THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Read more about the RIA

New Survey of Clare Island Volume 7: Plants and Fungi

by  Donal Synnott
€ 20.00

Book Details

Published by Royal Irish Academy

January 2012

Paperback / softback

Number of pages: 272

ISBN: 9781908996121

In 1909-11 Robert Lloyd Praeger brought a team of 100 European specialists from different scientific fields to map the flora, fauna, geology and archaeology of Clare Island, a small, exposed Atlantic island off the west coast. The gathering led to the publication of the path-breaking ‘Clare Island Survey’. A century later the survey was repeated as the 'New Survey of Clare Island' (1992-2009) and both works were published extensively by the Royal Irish Academy. This volume concentrates on the flora and fungi found on the island. It details the vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and fungi recorded during the New Survey of Clare Island. It presents a description of the likely Holocene vegetation cover and its development over the past 5000 years, and an analysis of the present vegetation using modern phytotaxonomic methods. The volume is extensively illustrated with photographs, tables, diagrams and detailed fold-out maps. The diversity of species recorded allows comparisons with the first Survey of Clare Island, and provides a baseline for assessing changes in species occurrence and distribution elsewhere as a result of climate change and further anthropomorphic interventions. It is highlighted that some of the assemblages of species on the North Atlantic island are unique and worthy of statutory protection.

About the authors

Donal Synnott

Donal Synnott is the former director of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin (1994-€“2004). He is the editor of New Survey of Clare Island Volume 7: Plants and Fungi (2012).