Evaluating nature based strategies in rural landscapes for managing low flows and stream temperatures
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Sch of Geosciences
Abstract
Recent years have seen an increasing interest in alternative, nature based (as opposed to traditional engineering) solutions (NBS) for risk prevention from extreme hydrometeorological events. Such NBS are gaining momentum internationally and range from local storage ponds to
entire river restoration projects, though key efforts typically involve efforts to slow or temporarily store flood water in the uplands. While there is a need for wider application-orientated frameworks for effective NBS planning, current knowledge is primarily based on isolated design strategies used at small scale sites. In addition, the urgent development of appropriate funding mechanisms lacks further scientific evidence on the multi-beneficial nature of NBS.
This study will explore NBS strategies for mitigating low flows and increased water temperatures, which are predicted under future climate projections with prolonged warm and dry periods. By affecting the time-scales of water retention in different parts of the landscape, NBS has the
potential to substantially impact on recharge, subsurface storage and flow pathways, which in turn have implications for e.g. water quality and temperature. As such, when designed in a more holistic framework, NBS can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change, and can be used to the benefit of (industry) end-users who rely on water quantity, quality and temperature standards. This includes the multi billion pound (CASE partner) distillery industry.
The project will contribute to the knowledge on multi-purpose functioning and the placement of different NBS and provide a framework for integrated NBS design in the uplands. It addresses key deficiencies in the understanding of NBS impacts on recharge (and surface water ground water interactions) that could be beneficial to the full flow regime spectrum, including low flows; how this relates to landscape attributes; how these impacts affect stream temperatures/water quality; and how integrated NBS function to affect hydrological processes at the catchment scale.
entire river restoration projects, though key efforts typically involve efforts to slow or temporarily store flood water in the uplands. While there is a need for wider application-orientated frameworks for effective NBS planning, current knowledge is primarily based on isolated design strategies used at small scale sites. In addition, the urgent development of appropriate funding mechanisms lacks further scientific evidence on the multi-beneficial nature of NBS.
This study will explore NBS strategies for mitigating low flows and increased water temperatures, which are predicted under future climate projections with prolonged warm and dry periods. By affecting the time-scales of water retention in different parts of the landscape, NBS has the
potential to substantially impact on recharge, subsurface storage and flow pathways, which in turn have implications for e.g. water quality and temperature. As such, when designed in a more holistic framework, NBS can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change, and can be used to the benefit of (industry) end-users who rely on water quantity, quality and temperature standards. This includes the multi billion pound (CASE partner) distillery industry.
The project will contribute to the knowledge on multi-purpose functioning and the placement of different NBS and provide a framework for integrated NBS design in the uplands. It addresses key deficiencies in the understanding of NBS impacts on recharge (and surface water ground water interactions) that could be beneficial to the full flow regime spectrum, including low flows; how this relates to landscape attributes; how these impacts affect stream temperatures/water quality; and how integrated NBS function to affect hydrological processes at the catchment scale.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/P010334/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 2665770 | Studentship | NE/P010334/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/11/2021 | Jessica Fennell |
| NE/W502820/1 | 01/04/2021 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 2665770 | Studentship | NE/W502820/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/11/2021 | Jessica Fennell |
| Description | Three years of hydrometeorological and tracer-based data was collected from a temperate, upland catchment, at high spatial and temporal resolution. Few such datasets are available from these environments, and this period included the European 2018 drought and contrasting high flows. It was found that streamflow and temperatures were largely maintained by groundwater through the drought. However, groundwater stores were being depleted, only recovering in 2019 due to above average rainfall. These results contribute to scientific understanding of catchment processes through drought and informed the development of a modelling framework to test the impacts of nature-based solutions (NBS). The modelling framework in MIKE SHE/MIKE 11 tested the effects of NBS of different types, locations, and scales. Results showed that runoff attenuation features (RAFs) could provide small but positive effects on low flows and groundwater recharge, whereas planting may have larger, more negative impacts on water resources. Both reduced high and medium flows. NBS type and design factors were key to optimising impact, but also avoiding negative impacts. Results revealed the importance of soil type, location in the catchment, and scale, both in terms of volumes and spread of NBS over greater areas, providing evidence for future NBS implementation. A 25-year cost-benefit analysis for the whisky industry was developed, specifically focusing on enhancing water availability through low flows. The results suggested RAFs up to a certain volume could be cost-effective for enhancement of low flows, whereas planting would exacerbate drought over this timescale. Through this project the key objectives of the award have been met. Insights into NBS function, potential impacts and how type and design may affect this have been gained through the full flow regime spectrum. Although different from the original proposal, the impacts of climate change were considered, as the study period was deemed representative for conditions likely to occur in the next 20 years. This avoided adding further uncertainty through use of climate change scenario analysis, and for the industry-relevant cost-benefit analysis, 20-years was appropriate. |
| Exploitation Route | The project findings may be taken forward by several different stakeholder groups. There is a need to maintain groundwater resources sustainably to ensure function of temperate, upland environments in future. Therefore researchers, industry and government require understanding of the groundwater resources available, and that regulations on abstractions are appropriate. NBS could improve the management of groundwater resources. Whilst the results of this study suggest the types, locations, and scales of NBS are key to their impact, more data is needed, both empirical and modelling, in different types of catchments and over larger scales to further understand NBS potential. This study has shown there is great benefit to collaboration between researchers and those in industry, for access to data, study sites and ensuring the outcomes are relevant, but this likely also applies to agricultural stakeholders, or local communities for implementation and monitoring of NBS. Combining results with cost-benefit analysis can also help to communicate in a way that is more relevant to stakeholders, which in turn helps researchers enhance the impact of their research. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | The project findings have had an impact on the whisky industry. The results have highlighted the importance of management of groundwater resources for resilience through drought, therefore there is now more being done to investigate the potential management of water resources with climate change. Previously where NBS had been installed at Glenlivet as a test site, further NBS have been planned to be implemented more widely throughout the catchment. There has also been interest from a number of other whisky distilleries as to the potential for implementation of similar NBS to enhance groundwater recharge. This certainly will have had an economic impact on distilleries and perhaps more widely the food and drinks industry, with further investment in more nature-based approaches. As a result this will likely have had a more positive impact on society, with less heavy-engineering approaches and policies directed more towards enhancing natural processes. The research outcomes may have also generated additional interest from an academic perspective. Many nature based solutions are implemented in order to mitigate the impacts of flooding, and few have been assessed to evaluate potential groundwater recharge. Therefore, this may have encouraged further investigation into existing NBS to evaluate the impacts in this regard. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Title | Glenlivet research database |
| Description | Database containing hydro-meteorological, water quality, stable water isotope and temperature data, MIKE SHE and MIKE 11 model inputs and outputs, R and matlab scripts, maps and relevant papers and information collated for the Glenlivet study site. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The data collected has been used in projects also partnered with the Glenlivet Distillery, and will be made more widely available. |
| Description | Chivas Brothers Ltd project partner |
| Organisation | Chivas Brothers ltd. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Knowledge on sources of water to distillery. Design and placement of nature based solutions for water management. Cost-benefit analyses for nature based solutions related to water supply to industry. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to field site and data. Intellectual knowledge on water use by whisky distillery |
| Impact | 3 stakeholder workshops/dissemination meetings, 3 scientific papers, 2 conference presentations. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | James Hutton Institute |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Access to research data. Presentation of research work at conferences. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sample analysis, use of equipment and facilities, expertise and supervision. |
| Impact | 3 stakeholder workshops/dissemination meetings, 3 scientific papers, 2 conference presentations. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | BBC Weather World short documentary on Whisky and Wine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC weather world produced a short documentary focused on the production of whisky and wine and the potential impacts of climate change on these industries. For this program, Josie Geris, Ronald Daalmans and I were interviewed on site, explaining the purpose of the research and some of the techniques we aimed to use in order to achieve the aims of the project. As a result, this helped inform the general public of the importance of this work, and the potential impacts on their lives in future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06jg1kx |
| Description | Glenlivet Dissemination Day: Using NBS approaches to mitigate low flows [021122] |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On the 2nd November 2022, Chivas Brothers, James Hutton Institute and University of Aberdeen held a Dissemination Day at Glenlivet distillery (inc. a field visit) to review and discuss the outcomes on the Potential Application of Nature-based Solutions for Water Resource Management (in particular low flows). The aim of the day was to discuss the wider potential of NBS, as well as the implications for current policy in relation to water resource / drought management, land management and payment for ecosystem services. Stakeholders from SEPA, Nature Scot, Crown Estate Scotland, Cairngorms National Park, CREW, Forest Scotland, Glenrinnes Estate and Spey Fisheries attended the meeting. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Press release by Chivas ltd. led to national news story at project initiation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Press release conducted by Chivas Ltd. then led to the research being publicised by a number of different newspapers. This occurred at the initiation of the project. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/education/higher-education/1441207/aberdeen-student-joins-forces-with-one-of-speysides-most-famous-distilleries/ https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/11689/ https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/plymouth-woman-trying-save-whisky-1333907 https://www.thedevondaily.co.uk/tags/whisky |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.allmediascotland.com/media-releases/133186/media-release-phd-student-aims-to-make-future-... |
| Description | Press release for the University of Aberdeen news, led to national news story at project completion. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The University of Aberdeen conducted a press release on completion of the project, which was then picked up by national news. Dr Geris was also interviewed by BBC Radio Aberdeen, Moray Firth Radio, and the New Statesman. The story featured in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail Online, Independent, Scotsman, Press and Journal, Metro, Edinburgh Evening News, Glasgow Evening Times, Belfast Telegraph, Yorkshire Post, Evening Standard, and other titles. https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/university-aberdeen-research-finds-small-7413331 https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/aberdeenshire-natural-environment-research-council-b2136647.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-11073717/Small-dams-distilleries-producing-whisky-dry-spells.html https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/distillery-dams-could-protect-whisky-production-during-future-scottish-heatwaves-3790561 https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/national/20595968.small-dams-keep-distilleries-producing-whisky-dry-spells/ https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/aberdeenshire-b1016247.html https://www.thenational.scot/news/national/20595968.small-dams-keep-distilleries-producing-whisky-dry-spells/ https://ukdaily.news/manchester/small-dams-could-encourage-distilleries-to-produce-whiskey-during-dry-spells-8000.html https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dams-to-keep-drams-flowing-from-scottish-whisky-distilleries-in-dry-spells-x66r3mtxb https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/08/dams-could-support-scotch-production/ https://www.chivasbrothers.com/2022/08/a-dam-fine-dram-researchers-team-up-with-the-glenlivet-to-protect-whisky-production/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/16226/ |
| Description | Short film interview for university press release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Short film conducted by the University of Aberdeen communications department, explaining the research conducted and the key outcomes. This was filmed at the Glenlivet distillery, with Ronald Daalmans and Jessica Fennell, and led to more than 1000 views on Youtube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N029jeva1Vo&list=PLmKrFyUVrIH7hQNWpHXBFWGOM-pUpImcS |
| Description | Stakeholder engagement day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Stakeholder engagement day conducted by team members, which included a number of talks, discussions and a visit to the nature based solutions installed on site at Glenlivet. Various stakeholder groups attended, including those from local environmental charities, organisations and those in industry. This resulted in an improved local understanding of the potential use of nature based solutions, and a number of enquiries relating to the potential implementation of nature based solutions at number of locations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |