Neil Coughlan

Neil Coughlan
University College Cork | UCC · School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences

BSc. MSc. PhD.

About

105
Publications
38,620
Reads
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1,686
Citations
Additional affiliations
October 2019 - present
University College Cork
Position
  • PostDoc Position
March 2016 - October 2019
Queen's University Belfast
Position
  • PhD Student
June 2013 - November 2015
University College Cork
Position
  • Research Assistant

Publications

Publications (105)
Article
Full-text available
Aquatic macrophytes can successfully colonise and re-colonise areas separated by space and time. The mechanisms underlying such “mobility” are not well understood, but it has often been hypothesised that epizoochory (external dispersal) plays an important role. Yet, there is only limited, and mostly anecdotal, evidence concerning successful epizooc...
Article
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Aquatic birds can facilitate the dispersal of plants, animals, microbes and fungi. Here, we review existing literature on bird‐mediated external (ectozoochorous; synonyms epizoochorous, exozoochorous) dispersal to determine the importance of birds as mobile links between aquatic environments, and to evaluate ectozoochory as a mechanism of dispersal...
Article
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Inaction concerning the dispersal of invasive alien species (IAS) via their adherence to anthropogenic vectors remains a global issue for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems (Piria et al. 2017; Ulman et al. 2019; Smith et al. 2020). Although IAS can have detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across terrestrial and aquatic...
Article
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Invasive bivalves continue to spread and negatively impact freshwater ecosystems worldwide. As different metrics for body size and biomass are frequently used within the literature to standardise bivalve‐related ecological impacts (e.g. respiration and filtration rates), the lack of broadly applicable conversion equations currently hinders reliable...
Article
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Controlled indoor cultivation of duckweed plants can support remediation of wastewaters through generation of plant biomass. Despite numerous advantages, indoor cultivation of duckweeds on agri-food wastewaters remains underexplored. Lighting regimes need to be optimised for duckweed growth and affordability of energy consumption , as it has been s...
Article
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As a result of intensive agriculture, large quantities of liquid wastewaters are produced. Dairy soiled water (DSW) is produced in large volumes during the milking process of cattle. It comprises essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The physicochemical properties of DSWs are highly variable as per individual farmer...
Article
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Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (CO1 gene) reveals that Eurasian Wrens in Ireland harbour unique genetic diversity but also have mixed phylogeographic origins, not forming an obvious monophyletic clade.
Article
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Believed to have been extinct in Ireland by 1900, since the 1960s the Common Buzzard has recolonised most of the island of Ireland. To date, the origins and genetic composition of this contemporary Irish population remain undescribed. It has been postulated that the Irish breeding population is largely composed of birds dispersing from Britain, whi...
Article
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Recent accumulation of evidence across taxa indicates that the ecological impacts of invasive alien species are predictable from their functional response (FR; e.g. the maximum feeding rate) and functional response ratio (FRR; the FR attack rate divided by handling time). Here, we experimentally derive these metrics to predict the ecological impact...
Technical Report
Full-text available
This datasheet on Lagarosiphon major covers Impact, Identity, Overview, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Distribution, Dispersal, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control and Further Information.
Article
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Asexual eukaryotes tend to occupy broader geographical ranges than their sexually reproducing relatives, with this phenomenon seemingly linked to ecological differentiation among closely related asexual and sexual lineages. Here, we used sympatric asexual and sexual Corbicula lineages to assess their ecological niche divergence and genetic differen...
Article
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UV-B radiation can substantially impact plant growth. To study UV-B effects, broadband UV-B tubes are commonly used. Apart from UV-B, such tubes also emit UV-A wavelengths. This study aimed to distinguish effects of different UV-B intensities on Arabidopsis thaliana wildtype and UVR8 mutant rosette morphology, from those by accompanying UV-A. UV-A...
Article
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Standardized terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science – a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline – the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardized framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrep...
Article
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Duckweed species (Lemnaceae) are suitable for remediation and valorization of agri‐feed industry wastewaters and therefore can contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy where waste is a resource. Industrial applications will, however, require space efficient cultivation methods that are not affected by prevailing weather conditions. Here,...
Preprint
Full-text available
Standardized terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science — a dynamic and quickly evolving discipline — the rapid proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardized framework for its language development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with...
Technical Report
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NZ govt biosecurity response to invasion by freshwater Aisan / Gold clam
Article
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The 22nd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) was held as a hybrid event in Oostende, Belgium from 18–22 April 2022. The conference addressed the theme of “Global Climate Change Amplifies Aquatic Invasive Species Impacts” and aimed to expand knowledge on the latest science and policy, inspire cooperation and collaboration on...
Article
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Corbicula fluminea is a widespread and problematic invasive bivalve species in many freshwater ecosystems. Here, a systematic literature review was performed to synthesise what is presently known about C. fluminea in relation to its biology, ecology, and management. Of the total 1156 studies analysed, most were conducted in North America and Europe...
Article
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Trioecy systems are generally considered to be less stable and less widely distributed. Recently, a rare and mostly hermaphrodite (> 50%) trioecy system was detected in a single indigenous population of Corbicula fluminea. While hermaphrodite specimens are common in the invaded range, dioecy systems dominate C. fluminea populations in native region...
Article
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Avian vectors, such as ducks, swans and geese, are important dispersers of plant propagules. Until recently, it was thought that small vegetative propagules were reliant on adherence to vectors and are unlikely to survive passage through the avian digestive tract. Here, we conclusively demonstrate that metabolically active angiosperms can survive p...
Article
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The Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity recognizes that addressing nonnative species is one of six principal actions needed to bend the curve in freshwater biodiversity loss. This is because introduction rates of nonnative species continue to accelerate globally and where these species develop invasive populations, they can have sev...
Article
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Aim To date, few studies have examined the phylogenetics of Corbicula clams in their native range and the environmental parameters influencing their distribution, although this could provide great insights into the biological adaptation and invasion dynamics of Corbicula clams. We sought to identify the genetic lineages of native Corbicula clams an...
Article
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The growth and nutrient uptake capacity of a common duckweed (Lemnaceae) species, Lemna minor "Blarney", on dairy processing wastewater pre-treated by an anaerobic digester (AD-DPW) was explored. L. minor was cultivated in small stationary vessels in a controlled indoor environment , as well as in a semi-outdoor 35 L recirculatory system. The use o...
Article
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Given its high biomass production, phytoremediation capacity and suitability as a feedstock for animal and human nutrition, duckweeds are valuable multipurpose plants that can underpin circular economy applications. In recent years, the use of duckweeds to mitigate environmental pollution and valorise wastewaters through the removal of excess nitro...
Article
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Context Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) are a serious threat to aviation safety and these negative human–wildlife interactions are predicted to increase. As the wider spatial use of landscapes by birds can affect aviation safety (e.g. location of foraging and roosting sites), there is a clear need to implement effective managem...
Article
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Biological invasions, especially invasive alien aquatic plants, are a major and growing ecological and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable to invasion, where impacts of invasive alien species can damage ecological structure and function. Identifying abiotic and biotic factors that mediate successful invas...
Article
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Interactions between multiple invasive alien species (IAS) might increase their ecological impacts, yet relatively few studies have attempted to quantify the effects of facilitative interactions on the success and impact of aquatic IAS. Further, the effect of abiotic factors, such as habitat structure, have lacked consideration in ecological impact...
Technical Report
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The aim of the Newtrients project was to develop an innovative exemplar of a circular economy approach to the production of novel, value-added products from dairy industry wastewater. This was successfully achieved. Newtrients has shown that compostable bioplastics can be generated from dairy waste, rather than from fossil fuels. In addition, it wa...
Article
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The strategic allocation of pasture grazing area to dairy cows is essential for optimal management and increased outputs. Rising plate meters are frequently used to estimate pasture herbage mass, i.e. dry matter yield per hectare, by employing simple regression equations that relate compressed sward height to herbage mass. However, to improve the a...
Article
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Invasive, submerged macrophytes negatively alter aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity through disruption of ecological structure and functioning. These plants are especially challenging and costly to control, with relatively few successful eradications. We examine the efficacy of dye treatments to control three invasive, submerged macrophyte species...
Article
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Invasive aquatic macrophytes tend to reproduce and spread through vegetative means, often via fragmentary propagules. Dispersal among aquatic sites may occur overland via attachment to various vectors, or within river systems by directional water currents. However, for many species the relationship between fragment size and resumption of growth is...
Article
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Lemnaceae, i.e., duckweed species, have gained considerable attention as a sustainable source of high-quality nutrition, biofuel, and pharmaceuticals, as well as effective organisms for phytoremediation of wastewaters. A protein content of up to 45% makes duckweed biomass nutritionally interesting as an ingredient for animal feeds or human food. Ou...
Chapter
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This book brings together expert opinions from scientists to consider the evidence for climate change and its impacts on ticks and tick-borne infections. This Chapter (eo15) provides insight into the dispersal of ticks by birds under climatic change. Future predictions: 1. Hyalomma marginatum to advance to higher latitudes; 2. Further extension t...
Article
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Despite an acute focus on the ingestion of large and small synthetic debris by seabirds, scant consideration has been given to their occurrence in other avian species inhabiting coastal and inland wetland areas. Here, we assess ingestion of synthetic micro-fibres (i.e. microplastics and other non-natural fibres, 0.5-5 mm in size) by Mute Swans Cygn...
Article
The frequency and duration of short-term extreme climatic events, such as marine heat waves (MHWs), are increasing worldwide. The rapid onset of MHWs can lead to short-term stress responses in organisms that may have lethal or sub-lethal effects. In addition, increased temperature variability and extremes are predicted to favour and facilitate the...
Article
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Collisions between wildlife and aircraft are a serious and growing threat to aviation safety. Understanding the frequency of these collisions, the identity of species involved, and the potential damage that can be inflicted on to aircraft aid mitigation efforts by airfield managers. A record of all animal carcasses recovered from Dublin Internation...
Article
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In recent years, much attention has been given to the issue of pollution in the form of synthetic debris, i.e. man-made material entering the biosphere. In particular, wildlife ingestion of small synthetic debris (≤ 5 mm in length), such as micro-fibres, is now considered an emerging environmental concern. Although ingestion of synthetic debris has...
Article
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As part of a circular economy (CE) approach to food production systems, Lemnaceae, i.e., duckweed species, can be used to remediate wastewater due to rapid nutrient assimilation and tolerance of non-optimal growing conditions. Further, given rapid growth rates and high protein content, duckweed species are a valuable biomass. An important considera...
Article
Full-text available
Suppression of established populations of invasive alien species can be a complex and expensive process, which is frequently unsuccessful. The Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774), is considered a high impact invader that can adversely alter freshwater ecosystems and decrease their socioeconomic value. To date, C. fluminea continues to spr...
Article
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The influence of climate change on the ecological impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) remains understudied, with deoxygenation of aquatic environments often-overlooked as a consequence of climate change. Here, we therefore assessed how oxygen saturation affects the ecological impact of a predatory invasive fish, the Ponto-Caspian round goby ( N...
Article
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Lemnaceae, i.e. duckweed species, are attractive for phytoremediation of wastewaters, primarily due to their rapid growth, high nutrient uptake rates, tolerance to a broad range of growing conditions and ability to expeditiously assimilate a variety of pollutants. Light is essential for plant growth, and therefore, phytoremediation. Nevertheless, t...
Article
Microplastics may affect the physiology, behaviour and populations of aquatic and terrestrial fauna through many mechanisms, such as direct consumption and sensory disruption. However, the majority of experimental studies have employed questionably high dosages of microplastics that have little environmental relevance. Predation, in particular, is...
Technical Report
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Invasive alien species (IAS) are animals and plants that become introduced, either accidentally or intentionally to a region where they are not present and have serious negative impacts where they establish. This research informs policy on the prevention, early detection and rapid eradication of IAS, and their management in accordance with the inte...
Article
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In aquatic systems, invasive submerged macrophytes considerably alter the structure and functioning of communities, thus potentially compromising ecosystem services. The prolific spread of invasive macrophytes is often aided by vegetative fragment propagation, yet the contributions of various commonly occurring invertebrates to such fragmentation a...
Article
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Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) are a serious threat to air safety and represent a substantial economic cost to the global aviation industry. In recent years, the frequency of wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) flying over active runways has increased at airports in Ireland. Here, we examine the effectiveness of imitation hawk-kit...
Article
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Since 2016, the European Union (EU) has required Member States to prevent, control and eradicate selected invasive alien species (IAS) designated as Species of Union Concern. To improve these conservation efforts, online information systems are used to convey IAS information to the wider public, often as a means to bolster community-based environme...
Article
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Control strategies for established populations of invasive alien species can be costly and complex endeavours, which are frequently unsuccessful. Therefore, rapid-reaction techniques that are capable of maximising efficacy whilst minimising environmental damage are urgently required. The Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774), and the zebra m...
Article
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Intensive pasture-based farming systems rely on precise and frequent allocations of grass to animals. Virtual fence (VF) systems have been successfully used to contain animals within predefined boundaries. Accordingly, utilisation of a VF system to enhance automated allocation of correct forage areas to animals would represent a major advancement f...
Article
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Although seabirds are frequently used as sentinel species for anthropogenic pollution, the extent and impacts of synthetic debris ingestion remains poorly studied for many water bird species. Here, we assess ingestion of synthetic particles (≥0.5 mm) by barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis, wintering on a remote island. Faecal samples were collected ov...
Article
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Prioritising the management of invasive alien species (IAS) is of global importance and within Europe integral to the EU IAS regulation. To prioritise management effectively the risks posed by IAS need to be assessed, but so too does the feasibility of their management. While the risk of IAS to the EU has been assessed, the feasibility of managemen...
Article
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The most commonly used method for measuring vegetation cover is visual estimation, which is highly subjective, potentially leading to measurement errors. This poses serious implications to the assessment and continued management of plant species cover, for example in the control of invasive plant species. Morphological analysis of digital imagery h...
Article
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Invasive alien species continue to arrive in new locations with no abatement in rate, and thus greater predictive powers surrounding their ecological impacts are required. In particular, we need improved means of quantifying the ecological impacts of new invasive species under different contexts. Here, we develop a suite of metrics based upon the n...
Article
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Biosecurity protocols designed to prevent further spread of invasive alien species have become a key component of invader management strategies. Yet, the species-specific efficacy of many biosecurity treatments are frequently unclear or unknown. Invasive quagga, Dreissena bugensis, and zebra mussels, D. polymorpha, are a serious threat to freshwate...
Article
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Ireland, being an island situated on Europe’s western seaboard, has a fewer number of native species than mainland European Union Member States (MS). Increased numbers of vectors and pathways have reduced the island’s biotic isolation, increasing the risk of new introductions and their associated impacts on native biodiversity. It is likely that th...
Technical Report
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This publication outlines, in an easily-accessible summarised version, the findings of a horizon scan of invasive alien species for the island of Ireland. This expert elicitation process took place at the Institute of Technology Sligo, involving scientists and policymakers from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The full,...
Article
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Biosecurity protocols designed to prevent further spread of invasive alien species have become a key component of invader management strategies. However, spread-prevention of invasive peracarids is especially difficult due to ineffectiveness of detection and treatment options. For instance, bloody-red mysid shrimp, Hemimysis anomala, is a high impa...
Article
Environmental concerns and insecticide resistance threaten the sustained efficacy of mosquito control approaches which remain reliant on synthetic chemicals. Plant-based extracts may be an environmentally sustainable and effective alternative to contemporary mosquito control approaches; however, the efficacies of many possible plant-based extracts...
Article
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Increasing rates of invasions in ecosystems worldwide necessitate experiments to determine the role of biotic interactions in the success and impact of multiple alien species. Here, we examined competitive and facilitative interactions among various combinations of three widespread and often co‐occurring invaders: the zebra mussel Dreissena polymor...
Article
Population suppression and eradication of invasive, alien macrophytes can be complex, costly and labour intensive, therefore prevention of further spread is an essential aspect of management. However, following the physical removal of entangled clumps of plant material adhering to anthropogenic vectors including outboard engines, guidelines for app...
Article
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Biosecurity protocols designed to prevent the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) are now an essential aspect of IAS management. However, the effectiveness of various biosecurity treatments requires further exploration. Killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus, a notoriously high impact and ecosystem destabilising invader, has rapidly spread acros...
Article
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Aquatic invasive alien species (IAS) negatively impact freshwater ecosystems worldwide. As suppression and eradication of established invader populations are often complex, costly and resource-intensive, the prevention of further invader spread is considered a key aspect of proactive management measures. Although broad-spectrum aquatic disinfectant...