A new population of the rare Great Yellow Bumblebee, a species threatened with extinction in Ireland, was found in the Burren in July. Also found were previously unknown colonies of both the Shrill carder bee and the Red shanked carder bee, two other very rare species of bee. These were some of the exciting finds from a weekend BeeBlitz in the Burren, organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. ‘These new populations are very significant as they confirm that the Burren is one of the principal sites for Bumblebee conservation in Ireland’, said Dr. Una Fitzpatrick Ecologist with the Data Centre.

The first ever BeeBlitz of its kind was organised by Dr. Fitzpatrick over the weekend of 23-25 July to survey for bumblebees which are currently under threat of extinction in Ireland. The event brought together 22 of Ireland’s leading bee specialists to undertake detailed systematic surveys of the region to determine the status of some of Ireland’s rarest bees. The data collected as part of this Blitz will contribute toward the Bees of Ireland national database, hosted by the Data Centre and will provide valuable information to assist the conservation of bees in Ireland.

Bees are Ireland’s most important pollinators and provide a vital ecological and economic service to society. The contribution bees make to agriculture and the horticultural sector in Ireland is worth in the order of €50 millions each year. Unfortunately, of the 101 different species of bee that occur in Ireland, around 30 are threatened with extinction and three have become extinct over the last 80 years.

Despite the alarming decline in bee populations in Ireland, and the vital ecosystem service they provide, there is no legal protection afforded bees in Ireland. The Data Centre has, however, produced an action plan for bee conservation in Ireland, which identifies the actions are most needed to assist conservation.

For further information on bee conservation contact Dr. Una Fitzpatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Carriganore, WIT West Campus, Waterford.

Phone: 00 353 51 306240

Email: ufitzpatrick@biodiversityireland.ie .

This is an exciting development for the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, a scheme coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Compiling data at a European scale provides far greater information on the factors impacting upon butterfly populations and facilitates prioritization of appropriate conservation measures at both the national and European level. One interesting result of this collaboration has been a new understanding of the painted lady butterfly – in particular the extraordinary migration recorded last year in Ireland. By bringing the data together from the various European countries, we have traced the journey of this butterfly in 2009 from northern Africa across Europe.

Link to the report:

http://www.bc-europe.org/upload/VS2010-010%20European%20Butterfly%20Indicator%201990-2009.pdf

Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme website:

http://irishbutterflymonitoringscheme.biodiversityireland.ie/

If you wish to contribute to the identification of knowledge gaps but are unable to attend the meeting you can contribute your view through an online survey available at http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/biodiversity-knowledge-quest/

This survey provides an opportunity for you to identify knowledge gaps within particular taxonomic groups. There are 8 questions in total, relating to possible knowledge gaps within a range of areas; from lack of recognised Irish checklists to monitoring, policy and capacity building requirements.  Surveys should be submitted before the 24th August, so that they can be used to inform the discussion at workshops during the 26-27th August meeting which will review the state of knowledge on Ireland’s biological diversity and set priorities for 2020.

Review of the state of knowledge on Ireland's biodiversity

Ireland has agreed a conservation target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. Over the last decade our knowledge on Ireland’s biological diversity has expanded greatly, yet we still don’t even know how many species there are in Ireland, where they are distributed and how their populations are changing. This will be the subject of a major meeting of scientists and recorders organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford on 26th & 27th August, as part of Ireland’s contribution to International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is hosting this major meeting of scientists and recorders to provide an overview on the state of knowledge on Ireland’s biodiversity in 2010. The event will bring together experts on biodiversity research and surveying in Ireland to outline how much our understanding of Ireland’s biodiversity resource has increased over the last decade and to identify the major knowledge gaps that still exist.

Experts will highlight what is particularly significant about the different aspects of biodiversity, highlight what if any survey or monitoring programmes are in place and whether they are subject of any statutory protection. A series of workshops will explore where the key knowledge gaps remain and a list of priorities to fill those gaps will be produced.

The event will provide a major benchmark on the state of biodiversity knowledge in Ireland in 2010 and assist prioritisation of work to fill the remaining knowledge gaps in time for 2020, to coincide with the next international biodiversity target.

The event will be of interest to anyone involved with surveying and researching the distribution and conservation of Ireland’s species and habitats. It will provide an opportunity to contribute to the knowledge base on Ireland’s biological diversity and to influence the future direction of survey priorities needs in Ireland.

Click on the programme and booking form below for further details.

Programme

Booking Form

A formal report of the workshop will be shortly available at www.NOBANIS.org

More in depth analysis will be provided later.

Thanks to every who participated and made event such a success.

Master Tally Update 5pm

Fota Tally Update 5pm

Wicklow Tally Update 5pm

Connemara Tally Update 5pm

Glenveagh Tally Update 5pm

Coole Park Tally Update 5pm

Newbridge Tally Update 5pm

Tree Identification walk

Some pictures of the goings on at Connemara’s BioBlitz this afternoon.

Scientist busy identifying last few species

Sean Nos dancing

More to the Ash than meets the eye

What is that Bryophyte asks Rory

Coole Kids

Pictured are some very happy kids recording water bugs on a glorious BioBlitz day at Coole Park.

Tension is mounting as we move towards the last hour of recording. The race to be crowned BioBlitz 2010 champions ends at 5pm. Final result will be posted on the website around 5.20pm.

Master Tally Update 3pm

Connemara Tally Update 3pm

Glenveagh Tally Update 3pm

Newbridge Tally Update 3pm

Wicklow Tally Update 3pm

Coole Park Tally Update 3pm