The primary aim of the proposed research is to provide insight, tools and guidance on the most cost effective approach to protect water quality & aquatic habitats in different Irish agricultural settings. There are currently a number of demonstration agri-environmental schemes in operation across Ireland which presents an opportunity for research rooted within baseline conditions. This project is working with to collaborators in this regard: Acres West Connacht and the Farming for Water EIP. Tracking the efficacy of the various Nature-based solutions (NbS) included in such schemes and subsequently quantifying the associated environmental benefits accrued will be of huge benefit to the Irish state. It will allow future schemes to be designed to maximise the environmental benefits in the most cost-effective manner possible and will shape future policy in this area. The suggested approach will have clear and measurable benefits by providing a pathway to achieving Water Framework Directive (WFD) commitments by mitigating the largest significant pressure to waterbodies. Whilst each of the partner agri-environmental schemes will comprise a large suite of NbS measures for water quality protection, this project will identify a number of specific key measures on which to focus the field studies. The project will:

1) Establish the water quality & aquatic habitat protection efficacy and multiple benefit potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) installed as Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) measures across a range of farm enterprises (extensive & intensive) and soil types (e.g., critical source-pathway interception measures) – this will be achieved through designed field studies in live farm environments;

2) Develop guidance/tools (for specific NbS measures) which will determine the most cost-effective approach to protect water quality & aquatic habitats in different Irish agricultural settings whilst also maximising the opportunities for multiple associated benefits;

3) Develop design guidance for the construction, operation and maintenance of certain specific Nature-based Solutions installed as ICM measures for water quality & aquatic habitat improvement;

4) Complete scenario analysis (modelling) at a larger scale to demonstrate the benefits of the wider rollout of such schemes/measures as part of national agri-environmental efforts. The scenario analysis will also include an assessment of the impacts of climate change on the performance of the NbS and their potential role in climate adaption.

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