Jordan, PhilTaylor, DavidDalton, CatherineBennion, HelenRose, NeilIrvine, KennethLeira Campos, Antón ManoelBennion, Helen2024-02-122024-02-122006Leira, M., Jordan, P., Taylor, D., Dalton, C., Bennion, H., Rose, N., & Irvine, K. (2006). Assessing the ecological status of candidate reference lakes in Ireland using palaeolimnology. Journal of applied Ecology, 43(4), 816-827.0021-8901http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32731This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Leira, M., Jordan, P., Taylor, D., Dalton, C., Bennion, H., Rose, N., & Irvine, K. (2006). Assessing the ecological status of candidate reference lakes in Ireland using palaeolimnology. Journal of applied Ecology, 43(4), 816-827, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01174.x.This study provides the first systematic examination of changes to water quality in (perceived) pristine lakes over the last c. 150 years for Ireland, and demonstrates the potential of palaeolimnology to support the implementation of the WFD. The results indicate that diatom communities in low alkalinity lakes have been particularly altered, and acidification and nutrient enrichment appear to have been important drivers for some lakes. Furthermore, higher resolution results call into question the validity of applying c. 1850 as the date for reference conditions across Ireland.engThis article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/AcidificationDiatomsEutrophicationPalaeolimnologyReference conditionsSediment chemistryWater Framework Directive241704 Limnologíajournal article10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01174.x1365-2664open access