RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF GLACIAL SAND AND GRAVEL AGGREGATE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

A field- and laboratory-based assessment of glacial sand and gravel aggregate resources in Northern Ireland was undertaken in order to evaluate the extent of the resource, and to document these glacial features for landscape conservation and management purposes. Field maps of glacial sand and gravel features were digitised and integrated within a GIS and relational database to allow for dataset interrogation and overlay. Based on the GIS, glacial sand and gravel is calculated to cover 534 km2 ± 10% of Northern Ireland (3.4% land area) with estimated reserves of between 2400 million and 14,675 million tonnes. Under a range of future extraction rates (+ 1-7% increase per year) the estimated lifespan of the reserves is between 48-314 years (median 132 years) from 1996. These calculations show the finite resource base of glacial sand and gravel in Northern Ireland, and thus the need for resource management and prioritisation. Glacial landscapes are also important for archaeology and ecology, and for aesthetic and groundwater protection reasons. Conservation of these landscapes alongside managed exploitation is a useful strategy to maximise the resource for different users. Local case studies show considerable variation in management and conservation issues, suggesting regional strategies for resource management and conservation have to be adaptable to local needs.