Some very damning statistics, turf cutting supporters can no longer deny the impact of so called domestic turf cutting in the face of these figures. Active Raised Bog The area of active raised bog within Ireland’s 53 SACs, estimated from ecological surveys was 1,940 ha in 1994, decreasing to 1,210 ha in 2012/13, which is a loss of 730 ha. This represents an approximate loss of 37% of the SAC Active Raised Bog habitat over the past 20 years. In addition, the area of active raised bog within Ireland’s 75 NHAs, estimated from available ecological surveys and extrapolated to establish the national picture, was 490 ha in 1994, decreasing to 284 ha in 2012/13, which is a loss of 206 ha. This represents an approximate loss of 42% of the NHA Active Raised Bog habitat over the past 20 years. Furthermore, the area of active raised bog within the non-designated bogs of potential conservation value, again estimated from available ecological surveys and extrapolated to establish the national picture, was 200 ha in 1994 (the year in which the Habitats Directive came into effect), decreasing to 145 ha in 2012/13, which is a loss of 55 ha. This represents an approximate loss of 28% over the past 20 years. Nationally this demonstrates a significant loss (circa 1,000 ha) of active raised bog habitat which was 2,630ha in 1994 and 1,639 ha in 2012. Taken from National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, Draft For Consultation, 17 January 2014, Page 49.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:21:52 +0000
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