Curriculum Vitae

Dr Patrick Crushell PhD MSc BSc MIEEM

WORK EXPERIENCE

2002-2010 Consultant Ecologist

Ecological consultant to a range of organisations including environmental consultancies, government agencies, engineering firms, local environmental groups and NGO’s. Carried out baseline ecological assessments, habitat surveys, rare flora surveys, bird and mammal surveys, Appropriate Assessments of impacts on Natura sites, ecological impact reports, habitat management plans, ecological monitoring of construction works on various projects and advised on restoration and re-instatement of habitats.

Teach on a number of undergraduate and post-graduate courses at the Department of Zoology Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork. Topics covered include peatland ecology and conservation, wetland ecological assessment, nature conservation and ecological impact assessment.

Selection of recent projects

Year	Job Details
2010	Monaghan Wetland Map. Desk-top study developing a site database and GIS of all known wetland sites / habitats within the county.
2010	Ecological baseline surveys and biodiversity management plan for Reenagross Woodland Park, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
2010	Sligo Wetland Survey. Baseline ecological surveys of numerous wetland sites in Sligo.
2010	National Road Scheme – N86 Camp to Dingle - baseline ecological surveys. Co Kerry.
2010	Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Ecological Impact Report on proposed Sports Complex, Co Monaghan
2010	Project ecologist on Clashavoon to Dunmanway 110kV powerline. Undertook ecological surveys and compiled various planning reports including wintering Whooper Swan surveys.
2009/2010	Orchid surveys of suitable habitats in Counties Limerick and Kerry for national Orchid Survey.
2009/2010	Preparation of Ecological Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessment reports (Natura Impact Statements) for various wind energy projects throughout Ireland.
2009/2010	Post-construction monitoring of blanket bog at Curragh wind farm and Coomacheo wind farm, Co Cork.
2009	Freshwater Pearl-mussel and forestry EU Life+ restoration project application. As project ecologist advised on suitable sites for pearl-mussel restoration. Prepared and provided advice on the technical content of the final application.
2009	Monitoring of compliance with ecological best practice during the construction of 110 kv powerline from Carrigduff to Clashavoon, Co Cork.
2008	Clare Wetland Survey. Desktop study on the distribution of wetland habitats in County Clare. Developed a database and GIS of all known wetland sites / habitats within the county with reference to a wide range of datasets from various sources.
2008	Monaghan Fen Survey II. Baseline ecological surveys of 40 wetland sites in Monaghan.
2008	National Fen Survey Manual 2008. Prepared a survey manual outlining the methodology to be used in a National Survey of Fen Habitats in Ireland.
2008	National Red Grouse Habitat Survey 2008. Undertook ecological base-line surveys of 100 peatland sites in Ireland. Mapped habitat condition, land-uses and other site data using ArcView GIS. Summarised survey findings on Red Grouse Habitat in Ireland.
2007	Monaghan Fen Survey I. Monaghan County Council, the Heritage Council and NPWS. Carried out baseline ecological assessments of 45 wetland sites in County Monaghan.

Apr 2002 – Sep 2002
RPS Environmental Sciences, Cork, Ireland
Undertook ecological surveys of proposed development sites and compiled reports to be included in Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).

Dec 2001 – Apr 2002
An Taisce, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Coastwatch, Irish Wildlife Trust, BirdWatch Ireland
SAC’s in Ireland - NGO Review 2002. This desktop study involved reviewing the NGO shadow list of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) in line with new government proposals and requirements of the EU Habitats Directive in preparation for the final adequacy of the Irish list by the EU. The final report was published by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dublin.

Jan 2000-Nov 2001
Conservation Officer, Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC)
Dealt with planning matters, policy strategy and public enquiries. Liaised with many organisations and individuals concerned with the conservation of Irish bog landscapes. Assisted in organising a conference and study tour on the conservation, utilisation and after-use use of Irish raised bogs.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

PhD thesis (defended at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, November 2008): Soak Systems of an Irish Raised Bog: a multidisciplinary study of their origin, ecology, conservation and restoration.
2002-2008 University College Cork, Ireland / Wageningen University, the Netherlands

Described the changes that have occurred in the Clara Bog (Co Offaly) landscape since pre-history to the present day.

Assessed changes in vegetation communities of soak systems on Clara Bog.

Investigated the biogeochemistry of soak systems with a view to understanding their origin and development.

Carried out a restoration experiment to assess future management options for soak systems.

Education Certificate

2002-2008 Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC) Research School, Wageningen University, the Netherlands

• Various educational activities including teaching, publication writing, oral presentations and participation in work-shops and seminars equating to 32 ECTS (= 22 weeks of activities).

M.Sc. (Agri) Environmental Resource Management (Award 2H1) 1998-2000 University College Dublin, Ireland

• Thesis title: An investigation into the environmental management options for Akeragh Lough, Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry.

B.Sc. (Biol) Applied Ecology (Award: 2h1) 1993-1997 University College Cork, Ireland

PUBLICATIONS

Peer Reviewed Papers

Crushell, P.H., Smolders, A.J.P, Schouten, M.G.C., Robroek, B.J.M., van Wirdum, G. and Roelofs, J.G.M. (2009). Restoration of a terrestrialised soak lake of an Irish raised bog: results of filed experiments. Restoration Ecology: in press.

Crushell, P.H., Smolders, A.J.P., Schouten, M.G.C., Roelofs, J.G.M. and van Wirdum, G. (2009). The origin and development of a minerotrophic soak on an Irish raised bog: an interpretation of depth profiles of hydrochemistry and peat-chemistry. The Holocene 19 (6): 921-935.

Robroek, B.J.M., Ruijven, J. van, Schouten, M.G.C., Breeuwer, A.J.G., Crushell, P.H., Berendse, F., Limpens, J. (2009). Sphagnum re-introduction in degraded peatlands: The effects of aggregation, species identity and water table. Basic and Applied Ecology: in press.

Crushell, P.H., Connolly, A., Schouten, M.G.C. and Mitchell, F.G. (2008). The changing landscape of Clara Bog: the history of an Irish raised bog. Irish Geography, 41 (1), 89-111.

Robroek, B.J.M., Limpens, J., Breeuwer, A., Crushell, P.H. and Schouten, M.G.C. (2007). Interspecific competition between Sphagnum mosses at different water tables. Functional Ecology 21, 805-812.

Crushell, P.H., Schouten, M.G.C., Smolders A.J.P., Roelofs, J.G.M. and Giller, P.S. (2006). Restoration of Minerotrophic Vegetation within an Irish Raised Bog Soak System. Biology and the Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 106B (3), 371-385.
http://www.ria.ie/cgi-bin/ria/papers/100636.pdf

Robroek, B.J.M., Ruijven, J. van, Schouten, M.G.C., Breeuwer, A.J.G., Crushell, P.H., Berendse, F., Limpens, J. (2009). Sphagnum re-introduction in degraded peatlands: The effects of aggregation, species identity and water table. Basic and Applied Ecology: in press.

Submitted Manuscripts

Crushell, P.H., Schouten, M.G.C., Kelly, L. and Sake van der Schaaf, S. Recent vegetation change in soaks of an Irish raised bog. Plant Ecology: In revision.

Other Publications

Foss, P.J. and Crushell, P. (2010). The County Monaghan Wetlands Map – Desk Survey & GIS Preparation. Report prepared for Monaghan County Council and The Heritage Council. pp. 159.

Crushell, P. and Foss, P.J. (2010). Reenagross Park, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Baseline Ecological Surveys and Biodiversity Conservation Plan. Report prepared by Wetland Surveys Ireland for Kenmare Tidy Towns Committee.

Crushell, P.H. (2008). Soak Systems of an Irish Raised Bog: a multidisciplinary study of their origin, ecology, conservation and restoration. PhD thesis, Wageningen University, with a summary in Dutch and Irish. http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/catalog/lang/1891085

Crushell, P. and Foss, P. (2008). Clare wetland survey. Report and accompanying GIS datasets prepared for Clare County Council and the Heritage C ouncil.

Foss, P. and Crushell, P. (2008). Monaghan fen survey II. Report and accompanying GIS datasets prepared for Monaghan County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.

Crushell, P and O’Callaghan, R. (2008). Survey of Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) habitat in Ireland. Report and accompanying GIS datasets prepared for National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.

Foss, P. and Crushell, P. (2008). National fen survey manual. Report prepared for National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.

Foss, P. and Crushell, P. (2007). Monaghan fen survey. Report and accompanying GIS datasets prepared for Monaghan County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.

Crushell, P.H. and O’Connell, C.A. (2005). Conservation of peatlands in Ireland. Proceedings of IMCG symposium, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, December 2005.

Crushell, P.H. (2002). SAC’s in Ireland – NGO review 2002. Irish Peatland Conservation Council, An Taisce, Coastwatch Europe, Irish Wildlife Trust, BirdWatch Ireland, Dublin.

Foss, P.J, O’Connell, C.A. and Crushell P.H. (2001). Irish bogs and fens conservation plan 2005. Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dublin.

Crushell, P.H., Foss, P.J. and Dwyer, R. (2001). Irish raised bogs – conservation, utilisation and after-use – conference and study tour. Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dublin.

Crushell, P. (2001). Irish Fens - briefing sheet ENFO, Dublin.

Crushell, P. (2000). Irish fen inventory – A review of the status of fens in Ireland 2000. Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dublin.

Crushell, P. and Kelly, T. (1997). The utilisation of a landfill site by Crows in winter. Proceedings of the first European conference on vertebrate pest management, University of York.

OTHER DETAILS

Full Member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM).

Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

Past member of the Board of Directors of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (2002- 2008).

Represent environmental NGO’s on government appointed Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Appeals Board.

Computer Skills: Good working knowledge of: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), FileMaker Pro Database, ArcView GIS, MapInfo and Adobe Creative Suite 3, SPSS, PC-ORD Ecological Statistics Package, Quark Express.

Hobbies: Enjoy many outdoor pursuits including hill-walking, surfing and cycling.