UHI Inverness researchers feature on BBC Scotland's Landward, Thurs 20 Nov

The Landward programme broadcast on BBC Scotland on Thursday, 20 November at 8.30pm will feature the environmental DNA techniques being used by Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation researchers at UHI Inverness to monitor the impact of beaver reintroduction and river restoration in the Cairngorms National Park. 

The same programme will be repeated on BBC One on Friday, 21 November at 7.30pm.

Presenter Shahbaz Majeed joined Professor Bernd Hänfling in the Cairngorms to find out how our researchers collect and analyse traces of DNA from water samples to identify the species present, without disturbing wildlife. The team was filmed working in the field in September, demonstrating how eDNA sampling contributes to establishing vital biodiversity baselines. 

Bernd said: “Establishing biodiversity baselines before the reintroduction of a keystone species or habitat restoration, followed by continuous monitoring, is essential to understand the effects these activities have on the wider environment. The eDNA techniques provide an effective non-invasive approach to do this.”

Jonathan Willet, the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Beaver Project Manager, also features in the episode, discussing the importance of robust biodiversity data in informing conservation strategies across the park.

The episode will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer BBC Scotland - Landward, 2025, Episode 23