Traditionally, peatlands were valued only for the peat within them. Today, we know so much more about the values of Irish peatlands. These are referred to as ecosystem services; the benefits people obtain from nature. Some peatlands are now protected under Irish, European and International law, and they are given special designations in order to preserve their many ecosystem services.
To follow are some of the designations given to Irish peatland habitat;
EU Habitats Directive
The Habitats Directive was adopted by the EU in 1992 in order to conserve Europe’s natural heritage. It aims to maintain or restore thousands of European species populations as well as 230 characteristic habitat types. Therefore, Member States must designate and manage core areas for listed habitat types. The National Parks and Wildlife is obliged to create a report every seven years on the status of the designated habitats that they manage.
The correct application of EU law is overseen by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
To find out more visit;npws.ie
SAC- Special Area of Conservation
Under the 1992 EU Habitats Directive, Ireland is required to protect species and habitats of international importance. 139 raised bogs have been designated for protection in 53 raised bog SACs.
Annex I
Covers ecologically important habitat types which require special protection as SPAs. Habitats include raised bogs and blanket bogs. Some of these sites are known as ‘priority habitats’ for which there is a particular obligation for protection.
Annex II
Covers animal and plant species which require special protection as SPAs.
cSAC- Candidate Special Area of Conservation
An area is designated as a cSAC under the Habitats Directive due to the value of the area to the local community and the diversity of wildlife, including endangered species and priority habitat.
EU Birds Directive
This came thirteen years before the Habitats Directive in 1979 and is the oldest piece of EU legislation regarding the environment. The aim of the Birds Directive is to conserve all naturally occurring European bird species, as well as their eggs and nests, so that they can recover and have long-term survival success. SPAs must be created for any threatened and migratory bird species, paying particular attention to wetlands of international importance.
SPA- Special Protection Areas
SPAs are sites that are designated to protect bird-life under the EU Birds Directive. Not only are wetland sites important for resident Irish birds, but they are also of international importance for migratory species. The Directive provides for listed rare and vulnerable species, such as the Peregrine Falcon and Corncrake.
The Natura 2000 Network
The Birds and the Habitats Directive (‘the Nature Directives’) both make up the Natura 2000 network. This is the largest coordinated network of protected sites in the world, extending over both land and sea. It is made up of SACs and SPAs.
NHA- Natural Heritage Areas
A Natural Heritage Area (NHA) is the basic designation for wildlife under the Wildlife Amendment Act (2000). Sites must have important habitats or geological features.
There are 75 Raised bog NHAs under the wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000.
pNHA- proposed National Heritage Area
SCI- Sites of Community Importance
These are sites which contribute significantly to the maintenance or restoration of a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type in Annex I or of a species in Annex II.
Under the Habitats Directive, these sites must be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) within six years.
The Ramsar Convention
Also known as “The Convention on Wetlands”, the Ramsar Convention is an international environmental treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It identifies wetlands of international importance, especially for waterfowl, and calls on nations to conserve their wetlands and resources.
Ramsar Site
These are wetland sites that have been designated as areas of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Nations must conserve an international network of wetlands which are important for preserving global biodiversity. There are 45 Ramsar Sites in Ireland. These include Mongan Bog, Meenachullion Bog, Clara Bog, Easky Bog, Lough Barra Bog and Raheenmore Bog.