Wildlife/Natural Heritage
On this page a number of aspects relating to natural heritage (i.e. flora and fauna) are covered. Some aspects on this page can be accessed by clicking on one of the following headings:
Invasive SpeciesTree Protection OrderDesignated Sites in CorkInfo on the CountyHabitat Surveying and MappingWildlife Projects UndertakenRelevant Legislation
Wildlife in Cork
County Cork hosts a diversity of wildlife relflecting its geographical position on the southern coast of the country, its geology dominated by sandstone ridges and limestone valley floors, and the influence of the people who have settled here. Our natural heritage includes our native wild plants and animals, natural habitats, geology and landscape. Much of this heritage is to be found in what is commonly understood to be marginal land. It includes our bogs, wet fields, rough grasslands, uplands, mudflats and saltmarshes. These areas are treasure troves of biological diversity where native plants and animals continue to survive.
Our marine waters, offshore islands and our intricate coastline with its cliffs, inlets and estuaries are important areas for marine plants and animals. Coastal habitats include mud and sandflats or our river estuaries. These highly productive habitats stretch from the Blackwater Estuary at Youghal to the Rosscarbery Estuary. They support great numbers of wintering wildfowl including a broad range of species. Over 20,000 birds visit Cork Harbour each winter escaping the harsh conditions of their northern breeding sites.
The rugged coastline and islands of the western part of the county support reefs, sea cliffs, rocky inlets and bays. There are dunes and coastal heaths to the landward side of some of these areas. There are rare plant sites along the coast as well as important sites for breeding sea birds including Chough, Arctic Tern and Common Tern. More marine species such as Storm Petrel, Gulls, Guillemot, Fulmar, Gannet and Rozorbill breed on the off shore islands. Common and Grey Seal are also found along the coast. Lough Hyne near Skibbereen was formerly a freshwater lake that is now marine in nature as a result in a rise in sea levels. It is an internationally important site with unique habitat and rare marine plant and animal species.
The great rivers, the Bandon, Lee and Blackwater and their valleys dominate the central part of the county. They host rare and important fish and invertebrates including salmon, trout, lamprey, freshwater pearl mussel and crayfish. Habitats of the valleys and floodplains include woodlands, marshes, fens and species rich limestone grasslands. These areas are rich in biological diversity and host many native plant and animal species. There are Otters and other mammals including a number of kinds of bats and many kinds of birds living along these river channels. Many of the old woodlands occur within the grand demesnes that are found along the river valleys.
The Gearagh near Macroom on the River Lee is a site of international importance where the most extensive alluvial woodland in Western Europe is found. This unusual area has formed where the River Lee breaks into a complex network of channels weaving through a series of wooded islands. The alluvial woodland which remains today is of unique scientific interest. It has probably been wooded since the end of the last Ice Age and frequent flooding has served to enhance its character. The site is important for wintering waterfowl including Whooper Swans, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck and Golden Plover.
The upland areas of the Nagle, Ballyhoura, Boggeragh, Derrynasaggart and the Mullaghareirk Mountain ranges add to the range of habitats found in the county. Important habitats in the uplands include blanket bog, heath, glacial lakes and upland grasslands. Some of these sites also support notable plant communities and rare plant species. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for some of our resident birds of prey including Merlin and Hen Harrier.
Information on the County of Cork
- The County of Cork has an area of 7454 km2
- The approx. lenght of Cork's Coastline 1094 km
- Cork has 44,608 km of hedgerow
- Cork has 4,406 km of treeline, and
- Cork has 79,188 ha of forest cover (17% Broadleaf)
Designations
By accessing Cork County Council's Planning Enquiry System it is possible to see digital maps of the County's Special Areas of Conservation (SAC); Special Protection Areas (SPA), Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) and Proposed Natural Heritage Areas ((pNHA). These maps were last updated in June 2011 and are therefore relatively up to date. Click
here to access the Planning Enquiry System.
Tree Protection OrdersA Tree Preservation Order (TPO) enables local authorities to preserve any single tree or group of trees and brings them under planning control. Tree preservation orders are only made if it appears that a tree or group of trees need to be protected in the interests of amenity in the environment.
The establishment of a TPO brings the designated tree(s) under planning control and restrictions do apply. The permission of the planning authority must be sought before any tree with a TPO is lopped, topped or felled. When the authority proposes an order they have to publish a notice in one or more newspapers. Observations and submissions can be made to the planning authority within a period of not less than 6 weeks. Tree preservation orders are only made after careful consideration of all submissions and observations by the local authority.
Invasive Species
The presence of invasive species in Ireland is becoming a major issue. Currently in Ireland there are almost 100 recorded invasive species which collectively pose a significant threat to the well being and welfare of our country's biodiversity, and consequently on the biodiversity of County Cork.
Invasive species (which include non native plant and animal species) have been defined on the
Invasive Species Ireland website as follows:
"Invasive Species are species that have been introduced (deliberately or accidentally) by humans and have a negative impact on the economy, wildlife or habitats of Ireland" Invasive Species Ireland has set up a list containing more than 30 of the most unwanted species in Ireland and Northern Ireland and this list and details on each individual species can be accessed by clicking
here. Included on this list and previously recorded in Cork are a number of animal species such as the New Zealand Flatworm, Muntjac Deer and American Mink as well as plant species such as Giant Rhubarb, Japanese Knotweed and Rhododendron.
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is also an excellent source on Invasive Species and includes the
National Invasive Species Database. This website also provides a number of identification sheets in respect of numerous invasive species.
Links to a few of the ID sheets available through the National Biodiversity Data Centre are now provided here in respect of some of the invasive species previously recorded in Cork. Click on one for further information:
American Mink (
Mustela vison)Giant Rhubarb (
Gunnera)
Japanese Knotweed (
Fallopia japonica)
Muntjac Deer (
Muntiacus reevsi)
New Zealand Flatworm (
Arthurdendyus triangulatus)
Nuttall's Waterweed (
Elodea nuttallii)
Rhododendron (
Rhododendron ponticum)
For many other ID sheets access the National Biodiversity Data Centre's Invasives Page by clicking here
here or alternatively access the Invasive Species Ireland page by clicking
here.
If you encounter an invasive species you are encouraged to contact either Invasive Species Ireland or the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Both websites have a function that allows you to fill in an online form in respect of the Invasive Species you encountered.
Submit a Record - Invasive Species Ireland |
National Biodiversity Data CentreThe Heritage Unit and Wildlife in Cork:The Heritage Unit has been continuously involved with the natural heritage and wildlife of Cork. In addition to the habitat survey and mapping project which has been ongoing on a yearly basis since 2005, the Heritage Unit has also been involved with a number of different projects and initiatives in this field over the years. Below are a few examples of projects within the natural heritage/wildlife remit that have been either undertaken or supported by the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council and of note is that there are many further projects in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond.
Habitat Survey and MappingIn 2007, Cork County Council in partnership with the Heritage Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and with the support of the EPA, initiated the production of a GIS ecological dataset for the county. This project developed out of the County Heritage Plan (adopted 2005) and the County Biodiversity Action Plan (adopted 2009) and involves the surveying and subsequent mapping of the County of Cork.
"A habitat survey is a method of gathering information about the ecology of a site. The fundamental piece of information collected is the habitat type to which a particular site can be assigned. Habitat types are determined by reference to a system of habitat classification, which must be clearly identified. The location and extent of different habitat types that are present in a site are mapped to provide a clear spatial record. Additional information on habitats may also be collected, such as dominant species or conservation status, depending on the objectives of the particular habitat survey. The results of a habitat survey provide basic ecological information that can be used for biodiversity conservation, planning and/or management, including targeting of more detailed botanical or zoological investigations". Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping, 2011 (Heritage Council)To date mapping has been completed for two electoral areas, Carrigaline and Blarney, and the third electoral area, Midleton, has almost been completed with approximately only 118 square kilometres remaining out of an electoral area size of 634 square kilometres.
The Habitat Survey and Mapping project undertaken in Cork results in a dataset which consists of detailed habitat maps identifying all semi natural areas encountered in the study areas concerned including areas of local biodiversity value (LBAs) as well as features of the landscape that function as ecological corridors. The digital map which is produced (MapInfo GIS) is then linked to site descriptions, species lists and photographs for areas of biodiversity value within each electoral area and is available to all Local Authority staff with access to the IGIS/PES browser.
Work to date has closely followed the draft Methodology for Habitat Mapping produced by the Heritage Council in 2005. This was the second draft on Habitat Mapping issued by the Heritage Council, the first having been in 2002. In 2011, the Heritage Council released the latest version on Habitat Mapping entitled "Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping" which can be accessed by clicking
Lough Hyne ConferenceLough Hyne was designated Ireland's first Marine Nature reserve 30 years ago on 03/06/1981 to protect the outstanding biodiversity that occurs in the Lough and the aim of the conference was to highlight and celebrate this designation and to essentially reflect on the past, present and future directions of research at Lough Hyne. Cork County Council's contribution towards this conference, by way of the Heritage Unit, was to contribute financially towards securing 3 keynote speakers to give talks at said event.
The contribution made by these 3 speakers to the overall conference agenda was quite important in covering and highlighting all of the wonderful aspects of Lough Hyne and the extensive research which has been carried to date on the Lough. In tandem with this conference, the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UCC, produced a booklet regarding the overall conference and included in same, courtesy of Rob McAllen, is an extensive bibliography of Lough Hyne Research from 1991 to 2011.
Relevant Legislation
For more information on wildlife designations and the law go to www.npws.ie (National Parks and Wildlife Service).
Other relevant legislation, conventions and agreements include:
Who to contact for advice?
For issues relating to designated sites or protected plants or animals, contact your local Conservation Ranger:
For other wildife related issues contact:
Heritage Officer, Cork Co. Council, Floor 3, County Hall, Cork - 021 4276891.
Where can I view maps of designated sites?Contact the relevant Conservation Ranger.
Downloadable Documents Click
here for a number of wildlife related documents
