The current research project is entitled
​ Ecology of Tardigrada: exploring biodiversity and macroecological processes in the terrestrial environment

The research work has a 3 tiered structure

I

All-Ireland Tardigrade Survey (AITS)

II

Ecology of Irish Tardigrades

III

Macroecology of Microscopic Animals

I. All-Ireland Tardigrade Survey

This survey has been conducted to assess the biodiversity of Irish tardigrades. Samples from 32 counties including off-shore islands are currently being processed. Integrative taxonomy is an important component of Tier I.
See the Irish Checklist of Species here

II. Ecology of Tardigrades

The AITS survey at Tier I was designed to feed data directly into Tier II where new information about tardigrade ecology is gathered. Habitats representative of Ireland were included to examine the associations between tardigrade taxa and environmental variables. 

III. Macroecology of Microscopic Organisms

In Tier III the broad scale mechanisms and patterns of biodiversity are investigated with a focus on the application of ecological theory to microscopic animals. 

All samples obtained with permission (Permit #C123/2013)