BoCCI Red list
BoCCI Amber list
On the IUCN Red List, but not on BoCCI list
There are 36 trees and shrubs thought to be native to Ireland.
The conservation status of bird species found in Ireland can be considered at international, European and local levels. For instance:
The 'red list' or 'red data list' is synonymous with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Maintained and regularly updated by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) it is an international inventory of the global conservation status of over 40000 plant and animal species. The list evaluates and classifies the extinction risk of each species and subspecies. By doing so it impresses the urgency of conservation issues upon the international community and supports them in taking practical steps to reduce species extinction.
The new atlas is being developed by Birdwatch Ireland, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Scottish Ornithologists Club with support from Ireland's Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Northern Ireland's Environment and Heritage Services.
Native Irish mammal species
And the following were introduced:
While these went extinct:
Over 20 Cetacean species (whales, dolphins, porpoises) frequent Irish waters
These include:
Hmmm. And humans too I guess.
Ireland’s Mammals by Juanita Browne ISBN 0-9550594-0-2.
Available from Easons or order online from http://www.irishwildlife.ie
Suitable for all ages this book profiles the life of each Irish mammal over 192 pages and 120 photographs. Find out where each common land mammal lives, what it eats, when it breeds and its particular lifestyle adaptations. A species profile, including common, Irish and scientific names, average weight and body measurements is provided for each land mammal species, and a sample of whale and dolphin species.
"With its lively and informative text along with stunning photographs and illustrations Ireland’s Mammals is a book the whole family can enjoy." Don Conroy.
“At last, a book that brings us to meet Ireland’s mammals in their secret hideaways. Juanita Browne brings their story up to date in a clear and thorough text, wonderfully suited to school use but absorbing to readers of any age." Michael Viney, Irish Times.
"This is a book with a difference... wonderfully illustrated with photographs of the highest calibre... delivered in easy-to-follow text." Éanna Ní Lamhna
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands (especially those of importance as wildfowl habitats) and their resources. It supports conservation cooperation and action at local, national and international levels. The 153 participating countries are required to nominate Wetlands of International Importance based on significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. The Ramsar Convention currently lists 1631 such wetland sites. Ireland accounts for almost 3% of these.
1% of Ireland’s own land area is designated as Ramsar site
Peppered throughout Ireland
A map of Irish Ramsar sites is available from the Ramsar Sites Information Service. They are also listed below.
"Ireland's position along the major flyways of arctic-nesting species, together with its relatively mild climate (which provides ice-free feeding opportunities) supports large numbers and a high diversity of migratory and wintering waterbirds. Our diverse wetland habitats provide a home for an equally diverse wetland bird community, which are increasingly coming under threat from human developments. While a large proportion of Irish wetland habitats have already been lost through land claim during this century, the variety, scale and form of developments have never been greater than at present. Proposals for housing developments, marinas, aquaculture, tidal barrages and wind-turbines all threaten essential feeding and roosting areas for wintering waterfowl. The effects are compounded by the associated disturbance problems due to increased recreational usage of shorelines in the light of such developments. Ireland thus have an obligation to protect and conserve these species and the habitats they depend on, so that together with other countries along the various flyways, their populations are maintained."
These international responsibilities are recognised through the Irish government's participation in a number of conventions and agreements, including the
As if peering into a pond, look closely at Ireland's media and Ireland's extensive network of contributers to environmental awareness and conservation becomes clearer. Some of these people are listed below. My plan is to develop this list and write an entry for each individual over time:
There are six national parks in Ireland, covering a combined area of 596 sq km, or only 0.86% of Ireland's total land area (68890 sq km). The criteria and standards for national parks are laid down by the World Conservation Union (also known as IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Much of the land is also designated as a SAC (Special Area of Conservation (PDF format)) under the EU Habitats Directive.
Travelling clockwise around Ireland from Dublin the national parks: