Water
Water connects everything. That’s why we’re unearthing its flow through ecosystems and communities, protecting its quality and managing increased flood risk.
We’re unearthing new knowledge about our threatened water systems and the changes needed to preserve them. With the risk of flooding at an all-time high, and water quality threatened by dramatic peatland degradation, your support is vital in helping us protect Scotland’s water.
Scottish water is some of the highest quality in the world, yet this precious resource is hanging in the balance. And when it suffers, so does the land and the communities who depend on it. Our extensive research into the flow of water through ecosystems and communities helps us identify the threats of today and the future. We’re working to save our own water sources and carrying out projects in India and Africa to improve the quality of theirs.
Monitoring Scotland’s Peatlands
Scotland’s peatlands are one of our country’s precious natural assets. These peat-rich ecosystems provide unique habitats for plants and animals, as well as contributing significantly to biodiversity, water purification and flood prevention. But they are deteriorating at an alarming rate, facing mounting pressures from climate change and human activity. We’ve taken a pioneering role in addressing this challenge through a network of 12 monitoring and restoration sites across the country. Our project sites stretch across Scotland and study varying environmental conditions, ranging from west and north, and all the way to Shetland.
By studying their condition, carbon balance and restoration potential, our researchers provide crucial evidence to support sustainable land management. Protecting and restoring peatlands isn’t just about conserving nature – it’s about safeguarding one of our most effective natural tools for tackling climate change.
Our peatlands are in worryingly poor health which can contribute to flooding and poor-quality brown water which requires cleaning by Scottish Water before safe use. We risk losing not only a vital carbon sink, but the biodiversity and water quality that these landscapes sustain. Our research and restoration efforts are having a positive impact on these threats, but without secure, long-term funding, we cannot continue.
Through our peatland research, and many other water-focused projects, we’re working to secure safe water supply, protecting Scotland’s landscapes and beyond. With the climate crisis looming, our work has never been more important. With your help, we can continue solving tomorrow’s problems, today.
Your support could help us:
- Keep our monitoring stations operating and repair the equipment we depend on
- Uncover new solutions to slow down peatland degradation
- Address flood and scarcity risks
- Fund the brightest minds in science and ecology
- Understand water’s movement to protect ecosystems and communities
Donate today and help fund the science that tomorrow depends on.
OUR SCIENCE IN ACTION
Research that helps save billions of litres of drinking water each day
The UK loses an estimated 6 billion litres of drinking water each day from leaks and inefficiencies – equivalent to the daily water use of more than three million households. The James Hutton Institute’s research in catchment hydrology, soil-water processes and land-use change is helping to identify hotspots of loss and develop interventions that improve water efficiency, reduce pollution and protect water supply
Donate today
By getting involved, you will be supporting world-class science that benefits everyone.
Donate
BECOME A FRIEND OF HUTTON SUBSCRIBER, IT’S FREE!
As a member, you’ll receive exclusive updates on our Unearthed fundraising campaign, be the first to hear about our latest innovations, and enjoy invitations to special events.