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<p>Turloughs are temporary karst lakes and wetlands found primarily in Ireland, characterised by strong seasonal inundation driven by groundwater–surface water interactions. Despite their ecological importance and legal protection under the EU Habitats Directive, the ecosystem services (ESs) provided by turloughs have not previously been comprehensively quantified. This study assessed and valued the main ESs provided by seven turloughs in western Ireland, selected to represent a range of hydrological regimes. Water and soil physicochemical properties, nutrients, and carbon pools were monitored across seasons, and greenhouse gas fluxes were measured during both wet and dry phases. Ecosystem services were identified and quantified following established classification frameworks and, where appropriate, expressed in monetary terms. The most important services were regulating and cultural services, particularly flood mitigation, habitat provision, and ecotourism, while provisioning services (e.g. water and fodder) were of lower overall value but locally relevant. Estimated annual ES values ranged from €1,589 to €45,747&#xa0;ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, broadly comparable to values reported for other temperate wetlands, although substantial variability among turloughs was observed. Greenhouse gas balances revealed contrasting roles in climate regulation, with some turloughs acting as net sources and others as net sinks of greenhouse gases, strongly influenced by hydrology and nutrient status. Overall, the ecohydrological condition of the studied turloughs appears relatively stable compared to assessments from a decade earlier, but emerging pressures from nutrient enrichment and climate change pose risks to future ES provision. The results demonstrate that turlough conservation is economically justified even before accounting for biodiversity and cultural heritage values.</p>

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Ecosystem Services and Water Quality of Turloughs, a Form of Intermittent Karst Wetland

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月1日

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  • Fabio Delle Grazie,
  • Laurence Gill

摘要

Turloughs are temporary karst lakes and wetlands found primarily in Ireland, characterised by strong seasonal inundation driven by groundwater–surface water interactions. Despite their ecological importance and legal protection under the EU Habitats Directive, the ecosystem services (ESs) provided by turloughs have not previously been comprehensively quantified. This study assessed and valued the main ESs provided by seven turloughs in western Ireland, selected to represent a range of hydrological regimes. Water and soil physicochemical properties, nutrients, and carbon pools were monitored across seasons, and greenhouse gas fluxes were measured during both wet and dry phases. Ecosystem services were identified and quantified following established classification frameworks and, where appropriate, expressed in monetary terms. The most important services were regulating and cultural services, particularly flood mitigation, habitat provision, and ecotourism, while provisioning services (e.g. water and fodder) were of lower overall value but locally relevant. Estimated annual ES values ranged from €1,589 to €45,747 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, broadly comparable to values reported for other temperate wetlands, although substantial variability among turloughs was observed. Greenhouse gas balances revealed contrasting roles in climate regulation, with some turloughs acting as net sources and others as net sinks of greenhouse gases, strongly influenced by hydrology and nutrient status. Overall, the ecohydrological condition of the studied turloughs appears relatively stable compared to assessments from a decade earlier, but emerging pressures from nutrient enrichment and climate change pose risks to future ES provision. The results demonstrate that turlough conservation is economically justified even before accounting for biodiversity and cultural heritage values.