Biodiversity
Dungannon and South Tyrone Local Biodiversity Action Plan
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the short term used for ‘biological diversity’, which is ‘the total variety of all living plants and animals, and the habitats in which they live’. It encompasses the entire range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and other invertebrates, plants, fungi and micro-organisms.
Although biodiversity is often understood in terms of the variety of species, to appreciate the full extent of its’ meaning it should be regarded as a three tier structure:
1) The diversity of genes within a species. Individuals within any given population will have slight variations in their genetic make up. These variations may show through as differences in height, weight, shape, colour or behaviour. These variations enable species to evolve to best exploit particular habitats to benefit the continuation of the species.
2) The diversity of species within a habitat. This is generally what people envisage by the term biodiversity. Using an example of a native woodland, the range of species found there could include; oak tree, ash tree, bluebell, wood anemone, a number of mosses, fungi, beetles, flies, and spiders, as well as robin, blue tit, goldfinch, hedgehog and badger. All of these species make up the diversity of the habitat.
3) The diversity of habitats within an area. For example, a particular area may contain mature oak woodland, wet woodland, fen and lake habitats.
The biodiversity we see today is the result of millions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life, of which we are an integral part, and upon which, we so fully depend.
Biodiversity in Northern Ireland
It is estimated that there are about 20,000 species of wildlife in Northern Ireland. Very little is known about most of these species, but what is known, is that a lot of very familiar species have declined rapidly in recent years.
A list of 457 ‘Species of Conservation Concern’ has been drawn up. These species used to be common but are steadily declining. They are defined as, “Species that have undergone a decline in numbers, (1% per year over last 25 years), or Northern Ireland is a stronghold for the species.” These species require monitoring because they may need conservation action in the future.
There is another list of 271 Priority Species, which are even more endangered. These are defined as, “Species that have undergone a drastic decline in numbers, (2% decline per year over last 25 years), or declining, (1% per year), with Northern Ireland being a stronghold for the species.” These species require conservation action if they are to be saved from extinction in Northern Ireland.
Please click here to see list of Species of Conservation Concern, including Priority Species, for Northern Ireland.
.JPG)
