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The importance of an ecosystem approach for Scotland’s water

The importance of an ecosystem approach for Scotland’s water. Maggie Gill Chief Scientific Adviser Rural Affairs and Environment Scottish Government. Content. How important is water to Scotland? What we are aiming for and how? Case study Take away messages. Ecosystem Services.

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The importance of an ecosystem approach for Scotland’s water

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  1. The importance of an ecosystem approach for Scotland’s water Maggie Gill Chief Scientific Adviser Rural Affairs and Environment Scottish Government

  2. Content How important is water to Scotland? What we are aiming for and how? Case study Take away messages

  3. Ecosystem Services Clean water for domestic consumption Water in support of Food and Drink industry Flood protection Transportation Renewable Energy Recreation

  4. Public water supply: daily consumption in Scotland

  5. Whisky 41,000 jobs in Scotland Gross value added in the Scottish spirits sector is £1.4 bn or 1.4% of GDP 2007 record year for whisky exports - £2.82bn in shipment value = 25% of UK and >66% of Scottish food and drink exports

  6. Soils Scotland’s soils hold 40 billion litres of water when fully wet. More than is in all the fresh water lochs Soil prevents immediate release to rivers helping to avoid flooding

  7. Water Framework Directive and Scotland: Act passed 2003 Aims - protect, enhance, and restore all bodies of surface and ground water with the aim of achieving good surface and ground water status by 2027; and …protect social and economic interests of those who depend on Scotland’s environment

  8. Water Framework Directive and Scotland 53% of Scotland’s water bodies already meet the requirements River Basin Management Plans required to include ecological objectives for all water bodies More proactive targeting of specific catchments Consultation and participation key

  9. Why an ecosystem based approach? Framework for river basin management Integrating conservation and enhancement of natural resources with social and economic objectives Optimise the total value of ecosystem services in a river basin

  10. Case Study - Pitfirrane Minewater Treatment Scheme Source: SEPA

  11. Pitfirrane Minewater Treatment Scheme Ex Dunfermline coal mine – identified for remediation in 2015 RBMP cycle The problem Minewater rises through mine workings Dissolves metals from surrounding rock strata, oxides to ochre Low iron concentration (5-7 mg/litre) but high flow rate (400 litres/sec)

  12. Pitfirrane Minewater Treatment Scheme Significant economic impact Decline in visual attractiveness reduces investment Unsuitable for fishing, irrigation, livestock watering and water supply The Solution Treatment scheme – divert through two constructed large wetlands covering an area of 20,000m2

  13. Benefits Wetland reed beds enable filtration and settlement Decrease contamination from 10mg/l entering reedbeds to 1mg/l leaving reedbeds Reedbeds also increase the biodiversity of the area forming a concentrated habitat for insects and birds

  14. Issues Impacts on communities Intergenerational issues Conflict and trade offs Valuation

  15. Take-away messages Multiple beneficiaries of clean water – communities and the economy Water management closely tied to land management Issues of who pays – research needed on valuation ‘Science’ can help to deliver multiple benefits and to explore trade-offs Community participation essential

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