Fen survey seeks help from wildlife fans

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has called on wildlife experts and enthusiasts throughout the State to provide information on fens in their locality which have a conservation value, so that these can be designated as natural heritage areas.

Fens represent a particular phase in the lifecycle of bogland, typified by drier conditions and accumulation of peat and herbaceous plants.

The Irish Fen Inventory, which is supported by the Heritage Council, is being initiated by IPCC to establish a clearer picture of where these unique and wildlife rich areas are located.

A number of Irish fen types are a priority for conservation under the European Habitats Directive including flood plain fens, reed swamps, valley and basin fen, flush fens, petrifying springs and turloughs.

"We are asking anyone with information on important sites to contact us," said Mr Patrick Crushell, conservation officer with IPCC.

"We have no alternative but to call on people nationally to help with the survey, as Duchas, the State agency responsible for conserving these areas, have still not undertaken a national survey of these wetlands - although they have been repeatedly urged to do so before more sites are damaged."

The IPCC has already identified 20 new fens worthy of conservation, since the start of the project this year, and hopes a national survey to be undertaken in the next few months will uncover many extra sites which merit designation.

"Fens are just looked on as wet wastelands that don't merit conservation, and not as species-rich wildlife areas that clean our water and are among the last wilderness areas we have left," Mr Crushell said.

Pollardstown Fen in Co Kildare, perhaps the finest example of this type of habitat in Ireland, and internationally important, was seriously threatened by the proposed Kildare bypass, although a simple change in the construction plans could avoid any damage.

For further information contact: Mr Patrick Crushell, IPCC, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1 (ph/ fax: 01-8722397) and via the IPCC website http://indigo.ie/ ipcc