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Nature and Biodiversity
77
Species
In Ireland 39% of species listed
under the Habitats Directive are in
a favourable state (NPWS, 2008).
These include bats, seals, certain
cetaceans and plants (Figure 6.2).
Other species, particularly of wetland
and freshwater environments,
are reported to be of poor or bad
conservation status, including a
number of species of fish (e.g.
Atlantic salmon), molluscs (e.g.
freshwater pearl mussel) and the
natterjack toad.
Red Lists
Red lists aim at providing an objective
assessment of species using the
International Union for the Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) categories and
criteria. They identify those in most
need of conservation interventions.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service
and the Northern Ireland Environment
Agency co-ordinate red lists in Ireland.
Recent red lists indicate that more
than a third of Irish bee species and
non-marine mollusc species are
threatened (Figure 6.3). In addition,
over 15% of Irish water beetle
species, butterfly species and
dragonflies and damselflies are
threatened. The red list on
amphibians, reptiles and freshwater
fish indicates that the European eel
is critically endangered and the
natterjack toad is endangered.
Most of Ireland’s terrestrial mammal
species are judged to be of least
concern, with just one species, the
black rat, judged to be vulnerable.
This species is not prioritised for
conservation action as it is considered
a pest and vector of disease. Three
mammal species, Leisler’s bat, otter
and red squirrel are considered near
threatened. The
Irish Red Data
Book
on vascular plants (Curtis
and McGough, 1988) indicates
that of the 159 species assessed,
10 species are thought to be extinct,
six endangered, and 44 vulnerable.
The protection of bird species at EU
level is provided for under the Birds
Directive (2009/147/EC). A Birdwatch
Ireland assessment of the population
status of Ireland’s birds indicates
that of the 199 species assessed,
25 were placed on the red list
(i.e. of most conservation concern).
Figure 6.3
The Proportions of Species by Threat Category for Each of the Taxonomic Groups That Have Been Red Listed
in Ireland Using the IUCN Methodology. (x) = number of species assessed in each group. (Source: NPWS)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Least Concern
Regionally Extinct
Terrestrial mammals (25)
Damselflies & dragonflies (24)
Water beetles (221)
Butterflies (33)
Non-marine molluscs (143)
Amphibians, reptiles &
freshwater fish (19)
Bees (83)
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Figure 6.2
Overall Conservation Status of Species in Ireland Listed under the Habitats Directive by Major Species
Group (EC, 2009). (x) = number of occurrences
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Good
Mammals (33)
Reptiles (1)
Amphibians (2)
Fish (12)
Arthropods (2)
Molluscs (6)
Vascular plants (4)
Non-vascular plants (7)
Poor
Bad
Unknown