Characterising the seascape of the Tay
Published On Wed 6 Apr 2016 by Grant Hill
Scientists, environmental campaigners and policy makers will attempt to define and visualise the seascape of the Tay and Forth estuaries at a conference at the University of Dundee later this month.
Seascape originally referred to works of art which depicted the sea, but the term has come to be used in planning contexts as a combination of adjacent land, coastline and sea within a specific area. The 19th annual Tay Estuary Forum conference, taking place at West Park Conference Centre on Friday 22nd April, will see delegates discuss current issues affecting the estuary and surrounding coast.
This year’s event will see researchers, representatives of local authorities, and other stakeholders deliver presentations on topics including biodiversity, offshore renewables, coastal erosion, winter storms, marine tourism and recreation and Scotland’s changing coast.
The TEF is a voluntary local coastal partnership, hosted by the University of Dundee, covering an area from the River North Esk to Fife Ness, including the Tay Estuary to Scone. It is part of a wider, national network of Scottish coastal partnerships, helping to deliver integrated coastal zone management.
Dr Laura Booth, TEF Project Officer, said, “Seascape means different things to different people and this event will highlight some of the many elements that characterise our coasts, how they change over time, and will explore how we view and assess those changes.
“The TEF is in a unique position to bring together a collaboration of scientists, policy-makers, environmental groups, students and artists each year; to update and inform each other about a diverse range of initiatives along the Tay and East coast of Scotland.”
The Tay Estuary Forum regularly communicates with coastal stakeholders, user groups and the general public on a variety of coastal and marine current issues. The conference organisers are keen for as many young researchers as possible to get involved, with postgraduate students among those giving presentations at the conference.
Professor Rob Duck, TEF Chair, said, “This year’s speakers will spark lively debate surrounding a wide range of current coastal, marine and environmental topics, with an east of Scotland focus. We have put together a packed programme and presentations will range from the national scale to local-specific initiatives, all of which aim towards sustainable management of our coasts and seas ensuring a productive future”.
‘Seascape: A Coast of Contrasts’, the Tay Estuary Forum Annual Conference 2016, takes place at the West Park Centre, Dundee, on Friday, 22nd April. Registration is essential, and booking forms and more information are available from https://tayestuary.org.uk/.
More information is available by contacting Project Officer Dr Laura Booth on 01382 384933, or by emailing TayEstuaryForum@dundee.ac.uk.
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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk