PRESS RELEASE
26th January 2024
Take action for wetlands on World Wetlands Day 2024
Take action for wetlands on World Wetlands Day, 2nd February, by joining the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) for scrub management on Lodge Bog. For those who cannot attend this event you can still take action on World Wetlands Day by becoming a citizen scientist as the IPCC are also launching the 2024 ‘Hop To It’ Frog Survey.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about wetlands and their importance. Ireland is one of 160 Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands which first convened in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, and since called the Ramsar Convention. Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. They include marshes, lakes, rivers, floodplains, estuaries and peatlands. They are important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation, freshwater availability and much more. Nearly 90% of the worlds wetlands have faced degradation since the 1700s. With Ireland’s high annual rainfall 20% of the island of Ireland is classified as wetland habitat.
Irish peatlands are of national and international importance however, many of Irelands peatlands are now significantly degraded. On the 2nd February IPCC will be carrying out habitat management on Lodge bog, an important task which involves the clearing of scrub from the outer margins of the reserve. If left unmanaged the encroaching scrub would lead to water loss from the bog. Water loss from a peatland can limit the growth of Sphagnum mosses, also known as the ‘bog builder’, affect the breeding and feeding of peatland biodiversity and cause peatlands to be sources of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
If you would like get involved and take action for wetlands on World Wetlands Day, meet the IPCC at the the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (R51V293) at 10am. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, equipment will be provided by IPCC.
The IPCC understand that not everyone will be able to attend the scrub management on Lodge Bog on 2nd February however you can still take action for wetlands on World Wetlands Day by becoming a citizen scientist. IPCC are launching the 2024 National ‘Hop To It’ Frog Survey. It is easy to get involved, if you observe frog spawn, tadpoles, juvenile or adult frogs in your community go online to www.ipcc.ie and submit your record.
The Hop To It Frog Survey is Ireland’s longest running common frog survey. Frogs are biological indicators to pollution so monitoring their population gives us a better understanding of changes within our environment. In spring, frogs will be emerging from hibernation and making their way to suitable breeding sites where they will lay their eggs, also known as frog spawn. The eggs will hatch into tadpoles and live within water until their legs and lungs have fully developed and they can continue their life cycle as adults on land.
The IPCC encourage you all to get involved and take action for wetlands on World Wetlands Day 2024.
Editors Notes:
The IPCC have partnered with Kildare County Council to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2024.
Visit IPCC website for more information and to access the Hop To It Frog Survey.
Image: E. Delaney, IPCC Hop To It Citizen Scientist