Mission Statement
We focus on applied and strategic research and consultancy. This centres on the management and sustainability of coastal, marine and mountain environments, and their rural communities. Much of this work is in developing countries and is multidisciplinary.
We advise on rural community uplift, access to clean water, and the sustainable use of natural resources. We investigate how biodiversity can control sediment and soil stability, erosion and transport. We advise on the effects of natural hazards on rural communities.
Our work is fundamental to an understanding of many current problems in environmental engineering and isolated rural communities. It is directly relevant to novel strategies in environmental management, hazard assessment and biodiversity conservation in relation to climate change. It is therefore central to the prediction of man's long-term impact on rivers and estuaries, and his long-term sustainable use of mountain, coastal zone and deep-sea environments.
Group leaders
Dr Azra Meadows OBE (azra.meadows@glasgow.ac.uk)
Dr Peter Meadows SQA
Background
Background
The Biosedimentology Group was established in the 1980's as the Biosedimentology Unit, and developed from research on the interaction between biodiversity and seabed ecosystems. Since then we have diversified to become leaders in a wide range of rural support and research programmes, scientific mountain expeditions, and deep-sea research cruises worldwide.
With the British Council, we pursue intercultural dialogue and understanding through a number of international programmes.
Coastal zone, marine & deep sea
Work in coastal zone sustainability and deep sea biogeomorphology, e.g.
Rivers & Mountains
Our work with rural communities in remote environments, and the impact of mountain rivers in these communities, e.g.
International development
Our work in conservation and disaster management as well as intercultural dialogue, e.g.
International links
We have collaborative links with governmental and non-governmental institutions worldwide. These involve biologists, engineers, sociologists and medical doctors.
Countries
These have included Algeria, Australia, Hawaii, Libya, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Qatar, Tahiti, and United Arab Emirates.
Our current main focus countries are Pakistan and the United Kingdom