Carna Research Station, County Galway

Siobhan Vye

School of Biological Sciences

 

Carna Research Station, County Galway
The grant enabled me to travel to Connemara, Co. Galway and run an experiment in rock pools on a shore near the Carna Research Station. The experiment manipulated nutrient enrichment and the presence of an invasive sea weed (Sargassum muticum), with the aim of identifying the effects on biodiversity. Data collected from this experiment will give an important insight into the cumulative effects of multiple stressors and will form the final part of my PhD project.

During the week-long trip, a colleague and I travelled to the field site and set up the experiment. This included identifying suitable rock pools, measuring the diversity of the rock pools and quantifying the abundance of the invasive seaweed. We spent 6 – 7 hours on the shore each day, from around 6am until mid-afternoon. The early mornings and long hours were more than made up for by some lovely Irish spring sunshine. Highlights of the trip include the picturesque setting and the amazingly colourful algal diversity within the rock pools! Unfortunately, the well-known Irish rain did make an appearance on the last day, but it wouldn’t be field work in Ireland without it! In addition, the trip provided an opportunity to liaise with the very welcoming staff and academics at Carna Research Station, NUI Galway. This has allowed me to forge links with members of the international marine research community.

My thanks go to the Challenger Society for facilitating a productive and rewarding trip.

Latest News

The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Open Meeting

The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) invites the marine community, particularly those from a policy, commercial, academic and conservation background, to an open meeting to introduce the new MEDIN Business Plan 2024-2029 and to discuss how the wider community can contribute to the future developments in UK marine data management.

Wednesday 24th April 2024 – HYBRID (The Crown Estate, 1 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH and online using Microsoft Teams)

Read More


The 13th Annual General Meeting of the NOC Association

The 13th Annual General Meeting of the NOC Association of Marine Science National Capability Beneficiaries (NOCA) will take place during the mornings of Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th June 2024. This free event will be conducted virtually on Zoom and is open to anyone with an interest in the marine environment.

Read More


Calling all Ocean Innovators and Experts!

Mark your calendars for March 12th to 14th, 2024, because @ Oceanology International 2024 is
returning with all its inspiring, innovative, and fresh ideas. Blue Economy, Energy Transition,
Sustainability, Ocean Mining and Oil & Gas are some of the key fundamental areas that Oi24 will be
focusing.

Read More