NCI 2024
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    Ireland, officially known as the Republic of Ireland, is an island nation located in the North Atlantic, west of Great Britain. It occupies most of the island of Ireland, sharing a border to the north with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The country covers an area of approximately 70,273 km² (27,133 mi²).

    The landscape of Ireland is diverse, featuring coastal cliffs such as the Cliffs of Moher, mountain ranges like the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, and expansive boglands. The River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, flows south through the central lowlands, providing a vital waterway for the country’s ecosystem. Its rich biodiversity includes a variety of flora and fauna. The country’s mild climate and varied habitats support species such as red deer, pine martens, and a wide range of bird species. The Atlantic coast is home to marine life, including dolphins, seals, and numerous fish species.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 56.8 70 N/A
    Land Management 45 139 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 47 122 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 58 79 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 25 165 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 8 69 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 33 111 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 44 75 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 56 142 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 89 71 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 48 101 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 82 105 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 48 22 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries 0 39 N/A
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 62 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 40 172 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 75 13 N/A
    Total Management Cost 95 97 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 46 75 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 53 37 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 70 3 N/A
    Control of Corruption 84 11 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 80 13 N/A
    Future Trends 51 38 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 51 38 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Several key general threats to biodiversity have been identified, including direct damage such as peat cutting, drainage, and the construction of buildings and infrastructure, as well as the reclamation of wetlands like bogs and fens, and the extraction of sand and gravel. Over-grazing and under-grazing of grasslands, peatlands, and coastal habitats also pose significant risks, alongside pollution of both surface water and groundwater by nutrients or silt. Unsustainable exploitation of water, sand, peat, fish, and other natural resources exacerbates these threats, while invasion by alien species of plants and animals further compounds the challenges faced. Additionally, recreational pressure in previously undisturbed areas adds to the strain on biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive conservation measures to mitigate these threats and protect ecosystems for future generations.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     To safeguard its natural heritage, Ireland has established a comprehensive network of protected areas, comprising more than 913 sites. These include 309 sites designated under national laws, such as National Parks and Natural Heritage Areas, as well as 604 sites recognized as Natura 2000 sites, forming part of a broader European Union-wide network of protected areas. Ireland’s protected areas span a diverse range of habitats, encompassing raised bogs and blanket bogs, which are unique wetland ecosystems supporting specialized plant and animal life. Additionally, the network includes turloughs, seasonal lakes crucial for breeding migratory birds, sand dunes and machair, coastal habitats boasting rare plant communities, as well as heaths, lakes, rivers, and woodlands, each providing vital habitats for distinct flora and fauna.

    Capacity and Governance

     Funding programs and incentives in Ireland encompass various initiatives such as the natural heritage sub-program, the water services sub-program, rural development program, rural environment protection scheme, forest environment protection scheme, agricultural incentives, forestry incentives, and the Biodiversity Fund. The principal national legislation for wildlife protection in Ireland is the Wildlife Act (1976), which includes provisions for designating Statutory Nature Reserves, Refuges for Fauna and Wildfowl Sanctuaries, and safeguarding listed plant species under the Flora Protection Order (1999). Presently, the Act extends protected status to all bird species, 22 other animal species or groups, and 86 species of flora.

    Future Trends

     The future biodiversity plan of Ireland is an important initiative aimed at preserving and protecting the country’s rich and diverse wildlife. The plan is being developed with the goal of creating a sustainable and resilient environment that supports healthy ecosystems and promotes the well-being of both humans and wildlife. The plan will focus on a range of measures, including habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and the promotion of sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.


    Biodiversity

    Ireland’s biodiversity is rich and varied, encompassing a range of habitats from coastal regions and wetlands to forests and grasslands. The island is home to diverse flora and fauna, many unique to its specific climate and geographical conditions. Coastal areas feature significant populations of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and gannets, while the marine environment supports seals, dolphins, and a variety of fish species. Inland, Ireland’s rivers and lakes are habitats for species like salmon, trout, and otters. The bogs and peatlands, characteristic of the Irish landscape, host specialized plants such as sundews, bog cotton, heathers, and various invertebrates.

    Though largely reduced from their original extent, Ireland’s woodlands still provide crucial habitats for numerous species. Native trees like oak, ash, and birch support a range of wildlife, including red squirrels, badgers, and bird species like the woodcock and treecreeper. Hedgerows, a distinctive feature of the Irish countryside, act as important corridors for wildlife, allowing safe passage and foraging opportunities for small mammals, birds, and insects.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Ireland only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 53 (#161) 5 9.4%
    Birds 209 (#167) 9 4.3%
    Reptiles 20 (#158) 1 5.0%
    Amphibians 3 (#175)
    Fishes 402 (#136) 46 11.4% 3 0.7%
    Plants 3,815 (#91) 3 0.1% 20 0.5%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Ireland

    The "Emerald Isle" of Europe

    Score:

    56.8 / 100

    Rank:

    70 / 180