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Project Code [2018-W-MS-39]
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Project title
Coastal Lagoons: Ecology And Restoration
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
National Parks and Wildlife Sevice
Lead Organisation
Aquafact International Services Ltd
Lead Applicant
Brendan O'Connor
Project Abstract
The proposed research seeks to address the two pressures of water pollution and hydrological modification on lagoon ecology by answering a number of questions: which nutrient limits growth in the lagoon or is growth light limited? What is the fate of these nutrients once in the lagoon? Do they accumulate in lagoonal sediments or are they exported to sea? Are sediment-bound nutrients available to the ecosystem and will they persist, even if additional imports cease? Does breaching/piping under the lagoon barrier accelerate the export of nutrients to sea? If breaching/piping under the barrier occurs, what effect will changes in salinity have on the lagoon's ecosystem? By studying a single site, we would hope to describe and review the major factors involved in lagoon degradation and propose restoration methods applicable to other sites. While the initial outcome of the project will be a detailed plan to restore the Lady�s Island site, the project will also result in methods to quantify excessive nutrient inputs and impacts of lagoon turnover or flushing rates on conservation status for all Irish lagoons and suggest a suite of techniques which could reduce nutrient loading. Expected outputs of this project will be a report including a practical manual on how to improve the ecological status of Lady's Island Lake and other lagoons, attendance and presentations at appropriate Irish and European scientific conferences, scientific papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and a deeper understanding of the ecology of saline lagoons.
Grant Approved
�350,000.00
Research Hub
Natural Environment
Research Theme
Understanding, managing and conserving our water resources
Initial Projected Completion Date
04/02/2022