Restoring Irish plants: six key actions to take, from creating new habitats to better biodiversity research

Human activities are the cause of biodiversity decline, so human activity must be recruited to restore it, according to Plant Atlas 2020.

It highlights six key measures that would make a big contribution to the restoration of Irish biodiversity, and of wild plants in particular:

Protect remaining habitats: The habitats under greatest pressure are species-rich grassland and wetlands such as fens and marshes. They need special attention, but not at the expense of others. To stop biodiversity loss, all habitats – even degraded ones – need protecting from further damage.

Restore habitats in poor condition: Degraded habitats take time to restore, but as a rule it is quicker, more effective, and less costly to restore than to create anew. Most habitats would be amenable to restoration. Ireland has a good track record in restoring degraded bog. There is also a powerful inducement in that restoring a bog can also convert a carbon source into a carbon sink.

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Create new permanent habitat: The most promising circumstances for establishing entirely new habitat would be adjacent, or at least close, to existing high-quality habitats. Opportunities to extend areas of wetland, woodland, grassland and other habitats in this way may require both quick action and availability of funds at short notice.

[ ‘Devastating loss’ of Irish plant life revealed in 20-year study ]

Reverse contamination by excessive nutrients: High plant fertility associated with applications of fertiliser or with atmospheric deposits puts the majority of plants at risk of being outcompeted by a favoured few. No habitat is exempt, though species-rich grasslands and wetlands are very vulnerable. Once released into the environment, these nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus cannot readily be recovered. Effective measures are, therefore, needed to stop this form of pollution at source.

Strengthen plant monitoring and research: A more systematic and integrated long-term approach is required to ensure trends can be detected, the consequences of climate change tracked and findings acted upon in a timely manner.

Repair the cultural standing of plants: As generations of people become more distant from their origins on the land, they tend to overlook the vital roles of plants. Their place in formal education has dwindled, and most people can name very few of them. By omission, plants are misunderstood, downplayed, ignored and dismissed, though we still need them as much as ever. Plants require more of our attention and it is in our interest to give it to them.