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Project title

Large Wood in River Restoration and Management

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Lead Applicant

Rossa Ó Briain

Project Abstract

Riparian zones are transitional environments between land and water ecosystems. Among the important functions of riparian zones are temperature regulation, bank cohesion and organic inputs that support food web dynamics. Another key function is their contribution of large wood (LW) to the river channel and its influence on channel forms and processes including flow patterns, sediment sorting, retention and routing, which drive dynamic, complex physical habitat assemblages for stream biota. The European CEN Guidance on standards hydromorphological condition assessment (EN 15843) identifies the absence/loss of LW as contributary factor in river degradation. In turn, the Draft Guidance standard on a strategic approach to river restoration (CEN/TC 230/WG 25/NX ) advocates restoring “riparian vegetation and in-channel wood… for better water temperature regulation, nutrient provision, and the supply of large wood material to initiate geomorphological change and increase habitat diversity”. However, in Ireland, there are few such projects and no monitoring to document the assumed biodiversity gains. The overall aim of RiverWood is to evaluate the functional relationships between riparian zones and large wood in channels and quantify its role in the provision of complex habitat and other services, in order to provide an evidence base for the protection and restoration of rivers in Ireland. The project has three core objectives: • to capture the current state of knowledge on riparian zone and LW functional relationships • to assess the efficacy (biological response, cost, sustainability) of LW augmentation as a protect and restore tool for key species, habitats and their ecosystem services • to synthesise information and drivers for existing LW management strategies in Irish rivers produce a guidance document that will support future management of riparian zones and LW in Irish rivers This project will document relationships between riparian zones, in-channel LW, physical habitat, LW mobility and ecological response in a multi-scale experimental approach. The research will assess the degree to which protecting and restoring riparian zones and associated LW delivery can be a cost-effective tool in supporting the WFD and Habitats Directives (HD) environmental objectives. This will be achieved through a combination of applied science in selected study rivers and through significant stakeholder engagement (e.g. workshops and surveys) to offer a socio-ecological perspective. Project outputs will include datasets, monitoring and modelling tools, and a unique synthesis of how the natural tree-LW cycle functions in Ireland and its implications for river management from both an environmental and societal perspective.

Grant Approved

659840.41

Research Hub

Protecting and Restoring Our Natural Environment

Research Theme

N/A

Start Date

01/07/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/06/2029