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Peatlands 2020 Conservation Plan - Halting the Loss of Peatland Biodiversity

In 2008, IPCC is formulating a new Peatland Conservation Plan for Ireland. The Plan will be called Peatland Conservation Plan 2020 and its focus will be on halting the loss of peatland biodiversity and combating the predicted impact of climate change on peatlands. It is to be published in 2009.

The term biodiversity is used to describe the variety of all life on earth including all plants and animals, and the ecosystms which sustain them. Scientific evidence suggests that global biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate. Peatlands sustain a rich and unique range of habitats from calcareous-rich fens to acidic bogs. More than fifty vegetation types have been described from Irish peatlands and 50% of all Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) contain peatlands. Irish peatlands are not only important for biodiversity on a national scale, they are also important for biodiversity on an international scale.

Although approximately 17% of the total land area of Ireland was originally covered by peatlands, their use has been so intensive that less than one fifth of the original peatland area is today in a natural state. The drivers of peatland biodiversity loss are habitat change, invasive alien species, over-exploitation, nutrient pollution and climate change. IPCC's Peatland Plan tackles a wide range of issues which are destroying the ecosystems services provided by peatlands and leading to further loss of peatland biodiversity and contributing to climate change. They include turf cutting, afforestation, cutaway bogs, overgrazing, peat energy, wind energy, moss peat and horticulture, invasive species and recreation. The need for enforcement of legislation is also a focal point of the IPCC's 2020 Peatlands Conservation Plan. The plan builds on the previous Peatland Conservation Plan for Ireland which was formulated in 2001 (see IPCC Bogs and Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan

Local Biodiversity Plans

21 local authorities are presently compiling or have already compiled Local Biodiversity Plans. These plans will provide a framework for the conservation, management and enhancement of the rich natural heritage and biodiversity in each county. They are vital for the future of our peatlands and for sympathetic land management in the wider countryside. The main functions of a County Biodiversity Plan are to translate international, European and national policies and obligations into effective action on the ground; to assist sustainable planning and development; to raise public awarness of and involvement in the conservation of biodiversity; and to collect and collate information on the biodiversity of the area.

IPCC have contributed to the Cavan, Cork, Cork City, Donegal, Galway, Galway City, Kildare, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo and North Tipparary Biodiversity Plans. As an organisation based in County Kildare, IPCC is represented on the Heritage Forum for the County which has a special interest in biodiversity protection.

Kildare Biodiversity Plan

The Heritage Office of Kildare County Council is presently writing the first Biodiversity Plan for Kildare. Submissions to the plan are invited from anyone who has an interest in biodiversity and nature conservation in Kildare. You can contribute to the Kildare Biodiversity Plan by making a submission to the Heriatge Office of Kildare County Council beforre the deadline of the 31st of July 2008. A consultation form can be downlaoded from the Heritage Section of the Kildare County Council website by following this link this link: http://www.kildare.ie/countycouncil/heritage/countykildarebiodiversityplan use the search engine on the web site to find the County Kildare Biodiversity Plan