Download Strategic Objective no

Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
1
A Draft Biodiversity Action
Plan for Louth
2008 - 2012
Ardee
Town
Council
Drogheda
Borough
Council
Dundalk
Town
Council
Louth
County
Council
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Contents
2
Page
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Introduction and Vision for the Biodiversity Action Plan
What is biodiversity?
Why is biodiversity important?
Why do we need a Biodiversity Action Plan?
Relevant Policies and Legislation
Biodiversity in Louth
Current Status
Habitats
Species
Threats and opportunities for biodiversity
How the plan was drawn up
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
The objectives of the plan
Implementation
Monitoring and Review
Objectives and Rationale
Objective 1: Develop a System for the Protection of Local Biodiversity
Areas (LBAs)
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
10
10
11
14
19
20
22
22
22
22
23
Objective 2: Integrate Biodiversity and Local Authority Activities
25
Objective 3: Raise Awareness and Appreciation of Louth’s Natural
Heritage Across All Sections of Society
27
Objective 4: Gather Data and Enhance Louth’s Biodiversity
29
Objective 5: Monitor the Effectiveness of the BAP
31
24
Appendix 1 –
List of organisations and individuals who made a
submission to the plan
32
Appendix 2 –
Designated Sites for Nature Conservation in Louth
33
Appendix 3 –
Protected Species and Habitats in Louth
35
Appendix 4 –
Glossary and Acronyms
41
Appendix 5 –
Bibliography
43
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
3
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and
Local Government, and initiated by the Heritage Council.
Ecological Services was commissioned by the Heritage Council to
draft the Louth Biodiversity Action plan in consultation with the Louth Heritage
Office, the Louth Heritage Forum’s biodiversity working group and other
relevant stakeholders.
OPENFIELD
and the Louth Heritage Office would also like gratefully to
acknowledge the invaluable support and contributions that went into the
making of this plan. In particular we wish to thank all those who made a
written submission to the plan and the members of the Louth Heritage
Forum’s Biodiversity Working Group who all gave freely of their time and
efforts. Also acknowledged are John Condit and Louise McAlavey of the EHS
(now NIEA) in Northern Ireland, Ailish McCabe of Drogheda Chamber of
Commerce, Lorraine Buchanan (now McCann) of the Louth County Council
Archives Service, Brendan Baxter of the Council’s IT department and Emer
O’Callaghan of the Council’s planning department, Michael Viney of the Irish
Times, Margaret Roddy of The Argus (Dundalk), Colmán Ó Críodáin and
Naomi Kingston of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Gerry Stanley
of the Geological Survey of Ireland.
OPENFIELD
Many thanks
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
4
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Executive Summary
In 2007, as part of its commitment under the Convention on Biological
Diversity, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government provided the Heritage Council with funding for the preparation of
Local Biodiversity Action Plans. The Heritage Council commissioned a team
of ecological consultants to prepare draft Local Biodiversity Action Plans, in
partnership with 18 Local Authorities. OPENFIELD Ecological Services was
commissioned to work with Louth County Council to produce the first draft
Local Biodiversity Action Plan (2008-2012) for the Wee County.
The term ‘biodiversity’ describes the variability of life on Earth and includes
species, habitats and genes (including breeds of domestic animals and
cultivars of domestic plants). Its protection is a key requirement for the
sustainable development of Louth and yields tangible benefits including
supporting tourism, the protection of water quality and maintenance of the
amenity value of the countryside. The Biodiversity Action Plan does not
represent a further limit on development. Instead, it is a strategy for the better
integration of economic progress with protection of the environment. This can
be done by adopting the principle of ‘no nett loss’, where proposed
developments would otherwise have negative impacts on biodiversity.
This plan represents an opportunity for Louth to lead the way in sustainable
development and thereby create value across all sectors of society –
enhancing the quality of life for communities and creating new business
opportunities.
The actions under this plan can be placed under five main objectives:
1. To create a system for the protection of local biodiversity areas
2. To integrate biodiversity and Local Authority activities
3. To raise awareness and appreciation of Louth’s natural heritage across
all sections of society
4. To gather information and enhance Louth’s biodiversity
5. To monitor the effectiveness of the Biodiversity Action Plan
These objectives are broken down into measurable actions that arose from a
six-month period of consultation during 2007. Over 100 individuals and
organisations were contacted, including Tidy Towns committees,
environmental non-governmental organisations, angling and game clubs, local
and national politicians, chambers of commerce, and personnel in Louth Local
Authorities.
The plan is the first step towards a vision for Louth where all its people take
pride in living in a healthy environment where wildlife flourishes. We hope you
will give it your support.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
5
Introduction and vision for the Biodiversity Action Plan
Louth is a small county in the north-east of Ireland with a rapidly expanding
human population. In terms of understanding its important wildlife habitats it
can be divided into several main areas: the broad central plain, with its
network of hedgerows and winding rivers; to the south of this, the steep-sided
Boyne Valley, separated from the central plain by the low Oriel hills; to the
north, the mountainous uplands of the Cooley peninsula; an extensive
coastline stretching from Carlingford Lough to the Boyne estuary; and the
open sea that lies off-shore. Together, these habitats sustain the biodiversity
of Louth and give it the character that makes this county unique.
Within these broad areas there are many habitats and species that are
important both internationally and at the local level. For instance, Dundalk Bay
is the most important site in Ireland for wintering waterbirds, home to an
average 51,000 waterfowl every year. For this reason Dundalk Bay is not only
recognised at a national level as a Wildfowl Sanctuary, but also internationally
as a European Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar site. In fact most
of the Louth coast is designated in one way or another so that, including the
marine area, Louth has one of the highest proportions of protected areas in
Ireland.
There are also many smaller protected habitats in the county, such as the
raised bog at Ardee, the expanse of blanket bog on the Cooley uplands, and
the small woodlands and wetlands that dot the countryside. These features
are a product of the underlying geology of Louth, soft sedimentary rocks in the
lowlands, harder igneous rocks such as granite in the northern uplands.
These geological features are the foundations of ecosystems, defining the
fertility, acidity and drainage characteristics of the overlying soils.
Of course, the majority of Louth’s biodiversity lies outside these protected
areas and it is important to recognise the vital role of biodiversity that is not
rare or endangered in the countryside. Hedgerows and rivers, for instance,
criss-cross the county and are home to a wealth of plants and animals. They
give the landscape character, provide resources for amenity and tourism,
clean up polluted air and water (‘wetlands are the world’s kidneys’) – and all of
this is provided to us, for free, by biodiversity!
Despite these rich resources Louth’s biodiversity is under threat. Sustained
economic expansion has improved people’s lives but has placed heavy
demands on land and water. Species have been lost, such as the red grouse
and the corncrake, while others are becoming ever scarcer, like the barn owl
and the red squirrel.
The vision for this first Biodiversity Action Plan for Louth is to establish a
framework for addressing these threats so that habitats and species can be
conserved for generations to come. The Plan will do this through raising
awareness of the value of biodiversity as well as gathering important
information on the ecology of species and habitats, which is essential for their
protection and conservation.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
6
Box No. 1: Acronym heaven – designated areas for nature in Louth
When is a “nature reserve” not a “nature reserve” (note that there are currently
NO “nature reserves” in Louth)? The number of different designations for
places of importance for nature conservation, and what these all mean, is a
frequent cause of confusion. Here is a beginner’s guide:
1. European legislation requires Ireland to designate certain internationally
important sites. These can be considered to be the ‘top tier’ of biodiversity
areas in Ireland. They are frequently in private ownership but are
nevertheless protected under statutory instruments of the state. The
‘Habitats Directive’ (1992) protects habitats and species other than birds
within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) while the ‘Birds Directive’
(1979) protects certain types and populations of birds and their habitats
within Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Together, these sites form a
network across Europe known as Natura 2000 (also known as European
sites). Most of these sites are also proposed Natural Heritage Areas.
2. Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are important at an Irish, national level
and are obviously of very great value at the local, county level. Many
NHAs are not yet protected by statute (they are still ‘proposed NHAs’) but
they are protected under the various Councils’ Development Plans.
3. National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Refuges for Fauna also exist in
Ireland but there are no examples of these types of sites in Louth.
4. Wildfowl Sanctuaries are areas where all hunting of birds is prohibited.
The only examples in Louth are part of Dundalk Bay.
5. Ramsar is the name given to an international treaty for the protection of
wetlands. These sites have generally been subsumed into Natura 2000.
6. Rivers can be designated as ‘Salmonid waters’ for the protection of salmon
and trout under the European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters)
Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 293, 1988). The Boyne is the only designated
Salmonid river that runs through Louth.
What is Biodiversity?
‘Biodiversity’ is a contraction of the words ‘biological diversity’ and describes
the variety of life on Earth. It includes the species that make up the natural
world, the habitats in which they live and the genetic variability within
organisms. It includes familiar species such as birds, mammals and plants, as
well as fungi, viruses and micro-organisms – and people! All of these
components are knitted together into the intricate web of life upon which every
single organism, including human beings, depends for survival. In fact, this
web is so large that scientists are still far from determining how many species
actually exist today. While 1.75 million species have been described so far,
estimates of the total number of species vary from 10 to 100 million.
Why is biodiversity important?
All of life depends on biodiversity for survival and humans in particular rely on
it for food, clean air and water, clothing and building materials, as well as for
medicines and places in which to unwind and reconnect with nature (see box
no. 2). These are key ecological services, provided to us, free of charge, and
upon which human development and, indeed, survival, rely.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
7
Biodiversity fulfils these functions in Louth just as it does across the world.
The protection and wise use of the county’s natural resources is therefore a
vital goal in achieving sustainable development.
In recent times however the increase in human numbers and, especially, in
our rates of consumption of material resources have developed into a major
threat to biodiversity. This threat is so great that it is widely believed that the
Earth is currently in the middle of a sixth ‘mass extinction event’ – on a par
with that which wiped out the dinosaurs. The loss of species threatens the
ability of ecosystems to continue to provide the services that are essential to
human survival. The effect of this loss of biodiversity is manifest in polluted
water and air, diminished human health, collapse of food supplies, such as
fish stocks, and loss of amenity value. Harder to evaluate and to quantify is
the loss to the Earth’s heritage that occurs when a species dies out.
Species cannot be brought back from extinction but taking action now can
restore much of the damage that has occurred.
Box No. 2: ‘The Joy of Biodiversity’
Everybody knows that a walk in the park or along the beach is usually a much
more pleasant experience than a walk through an industrial estate, but how
does biodiversity really relate to the recreational value of an area? An article
in the journal Conservation1 reports on a survey that measured how people
related to places compared to the number of species to be found there. The
results showed that biodiversity made green spaces more conducive to
reflection. Birds, it seems, are particularly influential, with more people
identifying in a ‘spiritual’ way with parks that were home to 30 types of birds
compared with those with only five types. So, in a very real way, introducing
biodiversity to our parks and gardens can enhance our enjoyment of them.
Why do we need a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)?
The adoption of a Biodiversity Action Plan will bring many benefits to Louth.
Chief among these will be the conservation of local natural heritage but this in
turn yields tangible results that can save money, enhance quality of life and
increase the competitiveness of the county when attracting inward investment.
It will do this by helping to make Louth a more ecologically sustainable
society, securing the supply of clean water, enhancing tourist attractions,
improving human health and ensuring continued compliance with evertightening EU and national legislation.
The concept of a Biodiversity Action Plan first arose at the summit of world
leaders in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 where the global importance of biodiversity
and sustainable development was universally agreed. Better known as the
Earth Summit, it resulted in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to
which Ireland was a signatory. Ireland ratified the CBD in 1996 and in 2002
the first National Biodiversity Plan was published. Since the protection of
biodiversity is best carried out at the local level, action number 10 in this plan
1
Editorial. 2007. Conservation Magazine Volume 8 No. 3
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
8
required all local authorities in Ireland to develop local Biodiversity Action
Plans. In early 2007, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government provided funding to the Heritage Council for the commissioning
of LBAPs for 18 Local Authorities across the country. Following a request from
the Louth Local Authorities, Louth was chosen as one of those counties. A
Biodiversity Action Plan is recognised as the most appropriate framework for
the conservation of biodiversity at the local level.
The principle functions of a Biodiversity Action Plan are:2







To translate national and international policies and legislation into action
on the ground.
To conserve biodiversity of national and local importance.
To provide a framework for the conservation of biodiversity and to
coordinate existing and new initiatives.
To assist sustainable planning and development.
To raise public awareness of and involvement in the conservation of
Louth’s biodiversity.
To collect and collate information on the area’s biodiversity.
To provide a basis for monitoring the success of conservation of
biodiversity at a local, regional and national level.
Relevant Policies and Legislation
Since 1992 the central theme of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
has been integrated into a variety of plans and policies in Ireland.

The CBD set a goal of ‘significantly reducing’ the loss of biodiversity
across the world by 2010. The European Union (EU) has gone beyond this
ambitious target by calling, in 2001, for a total halt to the loss of
biodiversity by 2010. This target was reaffirmed in the European Council’s
‘Malahide Message’ of 2004.

National Biodiversity Action Plan (2002 – 2007)
An action under this plan is for each local authority to prepare its own local
Biodiversity Action Plan (action number 10).

Louth County Development Plan (2003 – 2009)
Section 2.4 deals with Natural Heritage and identifies policies for the
protection of designated sites (as well as sites proposed for designation)
as well as trees, woodlands, hedgerows and streams in the county.

Louth Heritage Plan (2007 – 2011)
Flora, fauna and wildlife habitats are identified as integral components of
Louth’s heritage and actions for their conservation are identified under
each Key Performance Area of the Heritage Plan. The preparation of a
Biodiversity Action Plan is identified under action Nr. 37 and many of the
2
Heritage Council, 2003. Guidelines for the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans’
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
9
other natural heritage actions in the heritage plan have been integrated
within this biodiversity plan (these are cross-referenced where relevant).
The principal mechanism for the conservation of biodiversity in Ireland is
through European legislation, in particular the Habitats and Birds Directives.
Together, they allow for the designation of sites for the conservation of certain
species and habitats, which are known as Special Areas of Conservation
(SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (see box no. 1). Collectively, the
network of these sites is known as ‘Natura 2000’ and it is spread across all 27
members of the EU. Because they are of international importance, these
areas represent the top tier of sites for biodiversity in Ireland and are therefore
afforded the greatest level of protection – under statutory instrument.
At the national level, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 allows for the
designation of sites supporting biodiversity of Irish importance as Natural
Heritage Areas. None of the NHAs in Louth has been fully designated yet and
they are all therefore just ‘proposed’ Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). They
are however protected under the provisions of the County Development Plan
(section 2.4.2 of the Louth CDP). (Proposed) NHAs in Louth include broadleaved woodland (e.g. King William’s Glen and Mellifont Abbey Woods) and
the last remnant of raised bog in the county (Ardee Bog, see box no. 5).
Box no. 3: Sustainable Development
The term ‘Sustainable Development’ was defined by the United Nations’
Brundtland report as ‘meeting the needs of the current generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ 3.
These days, corporations talk of the ‘triple bottom line’ of sustainability,
meaning its economic and social as well as its environmental sides. But what
does it all mean? An easy way to understand the principle of sustainability is
through what is known as ‘The Natural Step’. This states that “in a sustainable
society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing:
 …concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust
 …concentrations of substances produced by society
 …degradation by physical means
And, in that society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically
undermine their capacity to meet their needs.”4
For Louth, this means staying ahead of new and existing legislation,
preventing pollution, and ensuring that no species is threatened with
extinction. Louth County Council’s certification to ISO14001 is an important
component in the drive towards creating a sustainable society.
Nevertheless, the vast majority of biodiversity does not exist conveniently
within the borders of these protected areas. One of the chief goals of this BAP
is therefore to establish a system whereby locally important biodiversity can
3
Brundtland, G. 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our
Common Future, United Nations.
4
Everard, M. 2007. The Environmentalist Issue no. 49
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
10
be protected. Many species which occur in the wider countryside are
protected under the provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000.
Species listed under this act are native to Ireland but may not be under
immediate threat, the badger for instance, while others are locally
endangered, such as the red squirrel (see Appendix 3 for all protected species
to be found in Louth). Complementing this Act is the Flora Protection Order
(1999), which prohibits the disturbance of listed plant species.
The conservation of biodiversity is also an integral component of some
important pieces of European legislation that have wider goals: the Water
Framework Directive seeks to establish ‘good ecological status’ of all waters
in Ireland by 2015; the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive
includes ‘flora and fauna’ as a separate chapter when assessing the impacts
of a proposed development; and the recent Environmental Liability Directive
will allow for the repair and restoration of protected habitats where damage
has occurred.
When taken together, the full implementation of this suite of policies and
legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring the realisation of sustainable
development in Louth (see box no. 3).
The Biodiversity of Louth
Current Status
Louth contains some of the most important places in Ireland for biodiversity,
including a variety of protected habitats, such as estuaries and tidal mud flats,
and important species such as the red squirrel and the otter. Effective nature
conservation depends on good data. If species and habitats are to be
protected in Louth it is essential to know what is located where. It is also
crucial to be familiar with these species’ ecology, i.e. how they interact with
their surroundings, and whether their numbers or extent are rising, stable or
declining. The collection and analysis of these data will be a huge task but if
the Biodiversity Action Plan is to succeed, it is vital that gathering data be a
key element of it.
There are more than two dozen sites in Louth which are recognised as being
of national or greater importance for biodiversity and they are situated
throughout the county (see Appendix 2 for a full list). However, there is a great
deal of important biodiversity outside of these areas. Conducting an audit of
existing biological data will be an important action under this plan. It is
envisaged that such a database will be maintained as new information comes
to light, and provide a vital resource with which to manage the conservation of
biodiversity. Much of the information currently available on the county comes
from national surveys carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
(NPWS). A national survey of Red Squirrels in 2007 for instance showed that
its range in Louth is much contracted and only one record of its presence was
made. It is therefore essential to establish a more accurate picture of the
squirrel’s population in the county and to participate fully in national
programmes for its conservation. A survey of Native Woodlands, also by
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
11
NPWS, found that only 0.18% of the county is covered with native forest. In
recent times, some species have become extinct in Louth, such as the red
grouse and the corncrake, while, on the other hand, Louth remains one of the
most important counties for wintering waders, with Dundalk Bay being the
most important site in the country (see box no. 4). Implementation of this plan
will lead to greater knowledge and understanding of this invaluable resource.
Habitats
Woodland
The natural ‘climax’ vegetation in Ireland, and north-western Europe generally,
is broadleaved woodland, and ancient Louth would have been one great
wood, broken only by rivers, lakes and the highest mountain tops. Species
now long gone called this vast forest home, such as the wolf and the wild
boar. Over the centuries conversion of this woodland to agricultural farmland
has resulted in the near total removal of this habitat in Louth – today only
0.18% (less than one five hundredth) of the land cover is considered native
woodland (i.e. forest that is predominantly composed of species native to
Ireland). These tiny pockets were often preserved as part of hunting grounds
in estates and demesnes, such as that at Darver Castle Woods pNHA and
Louth Hall pNHA. Such woodlands are often home to specialist woodland flora
and fauna, such as the long-eared owl and the pine marten. Since the 1960’s
commercial afforestation programmes have mainly resulted in stands of nonnative conifers such as Sitka Spruce – monocultures that are hostile to most
wild species and can be harmful to local water quality. More recently however,
more sustainable models of forestry are being employed, with greater room
for biodiversity. Important programmes from the Forest Service are the Native
Woodland Scheme (for land owners) and the NeighbourWood Scheme (for
Local Authorities) that aim to increase the coverage of native woodland across
the country. Woodlands have enormous cultural and amenity value as well as
being a unique habitat for wildlife. It is therefore hoped that opportunities will
be availed of to expand this wonderful resource.
Hedgerows
In many areas hedgerows provide the closest ecological substitute for the
woods that were cleared to make way for agricultural grassland. Hedgerows
provide an invaluable refuge for many woodland species such as badger, fox,
and numerous birds that we know today as garden visitors (blackbirds, robins,
wood pigeons and finches for instance). The hedgerows are also home to a
variety of plants and insects, and at night any of the eight recorded bat
species in Louth, all of which are protected under the Wildlife Act, may use
them as highways for foraging. In this role hedgerows are crucial ‘ecological
corridors’ – pathways that allow the interaction and dispersal of plants and
animals through the countryside. They are also vital components in
maintaining landscape integrity and play an important role in moderating the
flow of water off land.
Species-rich Grasslands
For centuries low-intensity agriculture was practised in harmony with nature.
Pastures and arable crops were rich in wild flowers while fallen seeds
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
12
provided food for a variety of farmland birds such as linnets and
yellowhammers. Intensification of agriculture after the Second World War (The
Emergency), further promoted by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
following Ireland's entry to the (then) European Economic Community in 1973,
resulted in great advances in food production in Ireland and has made Ireland
a leading exporter of agricultural products. However, an unintended result of
this has been the loss of much wildlife from our farms. The widespread use of
fertiliser results in nutrient-rich but species-poor grasslands. Some traditionally
farmed, or ‘unimproved’, grasslands may still exist in Louth but the current
status of this habitat is unknown. In some cases, disused or abandoned
quarries are transformed into orchid-rich grasslands due to their nutrient-poor
status – such as the one at Boycetown (a site with no legal designation). The
birds and flowers that once depended on low intensity farming are now rare.
Current signs of reform of the CAP, the widespread uptake of REPS in Louth
and the growing popularity of organic food may signal a welcome reverse of
this loss. One initiative under the latest REPS 4 scheme is to give farmers the
option of either using less fertiliser, or establishing what are known as
‘LINNET’ plots – areas that are planted with seed-producing crops that
provide food for farmland birds. Either way, this is good news for countryside
plants and animals.
Urban Areas and Gardens
Built-up urban areas are not always associated with wildlife but they can be
home to many more species of wildlife than might be expected. Large towns
such as Dundalk and Drogheda can be surprisingly rich in habitats. Gardens
provide a rich resource for birds like the robin and blackbird, while small
animals such as the hedgehog can forage through them at night. Even
animals as large as badgers are known to regularly frequent people’s gardens
looking for food. Important biodiversity areas that are close to our towns have
a very important role to play in raising awareness and education. For instance,
the River Boyne SAC runs through the heart of Drogheda while Dundalk Bay
SAC and SPA is within a few minutes’ walk of Dundalk town centre.
Rivers and Wetlands
Wetlands and rivers play key roles in the hydrological cycle, gathering, storing
and purifying water and transporting it from source to sea. People benefit
greatly from this free, natural process which contributes massively to the
provision of a clean and reliable supply of water for homes, businesses and
recreation. In the past, removal of habitats and pollution of waterways has
resulted in a deterioration of water quality across Louth. The good news is that
this situation is now improving and the delivery of ‘good ecological status’ for
all water bodies in Europe by 2015 is the key objective of the EU’s Water
Framework Directive. Together, the Dee, the Fane, the Glyde and the Boyne
drain the lowlands of Louth and provide a rich habitat for protected species
such as salmon, otter and kingfisher. The Boyne is a designated salmonid
river for its important populations of salmon and trout.
Wetland habitats occur infrequently in Louth compared to other Irish counties,
but where they are found, they are home to a rich array of plants and animals,
from frogs and newts to dragonflies and unique wetland flora. They are
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
13
frequently a mosaic of diverse habitats that grade from swamp to marsh to
open water. Examples in the county include Liscarragh Marsh near
Carlingford, and Stephenstown Pond, 6 km south-west of Dundalk. Many of
the county’s small ponds and wetlands are not protected by any particular
designation however, such as those at Begrath and Ravanny, but this does
not diminish their biodiversity value. This underscores the importance of
developing a system for protecting these local biodiversity areas.
Together, the rivers and the hedgerows form the basis of Louth’s lowland
habitats, acting as vital ecological corridors along which species can forage
and exchange their genes. This ability to move through the countryside is of
particular importance if species are going to adapt to the changes brought
about by changes in climate (see box 10).
Coastline
The coastline of Louth is surely the county’s greatest natural asset. Nearly the
entire coast, from Carlingford Lough to the Boyne estuary, is of international
importance for its habitats (including estuaries, tidal mudflats and saltmarsh)
and species – in particular its population of wintering water birds (see box 4).
These birds occur in internationally significant numbers on Carlingford Lough,
Dundalk Bay and the Boyne Estuary. Beyond the coast lies the deeper water
of the marine zone. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group carries out on-going
survey work based on sightings of cetaceans off the Louth coast (see
www.iwdg.ie ). This important work has revealed numerous sightings of bottlenosed dolphins and harbour porpoises, both species listed under Annex II of
the Habitats Directive.
Box no. 4: Dundalk Bay – No. 1 destination in Ireland for wintering birds
An average of more than 51,000 birds spent the winter in Dundalk Bay each
year from 2000 – 20045. This is more than the number of people in the town!
Why is Dundalk so popular? The bay is one of the largest sheltered bays in
Ireland with an enormous proportion of it shallow, flat, and, crucially, exposed
at low tide. The nutrients that are brought downstream from the Castletown
Dee, Glyde, Fane and Flurry rivers are deposited in the sandy bottom of the
bay. These are taken up by microscopic creatures that are in turn food for
larger worms and shellfish. The birds have evolved bills of different shapes
and sizes that allow them to avail of this rich food supply – for instance the
curlew’s long, curved beak can probe the sand for worms, while the
oystercatcher’s dagger-like bill can break open the shells of clams and
cockles. The bay harbours significant numbers of many bird species, including
great-crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, greylag goose, light-bellied brent
goose, shelduck, teal, mallard, pintail, common scoter, red-breasted
merganser, oystercatcher, ringed plover, golden plover, grey plover, knot,
dunlin and black-tailed godwit. The proximity of all these birds to Louth’s
county town makes Dundalk Bay a potentially invaluable resource for
recreation and amenity, truly bringing people and wildlife closer together.
5
Boland B. & Crowe O., 2006. Irish Birds Volume 8 Number 1
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
14
The Cooley Peninsula
Approaching from the south, the mountains of the Cooley peninsula loom
large over the town of Dundalk. To Robert Lloyd Praeger, Ireland’s greatest
naturalist, writing in 1937, “Louth claims attention chiefly on account of the fine
scenery in the north”6. This area is a geological continuation of the Mourne
mountains of County Down and the Ring of Gullion in south Armagh. It is a
mosaic of natural and semi-natural habitats. The principal site of biodiversity
importance is Carlingford Mountain SAC with its alpine and sub-alpine heath –
a habitat listed under Annex I of the Habitats Directive. The extensive cover of
heather once supported a population of red grouse, a species now extinct in
the county. It is hoped that under this plan, the feasibility of reintroducing the
grouse will be examined, restoring this important part of Louth’s natural
heritage. The mountain is also home to the rare parsley fern (Cryptogramma
crispa) and the peregrine falcon, an Annex I species under the Birds Directive
and the fastest bird in the world. At higher altitudes the principal habitat is
mountain blanket bog. It is a nutrient-poor landscape that is characterised by
fluffy heads of cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) and the black bog-rush
(Schoenus nigricans). Unique plant life found here includes the insect-eating
butterworts (Pinguicula spp.), which make up for the mineral-poor bog
environment by trapping and digesting unsuspecting flies that land on their
sticky leaves.
Box No. 5: Ardee Bog, a cultural and biological treasure
Frank Mitchell gives an account of the rise and fall of Ardee bog in the Atlas of
the Irish Rural Landscape7. Analysing the deposition of tiny pollen grains, laid
down in peat that grew at a rate of 1 mm per year, allowed a detailed picture
to be built up that charts the life of the bog through the millennia. The remains
of Giant Irish Deer (not ‘Elk’) found at the site indicate the presence of this
species in the area before it died out around 10,000 years ago. Mitchell
describes how the bog seem to be practically unaltered until limited turf cutting
in the 19th Century uncovered ancient trackways, known as tóchair, across the
wet bog. Major drainage work was undertaken by the Board of Works In the
1840’s. Demand for turf (peat) declined after the Second World War (The
Emergency) and much of the bog reverted to its natural state. Old
photographs show how people lived in thatched turf huts on Ardee Bog into
the 20th Century (there is a locally famous song about an Ardee turf-cutter). In
the 1980’s mechanical turf cutting removed much of the bog surface and
seriously degraded the existing habitat. Ardee Bog is now a proposed NHA.
Raised Bog
Ardee bog represents a rare remnant of raised bog in county Louth, a feature
that is more usually associated with the midland counties (see box no. 5). This
unique habitat is formed over thousands of years when dying vegetation
fringing a lake slowly builds up until the bog rises like bread in a baking tin –
giving this type of bog its name. Specialised Sphagnum mosses release
6
Praeger R.L., 1937. The Way that I Went published by Hodges & Figgis
Aalen F.H.A., Whelan K., and Stout M., 1997. Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, Cork University
Press.
7
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
15
acidity into the peat, famously allowing the peat to preserve everything from
butter to human bodies and the trunks of pine trees that died five thousand
years ago. Ardee bog is home to very specialised plants and animals,
including the insect-eating sundew flower and the hand-sized emperor moth.
Unfortunately, the bog has been reduced in size and is currently under threat
from drainage, scrub encroachment and development.
Species
Several sites in Louth are internationally important for wintering wetland birds.
Along our coastline, protected mammals such as the grey seal, harbour
porpoise and bottle-nosed dolphin can be found, while further inland, otters
and kingfishers inhabit our rivers. A full list of protected species known to
occur in Louth is included in Appendix 3.
Mammals
Recent national research by the NPWS has highlighted the presence of many
important mammals in Louth. Louth is thought to have the second highest
density of badger groups in the country, at one per square kilometre. This is
due in large part to the extent of hedgerow habitat that exists in the lowlands
of Louth8. A hare survey, published in 2007, showed that this species is
widespread throughout the county9 while, also in 2007, a Red Squirrel survey
revealed that this species is endangered, with only one record in the county
(see box no. 6)10. A survey of otter distribution in 2004/2005 indicated the
presence of this species at all of the monitoring locations, showing that Louth
remains a stronghold for this charismatic species.11
Box No. 6: The Decline of the Red Squirrel
Red Squirrels were once common throughout Louth, however loss of habitat
and the continued advance of the Grey Squirrel have resulted in a significant
decline in population over the past two decades. This pattern has been
repeated across the east and north of Ireland and was revealed in the results
of ‘The Irish Squirrel Survey 2007’10. The greys were introduced from North
America to an estate in Longford in 1911. The greys are bigger and it is
thought that they may out-compete the reds for food resources. The greys
also carry the ‘squirrel pox virus’, harmless to themselves but lethal to the
reds. The good news is that a draft Species Action Plan for the Red Squirrel
has been prepared and is under consultation at present. It will propose an allIreland strategy for allowing the reds to regain some ground.
All bats are protected under the Wildlife Act and there are recent records in
Louth for eight of the ten species known to occur in Ireland (see box no. 7).
Bats roost naturally in the hollows of old trees, which are now very rare but
8
Smal, C. 1995. The Badger and Habitat Survey of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food &
Forestry
9
Reid et al. 2007. Status of Hares in Ireland, NPWS
10
Carey M., Hamilton G, Poole A. & Lawton C., 2007. The Irish Red Squirrel Survey, ,NPWS
11
Baily M. & Rochford J.,2006. Otter Survey of Ireland 2004/2005, NPWS
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
16
they have adapted well to manmade substitutes and now routinely nest in old
buildings and bridges. These roosts are, however, under threat due to
redevelopment or demolition of old buildings and re-pointing (filling in the gaps
between stones) under bridges. Gathering data on the presence of these
roosts is therefore a key action in protecting this group of mammals.
Bat Species Recorded in Louth12
Common Pipistrelle
Nathusius’ Pipistrelle
Soprano Pipistrelle
Leisler’s Bat
Natterer’s Bat
Whiskered Bat
Daubenton’s Bat
Brown Long-eared Bat
Box No. 7: Bats, separating truth from fiction
Perhaps because bats are rarely seen, and are featured in stories of
vampires, people’s ideas about them have an almost mythical quality. Bats
form their own order of mammals, and are not rodents. Bats in Ireland feed
predominantly on insects but around the world other species also feed on fish
or fruit and many are valued by farmers as pollinators of crops. While one or
two species in South America feed on blood, this is by far the exception. Bats
are not blind and they will never get caught in your hair! Their system of echolocation, rather like radar, is so good that some species can tell which side of
the web a spider is sitting on. All bats are protected in Ireland but their
habitats are threatened due to lack of knowledge and consequently habitat
destruction. An Action Plan for the Vesper bats in currently under preparation.
Marine mammals are present along Louth’s coast, with populations of both
grey and common seals. Records of cetaceans are maintained by the Irish
Whale and Dolphin Group and indicate the regular presence of both bottlenosed dolphins and the harbour porpoise along the Louth coast – species
listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.
Birds
Due to the work of BirdWatch Ireland over nearly forty years, birds are the
best recorded group of species not only in Louth, but across the country.
Some studies are carried out every year, such as the Countryside Birds
Survey and the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS), while a new breeding and
wintering birds atlas for Ireland is currently being prepared. The most recent
atlases of birds dates from 1991 (breeding birds) and 1986 (wintering birds)
and these identify Red List and Amber List species13, many of which occur in
the county. These include the Common Scoter, Barn Owl and Little Tern. In
2007 a group of volunteers, with the help of BirdWatch Ireland and the NPWS,
commenced a wardening project for nesting Little Terns along the beach at
Baltray. These birds nest on a shingle beach and so it is important to protect
their eggs from predators such as foxes and gulls. This first year of this project
was a huge success and it is hoped that it can be repeated in the coming
12
13
Web site of Bat Conservation Ireland www.batconservationireland.org
BirdWatch Ireland, Year Unknown. From Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
17
years. Members of this group have now formed the Louth Nature Trust. Many
of the birds of prey that once patrolled the skies over Louth are now no longer
to be found here, such as the Red Kite, the Golden Eagle and the White-tailed
(or Sea) Eagle. All of these species have been reintroduced to other parts of
Ireland in recent years however, and so it is hoped that one day they will once
again become a part of Louth’s natural heritage.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Three species are known from Louth: the common lizard, the common frog
and the smooth newt. The presence of lizards and frogs in Louth is recorded
from popular surveys carried out by the Irish Wildlife Trust and the Irish
Peatland Protection Council respectively. The status of the newt meanwhile is
unknown but it is thought to be widespread in Louth14.
Fish
Freshwater fish are generally well recorded in Louth thanks to the Eastern
Regional Fisheries Board and the Loughs Agency, including extensive data
on Annex II species (salmon and lamprey) as well as trout. The Marine
Institute gathers data on commercially-exploited fish in the Irish Sea.
Box no. 8: Lampreys – relics of an ancient past
The lamprey is a little known ‘fish’ that is widespread throughout the rivers of
Louth and is protected under Annex II of the Habitats Directive. While in
appearance it is somewhat like an eel, its most striking characteristic is its lack
of a jaw. Instead, its mouth consists of a sucker with concentric rings of sharp
teeth that it uses to attach itself to prey, usually larger fish, and grind at the
flesh beneath. It has no scales, and its skeleton is made of cartilage, rather
like a shark’s. In fact, the lamprey is the most primitive of all living vertebrates
with known fossils of its remains dating from 450 million years ago. Three
species inhabit Louth’s rivers, the River, Brook and Sea Lamprey.
Invertebrates
Recent monitoring projects for butterflies15 and dragonflies16 have added
much to the store of knowledge on these charismatic insects.
Recent years have seen the publication of a Red List for Bees in Ireland17 and
an Atlas of Water Beetles18. These are important steps in collating data for all
invertebrates in Ireland.
Vascular Plants
A vascular plant is one which possesses tubes for transporting liquid and
nutrients. This group includes the trees, flowering plants and grasses. The
Arnold N. & Ovenden D., 2004. Collins Field Guide – Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe,
Collins.
15
Asher J. et al., 2001. The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, Oxford University
Press
16
Nelson B. & Thompson R., The Natural History of Ireland’s Dragonflies, Ulster Museum
17
Fitzpatrick Ú 2006. Regional Red List of Irish Bees, NPWS
18
Foster, G.N. & Nelson B.H. 2007. Regional Red List of Irish water beetles 2007, NPWS
14
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
18
publication in 2002 of The New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora19 provides a
wealth of information on the hundreds of native and alien species found in the
country. This project was possible due to the extensive research of county
recorders of the Botanical Society of the British Isles (sic) (BSBI), including
one for county Louth. Many rare and protected species of plant are to be
found in Louth, frequently in designated sites (see Appendix 3 for a full list).
However, comprehensive, site-specific data are lacking in this regard. In 2006
a survey carried out to re-locate 17 rare plants, previously recorded from the
county, found only two. Searches could not even be carried out for a further
eight due to the poor information on their location. While none of these plants
is considered extinct, it does highlight the lack of knowledge that exists
regarding these important species20. It is impossible to protect a plant
threatened by a proposal to develop the site where it occurs if we don’t know
that it occurs there, especially one which grows outside a designated area.
Better data would help to secure the status of many species.
Bryophytes
Bryophytes differ from vascular plants in that they do not have tubes for
transporting water. Instead they absorb moisture directly from rain or water
vapour in the air around them. This group includes mosses, liverworts and
stoneworts. A 2007 national survey looked at the distribution of bryophytes in
Ireland with a view to publishing an atlas for this group of species.
Box no. 9: Saving rare plants – why every species is important
The delicate parsley fern (Cryptogramma crispa) is known from only one site
in Louth, on Carlingford mountain, and is protected under the Flora Protection
Order. But does the protection of small, unheard-of species really matter? The
answer is ‘yes, absolutely’ – every species matters. The reason why any
particular species is important is not always known and it is true that species
sometimes go extinct and the ecosystem carries on pretty much as before.
Some species however, known as ‘keystone’ species, are so important that
their extinction results in a permanent imbalance and consequent collapse in
the ecology. For species that do not fulfil this role, another analogy is useful. It
suggests that individual species are like rivets on the wing of an aeroplane,
remove one or two and the plane can still fly, however each subsequent
removal weakens the structure up to a point where a crash is inevitable.
Lichens and Fungi
A lichen is a unique entity in that it is an intimate combination of two very
different organisms: a fungus and an alga. Some are extremely common and
can be used as accurate indicators of air quality. Fungi are notoriously difficult
to identify and survey since what is commonly identified as a mushroom is in
fact only the fruiting body, a tiny portion of the organism that is visible above
19
Preston C.D., Pearman D.A., & Dines T.D., 2002. The New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora,
Oxford University Press.
20
Martin J. 2006. Survey of rare/threatened and scarce vascular plants in Louth, NPWS
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
19
ground. It is believed that the largest and heaviest organism on Earth may in
fact be a fungus, so vast is its network of root-like hyphae in the soil.
Algae
Some algae, such as sea weeds, are quite well known as they are readily
visible and easy to recognise. Many others are single-celled organisms that
produce slimes or are suspended in water. This means that identification
techniques are much more specialised.
Micro-organisms
The number and variety of micro-organisms in existence is currently
impossible to estimate but may stretch into millions. Very little research has
taken place into what may be the largest group of organisms on the planet.
Threats and opportunities for biodiversity
Throughout the world, the principal threats to biodiversity are habitat loss;
pollution; disease; over-harvesting; and alien invasive species. The
uncertainties of climate change may also be included in this list. Of these,
habitat loss is probably the greatest threat in Louth, although climate change
and alien species may also present problems in the future (see box no. 11).
Habitats that have been converted to intensive grassland or forestry are
generally hostile to wildlife, while rising sea levels may inundate existing
wildlife-rich coastal habitats. Specific activities can damage habitats, such as
drainage of bogs, or excessive trampling on sand dunes. Lack of knowledge
and awareness can also be identified as a significant threat that will be
addressed as part of this plan.
Box No. 10: Climate Change and the MONARCH project
That climate change is happening and that human activity is the principal
cause of that change is now beyond doubt. Attention will now turn to reducing
emissions of greenhouse gases and trying to predict and adapt to changes
that are already occurring. The MONARCH project is a partnership between
wildlife organisations in the UK and Ireland that set about predicting how a
changing climate will impact on some of our most threatened species. The
result: possible gains in habitat for the corn bunting, marsh fritillary butterfly,
and the red hemp-nettle; but losses for the skylark, common scoter and the
song thrush. While much research remains to be done, the report’s
conclusions build a case for planning and adapting to climate change by
conserving and restoring all semi-natural habitats, habitat creation, and
increasing the ability of wildlife to move across the landscape by making
agriculture and forestry less focussed on intensive production.21
There are also however, significant opportunities for biodiversity today.
Changes in European Union policy and the expansion of the Rural
Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) mean that land need not be farmed
21
Walmsley et al. 2007. MONARCH – Modelling Natural Resource Responses to Climate Change.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
20
as intensively as before, while a new approach to forestry in Ireland is
integrating biodiversity and amenity value into its plans. These developments
will provide greater space and ease of movement through the countryside for
our plants and animals and allow them to adapt more easily to future changes
in the environment.
Meanwhile there is a growing realisation that our economy can continue to
grow for the benefit of all, in a sensitive way, so that rivers can run with clean
water, visitors and locals alike can enjoy beautiful landscapes and wildlife can
flourish. This is known as Sustainable Development and communities,
businesses and politicians now recognise it as essential for the continued
growth of our country. This first ever Biodiversity Action Plan for Louth will
help make sustainable development a reality.
How this plan was drawn up
This plan was produced in accordance with the ‘Draft Guidelines for the
Production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans’, these formerly draft guidelines
have subsequently been adopted by the Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government. The actions identified in this plan arose
directly from the consultation that took place with stakeholders as well as a
review of the existing data on biodiversity in the county. A consultation
questionnaire was sent to 102 recipients including members of the Louth
Heritage Forum, Tidy Towns groups, Angling Clubs, Chambers of Commerce
and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (eNGOs). The form was
made available on the council’s website and was sent to every elected
representative. In all, 36 individuals and organisations made a submission to
the plan and they are gratefully acknowledged in Appendix 1. The actions
were grouped into themes to identify priorities and this is shown as a pie chart
in figure 1. The principle themes are:






Protect local habitats and species
Raise awareness of the county’s natural heritage
Gather data on Louth’s biodiversity
Increase access to nature
Integrate biodiversity with the planning process
Involve local communities
The aim in developing the plan was therefore to identify actions that
addressed at least one, but preferably more than one, of these themes.
Together, OPENFIELD Ecological Services and the Heritage Officer of Louth
County Council, along with members of the county’s Heritage Forum, drafted
the actions that now form the first Biodiversity Action Plan for Louth.
We cannot protect what we don’t know about so, during the consultation
phase, people were asked to nominate areas of Louth that they felt were
important for wildlife but which did not currently enjoy any protected status. A
list of such areas was drawn up and added to other known sites, such as
abandoned quarries, native woodlands and old bridges with roosting bats. It is
hoped that this list might form the basis of a network of local biodiversity areas
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
21
in the county (see figure 2), although it will obviously be a matter for the
elected representatives to decide how this might be done, perhaps with a new
lower tier of designation of sites of local biodiversity interest.
Figure 1 – Consultation outcomes grouped into themes
ENFORCE EXISTING
REGULATIONS
3%
INVOLVE LOCAL
INTEGRATE
COMMUNITIES
BIODIVERSITY WITH
4%
THE PLANNING
PROCESS
8%
INCREASE ACCESS TO
NATURE
6%
FULLY EXECUTE THE
BIODIVERSITY ACTION
PLAN
2%
PROTECT HABITATS
32%
GATHER DATA
10%
RAISE AWARENESS
21%
PROTECT SPECIES
14%
Figure 2 – Biodiversity-rich Areas in Louth, including some potential sites that were
suggested by members of the public during the public consultation process. Inclusion of
a site on this map does not indicate that Louth Local Authorities intend to designate it.
Potential Local Biodiversity Areas
Abandoned Quarries
Rare Plants Sites
Wetlands
Native Woodlands
Bat Roosts
Natural Heritage Areas
Special Areas of Conservation
Special Protection Areas
Water Framework Directive Sensitive Areas
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
22
Draft Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Objectives of the Plan
The Biodiversity Action Plan seeks to build on the energy that was found to
exist during the consultation phase. The actions that have been identified fall
under five objectives:
1. develop a system for the protection of Local Biodiversity Areas (LBAs).
2. Integrate biodiversity and Local Authority activities.
3. raise awareness and appreciation of Louth’s biodiversity across all
sections of society.
4. gather data and enhance Louth’s biodiversity.
5. monitor the effectiveness of the biodiversity action plan
The actions have been designed to give a sense of ownership to the people of
Louth in that the future of its natural spaces is in their hands. While the plan
will be led by the County Council, the vision is that all sections of society will
engage with it, get involved, and create a new appreciation of the county’s
priceless wildlife.
Implementation
This plan represents an ambitious body of work to be achieved over the
coming five years. While led by the Louth Heritage Office, successful
implementation of the plan will depend on the full participation of the key
partners that have been identified alongside each action. It is also recognised
that a second National Biodiversity Plan is currently being prepared and so it
may be necessary to adapt this plan to take this into account.
The role of the Biodiversity Forum is particularly key to the plan. The skill and
knowledge of its members will be required to provide on-going direction for
the plan, setting priorities and evaluating outcomes.
It is hoped that this plan represents not an end, but the beginning of a process
that will deliver major benefits for the people and wildlife of Louth.
Monitoring and Review
A key element of the Biodiversity Action Plan is the monitoring and review of
progress, as reflected under Objective Nr. 5. This objective falls into two parts:
firstly to record and monitor the implementation of the plan and, secondly, to
assess the effectiveness of the plan in actually achieving the targets that it set
out to achieve and to review the plan where necessary.
The implementation of the BAP will be reviewed annually, with a report
produced by the Heritage Officer to detail progress on actions that year, as
well as any difficulties encountered along the way. An interim report will be
produced three years into the programme and this will set the scene so that
planning for the second BAP for Louth can commence.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
23
The second aspect to this action is arguably more difficult but no less
important. This sets about defining indicators and metrics against which the
effectiveness of each objective can be measured. In combining these, a single
biodiversity indicator for the county will allow quick assessment of how nature
conservation is progressing in Louth.
The five objectives and the rationale for each
Objective Nr. 1: Develop a system for the protection of Local Biodiversity
Areas (LBAs).
Almost one third (32%) of the submissions received during the development
of the BAP identified the protection of habitats as a chief concern, more than
any other issue. For this reason, an action to highlight and conserve local
biodiversity areas is seen as a principal goal of the plan. This action also
addresses other themes: raising awareness; protecting species; gathering
data; involving local communities and integrating biodiversity with planning.
Objective Nr. 2: Integrate biodiversity and Local Authority activities.
As the principle stakeholder of the BAP, Louth Local Authorities must be seen
to be leading the way in biodiversity enhancement. This action also reflects a
number of concerns highlighted in the consultation process: enforcing existing
legislation; integrating biodiversity with the planning process; raising
awareness; and protecting habitats and species.
Strategic Objective Nr. 3: Raise awareness and appreciation of Louth’s
biodiversity across all sections of society.
Raising Awareness is a key goal of the Louth BAP as it was highlighted as
being of importance by 21% of submissions to the plan. This action also feeds
into other objectives: involving local communities; increasing access to nature;
and protecting habitats and species.
Objective Nr. 4: Gather data and enhance Louth’s biodiversity.
Gathering data is a key goal of the BAP as it is not possible to manage fully a
system where large gaps in information exist. A tenth (10%) of submissions
highlighted this action as an important component of the plan. This action also
fulfils other objectives including: raising awareness and protecting habitats
and species.
Objective Nr. 5: Monitor the effectiveness of the Biodiversity Action Plan
It is crucial to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the plan in
order to fully assess its progress towards the defined objectives.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
24
Objective 1: Develop a system for the protection of Local Biodiversity
Areas (LBAs) [link to Heritage Plan action no. 41]
Nr.
Potential
Partners
Action
Define criteria for LBAs and identify all potential
sites in the county
1A
Produce a clear set of criteria for the nomination of
Biodiversity
LBAs.
Forum,
EPA
Identify and inventory all potential sites in Louth. Build
this information into a biodiversity layer in the council’s
GIS.
Survey and map potential LBAs
Survey potential sites and map these data onto the GIS.
1B
Raise awareness of these sites among land owners and
local communities.
Where management issues have been identified, work
with relevant stakeholders to ensure good conservation
status for the site.
Highlight local biodiversity
Development Plan (CDP).
1C
in
the
NPWS,
Teagasc
IFA
County
Discuss the importance of protecting local biodiversity in
LCC
the forthcoming County Development Plan. Include the
Planning
requirement to carry out an ecological survey for Department
development proposals where this may impact upon the
conservation status of LBAs.
Monitor and review the LBA system
1D
Biodiversity
Regularly re-evaluate the LBA system by resurveying
Forum
sites on a five-year cycle. Add new sites where
additional information comes to light.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Objective 2: Integrate Biodiversity and Local Authority Activities
Nr.
Action
Provide training and resources for Local Authority
Elected Representatives and staff.

2A

2B
Develop a resource for planners and other relevant
Local Authority staff to include: training in biodiversity
awareness; guidance in reviewing biodiversity-related
reports and enhancing biodiversity through the
planning process and other local authority operations.
[link to Heritage Plan action nr. 25]
Ensure that the system whereby planning applications
are referred to statutory consultees works to its full
potential by conducting awareness-raising workshops
with these bodies and staff of the Louth County
Council planning section.
Manage Local Authority land for biodiversity
Identify and survey all land in the county owned or
managed by LLA. For each site identify at least one
action for biodiversity enhancement, e.g.:
 Eliminate chemical usage in certain areas
 Establish ‘set aside’ areas for wildlife
 Restrict mowing activities during certain months
 Commit to planting only native species
 Establish a network of LINNET plots to enhance
populations of farmland birds.
25
Potential
Partners
LCC staff
and Elected
Members
NPWS
Loughs
Agency
ERFB
Fáilte
Ireland
An Taisce
The
Heritage
Council
Biodiversity
Forum
The
Heritage
Council
Where measures have been carried out, inform land
users through signs, posters etc
2C
Establish a policy in Development Plans to enhance
biodiversity
Include a policy in the County, Dundalk and Drogheda
Development Plans, and all Local Area plans, to enhance
biodiversity in their areas. This can be done by:
 Carrying out conservation projects
 Creating/enhancing nature walks
 Creating habitat where none previously existed
Forward
Planning
section
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
26
Objective 2: Integrate Biodiversity and Local Authority Activities cntd.
2D
Provide resources to help Tidy Towns groups
develop
biodiversity
management/enhancement
plans
Tidy Towns
Assist all Tidy Towns committees in Louth in the Committees
production of wildlife action plans. [link to Heritage Plan
action nr. 28]
2E
Minimise biodiversity impacts by using ISO14001
Environment
Insert biodiversity as an environmental impact in Louth’s
section
ISO14001 Environmental Management System
2F
Make Environmental Impact Assessment work better
for biodiversity.
Ensure that all Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
are reviewed by a qualified ecologist.
Ensure that copies of EISs are lodged with ENFO22 and
the county library at the end of each year.
22
ENFO
County
Library
ENFO is the Department of the Environment’s information centre on Andrew St., Dublin 2.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
27
Objective 3: Raise Awareness and Appreciation of Louth’s Natural
Heritage Across All Sections of Society
Nr.
Action
3A
Explore alternative mechanisms to provide a
Biodiversity Awareness Officer (volunteer / student
placement?). Louth Local Authorities cannot
employ a biodiversity officer on their staff.
A Biodiversity Awareness Officer could carry out
awareness raising and education projects, e.g.:
 School trips
 Field trips for families
 Facilitate community involvement in eNGOs’
conservation projects
 Carry out conservation projects
 Promote the recording of Louth’s biodiversity
 Arrange botanical/zoological field-trips for serious
amateurs and professionals
 Promote biodiversity at farmers’ marts
 Carry out awareness raising events during Heritage
and Biodiversity weeks.
Potential
Partners
BirdWatch
Ireland
Teagasc
IFA
LEADER
INTERREG
3B
Promote biodiversity among non-environmental
organisations
Make an annual presentation to a non-environmental
Local
organisation,
e.g.:
Chambers
of
Commerce; Professional
professional organisations (engineers, architects, Organisations
landscape artists, estate agents, planning consultants);
garden centres or Rotary clubs, to promote the BAP.
3C
Promote best practice for integrating biodiversity
Notice Nature
with business and development
Produce and/or disseminate two best practice guidance
Chambers of
documents for integrating biodiversity with development
Commerce
and business.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
28
Objective 3: Raise Awareness and Appreciation of Louth’s Natural Heritage Across All
Sections of Society cntd.
3D
Raise awareness of the BAP among the general
public.
 ‘Brand’ the Louth BAP for use on all material (i.e. a
logo).
 Create a poster highlighting loss of biodiversity in
Louth in recent times and advertise it in local media
 Create a web page – www.louthbiodiversity.ie to
provide a biodiversity resource for the county and
raise awareness of events/projects taking place as
part of the BAP.
3E
Increase public access to nature
 Produce a booklet on where to watch wildlife in
Louth.
 Build a bird hide/interpretation centre for Dundalk
Bay.
 Develop a natural heritage interpretation strategy.
[link to Heritage Plan action no. 23]
 Develop a voluntary beach warden programme for
schools. [link to Heritage Plan action no. 21]
 Produce a feasibility study on establishing bird hides
overlooking Carlingford Lough and the Boyne
Estuary.
Local Media
BirdWatch
Ireland
Louth Nature
Trust
Biodiversity
Forum
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
29
Objective 4: Gather Data and Enhance Louth’s Biodiversity
Nr.
Action
4A
Conduct an audit of existing biological data
relating to Louth.
Carry out an audit of datasets relating to biodiversity in
Louth. Gaps in the knowledge should be clearly
identified as this information can be used as a
framework for planning further studies. [link to Heritage
Plan action no. 1]
4B
Address gaps in existing knowledge
Establish a programme of research to address key data
gaps identified during the audit. This should focus on
establishing the conservation status of rare, threatened
or protected species and habitats in the county. [link to
Heritage Plan action no. 1]
Potential
Partners
Third Level
Institutions
Biodiversity
Forum
Biodiversity
Forum
NPWS
Dundalk IT
4C
Establish the current conservation status of all
proposed NHAs in Louth
Establish the conservation status of all pNHAs by
conducting site surveys and working with NPWS to
address management issues where they arise.
NPWS
4D
Develop a Hedgerow Conservation Plan [link to
Heritage Plan action no. 42]
 Provide applicants for planning permission with a
leaflet on the ecological importance of hedgerows
and why/how they should be managed. [link to
Heritage Plan action nos 22]
 Carry out a hedgerow survey to establish the extent
of the resource and identify hedges of particular
biodiversity significance.
 Ensure that contractors hired by LCC to maintain
hedges have been given appropriate training and
resources.
Teagasc
4E
Determine the location of bat roosts in the County
Survey all heritage bridges for bats and integrate data
with the LBA system (see Action 1)
Bat
Conservation
Ireland
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
30
Objective 4: Gather Data and Enhance Louth’s Biodiversity cntd.
4F
Map the habitats of the Cooley peninsula
Identify and survey all natural and semi-natural habitats
on the Cooley peninsula in accordance with Level 3 of
Fossitt’s Guide.
4G
Identify the locations of all Red Listed and Flora
Protection Order plants in Louth.
BSBI
NPWS
4H
Carry out a feasibility study on the reintroduction
of the Red Grouse to the Cooley mountains
4I
Consider the establishment of a winter feeding
ground for birds (geese and swans) adjacent to
Dundalk Bay
4J
Develop a marine conservation plan for Louth [link
to Heritage Plan action nr. 40]
4K
Make Biodiversity Data Accessible to All
 Ensure all data collected through the BAP is passed
on to the National Biological Records Centre in
Waterford in an appropriate format.
 Create and maintain a Natural Heritage section in
the County Library in Dundalk.
BirdWatch
Ireland
NPWS
BirdWatch
Ireland
National
Biological
Records
Centre
Louth County
Library
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
31
Objective 5: Monitor the effectiveness of the Louth BAP
Nr.
5A
Action
Potential
Partners
Monitor the implementation of the BAP
In January of each year, the Heritage Officer should report
to all biodiversity forum members and stakeholders on the
progress of the BAP. This report should highlight actions
Biodiversity
completed to date, actions underway and actions yet to be
Forum
commenced. It should identify the key challenges and
opportunities that exist for continued implementation and
highlight the roles of potential stakeholders in meeting
these challenges.
Monitor the effectiveness of the BAP
Develop biodiversity indicators for each objective under
this plan, e.g.:

5B






5C
Survey the level of biodiversity awareness among the
general public in Louth [link to Heritage Plan action 2]
Number of species at risk of extinction.
Membership of active county branches of eNGOs
Number of Local Authority employees trained in
biodiversity awareness
Number of ecological surveys requested
Number of actions carried out under the BAP
Number of Local Authority land parcels for which a
biodiversity enhancement project has been
undertaken.
Make reporting easier
Establish and maintain a register of all developments with
the potential to impact significantly on biodiversity, to
include accessible storage of all EISs i.e.:
 Proposals impacting on SACs, SPAs, NHAs and LBAs
 Proposals impacting on local water courses
 EISs
 Submissions to the National Infrastructure Board of An
Bord Pleanála
Biodiversity
Forum
LCC
Planning
Department
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
32
Appendix 1 – List of organisations and individuals who made a
submission to the Biodiversity Action Plan
Name
Dr Tina Aughney
Ms Sandra McKeever
Mr Breffni Martin
Ms Karin Dubsky
Mr John Condit
Town Engineer
Ms Michaela Kirrane
Mr Paddy Matthews
Cllr. Mark Dearey
Ms Sarah Malone
Environment section
Roads section (3)
Cllr. Thomas Clare
Cllr. Thomas Sharkey
Mr Eugene McEntegart
Mr Jack Matthews
Dr Sarah Varian
Biodiversity Officer
Dr Maurice Eakin
Mr Kieran Buckley
Cllr. Declan Breathnach
Dr Ron Murray
Mr Niall O Lamhna
Mr Dermot Ahern TD
Ms Patricia Murphy
Heritage Officer
Organisation
Bat Conservation Ireland
Louth BirdWatch Ireland/LNT
Louth BirdWatch Ireland/LNT
Coastwatch
Department of the Environment,
Northern Ireland
Dundalk Town Council
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
Fáilte Ireland
Louth County Council
Irish Peatland Protection Council
Louth County Council
Louth County Council
Louth County Council
Louth County Council
Louth Regional Game Council
Louth Regional Game Council
Marine Dimensions
Newry & Mourne District Council
National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Neagh-Bann River Basin District
Ring of Gullion Initiative
Teagasc
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Blackrock Tidy Towns
Louth County Council
Individuals
Dr Niamh Roche
Mr Oscar Merne
Dr Pamela Whitaker
Mr Fergal Crawley
Ms Florence Shields
Mr Peter Philips
Mr Noel Kelly
Ms Nessa O’Connor
Ms Eileen Carter
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
33
Appendix 2 – Sites Designated for Nature Conservation in Louth
proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs)
NHAs are sites that are important at national level and they frequently cover
habitats that are rare locally, for instance woodland and wetland in Louth.
None of Louth’s Natural Heritage Areas currently has statutory designation
(hence the prefix ‘p’ for ‘proposed’), they are however protected under the
county development plan. Some of them are also designated as SACs or
SPAs and are protected as European sites. The following are pNHAs in Louth:
Site Code
0452
0456
1293
1451
1454
1458
1461
1462
1464
1465
1468
1616
1801
1803
1804
1805
1806
1828
1856
Name
Carlingford Lough pNHA
Stabannan-Braganstown pNHA
Blackhall Woods pNHA
Liscarragh Marsh pNHA
Ardee Bog pNHA
Castlecoo Hill pNHA
Darver Castle pNHA
Drumcah, Toprass & Cortial Loughs pNHA
Mellifont Abbey Woods pNHA
Woodland at Omeath Park pNHA
Trumpet Hill pNHA
Louth Hall and Ardee Woods pNHA
Barmeath Woods pNHA
Stephenstown Pond pNHA
King William’s Glen pNHA
Ravensdale Plantation pNHA
Kildemock Marsh pNHA
Reaghstown Marsh pNHA
Dunany Point pNHA
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
SACs are sites of international importance, designated under the EU’s
Habitats Directive by statutory instrument (the Habitats Regulations 1997).
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is charged with monitoring the
conservation status of these sites.
Site Code
0453
0455
1459
1957
2306
Louth SACs
Name
Carlingford Mountain SAC
Dundalk Bay SAC
Clogher Head SAC
Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC
Carlingford Shore SAC
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
34
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
SPAs are designated by statutory instrument under the EU’s Birds Directive
and so are, like SACs, of international importance. Selection of these areas is
based on the type and number of birds present.
Site Code
4026
4078
4080
4091
Louth SPAs
Name
Dundalk Bay SPA
Carlingford Lough SPA
Boyne Estuary SPA
Stabannan-Braganstown SPA
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
35
Table listing all sites designated or proposed for designation for nature conservation in County Louth (as shown on map above)
All areas are given in Hectares (One Hectare equals approximately two and a half acres)
Map ID
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
II*
Site name
Area
SAC Nr
Area
II* NHA Nr
Ardee Cutaway Bog
1454
84
Barmeath Woods
1801
13
Blackhall Woods
1293
6
Boyne Coast and Estuary
Yes
1957
439
1957
379
Boyne Estuary
Yes
Boyne River Islands*
Yes
1862
12
Carlingford Lough
Yes
452
2521
Carlingford Mountain
Yes
453
3099
453
3100
Carlingford Shore
Yes
2306
217
Castlecoo Hill
1458
4
Clogher Head
Yes
1459
24
1459
24
Darver Castle Woods
1461
4
Drumcah, Toprass and Cortial Lake
1462
95
Dunany Point
1856
43
Dundalk Bay
Yes
455
5237
455
5272
Kildemock Marsh
1806
3
King William's Glen*
Yes
1804
33
Liscarragh Marsh
1451
9
Louth Hall and Ardee Woods
1616
9
Mellifont Abbey Woods
1464
297
Ravensdale Plantation
1805
180
Reaghstown Marsh
1828
5
River Boyne and River Blackwater
Yes
2299
134
Stabannan-Braganstown
Yes
1462
95
Stephenstown Pond
1803
2
Trumpet Hill
1468
54
Woodland at Omeath Park
1465
18
Totals
24
12,287
6
9,125
Equivalent percentage of the area of County Louth
15.0%
11.1%
Indicates an Internationally Important protected site (or incorporated into a larger such site)
SPA Nr
Area
4080 (138)
206
4078 (99)
172
4026 (111)
10930
4091 (128)
491
4
11,799
14.4%
NB much of the extent covered by SAC/SPA designation is below the high water mark (i.e. it is marine) and so is not covered
by planning laws. Such areas are not included within the 82,000 Ha area of county Louth. The percentage equivalent figures
given above are for illustrative purposes only.
Habitat
Bog/marsh
Woodland
Woodland
Coastal
Coastal
River
Coastal
Mountain
Coastal
Woodland
Coastal
Woodland
Lake
Coastal
Coastal
Bog/marsh
Woodland
Bog/marsh
Woodland
Woodland
Woodland
Bog/marsh
River
Bog/marsh
Lake
Woodland
Woodland
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Appendix 3 – Protected species and habitats in Louth
3a. Protected Species
Abbreviations used in the table below:
EU HD = EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC)
II
animal and plant species listed under Annex II
IV
animal and plant species listed under Annex IV
V
animal and plant species listed under Annex V
EU BD = EU Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC)
I
Bird Species listed under Annex I of the Directive
RDB = Species’ status in the relevant “Red Data Book”
Ex
Extinct
E
Endangered
V
Vulnerable
R
Rare
I
Indeterminate
II
Internationally important
*
Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland Red List
>
Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland Amber List
WA = Wildlife Act, 1976 & Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000
PProtected Species
FPO - Listed in the Flora Protection Order (1999)
Bern = The Bern Convention
Bonn = The Bonn Convention
A blank space indicated that the Species is not listed under that heading.
U = Status unknown
For up to date information see the website of the NPWS: www.npws.ie
36
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
37
Mammals
English name
Red Deer
Sika Deer
Fallow Deer
Irish Hare
Pygmy Shrew
Red Squirrel
Hedgehog
Otter
Pine Marten
Irish Stoat
Badger
Brown longeared Bat
Common
Pipistrelle
Daubenton’s
Bat
Leisler’s Bat
Natterer’s Bat
Whiskered Bat
Common Seal
Grey Seal
Harbour
Porpoise
Bottle-nosed
Dolphin
Scientific name
Cervus elaphus
Cervus nippon
Dama dama
Lepus timidus
hibernicus
Sorex minutus
Sciurus vulgaris
Erinaceus
europaeus
Lutra lutra
Martes martes
Mustela erminea
hibernica
Meles meles
Plecotus auritus
Pipistrellus
pipistrellus
Myotis
daubentoni
Nyctalus leisleri
Myotis nattereri
Myotis
mystancinus
Phoca vitulina
Halichoerus
grypus
Phocoena
phocoena
Tursiops
truncatus
EU
HD
EU
BD
RDB WA Bern Bonn
P
P
P
V
II
P
III
P
P
II, IV
V
II
P
III
II
II
P
P
II
III
P
II
P
III
IV
I
P
II
IV
I
P
II
IV
I
P
II
IV
IV
I
I
P
P
II
II
IV
I
P
II
II, V
P
II, V
P
II, IV
P
II, IV
P
Note that bird species are not covered by the Habitats Directive
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
English name
Reed Warbler
Skylark
Kingfisher
Pintail
Shoveler
Teal
Wigeon
Gadwall
Greenland
White-fronted
Goose
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Scaup
Light-bellied
Brent Goose
Goldeneye
Dunlin
Redpoll
Stock Dove
Cuckoo
Whooper Swan
Yellowhammer
Merlin
Peregrine
Coot
Red-throated
Diver
Swallow
Black-headed
Gull
Black-tailed
Godwit
Grasshopper
Warbler
Curlew
Birds
EU
Scientific name
HD
Acrocephalus
scirpaceus
Alauda arvensis
Alcedo atthis
Anas acuta
Anas clypeata
Anas crecca
Anas penelope
Anas strepera
Anser albifrons
flavirostris
Aythya ferina
Aythya fuligula
Aythya marila
Branta bernicla
hrota
Bucephala
clangula
Calidris alpina
Carduelis
flammea
Columba oenas
Cuculus canorus
Cygnus cygnus
Emberiza
citrinella
Falco
columbarius
Falco peregrinus
Fulica atra
Gavia stellata
38
EU
BD
RDB WA Bern Bonn
>
>
I
P
P
P
U
III
III
U
II
II
P
III
II
>II
P
III
II
>R
>
>
P
III
II
>II
P
III
II
P
III
II
P
II
II
R
R
>
>
R
I
>
V
>
I
>
>
>II
*
I
>R
P
II
II
I
II
>
P
II
II
I
>R
P
II
P
III
Hirundo rustica
>
Larus ridibundus
>
Limosa limosa
R
Locustella naevia
>
Numenius
arquata
*
II
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
39
Birds (continued)
English name
Common
Scoter
Red-breasted
Merganser
Spotted
Flycatcher
Cormorant
Golden Plover
Great-crested
Grebe
Water Rail
Sand Martin
Whinchat
Stonechat
Arctic Tern
Little Tern
Shelduck
Greenshank
Barn Owl
Lapwing
Scientific name
EU
HD
EU
BD
RDB WA Bern Bonn
Melanitta nigra
*E
Mergus serrator
>
Muscicapa striata
>
Phalacrocorax
carbo
Pluvialis apricaria
Podiceps
cristatus
Rallus aquaticus
Riparia riparia
Saxicola rubetra
Saxicola torquata
Sterna
paradisaea
Sterna albifrons
Tadorna tadorna
Tringa nebularia
Tyto alba
Vanellus vanellus
P
III
II
P
III
II
U
>
I
V
>
>
>
>
>
I
>
P
U
I
>V
>
R
*I
*
P
II
P
P
III
II
II
Fish
River Lamprey
Brook Lamprey
Sea Lamprey
Lampetra
fluviatilis
Lampetra
planeri
Petromyzon
marinus
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Reptiles
Common Lizard
Lacerta vivipara
Amphibians
Common Frog
Smooth Newt
Rana temporaria
Triturus vulgaris
Crustaceans
White-clawed
Crayfish
Austropotamobius
pallipes
II, V
I
III
II
I
III
II
I
III
II,
IV
U
P
V
II, V
II
P
P
III
P
U
U
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
40
Vascular Plants
English name
Scientific name
Basil Thyme
Acinos arvensis
Cryptogramma
crispa
Galeopsis
angustifolia
Hammarbya
paludosa
Hordeum
secalinum
Mertensia
maritima
Papaver
hybridum
Scleranthus
annuus
Parsley Fern
Red Hemp
Nettle
Bog Orchid
Meadow Barley
Oyster Plant
Round Pricklyheaded Poppy
Annual Knawel
EU
HD
EU
BD
FPO
RDB WA Bern Bonn
V
FPO
R
FPO
V
FPO
RV
FPO
V
FPO
R
FPO
E
FPO
References:
Vertebrates
Mammals
Birds
Fish
Butterflies
Vascular Plants
Whilde A., 1993. Threatened Mammals, Birds,
Amphibians and Fish in Ireland. Irish Red Data Book 2:
Vertebrates, Stationery Office Books.
Hayden T. & Harrington R., 2001. Exploring Irish
Mammals, Town House.
Gibbons D.W., Reid J.B. & Chapman R.A., 1993. The
Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988 –
1991, T & AD Poyser.
Lack P., 1986. The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and
Ireland, T & AD Poyser.
Maitland P.S., 2004. Keys to the Freshwater Fish of
Britain and Ireland, with notes on their distribution and
ecology, Freshwater Biological Association.
Asher et al., 2001. The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in
Britain and Ireland, Oxford University Press.
Curtis T.G.F. & McGough H.N., 1988. The Irish Red
Data Book 1: Vascular Plants, Stationery Office.
Preston C.D., Pearman D.A., & Dines T.D., 2002. New
Atlas of the British & Irish Flora, Oxford University Press.
Stewart N.F. & Church J.M., 1992. Red Data Books of
Britain & Ireland: Stoneworts, Joint Nature Conservation
Committee.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
41
EU Annex I Habitats Occurring in Louth
Key
Code = Natura 2000 Code
*
- Priority Habitat
Code
Short Title
Habitats present on
Carlingford Mountain
23Rocky
Various
1130
Estuaries
Estuaries
1140
Tidal Mudflats
Mudflats and sandflats not
covered by sea water at low tide
1210
Drift lines
Annual vegetation of drift lines
1220
Perennial vegetation of
stony banks
1230
Sea Cliffs
1310
Salicornia Mud
1330
Atlantic Salt Meadow
1410
Mediterranean Salt Meadow
Perennial vegetation of stony
banks
Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic
and Baltic coasts
Salicornia and other annuals
colonising mud an sand
Atlantic salt meadows (GlaucoPuccinellietalis maritimae)
Mediterranean salt meadow
(Juncetalia maritima)
2110
Embryonic Shifting Dunes
2120
Marram Dunes
(“white dunes”)
2130*
* Dune grassland
4030
Dry Heath
European dry heaths
4060
Alpine and Boreal Heaths
Alpine and Boreal Heaths
7230
Base-rich Fens
* Alder Woodland on
Floodplains
Alkaline fens
Alluvial forests with Alnus
glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior
91EO*
23
Full Title
Embryonic shifting dunes
Shifting dunes along the shoreline
with Ammophila arenaria
(“white dunes”).
Fixed coastal dunes with
herbaceous vegetation
(“grey dunes”)
The NPWS site synopsis does not specify which habitats are present here.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
42
Appendix 4 – Glossary and Acronyms
BAP
Biodiversity Action Plan
Bern Convention (The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife
and Natural Habitats). To implement the Bern Convention in Europe, the
(then) European Community adopted Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the
Conservation of Wild Birds (the EC Birds Directive) in 1979, and Council
Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild
Fauna and Flora (the EC Habitats Directive) in 1992.
Biodiversity Defined under the CBD as meaning “the variability among living
organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within
species, between species and of ecosystems.”
Bonn Convention (The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals (also known as the CMS Convention) aims to conserve
terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an
intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations
Environment Programme, concerned with the conservation of wildlife and
habitats on a global scale. The Convention was signed in 1979 in Bonn
(hence the name) and entered into force in 1983.
Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the
Convention. CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals,
conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to
migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. Besides
establishing obligations for each State joining the Convention, CMS promotes
concerted action among the Range States of many of these species.
BSBI
Botanical Society of the British Isles (sic)
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity: an international treaty,
signed and ratified by Ireland, that provides for the
establishment of local Biodiversity Action Plans
CDP
County Development Plan
CMA
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (see
Bonn)
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment: The process by which the
environmental impacts of a proposed development are assessed
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement: The report that is produced as
a result of carrying out an EIA
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
43
ENFO
The environmental information centre on Andrew Street, Dublin,
run by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government
eNGO
Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation: examples in
Ireland include BirdWatch Ireland, Bat Conservation Ireland and
Coastwatch
Environmental Liability Directive:
An EU Directive which came into force in 2007 and which allows
for the repair of damage caused to habitats and species
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency: A government body charged
with protecting certain aspects of the environment in Ireland.
EU
European Union
FETAC
Further Education and Training Awards Council
FPO
Flora Protection Order: a statutory list of rare or endangered
plants. Presence on the list prohibits actions that would further
endanger the species
GIS
Geographic Information System: a software package that allows
data with a spatial dimension to displayed in a graphical format
GSI
Geological Survey of Ireland
LA
Local Authority
IFA
Irish Farmers’ Association
IPPC
Irish Peatland Protection Council: an eNGO that campaigns for
the conservation of bogs in Ireland
ISO14001
This is an internationally recognised environmental management
system. It commits the holder to continuously improve its
environmental performance
LBA
Local Biodiversity Area
LCC
Louth County Council
NHA
Natural Heritage Area: a biodiversity site of national importance,
currently protected through county development plans
NPWS
National Parks and Wildlife Service: a body within the
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
charged with the protection of habitats and species
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
44
REPS
Rural Environmental Protection Scheme: A programme of
environmental protection and enhancement measures funded
under the EU’s common agricultural policy
SAC
Special Area of Conservation: a biodiversity site of international
importance for certain habitats and species other than birds,
designated under the EU’s Habitats Directive
SPA
Special Protection Area: a biodiversity site of international
importance for birds, designated under the EU’s Birds Directive
Sustainable Development
Defined by the United Nations as meeting the needs of the
current generation without compromising the needs of future
generations. It can be interpreted as meaning development that
does not deplete non-renewable resources, complying with
legislation, and not causing pollution.
Water Framework Directive
An EU initiative under which all bodies of water in the state must
attain ‘good ecological status’ by 2015. Most of Louth lies within
the Eastern river basin district.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
45
Appendix 5 – Bibliography
Aalen F.H.A., Whelan K. & Stout M., 1997. Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, Cork
University Press.
Anon., 2002. National Biodiversity Action Plan 2002 – 2007, Department of the Arts,
Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Anon., 2002. Tidy Towns Handbook; Department of the Environment, Heritage and
Local Government.
Anon., 2003. Guidelines for the Production of Local Area Biodiversity Action Plans
(draft), Heritage Council.
Anon. 2006. Environment in Focus 2006 – Environmental Indicators for Ireland,
EPA.
Anon. 2006. Louth Heritage Plan 2007 – 2011, Louth County Council.
Anon., 2007. Water Matters: “Have your say!”, Neagh-Bann Intl River Basin District.
Carey M. Hamilton G., Poole A. & Lawton C., 2007. The Irish Red Squirrel Survey,
NPWS.
Fahy E., 1972. A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in Co. Louth, An
Foras Forbartha.
Foss P., O’Connell C. & Crushell P. 2001. Bogs and Fens of Ireland –
Conservation Plan 2005, IPCC
Foss P., 2007. Study of the Extent and Conservation Status of Springs, Fens and
Flushes in Ireland 2007 NPWS.
Hickie D., 2004. Irish Hedgerows: Networks for Nature, Networks for Nature.
Higgins G.T., Martin J.R. & Perrin P.M., 2004. National Survey of Native Woodland
in Ireland NPWS.
Martin J., 2006. Survey of Rare/Threatened and Scarce Vascular Plants in Louth,
NPWS.
McCorry, 2007. Identification of wetlands at several sites in County Louth, Louth
County Council.
Murphy D., Unknown year. Requirements for the Protection of Fisheries Habitat
during Construction and Development Works at River Sites, Eastern Regional
Fisheries Board and available at
http://www.fishingireland.net/environment/fullconstructionanddevelopment.htm
Natura Environmental Consultants, 2005. Local Biodiversity Areas: Pilot study on the
identification and evaluation of local areas for wildlife and nature conservation, Heritage
Council.
Louth Biodiversity Action Plan
Roe J. and Merne O., 2006. The Ecology of Blackrock, Blackrock Tidy Towns
Committee.
46