Project Page Views: [ 798 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Distribution, structure and functioning of subterranean fauna within Irish groundwater systems |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Joerg Arnscheidt |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University of Ulster (UU) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 55.14790, -6.67230 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/03/2008 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/03/2011 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Groundwater; Aquatic fauna; Diversity; Bioindicators |
| Project Abstract | Building on the experience of a pilot survey in 2006, this investigation aims to explore the biodiversity of Ireland's subterranean fauna. Ireland will be screened for aquatic fauna in subterranean freshwater habitats. Resulting data on distribution, frequency and diversity in subterranean fauna and their response to abiotic parameters will lay the foundation for future studies on groundwater ecology and bioindication. The study will also inform on spatial and temporal heterogeneity with regard to the distribution of fauna in aquifers and will investigate structure and functioning of the key groundwater species Niphargus kochianus irlandicus. Four peer reviewed publications, one literature review, intermediate reports and one final report for the Environmental Protection Agency will be produced. A dedicated project website will be constructed. A database on sampling sites, hydrogeology, hydrology, water chemistry and biological data will be built and made available to the Agency and be compatible with existing GIS databases. |