University College Dublin and Codling Wind Park, which will be located off County Wicklow, are launching a new research project which aims to promote and enhance marine biodiversity along the Irish coast.
The research partnership will explore the potential for restoring native oyster reefs and seagrass beds, both in the Dublin Bay area and at selected sites along the coastline.
The project, which will be funded by Codling Wind Park, will also investigate how eco-engineering approaches, a form of nature inclusive design, can increase native habitat for native species.
The 1.3GW Codling Wind Park, which is Ireland’s largest Phase One offshore wind project, will be located approximately 13km to 22km off the County Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town.
Assistant Professor Paul Brooks of UCD’s School of Biology and Environmental Science said that in the face of growing environmental challenges, researchers were increasingly focusing on the concept of using nature-based solutions to address various societal and ecological issues.
He said one of the aims of this project was to broaden our understanding of the uses of nature-based solutions (NbS) in restoring and promoting biodiversity.
Professor Brooks added: “NbS utilise the inherent power of nature to provide sustainable and multifaceted solutions to complex problems.
“In partnership with Codling Wind Park, UCD researchers aim to investigate and assess the value of NbS, with a particular focus on eco-engineering approaches and the restoration of oyster reefs and seagrass beds along the Irish coast.
“In addition, we aim to emphasise the ability of NbS to promote biodiversity, mitigate climate change, enhance ecosystem services, and foster resilience in the face of environmental change.
“Gathering this data will help broaden our understanding of NbS and will help underpin the direction of future research in an Irish context.”
Project director of Codling Wind Park Scott Sutherland said the partnership with UCD forms a key element of the first phase of the project’s Biodiversity Strategy.
He said: “Codling Wind Park will supply over a quarter of Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind target and displace up to 1.7 million tonnes of carbon, contributing significantly to the country’s national climate targets.
“We recognise, however, that in parallel with the current climate crisis, we are facing a global biodiversity emergency and that it is our responsibility to develop the project in a manner that protects and where possible enhances biodiversity”
UCD’s School of Biology and Environmental Science is recognised as one of the leading authorities in marine biodiversity research and we are excited to partner with them.
“In addition to advancing knowledge in the field of blue carbon research, the results, which will be available towards the middle of next year, will also inform potentially suitable eco-engineering options both for Codling Wind Park and also the wider offshore renewable industry in Ireland.”
Codling Wind Park’s Biodiversity Strategy is a voluntary initiative and is entirely separate from the planning application the project recently submitted, the developer said.