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Conservation Terms & Designations explained |
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SAC - Special Areas of Conservation
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SAC's are areas of land which are designated on the basis of the presence of an important unique habitat or species within it. The EU Habitats directive (1992) introduced the requirement for each member state country to designate SAC's for protection. The habitats directive lists priority habitats in Annex I and important species in Annex II. These species include Petalwort (a sand dune bryophyte plant species), Lesser Horseshoe Bat, Grey & Common seal, Marsh Fritillary, White clawed Crayfish and Kerry Slug, amongst others. 16 priority habitat types have been identified in Ireland for which SAC designations have to be made. Some examples of local SACs are as follows:
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SAC location
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Designated for:
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Ben Bulben, Gleniff and Glenade Complex, Cos. Sligo and Leitrim
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Alpine plants, Tufa, Bryophytes, Whorl Snail (Vertigo geyeri)
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Ballysadare Bay, Co. Sligo
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Mudflats, Sand Dunes
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Union Wood, Co. Sligo
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Oak woodland
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Ox Mountains, Cos Mayo and Sligo
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Blanket bog, Oligotrophic lakes, Greenland White-fronted Goose and Golden Plover
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St. John’s Point, Co. Donegal
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Orchid-rich grassland, Limestone pavement, Sub-tidal reef
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SPA - Special Protection Areas
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In 1979, the European Community adopted Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (the 'Birds Directive'), in response to the 1979 Bern Convention on the conservation of European habitats and species. The Directive provides a framework for the conservation and management of, and human interactions with, wild birds in Europe. One of the main objectives of the birds directive was the identification and classification of Special Protection Areas for rare or vulnerable species listed in Annex I of the Directive, as well as for all regularly occurring migratory species. Examples of SPA designations in North West Ireland include:
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SPA location
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Designated for:
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Sligo - Leitrim Uplands
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Peregrine, Chough
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Lough Arrow, Co. Sligo
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Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser
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Aughris Head, Co. Sligo
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Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill
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Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal
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Great Northern Diver, Brent Goose, Common Scoter
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NHA - Natural Heritage Areas
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This is the basic designation in Ireland for conservation purposes, and are designated under Irish law as opposed to European law. Although similar to SAC's, they cover a much wider geographical area. Most NHA's designated to date have been for Blanket and Raised Bogs, but designations of geological features will also be included. Examples of NHA's include:
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NHA Location
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Designated for:
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Corry Mountain, Co. Leitrim
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Upland Blanket Bog
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Rinn River, Co. Leitrim
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Wetland, Grassland & Raised Bog
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National Parks
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Ireland has 6 designated national parks, which are owned by the State:
The Burren, Co. Clare
Killarney, Co. Kerry
Connemara, Co. Galway
Ballycroy, Co. Mayo
Glenveagh, Co. Donegal
Wicklow Mountains National Park, Co. Wicklow
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Nature Reserves
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These are small areas, either owned by the state or privately. Nature reserves can be designated for a wide range of features, including geological or geomorphological. Examples of local nature reserves are outlined below:
Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Co. Sligo: A large 30 ha improved grassland field protected by NPWS because of its use by 3000+ wintering Barnacle Geese from Greenland.
Union Wood Nature Reserve, Co Sligo: Owned by the NPWS, it holds some of the largest oak woodland in the region.
Pettigo Plateau Nature Reserve, Co. Donegal: One of the few remaining areas of intact blanket bog and wet heath, the reserve covers 900 ha 10 km southeast of Donegal town, just west of Lough Derg.
Ardnamona Nature Reserve, Co. Donegal: Protecting 46.6 ha of old oak woodland, it is situated 5 km north of Donegal town on the west shore of Lough Eske.
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