Did you Know?

Tropical forests are very important ecosystems, providing a habitat for more than half of all of the world's wild plants and animals.

EU LIFE - Nature Programme

Restoring Priority Woodland Habitats in Ireland

(LIFE 05 NAT/IRL/000182)    

At the end of 2005, Coillte received funding under the EU LIFE-Nature Programme for the restoration of over 550 hectares of priority native woodland habitats that are recognised under the EU Habitats Directive as being extremely rare and restricted in their distribution, not just in Ireland, but across the EU.  Because of their extreme rarity, these woodland habitats are given “priority” status under the EU Habitats Directive. There are nine sites included in this project, in which four rare woodland habitats are targeted for restoration, namely alluvial woodland, bog woodland, woodland associated with limestone pavement and yew woodland.

Over the course of four years the project aims to address the main ecological threats to these valuable woodland habitats, namely the introduction and spread of exotic tree and shrub species, restoration of natural water regimes of the bog and alluvial woodlands, and control of animal grazing and trespass where appropriate.  The project further aims to promote public awareness of these important habitat types through the creation of three demonstration sites at Clonbur Co’s. Galway/Mayo, Caher Park, Co.Tipperary and Hazelwood, Co.Sligo.

The overall aim is to establish conditions which will allow natural regeneration of native woodland habitat. For more information on this project or to visit a LIFE woodland near you, you can visit the website at www.woodlandrestoration.ie.