Construction of three Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICW’s) at three locations in Co. Donegal for the treatment of spent sheep dip effluent from three publicly used sheep dipping facilities.
Integrated Constructed Wetlands at a site at Ballykerrigan,Co Donegal.
Integrated Constructed Wetland at a site near Lough Muck, Co Donegal
A diplomatic note was sent to all contracting parties in October 2019 with the request to prepare the National Reports on Wetlands
States were given until 31 January 2021 (for the most recent COP14 meeting)
Subsequently several reminders were sent.
Ireland has not still submitted a national wetland report
Last one that Ireland submitted was in 2002
Preparation of National Reports for the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
Note: Recommendation 2.1 recommends that all parties submit national reports
https://ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/key_rec_2.01e.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsar_Convention
| Andy BLEASDALE National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service Head of Administrative Authority Ireland Email: andy.bleasdale@housing.gov.ie Phone: +01 888 3221 |
| maurice EAKIN senior wetland ecologist, National Parks & Wildlife Service National Focal Point Ireland Email: maurice.eakin@housing.gov.ie Phone: +01 86 8059240 |
| Jim RYAN Senior Scientist – Wetlands, National Parks & Wildlife Service STRP Focal Point Ireland Email: jim.ryan@ahg.gov.ie Phone: +353 1 888 3291 |
| Karin DUBSKY International Coordinator, Coastwatch Europe CEPA NGO Focal Point Ireland Email: kdubsky@tcd.ie Phone: +353 1 896 2599 |
The very first inventory of wetland sites in County Tipperary has been compiled (Foss 2021). This desktop study identified 622 potential wetland sites within the county. The habitats present at these sites range from bogs (raised, blanket, and cutover), to turloughs, lakes, fens, marshes, rivers and associated floodplains, springs, and wet woodlands. Many of the wetland sites identified contain more than one wetland habitat.
A desktop study carried out by Wetland Surveys Ireland Ltd. on behalf of Leitrim County Council estimated that about 23% of the county is covered by wetlands, and over 380 potential wetland sites have been identified
The wetlands action plan is defining climate action and biodiversity restoration strategies and identifying sites where landowner and community buy in can be achieved.
It is the first wetlands action plan for any county in Ireland and also is the first use of the International Ramsar Convention RAWES method, which has allowed the team to capture and score the ecosystem services for the wetlands, creating an easy to understand communication tool for non-scientists and funders.
This is joint project initiative funded by Monaghan County Council, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Monaghan County Council is working with Wetland Surveys Ireland to deliver this work
The County Monaghan Wetland Action Plan 2020-2021 aims to develop an integrated plan for the conservation of the wetland resource in County Monaghan, assessing ecosystem services and by engaging with a wide range of partners and community groups. It is joint project initiative funded by Monaghan County Council, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Monaghan County Council is working with Wetland Surveys Ireland to deliver this initiative.
As part of the Monaghan Wetland Action Plan Project, 202 sites for which standard survey information exists will be evaluated in relation to the multiple benefits (ecosystem services) that these wetlands provide. This standard information is available thanks to past wetland surveys in the county.
A web app developed as part of the Monaghan Wetland Action Plan project shows the location of these wetlands, and allows local groups and interested parties see the results and outcome of the project.
The map can be viewed here: bit.ly/MonaghanWAP
Webinar
Monaghan Wetlands Story Map
https://wetland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=fb0df708de074515a68599550fbbb17a
Ireland currently has 45 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 66,994 hectares. These are wetlands that are of significant value for nature.
Access site map at http://irishwetlands.ie/irish-sites/ or https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris-search/?f%5B0%5D=regionCountry_en_ss%3AIreland
| Project Attribute | Project Details |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Use of constructed wetlands for treating mine waste leachates – predicting longevity and management implications |
| EPA Project Code | 2018-W-DS-32 |
| Lead Organisation | University of Limerick (UL) |
| Coordinator | Ronan Courtney |
| EPA Research 2014 – 2020 Theme(s) | Water: Theme 3: Innovative Water Technologies EPA Research Pillars |
| Project Start and End Dates | Start: 01/03/2019 End (if applicable): 29/02/2020 Revised End Date (if applicable): 29/08/2020 |
| EPA Project Type | Desk Study |
| EPA Award Type | STRIVE – Project Based Awards |
| Current Project Status | Grant Awarded |
| Total Funding Amount | 70093.80 |
| Project Abstract/Description | Constructed wetlands (CW) are increasingly employed for leachate treatment as part of closure planning for mine sites; however their life expectancy and longevity of performance is relatively unknown and no long-term studies have been carried out in Ireland. This proposed study will develop an international database on the use of CW systems treating mine wastes with the objective of identifying key operating parameters and longevity of such systems. Through sampling and analysis of established CW systems at Boliden Tara Pb/Zn mine and Rusal Aughinish alumina processing plant, a series of soil saturation index studies will contribute to our understanding of the removal mechanisms for contaminants of concern. Additionally the influence of leachate characteristics (e.g. pH, suspended solids, predominance of metal types) on removal efficiencies will be investigated. Understanding the capacity of CW systems to treat these complex metal mixtures will contribute to assessing their expected lifespan and the requirements for intervention and management post-closure. This project directly relates to the current EPA research strategy, in particular its requirement to mitigate the negative environmental, social and health impacts of the raw materials sector. This project will produce a report and database (placed in the EPA SAFER database) of key wetland process parameters and operational mechanisms, a final project report, three peer reviewed publications and a conference presentation. In addition, a post-project dissemination workshop will take place involving interested parties from bodies such as the EPA, BRAVO – Critical Raw Materials, and the research community. The project will also enable research capacity building where outputs are expected to contribute to proposal submission for upscaling and translating into demonstration pilots with industry partners, e.g. ERA-MIN submission. |
| EPA Scientific Officer | LisaJohnson |
An ambitious project has been launched to tackle largescale restoration of Europe’s wetlands, with €23 million of funding from the EU Horizon 2020 Programme Green Deal. WaterLANDS (Water-based solutions for carbon storage, people and wilderness) will restore wetland sites across Europe which have been decimated by human activity and lay the foundations for scalable protection across much wider areas.