EPA - Ireland's Environment 2016

Chapter 4: Nature

Nature

Introduction

The terms “nature” and “biodiversity” are interchangeable.

Human beings are an intrinsic part of biodiversity and

interact with it on a daily basis. Our interactions with

nature range from the mundane to the sublime but are

generally taken for granted. Our activities change and

shape the landscape in which we live. These human-

mediated environmental and land use changes can have

wide-ranging influences on biodiversity which need to be

considered and managed.

Biodiversity

Its importance to individuals and to the country

as a whole is often underestimated.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines

‘biological diversity’ or biodiversity as the variability

among living organisms from all sources including,

among other things, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic

ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they

are part; this includes diversity within species, between

species and of ecosystems.

Biodiversity underpins our

economy, health and wellbeing and plays a key role

in the functioning of ecosystems, their resilience and

their continuing ability to provide ecosystem services.

Biodiversity provides us with clean air, water, food,

materials, medicines, health and recreation. It supports

pollination and soil fertility, regulates climate and protects

us from extreme weather (EC, 2015).

1 Article 2:

www.cbd.int/convention/text/

Habitats and Species

Ireland has legal obligations to protect habitats and

species that are under threat and need protection

across Europe.

A high proportion of Europe’s most endangered and

vulnerable habitats and species are considered to have

“unfavourable” conservation status (60% of protected

species and 77% of protected habitats across Europe)

(EEA, 2015). The European Agency’s report states that

Europe will not meet its overall target of halting the loss

of biodiversity by 2020; a similar conclusion has also been

drawn in a global context (Secretariat of the Convention

on Biological Diversity, 2014). It is also forecast that

climate change impacts will intensify in the future and the

underlying causes of biodiversity loss will persist.

Ireland has international and legal obligations to protect

biodiversity. Protection of biodiversity within and outside

protected areas is necessary, and this will require

greater integration of biodiversity concerns in sectoral

policy development and implementation, at local and

national levels. Ireland’s second National Biodiversity Plan

(2011‑2016) includes a programme of measures aimed at

meeting Ireland’s biodiversity obligations (DAHG, 2011).

The linkages between biodiversity policies, from a national

to a global scale, are outlined in Figure 4.1.