Liam’s research investigates the impacts of land-use change on stream and river ecosystems across the Flow Country. Specifically, how peatland-dominated catchments respond to restoration efforts such as drain blocking and plantation removal. Their work involves measuring streams with varying catchment land use dominance and analysing variations in nutrients, colour, turbidity, pH, dissolved metals, temperature, and suspended sediments. 

Liam aims to link these environmental factors to the communities of stream and river macroinvertebrates, salmon, and waterbirds that inhabit these ecosystems. 

By understanding how restoration practices impact these populations and their habitats, their work contributes to the broader goals of ecosystem conservation and sustainable land management. 

Liam is also a lecturer in the UHI environmental science degree, teaching the Field Course and Environmental Processes courses.