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Publication Open Access Survey of synanthropic spiders in Ireland reveals expansion and dominance of the invasive Noble false widow Steatoda nobilis in urban habitats (Araneae: Theridiidae)(Wiley, 2026-03-10)Rapid urbanisation has led several spider species to adapt to synanthropic microhabitats and establish large populations outside of their native ranges. In Ireland, the establishment and widespread distribution of the Noble false widow spider Steatoda nobilis (Araneae: Theridiidae) (Thorell, 1875) has raised questions about its impact on native spider populations across the country. Through an extensive field survey of six urban centres over an 11-month period, we sought to establish population demographics for S. nobilis and other synanthropic spiders in Ireland for the first time. We surveyed fence microhabitats for both spider abundance and diversity to determine the influence of variables such as prey availability and climate. Of the 20 identifiable species observed, S. nobilis and the missing sector orb weaver Zygiella x-notata (Clerck, 1757) typically made up more than 80% of the spider abundance regardless of location surveyed, including two new Irish counties where S. nobilis had previously not been recorded but is now well established (Co. Mayo and Co. Sligo). Our results also indicated that the diversity of synanthropic spiders is significantly affected by seasonality and prey availability, but largely unaffected by daily weather conditions.Publication Open Access Depicting and evoking vulnerability in Irish-language cinema: An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) (2022)(Taylor and Francis Group, 2026-03-11)We are currently living through an extraordinary period of productivity and success for Irish-language cinema, evident in the critical and commercial success of An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), the first Irish-language feature to be nominated for the Best International Feature Film Academy Award. Understanding the reasons for the success of An Cailín Ciúin is a complex undertaking that involves considerations at a number of levels including the particularities of its linguistic and aesthetic realisation that contributed to its impact on audiences. This article draws on Laura U. Marks concept of “haptic visuality” to examine how the film realises and communicates evocatively to the viewer the theme of vulnerability. This functions on a range of levels but there are three principle layers to this that this article will examine – one is language and the choice to translate the source text into Irish (and the implications of this); second, the nature and historical context of the Irish language film production; and third and perhaps most importantly, the sophisticated realisation of vulnerability (and its significance) within the film’s narrative and aesthetic approach, including through Kate McCullough’s superb cinematography.Publication Open Access Rethinking planned relocation as social protection in an era of increasing climate change risks: Working Paper No. 51(Researching Internal Displacement, 2026-03-12)As climate impacts intensify, planned relocation is increasingly deployed as an adaptation strategy, yet outcomes for relocated communities remain consistently adverse. This paper argues that these failures stem from the treatment of planned relocation as a short-term, projectized disaster response rather than as a long-term developmental intervention. Drawing on social protection theory, we reconceptualise planned relocation as a form of social assistance, capable of delivering durable solutions. We demonstrate that planned relocation inherently performs preventive, protective, promotive, and potentially transformative social protection functions by minimising future climate risks, providing non-contributory transfers such as land and housing, and enabling livelihood reconstruction. However, when implemented outside formal social protection systems, these functions may collapse, often resulting in impoverishment and protracted displacement. Our paper outlines an exploratory framework for qualifying planned relocation within social protection policy and shows how reframing planned relocation as a social housing program can address institutional fragmentation and missed opportunities for climate finance. We propose a joint financing model in which international climate funds could support capital investments, while domestic social protection systems focus on service support and rebuilding livelihoods. Reconceptualising planned relocation in this way aligns climate adaptation with social justice objectives and offers a pragmatic pathway for achieving durable solutions for climate-displaced populations.Publication Open Access Do commercial airline policies for passengers with obesity carry enough weight?(Wiley, 2026-03-11)Introduction The travel industry has a responsibility to accommodate the needs of all its customers, including those with obesity. It is not known to what extent airlines communicate accessibility policies to passengers with obesity. We sought to assess the adequacy and content of information provided by international commercial airlines regarding the carriage of passengers with obesity. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional analysis was conducted of policies relating to passengers with obesity that were available on publicly accessible websites of the 50 busiest global commercial airlines. Variables of interest included fleet description, passenger weight-related terminology, seating information, use of seatbelt extenders, special assistance information, use of artificial intelligence chatbots for customer service, and availability of customer information in the English language. Results A diverse range of terms was used to describe travelers with obesity, with “customers requiring extra personal space” or “an extra seat for personal comfort” being the most frequently used descriptors. Seating information relating to larger passengers was provided by 86% (n = 43) of airlines. Passenger guidance on the use of seatbelt extenders was available on 70% (n = 35) of airline websites. Special assistance information was provided by all airlines. Conclusion While leading commercial airlines provide obesity policy information on their websites, there is considerable variation between carriers in the degree of information provided. There is a need for more transparent and standardized accessibility information for airline passengers with obesity.Publication Open Access Homogenisation of vegetation in Irish semi-natural grasslands(Wiley, 2026-03-10)Grasslands represent an important source of vegetative diversity and provide a range of important ecosystem services. Semi-natural grasslands in Europe face a variety of threats due to changing management practices and other anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates vegetative changes in 12 semi-natural grassland sites in Ireland over an approximately 15-year period. Sites for three habitat types (GS1—dry calcareous & neutral grassland, GS3—dry-humid acid grassland and GS4—wet grassland) were selected from the 2007–2012 Irish Semi-natural Grassland Survey and resurveyed in 2023. The resurveyed sites showed a minor shift in vegetative composition in terms of species richness, but non-metric multidimensional scaling suggests that the grasslands are increasingly homogenous with habitat types having become less distinct. While both species losses and gains were observed, almost half of the forb species decreased in frequency, and some of the rarer species were lost. This raises concerns about the mid- and long-term diversity of Irish semi-natural grasslands and suggests that careful management aimed at protecting diversity is required.