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Geography, Archaeology & Irish Studies

Dr Terry Morley

Ph.D

Contact Details

Lecturer Above The Bar
GEOGRAPHY
ROOM 102
CONCOURSE
University of Galway
E: terry.morley@universityofgalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Bachelor of Arts, Biology from SUNY Oswego, USA (1994)
PhD, Ecology and Environmental Science, The University of Maine, USA (2008)

I am interested in interdisciplinary research on ecosystem functions and services, with particular interest in wetland ecology and conservation.

For more information on my research lab and activities visit: 

I am currently looking for interested graduate (PhD, Post-docs) to work on the following projects:

- Wetland mapping and functional assessments
- Integrating historical wetland maps with current biodiversity/wetland loss surveys


After receiving my bachelors, I worked in the environmental consulting industry performing environmental site assessments and wetland and endangered species surveys. I also prepared and managed environmental impact assessments, Biological assessments and technical reports for the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC). My private industry experience also included a role as the primary ecological risk assessor for US EPA hazardous waste sites in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on investigations of freshwater ecosystem functions.  Specifically, I am interested in terrestrial-aquatic linkages between wetlands and small streams to promote conservation of these ecosystems and to explore how anthropogenic changes in habitat alter ecosystem function.  One of my objectives is to assess land use impacts in order to develop Best Management Practices relevant for stakeholders in Ireland. In addition, current EU directives require the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. In this capacity, I am interested in enhancing our understanding of wetland and aquatic species and habitats suitable for inclusion in the conservation programs.  In addition to research, I seek to involve the public through citizen science and community knowledge initiatives (CKI), as this is often a key to successful conservation of natural resources.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
Multi-Peat: Multi-stakeholder Landscape and Technical Innovation leading to Peatland Ecosystem Restoration 01-OCT-21 30-SEP-26
Re-Peat: A Modern Resurvey of Mapped Irish Peatlands to Refine Assessment of Land Use Change and Progress Greenhouse Gas Removal and Emissions Inventories 01-APR-21 31-DEC-25
TERRY MORLEY GENERAL RESEARCH ACCOUNT 29-MAY-19 28-MAY-29
** COORDINATOR_TOR ACCOUNT** CARE-PEAT - carbon loss reduction fron peatlands: an integrated approach 11-JAN-19 10-JUN-22
CARE-PEAT - carbon loss reduction fron peatlands: an integrated approach 11-JAN-19 10-JUN-22
SEERAC - Spatially Explicit Ecological Risk Assessment Framework for Conservation planning of costal waters 01-MAR-17 31-DEC-20
Source to Sink: the response and recovery of coastal catchment ecosystems to large perturbations. 01-JAN-15 11-JAN-18

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2024) 'Charting a course for peatland restoration in Ireland: a case study to support restoration frameworks in other regions'
Catherine A. Farrell, John Connolly, Terry R. Morley (2024) 'Charting a course for peatland restoration in Ireland: a case study to support restoration frameworks in other regions'. Restoration Ecology, [Details]
(2024) 'An adaptive mapping framework for the management of peat soils: A new Irish peat soils map'
Louis Gilet, Terry R. Morley, Raymond Flynn, John Connolly (2024) 'An adaptive mapping framework for the management of peat soils: A new Irish peat soils map'. Geoderma, 447 [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'A review of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from Irish peatlands'
Aitova, E., Morley, T., Wilson, D. & Renou-Wilson, F. (2023) 'A review of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from Irish peatlands'. Mires And Peat, 29 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'An integrated methodology for assessing ecological and economic impacts for marine management: A case study for abrasion and mobile fishing gear effects'
Breen, P., Tully, O., Hynes, S., Loughlin, C., Reecht, Y. and Morley, T (2020) 'An integrated methodology for assessing ecological and economic impacts for marine management: A case study for abrasion and mobile fishing gear effects'. Ocean And Coastal Management, 198 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'A Rapid Assessment Framework for Irish Habitats: A Case Study of Machair Habitat Quality'
Gorman, Thomas., Gesche Kindermann, Terry R. Morley (2018) 'A Rapid Assessment Framework for Irish Habitats: A Case Study of Machair Habitat Quality'. Irish Geography, 51 (2) [Details]
(2011) 'The role of headwater wetlands in altering stream flow and chemistry in a Maine, USA catchment'
Morley, T.R., A.S. Reeve, A.J.K. Calhoun (2011) 'The role of headwater wetlands in altering stream flow and chemistry in a Maine, USA catchment'. Journal Of The American Water Resources Association, 47 (2):337-349 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2009) 'Vegetation characteristics of forested hillside seeps in eastern Maine, USA'
Morley, T.R., and Aram J.K. Calhoun (2009) 'Vegetation characteristics of forested hillside seeps in eastern Maine, USA'. Bulletin Of The Torrey Botanical Club, 136 (4):520-531 [DOI] [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2022) TOWARDS A CARBON CREDIT & BLUE CREDIT SCHEME FOR PEATLANDS.
Valentina Sechi, Jasper van Belle, Christian Fritz, Amey Tilak, Jeroen Geurts, Nina Roehrig, PeterNailon, Kate Cartmell-Done, Weier Liu, Toine Smits, Maarten De Boever, Niall Ó Brolcháin, Terry Morley, Chris Field, Jo Kennedy, Sarah Johnson, Simon Caporn, CarolinaHalevy, Jim Ryan, Maurice Eakin, Fernando Fernandez, Clifton Bain, Christine Domegan, ShaneMcGuinness, Mark McCorry, Patrick Crushell (2022) TOWARDS A CARBON CREDIT & BLUE CREDIT SCHEME FOR PEATLANDS. EU: INTERREG. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2013) Northeastern Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Morley, TR; Calhoun, AJK (2013) Making Connections: A case study of the role of small wetlands in seasonal amphibian activity and diversity Northeastern Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation [Details]
(2006) Ecological Socitey of America Annual Meeting 2006
Morley, TR; Reeve, AS; Calhoun, AJK (2006) The functional role of forested seeps in a New England landscape Ecological Socitey of America Annual Meeting 2006 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2021) From Source to Sink: Responses of a Coastal Catchment to Large-scale Changes (Golden Strand Catchment, Achill Island, County Mayo).
Farrell, E; Bourke, M; Henry, T; Kindermann, G; Lynch, K; Morley, T; O¿Dwyer, B; O¿Sullivan, J; Turner, J. (2021) From Source to Sink: Responses of a Coastal Catchment to Large-scale Changes (Golden Strand Catchment, Achill Island, County Mayo). EPA, Dublin,Ireland. [Details]

Thesis

  Year Publication
(2008) The function of forested headwater wetlands in a New England Landscape.
Morley, TR (2008) The function of forested headwater wetlands in a New England Landscape. Maine, USA: Thesis [Details]

Technical Publication

  Year Publication
(2009) Amphibian Management Plan for the Brunswick Naval Air Station.
Morley, TR; Blomquist, SM (2009) Amphibian Management Plan for the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Technical Publication [Details]
(1999) Biological Assessment pertaining to impacts by the Gulfstream Pipeline Project on Fisheries Resources.
ENSR International (1999) Biological Assessment pertaining to impacts by the Gulfstream Pipeline Project on Fisheries Resources. FERC Docket No. CP00-06-000: Federal Engery Regulatory Commission Technical Publication [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2014 Geo-Bogs: Conserving Ireland's Natural Heritage NUIG EXPLORE
2014 From Source to Sink: The response and recovery of coastal catchment ecosystems to large perturbations EPA
2014 Galway Bay post-graduate training with the Celtic Voyager (CV15017) Marine Institute
2013 Rose M Badgeley Trust Award Marymount Manhattan College
2007 Department of Wildlife Ecology Teaching Assistantship University of Maine
2004 Maine Water Resources Research Initiative Water Resources Research Insititue
2003 Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences Research Assistantship The University of Maine
2002 Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Award Department of Indland Fisheries and Wildlife
2002 Departmentof Wildlife Ecology Teaching Assistantship The University of Maine
1999 Employee of the Year ENSR Incorporated

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Geography Society of Ireland Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Community Engagement Member 31-AUG-15 /
Environmental Studies Program Coordinator Coordinator 05-SEP-11 / 20-DEC-13
Academic Awards Member 14-JAN-13 / 17-MAY-13
Search Committee: Assistant Professor of Physics Member 03-SEP-12 / 04-FEB-13
Library Technology Committee Member 05-SEP-11 / 20-DEC-13
Curriculum Committee Member 01-SEP-13 / 31-DEC-13

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
ENSR International Environmental Scientist 04-MAR-96 / 24-AUG-01
Woodlot Alternatives Project Scientist 05-MAR-07 / 01-MAY-07
Summit Environmental Project Specialist 02-APR-07 / 02-FEB-09
University of Maine Doctoral Research Assistant 03-SEP-01 / 12-MAY-08
University of Bielefield Post-doctoral Researcher 18-MAY-09 / 31-DEC-10
University of Bremen Adjunct Lecturer 07-JUN-10 / 29-AUG-14
ALION Science and Technology Ecological Risk Assessor 11-APR-11 / 02-SEP-11
Marymount Manhattan College Assistant Professor of Biology and Ecology 05-SEP-11 / 20-DEC-13
NUIG Part-time Lecturer in Geography 13-JAN-14 /

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
1994 SUNY Oswego Bachelor of Arts Biology (Natural Sciences)
2008 University of Maine PhD Ecology and Environmental Science

Languages

  Language
German
English

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach I Like Beaches 03-MAR-14 / 21-OCT-14
Research (e.g. Community based research) Virtual Park Project 03-SEP-12 / 20-DEC-13

Reviews

  Journal Role
Wetlands Reviewer
Herpetological Journal Reviewer
Forest Ecology And Management Reviewer
Water Resources Research Reviewer

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
Sem 1 / 2014 Geography in Practice TI152
Sem 1 / 2014 Biogeography TI235
Sem 2 / 2014 Environment and Risk TI704
Sem 2 / 2014 Sustainability and the Environment TI258
Sem 2 / 2014 Research Seminar TI354
Sem 2 / 2015 Biodiversity and Coastal Change TI6105
Sem 2 / 2015 Geography in Practice TI152
Sem 2 / 2015 Research Seminar TI350