Natura 2000 sites Suzanne Nally NPWS DAHG Suzanne Nally National Parks and Wildlife Service 6 May 2016 Irish Rural Link Conference Moate Co Westmeath Role of NPWS DAHG Conservation ID: 1024880
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1. Management planning, conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sitesSuzanne Nally, NPWS, DAHGSuzanne NallyNational Parks and Wildlife Service6 May, 2016Irish Rural Link Conference, Moate, Co. Westmeath
2. Role of NPWS, DAHGConservation of ecosystems to maintain and enhance populations of flora and fauna in IrelandDesignate and advise on the protection of habitats and speciesImplementation of National and EU legislation and policies for nature conservation and biodiversity Manage and develop State-owned National Parks and Nature ReservesPromote awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues
3. Nature and Biodiversity-European/National PolicyEU Habitats Directive EU Birds Directive -both pillars of nature legislationNatura 2000 –network of protected sites of rare species/habitatMany wetlands habitats and species in Europe protected through Natura 2000 networkUN Convention on Biological Diversity/Living in Harmony with Nature Strategic PlanEU Environmental Impact Assessment DirectiveUrban waste water treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC) Flood Risk Management DirectiveWater Framework Directive (20/60/EC)1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance European Ramsar Strategy 2015Wildlife Acts
4. Natural CapitalNational Biodiversity Plan 2011-2016 Biodiversity Vision: ‘That Biodiversity and ecosystems in Ireland are conserved and restored, delivering benefits essential for all sectors of society and that Ireland contributes to efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems in the EU and globally’Biodiversity, ecosystems, wetlands all part of our Natural CapitalEconomic Value and Social Aspects of Biodiversity (2008)€2.6 billion per annumForestry €55mFisheries €50m
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9. Benefits of WetlandsImportance for biodiversityImproved water quality High importance to agriculture, fisheries and timber productionFlood attenuationEnergy resourceRecreation and tourismHabitat for wildlifeReduced Carbon EmissionsCultural Heritage
10. NPWS and WetlandsIrelands Ramsar Wetlands CommitteePromotion of wetlands/developing policyFarming and Wetlands GuidanceNational Wetlands DayRaised Bog Restoration Projects (Coillte/DAHG)SurveysRaised Bog Monitoring SurveyResearch Studies on Irish WetlandsClara/Girley Bog/BallnafaghCastlepollard fen (Ireland's largest fen-amenity access through part of the site)Turloughs/Petrifying Springs
11. Protected Peatlands 6% of earth surface covered in Wetlands and 30% of those are bogs (UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre)Wetlands are dynamic- often composed of many different habitat types and speciesObligation to manage all peatlands (NHA and SAC) in a manner that sustains them in environmental termsSpecial Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which are designated under the 1979 Birds Directive. Natural Heritage Areas
12. Pressures on Raised Bog Network50% of wetlands globally has disappeared in the last centuryDrainage of habitat or surrounding wetland habitatsLand reclamationPeat Harvesting Commercial ForestryBurningOther activities which lower the groundwater level eg quarryingResult: Hydrological integrity compromised, leads to cracking, collapse, bursts etc
13. Active Raised Bog in Irelands SAC NetworkActive Raised Bog (ARB)- Priority Habitat under Annex 1 of Habitats DirectiveARB= Living, actively growing upper layer of a raised bog- surface composed living bog mosses which form peat due to their incomplete decomposition under waterlogged conditionsConservation Status- unfavourable bad to decliningHow to improve?
14. Previous NPWS Peatlands Restoration ProjectsLisnageeragh Raised Bog SAC , Galway13.2 ha of DRB being restored to ARB between 2004 and 2012Killyconney Bog SACGood results- improvement in ARB
15. Examples of Peatland Restoration ProjectsSite NameOrganisation/(Co-Funding)Estimated increase in ARB due to restoration works in the 2004/5 to 2011-13 period (ha)Lisnageeragh NPWS/Coillte (EU Cohesion/LIFE)13.2Carrownagappul NPWS (EU Cohesion)9.9Garriskil NPWS5.5Ballykenny NPWS (EU Cohesion)5.1Carn Park Coillte (EU LIFE)1.1Raheenmore NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.8Cloonshanville Coillte (EU LIFE)0.7Ballyduff NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.6Fisherstown NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.5Kilsallagh Coillte (EU LIFE)0.5Clonfinane NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.3Mongan NPWS (EU Cohesion)0.1
16. Killyconny Bog Restoration Results
17. Vision for PeatlandsNational Peatlands Strategy aims to provide a long-term framework within which all of the peatlands within the State can be managed responsibly in order to optimise their social, environmental and economic contribution to the well-being of this and future generationsPeatlands CouncilNational Raised Bog SAC Management PlanConservation objectivesAddressing needs of landowners/usersWorking with Partners- Coillte/BNM/EPABord Na Mona Biodiversity Management Plan Community and Stakeholder Engagement
18. Management of Natura 2000 sitesArticle 6 of Habitats Directive“appropriate conservation measures to maintain and restore the habitats and species for which the site has been designated to a favourable conservation status;Avoid damaging activities that could significantly disturb these species or deteriorate the habitats of the protected species or habitat types.”
19. Management of Natura 2000 sitesLandowner and land user involvement Scientific underpinning Use of local knowledge to fill the gaps Acknowledgement of long term commitment Information and Education Exchange of best practice SupportsAlternative Land uses/Innovative practicesCompromise and CoalitionTraining and Development
20. EU LIFE Programme 2014-2020EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate actionContributing to EU Nature PoliciesImproving conservation status of habitat types of Community importance (EU Habitats Directive)Examples of best-practice/demonstration Contributing policy relevant knowledge & data
21. LIFE Natura 2000 project examplesEuropean Wide- many examples for Wetland Sites- 120 LIFE Wetland projectsIrelandCoillte LIFE projectsBurren LIFEKerry LIFE Aran LIFEActive Raised Bog LIFE- Restoring SAC network
22. Active Raised Bog Restoration LIFE Project OverviewProject Funding: €5.4m (75% EU funded)Coordinating Beneficiary: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht12 SACsLocation: Border, Midlands, Mid-East and West Regions
23. Project Sites- 12 SACs
24. Project ObjectiveTo improve the conservation status in Ireland of the priority habitat Active Raised Bogs through the protection and restoration of the SAC NetworkSupport the objectives of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan/National Peatlands Strategy
25. Key ActionsImplementation of Best Practice Conservation Actions in 12 SACsPromoting Active Raised Bog FormationRemoval of problematic trees and shrubsFire Protection PlansEngagement with Stakeholders/LandownersLocal Community Involvement (Stakeholder Advisory Panel/Project Steering Group)
26. Benefits of Restoration MeasuresEnable nature conservation targets for Active Raised Bog (ARB) for the SACs to be metSupport Priority Habitats and Species Bio-diversityAccumulate Peat againCarbon Storage/EmissionRecreationSocio-economic/local communityAwareness RaisingWater Quality
27. Other Benefits Heightened general public awareness of the importance and uniqueness of Ireland's 53 raised bog SACsFinancial injection and employment opportunities for rural communitiesDemonstration of best practice
28. Expected Impacts2649ha of raised bog habitat within the 12 SACs sites to be improved by restoration476ha of Active Raised Bog at start of projectUltimate target area of 753ha for Active Raised Bog on the 12 project sites
29. Stakeholder ConsultationConsultation before any restoration works beginLocal knowledge importance
30. Clara Bog- Boardwalk
31. Sample Bog Bridge
32. Project Promotion/Public AwarenessInformation Days Annual Bog WalkLocal Schools Programme
33. ConclusionWetlands part of our Natural CapitalNumerous BenefitsLIFE Projects: examples of successful management of Natura 2000 sitesLargest Peatlands Restoration Project being undertaken at present in IrelandImproved conservation condition of a priority habitatCommunity/Stakeholder Engagement is important element of conservation management
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35. Thank You