A public awareness campaign is to be launched later today to highlight the threat to at least 150 species of native Irish wildlife, some of which face extinction unless serious remedial action is undertaken.
Species to be covered as part of the campaign include animals, birds and fish that have become national symbols, including the salmon, corncrake and mountain hare.
The campaign will attempt to engage not only the general public, but will also target sectors that are believed to be the main causes of the threat to Irish biodiversity, including the construction industry and farming.
Called "Notice Nature", the campaign will involve a series of local meetings to highlight specific animals and plants that are under threat in local areas.
The campaign will also include advice for builders, farmers and other groups on measures that can be taken to protect biodiversity in their areas.
The campaign, which will be launched later today by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, is part of the country's commitment under international biodiversity agreements, which include an aim of halting the loss of biodiversity within the EU by 2010.
The wildlife currently present in Ireland includes 31 species of mammal, 27 of fish, 12,000 of flowering plants and trees, 3,500 species of fungi and 12,000 species of insects.
Experts estimate that anywhere between 150 and 200 species are under threat.
Some species have suffered a serious decline in recent years and could face extinction if measures are not introduced to protect them.
A total of 18 bird species native to Ireland are on the "red list" of animals that have suffered a 50 per cent decline in breeding numbers in the last 25 years. Species of birds include the black-necked grebe, the hen harrier, grey partridge, corncrake and barn owl.
A further 77 species of native Irish birds have undergone a decline of between 25 per cent and 50 per cent across Europe.
Mammals that are on the endangered species list include the red squirrel, otter, mountain hare and all bat species in the country. The natterjack toad, native only to a small part of Co Kerry, is also on the endangered list in Ireland.
Elizabeth Arnett, project manager for the Notice Nature campaign, told The Irish Times that it was aimed principally at highlighting the nature and wildlife around people, and how important it was to the quality of life people experience.
She said Ireland's natural heritage was often taken for granted, compared with its artistic and literary heritage, and the aim was to encourage people to take more care.
"Not protecting Ireland's natural heritage of plants, birds, animals and their habitats is akin to taking a painting from the National Gallery of Art every month and burning it."