Nature protection and biodiversity - Outlook 2020 (Ireland)

SOER 2010 Common environmental theme (Deprecated)

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This contribution describes the future outlook for nature protection and biodiversity in Ireland and how this will affect possible impacts on the natural environment and human health/well-being.

Topic: Nature and biodiversity

more info Organisation name Environmental Protection Agency Reporting country Ireland Organisation website Organisation website Contact link Contact link Last updated 23 Nov 2010 Content license CC By 2.5 Content provider

Published: 26 Nov 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020 Feed synced: 23 Nov 2010 original

Outlook

Protected Areas

The European Commission has assessed the Irish SAC and SPA lists as incomplete. In relation to the SACs, work is primarily required on designation of marine sites. The number of designated SPA sites is expected to increase to approximately 155 by the end of 2010.

There are 630 proposed Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), comprising 65,000 ha, which were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995 and currently receive limited protection. These and other sites of biodiversity significance may be designated as NHAs in the coming years.

Conservation management plans have been prepared for 45 SACs and SPAs and the National Parks Wildlife Service aim to draw up management plans for all areas designated for nature conservation. 295 draft conservation management plans have been developed.

Biodiversity Planning and Conservation

As part of the National Biodiversity Plan, local and public authorities and government departments are required to make local/sectoral biodiversity action plans. The EPA published its biodiversity action plan in 2010. 26 local authority biodiversity action plans are complete or in the final stages of preparation.

Based on the bad conservation status of many important habitats and some species, considerable efforts and resources will be required to improve their status, both within and outside protected areas. Conservation of marine fisheries is a major priority that needs to be addressed urgently.

Nature in Ireland will need to be given space to adapt to climate change through appropriate landscape planning. Globally, climate change and biodiversity protection are inter-linked issues – one cannot be satisfactorily addressed without addressing the other.

Socio-Economic Benefits

Research findings on the economic and social benefits of biodiversity in Ireland indicate a marginal value of at least €2.6 billion per annum. Given the value of biodiversity to Ireland’s economy, its protection is not just an ethical concern but an economic imperative.

Public Awareness

Eurobarometer results from 2007 and findings from a 2010 Heritage Council study on attitudes to biodiversity among the public indicate that much more needs to be done to communicate issues relating to biodiversity to a wider audience.