THE PUBLIC has been invited to take part in compiling a new Atlas of Irish Mammals survey by reporting sightings of all mammals found in Ireland.
The survey aims to map the distribution of all mammals found in Ireland and its territorial waters between now and 2015.
For the first time the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Bat Conservation Ireland, Irish Wildlife Federation, Biology.ie and some of Ireland’s leading mammal scientists have come together to collaborate on documenting the distribution of 64 species known to exist in this territory.
This includes 27 species of land mammal, 10 bat species, three marine mammals and probably 24 cetaceans (whales and dolphins).
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is co-ordinating the network and providing an online portal and mapping system where information is collated and presented in up-to-date distribution maps. Also shown is the distribution of more than 45,000 mammal sightings made prior to 2010, according to the Heritage Council’s monthly newsletter.
Dr Liam Lysaght, director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, said: “Although a great deal is know about some mammal species, and there are excellent schemes for collecting data on the bats and cetacean, information on other species, such as the Irish stoat and hedgehog, is lacking.
“This initiative should fill the remaining gaps in our knowledge,” he said.
The public is being invited to submit online any sighting of mammals so that they can contribute to building up a comprehensive picture of where mammal species occur in Ireland.
The survey will run until the end of 2015, by which time a comprehensive picture of the distribution of all Ireland’s mammals will be produced.
Sighting can be reported on:
[ http://mammals.biodiversityireland.ieOpens in new window ]