4.12.1 Key issues: Biodiversity

The EPA’s 2020 report, Ireland’s Environment - An Integrated Assessment 2020, notes that

the main drivers and pressures on nature in Ireland include the rapid loss of biodiversity and

changes to habitats in general at international level, with many habitats and species having

less than favourable conservation status at EU level.

The following key biodiversity issues have been identified through the baseline review:

There is a need to support the integrity of the national site network within Ireland.

New strategic cycle infrastructure has the potential to lead to habitat loss, the

disturbance of species and fragmentation of ecological networks.

The nature, scale, timing, and duration of some activities could result in the disturbance

of species at a level that may substantially affect their behaviour, and consequently

affect the long-term viability of their populations. Any new strategic cycle infrastructure

will need to consider the scale, timing and duration of its activities, to avoid disturbance

to species along the routes.

The development of a NCN also offers opportunities for enhancing linkages between

habitats and delivering net gains for biodiversity.