Fresh Waters and Wetlands

Scotland has an extensive array of fresh waters with more than 100,000 km of rivers and an estimated 30,000 lochs and lochans. These are subject to a diverse range of pressures and impacts, including diffuse pollution, flood management, flow regulation, aquaculture, the spread of invasive alien species, and increases in recreational use and access. Research helps inform how these can be addressed. We also need to improve our understanding of the costs and benefits of freshwater ecosystem restoration and natural flood management.