Sunday, November 26, 2006

Donegal's Biodiversity Project

The Donegal Biodiversity Project is gathering together records of all the wildlife found in Donegal. Almost 50,000 records of birds, plants, mammals and insects in the county have been computerised, with many more to be added.

Donegal moths
One group that it is focusing on in particular, is the larger (or macro) moths. Of 572 moth species in Ireland, the Donegal Biodiversity Project has recorded 378 in the county, but believes the true total is very close to 400. Each species is being photographed, its distribution is mapped, the habitat requirements of threatened species are being revealed, and important areas for moth conservation identified.

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The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.