The mangrove effect Rehabilitation of severely damaged mangroves would help speed up the recovery process from the tsunami, but large-scale planting should be undertaken with caution, according to a statement from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
In the weeks following the Asian tsunami, there was much talk of how more widespread plantations of mangroves might have borne the brunt of the tsunami and therefore prevented the damage from going so far inland. In some places such as Tamil Nadu in India, mangrove forests did slow down the waves and protect nearby villagers. However, the FAO suggests that planting of mangroves should be carried out as part of a wider integrated coastal area management, remaining careful that they do not replace other valuable ecosystems such as turtle-nesting grounds and sea grass beds. "The real issue is overall coastal management, not just the presence or absence of trees, " said Patrick Durst, senior forestry officer in the FAO regional office for Asia and the Pacific.
Archaeological heritage
Archaeology has gained a higher profile in recent years as various road development projects become embroiled in controversy (notably, the M50 route near the archaeological remains at Carrickmines Castle, Co Dublin) due to their lack of sensitivity and appreciation of the significance of the archeological heritage close to their routes. Michael Ryan, president of the Royal Irish Academy and director of the Chester Beatty Library, will speak about the debates such controversies have sparked off in archaeological circles in a lecture entitled, "The Light of Reason - and Archaeology" on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson St, Dublin. Ryan also argues that, in spite of archaeology's high profile, there remains a widespread lack of appreciation of the rich archaeology in Ireland. Admission free.
Going to the bogs
"Wet, Wonderful and Wild Bogs and Fens" is the title of a six-week evening course which begins on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. in the botany department (Room E113) of the science building, UCD, Belfield, Dublin. The course will cover the heritage, wildlife and conservation of bogs through hands-on work and slide shows. There will also be a field trip on Saturday, March 5th, to three peatland sites in the Bog of Allen, County Kildare. Cost 170. Booking through the adult education centre, UCD. Tel: 01-7167123. Meanwhile, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is offering people opportunities to explore their local wetlands in celebration of World Wetlands Day on February 2nd. See www.ipcc.ie for recording cards.
Private monuments
"Earthen Banks and Broken Walls: Our legacy of ancient monuments" is the title of an exhibition on the different types of ancient monuments found in the Irish countryside. The exhibition, which was also shown last year, opens on Monday in the ENFO offices, Andrew St, Dublin. It focuses on monuments found on farmland or other land in private ownership rather than those in state care.
See www.enfo.ie for full exhibition details.