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Projects 2008 

A total of 15 research projects were comissioned during 2008 (1st January - 31st December):

Conservation of Juniper   

National survey of Juniper (Juniperus communis) throughout the Republic of Ireland to determine its distribution, abundance and conservation status. This project was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Alder Buckthorn genetics     

A full genetic inventory of every living Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) plant at Peatlands Park; the only location in Northern Ireland where the species occurs. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Water Crowfoot genetics   

Survey of the SIx Mile Water and determination of the prevalence of interspecific hybridisation between the River Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus fluitans) and the Stream Water-Crowfoot (R. penicillatus). This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Invasive aquatic plants PhD  

A 3 year PhD focusing on mapping the distriubtion of invasive aquatic plants throughout Northern Ireland and determining their means of introduction and spread and the potential impact of climate change. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Grazing on sand dunes PhD   

Rathlin Seabirds PhD   

A 4 year PhD focusing on the factors contributing to declining populations and reproductive success of guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes on Rathlin Island. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Lough Neagh diving ducks PhD   

A 4 year PhD focusing on the factors causes of declining tufted Duck, pochard, goldeneye and scaup populations at Lough Neagh; their most important overwintering ground in the British Isles. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Regenerating fen vegetation   

An experimental project evaluating the efficacy of sod removal as a restorative technique to improve the conservation status of designated fen ASSIs. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Muntjac Knowledge Transfer   

A review of the detection, impact and control of potentially invasive Chinese muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) in Northern Ireland. Recommendations include a 'rapid response procedure'. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Invasive cordgrass distribution   

A survey of the distribution and cover of alien cordgrass (Spartina anglica) throughout Northern Ireland's intertidal regions including designated sites e.g. Strangford Lough. This project was won under competitive tender from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Mink predation and control  

A review of the impact and control of American mink (Mustela vison) throughout the Republic of Ireland focusing specifically on protecting sites designated for their birdlife. This project was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

European hare hybridisation   

A project establishing whether invasive European hares (Lepus europaeus) hybridises with the endemic Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) and what level of threat it may pose. This project was a Natural Heritage Research Partnership (NHRP) project.

Hen Harrier SPA mapping   

A largely administrative project evaluating informal appeals to Special Protection Area designations throughout the Republic of Ireland. This project was funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

A component of a larger Management Plan in which the preceived value of salmonid fish were valued by the public. This project was funded by INTERREG IIIA.