Nitrate ranges recorded across the country during the 2022 WaterBlitz
Closer look at nitrate ranges of samples at different locations during the Waterblitz
Phosphate ranges recorded across the country during the 2022 WaterBlitz.
Closer look at phosphate ranges of samples at different locations during the Waterblitz.
Selected papers
Notes on trailcam setup and placement
Otter eye level is 25-30cm Keep camera height as standard as possible, e.g. 50cm with a slight angle down but the same 50% sky 50% ground on the screen
Two camera trap sites cannot be closer than 500m or further than 5000m from the next site
Camera trap is set to photo mode only with 3 photos per trigger.
Camera trap time is set to local summer time, with daylight savings settings off.
The SD card and internal photo-stamp of the camera trap are the same number.
The camera trap is placed inside the grid cell, at an appropriate location, unbaited
The camera trap should optimally face north (+/- 15 degrees)
The camera trap test function should detect movement at a distance of 8m.
There should be no large obstructions or blind spots in front of the camera trap
Aim to assess natural regeneration of conifers from commercial plantations into open areas (especially into Natura sites / Annex I habitats)
Example: WW07 Clohernagh
Aerial image suggests some colonisation of open habitat by trees
Example: Carrigshouk
This area west of Carrigshouk, off the Military Road, has a BioClass rating
In Wicklow Mountains SPA, partially within the SAC. Failed Sitka Spruce plantation from 1986
BioClass data records site as undeveloped land & wet heath – it was before 1986
When making a request for information under the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations you are required to:
Normally you will be notified of the decision on your request within 1 month of its receipt.
Example
“Under the AIE Regs to request details of water testing on the Gweebarra River between X Bridge & Y Bridge for 2020 to 2022”
Submit to aie@epa.ie AND to the relevant local authority AIE officer
You can ask for the data outside of AIE, here’s a contact list for the Local Authorities. But if you don’t get a response you have no right to review and/or appeal to OIC
The reception team at ERA on info@epa.ie are very helpful, and will always find you the correct person to ask, so I always recommend asking first (outside of the AIE process)
The course is designed to train those who are interested in small streams on how best to monitor and characterise these small water bodies.
The rationale behind the course is outlined below:
The SSCS courses are run at various times in different areas of the country. There is no one calendar of courses. Best option is to email Ken Whelan ken@kenwhelan.info for details of what’s on and when
The Atlantic Salmon Trust, Small Streams Characterisation System – Two Days
Small Streams Characterisation System (SSCS) Course
To develop a consensus on the most suitable approach for citizen science in Ireland, LAWPRO supported by the EPA, have engaged with the practitioners, agencies, trainers and community groups interested in citizen science.
A series of workshops and training days to develop a strategy was organised. This led to the development of a brand new scheme – a Citizen Science Stream Index (CSSI) suitable for beginners and the adoption of the Small Stream Impact Score (SSIS) used by scientists for the more advanced practitioners.
This initiative is supported through LAWPRO and the EPA, with support from UCD (Dr. Mary Kelly Quinn), UCC (Dr. Simon Harrison) and numerous other collaborators.
If you would like to get involved please contact info@lawaters.ie
https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=2852063e59454969913e36c32a914695
Anglers in border region scale up lake monitoring
Survey / Citizen Science
Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024 is an all-Ireland survey of dragonflies and damselflies, and their habitats.
The survey is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in the Republic of Ireland and by the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland.
Dragonfly Ireland 2019-2024 is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of a citizen science project focusing on aquatic species and their potential as bioindicators. The goals of Dragonfly Ireland include:
Dragonfly Ireland will also generate important information on some of Ireland’s small water bodies. Despite the widespread nature of small water bodies in the Irish landscape, they are a poorly understood habitat, and little is known about their ecological value. Collecting data on habitats and the associated dragonfly and damselfly fauna will help to fill this knowledge gap.
The project offers three levels of participation to volunteers:
If you would like to participate in Dragonfly Ireland 2019 – 2024 further information is available at:
www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/dragonflyireland-
2019-2024/
Sightings of Dragonflies and Damselflies in Northern Ireland can be
submitted at: www2.habitas.org.uk/records/dragonflies