Projects

 

A full list of project experience can be downloaded here. Below are a selection of recent Denyer Ecology projects.

Botanical Projects

  • Vegetation survey for Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey, Co. Dublin and Co. Kildare (2010)
    Detailed botanical survey and mapping of semi-natural grasslands, including condition assessment of Annex I habitats: Molinia Meadows, Species‐rich Nardus grasslands and Semi-natural dry grasslands. (Sub-contracted to BEC consultants)

  • NVC survey and condition assessment of SAC and SSSI meadow grassland, Oxford, UK (2010)
    Mapping of dry and wet grassland NVC communities and Annex II plant species. Condition assessment of units for baseline monitoring in relation to NOx from proposed transport development. (Sub-contracted to ERM)

  • Vegetation survey and habitat evaluation, Co. Dublin (2010)
    Detailed botanical and bryological survey of habitats in the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone. Habitats surveyed included Oak-birch-holly woodland, Oak-ash-hazel woodland, Dry calcareous and neutral grassland, Calcareous springs and other wetland habitats. (Sub-contracted to Scott Cawley)

  • Vegetation survey for National Survey of Upland Habitats, Co. Mayo (2010)
    Detailed botanical survey and mapping of Annex I upland habitats: North Atlantic wet heaths, European dry heaths, Alpine and Boreal heaths, Species‐rich Nardus grasslands, Blanket bogs, Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion and Siliceous scree. (Sub-contracted to BEC consultants)

  • Professional vascular plant training, Derrygonelly, Northern Ireland (2010)
    Provided a course ‘Using keys to identify grasses, sedges and rushes’. Course covered graminoid identification features and use of keys in the classroom and in the field. Attendees included IEEM members, NPWS staff and other environmental professionals.

  • Woodland survey and evaluation, Co. Mayo (2010)
    Survey of selected parkland and native and planted broadleaved woodland sites for Meath County Council: tree and ground flora survey, measurements of tree height and girth and assessment of ecological value. (Sub-contracted to Atkins)

 

 

 

Bryophyte Projects

 

 

 

 

  • Bryophyte survey of Leixlip Spa (2011 - ongoing)
    Detailed bryophyte survey of all habitats on site, including Annex I habitats: Alkaline fen, Petrifying springs and Semi-natural dry grassland in addition to aquatic, woodland and urban bryophytes. Undertaken for Kildare County Council to provide input into vegetation management plan.

  • Bryophyte sample identification for National Survey of Upland Habitats (2010 – 2011)
    Microscope identification of bryophyte (Sphagnum) samples collected from releves in upland SAC sites in Co. Mayo. Includes Sphagnum samples from Annex habitats: North Atlantic wet heaths, European dry heaths, Blanket bogs, Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion and Siliceous scree and Alkaline Fen.

  • Bryophyte sample identification for National Grassland Survey (2011)
    Microscope identification of bryophyte samples collected from releves in grassland sites in Co. Donegal. Includes bryophytes from Annex habitats: Semi-natural dry grassland and Molinia Meadow, in addition to wet grassland and marsh.

  • Encouraging bryophyte recording: community involvement in a mini-flora of the Wicklow Mountains (2010)
    Awarded Heritage Council Grant for this project. Responsible for undertaking detailed bryological survey of upland vegetation, co-ordinating volunteers, teaching bryophyte identification and recording skills, leading field meetings and liaising with National Parks and Wildlife Service, British Bryological Society and Dublin Naturalist Field Club.

  • Bryophyte identification for EcIA of N15 Sligo to County Boundary (2010)
    Microscope identification of bryophyte samples collected during vegetation surveys. (Sub-contracted to Scott Cawley)

  • Bryophyte and vascular plant identification for woodland regeneration research (2010)
    Microscope identification of samples of bryophytes, grasses, sedges, rushes and ferns from experimental plots in cleared conifer plantation. Plots located in Co. Wicklow and Co. Kerry. (Part of FORESTBIO project, Trinity College Dublin)

  • Professional bryophyte training, Derrygonelly (Northern Ireland) and Tralee (2010)
    Provided a bryophyte course ‘Introduction to bryophyte identification for habitat survey’ in two locations. Course covered bryophyte identification features, bryophytes as habitat indicators and use of bryophyte identification keys. Attendees included IEEM members, NPWS staff and other environmental professionals.

  • Amateur and professional bryophyte training for Dublin Naturalist Field Club and Dublin Regional Bryophyte group (2009-ongoing)
    Regularly lead bryophyte field meetings and provide indoor and outdoor training on bryophyte identification and recording.

Wetland and Aquatic Projects

  • Research on brackish water charophyte communities, Strangford Lough SAC, Co. Down (2010-2013)
    Research project ‘Studying the distribution and composition of charophyte communities in relation to salinity gradients: an investigation in and around Strangford Lough SAC’. (In association with Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, Portaferry, Co. Down)

  • Aquatic macrophyte survey, Abberton Reservoir (SPA, Ramsar), Essex, UK (2007 – ongoing)
    Continuation of yearly survey and monitoring of aquatic macrophytes (snorkel survey) in large reservoir and newly created scrapes. Plants surveyed include the rare plant Callitriche truncata, invasive species: Crassula helmsii, Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii; Potamogeton, Ranunculaceae and charophytes. (Sub-contracted to RPS)

Invasive Flora Projects

  • Watercourse invasive plant survey for M11 / N25 PPP Scheme Advance Environmental Surveys (2010)
    Survey and mapping of invasive plant species on watercourses prior to commencement of road construction. Species included Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Giant-Rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria. Report included advice on best practice during construction to prevent species spread. (Sub-contracted to Scott Cawley)

Ecological Impact Assessment (ECIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) Projects

  • EcIA of proposed transport development, SAC and SSSI meadow grassland, Oxford, UK (2010)
    Assisted in site survey and evaluation. Provided input into EcIA and Public Inquiry in relation to potential air quality impacts from proposed transport development. (Sub-contracted to ERM).