The Forth Environmental Resilience Array (Forth-ERA) is the first of its kind - a digital observatory of the Firth of Forth's catchment.
We use near and real-time data flows from sensors, satellites and models to provide a one-stop-shop for environmental data. This enables the Forth catchment’s diverse organisations, from heavy industry to national parks, to take data-led, evidence-based decisions and plan for a sustainable and just transition to a net zero future.
Forth-ERA is a multi-million-pound investment programme through Scotland’s International Environment Centre, funded as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.
A world-first, Forth-ERA will be able to monitor and analyse real-time data on a catchment-wide scale. This will enable the Forth catchment’s diverse organisations – from heavy industry to national parks – to take data-led, evidence-based decisions and plan for a sustainable and just transition to a net zero future.
Forth-ERA is a groundbreaking digital observatory with near and real- time data flows from sensors, satellites and models, offering a one-stop-shop for environmental data. It will provide the Forth Valley region with the local living laboratory.
A research and innovation structure, Forth-ERA will capitalise on research and knowledge transfer opportunities, delivering significant added value to the University, Forth Valley region business community and residents.
Water is essential. It sustains life and flows through every aspect of human activity such as industry, agriculture, transport and energy. Water is also central to how we experience climate change. Professor Andrew Tyler, University of Stirling and Scotland Hydro Nation Chair, introduces Forth-ERA and how we can adapt, become resilient and operate sustainably.
Our team of scientists bring data to life. We offer services in sensor networks, satellite mapping, drone surveys, artificial intelligence and data visualisation.
Data applications can:
For example, we help Scottish Water implement innovative cost-cutting solutions to monitor drinking water quality by providing access to real time data flow. We provide early warning information to SEPA, Scotland's principal environmental regulator, on floods and drought in areas at risk of coastal, river and flash flooding.
We have already demonstrated how providing additional information on the quality and quantity of water across the continuum of inland to coastal waters can support and inform the actions of businesses and regulators across the Forth Valley.
These included providing:
The ability to analyse live data at such scale supports Scotland’s transition to a net zero carbon society by:
Initially, we demonstrated how information on the quality and quantity of water across the Forth Valley can support and inform the actions of businesses and regulators.
These included providing
The programme will expand significantly to develop a full catchment design, enabling that critical system scale understanding and providing real time data sets on multiple themes including sustainable waters, carbon landscapes, climate extremes and conserving biodiversity.
See how Forth-ERA is responding to the climate challenge in a series of videos focussing on different aspects of the project.
The initial phase of the project will demonstrate how providing additional information on the quality and quantity of water across the continuum of inland to coastal waters can support and inform the actions of businesses and regulators across the Forth Valley.
Working with an initial cohort of organisations in the region, the University’s researchers will demonstrate how the platform can be used to provide additional ways to monitor water quality in drinking water reservoirs; provide near real-time forecasts of bathing water quality; provide early warning and monitoring of floods; and provide real time data on water temperature to help inform the brewing and distilling sector. In doing so, the project will support communities and employers, helping to drive forward a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
The technology being deployed through Forth-ERA can be applied in a wide range of settings and across multiple sectors: from agriculture and fisheries, and food and drink, to shipping and navigation, biodiversity and conservation, oil and gas, renewables and low carbon, green tourism and heritage, local and national governance and public health.
Working with Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, researchers will engage with large local employers and small to medium-sized enterprises as the project progresses, providing opportunities for research findings to feed directly into local businesses and make a meaningful contribution to the regional economy.
As a global exemplar of green recovery, which is easily scaled and could be replicated elsewhere, the project has the potential to offer intelligent, data-led solutions as businesses, policymakers and regulators across the world make the transition to a more sustainable future.
Knowledge and insights from the Forth-ERA project will directly inform the work of Scotland’s International Environment Centre, established as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal. The Centre will position Scottish research and innovation at the forefront of international efforts to pursue economic productivity through a shift to cleaner, greener growth.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation. Forth-ERA offers a distinct opportunity for a range of businesses and organisations to chart a shared path to a cleaner, greener future. By working together, we harness the insights provided by live data and analytics to pioneer new solutions, and drive sustainable growth at a local, national and international level.
Academic Director- Professor Andrew Tyler
Technical Director - Dr Peter Hunter