Sharp increase in dying alder trees

A FEW days ago I was conducting river walks along the banks of the Barrow as part of the Carlow Floral Festival.

I have been doing this every August for some years now and this means I can monitor any changes that are happening to the wildlife.

One thing I noticed is a sharp increase in the number of dead and dying alder trees. This is sad because, although alders are not of any huge economic importance, I like them and they do have environmental value. They mostly grow along the banks of rivers and canals or on lake shores and their roots stabilise the banks and prevent erosion damage.