biodiversity in 2010 · 2015. 3. 10. · county records for most of the lichens, bryophytes and...

State of Knowledge

Biodiversity in 2010

Ireland’s Biodiversity in 2010: State of Knowledge

Editors: Úna FitzPatrick, Eugenie Regan and Liam Lysaght

Citation: FitzPatrick, Ú., Regan, E. and Lysaght, L. (editors)(2010) Ireland’s Biodiversity in 2010: State of Knowledge.

National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford.

© National Biodiversity Data Centre 2010

ISBN 978-1-906304-15-7

ContentsForeword 1

Introduction 3

Habitats (non-marine) 7

Vegetation 8

Fungi 9

Lichens 11

Bryophytes 12

Algae 13

Vascular plants 15

Non-insect invertebrates 17

Insects 21

Tunicates & lancelets 24

Marine fishes 25

Freshwater fishes 27

Amphibians & reptiles 29

Birds 31

Land mammals 33

Bats 34

Marine mammals 35

References 36

Appendix 41

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is an initiative of the Heritage Council and is

operated under a service level agreement by Compass Informatics. The Centre is

funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

1

ForewordDr Liam Lysaght

Top to bottom: Chafer beetle (L. Lysaght)Grey seal (E.W. Delaney)Bracket fungus (D. Heaphy)

Ireland, along with its EU partners, agreed to ‘Halt biodiversity loss by 2010’.

Before we can halt biodiversity loss, we need to have some understanding

of what that biodiversity resource is. As a contribution to this target, and to

mark International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the National Biodiversity Data

Centre set out to produce an overview of the state of knowledge on Ireland’s

biodiversity. The scope of this task relates only to knowledge on what

species and habitats occur in Ireland, how they are distributed, and how their

range and/or populations are changing. Ecosystem function and conservation

management are outside the remit of the Centre thus are not addressed in

this document.

The Centre hosted a two day meeting in Waterford on 26 & 27 August 2010

entitled Biodiversity Knowledge Quest. Leading national experts presented

an overview of the state of knowledge on different aspects of Ireland’s

biodiversity.

Each overview was based on the following questions:

• Is there a published checklist?

• Have basic surveys been carried out?

• Is there a national database?

• Has a National conservation assessment been completed?

• Are there monitoring systems in place?

• Are there capacity building requirements?

• Are there other knowledge gaps?

These summaries have been brought together in two documents, and

provide an important overview of the state of knowledge on Ireland’s

biological diversity in 2010:

• Fitzpatrick, Ú., Regan, E. and Lysaght, L. (editors), 2010. Ireland’s

Biodiversity in 2010: State of Knowledge. National Biodiversity Data Centre,

Waterford

• National Biodiversity Data Centre, 2010. Ireland’s Biodiversity in 2010:

Knowledge Gaps. National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford

2

This State of Knowledge document is the first inventory of the principal

sources of biodiversity data in the Republic of Ireland. The information herein

will be made available online at the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s

website www.biodiversityireland.ie, and will be added to and kept up to

date as the knowledge base expands over the coming years.

Building the knowledge base on Ireland’s biological diversity is important as

the goods and services provided by biodiversity are estimated to contribute a

minimum of €2.6 billion per annum to the Irish economy. This natural capital

is the foundation upon which our agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism

sector depends and is vital for sustaining vital societal services such as clean

water, productive soil and clean air. As the Irish economy seeks ways to

revitalise itself, gaining a greater understanding of Ireland’s biodiversity and

protecting Ireland’s natural capital should be one of the building blocks of

that recovery.

This document is laid out in sections following taxonomic grouping with

an overview introduction by Dr Don Cotton. Each section follows the same

format; Irish checklist, number of species, primary sources of distribution data,

National conservation assessment, and monitoring or repeat surveys in place.

This layout allows the reader to compare the state of knowledge of different

groups. The Gaps document expands on this by highlighting those areas with

knowledge gaps that could be addressed within the next ten years.

AcknowledgementsMany people were involved in the compilation of this document.

Their advice and support are much appreciated. They are: Paul Connolly

(Marine Institute), Mark Holmes (Natural History Museum), Ian O’Connor

(Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology), Eamonn Kelly (Department of

Environment, Heritage & Local Government), Julia Nunn (Centre for

Environmental Data and Recording), Cliona O’Brien (Heritage Council),

Deirdre Lynn (National Parks and Wildlife Service). Thanks to Nigel Monaghan

(Natural History Museum), Mick O’Toole (Marine Institute), Alan Lauder

(BirdWatch Ireland), Louise Scally (National Platform for Biodiversity

Research) and Colette O’Flynn (National Biodiversity Data Centre) for

chairing sessions during the Knowledge Quest event.

3

IntroductionDr Don Cotton

Top to bottom: Connemara (S. Waldron)Irish hare (E.W. Delaney)Large carder bee (J. Breen)

Introduction to the state of Ireland’s biodiversityIn the global effort to protect the planet’s biodiversity it might seem

that Ireland is an insignificant piece of land and marine continental shelf.

However, we have a moral and legal responsibility to protect our biodiversity.

As a developed nation we should also play a leadership role in this

endeavour. Ireland does not support a particularly rich biological diversity

due to its recent glacial history coupled with the geographical position. But

there are some special habitats, and there are unique species and genetic

variations within species in need of protection.

Ecosystem and habitat diversityIt is widely accepted by specialists working on diverse taxonomic groups

that habitat and ecosystem protection is paramount to the conservation

of species and genetic diversity. Describing the range of habitats is one of

the most difficult yet important aspects of biodiversity. The publication of

“A Guide to Habitats in Ireland” (Fossitt, 2000) was a great milestone, but

the time is now right for it to be revised and extended. The involvement

of people such as invertebrate ecologists and lichenologists is now needed

to add descriptions of the micro-habitats that are crucial to the existence

of their organisms. A modified system will make it easier for recorders to

standardise habitat data that should accompany every biological record.

A wide range of surveys have been carried out in Ireland over the last few

years which concentrated upon special habitats that are uncommon or rare

in the rest of Europe. Several surveys are on-going but attention is now

being given to sub-marine habitats which occupy ten times the area of the

terrestrial environment. Reports from these surveys are mostly unpublished,

they are often very long and detailed and are consequently not used as

widely as they deserve. A review that summarises the main findings of

these reports would be a most valuable publication.

4

Species diversityKnowledge of which species are found in Ireland has depended upon there

being people with expertise in the taxa. In common with other countries

there is an imbalance in the state of our knowledge because organisms

that are larger, more attractive and terrestrial, tend to be the best studied

and have good identification works. For convenience one can divide our

knowledge of species diversity in Ireland into three categories :

(a) Taxa that have regularly up-dated species lists and we know their geographical distributions and population trendsThere are very few vascular plants waiting to be added to the Irish

list that stands at just over 1000 native species with another 1075 ‘alien’

species recorded. Not only that but we know their geographical distributions

quite well and work is progressing on studies of sub-species and hybrids.

A Red Data Book was published over 20 years ago but with all of the new

information available an up-date version is now considered overdue.

Vertebrates are also very thoroughly studied and it is generally possible to

give an account of the distribution and ecology for about 550 species

that includes all but the marine fish. There are organisations

dedicated to specific groups within the vertebrates which

has resulted in recent distribution maps, atlases and

updated red lists. There are repeat distribution and

abundance surveys in place for many of these groups

of species some of which are reviewed on a cyclic

basis.

It is notable that larger and more attractive

invertebrates have also received special attention.

The butterflies have been studied for many years but

this interest has now spread to the macro-moths and

is beginning to filter down to the micro-moths. This

means that 1,454 species in Order Lepidoptera are

receiving enough attention that distribution maps

and patterns of abundance can now be discerned.

Proportion of species known from Ireland divided into five major catagories

5

The 34 Irish species of dragonflies and damselflies (Order Odonata) have

also had maps produced and habitat information has been gathered.

The Mollusca have been a very collectable group for many years and

consequently there are good species lists for marine littoral, terrestrial, and

freshwater species. There are also atlases and on-going studies as well as

published Red Lists for the molluscs.

It is important to say that people studying all of the above taxa would point

out that their group of organisms is still under-studied and there is so much

more to do!

(b) Taxa for which there are species lists and a limited knowledge of their distribution, but little elseOrganisms in this category generally have species lists and publications

because they are championed by a small number of enthusiastic individuals,

often by amateur naturalists and sometimes by just one person. Some

of these groups contain thousands of species and this emphasises the

difference between our knowledge of these organisms in comparison with

the large, more appealing groups.

During the last 10 years things have been moving quite quickly for some of

these taxa, for example previously there were only species lists and vice-

county records for most of the lichens, bryophytes and spiders but due to

intensive efforts these organisms are probably now well enough known to

have Red Lists compiled.

The proportions of species by threat category for each of the taxonomic groups that have been Red Listed in Ireland using the IUCN methodology.

6

(c) Taxa for which even basic species lists are lackingIn common with most other countries there are some taxa that have hardly

been studied. The enormity of the task can be comprehended when the

algal list stands at 1,054 documented species but there is an estimated

3,000 to 5,000 species; or the fungal list that stands at 5,500 species but

there is an estimated 9,000 species. Invertebrate taxa are a huge mixture of

unrelated groups of animals, many of which haven’t been studied in Ireland

in recent times, if at all. This would be particularly true of marine animals

and some soil organisms. For example, the tiny nematode worms could

account for thousands of species.

Genetic diversity Ireland, being geographically isolated, is a candidate for genetic drift and the

evolution of unique subspecies and varieties. A few are already well known

but undoubteldly more will be described in the future. Talk about genetic

variety is regarded by some observers as premature when there are many

groups for which basic lists of species don’t exist.

Invasive speciesIreland with its low species diversity and empty niches is

particularly vulnerable to the arrival and the rapid, uncontrolled

spread of invasive species. The collection and collation of data

on such species is now routinely done and serves as an early

warning system to try and prevent further invasions. There is also

an issue around whether non-invasive alien species should be

regarded as contributing to biodiversity.

Concluding remarkIn any final analysis, it is important that the data collected is put to

good use. Making lists and producing reports is just a first step but action

is needed which results in the protection of habitats and species if Ireland’s

biodiversity is to be conserved.

Heliophilus species (L. Lysaght)

Habitats (non-marine)Dr Julie Fossitt | National Parks and Wildlife Service

Irish checklist: • Fossitt, J.A. (2000) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny.

• Habitats Directive Annex I habitats (1992; subsequent modifications).

See European Commission (2007) Interpretation manual of European Union

habitats EUR 27, European Commission, DG Environment.

Number of habitats:117 habitats at level 3 (Fossitt, 2000)

59 Annex I habitats in Ireland, 16 of which are or can be priority habitats.

Primary sources of habitat data: • See Appendix for a list of key surveys (note this is not an exhaustive list).

National conservation assessment: Assessment of Annex I habitats in Ireland: The state of EU protected habitats and

species in Ireland (2008) National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Other habitats have not been assessed at the national level.

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Annex I habitats are monitored by the National Parks

and Wildlife Service (see Appendix).

7

Top to bottom: Marram. Inis Oirr. (C. O’Rourke)Green alga. (C. O’Rourke)Kidney vetch (L. Lysaght)

8

Irish vegetation classification system: No complete Irish vegetation classification system.

Account of Irish vegetation types: White, J. & Doyle, G., 1982. The vegetation

of Ireland: a catalogue raisonnee. Studies on Irish Vegetation (ed. J. White), pp.

289–368. Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Eire.

Number of vegetation classes:Unknown

Primary sources of vegetation data: A National Vegetation Database is held by the National Biodiversity

Data Centre. This database contains collated information on

22,000+ relevés from the Republic of Ireland. Information

on the national vegetation database, including all data

sources is available at http://nationalvegetationdatabase.

biodiversityireland.ie

National conservation assessment: No

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:Annex I habitats are monitored by the National Parks and

Wildlife Service. For some of these habitats this includes sample

monitoring of vegetation

(see Appendix) The percentage distribution of relevés in the National Vegetation Database by broad habitat type (October

2010). Mixed relevé source refers to surveys that contain relevés from a range of habitat types.

VegetationDr Úna FitzPatrick | National Biodiversity Data Centre

Irish checklist: No complete Irish checklist.

• Legon, N.W., Henrici, A., Roberts, P.J., Spooner, B.M. & Watling, R., 2005.

Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Henderson, D.M., 2000. A Checklist of the Rust Fungi of the British Isles.

British Mycological Society, Cambridge, England, UK.

• Fox, H., 2001. Census catalogue of the lichenicolous fungi of Ireland

(~150 species). National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.

Number of fungi species:Approximately 5,500 known species (estimated at 9,000)

Primary sources of distribution data: There is no national fungal database, although there are many sources of

distribution data:

• The Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland (FRDBI) maintained

by the British Mycological Society, contains Irish records made by UK and

Irish recorders.

• National Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.

• Muskett & Malone (1978-1985) Catalogue of Irish fungi I-VI,

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy.

• The Northern Irish Fungus Group

(http://www.nifg.org.uk/species/atlas.htm)

• Outside the FRDBI, there are individuals with significant private databases

(more than 2000 records): M Cullen & H Fox (3,500+ records);

D. Mitchel (3,000+ records), R. McHugh (2,000+ records).

A bibliography of fungal work in Ireland was published in 2008: Mangan, A.,

2008. A bibliography of mycology and plant pathology in Ireland, 1976 to

2000. Glasra 4: 119 – 188.

FungiMaria Cullen1 & Howard Fox2 | University of Limerick1; National Botanic Gardens2

9

Top to bottom: Chanterelle mushroom (A. Malcolm)Boletus reticulatus (L. Lysaght)Bracket fungus (D. Heaphy)

Irish records from the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland (FRDBI)

are held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible

through Biodiversity Maps (http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie).


Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Edible and biodiversity plot studies

(Maria Cullen 2007-2009, University of Limerick).

• Waxcap surveys in counties W. Dongeal, W. Mayo, W. Cork & Clare

(David Mitchell 2006-2009).

10

Fly agaric (shutterstock.com)

LichensDr Mike Simms | National Museums Northern Ireland

Irish checklist: Seaward, M.R.D., 2010. Census Catalogue of Irish Lichens (3rd Edition).

National Museums Northern Ireland, Belfast.

Number of lichen species: 1,134

Primary sources of distribution data: A national database LichenIreland (2005-2010) has been compiled by the

Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) as part of a project

funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Northern Ireland

Environment Agency: http://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – Cladonia subgenus Clanina listed in EU Habitats Directive:

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats

and Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the Environment, Heritage and

Local Government, Dublin.

No National conservation assessment of other species

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:No

*Note – Lichens have been considered separately to other fungi.

11

Top to bottom:Pseudocyphellaria crocata (M. Simms)Woodland lichens (Shutterstock.com)Xanthoria candelaria (Shutterstock.com)

BryophytesNick Hodgetts1 & Dr Neil Lockhart2 | British Bryological Society1; National Parks and Wildlife Service2

Irish checklist: Hill, M.O., Blackstock, T.H., Long, D.G. & Rothero, G.P., 2008. A checklist and

census catalogue of British and Irish bryophytes updated 2008. Middlewich,

Cheshire: British Bryological Society.

Number of bryophyte species: 797 (inclusive of 13 probable alien species)

Primary sources of distribution data: A national database has been compiled by the National Parks and Wildlife

Service. It has been agreed that a copy of this database will be held by the

National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps

(http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie).

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Petalophyllum ralfsii, Leucobryum

glaucum, Sphagnum species, and Lycopodium (and related genera) are listed

in EU Habitats Directive: National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status

of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.

Lockhart, N.D., Hodgetts, N.G. and Holyoak, D.T. (in prep, due 2011) Rare and

Threatened Bryophytes of Ireland - including a Red List and catalogue of

Important Bryophyte Areas. National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:Rare & threatened bryophyte conservation and monitoring (2008-2011).

The moss species under investigation include Bryum uliginosum, Catoscopium

nigritum, Ditrichum cornubicum, Hamatocaulis vernicosus and Paludella

squarrosa. The liverwort species include Petalophyllum ralfsii, Cephaloziella

nicholsonii, Cephaloziella massalongi, Leiocolea gillmanii and Leiocolea rutheana

var. rutheana. This is collaborative project between NPWS Research, Botany

Department, Trinity College Dublin, and the National Botanic Gardens.12

Top to bottom: Sphagnum (shutterstock.com)Bryum sp. (C. Campbell)Sphagnum cf warnstorfii II (C. Campbell)

Irish checklist: No complete Irish checklist.

Of the 53 described classes of algae that potentially occur in Ireland, only 12

have been comprehensively checklisted, and these are mostly marine. The

desmids are the only freshwater group (part of the Zygnemophyceae) that has

been comprehensively catalogued.

National checklists are available for seaweeds (green algae belonging to

the Chlorophyceae, Bryopsidophyceae, Ulvophyceae, some Chlorophyceae,

some Trebouxiophyceae; red algae belonging to the Stylonematophyceae,

Compsopogonophyceae, Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae; and brown

algae belonging to the Phaeophyceae). A desmid list has been completed and

will be published shortly. A checklist of Characeae is available for the British

Isles.

• Bryant, J.A., Stewart, N.F. & Stace, C.A., 2002. A checklist of Characeae of

the British Isles. Watsonia 24: 203-208.

• Guiry, M.D., 1979. A consensus and bibliography of Irish Seaweeds.

Bibliotheca Phycologica 44: 1-287 [513 species].

• John, D.M., Williamson, D.M. & Guiry, M.D., in prep. A catalogue of the

desmids (Streptophycophyta, Zygnematophyceae, Zygnematales) of

Ireland. Occasional Papers from the National Botanical Gardens [541 species]

Number of algal species: 1,079 known species (estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000)

Class Phylum No. of species Literature sources

Cyanophyceae Cyanophycophyta 26 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Characeae Charophyta 25 Stewart & Church 1992

Xanthophyceae Heterokontophycophyta 10 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Phaeophyceae Heterokontophycophyta 147 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Compsopogonophyceae Rhodophycophyta 8 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Bangiophyceae Rhodophycophyta 6 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Florideophyceae Rhodophycophyta 230 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Ulvophyceae Chlorophycophyta 15 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Trebouxiophyceae Chlorophycophyta 3 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Chlorophyceae Chlorophycophyta 58 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Bryopsidophyceae Chlorophycophyta 10 Guiry 1979 (marine only)

Zygnematophyceae Streptophycophyta 541 John, Williamson & Guiry in prep.

Total 1,079

AlgaeProf Michael D. Guiry | NUI Galway

13

Top to bottom: Ascophyllum nodosum, a keystone species in the west of Ireland (M. Guiry)Fucus vesiculosus. Carraroe, Co. Galway (M. Guiry)

14

Estimated species diversity of Irish algae

Primary sources of distribution data: • A national database of seaweeds in Ireland has been established by NUI

Galway in collaboration with the British Phycological Society.

• John, D.M., Williamson, D.M. & Guiry, M.D., in prep. A catalogue of the

desmids (Streptophycophyta, Zygnematophyceae, Zygnematales) of

Ireland. Occasional Papers from the National Botanical Gardens.

A copy of the national database of seaweeds in Ireland is held by the

National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity

Maps (http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie).

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – Lithothamnion corallioides and Phymatolithon

calcareum listed in EU Habitats Directive: National Parks and Wildlife Service,

2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. NPWS,

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.

Ireland Red List: Red, green and brown Seaweeds (in prep, due 2011)

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage

and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

Stewart, N.F. & Church, J.M.1992. Red Data Books of Britain

and Ireland: Stoneworts. The Joint Nature Conservation

Committee, Peterborough, UK.


15

Vascular plantsDr Matthew Jebb | National Botanic Gardens

Irish checklist: Checklist developed by the National Botanic Gardens and published on its

website at http://www.botanicgardens.ie/herb/census/lists.htm

Number of vascular plant species: 2,328

Primary sources of distribution data: • Botanical Society of the British Isles: hectad and tetrad databases:

http://www.bsbimaps.org.uk/atlas/main.php

• National Botanic Gardens: herbarium & research databases

• National Biodiversity Data Centre: plant data held within the

National Vegetation Database

• National Parks and Wildlife Service:

rare and threatened plant database

• Environmental Protection Agency:

Q value database & funded research

Data is currently being centrally collated by the National Biodiversity

Data Centre.

National conservation assessment: • Article 17 reporting – 3 species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National

Parks and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats and

Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the Environment, Heritage and


• T.G.F. Curtis and H.N. McGough, 1988. The Irish Red Data Book: 1.

Vascular Plants. Wildlife Service Ireland, The Stationery Office, Dublin.

Top to bottom: Marsh orchid (L. Lysaght)Bluebell (L. Lysaght)Dandelion (L. Lysaght)

16

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Rare plant surveys (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1990s, 2000s)

• BSBI Local Change Project: 1987-1988 (Rich, T.C.G., Beesley, S. &

Goodwillie, R. 2001. Changes in the vascular plant flora of Ireland between

pre-1960 and 1987-1988: the BSBI Monitoring Scheme. Irish Naturalists’

Journal 26: 333-350). 264 systematically selected tetrads were surveyed

in Ireland in 1987-88. This survey has not been repeated since.

The number of native and alien vascular plant species in Ireland.*Apomictic species reproduce asexually, and while they maintain distinctions from other apomicts, will have smaller differences than is normal between species of most genera (e.g. Rubus species). Archeophytes are alien species that became established in Ireland

before ad 1500, whereas neophytes were introduced post this date.

Top to bottom: Blackthorn in flower (L. Lysaght)Navelwort (L. Lysaght)

17

Non-insect invertebratesProf Tom Bolger1, Dr Brendan O’Connor2, Dr Bernard Picton3, & Dr Eugenie Regan4

University College Dublin1; AQUAFACT International Services Ltd.2; National Museums Northern Ireland3; National Biodiversity Data Centre4

Irish checklistsPhyla present in Ireland

Class No. of species (Ferriss et al. 2009)

Published Irish checklists

Protozoa Unknown

Myxozoa Unknown

Porifera (sponges) 290

Cnidaria (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals)

302 Stephens, 1905; Jeal & West, 1970†

Ctenophora 3 Stephens, 1905

Mesozoa Unknown

Platyhelminthes (flatworms)

Turbellaria 130 Southern, 1936

Trematoda 85 Holland and Kennedy, 1997†

Monogenea 30 Holland and Kennedy, 1997†

Cestoda 55 Holland and Kennedy, 1997†

Gnathostomulida (jaw worms)

Unknown

Gastrotricha (hairy backs)

6

Rotifera 306 Horkan, 1981

Kinorhyncha 5

Acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms)

14

Entoprocta 4

Nematoda (roundworms)

172

Nemertea (ribbon worms)

40

Nematomorpha (horsehair worms)

3

Bryozoa 206 Smyth, 1994†

Phoronida 1-3

Brachipoda (lampshells)

14

Mollusca 1,088 Nunn et al., 2002; Anderson, 2005

Priapulida 1

Sipuncula (peanut worms)

23

Echiura 7

Top to bottom: Common snail (L. Lysaght)Moon jellyfish (shutterstock.com)The by-the-wind-sailor (Tom Doyle)

18

Phyla present in Ireland

Class No. of species (Ferriss et al. 2009)

Published Irish checklists

Annelida Polychaeta 404

Aphanoneura 2

Oligochaeta 179 Cotton, 1978; Trodd et al., 2005†

Hirudinea 32

Tardigrada 42

Pogonophora 1

Arthropoda Subphylum ChelicerataArachnidaPycnogonida

1,10920

Van Helsdingen, 1996; Legg & O’Connor, 1997; Luxton, 1998; Kelly et al., 2001; Cawley, 2002; Baker & Bayliss, 2005

Subphylum Crustacea 3,000**

Subphylum MyriapodaDiplopoda Chilopoda Symphyla

41283 Foster, 1915

Subphylum HexapodaCollembolaProturaDipluraInsecta*

20154

Bolger, 1986; Blackith & Good, 1991

Echinodermata 192 Nichols, 1902

Chaetognatha (arrow worms)

15

Hemichordata (acorn worms)

3

Rossia macrosoma (B. Picton)

*Dealt with in separate section, **3,000 species of crustaceans have been

recorded in Ireland to date with an estimated total of 6,000 species

(Mark Holmes, pers. comm.), †Only partial checklists for

these groups.

Note: InvertebrateIreland

(www. habitas.org.uk/invertebrateireland/)

aims to put online all checklists of Irish invertebrates

compiled by acknowledged experts.

19

Top to bottom: Flatworm (J. Breen)Lithobius pilicornis (T. Barber)Spider (L. Lysaght)

Non-insect invertebrates

Number of non-insect invertebrate species: 8,000+

Primary sources of distribution data: Arachnids: The Gibson Spider Collection*Arachnids: The County Distribution of Irish Spiders (Van Helsdingen, 1996)

Arachnids: Harvestmen of Ireland*Arachnids: Pseudoscorpions of Ireland*Bryozoa: Freshwater Bryozoa (Smyth, 1994)

Bryozoa: Marine Bryozoa (Wyse Jackson, 1991)

Centipedes of Ireland*Corals (Deegan, 2004)

Crustacea: records held by Mark Holmes, Natural History Museum, Dublin

Crustacea: Asellota (Isopoda)(Kavanagh, 2009)

Crustacea: Lobster (Tully et al., 2006)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Crustacea: Brown crab (Tully et al., 2006)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Crustacea: Clawed lobster (Nolan, 2004)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Crustacea: Shrimp (Kelly et al., 2008)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Crustacea: Nephrops under water TV surveys (Marine Institute)

Flatworms: Planarians (Anderson, 1986)

Irish New Zealand Flatworm Database*Jellyfish: EcoJel Project (UCC)

Lice: Butler & O’Connor, 1994

Marine flora and fauna (Howson & Picton, 1999)

Mollusca: Marine molluscs (Conchological Society of

Great Britain and Ireland)

Mollusca: All-Ireland non-Marine Molluscan Database*Mollusca: Scallops (Tully, 2006)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Mollusca: Cockle (Hervas et al., 2008)(Bord Iascaigh Mhara)

Mollusca: Cephalopods (Lordan et al., 2001) (Marine Institute)

Millipedes of Ireland*Nematoda: Brown et al., 1977

Oligochaetes: Earthworms of Ireland Database*Oligochaetes: Freshwater Oligochaeta (Trodd et al., 2005)

20

Sponges of Rathlin Island*Ticks: Martyn, 1988

Woodlice (Doogue & Harding, 1982)

*Databases held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made

accessible through Biodiversity Maps.

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – seven species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National




Byrne, A., Moorkens, E.A., Anderson, R., Kileen, I.J.

and Regan, E.C., 2009. Ireland Red List No. 2 – Non-Marine Molluscs.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage

and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

No national conservation assessment of other species

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:The seven non insect invertebrates

listed in the EU Habitats Directive

are monitored by the National Parks

and Wildlife Service: Austropotamobius

pallipes, Geomaculosus maculosus,

Margaritifera margaritifera, M. durrovensis,

Vertigo angustior, V. geyeri, and V. Moulinsiana. Species richness of Irish non-insect invertebrates

21

InsectsProf Tom Bolger1, Dr Maria Callanan1, Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn1, Dr Brian Nelson2, & Dr Eugenie Regan3

University College Dublin1; National Parks and Wildlife Service2; National Biodiversity Data Centre3

Top to bottom: Large carder bee (John Breen)Chafer beetle (L. Lysaght)Common blue damselfly (L. Lysaght)

Irish checklists: All Irish insects either have, or are currently being checklisted.

Order No. of species Literature source

Archaeognatha 4 Delany, 1954

Coleoptera 2,154 Anderson et al., 1997; 2005

Dermaptera 3 Good, 1979; Cawley, 1999

Diptera 3,313 Chandler et al,.2008

Ephemeroptera 33 Kelly-Quinn and Bracken, 2000; Ashe et al., 1998; 2005

Hemiptera 770 O’Connor and Nelson, in press

Hymenoptera 3,194 O’Connor et al., 2009

Lepidoptera 1,454 Bond et al., 2006; Bond et al., 2008

Mecoptera 1 King and Halbert, 1910

Megaloptera 2 Ashe et al., 1998

Neuroptera 32 Barnard et al., 1991; O’Connor, 2003

Odonata 34 Ashe et al., 2005

Orthoptera 12 Marshall and Haes, 1988; Cawley, 2005

Phthiraptera 117 Butler and O’Connor, 1994; Doyle et al., 2004; O’Connor, 2005; O’Connor et al., 2005

Plecoptera 20 Ashe et al., 1998

Psocoptera 46 Smithers et al., 2000

Siphonaptera 40 Smiddy and Sleeman, 1993; Sleeman and Smiddy, 1994; Sleeman et al., 1996

Strepsiptera 4 Ronayne and O’Connor, 2006; O’Connor and Ronayne, 2007

Thysanoptera 40 O’Connor, 2008

Thysanura 2 Delany, 1954

Trichoptera 147 Ashe et al., 2005

Note: InvertebrateIreland (www. habitas.org.uk/invertebrateireland/) aims

to put online all checklists of Irish invertebrates compiled by acknowledged

experts.

Number of insect species: 11,422+ (Regan et al., 2010)

*Databases held by the National

Biodiversity Data Centre and made

accessible through Biodiversity Maps


22

Primary sources of distribution data: Beetles: Chrysomelidae and Bruchidae (accessible through NBN Gateway )

Beetles: Click Beetles (records held by Howard Mendel)

Beetles: Ground Beetles of Ireland (CEDaR)

Beetles: Ladybirds of Ireland (CEDaR)

Beetles: Steninae (records held by Jonty Denton)

Beetles: Water Beetles of Ireland*Beetles: Weevils (records held by Mike Morris)

Butterflies: Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme*Butterflies: Butterflies of County Waterford*Butterflies: Irish Wood White Database*Butterflies: Butterfly Ireland survey, Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club

Dragonfly Ireland*Ephemeroptera of Ireland*Fleas of Ireland*Flies: Anisopodidae and Thaumaleidae (Diptera: Nematocera) of Ireland*Flies: Chironomids (records held by Declan Murray)

Flies: Craneflies of Ireland*Flies: Dixidae (Diptera) of Ireland*Flies: Hoverflies (records held by Martin Speight)

Flies: Mosquitoes of Ireland*Flies: Non-biting midges (records held by Peter Langton)

Flies: Biting midges (Blue Tongue Vector Surveillance Programme)

Flies: Simulidae (Tierney et al., 2005)

Hemiptera: Heteroptera (records held by Brian Nelson)

Hymenoptera: Bees of Ireland*Hymenoptera: Braconidae (O’Connor et al., 1999)

Hymenoptera: BWARS database

Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea (O’Connor et al., 2000)

Hymenoptera: Diapriinae (O’Connor and Ashe, 1992)

Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae (O’Connor et al., 2007)

Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea and Proctotrupoidea (O’Connor et al., 2004)

Hymenoptera: Sawflies (O’Connor et al., 1997)

Microlepidoptera, National Museum of Ireland*MothsIreland

Neuroptera of Ireland*Thrips (O’Connor, 2008)

23

Irish insect species diversity

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – 1 species (Marsh fritillary) listed in EU Habitats

Directive: National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU

Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.

• FitzPatrick, Ú., Murray, T.E., Byrne, A., Paxton, R.J. and Brown, M.J.F., 2006.

Regional Red List of Irish Bees. National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)

& Environment & Heritage Service (Northern Ireland).

• Foster, G. N., Nelson, B. H. and O Connor, Á., 2009. Ireland Red List No.

1 – Water beetles. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of

Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

• Regan, E.C., Nelson, B., Aldwell, B., Bertrand, C., Bond,

K., Harding, J., Nash, D., Nixon, D., Wilson, C.J., 2010.

Ireland Red List No. 4 – Butterflies. National Parks

and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment,

Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

• A regional red list for dragonflies is in preparation.

• No National conservation assessment

of other species

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme

(National Biodiversity Data Centre:

http://irishbutterflymonitoringscheme.biodiversityireland.ie)

• Water Framework Monitoring Programme

(EPA, includes freshwater invertebrates but is not species specific)

• Rothamsted Light Trap Network (Moths): currently 4 sites (Dublin Zoo,

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Fota Wildlife Park and Connemara National Park)

• Monitoring of pests in forests (Forest Service)

Insects

24

Irish checklist: No

Number of species of tunicates and lancelets:Tunicates (Urochordata) = 72, Lancelets (Cephalachordata) = 1

(Ferriss et al. 2009)

Primary sources of distribution data: There is no national tunicates and lancelets database.



Tunicates & lanceletsDr Eugenie Regan | National Biodiversity Data Centre

Top to bottom: Blue bell tunicates (Shutterstock.com)Filter feeding tunicates (Shutterstock.com)Tunicates (Shutterstock.com)

25

Irish checklist: No Irish specific-species checklist published since Went & Kennedy (1976).

General reviews by Wheeler (1992); Quigley (1996 & 2000), Purcell (1996),

Wheeler et al. (2004), Ferriss et al. (2009).

Updated draft List of Irish Marine Fishes (Quigley 2010, 563 species).

Number of species of marine fishes:563+ (a complete checklist is being prepared by D. Quigley and will be

available in 2011)

• 245 species inshore (<200m depth) (130 exclusively inshore)

• 435 species offshore (>200m depth) (321 exclusively offshore)

Primary sources of distribution data: • Comprehensive records held by Declan Quigley for 142+ species

(majority published in the Irish Naturalists Journal 1984-2010)

• Marine Institute: Acoustic Surveys, Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg

Surveys, Deepwater Survey, Biological Survey, Anglerfish Survey,

Irish Groundfish Survey

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara: Bluefin Tuna tagging (Cosgrove et al. 2008)

• Database of Elasmobranchs in Irish waters (National Biodiversity Data Centre)

• Inland Fisheries Ireland: Water Framework Directive Database - fish in

transitional waters (estuaries and lagoons), Marine Sports Fish Tagging

Database (elasmobranchs – shark, tope, monkfish, common skate and ray)

The database of Elasmobranchs in Irish waters is held by the National

Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps.

Marine fishesDeclan Quigley | Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, Howth, Co Dublin

Top to bottom: Black goby (Shutterstock.com)Lesser spotted dogfish (Shutterstock.com)Mackerel school (Shutterstock.com)

26

National conservation assessment: Commercial species: Fisheries Science Service 2010. The Stock Book: Annual

Review of Fish Stocks in 2010 with management advice for 2011. Marine

Institute Galway.

King, J., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Roche, W. & Cassidy, D. 2011

Ireland Red List No. 5: Freshwater fish, amphibians and reptiles. National

Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and

Local Government, Dublin, Ireland (includes fish in transitional waters).

No National conservation assessment of other species.

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:Commercial species: Fisheries Science Service. 2010.

The Stock Book: Annual Review of Fish Stocks in

2010 with management advice for 2011.

Marine Institute Galway.

Fish in transitional waters are monitored

through the Water Framework Directive Fish

Monitoring Programme, approx 65 species

(Inland Fisheries Ireland).

Irish marine fishes species diversity

27

Irish checklist: Went & Kennedy (1976) and Maitland and Campbell (1992).

Number of species of freshwater fish: 29

Primary sources of distribution data: • Water Framework Directive Database http://www.wfdfish.ie/

• Inland Fisheries Ireland http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/

• National Database of freshwater fish in Irish rivers

• National Database of freshwater fish in Irish lakes*• Eel Database

• Sea Trout Database

• National Salmon Tagging Database

• Ireland’s Specimen Fish Database

• Database held by the Irish Char Conservation Group* • Databases held by Irish angling groups

*Databases held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible

through Biodiversity Maps (http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie).

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – 8 species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National Parks

and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats and Species

in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government, Dublin.

King, J., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Roche, W. & Cassidy, D. 2011

Ireland Red List No. 5: Fish, amphibians and reptiles. National Parks

and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government, Dublin, Ireland.

Freshwater fishesDr Fiona Kelly | Inland Fisheries Ireland

Top to bottom: Bream (Inland Fisheries Ireland)Brown trout (Inland Fisheries Ireland)Pike (Shutterstock.com)

28

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Water Framework Directive Fish Monitoring Programme

(Inland Fisheries Ireland)

• National Lamprey Monitoring Programme 2003 – 2010

(Inland Fisheries Ireland)

• National Monitoring Programme for Arctic Char (Inland Fisheries Ireland)

• National Eel Monitoring Programme (Inland Fisheries Ireland have

responsibility for the programme but the Marine Institute and other

organisations are inputting data)

Connemara (Steve Waldren)

29

Amphibians & reptilesDr Ferdia Marnell | National Parks and Wildlife Service

Top to bottom: Leatherback nesting in French Guiana (T. Doyle)Smooth newt (L. Lysaght)Common frog (J. Dunleavy)

Irish checklist: No up to date checklist, but a recent list of known Irish amphibians and

reptiles in:

King, J., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Roche, W. & Cassidy, D. 2011.

Ireland Red List No. 5: Fish, amphibians and reptiles. National Parks and

Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local


Number of amphibian and reptile species:6 (5 native: Common frog, Natterjack toad, Smooth newt, Viviparous lizard,

Leatherback turtle; one non-native species: Slow-worm)

Primary sources of distribution data: • National Parks and Wildlife Service: threatened species database

• National Lizard Survey (Irish Wildlife Trust)

• Irish Frog Survey (Irish Peatland Conservation Council)

• CEDaR datasets

• Marine Turtles in Irish Waters database (G. King & S. Berrow)

• Marine Turtle database held by the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre

A copy of the Marine Turtles in Irish Waters database is held by the National

Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps





Government, Dublin.

30

Viviparous lizard (Shutterstock.com)

King, J., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Roche, W. & Cassidy, D. 2011.

Ireland Red List No. 5: Fish, amphibians and reptiles. National Parks

and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local


Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• National frog survey - underway

(National Parks and Wildlife Service)

• Natterjack toad monitoring programme


31

BirdsStephen Newton | BirdWatch Ireland

Irish checklist: Irish Rare Birds Committee – The Irish List (31st December 2008)

http://www.irbc.ie/topbar/categories.php

Number of resident and regular visiting bird species: 457

Primary sources of distribution data: • Bird Atlas 2007-11 (http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/)

• Atlas of Breeding Birds of Britain & Ireland: 1968-72* • Atlas of Wintering Birds of Britain & Ireland: 1981/82 – 1983/84* • Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Britain & Ireland: 1988-91* • BirdTrack( http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/)

• Countryside Bird Survey

• Irish Wetland Birds Survey **

*Copies of these databases are held by the National Biodiversity

Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps

(http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie). ** IWEBS data from

1994-2001 is accessible through Biodiversity Maps.

National conservation assessment: • Lynas, P., Newton, S.F. & Robinson, J.A., 2007.

The status of birds in Ireland: an analysis of

conservation concern 2008-2013. Irish Birds

8(2) 149-166.

• Newton, S., Donaghy, A., Allen, D. & D.

Gibbons., 1999. Birds of Conservation Concern

in Ireland. Irish Birds 6(3) 333-344.The Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland. Red List

species are of high conservation concern and Amber List species are of medium conservation concern.

Hen harrier (Shutterstock.com)

32

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Countryside Birds Survey (annual)

• Garden Bird Survey (annual)

• Irish Wetland Birds Survey (annual)

• Whooper & Bewick’s Swans (every 5 years, latest January 2010)

• Barnacle Geese (every 5 years, latest March 2008)

• Light-bellied Brent Geese (annual)

• Non-Estuarine Coastal Waterfowl Survey (NEWS, every 9 years, latest 2006-07)

• Common Scoter (breeding, not on regular cycle; overdue)

• Corncrake (annual)

• Twite (ongoing research & population monitoring)

• Chough (every 10 years, latest 2002-03)

• Machair Breeding Waders

• Shannon Callows Breeding Waders

• Lambay Ornithological Survey

(annual; includes full seabird census every 5 years, latest 2009)

• Breeding Cormorants

(sporadic, latest 2010; east coast colonies counted annually)

• Breeding Terns (national every 10 years, last 1995, overdue)

• Roseate Terns (breeding, annual)

• Little Terns (breeding, east coast only, annual)

• Breeding Seabirds

(full national, every 15 years: 1969-70, 1985-87, 1998-2002)

• Upland Birds 2002-2004 (Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel)

• Red Grouse 2005 (pilot), 2007-2009 (national)

• Waterways Birds (including Kingfisher) 2006-2010

• Dipper (long-term monitoring in Cork & Laois-Offaly)

• Irish Rare Breeding Birds (annual assessments published by the panel)

• Grey Herons (& Little Egrets: done historically, to be re-launched soon)

• Barn Owl (ongoing research & population monitoring)

• Peregrine (every 10 years, latest 2002

• Hen Harrier (every 5 years, latest 2010)

• National Raptor Monitoring Scheme (in development, pilot underway)

Hen harrier (Shutterstock.com)

Great tit (L. Lysaght)

33

Land mammalsDr Paddy Sleaman | University College Cork

Irish checklist: No up to date checklist, but a recent list of known Irish mammals in:

Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D., 2009. Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial

Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment,


Number of land mammal species: 25

Primary sources of distribution data: • Data is currently being collated and consolidated by the National

Biodiversity Data Centre as part of the Atlas of Mammals in Ireland initiative.

• Road Kill Survey (Biology.ie http://www.biology.ie/home.php?m=npws)

• Badger sett database (Wildlife Unit of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food)

A subcomponent of the badger sett database is held by the National Biodiversity

Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps (http://maps.

biodiversityireland.ie).

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – 3 species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National Parks and

Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland.

NPWS, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.

Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D., 2009. Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial

Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment,


Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• National Otter Survey (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

• National Pine Marten Survey (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

• National Hare Survey (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

• Ongoing Badger Sett Surveys (Wildlife Unit of Department of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Food)

Top to bottom: Red fox (Shutterstock)Feral goat (L. Lysaght)Irish hare (E.W. Delaney)

34

Irish checklist: No up to date checklist, but a recent list of known Irish bats in:

Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D., 2009. Ireland Red List No. 3:

Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

Number of bat species:9

Primary sources of distribution data: • A National Bat Database is compiled and managed by BCIreland (this will

include data from the BATLAS 2010 project).

A copy of the National Bat Database is held by the National Biodiversity

Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps (http://maps.

biodiversityireland.ie).




Government, Dublin.

Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D., 2009. Ireland Red List No. 3:

Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• National Lesser Horseshoe Bat Monitoring Programme


• All-Ireland Car-based Monitoring Programme (BCIreland)

• All-Ireland Daubenton’s Bat Waterways Survey (BCIreland)

• Brown Long-eared Bat Roost Monitoring (currently ROI only, BCIreland)

BatsDr Niamh Roche1, Daniel Buckley2, & Dr Kate McAney3 Bat Conservation Ireland (BCIreland)1; Centre for Irish Bat Research2; Vincent Wildlife Trust3

Top to bottom: Brown long-eared bat (E.W. Delaney)Daubenton’s bat (F. Greenaway)Leisler’s bat (D. Heaphy)

35

Marine mammalsDr Simon Berrow | Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG)

Irish checklist: No up to date checklist, but a recent list of all known Irish marine mammals in:

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2008. The status of EU Protected Habitats

and Species in Ireland. NPWS, Department of the Environment, Heritage and


Number of marine mammal species:24 cetaceans + 2 seals

Primary sources of distribution data: • Irish Whale and Dolphin Group: cetaceans

• European Seabirds at Sea (maintained by the Joint Nature

Conservation Committee): seals and cetaceans

• The Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, Cork: seals and cetaceans

• National Parks and Wildlife Service: seal data

An All-Ireland Marine Mammals Database is compiled and managed by the

National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity

Maps (http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie).

National conservation assessment: Article 17 reporting – all 26 species listed in EU Habitats Directive: National




Monitoring or repeat surveys in place:• Land-based monitoring (IWDG under contract to the National Parks

and Wildlife Service)

• Seal counts (NPWS rangers)

• Ferry Surveys (IWDG)

Top to bottom: Bottlenosed dolphin (S. Berrow)Grey seal pup (E.W. Delaney)Humpback whale (P. Whooley)

36

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Anderson, R., Nash, R. and O’Connor, J.P. 2005 Checklist of Irish Coleoptera. InvertebrateIreland Online, Ulster Museum, Belfast and National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.

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Appendix

NPWS Datasets Dates Scope/purpose of dataset

Coastal Monitoring Project 2004-2006Comprehensive baseline monitoring survey of Irish sand dune sites (10 Annex I coastal habitats) – 181 sites

Lagoon Surveys and Database 1996-2006Comprehensive national inventory and survey of 80 lagoon sites

Saltmarsh Monitoring Project 2006-2009Baseline monitoring survey of a representative sample of Irish saltmarshes (5 Annex I habitats) – 131 sites

National Seacliff Inventory 2005Desk study which identified ~140 ‘potential coastal heath and cliff sites’

National Seacliff Survey 2009-ongoing Baseline monitoring survey of Irish seacliffs (1 Annex I habitat)

National Shingle Beach Survey 1999Inventory survey of shingle beach sites and their conservation value

Survey of intertidal mudflats and sandflats 2006-2007Detailed survey of sedimentary and biological facies in representative sites

National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2007Extensive inventory and survey of 1320 woodland sites (1667 relevés) in Ireland (4 Annex I habitats). New woodland classification

National Fen Database – review of available data on springs, fens and flushes

Up to 2006To consolidate information on the extent and conservation status of Irish springs, fens and flushes based on existing information held by NPWS and other interested parties

Petrifying springs 2010-2013 Survey and conservation assessment of petrifying springs (PhD)

Grassland Monitoring Project – sample of Annex I priority habitats

2006Grassland monitoring of a representative sample of the Annex I priority habitats: 6230 (Species-rich Nardus grasslands) and 6210 (Semi-natural dry grasslands) in Natura 2000 sites

Irish Semi-natural Grassland Survey 2007-ongoing

Survey of semi-natural grasslands and marsh communities in Roscommon, Offaly (2007); Cork, Waterford (2008); Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Longford (2009) [2143 relevés from 580 sites in 8 counties]; Donegal, Sligo, Dublin and Kildare (2010) (6 Annex I habitats). Scheduled to extend to additional counties

Metalliferous Mine Waste Survey 2008Survey of metalliferous mine waste sites in Ireland which hold areas of the Annex I habitat 6130 (Calaminarian grassland)

National Limestone Pavement Survey 2008-ongoingSurvey and mapping of the range, extent and condition of limestone pavement in Ireland

Consolidated Turlough Dataset Up to 2008Documenting the distribution of the national turlough resource – consolidation of existing data

Primary data sources for non-marine habitats(J. Fossitt, 2010)

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NPWS Datasets Dates Scope/purpose of dataset

Integrated Turlough Study 2006-ongoingMultidisciplinary project (TCD) integrating hydrological, biological and chemical nutrient data from 22 selected turloughs

Turf Cutting Assessment Projects (raised bogs) 1994-2006Raised bog restoration/assessment of impacts of turf cutting on designated raised bog sites

Raised Bog Monitoring Project 2004-2005 Monitoring survey of 48 raised bog sites

National Survey of Upland Habitats (12-15 upland habitat complexes)

2008-ongoingBaseline monitoring survey of Irish upland habitats (over 150m altitude and other continuous open land) (10 Annex I habitats; 12-15 upland complexes)

Commonage Datasets OngoingData on the condition of lands in commonages. Habitat mosaics are identified within condition assessment units

Conservation Planning Habitat Maps for Natura 2000 sites 1995-ongoing Habitat data for conservation planning of SACs / SPAs

Conservation Assessments Data 2007

Datasets used for the 2007 Conservation Assessment under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, with habitats mapped at 10km grid square level. Data derived from sources varying in quality and currency, and include best expert judgment where necessary. Full details are available in the backing documents which accompany the datasets

Local Authorities / Heritage or Biodiversity Plans

Hedgerow surveys (sample surveys of 1km grid squares in the south-west corner of each 10km grid square)

Westmeath, Roscommon, Laois, Offaly, Longford, Kildare, Cavan, Leitrim, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, Sligo, Dublin (Fingal, Dublin City) – for links to reports see www.hedgelaying.ie

Whole county surveys of selected habitats or featuresMonaghan Fen/Wetland Survey; Sligo Wetlands; Waterford Wetlands (20 sites); Westmeath Fen Survey; Clare Wetlands (Phase 1); Meath Wetlands and Coastal Survey; Laois Eskers; Offaly Eskers …

Part county/city habitat mapping – baseline information, Development Plan and Local Area Plan areas

Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Dun-Laoighre-Rathdown, Galway City, Fingal, Kerry, Laois, Sligo …

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Other sectors (sample)

EPA

Lakes/rivers datasetsPilot survey to establish suitability of a rules-based feature extraction and classification processing methods to provide a habitat mapping solution for a study area (Clare/Galway) in Ireland

Bord na MónaHabitat surveys of all Bord na Móna lands (ongoing); exploited bog areas

CoillteBiodiversity surveys of Coillte lands; conifer plantations, other woodlands and open lands

Forest Service (DAFF) FIPS (Forest Inventory Planning System) – all forested areas. Forest07

Environmental assessments

Environmental assessments (no central repository/database)

EISs and supporting reports (e.g. Constraints and Route Section Reports for major road schemes)Appropriate assessmentsStrategic Environmental Assessments

Other Sources

CORINE landcover/biotopesCORINE Land Cover (CLC) 1990; CLC2000; CLC2006Based on satellite imagery and standardized nomenclature. Repeat surveys but minimum mapping unit of 25ha

Teagasc National Landcover Map and National Habitat Indicator Map

BOGLAND Research Programme – UCD under funding from EPA Derived Irish Peatland Map (Version 2)

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Notes:

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