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.
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What are the impacts of the slipper limpet (Crepidula fornicata) on horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) beds?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Crepidula are now being found in large amounts off of the north Llyn Peninsula in north Wales. This is very close to the location of Wales’ only horse musssel (Modiolus modiolus) reef, which is a protected under Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive. Understanding the potential negative impacts on this habitats from a newly arrived INNS species would be valuable in terms of MPA managment and condition assessment and potentially practical management. This could involve fieldwork.
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): Slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata, Horse mussel beds, Marine ecosystems, Marine, Invasive non-native species
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: Phone: NA
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What are the impacts of wave and tidal renewable energy devices on mobile species behaviour and collision?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
There is a need to undertake monitoring of tidal and wave devices beyond that required for licence conditions, to improve understanding of the frequency, nature and consequences of near-field interactions between mobile species and tidal turbines through monitoring of deployed devices. To address this evidence gap monitoring should include: near-field avoidance and evasion behaviour, quantification of number of collisions and near misses, consequences of collisions (e.g. injury/damage to animal) and identification of object/species types (to inform behaviour and impact studies). This information will provide evidence to inform impact assessments and predictions of collision risk for wave and tidal stream development.
Next steps and progress: Discussions currently underway with Government and Industry regarding post consent monitoring.
Keywords (discipline, other): wave, tidal, renewable energy, behaviour, collision, monitoring, licence conditions, mobile species, tidal turbines, deployed devices, impact assessments
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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What are the impacts on sandeels of passing through dredger screens?,
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): Impacts of dredger screens on sandeels,”Sandeels, Dredger screens, Impact assessment, Fisheries, Marine pollution”,
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 are the interventions needed to support the development of a more commercial market for Welsh-grown hardwood timber, to support a regenerative economy and increase investment and confidence in the sector?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
The commercial market for Welsh grown hardwood is currently small and fragmented. This is an under-utilised part of the Welsh woodland resource. Understanding the specific barriers and opportunities would support the move to a regenerative economy.
Keywords (discipline, other): Woodland
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 key elements of ffridd and what guidelines can we suggest for securing an appropriate balance of vegetation?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Ffridd is a distinctive and often dynamic mozaic of pasture, heathland, flush, woodland, wood-pasture, bracken and rock straddling the upland boundary where management changes reflect agricultural fortunes. Dominance by any one component may be undesirable. A better understanding of the functional relationships of the elements of ffridd should lead to better advice on management of this landscape.
Keywords (discipline, other): Mountains, moorland, and heath
Woodland
Semi-natural grassland
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 likely impacts of carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) on benthic features in Milford Haven?,
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): Impacts of carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) on benthic features in Milford Haven,”Carpet sea squirt, Didemnum vexillum, Benthic features, Milford Haven, Invasive species”,
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 are the likely impacts on human health of heatwaves in urban areas in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Current heat vulnerability maps are too coarse to accurately assess overheating danger to vulnerable residences and to plan how to defeat it (for example by planting individual trees in strategic places). Modelling and mapping is required at the level of individual streets.
Keywords (discipline, other): Urban
Air quality
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 most appropriate indicators for measuring and reporting on soil condition?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Soil condition is an important element in food production and carbon storage. A reliable and widely-agreed measure is required to be able to monitor and report on soil condition.
Keywords (discipline, other): Enclosed farmland
Woodland
Mountains, moorland, and heath
Coastal margins
Semi-natural grassland
Urban
Land use and soil
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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What are the most effective management methods to restore wood pasture whilst retaining some form of grazing management?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Historically, wood pasture was often the accidental result of periods with little or no grazing. Replicating this method requires long, 5 to 10 year, periods with very low grazing rates. These are often not economic or practical in current conditions. Fencing individual trees to allow establishment is not cost effective. Sabre planting can be successful but only on steep slopes. What other methods to establish trees are possible?
Keywords (discipline, other): Forestry, Farming, agriculture, Climate change, Ecosystem resilience, Biodiversity, wood pasture, grazing
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: Yes External Partner: No Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: Phone: NA
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What are the most effective methods to change landowner or contractor behaviour to achieve improved hedgerow condition?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
We have evidence around the barriers to and opportunities for improving hedgerow management. Behaviour change is at the heart of these opportunities and further understanding is required on how to best influence management practises.
Keywords (discipline, other): Enclosed farmland
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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