67 / 234
63
Chapter 4: Nature
Outlook for Habitats
and Species
Most pressures on habitats and species are set to
continue unless we rethink how we manage our
natural resources and tackle climate change.
In Ireland there is no evidence that there will be any major
reduction in pressures impacting negatively on habitats
and species listed in the Habitats Directive over the next
decade, although some potential improvements have
been noted (NPWS, 2013). These include a decline in
invasive infestation of woodlands as a result of improved
forestry management; and a reduction in pollution from
household waste and sewage. However, it must be noted
that initiatives such as Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise
2025 may threaten to reverse any gains made in pollution
reductions from the agriculture and aquaculture sectors if
the plans are not implemented in a sustainable way. This is
covered in more detail in Chapters 5 and 12.
There is evidence that climate change is negatively
impacting on coastal habitats. Predictions indicate that
degraded upland habitats, in particular, will become less
resilient to the impacts of climate change in the immediate
future. Predicted drier summers and higher levels of
more intense rainfall are likely to result in bog bursts and
landslides which may indirectly impact other habitats such
as lakes.
Pressures and threats to the environment arising from the
energy, transport and agriculture sectors have potential
to adversely impact biodiversity. Agricultural practices
have a high impact on protected species that occur within
agricultural systems, e.g. the
Vertigo
species of snail and
the marsh fritillary butterfly. Pollution is considered a
significant pressure and threat to the conservation status
of some species, for example those species that need good
or excellent quality water to survive such as the remaining
limited populations of the freshwater pearl mussel.
Overall, it is likely that the cumulative impacts of a growing
economy will be more evident in the wider countryside
rather than the protected Natura network (SACs and
SPAs), as this is afforded considerable legal protection
under EU and national environmental legislation.
Public Awareness and Education
on Biodiversity
The 2016 Barometer survey, commissioned by the Heritage
Council, on consumer awareness, understanding and
interest in biodiversity found that there is a real shift
in awareness which is particularly evident in Dublin
and urban areas generally. Nationally, awareness and
understanding of biodiversity has grown from 18% to
31% between 2010 and 2016. However, Ireland is still
well behind the EU average (2013) of 44%. Overall 33%
of Irish people feel that they are well informed about the
loss of biodiversity, compared to 20% in 2010. Again,
however, we lag behind the European average (45%),
recorded in 2013 (EC, 2013).
The National Biodiversity Plan recommends the inclusion of
biodiversity to a greater extent in secondary and third-level
education and the implementation of a communications
campaign. While a wide range of activities are undertaken
at a local level by local authorities, the Heritage Council
and NGOs, there is a need for an overall strategy to take
account of landowner dissatisfaction with biodiversity
regulation and to enhance the appreciation of biodiversity
and ecosystem services amongst the wider public as per
Action 4.3 of the National Biodiversity Plan (DAHG, 2011).
The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and
Gaeltacht affairs and other organisations such as the Irish
Environmental Network celebrate National Biodiversity
Week annually through a number of awareness-raising
events. The EPA sponsors media promoting biodiversity
conservation and sustainability such as the TV series
Eco Eye
and
Ireland’s Ocean
and provides educational
materials for primary – and secondary-level students
such as identification keys for some common species
and educational modules on wetlands biodiversity.
Organisations, such as ECO-UNESCO, Ireland’s
Environmental Education and Youth Organisation, provide
educational materials, training and organise events that
promote awareness of wildlife and habitats.
Citizen science is the involvement of volunteers in scientific
research conducted, in whole or in part, by members of