Cork City's Biodiversity Action Plan - The Heritage Council

Why does Cork City need a Local Biodiversity Action Plan?Aims and Objectives of the Cork City Biodiversity Action PlanValuing our NaturalHeritageA recent study bythe Heritage Council‘Valuing Heritage inIreland’ found that therehas been strong growth inpeople’s atitudes andconcerns towardsprotecting our heritage.Over 68% of thosesurveyed agreed thatprotecting naturalheritage for recreationpurposes is vital for theprotection of humanhealth while 65% agreedthat protectingbiodiversity is vital for theenvironmentwww.heritagecouncil.ieIt is widely acknowledged that global biodiversity is under threat and recognised that actionshould be taken at, not only global and national levels, but at local levels as well, in order tounderstand, promote and ultimately conserve and wisely use biodiversity.On a local level, while we may know about those areas given legal conservation protection,undesignated areas that are important for local wildlife and biodiversity may not be known orfully appreciated. Even small patches of semi-natural habitat can form part of larger networkslinked by rivers, streams, hedgerows or treelines that are of major importance for both habitatsand species. While parks and urban green spaces form important recreational areas they alsoabound with biodiversity, often unseen. Even built spaces provide habitats for a multitude ofspecies such as bats, insects, birds and flora.The Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan is the first step in addressing questions such as whatare the habitats and species that occur within Cork City?. What is the status or viability of thesehabitats and species?. What are the threats and opportunities for these habitats and species?and what can we do to ensure that biodiversity will still be there for future generations?A major aim of the Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan is to engage people from a widespectrum, to pool knowledge and resources and work forward from this point with acollaborative effort to identify and understand the biodiversity resources we have and how wecan best conserve them for future generations.Did you know?There is more proofthan ever that climatechange is a reality.The IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change(IPCC) published a reportin November 2007outlining a stark vision ofchanges that will occur ifhumanity fails to tacklerising green-houseemissions. Some of ourmost treasured elementsof biodiversity are likely tobe early casualties.However, humanity still hastime to stave off the worsteffects of global warming ifaction is taken quickly.The overall aim of the Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan is:To promote the appreciation andenjoyment of Cork City’sbiodiversity amongst the people ofthe city and to identify, understandand conserve the biodiversity ofthe city for future generations.‘The loss of akeystone speciesis like a drillaccidentally strikinga powerline.It causes lightsto go off all over’What is a local Biodiversity Action Plan ?Provides a framework for the conservation of biodiversity and coordinates new andexisting conservation initiatives.Translates international and national biodiversity obligations into effective local actions.Threats to Biodiversity• Climate Change• Habitat Loss andfragmentation• Pollution• Overexploitation• Introduction ofnon-native species• DiseaseThe Objectives of the Cork City Biodiversity Plan are:E. O.Wilson1992Assists sustainable planning and development and provides a framework that iscomplementary to the Local Development Plan and Local Heritage Plan.Aims to raise public awareness and stimulate involvement in the conservation ofbiodiversity.Collects and collates information information on local biodiversity.Objective 1Objective 2To identify measures to protect and enhance thebiodiversity of Cork City.To research and disseminate information on thebiodiversity of Cork City.Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-2014Objective 3Objective 4To promote interest and knowledge of Cork City’sbiodiversity through training and education.To raise awareness and enjoyment of Cork City’sbiodiversity and encourage participation andpartnership amongst all.Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-20144Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in urban garden5