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 will be the likely impact of future extreme storms on Welsh coasts?,
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 future extreme storms on Welsh coasts,”Extreme storms, Welsh coasts, Climate change, Coastal impact”,
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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When is it appropriate to introduce uncommon or threatened semi-natural grassland species to new sites?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Diversity is a basic measure of sustainable management of natural resources. Where a species has been lost from a site or where grassland resilience has been improved by creation of new sites, uncommon species may not colonise or recolonise naturally, but when should artificial introduction be considered?
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
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 and how should Wales lobby on the regulation of energy efficiency?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Evidence needed to progress SMNR Aim 4.
Keywords (discipline, other): Energy
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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Where and when should upland and upland fringe acid grasslands be a) retained, b) converted to other forms of grassland, for example limed to create neutral hay meadows, c) restored to heathland, d) planted with trees?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Acid grassland in the uplands is not a Priority Habitat and is often subject to land-use change proposals. Correct decisions need to be made on where to: retain upland and ffridd acid grassland for biodiversity (for example chough feeding areas or grassland fungi); convert to more species-rich grassland; revert to heathland; or plant trees/woodland.
Keywords (discipline, other): Semi-natural grassland
Woodland
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
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Where are the areas of shallow peat, <50cm, and organic soils found in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Deep peat, more than 50cm deep, is mapped in Wales but there is also a substantial carbon resource and biodiversity function in shallower peat and organo-mineral soils. Locating this feature is a step towards protecting and managing that resource.
Keywords (discipline, other): Mountains, moorland, and heath
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
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Where are the coastal habitats most vulnerable to loss or extent and connectivity now and under future projections?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Identifying the most vulnerable areas of losses will aid the identification and prioritisation of opportunities for restoration, help asses the level of impact of individual pressures and inform actions to reverse declines in extent.
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 are the greatest opportunities for improving energy efficiency in Wales in addition to housing? How should opportunities be maximised?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Current progress on the energy efficiency does not reflect this. Policies, programmes and plans need to prioritised for greater focus on energy efficiency. Most of data is very much focused on building and housing and more so for social housing and/or certain georaphical area.
Keywords (discipline, other): Energy Efficiency, Climate change, Housing, Policy
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: No External Partner: Yes Organisation: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Details
Name: Email Address: Phone: NA
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Where are the important locations for river lichens?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
There is much to be favoured in extending woodland cover along watercourses. But the degree to which this will damage upland riverine lichens particularly through increased shading is uncertain; many are shade intolerant. Though dappled shade from sparse tree cover may be less damaging, shade from solid woodland blocks could seriously damage this resource. Location is the key to managing this feature.
Keywords (discipline, other): 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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Where are the most suitable locations for marine and coastal restoration (saltmarsh, native oysters and seagrass) in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
We need to build on 2021 work that mapped opportunities for restoration of native oysters, seagrass, Sabellaria, Modiolus modiolus, saltmarsh and mudflats (NRW Evidence Report No 554). This next phase should refine previous mapping to identify the most suitable locations for restoration of saltmarsh, native oysters and seagrass and take account of the opportunities to deliver wider benefits (e.g. flood defence, improved water quality, blue carbon etc.). This work could include engagement with local communities and should consider biodiversity implications on existing features in those locations.
Next steps and progress: Likely to be contracted out.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine science, location, marine and coastal restoration, saltmarsh, native oysters, seagrass, Sabellaria, Modiolus modiolus, mudflats, benefit, flood defense, improved water quality, blue carbon
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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Where are the most suitable locations for marine and coastal restoration (saltmarsh, native oysters and seagrass) in Wales?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Build on 2021 work that mapped opportunities for restoration of native oysters, seagrass, Sabellaria, Modiolus modiolus, saltmarsh and mudflats (NRW Evidence Report No 554). This next phase should refine previous mapping to identify the most suitable locations for restoration of saltmarsh, native oysters and seagrass and take account of the opportunities to deliver wider benefits (e.g. flood defence, improved water quality, blue carbon etc.). This work could include engagement with local communities and should consider biodiversity implications on existing features in those locations. Next steps and progress: Deliver through collaboration, contract being developed, some work done in house.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine restoration, saltmarsh, native oysters, seagrass, biodiversity, flood defence, blue carbon, community engagement, Wales
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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