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CCN Mission

There are increasing demands to predict the response of catchments to future change – whether due to climate, land management or urbanisation- for decision making and policy setting. Such predictions are inevitably uncertain if only because the future inputs to the catchment cannot be known accurately. As a result, risk-based tools for use in robust, adaptive management strategies will be crucial for prioritising decisions in the face of uncertainty. Major future investment decision will depend on the methodologies selected and guidance is needed to inform and benefit this process.

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 NERC research base and science user community to understand and manage uncertainty and risk related to future changes in catchments.

CCN will explore the way in which the latest scientific methodologies can inform this process in the three Focus Areas of change in flood risk, change in water scarcity and change in diffuse pollution led by Keith Beven (Lancaster University), Enda O’Connell (Newcastle University), and Phil Haygarth (Lancaster University) with significant contributions from other N8 Universities, Cascade Consulting, JBA Consulting, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Environment Agency and other end-users. NERC have funded CCN for a period of 3 years to support network activities that will include the development of Guidance for Good Practice for applications in the Focus Areas, CPD training, annual conferences, and an evolving assessment of future research needs in collaboration with a wide variety of potential users across government and industry.