Project Page Views: [ 752 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Development of an ecohydrology framework for setting environmental flow standards for Irish rivers |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Ian Donohue |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.34449, -6.25868 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 12/01/2015 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 12/10/2015 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Environmental flows; Hydromorphology; Methodology; Rivers; Water pathway |
| Project Abstract | Environmental flows (EFlows) are a component of hydromorphology assessed under the WFD as supporting elements of riverine ecological status. They represent the timing, quantity and quality of water flows required to sustain the functioning and integrity of freshwater ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide. Analysis of long-term flow records is required to define flow regimes, which are influenced by river typology and surface/sub-surface water pathways. The overarching goal of this project is to review state of the art EFlow methodology to identify alternatives most suited to the Irish context and for developing flow standards. Alternative approaches for estimating EFlows will be applied to hydrometric flow data from a number of rivers in contrasting catchments representing different water pathway configurations. Feedback from a stakeholder workshop will be used to identify 1-2 optimal approaches to apply to a broader array of river types and catchments. The availability of ecological and water chemistry data will be assessed, and, where possible, related to flow regime to develop relationships for setting flow standards. Data gaps and needs will be identified. Final recommendations will identify an integrated landscape framework for setting EFlow standards that maintain ecological status and ecosystem service provision of Irish rivers. |