Flatlining Fens - Signs of homogenisation beneath the surface
Fine-scale ecosystem variation signals early functional decline in alkaline fens, new research shows
New research from the discipline of Botany, in collaboration with the Engineering Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), reveals that some of Ireland’s rare alkaline fens—peat-forming, groundwater-fed wetlands—are becoming more uniform, or “homogenised,” due to historic drainage and degradation.
Led by Dr Sate Ahmad, the research team compared a relatively intact fen in Westmeath with a degraded one in Limerick and found striking differences. While both had high levels of organic matter, the degraded site held significantly less water and showed far less microvariation in soil and surface features. The team discovered that the degraded fen had become much more spatially uniform—a red flag for ecological health. These differences hint at a loss of the ecosystem’s ability to perform vital functions. The findings highlight the importance of microtopography—the tiny bumps and dips in fen surfaces—as early indicators of damage and recovery. They also underscore the value of small-scale mapping and monitoring in ecosystem restoration.
As Ireland works to restore and protect its remaining peatlands, the study offers new tools to measure restoration success and ecosystem complexity. The study was funded by Research Ireland (formerly Irish Research Council) New Foundations Award in partnership with Sunflower Charitable Foundation and Community Foundation Ireland.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25002481
