Provision of Hydrological Scientific Support

Description

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) provides the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the Republic of Ireland. It also oversees its implementation, based on good science, with particular emphasis on the protection of habitats and species. The conservation of restoration of biodiversity and habitats in Ireland necessitates scientific monitoring to inform management design and to evaluate the relative success of implemented works. The conservation of habitats is also increasingly valued as an important component of global processes such as climate regulation, food security and water supply. NPWS is currently managing and regulating a large programme of works related to peatland restoration, as well as the conservation management of river, callow, turlough and coastal dune ecosystems. This has led to the need for additional hydrological expertise to aid in the design of management plans and to assess plans and measures developed by other agencies. In addition to this, the conservation status of ecosystems is under increasing threat from pressures related to development, pollution, climate change and other pressures. Hydrological expertise is required to ascertain the linkages between habitats and surrounding areas, and advise on mitigation and remedial management options. Concurrent with these work programmes has been the expansion of NPWS’s ecological monitoring work plans that incorporate ecohydrological flows (water levels, runoff and quality related to ecosystems) and greenhouse gas monitoring from peatland, coastal and aquatic ecosystems (flux chamber and eddy covariance monitoring), via NPWS and European Union funded projects. This is to assist Ireland in meeting its international and national legal obligations in terms of nature conservation and climate action. The purpose of this request for tender is to procure scientific support to aid in the development and assessment of hydrological management plans for ecosystems, assessment