EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has identified climate change mitigation, the need for sustainable increases in wood production and the need to contribute to renewable energy source production as key drivers for continued afforestation (DAFM, 2014). It also reports that our forest cover continues to be at its highest level in over 350 years, with the level of forest cover estimated at 11 per cent of the total land area ( c .773,229 hectares); 65.5 per cent of the forest stock is conifer forest, 20.5 per cent is broadleaf forest and 14 per cent is mixed forest. Since 1990, Ireland has had the highest rate of forest expansion (as a percentage of total forest cover) of all EU Member states. We still, however, have one of the lowest afforestation levels in the EU (DAFM, 2018a). It is important that forward planning and forestry management activities within the sector, at all levels, are supported by the proper environmental assessments, to ensure that the right forests are planted and developed in the right places and are managed correctly, to avoid impacts on our environment. The mid-term review of the current forestry programme was carried out in 2018 and introduced several enhancements, including targeted broadleaf afforestation and increased financial support for planting of more diverse species. Additional measures such as support for deer tree shelters, continuous cover forestry and the second thinning of broadleaf forests were also developed in 2018 and introduced in early 2019. Afforestation and harvesting can impact negatively on natural vegetation, soils, biodiversity and the landscape. They can cause water quality issues through acidification and nutrient mobilisation. Tree felling, planting and replanting activities can also allow soils to enter water courses if not carefully managed and monitored. When planted on peaty soils, forestry can also act as a source of carbon emissions. Ireland’s Forestry Programme (2014-2020) is an important national plan for the forestry sector. In 2018, a review of this programme showed that the overall planting level was about 7 per cent less than the government target. The shortfall in the planting target for native woodlands, agroforestry and forestry for fibre combined was much greater, however, at 74 per cent (Table 5.2). Annual afforestation has decreased from over 20,000 hectares in 1996 to only 3550 hectares in 2019 (adapted from DAFM, 2018a). Table 5.2  Targets and actual afforestation (hectares) between 2015 and 2019 FOREST TYPE 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Target Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target Actual Overall target 6000 6293 6660 6500 7140 5536 7205 4026 8115 3550 Native woodland 300 138 300 159 300 266 340 374 350 310 Agroforestry 10 0 20 1 25 5 40 1 50 7 Forestry for fibre 100 3 200 1 500 0 500 1 1000 4 Source: adapted from DAFM (2018e). This review identified four specific needs to address: increase the level of forest cover; provide for species diversification and seek commitments to meet the 30 per cent broadleaf planting target; contribute to national efforts to meet environmental obligations associated with climate, water and biodiversity; and support private forest holders in actively managing their forests, including increasing the supply of forest-based biomass. Positive Developments in Managing and Restoring Native Woodlands The Woodlands of Ireland charity, in partnership with government bodies and native woodland stakeholders, prepared the national Native Woodland Strategy 2016- 2020. It aims to promote woodland-related ecosystem services, protect native woodlands near watercourses, integrate climate change into forest management and advocate for non-timber uses, including those associated with biodiversity, health, recreation, eco-tourism and landscapes. 114