Publications

Agriculture and food processing is an important industry in Northern Ireland and the sector accounts for 3.5% of total added value in Northern Ireland’s economy. There are currently 26,100 farm businesses in Northern Ireland, of...

Northern Ireland Water (NIW ) is the sole provider of water sewerage services in Northern Ireland. Every year NIW collects 133 million tonnes of wastewater from 660,000 businesses and households.

Many fish species in inland and transitional (estuarine) waters support commercial and recreational fisheries. The commercial fisheries for salmon, trout, eels and pollan have declined in recent years and although angling remains a major participation...

The fundamental importance of forests is now recognised globally in appreciation of their capacity to provide many social, economic and environmental benefits. Forest and woodland cover now accounts for just over 6% of Northern Ireland’s...

Many of Northern Ireland’s rivers and lakes have a history of engineering interventions which have had an important role in the growth of the economy. Embankments, erosion protection and dredging have allowed urban development and...

Northern Ireland has traditionally had an industrial economy, most notably in shipbuilding and textiles. The food and drink sector is now Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing industry. The sector employs over 18,000 people with over 330...

Alien species or, as they are sometimes known, non-native species are animals and plants that have been introduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, outside their natural range. Many of these alien species live in harmony with...

There are many morphological pressures on the marine environment around Northern Ireland. Our ports play an important role in transporting goods in and out of the country. In 2006, approximately 25 million tonnes of goods...

Whilst this section is entitled urban development it is equally relevant to development in what are primarily rural areas.

Waste disposal sites (including old un-lined landfills) may produce lesser discharges to waters than wastewater treatment plants and industries, but residues or waste products from previous activities may have seeped into the ground and continue...

The Water Framework Directive aims to achieve good status in surface waters and groundwaters and ensure that there is no deterioration in the water quality of these waters. A key requirement in the River Basin...

A study of the heavily modified and artificial water bodies within the Neagh Bann River Basin District.

A study of the heavily modified water bodies in the North Eastern River Basin District.

A study of the heavily modified water bodies in the North Western River Basin District.

This report aims to show the steps taken by NIEA in designating water bodies as heavily modified or artificial. Details of the information used to classify these water bodies are provided. To complement hydromorphological improvements...

Findings of a workshop held to identify water bodies to be removed from the heavily modified water bodies list.

UKTAG templates for heavily modified water bodies.

The Transitional Fish Classification Index (TFCI) has been developed to assess the ecological status of fish within transitional waters.

Summary of the methods used to monitor benthic invertebrates.

Summary of the methods used to monitor macroalgae.