A University of Limerick researcher has been awarded funding for research into the impact of natural disturbances on forests and carbon storage in Ireland.
Professor Ken Byrne, Department of Biological Sciences has been awarded €747,430 under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Investment in Research for Agri-food, Forest and Bioeconomy scheme for his project Disturbance-Resilient Forest Carbon (DiReCarbon).
DiReCarbon focuses on how Irish forests are affected by natural disturbances, such as storms, droughts, fire, and pests. Forests help tackle climate change by storing carbon in trees, soils and wood products, but severe disturbances can damage forests and release some of that carbon back into the atmosphere.
The project will study disturbed forest sites across Ireland, using field measurements, forest records and remote sensing to understand how carbon changes after disturbance. It will also test different forest management options to evaluate which approaches best support carbon storage and forest resilience.
DiReCarbon is one of 30 projects nationally funded by the department to the value of €37.5 million for pioneering research into the agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sectors.
Announcing the awards Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD said: “This €37.5 million in awards is an investment in the future of Ireland’s agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sectors. Cutting-edge research and innovation are essential to ensuring that these sectors remain competitive, resilient and sustainable in the years ahead.
“Our farmers and food producers need access to the best possible evidence, technologies and practices. This research investment will generate the insights and innovations required to meet those needs – with projects covering areas such as functional foods for healthy ageing, improving water quality response times at catchment level, fibre-based packaging for longer shelf life, new approaches to tracking and controlling TB, and a first of its kind study in Ireland testing feed additives for reduced methane over an animal’s lifetime.”
Key areas of focus include innovation and value-add in the food sector while addressing healthy diets, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, tackling climate change, strengthening animal health and welfare, and advancing farm safety.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Research and Development Noel Grealish TD added: “Collaboration is at the heart of this investment. I am delighted to see that the projects will involve the education and training of over 90 postgraduate students and over 60 contract researchers, thus ensuring a continuous stream of highly skilled scientific talent coming through to our industry.”
Further information on the projects funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Investment in Research for Agri-food, Forest and Bioeconomy scheme.