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What are the impacts of renewable energy devices on physical processes?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
We need to understand how wave and tidal stream devices will impact on the natural environment, and how that manifests itself in terms of impact on natural variability. While the reduction in wave height or tidal current (and subsequently morphodynamics) by individual devices is likely to be small, it is crucial to learn from these demonstration devices to gain confidence in model estimates of energy extraction and changes to the physical environment. This will enhance confidence in model predictions of array scale impacts which are likely to be more substantial.
Next steps and progress: This evidence gap requires deployment of renewable energy
devices before monitoring can be undertaken. Needs discussion with Government and Industry regarding post consent monitoring.
Keywords (discipline, other): Marine sciences, impacts, renewable energy devices, physical processes, wave, tidal stream, natural environment, 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: Dr Kirsten Ramsay Email Address: kirsten.ramsay@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk 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 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 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): Enclosed farmland
Climate change
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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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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What are the most reliable methods to measure woodland cover in Wales as a result of natural processes, that is, natural colonization by trees, which takes place when grazing pressures are reduced?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
Natural colonisation by trees can support and improve resilience, and improve biodiversity outcomes in some locations. Being able to identify the extent of natural colonization by trees would support improve assessment of the stocks of natural resources.
Keywords (discipline, other): Woodland
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 reliable methods to measure, determine and report trends in net woodland cover in Wales, that is, woodland creation minus permanent woodland loss?
Summary of the Research Question / Evidence Need:
There is a concern that net woodland cover is reducing but there is currently no reliable data to assess this.
Keywords (discipline, other): Woodland
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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