An Taisce has just completed a review of Ireland’s NHAs. NHAs (Natural Heritage Areas) often contain a mosaic of different habitats, encompassing different flora, fauna, and geology, all of which contribute to their ecological value and help provide us with important services such as clean water, flood control, and carbon storage.
Currently only bog NHA’s have been granted full protection in law. There are a further 617 proposed NHA’s (pNHA’s) round the country which do not have full legal protection, and massive unchallenged and unrecorded destruction of these is taking place. Some pNHA’s overlap other designations e.g. SPA’s and SAC’s but 617 are completely vulnerable and our review has looked at the degree of protection provided by the state including the efforts and abilities of Local Authorities to protect these sites.
Until the DoEHLG awards full NHA status to these pNHA’s along with guidance these inconsistencies within Local Authority policy will remain.
An Taisce’s review compares Ireland’s record with similar areas in France and Britain and makes the case that better community and landowner participation are crucial for successful protection and management of these areas.
The report identifies more than 120 sites which are ready to be awarded NHA status. This includes 54 woodland sites, 43 important bat sites and 25 sites with unique geology. Many more need simple boundary consultation and definition to be ready. Fen and limestone pavement pNHA’s need to be prioritised in this work, which will help meet our commitments under the habitats directive and needs for a climate change adaptation stargtegy.
Without progress in this work these sites and many others will be lost due to lack of protection. Evidence suggests that pHNA’s are being damaged and lost at an alarming rate, but granting of NHA orders for the pNHA’s described in this report is an achievable task for the government in 2010, the International Year for Biodiversity. This protection must be supported by training and guidance for Local Authorities and other agencies who are responsible for day to day protection of these sites.
The review was completed with the support of the Heritage Council under the Wildlife Grants Scheme 2009.
The Full report can be downloaded or viewed here.