The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) seeks a researcher to conduct a desk-based research project on forestry as a significant water management issue in Ireland, titled ‘Impacts of forestry on Ireland’s water resources & implications for meeting the targets of the Water Framework Directive.’ This will look at the impacts of current Irish forestry practices on freshwater, transitional and coastal waters, and the implications for Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation, the status of Ireland’s waters and the meeting of WFD targets. The research must be based on a wide range of primary and secondary literature, including national and international peer-reviewed publications.
The final report should provide an evidence-based analysis of the impacts of the full range of forestry practices on Ireland’s waters, including cumulative impacts and the implications for Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation and the meeting of WFD targets. It will also provide a comprehensive review of relevant EU and Irish policy, legislation and guidance, including a critical analysis of the efficacy of the above to control impacts of forestry practices to meet WFD objectives in Ireland. It will also include a comparative study of management / regulatory regimes in other jurisdictions, and best practice applicable to Ireland. The research will be based on a wide range of national and international primary (peer-reviewed) and secondary literature, in addition to international case studies and best practice.
Based on the above research and literature review, the key output from the research will be a comprehensive report along with a set of evidence-based recommendations setting out proposed actions to regulate / manage water quality impacts from forestry in Ireland (including restoration) to meet WFD objectives.
Tender submissions should be sent by email to Puneeta Sreenivas at psreenivas@swanireland.ie cc’ing info@swanireland.ie by 5.00 p.m., March 16th , 2026