HC Deb 30 January 1990 vol 166 cc151-3W
26. Mr. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what programme he is supporting for systematic research into the impact of the terrestrial environment on the global climate comparable to the programmes on the atmosphere and the oceans; and whether he has any plans to increase the resources allocated to them.

Mr. Jackson

Through the research councils, the following programmes are being supported through the science budget: NERC is carrying out a broad programme of research in terrestrial and freshwater sciences. This provides a firm scientific base for studies of the impact of global climate change on the terrestrial environment. Current research specifically on the interaction between the terrestrial environment and global climate is as follows:

  1. (i) changes in the floristic composition of habitats and the abundance and geographical range of animals.
  2. (ii) the effects on coastal ecosystems of sea level rise.
  3. (iii) the productivity of freshwater plankton and their population dynamics in response to changes to lake stratification.
  4. (iv) investigation of the change in rates of soil organic matter decomposition and the production of trace gases.
  5. (v) modelling changes in forest productivity.
  6. (vi) the effect of climate change on water resources.
  7. (vii) predictive modelling of the frequency of extreme events such as flooding and high winds.
  8. (viii) studies of the dynamics of Antarctic terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems projects carried out by higher education institutions supported by research grants, postgraduate studentships and fellowships.
AFRC's current research in this area concerns:
  1. (i) the absorption or release of carbon dioxide by plants in photosynthesis and respiration and the effects of carbon dioxide on plant growth, production and development.
  2. (ii) the fate of nitrogen in plants and soil and the release of gases such as nitrous oxide to the atmosphere.

Within the increased resources for each of the research councils announced on 10 January, NERC is planning to extend its work and has allocated resources to a programme of Arctic ecology; AFRC intends to increase its level of spend in the area mentioned above; and SERC will be devoting resources to a research initiative on clean processes and technology.

78. Mr. Allen McKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's expenditure on research into the effects on the global climate of(a) the atmosphere, (b) the oceans and (c) the terrestrial environment.

Mr. Jackson

Expenditure by the research councils on these categories of research in 1989–90 is estimated to he as follows:

£'000
The atmosphere
NERC 1,555
SERC c.4,000
The oceans
NERC 11,487
The terrestrial environment
NERC 1,325
AFRC 10,000

In addition to the above, NERC spends £6,618,000 on research into paleoclimates and on land and sea glaciology.

97. Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will increase funding to the NERC for research into the effects of global warming.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Amos) on 10 January at columns623–24.

In addition to the specific allocations referred to, it is for the councils to decide on how the resources allocated to them should be spent.

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