This week we meet a coastal geomorphologist , called Professor Iris Möller who researches how physical and biological processes interact at the coast, particularly in the intertidal zone the area between tidal high and low water.
About Iris Möller
- Prof Möller is originally from Germany but now lives in Ireland. As part of her work she uses these insights to work with others within and beyond the discipline of Geography to develop integrative solutions for a coastal environment in which people are protected from flooding and erosion whilst also taking advantage of the many benefits healthy ecosystems and dynamic coastal landforms, particularly coastal wetlands, have for humans.
- The monitoring and understanding of long-term coastal morphodynamics (the link between coastal landforms and the processes shaping them) forms a key component of her work, as does how we use these insights to adapt to a changed environmental future through climate change, sea-level rise, and altered storm frequency/severity.
- In recent years, Prof Möller has worked closely with specialists in deploying remote sensing methods via remotely controlled airborne vehicles (UAVs) and satellite (e.g. the Copernicus suite of Sentinels). Such methods allow the capture of frequent images of a rapidly changing environment without the logistical difficulties of working in treacherous terrain.
- Using all of these methods, Prof. Möller and her team and collaborators have led and contributed to a range of projects funded by national and international governmental funding agencies, including the European Union FP7 and Horizon 2020 Programmes, as well as the private sector and non-government organisations.
Wexford Coast
- 260km coastline. 211km soft coastline.
- The coasts most susceptible to coastal erosion are those composed of unconsolidated (soft) sediment. These areas are most common on Ireland’s eastern and southern coasts
- The coast is home to a vast array of different land forms that can rapidly change in response to external drivers, such as sea level rise, altered sediment fluxes, altered atmospheric composition, and human land use.
- Given the complexity of the coastal system, field observations are crucial in allowing theories to be verified and tested. Similarly, the ability to control conditions in the laboratory context or in numerical models is important in allowing theory to be developed.
Sand Dune Restoration works at the Raven Nature Reserve, Curracloe, Co. Wexford
- Coillte Nature and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are teaming up to carry out biodiversity restoration works at the Raven Nature Reserve, Curracloe, Co. Wexford.
- The works to restore precious sand dune habitats at the Raven Nature Reserve started in January with some temporary restrictions on access to walking trails.
- These works are part of an EU-funded project called LIFE Insular, which aims to protect and conserve sand dune ecosystems in partnership with local communities.
- Coillte Nature and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are teaming up to carry out biodiversity restoration works at the Raven Nature Reserve, Curracloe, Co. Wexford.
- Coillte and the NPWS will be restoring sand dune habitats and improving the long-term natural value of the Raven. These works will involve felling non-native trees at the southerly tip of the site, with upgrading of the main walking path.
- To facilitate these works, access to the reserve will be temporarily restricted on weekdays from Monday 16th January for up to three weeks. Additional works are expected to take place until April with access to walking trails restricted at times, while further sand dune restoration will take place in the Autumn 2023.
- As the Raven is part of a Special Area of Conservation, the works will be carried out in a responsible way to minimise any disruption to wildlife. Access to the Raven will remain largely open during this time, but some trails will be temporarily diverted with access restricted. The public is urged to take care while works are being carried out and follow any safety signage and instructions.
- For more information: https://www.npws.ie/news/sand-dune-restoration-works-raven-nature-reserve-curracloe-co-wexford-commence-monday-16th#:~:text=%2C%20Curracloe%2C%20Co.-,Wexford.,of%20the%20main%20walking%20path.
