Green Limerick: Eli Lilly to protect rare species

ELI LILLY and Company is collaborating with experts on innovative research on the effects of translocation and climate change on indigenous grassland species.

The new Lilly Limerick biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus has moved, or translocated, the population of a rare meadow barley species, Hordeum Secalinum, from one part of the site to another.

This is being done under license from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Translocating grassland sods helps conserve species like meadow barley and supports biodiversity, making grasslands more resilient to climate-related stress.

These biodiverse grasslands also aid in carbon sequestration, flood protection, and support pollinators.

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This project will study how translocation and climate change impact the ecology of meadow barley and other grassland plants.

By understanding these impacts, strategies can be developed to conserve and maintain biodiversity in grasslands.

Biodiversity research at University College Cork (UCC) is predominantly conducted by staff and students from the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) and the Environmental Research Institute.

“We are thrilled to work with UCC on this important project,” said Dave Riordan, Vice President, Site Head, Eli Lilly Limerick.

“The translocation of meadow barley at our Limerick site underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity.

“This collaboration is not only aligned with our 2030 environmental goals but also strengthens our ties with the academic community, fostering innovation and sustainability.

“By working together, we can leverage cutting-edge research and local expertise to create a more resilient ecosystem and contribute to the preservation of native species.”

The project team that will be collaborating on this task with Lilly Limerick will be led by Professor Astrid Wingler and Dr Markus Eichhorn from the School of BEES, who are also principal investigators in the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and the Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity, Water.

The Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity, Water is a €41.3 million research centre which deliver solutions to the most pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity decline and water degradation across Ireland and the UK.

The Lilly collaborative project includes research undertaken by UCC PhD student, Johan David Reyes Chavez, and Master of Research student, Ijlal Haidar to study work being done to conserve this valuable part of Irish biodiversity.

“I would like to thank Lilly Limerick for their support of our research and our students, Johan David Reyes Chavez and Ijlal Haidar,” said Professor Sarah Culloty, head of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, UCC.

“The conservation of meadow barley and the preservation of biodiversity in grassland ecosystems is a critical issue. We are looking forward to working with Lilly on this project.”