Marcus Collier | Trinity College Dublin (original) (raw)

Papers by Marcus Collier

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Routledge, Jun 1, 2007

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Open Research Europe

Background: Soil spatial variability is a major concern when deciding how to collect a representa... more Background: Soil spatial variability is a major concern when deciding how to collect a representative topsoil sample for laboratory analysis. Sampling design to capture site-specific variability is documented in the agricultural literature, but poorly understood for urban forest soils where soils may be characterized by strong horizontal and vertical variability and large temporal anthropogenic disturbances. Methods: This paper evaluates the spatial variability of selected topsoil properties under urban trees to define a statistically robust sampling design that optimizes the number of samples to reliably characterize basal soil respiration (BSR), a property associated with soil health. To provide a reference on variability, two additional soil properties were measured, unrelated to BSR: electrical conductivity (EC) and bulk density (BD). Thirteen sampling sites comprising both park and street trees (Acer rubrum) were selected in Cambridge, MA, USA. Results: Results indicate street ...

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Water protection has long been a cornerstone of EU environmental policy. It is the sector with th... more Water protection has long been a cornerstone of EU environmental policy. It is the sector with the most comprehensive coverage in EU environmental regulations (Kallis & Butler 2001). In some European countries such as the Netherlands, France, Sweden and Italy, national and local governments have implemented substantial programmes aimed at combating excessive nutrient loss to watercourses from agricultural, silvicultural and waste treatment activities. It is generally accepted that agricultural operations contribute, in a significant manner, to increased nitrogen and phosphorous loss to water catchments and result in environmentally unacceptable occurrences such as eutrophication and algal blooms. The increase in N and P loading may be dealt with in a number of ways, including a reduction of input or better fertiliser management. However there remains two problems. One is the perseverance of high fertility in the catchment long after regulation or cessation of input and the other is ...

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Deliverable 8.12 is related to Task 8.2 Development and maintenance of interactive communications... more Deliverable 8.12 is related to Task 8.2 Development and maintenance of interactive communications platform. The scope of this deliverable is limited to the provision of an initial information site for the TURaS project, describing partners, work programme, goals, timeline and relevant links. This introductory website will be developed over the coming months into an innovative web platform which will be positioned as a new model and a future benchmark for enabling adaptive governance, collaborative decision-making between local authorities and urban communities and which will ultimately result in behavioural change among European citizens. <strong>For additional information on the TURAS project see here, or email marcus.collier@tcd.ie.</strong>

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ENVIRON 2005: 15th Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium, Institute of Technology Sligo... more ENVIRON 2005: 15th Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, 28 -30 January 2005

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Environ 2005: 15th Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium, Sligo Institute of Technology... more Environ 2005: 15th Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium, Sligo Institute of Technology, Sligo, 28-30 January 2005

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Physical Activity in Natural Settings

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Environmental Science & Policy, 2021

The arrival of the phrase nature-based solutions into the lexicon of academics, planners, manager... more The arrival of the phrase nature-based solutions into the lexicon of academics, planners, managers and policy makers in recent years has sparked a heated debate as to the effectiveness of using nature as a viable solution for mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic environmental change. One of the difficulties of evaluating the potential efficacy and impact of nature-based solutions is that it is believed that there is little evidence by way of a precedent or long-term successful examples. Much literature exists on the subject of designing with nature to provide multi-functional green infrastructure, connectivity in the landscape, and ecosystem service provision. Indeed, in the opinion of many, the nature-based solution approach appears to synergise research into green infrastructure, ecological connectivity and ecosystem service provision for building climate-related resilience. However, when a nature-based solution has been specifically selected over, say, an engineered solution t...

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EDULEARN21 Proceedings

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Environmental Science & Policy

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Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy

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Routledge, Jun 1, 2007

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Open Research Europe

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Physical Activity in Natural Settings

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Environmental Science & Policy, 2021

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EDULEARN21 Proceedings

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Environmental Science & Policy

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Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy

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Environmental Protection Agency STRIVE Report, 2007

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COFORD Report, 2007

In general, there appears to be very little information on the environmental effects of planting ... more In general, there appears to be very little information on the environmental effects of planting broadleaved trees in acid-sensitive areas. Any research for which data are available has largely been carried out in countries with different soil and climatic conditions to Ireland, or on broadleaved species that are not native or near-native to Ireland. Thus, the literature review carried out for this study has yielded little by way of concrete information that may assist in the planning of future forestry initiatives in acid-sensitive areas. However, the deep rooting nature of some deciduous trees has been shown to be a buffer against acidity because they transport neutralising ions to the soil surface. Leaves also can buffer acidity when still on the tree as well as during the decomposing process after leaf-fall. Any broadleaved species that have the ability to grow in the locations where acid-sensitive soils are found, such as oak, birch, and to a lesser extent, rowan, are therefore likely to assist in buffering against acidity but little information is available on their potential for particle scavenging or the buffering of acid episodes. Further research is required to assess if they could induce environmental damage in acid-sensitive areas under, for instance, conditions of significant atmospheric pollution. Amongst the conifers, larch and Scots pine may be relatively benign, but data here are inconclusive. The productivity of these species is relatively low and as they tend to be associated with habitats of high biodiversity, they should be planted not for their commercial potential but with a view to enhancing the environment.

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Dublin City Environmental Focus Group, 2004

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Can plants help to improve the air quality? People have often complained about Ivy on buildings, ... more Can plants help to improve the air quality? People have often complained about Ivy on buildings, but research by Helix Pflanzen GmbH, a company that is specialised in the cultivation of ivy species and the development of green wall technology, is shedding new light on an old problem. Using a cultivated variety of ivy (Hedera helix ‘Wörner’), experiments were carried out that illustrated the binding effect that this Ivy has on fine dust particles. This is particularly important in urban areas, where fine dust can lead to significant impacts on quality of life.

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It has been demonstrated that many trees have the ability to intercept and absorb large volumes of nutrients (Hefting & de Klein 1998). Buffer plantations of, often, willow (Salix spp.) and other species may be established in order to effectively and efficiently intercept surface runoff of nitrate (N) and phosphate (P). In addition, such buffer plantations could themselves produce an annual crop requiring little management and low-priced technology to harvest. Yet, the science behind the application has not been established in Ireland.

The PNtrap project is currently under development in the Forest Ecosystem Research Group in the Department of Environmental Resource Management, UCD. The aim of this innovative project is to investigate the nutrient interception and absorption properties (N and P) of broadleaved trees, especially native species and varieties, and the beneficial effect that this may have for watercourse management in relation to farm and forestry runoff. The objective is to develop trial plots and test scenarios in order to identify the optimum tree and woody shrub species. The PNtrap project will commence in late 2003 and will run for a minimum of three years. Though the primary aim of the project is to establish a scientific basis for the utilisation of trees and woody shrubs to intercept nutrient entering watercourses, it is hoped that this will reveal if woody buffer zones are capable of protecting water catchments from N and P enrichment in Ireland.

References

Hefting, M.M. & de Klein, J.J.M, (1998) Nitrogen removal in buffer strips along a lowland stream in the Netherlands: a pilot study. Environmental Pollution, 102, 521 – 26.
Kallis, G. & Butler, D. (2001) The EU water framework directive: measures and implications. Water Policy, 3, 125 – 42.
Tunney, H., Coulter, B., Daly, K., Kurz, I., Coxon, C., Jeffery, D., Mills, Kiely, G. & Morgan, G. (2000) Quantification of Phosphorus (P) Loss from Soil P to Water: Synthesis Report. EPA, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford.

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The ecological values of field boundaries in Ireland are poorly described and much of the current... more The ecological values of field boundaries in Ireland are poorly described and much of the currently accepted values are based on extrapolated data from detailed boundary research in the UK, France and elsewhere. Though these locations have similar ecologies and possibly a greater post-glacial biodiversity, it ought not to be concluded that field boundaries in Ireland have identical or even similar functions as other neighbouring landscapes. What data is available in Ireland relates to field boundary landscape characteristics and/or mis-management and few related to ecological research based on survey data specifically related to these boundaries. It may be claimed, therefore, that though much emphasis has been placed on the value of field boundaries in Ireland there are little data to support this in an Irish context.

The data that are available for field boundary stone walls are even less developed than those for hedgerow and margins. This might be because a stone wall is not commonly viewed as a ‘living’ habitat as a row of hedgerow trees or field margins often are. Research on the ecology of stone walls globally is very poor with much of the data relating to secondary sources. Only two publications have been produced that deal solely with this area. Segal (1969) and later Darlington (1981) have produced seminal volumes on the ecology of urban walls and walls of old buildings within which both refer to field boundary walls but ecological references are few. There are no publications dealing exclusively with the ecological characteristics of field boundary stone walls, such as those that may be found throughout the Irish countryside. This is surprising as boundary stone walls are recognised as a specialised habitat (Fossitt 2000). There are two aims of this research poster. The first is to illustrate the lack of data and to propose research aimed at addressing this problem. The second is to seek information from conference attendees on secondardary and tertiary data.

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The purpose of this study was to develop an ecological evaluation and grading system for the prin... more The purpose of this study was to develop an ecological evaluation and grading system for the principal field boundaries in Ireland - hedgerows and dry stone walls. In the absence of Irish data, consultation was carried out with prominent landscape ecologists, scientists and environmental consultants and other European bocage surveys were examined. This consultation lead to the creation of a draft survey form entitled the Field Boundary Evaluation & Grading System (FBEGS). This was field-tested in four locations in Ireland by several users. Feedback from surveyors led to an amended survey form which was then tested in ten locations nation-wide. It is shown that it is possible to evaluate a field boundary using a simple grading system but the accuracy of such a survey cannot be confirmed due to the lack of baseline data in an Irish context.

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While carrying out field boundary assessments for the Field Boundary Evaluation and Grading Syste... more While carrying out field boundary assessments for the Field Boundary Evaluation and Grading System (Collier & Feehan, 2004; ENVIRON 2003) it was discovered that there may be an undescribed classification of field boundary in Ireland. In areas where stone wall field boundaries are prevalent in the landscape it was noted that, in nearly every location, there has been some spontaneous scrub regeneration in close proximity to the wall. This regeneration is usually linear in nature, parallelling the wall itself, and often contains flora commonly found in scrubland or in hedgerows. It is proposed that these features receive a separate classification, wallrow, and that research be undertaken into establishing their morphology, the factors contributing to their formation and their ecological role in the landscape. The purpose of this poster is to stimulate discussion on the topic, seek more information on these landscape features and to establish an opinion on whether wallrows may be ecologically important in relation to their location in the landscape.

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Complex stakeholder pressure on peatlands is nothing new. Throughout history, peatlands have been... more Complex stakeholder pressure on peatlands is nothing new. Throughout history, peatlands have been looked upon as providers of socio-economic opportunities. Burns Bog in Vancouver, Canada is a good example of this. This Bog was utilised first by indigenous peoples and later it was partially used for sod peat production. These have been influential impacts ecologically, but Burns Bog has largely retained its hydrological integrity. Though now a cutover peatland, spontaneous regeneration has been rapid and has resulted in high species diversity. Today it has been identified as a unique peatland system in that it is located in both a Mediterranean climate zone and high population, urban setting. This urban growth has engulfed the regenerating peatland contributing to a plethora of new pressures and leading some to believe that the future is bleak. This paper will review the many socio-economic impacts on Burns Bog, as well as strategies for its conservation, stakeholder perceptions and policy implications.

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Industrial scale harvesting of Irish peatlands has been described both as a technical challenge a... more Industrial scale harvesting of Irish peatlands has been described both as a technical challenge and a socio-economic opportunity. While these are widely discussed, and thus better understood, a third issue, the relationship of local communities to cutaway peatlands, is less so. Throughout history, peatlands were 'developed' in order to help alleviate unemployment in disadvantaged regions, and this driver is a key influencer of policy and outcomes. But as the resource exploitation in Ireland approaches completion, the new challenges beyond wise use are now being posed: should we conserve some of the endowment undeveloped? Should we restore the cutaway so as to provide recreation and amenity, and other environmental services? How should national policy and local and community policies be reconciled? As part of the transdisciplinary Irish Bogland Project, these dimensions have been examined. Using a combination of focus groups, national and local surveys, and personal interviewing new light has been shed on the social-ecological interface in cutaway peatland areas. In this paper, we will review the relevant literature, and report our methodologies and findings, including the implications for policy.

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