertation topic, with direct relevance to environmental policy makers or, simply looking for inspiration for your final year project, you can search for ideas below.
You can search the research questions that have been directly submitted to us, or browse other collections of research ideas from partner organisation such as Natural Resources Wales and Climate Cymru.
If you do find a question of relevance and decide to address it through your dissertation, we would really like to know about it. Please fill out the form that can be found here.
[Enter keyword and press ‘search’ or the return key]
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What are the trends in soil carbon stocks in carbon rich soils across wales? How can we maintain equilibrium and where appropriate increase sequestration?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
To track progress with the Natural Resource Policy and SMNR challenge and to inform how to safeguard and increase carbon in soils and biomass.
Keywords (discipline, other): Land use and soil
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Semi-natural grassland
Enclosed farmland
Water efficiency
Climate change
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
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What are the trends in species which are strongly associated with urban environments compared to the wider landscape?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Abundance and distribution trends of species associated with urban enviroments which may indicate the health of the ecosystem (for example hedgehogs, swifts) can help us understand if urban environments are becoming better or worse at sustaining these species. Current data largely reflects only where effort has been expended to record key species, rather than the abundance of those species. This should help public bodies fulfill their duties under Section 6 of the Environment Act and to address the Biodiversity Emergency.
Keywords (discipline, other): Urban
Ecosystem resilience
Biodiversity
Climate change
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
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What are the trends of contaminants in soils (PCBs, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides and trace elements) and their potential impact on ecosystem services?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Baseline survey reported by the UK Soils & Herbage Survey in 2007. No updates to PCBs, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides and trace metals in soils and herbage to assess national trends. This is required to assess any potential impact on ecosystem services and well-being.
Keywords (discipline, other): Land use and soil
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Coastal margins
Urban
Semi-natural grassland
Enclosed farmland
Waste
Air quality
Biodiversity
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
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What are the types, distribution, frequency and intensity of fishing activities from commercial fishing vessels in Welsh waters?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
The majority of Welsh commercial fishing vessels are under 12m in length. However, currently we know very little about where, when, with what gear, how much gear, and how often these boats go fishing. This information would have multiple uses, including helping us to understand possible impacts on the marine environment. Data from Welsh Government’s inshore vessel monitoring systems, Catch app and logsheets could be combined and analysed to indicate the type, distribution, frequency and intensity of <12m commercial fishing vessels’ activity in Welsh waters.
Next steps and progress: Continue to liaise with Welsh Government
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine science, types, distribution, frequency, intensity, fishing, data, app, analyse, commercial fishing vessel
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: Yes External Partner: Yes Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Kirsten Ramsay Email Address: kirsten.ramsay@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Phone: NA
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What are the wider benefits provided by sustainable fish populations?,
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
For more, and updated information, please visit https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Keywords (discipline, other): Wider benefits of sustainable fish populations,”Sustainable fish populations, Marine ecosystems, Biodiversity, Fisheries”,
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: Yes External Partner: Yes Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: marinecoastalevidence@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Phone: NA
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What areas of the sea are used by different seabirds and how?,
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
For more, and updated information, please visit https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Keywords (discipline, other): Areas used by different seabirds and their usage,”Seabirds, Habitat use, Marine areas, Foraging, Nesting”,
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: Yes External Partner: Yes Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: marinecoastalevidence@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Phone: NA
________________________________________________________________________________
What areas of Welsh waters are used by different fish species and how?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
An assessment of abundance, distribution and structure of marine fish species in Welsh waters through the year, with a review of available data and recommendations for gap filling. This would lead to an update to Ellis et al. (2012) for Wales but would also cover other species, life stages and habitat use in addition to spawning and nursery grounds. Next steps and progress: Needs to be scoped out, but a contract to update and expand upon the Ellis et al. (2012) work is likely.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine fish species, abundance, distribution, structure, habitat use, spawning grounds, nursery grounds, Ellis et al. (2012), Wales
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/marine-biodiversity-collaborative-research-priorities/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: No External Partner: Yes Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: Phone:
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What can be done to encourage woodland managers to accelerate adaptation to climate change and pests and diseases, beyond UK Forestry Standard requirements, to improve the resilience of woodland ecosystems?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Adaptation to climate change and pests and diseases needs to accelerate. Understanding the mechanisms available for example those tried and tested, as well as innovative, to accelerate adaptation to climate change and pests and diseases would help inform future policy and delivery approaches.
Keywords (discipline, other): Woodland
Ecosystem resilience
Climate change
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
________________________________________________________________________________
What changes are required to achieve water efficiencies in the agriculture sector?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Guidance on optimum use of water across agriculture and business sectors is out of date. There is a need to raise awareness of new technologies which can reduce water use.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Freshwater
Enclosed farmland
Land use and soil
Semi-natural grassland
Waste
Energy
Ecosystem resilience
Biodiversity
Climate change
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
________________________________________________________________________________
What changes are required to achieve water efficiencies in the business and commerce sector?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Guidance on optimum use of water across agriculture and business sectors is out of date. There is a need to raise awareness of new technologies which can reduce water use.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Ecosystem resilience
Website/URL links: https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/research-and-reports/state-of-natural-resources-report-sonarr-for-wales-2020/evidence-needs-table/?lang=en
Looking for collaborators: n/a External Partner: Y Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: n/a n/a Email Address: Phone: NA
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