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Chapter 4: Nature
Species Trends
Species most under threat include those linked to
wetlands, uplands or sensitive to water pollution.
The current status and trends of Ireland’s species are
presented in Figure 4.3 (NPWS, 2013). Levels of many
species are reported to be stable, but a number of key or
iconic species are declining. One of the species of greatest
concern is the pollution-sensitive freshwater pearl mussel,
as only a few rivers have populations with even near-
adequate recruitment (NPWS, 2013).
Birds
Changing long-term trends in breeding and wintering
birds.
The protection of bird species at EU level is provided for
under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Under Article
12 of this directive Member States are obliged to report
on the progress made with the implementation of the
directive. This requires reporting on aspects of the status of
all regularly occurring bird species in the Member States’
territories. Ireland reported to the EU on trends in bird
populations in 2013 (EEA, 2015). The long-term trends
of Ireland’s breeding and wintering bird populations are
illustrated in Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.3
Overall Assessment Results for the Status and Trends in Species Protected under the EU Habitats
Directive in Ireland 2007-2013 (Source: NPWS)
Favourable
52%
Inadequate
20%
Bad
12%
Unknown
16%
Status
Trends
Improving
6%
Stable
82%
Declining
10%
Unknown
2%
Figure 4.4
Long Term Trends in Ireland’s Breeding
and Wintering Bird Populations (Source: EEA)
Irish Breeding Birds
Increasing
19.1%
Stable
6.6%
Decreasing
17.6%
Unknown
56.6%
Irish Wintering Birds
Increasing
19.3%
Stable
3.5%
Decreasing
15.8%
Unknown
61.4%