Knowledge Exchange & Impact
Catchment Change Network
The Catchment Change Network (CCN) brings together a broad range of scientists and practitioners to consider the assessment of future changes across catchment systems. It is intended to enable the exchange of knowledge between the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) research base and science user community to understand and manage uncertainty and risk related to future changes in river catchments.
CCN is exploring the way in which the latest scientific methodologies can inform this process of change in the three Focus Areas of flood risk, water scarcity and diffuse pollution led by Professor Keith Beven (Lancaster University), Professor Enda O’Connell (Newcastle University), and Professor Phil Haygarth (Lancaster University) together with significant contributions from the N8 Universities, Cascade Consulting, JBA Consulting, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Environment Agency and other end-users.
NERC funded CCN for a period of 3 years (2010-2012) to support network activities to include the development of Guidance for Good Practice for applications in the Focus Areas, Continuing Professional Development training, annual conferences, and an evolving assessment of future research needs, in collaboration with a wide variety of potential users across government and industry.
For the latest catchment news and events or to join in with our ‘Catchment Conversations’ please visit the Catchment Change Network website.
Demonstrating Catchment Management
This knowledge exchange programme, led by Dr. Nigel Watson (Lancaster) and Dr. Liz Oughton (Newcastle) draws together the three strands of the Demonstration Test Catchment (DTC) UK government-funded project which is currently working in three river catchments across England: the Eden in Cumbria; the Wensum in Norfolk and the Avon in Hampshire.
The DTC project is designed to provide robust evidence regarding how diffuse pollution can be cost-effectively controlled to improve and maintain water quality in rural river catchment areas and the Demonstrating Catchment Management website represents a key focal point to allow knowledge to be exchanged among the Demonstration Test Catchment communities and beyond. It provides a space for sharing evidence and learning for all those who have an interest in diffuse pollution management in addition to encouraging wider international sharing of best practice.
By adopting an open and transparent approach to catchment research, the aim is to generate a collective understanding of diffuse pollution and a shared commitment to taking practical and cost-effective action. This type of collaborative approach offers the best prospects for managing land and water in a balanced way, protecting valuable ecosystem services and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our agricultural catchments.
If you would like to find out more about the Demonstration Test Catchments, including subscribing to the DTC Newsletter, please visit our Demonstrating Catchment Management website.