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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Where have there been changes in the extent of coastal habitats?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
This would help with the assesment of stocks of the coastal habitats.
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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Where have there been gains in coastal margin habitat from habitat restoration?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Evidence needed to progress SMNR Aims 1 and 2..
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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Where is habitat rollback occurring and what gains in habitat are there in response to coastal change?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
The rollback of coastal habitats in response to climate change, sea level rise and cliff erosion is expected where conditions allow. Evidence is required to record and provide a register of where this is currently occurring, documenting habitat gains in terms of extent and condition. Evidence is also required concerning the actual change relating to climate and storm events. The requirement would be to create up to date maps (and a methodology to keep them updated) showing locations where change is occurring due to storms / sea level rise on unconstrained coasts. Next steps and progress: Likely to be contracted out (development of a methodology).
Keywords (discipline, other): Habitat rollback, Coastal change, Climate change, Sea level rise, Cliff erosion, Habitat gains, Storm events
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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Where might beneficial use of dredge material be appropriate in Welsh waters?,
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): Beneficial use of dredge material in Welsh waters,”Dredge material, Beneficial use, Welsh waters, Coastal management”,
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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Where should new semi-natural grasslands be created to best improve grassland connectivity and ecosystem resilience?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
New grasslands will need to be created if grassland ecosystems are to be made more resilient. More research is needed to help decide where these should be located.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
Ecosystem resilience
Enclosed farmland
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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Where should new semi-natural grasslands be created to have most ecosystem service benefit, for example carbon storage or sequestration; water regulation and flood prevention; pollination supply; education; leisure; landscape?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Semi-natural grasslands can deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. New sites should be located to increase ecosystem service delivery, for example to help regulate water supply on floodplains and pollinator supply near to cropland.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
Land use and soil
Water efficiency
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
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Which freshwater-dependent habitats and species are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, how will they be affected and where are they located in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Keywords (discipline, other): Freshwater
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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Which goals in the Well-being of Future Generations Act require a change in the energy system?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
What are the synergies and trade-offs which affect;
1. Aspiration of achieving the greater welfare of well-being
2. Build physical and social infrastructures for sustainable development
3. Achieve sustainable management of the natural environment
For instance, in order to achieve ‘a healthier Wales goal’, look at the impact of energy on health such as fuel poverty, air quality – so what needs to fundamentally change in the energy system to help achieve healthier Wales.
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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Which semi-natural grassland species, including bryophytes and lichens, are particularly vulnerable to atmospheric nitrogen pollution?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Evidence of the negative effacts of atmospheric nitrogen and ammonia on grassland plant species is increasing, but more research is needed.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
Ecosystem resilience
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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Why has soil organic carbon concentrations declined on habitat land in the uplands?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
ERAMMP monitoring has shown a short-term decline this evidence is needed to help inform future sustainable land management practices.
Keywords (discipline, other): Land use and soil
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Semi-natural grassland
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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