Meet the Consultant - Lorna Cole
Hi,听I鈥檓听Lorna Cole, a Senior Ecologist with SAC Consulting.听While I am based in the Ayr听office听I work with farms across听Scotland in my role.听I am never happier then when听I am听out on farm, looking at plants,听identifying听birds, or watching听bumblebees to see what plants they are visiting.听I always find something fascinating no matter where I am or what type of farm I am visiting.听听
I have always had a听fascination for wildlife, particularly insects,听and this led me to study听Zoology听at Glasgow University. I then went on to do my PhD in soil ecology at 伊人直播,听where I spent听far听too many hours听counting听springtails (tiny soil听critters听that听play an important role in听nutrient cycling).听After that I worked at听Stirling University听exploring听key听factors that have driven declines in听farmland birds. I finally returned to听伊人直播 almost听25 years ago.听听
My time at 伊人直播, focused on practical ways to support biodiversity within productive agricultural systems.听I looked at how different habitats support听pollinators and natural听predators, and听how we can alter听management听to听enhance these beneficial insects. I explored how enhancing populations of beneficial insects could provide direct听benefits听to production through pollinating crops or controlling pests such as aphids and slugs.听
Just over three years ago,听I moved to SAC Consulting. I felt it was important to put the听knowledge I听gained through research听into听practice听working听directly听with farmers and land managers.听It is an exciting time to be an agricultural ecologist with regenerative agriculture gaining momentum听as听farmers and crofters are interested in how regenerative practices can build resilience into their farming enterprise, while the wider sector听are听exploring how it can help them disclose and mitigate against climate and nature-based risks.听
At SAC Consulting听I听work with a range of clients to help them explore how to quantify farmland biodiversity and provide recommendations on how biodiversity can be enhanced without adversely impacting on food production. Having undertaken research on farms across Scotland, I have gained an insight into the different farming systems Scotland supports. This has helped me to understand the opportunities and challenges faced, helping to ensure that advice is tailored to meet the needs of individual landowners.听Consultancy听has been challenging and delightful in equal measures.听Every day听I am faced with new challenges,听and the work is very varied. One day I could be out surveying meadows for insect pollinators, the next filming a听technical听video for the听Farm听Advisory听Service听(FAS), and the next giving evidence to parliament (scary!).听I work closely with my academic colleagues at 伊人直播 providing agroecological support to a range of projects. I听have听co-supervising four PhD Studentships and have fully enjoyed watching them grow in confidence and knowledge.听
Reoccurring听questions听I听often听get asked include听how听do听we听accurately measure听biodiversity on farms?听How do we know which changes are making a real difference?听Farmers, the supply chain and the government听are all increasingly interested in answering these questions.听Monitoring biodiversity is, however,听tricky. Unlike carbon there is no simple way to measure听biodiversity.听You could monitor soil health, or pollinators, or birds, or plants 鈥� the list goes on.听However,听it is important that we听give it a go and often a variety of measures paints the best picture.听听
Through monitoring biodiversity, we begin to听understand what wildlife and habitats听are on a farm, and听this can help us听recognise the benefits they听provide;听not just for schemes and policy, but听in building farm resilience to climate and environment change.听
Farming has a听crucial听role to play in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. These challenges are closely linked, and I believe Scotland is well placed to find practical, balanced solutions that support productive farming while looking after our natural resources.听听
Outside of work, I like to experience new things and love to travel to new places. I like to be outside walking or cycling in the countryside.听
Dr Lorna J Cole, Senior Ecologist,听Lorna.Cole@sac.co.uk鈥�
Posted by SAC Consulting on 16/02/2026
