SPU C05-15 - Provision of a survey to monitor and assess three EU Habitats Directive Annex 1 Grassland Habitats

Ireland is obliged to undertake surveillance/monitoring (Article 11) of the habitats listed on Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directive and to report regularly on their conservation status (Article 17). The assessment of conservation status requires an understanding of the distribution, area, structures and functions and the pressures impacting on these habitats. Designing an effective surveillance programme involves monitoring a representative sample of the resource across its natural range. The Irish semi-natural grasslands survey (ISGS) took place between May 2007 and September 2012 (O’Neill et al., 2013), resulting in the botanical survey and mapping of 1,192 grassland sites covering 23,188.1 ha of Ireland. A total of 1,255 ha of 5 Annex I grasslands were surveyed and assessed. 361 areas of assessed Annex I grassland habitat greater than the minimum mapping area (400m2) located at 324 sites were recorded across 23 of Ireland’s 26 counties. 135 primary areas of Annex I grassland above a minimum size and of adequate structure and functions were selected; i.e. the majority of these sites had >50% of their area in good condition. This list represents the best known examples of Annex I grassland habitat recorded across the country and recommendations were made for their inclusion in future monitoring programmes. NPWS is calling for tenders to undertake the monitoring of conservation status and to update the National Conservation Status Assessment of the following annexed grassland habitats: • Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (6210); important orchid sites (*6210) • Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) (6410) • Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) (6510)

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