Now showing 1 - 10 of 29
  • Publication
    Green Walls for Clean Air
    Can plants help to improve the air quality? People have often complained about Ivy on buildings, but research by Helix Pflanzen GmbH, a company that is specialised in the cultivation of ivy species and the development of green wall technology, is shedding new light on an old problem. Using a cultivated variety of ivy (Hedera helix 'Wörner'), experiments were carried out that illustrated the binding effect that this Ivy has on fine dust particles. This is particularly important in urban areas, where fine dust can lead to significant impacts on quality of life. 
      103
  • Publication
    Dublin City Environmental Directory 2004
    An essential and easy to use directory of groups that are involved in environmental activities in Dublin City in 2004
      1343
  • Publication
    The future of Burns Bog, Canada: stakeholder participation or habitat decline?
    Complex stakeholder pressure on peatlands is nothing new. Throughout history, peatlands have been looked upon as providers of socio-economic opportunities. Burns Bog in Vancouver, Canada is a good example of this. This Bog was utilised first by indigenous peoples and later it was partially used for sod peat production. These have been influential impacts ecologically, but Burns Bog has largely retained its hydrological integrity. Though now a cutover peatland, spontaneous regeneration has been rapid and has resulted in high species diversity. Today it has been identified as a unique peatland system in that it is located in both a Mediterranean climate zone and high population, urban setting. This urban growth has engulfed the regenerating peatland contributing to a plethora of new pressures and leading some to believe that the future is bleak. This paper will review the many socio-economic impacts on Burns Bog, as well as strategies for its conservation, stakeholder perceptions and policy implications.
      96
  • Publication
    Predicting the Impact of Coexistence-Guided, Genetically Modified Cropping on Irish Biodiversity: (2006-B-MS-46) STRIVE Report
    This report is published as part of the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE) Programme 2007–2013.
      579
  • Publication
      1048
  • Publication
    Developing a field boundary evaluation and grading system in Ireland
    The purpose of the study was to develop an evaluation and grading system for the main field boundaries in Ireland - hedgerows and dry stone walls. There is currently a lack of scientific information on Irish field boundaries and very little research has been carried out on what are among the most prominent landscape features on the island. Where Irish data are lacking, values were extrapolated from research in other countries. In addition, verbal consultation was carried out with prominent landscape ecologists, scientists and environmental consultants. This consultation led to the creation of a draft survey form modeled on an earlier Hedgerow Evaluation and Grading System (HEGS) (Clements and Tofts, 1992) in the UK. The draft Irish survey, described here, is entitled the Field Boundary Evaluation and Grading System or FBEGS for short. The FBEGS was field-tested in four locations in Ireland by a number of users to assess usefulness and accuracy. Feedback from volunteer surveyors led to an amended FBEGS survey form. This was then tested in ten locations nation-wide. Results are given and a grading system is proposed. It is shown that it may be possible to evaluate a field boundary using a simple grading system but the accuracy of such a survey cannot be confirmed due to the lack of baseline data for Ireland. However, preliminary trial surveys indicate that values assigned to a particular boundary approximate well to professional opinion.
      215
  • Publication
    Evaluating the Ecological Impacts of Cultivating Genetically Modified Herbicide Tolerant (GMHT) Oilseed Rape and Maize: (2007-B-DS-1-S1) STRIVE Report
    (Environmental Protection Agency, 2011-06) ;
    This report is published as part of the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE) Programme 2007–2013.
      318
  • Publication
    Developing a field boundary evaluation and grading system in Ireland
    (Faculty of Agriculture, UCD in association with Teagasc, 2003-09) ;
    The purpose of the study reported here was to develop an evaluation and grading system for the main field boundaries in Ireland – hedgerows and dry stone walls. There is currently a lack of scientific information on Irish field boundaries and very little research has been carried out on what are among the most prominent landscape features on the island. Where Irish data are lacking, values were extrapolated from research in other countries. In addition, verbal consultation was carried out with prominent landscape ecologists, scientists and environmental consultants. This consultation led to the creation of a draft survey form modeled on an earlier Hedgerow Evaluation and Grading System (HEGS) (Clements and Tofts, 1992) in the UK. The draft Irish survey, described here, is entitled the Field Boundary Evaluation and Grading System or FBEGS for short. The FBEGS was field-tested in four locations in Ireland by a number of users to assess usefulness and accuracy. Feedback from volunteer surveyors led to an amended FBEGS survey form. This was then tested in ten locations nation-wide. Results are given and a grading system is proposed. It is shown that it may be possible to evaluate a field boundary using a simple grading system but the accuracy of such a survey cannot be confirmed due to the lack of baseline data for Ireland. However, preliminary trial surveys indicate that values assigned to a particular boundary approximate well to professional opinion. Discussion concludes with some recommendations for potential uses.
      1097
  • Publication
    An Ecological Evaluation of Field Boundary Stone Walls in Ireland
    (2005-01-30)
    The ecological values of field boundaries in Ireland are poorly understood and much of the currently accepted values are based on extrapolated data from detailed boundary research in the UK, France and elsewhere. Though these locations have similar ecological characteristics as Ireland and possibly a greater post-glacial biodiversity, it ought not to be concluded that Irish field boundaries have identical or even similar functions. Much of the data in Ireland relate to field boundary landscape characteristics and/or mis-management as opposed to ecological research based on field data. The limited research that has been carried out on hedgerows and field margins in the Irish Republic has, in general, revealed positive data in relation to specific taxonomic groups. It may be claimed, therefore, that though much emphasis has been placed on the value of hedgerows there are little data to support this. The data that are available for stone wall boundaries are even less developed than those for hedgerow boundaries. This could be because a stone wall might not viewed to be a 'living' habitat as a row of hedgerow trees often are. Research on the ecology of stone walls globally is very poor with much of the data relating to secondary sources (Dover et al. 2000). Two publications have been produced that deal solely with this area. Segal (1969) and later Darlington (1981) have produced seminal volumes on the ecology of urban walls and walls of old buildings within which both refer to field boundary walls but ecological references are few. In a trawl of the available literature it was found that no publications dealing exclusively with the ecological characteristics of field boundary stone walls, such as those that may be found throughout the Irish countryside, existed. This is surprising as boundary stone walls are recognised as a specialised habitat (Fossitt 2000). The aim of this research proposal is to redress the balance somewhat and will provide crucial baseline data that may affect current management practises in Ireland. This poster aims to highlight the lack of information in this area, propose basic research and to seek feedback from conference attendees in the form of photographs, opinions and the location of published and unpublished data.
      234