Biodiversity

North Tipperary Biodiversity Plan: North Tipperary Biodiversity Plan (394KB)

BIODIVERSITY – biological diversity, the variety of life on Earth, is not constant. Many things are causing the loss of species and a reduction of that variety, both on a national level, and worldwide. Here in Ireland the corncrake is on the edge of extinction. The corn bunting, once a common breeding bird, is officially extinct.

What can we do to help protect our own national biodiversity?

Know what we have. We do not have a full database of biological records for the country, so some groups, like beetles and lichens, may be threatened in ways we cannot measure. Knowledge gives us the key to protecting the natural wealth of the country
Know and protect habitats. Different organisms flourish in different conditions, so the key to variety of species is variety in the places they live. Loss of habitats is the biggest threat to global biodiversity. We are all aware of the loss of the rain forests, but are we doing our best to protect our own hedgerows or species-rich grassland?
Control the spread of alien species. The spread of species from other countries is the second greatest threat to local biodiversity after habitat loss. Alien species, which in their home countries are part of coherent ecosystems, often have no natural predators when they are introduced elsewhere. They may swamp out native species, introduce or spread disease, or alter habitats. Animal examples include mink and grey squirrels.

In North Tipperary one alien species, the Zebra mussel, has established itself in the Shannon, with considerable consequences for biodiversity and for the local economy. Alien plant species, including giant hogweed, Japanese, Himalayan and giant knotweeds and rhododendron have all made strong impacts on local plant populations, and all are expanding their range. The invasive water plants, Crassula, Heracleum and Azolla are all sold in the county; they have not yet been noted in the wild here, but Azolla is well established in the Barrow river system, and Azolla and Crassula are both extending their ranges in the wild in Northern Ireland.

North Tipperary was the focus for the only successful operation to eliminate an invasive alien animal in Ireland; the American Muskrat became established in the Nenagh River in 1929, and was eliminated by 1935, after the passing of the 1933 Muskrat Act, which offered a large reward for killing an animal, as well as heavy penalties for keeping one in captivity. In two years 356 specimens were removed (and indication of their very rapid and successful spread in the previous six years).The county has a range of habitats vulnerable to degradation by alien colonisation, including freshwater habitats, upland blanket bog, native woodland, and grasslands.

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Plant for visitors

Use plants that flower and fruit over a long period.
Use nectar and pollen-rich flowers (single; scented) for visiting insects.
Use fruiting trees and shrubs for mammals and birds.
Night flowering species will benefit moths

Cater for wildlife

Have a bird table and water bowl.
Install bird and bat boxes, and nest boxes for helpful insects.
Birds need food and water throughout the year and not just winter.
Many birds will eat the insects, worms and other creatures in your garden

Wood is good…

Provide a habitat for fungi, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals
Leave dead wood on trees when safe.
Use dead wood as a garden ornament, or create a feature from a log pile..

Provide water for wildlife:

A water feature will encourage invertebrates, birds and mammals.
If frogs and newts spawn, some of them will remain in the garden and help control slugs and snails.

Relax…

Reduce the size of your lawn, or leave part uncut.
Long grass supports many species
Reducing mowing cuts emissions and helps preserve fossil fuels.

Provide a grassland habitat

Turn all or part of your lawn into a wildflower meadow.
This will require careful management

Leave some wildness…

Don’t be TOO tidy
Leave some perennials until spring to provide winter food and shelter for birds and mammals.
Grasses and perennials with bold seed heads, stems and foliage will help beneficial species to survive the winter

Invite helpers

Encourage beneficial insects
All insects are an important part of the natural food chain which includes sparrows, blue tits, ladybirds and lacewings that are natural predators of insect pests
Reduce the use of chemicals, particularly to control insect pests.

Best planting practice