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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How can we use models to assess effects of decommissioning scenarios for renewable energy developments on physical processes?,
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): Using models to assess decommissioning effects of renewable energy developments on physical processes,”Decommissioning, Renewable energy, Physical processes, Impact models”,
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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How climate change is impacting the ocean
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Climate change has many effects on marine ecosystems: increase of ocean temperatures, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, rise in sea levels, sea ice decline
Latest data from the World Meteorological Organization shows that global mean sea-level reached a new record high in 2021, rising an average of 4.5 millimeter per year over the period 2013 to 2021. Together with intensifying tropical cyclones, sea-level rise has exacerbated extreme events such as deadly storm surges and coastal hazards such as flooding, erosion and landslides, which are now projected to occur at least once a year in many locations. Such events occurred once per century historically.
Some ways that climate change has affected marine life:
Loss of marine biodiversity- damage to coral reefs and mangroves that support ocean life, and migration of species to higher latitudes and altitudes where the water could be cooler.
Changes in seawater chemistry means that less oxygen remains available (process called ocean deoxygenation)
Seawater contains more dissolved co2, causing ocean acidification
Coral bleaching
Keywords (discipline, other): Climate change, ocean, temperature, coral, water, mangrove, migration
Website/URL links: https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=A673B09CD3ADE8F9!70595&migratedtospo=true&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL28vcyFBdm5vcmRPY3NIT21oS2REa0RONzJYd2RpWWljSWc_ZT1LcEpUYUQ&wd=target%28Marine%20Biology.one%7C0c62507e-5d86-4c5e-b9df-2c5504d1d43b%2FProject%20ideas%7Cd5fb54eb-d0d0-4e44-ae04-e6dde1a56efd%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl
Looking for collaborators: No External Partner: No Organisation:
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: Phone: NA
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How connected are coastal habitats along the coast and where are there gaps in connectivity?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Connectivity maps exist for sand dunes, but require a degree of refining. Connectivity maps do not exist for the other coastal margin habitats and when produced will form a valuable tool for highlighting areas where the coastal strip is narrow and/or vulnerable and where transitions between different coastal habitats occur. Next steps and progress: Likely to be contracted out.
Keywords (discipline, other): Coastal habitats, Connectivity, Sand dunes, Coastal margin, Vulnerable areas, Habitat transitions
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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How cost effective are new water efficiency technologies, such as those for rainwater harvesting or grey water recycling?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Improved understanding synergies/trade-offs of recycling water
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Energy
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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How could sediment carbon sampling be incorporated into routine monitoring work to build the baseline evidence for blue carbon in Welsh marine habitats?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
There is growing recognition that benthic habitats play a significant role in carbon sequestration and storage, alongside other vital ecosystem services. The UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership, and UK Blue Carbon Forum, have identified a number of evidence gaps relating to the fundamental understanding of carbon fluxes, sequestration and storage by marine habitats, and there is an increasing need to develop policy on the status and / or protection of blue carbon stores. This project would test the feasibility (logistics, cost and analytical capability) of including carbon sampling in NRW’s routine sediment monitoring programs, perhaps initially as a pilot for one field season. Depending on the outcome, there would then be potential to roll a routine sampling programme out to other sites and water bodies.
Next steps and progress: NRW have initiated an in house project to assess the feasibility of this.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine Science, Sediment carbon sampling, monitoring, baseline evidence, blue carbon, marine habitats, benthic, carbon sequestration, carbon storage ecosystem services, carbon fluxes, policy
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: Dr Kirsten Ramsay Email Address: kirsten.ramsay@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Phone: NA
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How could targeted payments deliver improved water efficiency on farms?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Licensed abstractions for irrigation and other agricultural needs may be restricted by Hands off Flow conditions during periods of low flows. Water abstracted during higher flows can be stored off-line for use during these periods, reducing abstraction pressures on watercourses.
Keywords (discipline, other): Water efficiency
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Freshwater
Semi-natural grassland
Land use and soil
Energy
Biodiversity
Climate change
Enclosed Farmland
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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How diverse are agricultural and timber crops across Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Ecosystem resilience evidence needs encompass several needs from the other ecosystem and theme chapters.
Keywords (discipline, other): Ecosystem Resilience
Woodland
Mountains, moorland, and heath
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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How do changes in olfactory cues impact diadromous fish?,
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): Impact of changes in olfactory cues on diadromous fish,”Olfactory cues, Diadromous fish, Fish behavior, Habitat use”,
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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How do chemical pollutants interact and what is their combined impact on ecology and human health alone and in combination with other pressures?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
In order to safeguard our freshwater natural resources and human well-being, we need to better understand how combinations of chemicals impact on ecology and human health, and their interaction with other environmental pressures.
Keywords (discipline, other): Freshwater
Marine
Urban
Enclosed farmland
Land use and soil
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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How do human activities and changes in habitat condition affect carbon sequestration and storage in the marine environment?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
There is a growing focus on the ability of the marine environment to store and sequester carbon, and a requirement to both maintain and enhance blue carbon stores to help achieve net zero.
Particular focus at present is on blue carbon habitats such as saltmarsh and seagrass, with a view to include them in the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Existing studies show that marine habitats play an important role in carbon storage and sequestration, but we have little current knowledge on how impacts on them, and / or changes to habitat condition, may affect their ability to provide this ecosystem service.
Next steps and progress: Partnership working with other Government Bodies and Academia.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine science, blue carbon, carbon storage, carbon sequestration, net zero, saltmarsh, seagrass, marine habitats, habitat condition, ecosystem services
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: Dr Kirsten Ramsay Email Address: kirsten.ramsay@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Phone: NA
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