Calling all wildfowlers: Help shape the future of Lough Neagh’s ecosystem research

Lough Neagh is a vital ecosystem that has undergone significant changes over time due to climate change, eutrophication, and other environmental stressors. To understand these changes, scientific research is crucial. A PhD student Dario Joseph Di Girolamo, is conducting research that aims to describe the food web of Lough Neagh and how it has evolved both spatially and historically.

A key aspect of this research involves studying predator-prey interactions through stomach content analysis. By examining the diets of various species, we can better understand shifts in the ecosystem and the impact of environmental stressors.

This is where you, as wildfowlers, can make a meaningful contribution. To build accurate food web models, Dario is seeking stomach samples from some of the birds that are legally hunted on Lough Neagh. He appreciates this won’t happen before the season reopens in September but would like to make the relevant connection now in advance. These samples will provide valuable insights into the feeding habits of waterfowl and their role in the ecosystem.

Dario reached out to the Countryside Alliance Ireland to explore the best ways to obtain these samples, but your direct involvement could be instrumental in ensuring the success of this research. If you are a wildfowler wanting to find out more or are willing to assist, your participation could help shape the future conservation and management efforts of Lough Neagh’s rich biodiversity.

If you are interested in contributing or would like more information, please get in touch by emailing Dario on ddigirolamo02@qub.ac.uk. Your knowledge and support are invaluable in piecing together the ecological history of this unique habitat.

Together, we can make a difference in understanding and protecting Lough Neagh for future generations.