The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC), in partnership with the Environmental Pillar, has today launched Restore Nature: Priority Peatland Under Afforestation – A Shadow Nature Restoration Plan, a major new report identifying peatland sites where the removal of forestry and habitat restoration on public lands could make a significant contribution towards meeting Ireland’s legally binding obligations under the EU Nature Restoration Law.The report provides a practical roadmap for Government action by identifying priority sites where forestry removal would restore protected peatland habitats, improve biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions and enhance water quality. Many of the largest restoration opportunities identified occur within publicly managed forests, creating an opportunity for the State to demonstrate leadership in delivering Ireland’s nature restoration commitments.
Ireland’s peatlands are of national importance, with recent mapping indicating that peat soils occur across approximately 23% of the Republic of Ireland. However, decades of drainage, peat extraction, agricultural reclamation and afforestation have left only a fraction of these habitats in a healthy ecological condition. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council estimates that approximately 28.2% of Ireland’s peatlands have been utilised by forestry, highlighting the scale of the restoration opportunity facing the State.
Using detailed GIS analysis, the project identified locations where commercial forestry overlaps with protected raised bog and blanket bog habitats, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). The analysis highlights sites where forestry removal and peatland restoration would deliver significant benefits for biodiversity, climate action and water quality while supporting compliance with the Nature Restoration Law.
The raised bog assessment identified 26 forestry clusters impacting designated raised bog sites. Many of these sites contain significant areas of Coillte forestry and the report recommends that State-owned lands should be prioritised for restoration action.
The blanket bog assessment identified 30 priority forestry clusters affecting designated blanket bog habitats. The analysis found that more than 40% of Article 17 blanket bog habitat overlaps with Coillte forestry, while a further 24% overlaps with private forestry, demonstrating the significant opportunity for restoration on publicly managed lands.
“Ireland has committed to ambitious and legally binding nature restoration targets, but delivering them requires practical action on the ground. This report identifies some of the most important peatland restoration opportunities in the country and shows where Government can act now to make measurable progress.
By focusing on peatlands impacted by inappropriate afforestation, particularly on publicly managed lands, Ireland can restore protected habitats, improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide space for threatened species such as the hen harrier.
The report provides a scientifically robust and evidence-based roadmap that can help Ireland meet its Nature Restoration Law obligations while delivering lasting benefits for biodiversity, climate and local communities.”
Tristram Whyte, Policy Officer, Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Full Report available here.