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Project title

EcoMetrics - environmental supporting conditions for Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Laurence Gill

Project Abstract

The project will develop potential environmental supporting condition metrics for a subset of Groundwater Terrestrial Dependent Ecosystems (GWDTE), focusing on turloughs, fens and raised bogs. The metrics are required for the Water Framework Directive characterisation process. The research activities will first identify and collate existing geospatial data relevant to the creation of a draft �potential� GWDTE register. This will be complemented by activities which will use remote sensing techniques to further identify GWDTEs. The main body of the project will then focus on the identification of appropriate environmental supporting conditions for turloughs, fens and raised bogs. This will be achieved from a combination of existing ecohydrological data (where available) and some additional field study where required, particularly for the fens. Metrics will then be defined for each of these wetland types that provide a robust assessment of the environmental supporting conditions which will then be tested back on a subset of the respective wetlands which have not previously had any significant ecohydrological studies carried out on them. This project will finally collate a comprehensive geospatial register of potential GWDTEs in Ireland. The research project will produce enhanced understanding of the environmental supporting conditions for turlough, fen and raised bog ecosystems in Ireland. It will also define appropriate robust metrics by which such conditions can be characterised. This will include novel remote sensing methods and metrics which should be applicable to the quantification of GWDTE environmental supporting conditions. These metrics will then be trialled on a subset of respective GWDTEs. The project will also collate a geospatial database of all potential turloughs, fens and raised bogs in Ireland, again helped by novel remote sensing methods. The project will produce a Final report and 2-page summary report for the EPA, as well as new field ecohydrological data (particularly for fens). It is expected that at least 8 peer reviewed papers in highly ranked international journals (including 5 as open access) will be produced. Also, the information gained during the project will be disseminated by a range of different activities such as input into national media such as articles for the GSI newsletter, the Farmers Journal, presentations to both national and international conferences, as well as being included in presentations to school children as part of the government�s Smart Futures initiative.

Grant Approved

�499,895.44

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Water - Ecosystem services and sustainability

Start Date

31/03/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/03/2020