Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy最新文献

{"title":"HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGIES OF SEDIMENTATION AND HEAVY-METAL CONTAMINATION IN STRANGFORD LOUGH, NORTHERN IRELAND","authors":"J. Strong, M. Service","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2008.108.2.109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2008.108.2.109","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:Sediment coring for subsequent elemental analysis and radionuclide dating is an effective way to reconstruct sedimentation and contamination chronologies in sheltered marine environments. Of four sediment cores collected in Strangford Lough, three showed clear spikes in the mass accumulation of sediment in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These brief periods of heavy sedimentation also coincided with periods of conspicuous change in particle-size parameters in two cores. Monthly meteorological data for Northern Ireland suggest that wind speeds and rainfall were also above average for this period. However, the majority of the annualised meteorological data failed to correlate with the particle-size parameters or the sedimentation rate. Heavy-metal analysis indicated that most metals are near a predicted background concentration, although Cd appears to be particularly enriched, and Cd concentrations continue to increase in the most recent deposits. This study furthers our understanding of historical rates of sedimentation in Strangford Lough. The influence of anthropogenic activities on sedimentation dynamics is also discussed.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"74 1","pages":"109 - 126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77546693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PROGRESS ON STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND","authors":"K. Irvine, Sinéad O'Brien","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2009.109.3.365","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2009.109.3.365","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires understanding of both technical issues and, under Article 14, dialogue among stakeholders. To date, consultation with stakeholders, including the general public, has occurred mainly through the establishment of river basin district advisory councils, and following the dissemination of documents, entitled Water matters, outlining significant issues for meeting the WFD's environmental objectives. Here, we review progress in the Republic of Ireland for meeting the goals of Article 14 and examine how that progress compares with a set of principles of best practice for stakeholder participation. Overall, information is generally available, but there are some problems in accessing background information, unprocessed (raw) data and land-use data. While the main issues were outlined in Water matters, the clarity with which these issues were presented, the extensiveness of coverage and the quality of feedback were of concern to some stakeholders. A series of associated public meetings were generally poorly attended. Active involvement, through the advisory councils, appears limited, with no formal process for information dissemination or dialogue with stakeholders. Adoption and promotion of guiding principles of best practice that promote inclusiveness; transparency; commitment, including provision of adequate resources; accountability; a general openness for mutual learning; and improved structures to address stakeholder concerns are likely to provide a more effective process. A complementary approach to meet overall WFD objectives would be to view the WFD as an environmental management system; this provides a continuous process that circumvents pitfalls of imprecise or inappropriate targets, but it is likely to provide more realistic decision support, facilitating stakeholder understanding.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"27 1","pages":"365 - 376"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80085867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"IS NATURALISATION OF THE BROWN HARE IN IRELAND A THREAT TO THE ENDEMIC IRISH HARE?","authors":"N. Reid, W. Montgomery","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2007.107.3.129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2007.107.3.129","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:On islands, one of the greatest risks to native wildlife is the establishment of alien species. In Ireland, the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus), the only native lagomorph, may be at risk from competitive exclusion and hybridisation with naturalised brown hares (L. europaeus) that were introduced during the late nineteenth century. Pre-and post-breeding spotlight surveys during 2005 in the north of Ireland determined that brown hare populations are established in mid-Ulster and west Tyrone. In mid-Ulster, brown hares comprised 53%-62% of the hare population, with an estimated abundance of 700-2000 individuals between pre-and post-breeding periods. Comparison of habitat niches suggest that Irish and brown hares have comparable niche breadths that at times completely overlap, suggesting the potential for strong competition between the species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that both species may hybridise. Further research is urgently required to assess the degree of risk that naturalised brown hares pose to the Irish hare population and what action, if any, is needed to ensure the future ecological security and genetic integrity of the native species.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"1 1","pages":"129 - 138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79032499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reconstructing long-term trophic histories for lakes using two independent approaches: Application of dynamic computer modelling and palaeolimnology to Lough Mask, Ireland","authors":"S. Murnaghan, David Taylor, E. Jennings","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2015.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2015.18","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:ABSTRACTAn understanding of the extent to which natural variability has been and is being exceeded by the effects of human activity can make an important contribution to the effective management of impacted water bodies, including their restoration. Frequently, however, the required monitoring data are not available, particularly for the period prior to human impact, or are of insufficient quality. Two methodological solutions to this problem are often proposed, both of which involve the reconstruction of past variations in water quality and associated ecological conditions through indirect means: computer (hindcast) modelling and sedimentary (palaeolimnological) analyses. Both proposed solutions are not without their own challenges, however. Here a series of dynamic computer models (a catchment model and an in-lake ecological response model) and palaeolimnological techniques (including sediment-based diatom-inferred total phosphorus, DI-TP), were used to reconstruct total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and measures of primary productivity in Lough Mask, Co. Mayo, for the period ad 1905–2006. Although results from both approaches indicated similar patterns of nutrient enrichment in the lake during the twentieth century, sediment-based DI-TP values were consistently higher than hindcast-modelled in-lake TP concentrations. Both approaches indicated oligotrophic to mesotrophic conditions in Lough Mask prior to c. ad 1950. Elevated trophic conditions (in the range mesotrophic–eutrophic) were evident from c. ad 1970. Modelling results indicated that increased diffuse phosphorus loading from agricultural sources was the main driver of nutrient enrichment from c. ad 1970. Eutrophication was also concurrent with climatic warming, which was manifested in strengthened thermal stratification in model simulations. Results generated by the two approaches suggest that pre-ad 1950 trophic conditions could be used as a reference baseline, representing conditions prior to major impacts from agricultural intensification, for defining current water quality management targets.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"6 1","pages":"171 - 189"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79427685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological Observations on Shark Species Taken in Commercial Fisheries to the West of Ireland","authors":"A. Henderson, K. Flannery, J. Dunne","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2003.103.1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2003.103.1.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:During an investigation into the biology of three shark species commonly taken in Irish fisheries, biological information was also collected from an additional six less-common species: Galeorhinus galeus, Lamna nasus, Mustelus asterias, Galeus melastomus, Hexanchus griseus and Dalatias licha. Data on age, reproduction, feeding and parasites were collected from a total of 137 sharks. Age data from G. galeus and M. asterias suggest possible differences in growth-rate relative to other areas. The state-of-maturity of all specimens agreed with earlier studies, although data regarding the reproductive cycle of M. asterias and G. melastomus were inconsistent with data commonly reported for these species. Stomach contents were unremarkable, with the exception of 1.3kg of cetacean material recovered from a specimen of H. griseus. Results from the parasite component of the investigation extend the known range of two monogenean species, while a further three parasites were recorded from new hosts.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"22 1","pages":"1 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76596663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Elevated Co₂ and Nitrogen Fertiliser on Biomass Productivity, Community Structure and Species Diversity of a Semi-Natural Grassland in Ireland","authors":"C. Byrne, MICHAEL B. Jones","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2002.102.3.141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2002.102.3.141","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:The most common semi-natural grasslands in Ireland are 'neutral' communities belonging to the phytosociological association Centaureo-Cynosuretum. An experiment was established at Teagasc, Oak Park Research Centre, Co. Carlow, using a representative Centaureo-Cynosuretum grassland community, to investigate the long-term effects of exposure to ambient and elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) and high- and low-nitrogen fertiliser applications on above-ground plant biomass production, community structure and species diversity. The experimental units were 0.4m × 0.4m × 0.4m grassland monoliths exposed to CO₂ in a miniFACE (free air CO₂ enrichment) system. The experiment was based on a randomised two-factorial block design of two CO₂ treatments (365μmol mol⁻¹ and 600μmol mol⁻¹), two N fertiliser treatments (50kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ and 250kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) and three replicates of each. CO₂ treatments began on 1 April 1999 and continued throughout the growing season. During the season, four species responded significantly in terms of biomass production to the treatments: Potentilla anserina, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens and Holcus lanatus. When the species were classfied into monocotyledon and dicotyledon functional groups, significant changes in the structure of this mixed grassland community became apparent. Elevated CO₂ altered the relative monocot and dicot composition of the sward. Nitrogen fertiliser modified the CO₂ response, with concomitant effects on community biomass productivity and species diversity. The results may have long-term implications for the dominance and successional patterns in grasslands under increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"33 1","pages":"141 - 150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78856746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"DESCRIPTION OF THE SEA ANEMONE ANTHOPLEURA THALLIA (GOSSE 1854)","authors":"M. Daly, B. Picton","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2012.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2012.10","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:The inconspicuous intertidal sea anemone Anthopleura thallia is redescribed based on recent collections in England and Ireland. The redescription includes a complete account of the types and sizes of cnidae, and documents variability in colouration and pattern within and among populations. This is the first record of the species in Ireland. Anthopleura thallia is sympatric with the better-known and widespread species Aulactinia verrucosa, and the two may co-occur at a single site; they differ colouration, reproductive biology, internal anatomy and the types of cnidae in the body.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"46 1","pages":"235 - 240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79266499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The delivery of ecosystem services through results-based agri-environment payment schemes (RBPS): three Irish case studies","authors":"McLoughlin, Browne, Sullivan","doi":"10.3318/bioe.2020.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/bioe.2020.13","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:A number of European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) were funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine through the 2013–2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP). Their objectives relate to restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems. Three of the EIPs—Caomhnú Árann, the Hen Harrier Project and the Pearl Mussel Project—have varying targets and scale but they all pay for the delivery of ecosystem services whilst also supporting vibrant, rural farming communities. This is achieved by using a results-based payments approach where farmers are rewarded for the quality of habitat that they maintain on their farms in addition to the food products that they produce. The EIPs allow for an adaptive approach, which means programmes can be tailored to meet the specific needs and challenges of a particular biogeographical area. In this way, vital ecosystem services such as biodiversity, conservation of nationally rare species and habitats, carbon sequestration and storage, improved water quality, agricultural biodiversity, flood resilience and fire resilience can be delivered, protected and conserved while farmers are rewarded for doing so. These three EIPs provide a model by which this wide range of ecosystem services can be delivered through a results-based agri-environment (AE) payments approach, using habitat quality as a result indicator or surrogate for these services to which payment levels are linked.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"12 1","pages":"106 - 91"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86945383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"NICHE SEPARATION AND OVERLAP IN THE FOLIOSE LICHENS LOBARIA PULMONARIA (L.) HOFFM. AND L. VIRENS (WITH.) LAUNDON IN THE KILLARNEY OAK WOODS, IRELAND","authors":"A. Pentecost, C. Richardson","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2011.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2011.05","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:An investigation of the lichens Lobaria pulmonaria and L. virens on the trunks of mature oak (Quercus spp) revealed differences in their ecological preferences. These species were found to occupy significantly different niches, with L. pulmonaria occurring in the more exposed sites. The niche widths were similar with respect to exposure and there was a high degree of overlap between the species, although they did not differ significantly in aspect preference. The chlorophyll content and biomass per unit area was similar for both species, but they showed strong morphological differences that could influence light capture. Fertility, measured as apothecium abundance, was greater in L. virens, but L. pulmonaria reproduced both asexually and asexually in this region. A recent decline in the abundance of Lobaria scrobiculata and the potential effects of deer grazing on the lichen flora are discussed.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"22 1","pages":"61 - 67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87027951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EUROPEAN HIGH MOUNTAIN (ALPINE) VEGETATION AND ITS SUITABILITY FOR INDICATING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS","authors":"L. Nagy","doi":"10.3318/BIOE.2006.106.3.335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3318/BIOE.2006.106.3.335","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:High mountain (alpine) vegetation in Europe occurs above the climatic treeline or substitute vegetation from north of the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean. As bearing the least modified ecosystems, high mountains offer an opportunity to use their plant and animal species for studying climate change impacts. However, the indicator value of the different vegetation types varies. Treelines, often used in reconstructing past climate by palaeo-scientists, are, in most cases, suppressed by past or present land use and, as a result, their changes need careful interpreting. Glacier forefields are the theatre of primary succession and vegetation changes there have an innate temporal dimension that needs to taken into account. Changes in snowbeds can occur over a relatively short time and are readily interpretable, as long as potential confounding impacts by herbivores are excluded. In the long-term, remote alpine summits with long-established vegetation (but less so those in the sub-nival zone, where primary succession is underway) are likely to yield useful and interpretable information beyond the short- to medium-term impacts of the vagaries of mountain weather.","PeriodicalId":55370,"journal":{"name":"Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy","volume":"23 1","pages":"335 - 341"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87044282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}