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]
.
What is the impact of waste generated by the industrial sector in Wales on greenhouse gas emmisions and ecological footprint within Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Current waste data sources are limited in terms of providing comprehensive coverage across all waste producers on a regular basis. In addition, some data sources such as surveys, have limited accuracy owing to their voluntary nature and we do not have data on all waste managed in Wales for example because some activities are exempt from reporting to the regulator.
Keywords (discipline, other): Waste
Urban
Land use and soil
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 is the impact of wave and tidal renewable energy devices on mobile species behaviour and what is the risk of collision?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Important evidence to balance priorities for provisioning ecosystem services through renewable energy resources with maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, specifically mobile species. To inform our advice to developers.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine
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 is the importance of varied root depths and the role of deep rooted perennials on carbon storage and sequestration in semi-natural grassland?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Semi-natural grasslands support a greate range of species with a much greater range of root depths than improved, intenively managed grasslands. Deep rooting species (some go to >2m) have a role in carbon storage at depth, but more research is needed.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the likely efficacy of noise abatement measures in the hydrographical conditions in Welsh waters?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Important evidence to balance priorities for provisioning ecosystem services through renewable energy resources with maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, specifically mobile species. To inform our advice to developers.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine
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 is the likely impact of Agarophyton vermiculophyllum (Gracilaria) on Welsh habitats and what is its likely spread in Wales?,
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 Agarophyton vermiculophyllum (Gracilaria) on Welsh habitats,”Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, Invasive species, Welsh habitats, 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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the long term and combined impact of chemical contaminants on ecological status of lagoon water bodies and estuarine water bodies associated with saltmarsh?
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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the long term impact of chemical contaminants on saltmarsh ecology including the impacts on vegetation, marine fauna and terrestrial organisms supported by the marsh?
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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the long term impact of mowing blanket bog on mountains, moorland, and heath ecosystem resilience?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Drainage of blanket bog often led to an increase in ericoid, for example heather, cover/height and a decline in typical blanket bog breeding bird species for example curlew, golden plover, dunlin. Despite restoration of hydrology, ericoids continue to dominate while the bogs recover and mowing is advocated to control it, with potential to conflict with natural bog development. We need to assess the impact of mowing, which is not traditional in this habitat, on the long-term prospect for recovery.
Keywords (discipline, other): Mountains, moorland, and heath
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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the long term impact of mowing dwarf scrub heath on ecosystem resilience in mountains, moorland, and heath?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Dwarf shrub heath was often traditionally grazed and burnt, but with changes in grazing practice for example the loss of cattle and landowner reluctance to burn due to regulatory requirements, potential damage to wet heath and bog, and public perception, mowing is increasingly advocated to break up large swards and create firebreaks and access for stock. Lack of fire-induced Calluna germination coupled with mulching with unharvested material may change the nature of the vegetation. A review of current knowledge and possible experimental manipulation is required to enable appropriate advice to be provided.
Keywords (discipline, other): Mountains, moorland, and heath
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
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the long term impact of planting trees on shallow peats and or organo-mineral soils on carbon storage and sequestration in soil and vegetation?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Planting trees on deep peat soils is thought to lead to significant loss of soil carbon, but the effect on soil carbon of planting on grasslands over organo-mineral soils, including peats of up to 50 cm, and in particular the overall carbon balance in the long term, is less well understood.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
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
________________________________________________________________________________