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These are prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to be important on a European as well as Irish level. Most Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are in the countryside, although a few sites reach into town or city landscapes, such as Dublin Bay and Cork...
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EnvironmentSite-specific conservation objectives aim to define favourable conservation condition for Habitats Directive Annex I habitats, Annex II species at a site level and the SPA special conservation interest "wetlands and waterbirds". This project relates to the following Annex I...
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Ancient and Long-established Woodland Inventory 2010EnvironmentAncient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid‐1600s). These woodlands are important in terms of their biological and cultural value, and may even form links...
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Article 12 Birds Directive Reporting 2008-2012 Dataset SeriesEnvironmentThe Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) came into force in Ireland in 1981. Article 12 of this directive requires Member States to report on the implementation of national provisions taken under this Directive including specific reporting on status and trends of bird...
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EnvironmentBefore the Habitats Directive, only four lagoons were at all well known in Ireland (Lady’s Island Lake, Tacumshin Lake, Lough Murree, Furnace Lough) and very few biological studies had been published. Under the obligations of the Directive, the National Parks and Wildlife...
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Commonage Framework Planning was a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Teams combining agricultural and ecological skills to assess the sustainable use of these areas have surveyed all known commonage...
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EnvironmentDuring the Saltmarsh Monitoring Project 2006-2008, initiated by the Research Branch of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Annex I Saltmarsh habitats according to the EU Habitats Directive were mapped around the coast of the Republic of Ireland, and their conservation...
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EnvironmentThe project represents the first comprehensive assessment of sand dune systems and their habitats in Ireland. Over the course of the three field seasons (2004-2006), all known sites for sand dunes in Ireland were assessed. The project involved the updating of an existing...
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National survey and assessment of the conservation status of Irish sea cliffsEnvironmentA detailed desk study was carried out where possible on all of the cliff sites in Ireland which had been identified up until 2010, and further sites were identified. A conservation assessment and survey technique were developed (based on the pilot survey completed in 2009) and...
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EnvironmentThis project contains NPWS GIS files relevant to the distribution of Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) and Nore Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera durrovensis) in Ireland. Both species are listed in Annex II and Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive. The...
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EnvironmentIn 2008, following a 2007 pilot study in Roscommon and Offaly, a nationwide research study into the semi-natural grasslands of Ireland commenced. This study involved collecting botanical and environmental data from semi-natural grassland across all 26 counties. A total of...
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Proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHA) were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995. They have not since been statutorily proposed or designated. These sites are of significance for wildlife and habitats. A process is underway to resurvey and formally designate some pNHAs...
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National Survey of Limestone Pavement and Associated Habitats in IrelandEnvironmentThis project completed a detailed field survey of 26 limestone pavement and associated habitat monitoring sites, and 17 proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) sites. Several 100m x 100m (1ha) plots were selected within each monitoring site. The habitats within each plot were...
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A National Assessment of the Conservation Status of the EU Habitat 5130 J. communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands’ This data resource contains the following: Microsoft Office Access Database containing all data recorded in the field (e.g. sites, relevés,...
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EnvironmentThe National Survey of Native Woodlands in Ireland included the survey of 1,217 woodland sites across all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland during 2003-2007. Site selection was carried out using the Forest Inventory Planning System 1998 (FIPS) and local knowledge. Surveys...
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The basic designation for wildlife is the Natural Heritage Area (NHA). This is an area considered nationally important for the habitats present or that holds species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection. They are protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act of...