About US
ACES brings together natural and social scientists to carry out inter-disciplinary research on environmental sustainability. Managing our natural environments in a way that is sustainable and meets the competing demands of society is one of the great challenges facing us in the 21st Century. Our research focuses on three key areas:
- Underlying processes. Understanding the environmental, economic and social processes and trade-offs underlying environmental sustainability;
- Reconciling conflicts. Analysing and reconciling the conflicts that threaten sustainability, and;
- Developing solutions. Working with stakeholders and policy makers to develop strategies for sustainable environmental management.
Founded in 2007, ACES achieves this by building from the strengths of two high-profile research institutions - the Macaulay Institute and the University of Aberdeen.
ACES currently supports a core staff of academics and research students, and provides a platform for scientists, stakeholders and policy makers to develop inter-disciplinary science for environmental sustainability.
Successful Grant
Award winner: R. van der Wal
Institution: University of Aberdeen
Value: £38,705
Understanding determinants of plant invasiveness: a case study on tree mallow Lavatera arborea
Dr van der Wal and his team will study the invasive nature of Lavatera arborea, a tree mallow that is driving out Scottish puffin colonies. The native Atlantic-Mediterranean plant is thought to have escaped from coastal gardens into the Scottish wilderness, where it has thrived with the help of mild winters and breeding seabirds disturbing vegetation. The researchers on the project will also investigate non-invasive ranges of Lavatera arborea in Cornwall in their search for preventive measures that will help limit further destruction to the environment.
Master Courses on Environmental Sustainability
ACES staff in the coordination of interesting and stimulating interdisciplinary Master Courses:
Ecology and Environmental Sustainability (MRes/MSc/PGDip)
Sustainable Rural Development (MSc)