Papers by Maryann Harris
Integrated Approaches to Water Pollution Problems, 1991
Sustainability, 2019
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) comprise core conservation areas supported by a buffer and tr... more The UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) comprise core conservation areas supported by a buffer and transition zone of sustainable development. This zoning can help manage urbanisation around conservation areas. Although it is UNESCO policy to measure the number of BRs that have interactions with urban areas, there has been no systematic assessment of urban biospheres since 2008. This research addresses this deficit by measuring the extent of urbanisation of all designated BRs within the European Union (EU). Using the Copernicus Urban Atlas, the proximity of BRs to Functional Urban Areas (FUA) was determined. The results show that 46% (76/167) of BRs are situated within FUAs, including 11% (18/167) entirely within an FUA. The majority (64%) of EU-28 countries have BRs within FUAs. Urban influences on EU-28 BRs are extensive, as 90% are found within 50 km of an FUA. However, integration with urban areas may be lacking as 14% of EU BRs were adjacent to an FUA. Urban pressures are acute for...
Sustainability, 2019
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) comprise core conservation areas supported by a buffer and tr... more The UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) comprise core conservation areas supported by a buffer and transition zone of sustainable development. This zoning can help manage urbanisation around conservation areas. Although it is UNESCO policy to measure the number of BRs that have interactions with urban areas, there has been no systematic assessment of urban biospheres since 2008. This research addresses this deficit by measuring the extent of urbanisation of all designated BRs within the European Union (EU). Using the Copernicus Urban Atlas, the proximity of BRs to Functional Urban Areas (FUA) was determined. The results show that 46% (76/167) of BRs are situated within FUAs, including 11% (18/167) entirely within an FUA. The majority (64%) of EU-28 countries have BRs within FUAs. Urban influences on EU-28 BRs are extensive, as 90% are found within 50 km of an FUA. However, integration with urban areas may be lacking as 14% of EU BRs were adjacent to an FUA. Urban pressures are acute for 11% of EU BRs which had multiple FUAs within a 50 km radius. Therefore, urbanisation of BRs is a widespread challenge and recommendations are provided for BRs to function as an information sharing network and develop a new urban strategy.
Horticulture Connected, 2016
An overview of recent projects in Dublin city, Ireland, which place landscape design and horticul... more An overview of recent projects in Dublin city, Ireland, which place landscape design and horticulture at the forefront of flood mediation.
Dublin City Council Invasive Alien Species Action Plan, 2016
This report is the officially adopted Action Plan for Dublin City. It includes summaries of the k... more This report is the officially adopted Action Plan for Dublin City. It includes summaries of the known invasive alien species in Dublin City, their geographic distribution and impacts. It also gives guidance to those working in Dublin City on how to address invasive alien species management.
Regional Studies in Marine Science, 2016
Books by Maryann Harris
Soils of Ireland, 2018
The sealing of soils can result in reduced biodiversity, increased flooding of built areas and lo... more The sealing of soils can result in reduced biodiversity, increased flooding of built areas and loss of productivity. Ireland has a sealed surface of 292 m2 per person, much higher than the EU average owing to the extremely dense road network for a very sparsely populated country. To
minimise soil sealing, identifying previously developed sites or brownfield sites, for development is increasingly being used. Risk assessment, environmental assessment, detailed risk management and mitigation strategies applied during construction followed by a
post-construction monitoring phase are necessary for these developments due to potential contamination issues associated with historical uses. In an Environmental Impact Statements, construction projects must include a list of alternative uses for the receiving environment. One potential value is the agricultural value of the soil.
Increasingly, urban agriculture is being recognised in urban planning which is viewed as having a role beyond food production. Flooding events are common in Ireland, and although implementation has been slow, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) are being promoted in
Ireland since 2005. Soil in the urban environment also link green areas together and can support the maintenance of biodiversity. Some construction projects require soil to be stored for reuse to protect the genetic seedbank of the site prior to construction. The emergence of green infrastructure and the concept of urban metabolism are also described in this chapter. Finally, the impacts of extraction, including mining, on soils are described.
The Soils of Ireland, 2018
Urban areas have distinct soils, formed through earth-shaping and construction activities, and in... more Urban areas have distinct soils, formed through earth-shaping and construction activities, and incorporating manufactured materials and wastes. Urbanisation and urban sprawl have been rapid in Ireland with a high relative increase in artificial surfaces in the period 1990–2006. While land conversion creates a valuable urban environment it also alters the delivery of soil functions. Historically, urban soils have been systematically under-represented in primary resource surveys, leading
to critical information gaps. Soil landscapes of urban Dublin are discussed, with evidence of soil sealing, soil material affected by urban activity, contamination of soils, cultural deposits discovered during archaeological excavation, and consideration of the origin of open spaces in the city. Finally, a preliminary soil map for urban Dublin is presented.
Conference Presentations by Maryann Harris
CIEEM Conference Proceedings, 2015
This case study of coastal zone management in Dublin Bay illustrates how adaptive management is c... more This case study of coastal zone management in Dublin Bay illustrates how adaptive management is considered for the review of a UNESCO Biosphere. The original site, North Bull Island Biosphere, is the most-designated site for nature conservation on the island of Ireland yet arises from anthropogenic genesis. The Bay had become a zone of conflict and is now the focus of a new, extended Biosphere to promote a cooperative management strategy. Issues which motivated change to sustainable use are highlighted. Current threats to biodiversity are reviewed.
Thesis Chapters by Maryann Harris
Master of Science Thesis, 1997
The existing methodology for water quality management in Ireland and the legislation from which i... more The existing methodology for water quality management in Ireland and the legislation from which it is derived is examined and compared to precedents for catchment management elsewhere (US and UK). The implementation of the methodology in current practice at both national and local level is assessed on the basis of the control of nonpoint source pollution. A detailed case study for a typical agricultural catchment in County Cavan is presented in order to determine the priorities for management of water quality. The results are then analysed and compared to previous management plans. Statistical methods are used to correlate changes in land use and trends in water quality in the catchment. Recommendations for further research toward an integrated approach to water quality management are provided.
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Papers by Maryann Harris
Books by Maryann Harris
minimise soil sealing, identifying previously developed sites or brownfield sites, for development is increasingly being used. Risk assessment, environmental assessment, detailed risk management and mitigation strategies applied during construction followed by a
post-construction monitoring phase are necessary for these developments due to potential contamination issues associated with historical uses. In an Environmental Impact Statements, construction projects must include a list of alternative uses for the receiving environment. One potential value is the agricultural value of the soil.
Increasingly, urban agriculture is being recognised in urban planning which is viewed as having a role beyond food production. Flooding events are common in Ireland, and although implementation has been slow, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) are being promoted in
Ireland since 2005. Soil in the urban environment also link green areas together and can support the maintenance of biodiversity. Some construction projects require soil to be stored for reuse to protect the genetic seedbank of the site prior to construction. The emergence of green infrastructure and the concept of urban metabolism are also described in this chapter. Finally, the impacts of extraction, including mining, on soils are described.
to critical information gaps. Soil landscapes of urban Dublin are discussed, with evidence of soil sealing, soil material affected by urban activity, contamination of soils, cultural deposits discovered during archaeological excavation, and consideration of the origin of open spaces in the city. Finally, a preliminary soil map for urban Dublin is presented.
Conference Presentations by Maryann Harris
Thesis Chapters by Maryann Harris
minimise soil sealing, identifying previously developed sites or brownfield sites, for development is increasingly being used. Risk assessment, environmental assessment, detailed risk management and mitigation strategies applied during construction followed by a
post-construction monitoring phase are necessary for these developments due to potential contamination issues associated with historical uses. In an Environmental Impact Statements, construction projects must include a list of alternative uses for the receiving environment. One potential value is the agricultural value of the soil.
Increasingly, urban agriculture is being recognised in urban planning which is viewed as having a role beyond food production. Flooding events are common in Ireland, and although implementation has been slow, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) are being promoted in
Ireland since 2005. Soil in the urban environment also link green areas together and can support the maintenance of biodiversity. Some construction projects require soil to be stored for reuse to protect the genetic seedbank of the site prior to construction. The emergence of green infrastructure and the concept of urban metabolism are also described in this chapter. Finally, the impacts of extraction, including mining, on soils are described.
to critical information gaps. Soil landscapes of urban Dublin are discussed, with evidence of soil sealing, soil material affected by urban activity, contamination of soils, cultural deposits discovered during archaeological excavation, and consideration of the origin of open spaces in the city. Finally, a preliminary soil map for urban Dublin is presented.