Ireland – Environmental protection – PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES TO ASSESS IMPACTING ACTIVITIES ON DESIGNATED BLANKET BOGS TO INFORM BLANKET BOG RESTORATION PLANNING

Under the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) 55 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been designated for the protection of blanket bog. In addition, 73 Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) have been designated using national legislation (the Wildlife Acts). These include Atlantic blanket bogs on lowlands along the western seaboard and more widely distributed upland blanket bogs. Several of these SACs are extensive and comprise a mosaic of other Annex I habitats such as heaths, grasslands and aquatic habitats (and species) that also require protection. The Habitats Directive requires that Ireland undertake surveillance of Annex habitats and species and to report to the EU Commission regularly on their conservation status.