2023 Conservation Condition Monitoring of Lakes

Tender description

The purpose of this request for tender is to procure benthic vegetation survey to improve knowledge of the distribution, range and area, and to assess the conservation condition of two of the Annex I lake habitats and an Annex II lake macrophyte species, namely: 1. Marl lakes (habitat code 3140, Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.) 2. Moderate alkalinity or Slender Naiad lakes (habitat code 3130, Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea) 3. Slender Naiad Najas flexilis (species code 1833) These habitats and species are uncommon in the EU, and some of the best examples occur in Ireland. All are under significant pressure and in unfavourable conservation status (NPWS, 2007, 2013, 2019). The methods of Roden et al. (2020b, 2021), and any relevant, complementary approaches will be used. While a high degree of specialist knowledge and practical experience is required to undertake the work, tenderers are encouraged to include trainees in the project team with the aim of building capacity, particularly in snorkel-survey of benthic plants. The detailed specification of the project tasks and expected deliverables is set out in Sections 2 and 3 below. The project will run from June to November 2023.