Optimising non-invasive genetic methods for surveying badger populations in Ireland
The European Badger (Meles meles) is considered to be an important host species for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and are associated in the transmission of bTB infection to, and from, cattle. In recent years, there has been a movement away from badger culling to prevent bTB transmission via wildlife and a movement towards vaccination, under the […]
Oisre Conamara
OISRE Conamara: Oyster Information and Scientific Restoration of Ecosystems of Conamara, is an ambitious ecological restoration project funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Údarás na Gaeltachta under the IRC Enterprise Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. The multidisplinary team of scientific divers and ecologists at ATU, in collaboration with the Comharchumann Sliogéisc Chonamara Teo shellfish co-op, […]
MERMEID – Marine macrofauna diversity using eDNA
This project aims to integrate novel environmental DNA (eDNA) methods with multidisciplinary data for the monitoring of megafauna at a range of infrastructures including cabled observatories as well as aboard research vessels. Objectives of this project include: (1) design and implement ad hoc eDNA protocols and pipelines to be applied in situ in a range […]
Mytilus species complex genomics
The blue mussel (Mytilus spp) is an ecologically and economically important marine bivalve that plays key roles in coastal ecosystems as well as the seafood industry. This species is found around the entire Irish coast, where it co-occurs and hybridizes with the non-indigenous Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). A better understanding of genetic structure and connectivity […]
Using desmid community diversity as an indicator of land use impacts in blanket bog catchments
This NPWS funded research project (2023) is led by ATU Galway City. The aim of this project is to identify differences in desmid (a type of phytoplankton) community composition among dystrophic lakes impacted by different land-uses (grazing, peat cutting, forestry and unimpacted). This information will be used to develop desmid species lists to indicate whether […]
Nephin Forest Lakes Project
This NPWS funded research project (2023-2024) is led by ATU Galway City. The multi-disciplinary team are gathering and assessing baseline data on unmonitored lakes and pools within Nephin Forest, located within Wild Nephin National Park. The team will determine a baseline list of biological communities, comprising aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, invertebrates and vertebrates of dystrophic […]
STRAITS
Strategic Infrastructure for improved animal Tracking in European Seas (STRAITS) This project aims to provide a newly integrated and coordinated European marine tracking network under the auspices of the ETN, a developing international consortium on aquatic tracking. STRAITS aims to address the major biodiversity monitoring gaps across Europe by installing and supporting major marine infrastructure […]
Waves of Change
Based on the 7 Ocean Literacy Principles, on the Sustainable Development Goals and on the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Waves of Change is a project that aims to promote sustainable development and circular economy values through ocean literacy and stakeholder engagement. Building upon existing knowledge and partnerships, this project will […]
AquaVitae H2020
AquaVitae is a new research and innovation project funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and coordinated by Dr Philip James of Nofima in Norway. The project consortium consists of 36 partners, from 16 different countries, spread across four continents. In addition to Europe, partners are situated in countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, including Brazil, […]
Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration in Nephin Forest
This Marine Institute funded research project (2021-2025) is led by ATU Galway City in partnership with Marine Institute Newport. The multi-disciplinary team are gathering and assessing baseline data on habitat composition and structure, and bird populations within the Nephin Forest area of Wild Nephin National Park against which future restoration actions can be measured. In […]
