Eco schemes can improve Ireland’s ‘bad’ biodiversity rating

Agri-environment schemes can help lift the ‘bad’ conservation status of many Irish grassland habitats, says Teagasc research ecologist Daire Ó hUallacháin.

The Teagasc researcher says reduction in farmland biodiversity is a major global conservation challenge, a priority Ireland shares with many EU member states.

Speaking at the Teagasc Biodiversity Conference in Portlaoise, Dr Ó hUallacháin said: “Given the prominence of grasslands in Ireland, and the ‘bad’ conservation status of the majority of grassland habitats, it is not surprising addressing grassland habitat conservation measures are central in all of Ireland’s agri-environment schemes.