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. We are still adding relevant keywords to the data, so try a different search term if nothing comes up or get in touch for support searching the database.
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 is the impact of climate change induced summer flow reductions on riverine ecosystems?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Current research indicates that average natural summer flows in rivers could drastically reduce by between 50 and 80 % across Wales. However, the potential impacts and the consequences of these changes on our riverine ecosystems and water resources requires further study.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Freshwater
Climate change
Waste
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of climate change on soil chemical changes, macro and micro nutrients in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Evidence gaps remain on the impact of climate change on the chemical properies of soils, emphasis on nutrients.
Keywords (discipline, other): Land use and soil
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 is the impact of disturbance including recreation, access, boats and aircraft on coastal birds?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
This evidence would help to evaluate extent of this pressure and identify areas for management.
Keywords (discipline, other): Coastal margins
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of elevated nutrient levels on algal growth and resulting impact on organisms in estuarine and coastal water bodies?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Inform condition and pressure from poor water quality.
Keywords (discipline, other): Coastal margins
Marine
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of emerging technologies for renewable energy on human well-being?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
This would provide a holistic view of technologies
Keywords (discipline, other): Energy
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 is the impact of emerging technologies for renewable energy on the natural environment in Wales and its ecosystem services?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Renewable Energy should be a nature based solution that continously supports the ecosystem. For instance green hydrogen production from offshore wind could have impact on the marine environment especially on a commercial scale despite it being best form of hydrogen production.
Keywords (discipline, other): Energy
Ecosystem resilience
Woodland
Marine
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Freshwater
Coastal margins
Urban
Semi-natural grassland
Enclosed farmland
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 is the impact of exempt abstractions on water availability?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Abstractions below 20m3/day do not require a licence. We need to know the amount of water (legally abstracted but unlicensed) to identify potential impact hotspots.
There are 15k+ exempt abstractions in Wales registered with local authorities and drinking waer inspectorate.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Freshwater
Climate change
Waste
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of extensive tree planting on resilience of semi-natural grassland and other ecosystems in uplands, including the impact on threatened breeding birds?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
The implications of very extensive and expanding tree planting on acid grassland in the uplands needs more consideration.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
Woodland
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of including previously exempt abstractions on local water balance calculations?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Previously, not all exempt abstractions over 20m3/d have been included in resource availability mapping. Inclusion will help to identify supply/demand hotspots and potential failure to meet Water Framework Directive standards.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Freshwater
Climate change
Waste
Ecosystem resilience
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 is the impact of invasive non-native species of Interest to Wales on multiple ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide in Wales currently?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Review the current research findings on the current impact and predicted future impacts of invasive non-native species on ecosystems and their ecosystem services. To be repeated as more species are included.
Research from other regions or countries may not reflect the impact that invasive non-native species have when they establish in Wales due to differences in topography, climate, etc.
Keywords (discipline, other): Invasive non-native species
Woodland
Marine
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Freshwater
Coastal margins
Urban
Semi-natural grassland
Enclosed farmland
Land use and soil
Water efficiency
Ecosystem resilience
Climate change
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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