Bandon Tidy towns group
Bronze medal winners 2015 & 2016
Nature & Biodiversity
Biodiversity is shortened from ‘biological diversity’. It is the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the tiniest bugs living in the soil, to the butterflies in your garden, the plants they feed from, and the biggest whales in the sea.
The biological diversity we see today is the result of millions of years of evolution. Biological diversity is constantly changing and evolving as some species adapt to new surroundings, become extinct, and others, over time, evolve into new species. We as human beings are an integral part of biodiversity and we can influence it in a positive or negative way.
Biodiversity is the basis of human existence, our life support system. Ecosystems regulate climatic processes, breakdown wastes and recycle nutrients, filter and purify water, buffer against flooding, maintain soil fertility, purify air, and provide natural resources such as wood, textiles, and of course food. All agriculture depends fundamentally on Biodiversity, as do marine and freshwater food resources.
Biodiversity loss in Ireland is caused mainly by;
Habitat Diversity:
A habitat is a home environment which provides the natural conditions / environment for a plant or animal to live. The loss or damage to habitats has resulted in the loss of biodiversity in Ireland including (according to The Heritage Council) over 29 different bird species and 120 flowering plants, which are in serious decline.
Ireland possesses a huge variety of habitats that support our biodiversity. Some examples of these habitats include:
Species Diversity:
Mammals
There are over 50 mammal species found in the wild in Ireland including the whales and dolphins that are resident off our shores. Some of these are native, such as the badger, hedgehog and red squirrel, while others, such as the mink, grey squirrel and sika deer, have deliberately or inadvertently been introduced by humans over the last few hundred years.
Plants
Approximately 12,000 years ago, as the Ice Age ended and the glaciers began to recede, Ireland was joined to the rest of Europe by land bridges. It was across these landbridges that the trees and flowering plants that make up the native Irish flora migrated. Without human intervention, Ireland would now be completely covered in woodland. The biodiversity of Irish flora is significantly lower than elsewhere in western Europe due to Ireland’s small size our island status and our position at the edge of Europe. Today, it is estimated that there are 1228 flowering plants native to Ireland, 759 mosses & liverworts, 3500 fungi and 1050 lichen.
Extinct & Protected Species
Over the years, many of our native species have become extinct due to human impacts on their habitats, while certain species today have been afforded protection under The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the The Wildlife Acts 1976 & 2000 to prevent their extinction.
(info: courtesy of Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government)
The biological diversity we see today is the result of millions of years of evolution. Biological diversity is constantly changing and evolving as some species adapt to new surroundings, become extinct, and others, over time, evolve into new species. We as human beings are an integral part of biodiversity and we can influence it in a positive or negative way.
Biodiversity is the basis of human existence, our life support system. Ecosystems regulate climatic processes, breakdown wastes and recycle nutrients, filter and purify water, buffer against flooding, maintain soil fertility, purify air, and provide natural resources such as wood, textiles, and of course food. All agriculture depends fundamentally on Biodiversity, as do marine and freshwater food resources.
Biodiversity loss in Ireland is caused mainly by;
- Habitat destruction (for example through construction and wetland drainage or infilling)
- Invasive alien species (such as Japanese Knott Weed and Zebra Mussel)
- Pollution (for example from use of excess fertilizer leading to excessive levels of nutrients in soil and water)
- Land use change (such as conversion of land to plantation forestry or agriculture)
- Unsustainable and excessive consumption
- Climate Change
Habitat Diversity:
A habitat is a home environment which provides the natural conditions / environment for a plant or animal to live. The loss or damage to habitats has resulted in the loss of biodiversity in Ireland including (according to The Heritage Council) over 29 different bird species and 120 flowering plants, which are in serious decline.
Ireland possesses a huge variety of habitats that support our biodiversity. Some examples of these habitats include:
Species Diversity:
Mammals
There are over 50 mammal species found in the wild in Ireland including the whales and dolphins that are resident off our shores. Some of these are native, such as the badger, hedgehog and red squirrel, while others, such as the mink, grey squirrel and sika deer, have deliberately or inadvertently been introduced by humans over the last few hundred years.
- Land Mammals found in Ireland include Hedgehog, Pine marten, Red Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Pygmy Shrew, Brown long-eared bat - one of ten species of bat, Wood Mouse, Bank Vole, House Mouse, Black Rat, Brown Rat, Rabbit, Irish mountain hare, Brown hare, Otter, Badger, Red fox, Stoat, American mink, Red deer, Fallow deer, Sika deer, Feral goat.
- Marine mammals that can be found off the coast of Ireland include Grey seal, Harbour/common seal, Bottlenose dolphin, Short-beaked common dolphin, Harbour porpoise, Killer whale, Minke whale, Humpback whale
Plants
Approximately 12,000 years ago, as the Ice Age ended and the glaciers began to recede, Ireland was joined to the rest of Europe by land bridges. It was across these landbridges that the trees and flowering plants that make up the native Irish flora migrated. Without human intervention, Ireland would now be completely covered in woodland. The biodiversity of Irish flora is significantly lower than elsewhere in western Europe due to Ireland’s small size our island status and our position at the edge of Europe. Today, it is estimated that there are 1228 flowering plants native to Ireland, 759 mosses & liverworts, 3500 fungi and 1050 lichen.
Extinct & Protected Species
Over the years, many of our native species have become extinct due to human impacts on their habitats, while certain species today have been afforded protection under The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the The Wildlife Acts 1976 & 2000 to prevent their extinction.
(info: courtesy of Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government)
The Bandon River Nature Trail
Bandon Tidy Towns Group has developed a nature trail to showcase the rich biodiversity that exists in the Bandon River Valley.
It is a wayward marked trail that begins at the weir by Bandon Garda Station. The trail crosses the river at the footbridge and heads east along the river bank walk by the playground. You continue on this path until you exit at the Allin Institute. You then cross the main bridge, turning left just before Kellehers Hardware store and continuing along the Graham Norten Walk as far as the skatepark in the river park.
There are information signs erected along the route detailing the flora & fauna, wildlife and sights that can be seen along the route. We are also in the process of erecting bat boxes and bird boxes along the route.
It is a wayward marked trail that begins at the weir by Bandon Garda Station. The trail crosses the river at the footbridge and heads east along the river bank walk by the playground. You continue on this path until you exit at the Allin Institute. You then cross the main bridge, turning left just before Kellehers Hardware store and continuing along the Graham Norten Walk as far as the skatepark in the river park.
There are information signs erected along the route detailing the flora & fauna, wildlife and sights that can be seen along the route. We are also in the process of erecting bat boxes and bird boxes along the route.
