New discoveries
Scotland’s coastline is one of the longest in Europe – if it was stretched out in a straight line it would reach all the way from Scotland to Hawaii. The vast scale of Scotland’s coastal and marine resource, along with the obvious difficulties of observing and measuring what’s happening under the surface of the sea, means that we’re still discovering new species and the way that marine animals live.
For instance, only four years ago, SNH scientists
discovered one of the world’s rarest coral-like structures in a loch in Morven. These colonies of reef-building worms were previously thought to exist only in Loch Creran and in three other places in the world. It’s clear that we have a challenge ahead of us to get hold of the information we need to ensure that we choose the best sites for marine renewable technologies and to minimise their impacts on marine wildlife and habitats. “It’s vital that we increase our knowledge of the marine environment if we’re to get marine renewable development right,” comments George Lees, policy and advice manager for SNH. “We’re therefore focusing on some of the key questions that will help ensure marine devices can contribute to a low-carbon Scotland while not harming our spectacular marine wildlife.We have a number of research projects
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that will help us give the best, scientifically based advice to government and developers.” There’s a project mapping the use of sea space by
seals, basking sharks, whales and dolphins in the Pentland Firth and Orkney area, where many of the tidal turbines will be installed. Another is reviewing the effects of noise from marine devices on salmon, trout and eels. And there’s also a review of the diving behaviour of seabirds and the distances they travel to find food. Monitoring is another important strand of SNH’s research
work. Projects include surveying marine mammals, fish and birds in areas where marine devices will be placed, as well as monitoring wildlife around the EMEC wave test facility in Orkney. “In all cases, we’re identifying gaps in our knowledge and trying to ensure that we address them,” George adds.
Naturally gifted
Scotland is fortunate in being blessed with a wealth of energy from nature.We have 25% of the offshore wind, 10% of the wave and 25% of the tidal resources of Europe. But the rate at which we install renewables will need to increase if we’re to achieve the cuts in greenhouse gases that are needed to avoid dangerous climate change.
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The Nature of Scotland
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