Letterkenny academic Dr Annaleigh Margey has been appointed to a lead research role in the Ancient Woodlands Ireland project.
Dr Margey is the Head of Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
She will lead a work package for a PhD researcher to undertake a project on determining woodland antiquity through assessment of historical map and documentary evidence.
The project will be in collaboration with the project coordinator John Devaney, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
A research grant of €1,215,941.46 was awarded to Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), NUI Maynooth and Teagasc Research. The grant is one of 20 granted nationally worth just over €24 million to support research across 16 institutes.
Dr Margey attended the funding announcement by Minister Charlie McConalogue at the DAFM Backweston Campus recently.
The Ancient Woodlands Ireland project aims to better understand and protect Ireland’s woodlands.
Researchers will use historical maps and texts to understand how woodland cover in Ireland has changed over the past 400 years. They will also create new maps that accurately show the location and extent of ancient woodlands, while utilising a large database of species diversity information (plants and animals) to identify indicator species associated with ancient woodlands.
It is hoped the project’s findings will provide valuable data for better protecting and restoring ancient woodlands in Ireland. This information can be used to prioritise conservation efforts and ensure the long-term health of these important ecosystems.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D said, “I am delighted to announce funding of over €24 million for 20 research projects arising from the 2023 Thematic Research Call. The work funded under our research calls is essential to equip farmers, foresters, and the wider agri-food sector with the tools needed to improve their economic, environmental, and social sustainability in the years ahead. It is also pivotal to developing the next generation of cutting-edge technologies and innovations that will ensure we are globally attractive and competitive as a food island.’’
