The impact of neighbouring land management on wetland habitats

Centre for Rural and Sustainable Development is offering a Research Postgraduate

Scholarship to investigate the impact of neighbouring land management on wetland
habitats
Wetlands are an increasingly valued environmental resource in Ireland. A number of
Wetlands are protected under Natura 2000 designations, while others are owned,
conserved and managed by conservation trusts or similar organisations. In Ireland a
network of wetland organisations has been established.
The quality and value of wetlands is, of course, related to its own internal quality and
management in large part. However, the quality of any discreet area of wetlands is
significantly impacted on by the management and uses of the lands in its vicinity. This
research project seeks to identify the extent to which discreet wetlands in a number of
locations in Ireland are dependent on the quality of the environments which surround
those discreet areas, the vulnerability of the wetland habitats to changes in the water
regime and the land-use practices in their vicinity, the extent to which those responsible
for the management of discreet wetland areas consider these issues, the steps they take
to interact with the landowners in the vicinity of the wetlands and to enter into
arrangements to protect the environmental and habitat quality of the wetlands.
This work will require a number of hydrological and hydrogeological investigations as
well as interviews with the wetlands owners and the owners of the lands in the vicinity.
Scholarship Conditions: Fees and 6,000 stipend per annum (x 2 years)
Requirements of Candidate
Level 8 Honours Degree (with a 2:2 Grade or higher), in an appropriate study field is
essential. Appropriate areas include Environmental Science, Environmental
Management etc.
Interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in an area related to environmental
management specifically focused on wetland areas.
Excellent IT skills are required
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work at a
professional level. Regular high level presentations and detailed reporting will be
required.
Ability to gather process and draw conclusions from various kinds of data.
Capable of lecturing up to two hours per week as required by the Department.
Capacity to work independently.

Informal research enquiries should be directed to: Ciaran Lynch, Limerick Institute of
Technology, Ireland.
Tel.; 0504 28101- Email: Ciaran.lynch@lit.ie

Application forms to be returned to:

Graduate Studies and Research Office, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish,
Limerick
For general process enquiries please contact graduatestudies@lit.ie
Note: Incomplete documentation will be returned to sender