Moate Students Awarded at SciFest National Final

Following their success at the Regional Final of SciFest in Athlone Institute of Technology, Emma Kelly and Brian Conlon were among 37 projects selected to complete in the SciFest National Final in the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin on the 9^th of November.

Brian and Emma’s project ‘Ireland’s Burning Problem’ initially studied the ecological impact of gorse fires on peatland habitats and the link between the change in peat physical properties and plant composition of bog lands. The students carried out a number of surveys on three sites divided into burnt and unburnt plots. Their findings concluded that the extreme heat of the fires had a drastic effect on the properties of the peat and that each plant species had a specific response to this change. In particular the fires negatively impacted the population of the bog-building sphagnum species across all three bogs.

After being awarded the Abbott Runner-up Best Project award last April, the students were kee n to develop a solution to this ever-growing problem. They investigated the ability of a number of soil additives at promoting the growth of sphagnum moss by reducing pH and promoting soil flocculation and sphagnum budding. Using their research they developed a pellet to aid bog regeneration following gorse fires.

On the day, the students discussed their findings on this topical issue with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton. After impressing the judges, Brian and Emma were awarded the Life Sciences Award for their project. They now plan to test the effectiveness of the pellet at promoting sphagnum regeneration on local burned bog lands.