Strategic Objectives for the Research Programme

RERAD have commissioned 4 major programmes of research under the umbrella of their Strategy for Research (2005–2010). This document relates to the third research programme which is centred on the theme of “Environment – Land Use and Rural Stewardship” (also frequently referred to as RERAD Programme 3 or P3).

The overall aim of this research programme is to support the development of sustainable multi-functional landscapes. This includes agriculture, forestry, game management, etc. (provisioning services) but also embraces a wide range of other ecosystem services, including regulating services (e.g.: carbon sequestration, water purification, etc.) and cultural services (aesthetic, education, recreation and tourism, etc.). A particular concern is to identify the key factors linked with ecosystem function and resilience which will ultimately enable more sustainable use of environmental resources.

Programme 3 addresses four key strategic objectives covered by the RERAD Strategy for Research (2005–2010) namely:

• Protecting the Nation’s Soils: seeks to enhance the sustainable use of Scotland’s soils and conservation of their natural heritage.
• Enhancing Water Quality: works to underpin the improvement and maintenance of water quality in Scotland.
• Conserving Natural Heritage: provides advice and information to conserve and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage at all scales, and to consider the social and economic value of this natural heritage.
• Sustainable Land Use and Rural Stewardship: takes an holistic, integrated approach to enhancing farm systems, rural landscapes and communities, so that they are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

Strategic Objective for Knowledge Transfer/ Exchange

The RERAD Strategy for Research (2005-2010) also includes an overall objective for Knowledge Transfer/Exchange (KT/E) which is to:

• Improve knowledge transfer from, and public awareness of, the research and its outputs

The Strategy requires that each of the commissioned research programmes has an identified and costed knowledge transfer plan, and that this plan should take account of different audiences, likely delivery mechanisms, timescales and means for assessing uptake. This document addresses this requirement and provides the strategic planning framework for all knowledge transfer/exchange activities associated with the programme of research on “Environment-Land Use and Rural Stewardship”.