Funding Type: EPA STRIVE Programme 2007 - 2013
Funding Year: 2007
Project Duration: 24 months
Project Type: Research Fellowship
Total Grant-aid: €225,000
Lead Partner: University College Dublin
Project Summary:
This project will quantify the effects of anthropogenically-increased nutrient loads on the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems and identify important mechanisms operating using well replicated experiments. Particular attention will be paid to quantifying the effects of sewage outfalls and agricultural run-off on the diversity of benthic algae and invertebrate communities of sheltered rocky shores and hard artificial substrata. The project will also quantify the effects of nutrient enrichment on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and stability. It will deliver important information highly relevant towards fulfilling national commitments and assist with implementation of the EU Water Framework and Habitats Directives and the forthcoming Marine Strategy.
For further information on the EPA STRIVE Programme, see www.epa.ie