Distributed for University College Dublin Press
Ireland’s Rivers
This book is a fascinating study of the varied nature of Irish river ecosystems—their beauty, significance, and the natural and human factors that make each one distinct. Ireland’s Atlantic climate, alongside its largely agricultural economy and relatively small population, make the nature of Irish rivers vastly different from those on the European continent. With that in mind, there is significant interest in implementing measures to protect the dwindling number of near-pristine rivers in Ireland. This beautifully illustrated book provides a wonderful overview of Irish rivers and the risks that conservationists face in preserving their unique natural beauty.
350 pages | illustrated in color throughout | 7 x 9 3/4 | © 2020
Earth Sciences: General Earth Sciences
Table of Contents
Preface 3
Chapter 1 Ireland’s Rich & Varied River Resource 4
Chapter 2 How the River Flows 26
Chapter 3 Rivers Through Time: Uses and Abuses 40
Chapter 4 Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Key Components of the Lifeblood of a Healthy River 67
Chapter 5 Crayfish in Irish Rivers 95
Chapter 6 The Freshwater Pearl Mussel 107
Chapter 7 River Plants 122
Chapter 8 Periphyton: the Base of Aquatic Food Webs 143
Chapter 9 Fish in Irish Rivers 159
Chapter 10 Birds of Irish Rivers 181
Chapter 11 Riparian Mammals and Amphibians 202
Chapter 12 Aquatic Non-native Invasive Species: Threats to Irish rivers 213
Chapter 13 A Closer Look at 4 River Catchments 230
13.1 The Avonmore/Avonbeg/Avoca: A Spectacular River in Ireland’s Garden County- shaped by Ice and Impacted by Humans 231
13.2 The Burrishoole Catchment, a western salmonid stream-lake system 247
13.2 The Araglin Valley: a Catchment Research Study Area 268
13.4 The Shannon Waterway – an Irish river-lake system 278
Chapter 14 River Monitoring & Water Quality in Ireland 299
Chapter 15 Challenges and Opportunities for the Future Management of Ireland’s Rivers 326
Chapter 1 Ireland’s Rich & Varied River Resource 4
Chapter 2 How the River Flows 26
Chapter 3 Rivers Through Time: Uses and Abuses 40
Chapter 4 Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Key Components of the Lifeblood of a Healthy River 67
Chapter 5 Crayfish in Irish Rivers 95
Chapter 6 The Freshwater Pearl Mussel 107
Chapter 7 River Plants 122
Chapter 8 Periphyton: the Base of Aquatic Food Webs 143
Chapter 9 Fish in Irish Rivers 159
Chapter 10 Birds of Irish Rivers 181
Chapter 11 Riparian Mammals and Amphibians 202
Chapter 12 Aquatic Non-native Invasive Species: Threats to Irish rivers 213
Chapter 13 A Closer Look at 4 River Catchments 230
13.1 The Avonmore/Avonbeg/Avoca: A Spectacular River in Ireland’s Garden County- shaped by Ice and Impacted by Humans 231
13.2 The Burrishoole Catchment, a western salmonid stream-lake system 247
13.2 The Araglin Valley: a Catchment Research Study Area 268
13.4 The Shannon Waterway – an Irish river-lake system 278
Chapter 14 River Monitoring & Water Quality in Ireland 299
Chapter 15 Challenges and Opportunities for the Future Management of Ireland’s Rivers 326