Habitat loss and fragmentation are factors driving biodiversity decline on a global scale. Northern Ireland (NI) ranks 12th worst in the world for biodiversity loss, with 11% of vegetation species at threat. Environment Systems, on behalf of Ulster Wildlife and in partnership with the National Trust, RSPB and the Woodland Trust, has created Nature Recovery Networks (NRN’s) across the whole of Northern Ireland, as well as local-scale case studies in Ards & North Down Council and the Belfast area.The first of its kind for Northern Ireland, these data were created with the aim of providing evidence that can help steer momentum towards conserving and improving biodiversity in Northern Ireland.

The maps produced for the project show the areas of primary habitats and associated habitats (habitats which are found in mosaic with the primary habitat type, that support species movement throughout the landscape), as well as areas that could be restored to strengthen each habitat network. These opportunity areas were identified based on soil type, existing habitat cover, and proximity to areas of primary habitat. The opportunity areas are divided into different classes (Network Enhancement Zones, Network Expansion Zone, Fragmentation Action Zone), which assist with prioritising and selecting the best locations for habitat restoration and recreation, in order to increase the resilience of existing habitats and maximise the effectiveness of the action.

NRNs were created for 20 habitats at a national scale, and for 14 habitats at a local scale. The NRNs were also combined to produce four grouped networks (grassland, wetland, woodland and coastal networks) at national and local scales. The local network maps complement the national network datasets but incorporate more locally focused data and local conservation priorities (e.g., by incorporating small urban habitat features), and provide more detail on habitat networks and opportunities at a finer scale. For example, the local network of deciduous woodland in Belfast shows urban street trees and their importance in connecting areas of deciduous woodland, as well as supporting biodiversity in urban areas.

30 by 30 ambition
30 by 30 is a global initiative for governments to classify 30% of Earth’s land and sea area as protected by 2030. NI has over 1.3 million hectares, which means over 400,000 ha would need to be protected. Our work on this project indicates that 27.1% of NI is primary habitat, just short of meeting the 30% goal. Much of these primary habitat areas are not currently protected, but protecting all of the existing habitat fragments may not be the best way to protect and enhance ecological resilience; for example, if habitat patches are geographically isolated, they are more likely to be vulnerable to disturbances and extinctions. Even if all areas of primary habitat became protected it would still be necessary to look to restore or create new primary habitats – our work has indicated that this is entirely possible.

Additional input datasets are required to support decision making when choosing which areas to prioritise. NRNs alone do not provide the solution and need to be supplemented with other data. Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI’s) are an important network of protected sites that could serve as a starting point for identifying new priority sites for protection, in order to strengthen ecological connectivity between existing priority sites.