Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

113 Chapter 5: Land Land 1. Introduction When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. Aldo Leopold People rely on the land for all aspects of daily life. We use land to grow our food and to supply the materials and space for our homes. Land provides the infrastructure to transport people and materials and the green space that we use for recreation. Land is an inseparable part of the natural cycles that supply clean air and water and it provides habitats for terrestrial species, estimated to make up more than 80% of the Earth’s species (Grosberg et al ., 2012). This chapter discusses two aspects of Ireland’s land: land cover and land use (Figure 5.1). Land cover refers to that which is physically present on the Earth’s surface, e.g. farmland, natural forests, wild areas, inland waterways, built-up areas. Land use describes the human activities that are making use of land, e.g. residences and physical development of various kinds, including agriculture, commercial forestry, peatlands and waterways. A land cover type can have more than one use. Figure 5.1  Land cover versus land use Refers to what is physically present on the Earth’s surface, it can be identified and mapped from imagery Land Cover Residential Commercial Public services Industrial Recreational area Commercial forestry Natural area Building Broad-leaved forest Buildings are a land cover type with one or many uses like a residence, commercial unit, public services or industrial activity Broad-leaved forests are a land cover type with one or many uses like commercial forestry, a recreational area or a natural area