Protecting Scotland's natural environment is the key to improving our nation's health, a conference heard yesterday.

Encouraging Scots to enjoy and respect our landscape could help us combat our unenviable health record, according to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Yesterday, SNH officially unveiled its research and development strategy for the next five years, at The Lighthouse in Glasgow.

It includes plans to improve access to the countryside and to fund studies which will measure how beneficial outdoor activities are to the health of the nation.

The underlying message is that preserving pristine natural resources is the key to securing long-term health.

Professor Des Thompson, SNH uplands adviser, said: "It is a paradox that in Scotland we have a stunning environment but our health has a long way to go.

"Our aim now is to find out to what extent our natural heritage underpins our health and our economy.

"This new research strategy marks a big shift in emphasis of our research. We are moving beyond wildlife, habitat and landscape and becoming a much more people-centred organisation."

The strategy sets out what SNH considers to be the national priorities for research in the natural heritage.

Among five broad themes, climate change features for the first time. SNH plans to fund new research into how climate change is affecting Scotland's wildlife, habitats and the tourism industry.

SNH will also support university researchers who are developing plans to mitigate climate change, including renewable energy schemes.