Transfers and impacts of nutrients and contaminants from the mountains to the sea: Our land, rivers and coastal areas are closely connected but have traditionally been studied and managed separately. ECW will bring together scientists who specialise in the flows of carbon, nutrients and contaminants within and between these different ecosystems and develop modelling approaches to predict future trends with a particular focus on climate change.

Molecular Ecology and Evolution: ECW will provide a common technology platform and range of expertise on molecular technologies, such as gene sequencing, genetic fingerprinting and genomics to address questions about the impact of man-made and natural environmental change on organisms in these different environments. The fact that genetic diversity can be examined in all biota, will allow integration of research effort across traditional taxonomic boundaries.

Management of resources: Our focus will be on identifying the drivers and consequences of changes in resource management in low production but heavily exploited systems. Key developments to be evaluated include new systems of land management including agri-environment schemes, catchment sensitive farming, novel crop systems and increased tree cover and their sustainability under a changing climate and air pollution. This will involve the integration of our first two science areas with socio-economic expertise to identify impacts on human users and key resources such as soils and water.