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Ireland’s Environment 2012
76
Introduction
‘Biodiversity’ is a term used to
describe the variety of life. It
includes diversity within species,
between species and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity protects and nurtures
people through providing an array
of ecosystem services. These include
provisioning services such as food,
fuel and medicines; supporting
services such as pollination and
primary production; regulating
services such as prevention of
flooding and coastal erosion, climate
regulation and pest regulation; and
cultural services such as recreation.
Due to Ireland’s geographical
isolation and recent geological
history it has a lower diversity of
non-marine flora and fauna than
is found on continental Europe.
Nevertheless, Ireland’s aquatic
systems and wetlands support
internationally significant populations
of birds, fish and invertebrates and
Ireland is relatively rich in bryophytes,
algae and lichens. Ireland’s marine
environment is particularly biodiverse
and is among Europe’s richest for
cetaceans (whales, dolphins and
porpoises). It supports large seabird
breeding colonies, a great range
of invertebrate species, and its
cold-water coral communities are
of particular note, supporting a
diverse array of associated fauna.
In addition, Ireland has a significant
number of internationally important
habitats including limestone
pavements, machair, turloughs and
active peatlands.
The Current Situation
Globally, species are currently being
lost at up to 1,000 times faster
than the natural rate, primarily as
a result of human activities (MEA,
2005). It is estimated that in the EU,
only 17% of habitats and 17% of
species protected under the Habitats
Directive (92/43/EEC) are in a
favourable state (EEA, 2010). Recent
evidence indicates that Ireland’s
biodiversity capital is still dwindling
rapidly (EPA STRIVE, 2011).
Habitats
The majority of Ireland’s habitats that
are listed under the Habitats Directive
are reported to be of poor or bad
conservation status (Figure 6.1). Only
7% of listed habitats are considered
to be in a favourable state (NPWS,
2008).
Figure 6.1
Overall Conservation Status of Habitats in Ireland Listed under the Habitats Directive by Broad Habitat
Category (EC, 2009). (x) = number of occurrences
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Good
Forests (4)
Rocky habitats (7)
Peatlands (8)
Grasslands (6)
Sclerophilus scrub (1)
Heath & scrubs (3)
Freshwater habitats (8)
Dunes (8)
Coastal habitats (14)
Poor
Bad