Freshwater scientists get some fresh air

More than 1,200 scientists involved in freshwater issues who are meeting in Dublin abandoned lecture rooms yesterday to visit some of Ireland's most important ecosystems. These areas include many of international importance, and some are threatened.

The "science-with-sightseeing" was hosted by Irish scientists affiliated to the International Association of Limnology, which is holding its triennial conference in UCD this week. The presentation of research papers resumes today.

Some 30 tours included visits to the North Bull Island, the Mourne Mountains, Lough Neagh, Lower Lough Erne, the Marble Arch caves in the Cuilcagh Mountains between Leitrim and Fermanagh, Lough Sheelin, the Boyne catchment, the Liffey and Pollardstown Fen, the raised bogs of the midlands, the Shannon, the Mulkear catchment in Co Limerick, the Wicklow Mountains and the lagoons and wildfowl reserves of south Co Wexford.

To mark the Irish contribution to the "Water of Life" conference, four books were published yesterday devoted to the scientific study of Ireland's freshwaters.

Ireland's Freshwaters by Dr Julian Reynolds of TCD (£7.50) describes Irish rivers, lakes and wetlands, and outlines their difference from continental systems.

Studies in Irish Limnology, edited by Dr Paul Giller of NUI Cork (£15), features freshwater research which is making a significant international contribution. His notable work concerns rare Irish fish and his investigation of sediment from lakes has provided a record covering thousands of years.

Studies of Irish Rivers and Lakes, edited by Dr Christopher Moriarty of the Marine Institute Fisheries Research Centre (£15), describes in detail particular river catchments throughout Ireland.

Eutrophication in Irish Waters is compiled by the Royal Irish Academy (£15), which with UCD Environmental Institute is hosting the Dublin congress. The proceedings of a seminar last year on phosphorus-based enrichment and pollution of lakes and rivers, it is published by the Royal Irish Academy. The other three books are published by the Marine Institute, 80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.