Work across MASTS and the academic schools at the University of St Andrews has expanded to include a new Blue Carbon Research Centre. The centre brings together researchers from the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Sustainable Development. Equipment purchased by the grant included a specialised drone for mapping and modelling of saltmarsh, seagrass, a 3D scanner for high resolution analysis of maerl and other marine deposits to quantify their structural complexity.
The centre’s work in Scotland now includes Scottish Government funded support for a baseline blue carbon monitoring assessment of the major (£2.4M) SMEEF led seagrass restoration project as well as a UKRI NERC-funded engaged environmental science project (Muir is Tir) with the community of Barra and Vatersay (£2.4m for community flood, erosion and water quality projects – UKRI).
The funding was used for the development of a Blue Carbon Centre, creating a hub for specialist knowledge and expertise, spanning across academic schools and supplying specialized research equipment.
In 2021 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £249,216 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.