Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
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farmlaNd<br />
As a largely rural <strong>and</strong> agricultural county, much of<br />
<strong>Roscommon</strong>’s biodiversity is found on farms, particularly<br />
on marg<strong>in</strong>al l<strong>and</strong>. Farml<strong>and</strong> is hugely important for wildlife<br />
as hedgerows, rough grassl<strong>and</strong>, arable fields, trees, scrub,<br />
ponds <strong>and</strong> streams are havens for wildlife such as hares,<br />
stoats, badgers, hedgehogs <strong>and</strong> frogs; numerous birds<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>sects. REPS schemes <strong>and</strong> other Agri-Environment<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiatives have <strong>in</strong>creased awareness of the importance<br />
of protect<strong>in</strong>g natural habitats <strong>in</strong> order to protect the<br />
environment (particularly water quality) <strong>and</strong> our natural<br />
heritage. Farmers have a knowledge <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g of<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scapes <strong>and</strong> farml<strong>and</strong> habitats that should be harnessed<br />
when develop<strong>in</strong>g future plans for protect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> manag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
our biodiversity resources.<br />
Photo by Giorria Environmental<br />
Services<br />
14<br />
Kestral. Photo by John Earley<br />
Hedge plant<strong>in</strong>gs. Photo by Padraig<br />
Corcoran.