Catchment Typologies Workshop report, Feb 2017, Edinburgh

Stutter, M.; May, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3385-9973; Carvalho, L.. 2017 Catchment Typologies Workshop report, Feb 2017, Edinburgh. Invergowrie, James Hutton Institute, 15pp. (CEH Project no. C05846) (Unpublished)

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
N517667CR.pdf
Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

This report summarises the discussion and outcomes of a workshop held in Edinburgh in February 2017 to further an area of work on catchment typologies under the Scottish Government’s strategic research programme area on waters. The workshop was organised and facilitated by a project team from the James Hutton Institute and Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Key stakeholders were invited that represented regulatory and academic interests that are developing and using typology based approaches, and other aspects of spatial data synthesis, for determining grouped behaviours among catchment functions, especially in relation to risks of waterbody responses. The aims of the workshop were to: i) introduce the context of catchment typologies and gain a common understanding; ii) share experiences and establish gaps and opportunities; iii) explore the practicalities of developing typology based approaches; and iv) share next steps in this area of work with key stakeholders. The following synthesis and conclusions result from a set of introductory talks and a two way dialogue with stakeholders. Typologies can be a useful approach to representing grouped behaviours across spatial data relating to catchment functions and waterbody (i.e. receptor) impacts. As such, they can represent commonalities in susceptibilities to multiple interacting stressors. This was thought to be especially useful when combined with risk based approaches that facilitate transfer from data rich to data poor areas or from present to future. There remains a need, however, to communicate the concept of typologies (or our distinct use of them) and terminology such as ‘catchment families’ in a simple way. This may prove useful to non-specialists as a way of conveying grouped behaviours and underlying common ‘ancestry’ within change trajectories. Scaling of typology based approaches to address specific research and operational needs was considered especially important, for input data and outputs, and for different spatial and temporal scales (including, for example, longer-term changes and ‘shocks’ due to extreme events in waterbodies). Satisfying data requirements will constrain the development of typologies and the group acknowledged a role for modelling in filling data gaps, with a need to communicate uncertainty. Good examples of community based approaches to data acquisition, sharing, online and statistical tools were shown from the United States (National Stream Internet project, USDA) and the group recognised that softening institutional barriers and promoting better sharing of data and resources would accelerate the typologies approaches and lead to better outcomes. Finally, specific areas of application of typologies were discussed in relation to a set of case studies. These are detailed in the conclusions to this report.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
Funders/Sponsors:	The Scottish Government
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	30 Aug 2017 13:41 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517667

Item Type:

Publication - Report

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Watt

Funders/Sponsors:

The Scottish Government

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment

Date made live:

30 Aug 2017 13:41 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517667