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Ireland’s Environment – An Assessment 2016
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National Climate Science Research 48 Outlook and Conclusions 48 Key Messages 48 Climate Change 48 References 49 Chapter 4 Nature 50 Introduction 51 Biodiversity 51 Habitats and Species 51 Current Status and Trends 52 Habitat Trends 52 Species Trends 53 Birds 53 The Bird Atlas and Citizen Science 54 Red Lists Species 55 Drivers and Pressures 55 Key Pressures on Ireland’s Habitats and Species 55 Invasive Alien Species 56 Raised Bogs and the Abbeyleix Bog Project 56 Responses 57 Natura 2000 Network 57 Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000 57 Brown Bog SAC (002346) – Site-specific Conservation Objectives 57 Threat Response Plans 58 Group Species Action Plans for the Protection of Birds 58 Reintroducing Birds of Prey (Raptors) to Ireland with Mixed Success 58 National Biodiversity Plan – Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016 59 National Agri-environment Scheme – GLAS 59 All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015‑2020 60 Knowledge Base 60 National Biodiversity Data Centre 60 Research 60 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services – A New Approach to How We Value Biodiversity 62 Outlook for Habitats and Species 63 Public Awareness and Education on Biodiversity 63 Conclusions and Future Challenges 64 Climate Change 64 References 65 Chapter 5 Inland and Marine Waters 66 Introduction 67 Ireland’s Marine Environment 68 Current Situation 69 Drivers and Pressures 72 Eutrophication 72 Threats to Improving Water Quality 73 Urban Waste Water 73 Inland Fisheries Issues 73 Marine Litter 73 Dredging of Marine Harbours and Marinas 74 Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture 74 Impacts of Commercial Fishing 74 Sea Fishing By-catch 75 Impacts of Marine Aquaculture 75 Responses 76 River Catchment Planning 76 Tackling Diffuse Pollution 77 Diffuse Pollution 77 Agriculture 77 Rural Development Programmes 78 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 79 Tackling Point Source Pollution 79 Urban Waste Water Treatment 79 EPA Water Research Programme 79 Key Achievements 80 Outlook 81 Progress with Water Framework Targets 81 Agricultural Policy and Water Protection 81 Local Community Initiatives 81 Domestic Waste Water 81 Urban Waste Water 81 Environmental Quality Standards for Hazardous Substances 82 Marine Waters 82 Impacts of Climate Change on the Water Environment 83 Impacts of Climate Change in the Marine Environment 83 Seaweed Harvesting 84 Catchment and Ecosystem Services 84 Economic Policy Instruments 84 What are Economic Policy Instruments? 85 Conclusions and Future Challenges 85 The Current Condition of Inland and Marine Waters and the Pressures Acting on Them 85