Biodiversity on farmland: introducing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

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1 Biodiversity on farmland: introducing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Dr Erin Jo Tiedeken Project officer for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

2 Biological diversity or biodiversity: the variety of all life forms on Earth -Actions for Biodiversity, ,448+

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4 WHAT IS IRELAND S BIODIVERISTY DATA USED FOR? Report on progress with implementation of EU Directives and international conventions National conservation assessments (e.g., Red Lists) Provide local authorities with data for strategic planning and development control Provide a resource for researchers & assist knowledge transfer WE CAN T PROTECT NATURE IF WE DON T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE, WHERE IT IS AND HOW IT IS CHANGING

5 WHY IS POLLINATION IMPORTANT FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR? 53million/ annum 7M 3.9M

6 Irish pollinators, an important component of biodiverstiy are in decline; 1/3 rd of our 98 bee species are threatened with extinction.

7 What is the All Ireland Pollinator Plan? A SHARED plan of action to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive Published on 17 th September 2015 Developed by a 15 member steering group (chair: Dr Una Fitzpatrick, deputy chair: Dr Jane Stout) Included a consultation phase which involved both public & stakeholder engagement More than 68 governmental and nongovernmental organisations have agreed to the Plan Identifies 81 actions to make Ireland pollinator friendly

8 The Plan is supported by 68 organisations The number of supporting organisations is continuing to increase since publication of the Plan

9 To implement the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan it is important to think about providing: food, shelter & safety Food MAKING IRELAND POLLINATOR FRIENDLY Provide food and shelter across all types of land Shelter Farmland Public land Private land

10 The Pollinator Plan is producing a series of guidelines with actions on how you can help provide food, shelter and safety for pollinators: Pollinator friendly actions, each very clearly explained All recommended actions are evidence based Lots of options All actions are pragmatic & low cost

11 In preparation: pollinator-friendly guidelines for FARMLAND Aim to have 5% flower-rich habitat & 1km flowering hedgerows per 100 ha

12 A. Identify and protect existing areas ALREADY good for pollinators Action 1: Manage existing hedgerows for pollinators Action 2: Protect existing flower-rich natural/seminatural habitats Action 3: Protect other flower-rich areas on the farm (e.g. wild areas around farm buildings, roadside verges, areas with brambles, thistles, and ivy) Action 4: Protect existing solitary bee nesting areas (e.g. dry stone walls, south or east facing earth banks, tussocky grass B. Manage some grassy areas for pollinators Action 5: Set aside patches of less productive grassland for pollinators Action 6: Reduce/rotate topping to allow some areas to flower Action 7: Traditional hay meadow management Action 8: Manage some pastures to support pollinators

13 C. Pollinator friendly planting Action 9: Incorporate clover in your sward Action 10: Plant catch and cash crops that benefit pollinators Action 11: Plant pollinator friendly native trees Action 12: Plant new hedgerows Action 13: Grow your own pollinator friendly fruit and veg in a farm garden Action 14: Create pollinator habitat by sowing (field margins, awkward field corners, buffer strips, etc.) D. Provide wild pollinator nesting habitat Action 15: Create bare ground for nesting solitary bees Action 16: Provide artificial nest sites for solitary bees Action 17: Increase areas of rough nesting for bumblebees Action 18: Retain dead wood for forest management

14 In preparation: pollinator-friendly guidelines for FARMLAND

15 CALL TO ACTION Tom Cuffe Thank You Project officer: Dr Erin Jo Tiedeken Project coordinator: Dr Úna FitzPatrick