LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL (3) Woodlands, Specimen Trees & Hedgerows ............................................13 A. Citywide Specimen Trees. 14 DRAFT BIODIVERSITY PLAN B. Grove Island 14 PART ONE: Introduction: ................................................................................... 2 C. Baggot Estate 14 D. Castlepark Demense 14 What is Biodiversity and why it is important?........................................................... 2 E. North Circular Road: Kilmoyle House (See Planning Ref: 09/45) 14 Why does Limerick City need a Local Biodiversity Plan?........................................ 2 Who else will be involved with this Plan?................................................................. 3 F. Citywide Hedgerows 14 What about Biodiversity outside our administrative boundaries? ............................. 3 (4) Urban habitats: Parks / Graveyards / Other Species Rich Grasslands / PART TWO: Biodiversity Objectives for Limerick City................................... 4 Sites in Private Ownership: .....................................................................17 A. Urban Parks & Sports Grounds in Council Ownership: ................................ 17 Citywide Biodiversity Aim:....................................................................................... 4 Includes: Peoples Park, Shelbourne Park, O’Brien Park, Rathbane Golf Course Citywide Biodiversity Objectives:............................................................................. 4 (58ha), ......................................................................................................... 17 B. Wildflower Meadows.................................................................................. 17 PART Three: What you can do to help? ............................................................. 6 C. Other Maintained Grasslands (see Development Plan Zone 6A & 6B and 7) .................................................................................................................... 17 PART Four: Limerick’s Major Habitat Types ................................................... 8 D. Graveyards .................................................................................................. 15 Freshwater – The River Shannon............................................................................... 8 (5) Wild Grasslands and Agriculture: ..........................................................18 Wetlands .................................................................................................................... 8 A. Longpavement............................................................................................. 18 Grasslands and Agricultural lands ............................................................................. 8 B. Salllybanks wildflower meadow..................Error! Bookmark not defined. Woodlands, Specimen Trees and Hedgerows............................................................ 8 C. Agricultural Lands. ..................................................................................... 18 Urban Habitats........................................................................................................... 9 PART six: Conclusion..................................................................................................... PART Five: Limerick City Key Habitats Identified......................................... 10 APPENDICES: ............................................................................................................... Objectives for Limerick’s Key Habitat Areas: ...................................................... 10 (1) The Shannon River ...................................................................10 • Reference Documents • Reference Web Sites • International and National Legislative Background (2) Wetlands ..................................................................................11 • Species Lists Park Canal o Mammals A. Healy’s Field 11 o Birds B. Kings Island (St Mary’s Park 11 o Fish C. Monabraher / Longpavement Moyross 11 o Amphibians D. Lucas Lough/Shannon Fields (Athlunkard) 11 o Dirty Dozen Invasive Species Insects E. Corbally 11 o o Bumblebees F. Westfields, NCR 11 o Moths G. Coonagh Sedimentation Ponds 11. o Butterflies H. Shannon Tidal Flats 11 o Dragonflies I. Ballinacurra Creek – Racecourse lands 11 o Indigenous Trees J. Ballinacurra?Ballynaclough River Creek - Baggot Estate Monaclinoe Stream 11 o Indigenous Plants • Limerick City Council Operational Tree Policy Document • List of known Community Gardens and Allotment sites within Limerick City. • List of Stakeholders for Consultation 1 of 41 Limerick City Council Draft Biodiversity Plan for ENV SPC Nov 7 2011 development projects. The legislation requiring the preservation of biodiversity in Ireland and Europe are outlined in Appendix 1. These include: PART ONE: Introduction: • EC (Birds AND Natural Habitat) Regulations 2011 S.I. No. 477 of 2011 What is Biodiversity and why it is important? • EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) forming the legislation behind Special The word Biodiversity is a shortened from ‘biological diversity’. Areas of Conservation (SAC) prime wildlife areas designated for habitats and • It is the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the tiniest bugs living in the species. soil, to the butterflies in your garden, the plants they feed from, and the • EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) forming the legislation behind Special biggest whales in the sea. Protection Areas (SPA) - sites of international conservation importance for • Biodiversity includes the diversity of: birds. o Individuals within a species (genetic diversity), • The Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000) o Species within an ecosystem or habitat (species diversity) and which directly relates to the protection of biodiversity through Natural Heritage o Ecosystems or habitats (habitat diversity). Areas (NHA). • It is the result of millions of years of evolution. • Biodiversity changes constantly and evolves as some species adapt to new Limerick City’s main areas of natural habitats containing significant biodiversity are surroundings, become extinct, and others, over time, evolve into new species. based around the larger network of rivers (Shannon, Abbey, Ballynaclough), wetlands, • Human beings are an integral part of biodiversity and we can influence it in a grasslands and established woodlands. Additional areas of semi-natural habitat or positive or negative way. ‘urban’ green spaces, including gardens, are home to a range of flora and fauna. Why does Limerick City need a Local Biodiversity Plan? Natural Heritage Areas (NHA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Protection Areas (SPA) must be protected. In this plan, Limerick City Council also recognizes the importance of ‘undesignated areas’ for local wildlife and biodiversity Global biodiversity is under threat. Action is required at local, national and global and the importance of maintaining a mosaic of natural habitats and wildlife corridors levels to protect our natural heritage. across the city. The main government agency responsible for the conservation of habitat and species in Important biodiversity areas in the city include parks, wildflower meadows, green Ireland is the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts and the spaces, private gardens, hedgerows, trees, vacant and derelict sites and graveyards. Gaeltacht. Ireland’s National Biodiversity Plan 2002 highlights the role that Local Built areas also provide habitats for flora and fauna including species such as bats, Authorities have in promoting local nature heritage. Limerick City Council recognises insects, birds and invertebrates, flowering plants, mosses, and lichens. its responsibility to protect and promote local biodiversity and natural heritage in conjunction with relevant stakeholders. The Limerick City Biodiversity Plan is the first step in: The EU introduced the Birds Directive1 (1979) and the Habitats Directive (1992) to • Developing an overall biodiversity aim and objectives for the city. tackle loss of species and habitat that have contributed to an overall decline in • Highlighting what we can do to help maintain biodiversity for future European biodiversity. The aim of both directives is to maintain, and where necessary generations. restore, the conservation status of natural habitats and species across Europe ensuring • Identifying where can we find key habitats containing biodiversity the maintenance of Europe’s biodiversity. This led to the establishment of Europe’s within Limerick City? most important wildlife sites as Natura 2000 sites. There are strong measures in place to protect Natura 2000 sites through policy requirements on development plans and • How can we improve the understanding and appreciation of Limerick City’s Biodiversity? The Limerick City Biodiversity Plan aims to pool knowledge and resources of 1 stakeholders to identify and understand local biodiversity and how we can best 5 Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. See conserve it for future generations. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm 2 of 41 Limerick City Council Draft Biodiversity Plan for ENV SPC Nov 7 2011 Who is involved in protecting local Biodiversity? Everyone living or running a business in, visiting or active in development with the City has a role in protecting local biodiversity. The City Council acknowledges the work being carried out by many organisations,