UCD Earth Institute

Fostering multidiscipline research to improve fundamental understanding of our rapidly changing environment and find solutions for a sustainable future.

Ecological Impacts & Adaptation of an Introduced Soil Dweller

International partnership combining expertise in ecology, evolution and genomics, to unravel the mystery of an invasive worm species spreading across Ireland. Funded by Colgate’s Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute. 

ICONICA

H2020 partnership to measure the effect of phosphorus availability on soil carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycling and GHG emissions in managed grassland and arable systems, and identify mechanisms for subsoil organic carbon and nitrogen sequestration. 

ReEconet

UCD based international collaboration between theoretical ecologists, applied mathematicians, physicists, geomorphologists, and biologists who use network science to discover the processes that confer stability and resilience on ecosystems.

ISMON

Irish Soil Moisture Monitoring Network, 10 sites equipped with state-of-the-art technology to monitor soil moisture conditions in real time and over the long term, led by members of the UCD Earth Institute, Met Éireann and Teagasc.

GHG-Manage

UCD partners on this project to assess the contribution of typical EU landscape mosaics to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon sequestration, and provide estimates of surface warming effects.

Effective Nature Laws

H2020 project led by UCD Sutherland School of Law invesitgating how environmental governance rules affect stakeholder compliance decisions in the field of EU environmental policy in relation to biodiversity. 

Soil Science Society of Ireland

All-Ireland body for professionals working in the discipline of soil science, promoting research, knowledge transfer and sustainable management of Irish soils through scientific meetings, fieldtrips, and discussion forums. 

HEARTLANDS

Soil plays a vital role in farming systems, therefore its health plays a vital role in producing the food we eat, and defining its nutritional value. UCD partners with government and institutions on this EU-funded project exploring OneHealth from Soil to Society

Irish Roots and Soil Imaging Facility

The UCD Plant Phenotyping Facility contains a X-ray CT scanner that can non-destructively build-up a 3D image of whole plants, both above and below ground. It is the only one of its kind in Ireland.

ForSite

Led by UCD, this project assessed whether biomass removal gives net nutrient loss, and compares that loss to nutrient supply and reserves to give a basis for sustainable soil-nutrient supply for forests, as a support for forest health and forest productivity. 

BiOrbic

UCD Lyons Farm LGP

Provides a long-term platform to assess and develop the sustainability of Irish grass-based agricultural systems, including investigation of the effect of farm systems on soil carbon sequestration, soil quality and fertility, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity.

BioCrop

Funded by DAFM and led by UCD with Industry partners, Biocrop is exploring the use of biobased products and innovations as viable alternatives to manufactured fertilisers and pesticides / fungicides. It will also address sustainability and environmental impacts such as GHG emissions.

Just Transition Research Group

UCD-led group increasing knowledge and understanding of Just Transition by building an international research network, dissemination activities, a multi-stakeholder conference, and creating a website / database of best practice and policy approaches.

ProvEye

UCD spinout pioneering the potential of digital imagery for more predictable and profitable decision-making for agriculture and the environment.

ROOTED

BioBeo

Horizon-CSA funded, UCD-led consortium to develop and deploy an education programme to enhance engagement across society regarding lifestyle, circularity and bioeconomy, using 5 bioeconomy themes: Interconnectedness; Outdoor Learning; Forestry; Life Below Water; The Food Loop.

AgTech Connector

A central hub for ag-tech research in Ireland based on UCD Lyons Farm, in conjunction with the UCD Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, NovaUCD.

AUGER

Nationwide survey of how peatlands and peat soils influence greenhouse gas emissions and removal. Funded by the EPA and led by UCD.

SMARTSWARD

CONSUS

A collaborative research partnership between UCD and Origin Enterprises exploring the potential of digital and precision agriculture to create a sustainable food system.

ALTERFOR

EU-funded project to explore new forest management models that will help meet major challenges of the 21st century, led in Ireland from UCD Forestry in the School of Agriculture and Food Science.

UCD CSDS

The UCD Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) aims to promote and foster Education, Research and Policy Outreach on Sustainable Development.  

SmartGrass

Sustainable grazing crop research running trials on multi-species grassland swards, based at UCD Lyons Farm.

20 years of research informing policy to rewet, restore and protect Irish peatlands

EcoFinders: UCD and European partners developed tools and policies to protect soil biodiversity

UCD-led EPA Report examined historical changes in soil organic carbon stocks in Irish Agricultural soils

The CréBeo Soil Biodiversity Project informed sustainable soil protection strategies in Ireland

Led by UCD, Teagasc and Met Éireann, ISMON places Ireland at the forefront of soil moisture monitoring and modelling

SmartGrass has started a national shift in farming, enhancing productivity while protecting the environment and climate

NEROS made key recommendations on rewetting peatlands in Ireland

SQUARE: UCD Researchers worked with Teagasc to develop a practical guide to managing soil structure

Dr Saoirse Treacy

Assistant Prof. in Applied Plant Biology at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, President of the Soil Science Society of Ireland, research focus on plant root and soil interactions.

Prof Nick Holden

Prof. at UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, researching the sustainability of agriculture with a focus on Soil Quality. Co-founder of ProvEye, Deputy Director of BiOrbic.

Dr Akshit Puri

Assistant Prof. in Environmental and Applied Microbiology, soil and plant microbiologist working on ecosystems including natural forests and grasslands, managed agricultural systems and anthropogenically disturbed environments.

Prof. Olaf Schmidt

Prof. in UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, researching the biology, biodiversity, ecology and biochemistry of soils in the context of soil-plant-animal systems - especially earthworms.

Dr Mary Harty

Assistant Prof. UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, CONSUS team member, research focus on soil health, sustainable agriculture, sensor technology, soil compaction, Greenhouse Gas Emission.

Dr Tara Dirilgen

Assistant Prof. UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, research explores how biodiversity belowground influences plants and pollinators above-ground and vice versa.

Dr Ibrahim Khalil

Dr Sharon O'Rourke

Assistant Prof. and Ad Astra Fellow, UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, research examines relationships between soil carbon and soil function, and the application of digital technologies to understand soil processes.

Dr Florence Renou Wilson

Project Manager at UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, specialising in the impact of global change on ecosystem processes and services, in particular peatlands and various land uses on organic soils.

Dr Thomas Cummins

Assistant Prof. at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Lecturer in Soil Science with a research focus on anthropogenic soils.

Prof. Evelyn Doyle

Head of UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, uses cutting-edge technology to understand the role of microbial communities in environments including polluted soils and agricultural soils.