Network Partners

Species.ie

This inititive of the BioChange project is a database of information on Irish species that includes terrestrial, marine and freshwater organisms. At present, the data for flowering plants and marine organisms, particularly seaweeds and invertebrates, are the most complete. The data are stored in an MySQL 4.1 database and served up via Lasso 8.1 from a dual-processor Mac Xserve with 8 Gb of memory. Network facilities and a most helpful service are provided by the National University of Ireland Computer Services department. Click here to enter the Species.ie website and database

BioChange Training

One of the aims of the BioChange project is to build capacity in the area of biodiversity research in Ireland. To help achieve this aim the project organises training for the researchers in areas where skills have been identified as lacking. During 2007 courses in hypothesis generation, experimental design and methods for presentation preparation were held.

The Urban Institute Ireland, UCD has kindly agreed to support our aim of building capacity by providing training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS is an area that has become increasingly essential for those working in the field of biodiversity studies and the required skills are often not adequately covered by undergraduate courses. The initial concept for Urban Institute Ireland was to be "a centre for research on sustainable urban development, bringing researchers on infrastructure together with researchers on policy, planning and design" these aims of integration between researchers and policy are complementary to those of the BioChange project and BioChange is extremely grateful to the Urban Institute Ireland for its support in this inititive.

It is hoped that further training to include, Taxonomy, Statistics and Data management will be held in late 2008 and 2009

	The BioChange Project was officially launched on Thursday May 4th 2006 by Larry Stapleton, Director of of the Office of Environmental Assessment, EPA. Mr Stapleton explained that, while under pressure, the environment remains of generally good quality and as such represents one of Ireland’s most essential assets. Awareness and vigilance are needed if this asset is to be protected, and where necessary, enhanced for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Continual improvement of monitoring and information systems, particularly on ecosystems and biodiversity, is needed in order to understand and mitigate human impact on the environment. This kind of knowledge will only be available by conducting appropriate and comprehensive scientific research. The launch was attended by researchers involved in all of the project workpackages, staff from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Clare County Council, and the Burren Life project. It was encouraging to see members of the Irish Farmers Association and other local interest groups at the launch.

The BioChange Project was officially launched on Thursday May 4th 2006 by Larry Stapleton, Director of of the Office of Environmental Assessment, EPA. Mr Stapleton explained that, while under pressure, the environment remains of generally good quality and as such represents one of Ireland’s most essential assets. Awareness and vigilance are needed if this asset is to be protected, and where necessary, enhanced for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Continual improvement of monitoring and information systems, particularly on ecosystems and biodiversity, is needed in order to understand and mitigate human impact on the environment. This kind of knowledge will only be available by conducting appropriate and comprehensive scientific research. The launch was attended by researchers involved in all of the project workpackages, staff from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Clare County Council, and the Burren Life project. It was encouraging to see members of the Irish Farmers Association and other local interest groups at the launch.

BioChange annual Meeting 2008

The second annual meeting of the BioChange project was held on January 24th and 25th 2008 at the Merriman Hotel, Kinvara, Co. Galway.
The aim of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for students, researchers and work package leaders to meet and exchange views on the project for the first time in a relaxed and friendly two-day session and to examine ways forward for better integration of the project.
Students and researchers provided outline presentations of their individual projects and the meeting culminated with a field trip to a number of marine study sites within the Burren led by Prof Mike Guiry

BioChange Summer School

The BioChange project hosted a summer school on on the 18th and 19th of June 2007 at the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Carron, Co. Clare. This event included workshops on the topics on Hypothesis generation and elements of experimental design (led by Dr Tasman Crowe of UCD) and Presentation and Communication skills (led by Dr Jane Stout of TCD and Mr Bernard Kaye of UCD). The Summer school also provided a mechanism for better integration of Biochange staff, students and researchers and the feedback, from students in particular, was extremely positive. Copies of the presentations provided at the summer school are available to download from the Members Login section of this site.

The Biochange stand at Clare biodiversity day 2006