Showing papers in "Biology and Environment-proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy in 2006"
TL;DR: This paper quantifies and map the spatio-temporal variability of agro-meteorological factors that control nutrient pressures and pathways of nutrient loss, and evaluates their impact on the water quality of Irish rivers.
Abstract: The main environmental impact of Irish agriculture on surface and ground water quality is the potential transfer of nutrients to water. Soil water dynamics mediate the transport of nutrients to water, and these dynamics in turn depend on agro-meteorological conditions, which show large variations between regions, seasons and years. In this paper we quantify and map the spatio-temporal variability of agro-meteorological factors that control nutrient pressures and pathways of nutrient loss. Subsequently, we evaluate their impact on the water quality of Irish rivers. For nitrogen, pressure and pathways factors coincide in eastern and southern areas, which is reflected in higher nitrate levels of the rivers in these regions. For phosphorus, pathway factors are most pronounced in north-western parts of the country. In south-eastern parts, high pressure factors result in reduced biological water quality. These regional differences require that farm practices be customised to reflect the local risk of nutrient loss to water. Where pathways for phosphorus loss are present almost year-round * as is the case in most of the north-western part of the country * build-up of pressures should be prevented, or ameliorated where already high. In south-eastern areas, spatio-temporal coincidence of nutrient pressures and pathways should be prevented, which poses challenges to grassland management.
79 citations
TL;DR: The Australian barnacle Elminius modestus Darwin was assessed on 89 shores around the Irish coast using abundance scale (ACFOR) methodology and was significantly more abundant on sheltered shores than on moderately exposed or exposed shores.
Abstract: The Australasian barnacle Elminius modestus Darwin was assessed on 89 shores around the Irish coast using abundance scale (ACFOR) methodology In 2003, E modestus was present on 43 shores (48%), with a rating of abundant on two shores, and a rating of common on seven shores Elminius modestus was significantly more abundant on sheltered shores than on moderately exposed or exposed shores There has been a statistically significant increase in E modestus since surveys carried out in 1958 and 1995
22 citations
TL;DR: The identification, distribution and biology of encrusting species of Alcyonidium around the coasts of Ireland are studied.
Abstract: Ryland, J. S., Porter, J. S. (2006).. The identification, distribution and biology of encrusting species of Alcyonidium (Bryozoa: Ctenostomatida) around the coasts of Ireland . Biology and Environment, 106B, (1), 19-33.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the status and diet of otters in Northern Ireland in 2002 and find that 65% of 441 sites surveyed reported signs of otter presence and that the highest levels were in Lough Melvin, County Fermanagh, and around the Foyle catchment, County Londonderry; fewest signs occurred along the Antrim coast.
Abstract: We assess the status and diet of otters in Northern Ireland in 2002. Signs of otter presence were noted at 65% of 441 sites surveyed. This figure suggests a decline in signs of otters since the 1980s. Highest occurrence of signs of otters was around lakes, with coastal sites having the lowest occurrence. Percentage occurrence of signs of otter varied considerably with respect to catchment. The highest levels were in Lough Melvin, County Fermanagh, and around the Foyle catchment, County Londonderry; fewest signs occurred along the Antrim coast. Signs of otter occurrence were higher in larger rivers and at unpolluted sites (68%) as compared to polluted sites (57%). Over 50% of otter spraints were composed of stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), salmonids and cyprinids, with stickleback constituting the most frequently occurring prey category. The frequency of occurrence of eels (Anguilla anguilla) in otter diet was found to be consistently higher in spraints collected from smaller streams across all land class groups. The frequency of occurrence of most prey items differed significantly with catchment with the exception of salmonids, which occurred consistently in spraints collected throughout all catchments in Northern Ireland. The current investigation confirms that otters remain widespread in Northern Ireland. However, otters may be feeding on less profitable prey items. urther investigations into the relationship between water quality, prey availability and prey selection are required to fully understand the factors affecting otter diet in Northern Ireland.
10 citations
TL;DR: All of the quadrat data for the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) grey dune community described as Carex arenaria Cornicularia aculeata collected during the Sand Dune Survey of Great Britain has been re analysed using Pseudo-quadrat Analysis.
Abstract: We have completed a review of lichen-rich grey dune vegetation. All of the quadrat data for the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) grey dune community described as Carex arenaria Cornicularia aculeata (SDII) collected during the Sand Dune Survey of Great Britain has been re analysed using Pseudo-quadrat Analysis. This is based on a recent mathematical development showing that it is possible to generate artificial quadrats ('pseudo-random quadrats') from the phytosociological tables provided in the NVC manuals. These are mathematical approximations of the original NVC quadrat dataseis and can be used to compare the NVC with newly acquired quadrat data using a standard ordination technique?Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The field quadrats can be placed into this ordination space as passive samples, and their distance from the artificial NVC quadrats used as a measure of community membership. As was expected this has shown that there is a degree of interand intra-site variation among grey dunes, with some stands having strong affinities with various heathland communities, and others having more in common with certain lichen-rich grasslands. An ecological interpretation of grey dune vegetation is provided together with some details on how British grey dunes compare with those of continental Europe. Nomenclature follows Stace (1997) for vascular plants, Smith (2004) for bryophytes and Purvis et al (1992) for lichens.
5 citations
TL;DR: Coraoi et al. as discussed by the authors presented an analysis of Coraoi's work in the field of ecology and plant science and found that it is related to the work of Gormally and O'Donovan.
Abstract: Mihai Coraoi (corresponding author; e-mail: mcoroi@cresswell associates.com), Cresswell Associates, the Mill, Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Glou cestershire, England; Paul Giller, Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork, Lee Maltings Complex, Prospect Row, Cork; Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, Department of Botany, National University of Ireland, Galway; Michael Gormally, Applied Ecology Unit, Centre for Environmental Science, National University of Ireland, Galway; and Grace O'Donovan, RAW Consulting, 119 Church Street, Malvern, Worcestershire, England. ABSTRACT
3 citations