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Project title

a Strategic LOok at natural WAter reTention mEasuReS

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Office of Public Works (OPW)

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Mary Bourke

Project Abstract

The proposed research will assess the benefits of Natural Water Retention Measures for agricultural catchments in Ireland. The project outputs will specifically provide recommendations for the management of specific catchment types relevant to the Irish environment by quantifying the magnitude of NWRM required to reduce flood peaks. Using GIS-based mapping techniques, hydrological modelling, and full scale field demonstrations, our research will develop a portfolio of potential approaches and methodologies to reduce flood risk and generate multiple benefits including sediment, nutrient and ecosystem enhancements. Demonstration sites will show how to design, build and instrument NWRM. Equally, the demonstration site will be visited by numerous stakeholder groups to evaluate the practicalities of uptake of NWRM on Irish farms. Scaling up methodologies will demonstrate approaches for investigating NWRM in other Irish catchments, at a range of spatial scales. Key to scaling up will be the use of Teagasc research catchments that have unique event scale datasets and agricultural stakeholder networks. Our research will underpin policy by identifying across scale the measures that are most effective at targeting flood flows, providing beneficial ecosystem functions whilst having minimum effect of farm economics. Peer review publications will be produced by all partners. Reports for policy makers, will take the form of workshops, web and guidance documents. Delivered through many media including web and traditional formats. Research capacity building will be increased through training of new research staff, demonstration of new methods to Teagasc, OPW, EPA and Irish water through workshops and a national conference. Key to this will be the construction of demonstration sites will full scale examples of NWRM in a local network of 4-5 features. Stakeholders, regulators and practitioners can use the site for learning and evaluation. Teagasc will consider the uptake of NWRM at research sites at later date and will thus bring practical NWRM to the Irish agricultural community. The project will increase research capacity in Ireland.

Grant Approved

�507,990.49

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Water - Emerging and cross cutting issues

Start Date

01/02/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2023