On 15th May, a team from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology jointly hosted an event (with Dundee University) in Kincraig as part of the Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend. The event aimed to show people some of the scientific research that takes place in the Cairngorms National Park. Aimed at all age groups, it was an opportunity for people to contribute their own ideas about the research needed in the park.
Environmental Change Network monitoring at the Cairngorms ECN site was among the activities showcased. Much of our monitoring, which has been ongoing since 1999, takes place in the Allt a'Mharcaidh valley close to Kincraig.
The team also described their international collaborative work, demonstrating how data collected in the Cairngorms contributes to a range of wider studies through projects such as INTERACT (Arctic and alpine region), eLTER (pan-European) and GLORIA (mountain top vegetation).
As well as videos and posters explaining relevant science, the team took a long a working trail camera of the type used to gather information on wildlife in the Allt a'Mharcaidh. Visitors were able to chat to the team and share their own ideas on local research needs.
If you are interested in collaborating with the UKCEH ECN team at the Cairngorms or other ECN sites, please contact us.
ECN's monitoring at the Cairngorms site is carried out by staff from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and is funded by UKCEH's UK-SCAPE programme.