Mr. Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
today (20 May 2011) officially started the BioBlitz 2011 at Killarney
National Park, Co Kerry. The event also marked the International Day for
Biological Diversity which falls on Sunday 22 May and National Biodiversity
Week, 21-28 May 2011.
BioBlitz is a scientific race against time, organised through the National
Biodiversity Data Centre. The aim of this fun event is to find as many
species as possible within a park over a 24 hour period. During last year’s
event, the champions, Connemara National Park recorded a massive 542
species over a 24 hour period.
Five of Ireland’s magnificent state-owned properties will be vying for the
title of BioBlitz 2011 Champions, with each site pitted against one another
to see which property can find most species. They are Ballycroy National
Park, Co. Mayo, Dromore Nature Reserve, Co. Clare, Killarney National Park,
Co. Kerry, The Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford, and Liffey Valley Park,
South Dublin. From soaring eagles to the smallest bugs in the undergrowth,
teams of scientists and volunteers will comb the parks recording what they
find.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said ‘It is great to see so many people
here today interested in such an important issue as biodiversity
conservation. Biodiversity is one of the most important issues the world
faces today; it is the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the tiniest
bugs living in the soil, to the butterflies in your garden, the plants they
feed from, to the biggest whales of the sea.”
This is a unique event where scientists, students and the general public
can come together and learn how scientists and recorders use their skills
to study the wildlife of an area. It will also introduce the
non-specialist to the fabulous wealth of biodiversity that occurs all
around us. 200 scientists are giving of their time and skills in a
voluntary capacity.
The event will commence at 17.00 hrs on Friday 20 May and finish at 17.00
hrs on Saturday 21 May.
National Biodiversity Week
In Ireland National Biodiversity Week is organised as a week long series of
celebrations around Biodiversity Day. As part of the celebrations, the
National Parks & Wildlife Service together with environmental NGOs, Local
authorities and a wide range of other organisations have arranged a week
long celebration of Ireland's biodiversity with plenty of activities aimed
at all age groups. Events taking place include nature walks, traditional
craft fairs, music and storytelling events, bat walks, public lectures to
name but a few.
“Loss of biodiversity has potentially devastating impacts on our
environment, health and economy. Because of the lead-in time, the effects
of any actions taken may not be seen for many years. If we are to put
things right we must start now. People need to become aware of these risks
and threats as quickly as possible” said Minister Deenihan
This week provides an opportunity to raise public awareness on the
importance of biodiversity for sustainable development. Conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity creates opportunities for reducing poverty
and improving human well-being. Indeed, reversing biodiversity loss will
progress goals towards ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring health
and education for all and achieving environmental sustainability and
international cooperation.
“The truth is that we have a large part of the solution in our own hands”
said the Minister, urging people to take action to help Biodiversity by
carrying out simple things like:
· put up a bird feeder;
· plant a native tree or shrub or flower;
· cut down on your water consumption;
· dispose of waste and packaging properly;
· sign up for a nature walk – its only when you get out there will you
realise just how much biodiversity is out there, how much a part of
it you are, and can be, and how you can influence it.
My Department is not the only body involved in Biodiversity” the Minister
added, “the Zoo and the Botanic Gardens, for example, also have busy
programmes of events throughout the year. All of these are very important
elements in raising awareness of biodiversity.”
International Biodiversity Day
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological
Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity
issues. 2011 is the International Year of Forests and forest biodiversity
is the theme for this year's IDB.
Forests are of vital importance to life on the planet. They help to
regulate the climate of the earth, regulate the flow and quality of the
water in rivers and lakes, stabilise and maintain the fertility of soils
and, last but by no means least, they provide habitats for myriads of
species of wildlife or biodiversity, which is so important for sustaining
life on our planet.
The extensive natural forests that once covered Ireland have been largely
felled and cleared. In the last century new forests, mostly of conifers,
have been planted, to replace those that were lost. Recent research has
found that these forests contain a much greater variety of biodiversity
than was previously thought and that they provide much more than just
timber.
However, it is our native woodlands which are most important for
biodiversity. We only have a very small area of native woodlands in Ireland
compared with other countries – about 2% of the land area – but here in the
Killarney National Park we have the most extensive and diverse native
forests left in the country – about 1200ha of oak, ash, alder, yew and
birch woodland. These forests contain a wealth of biodiversity.